Posts Tagged ‘God’
May 09
If I was a rich man
What is a rich man anyway? Is it material wealth? I looked up the definition of rich, and out of the 10 definitions, only one has to do with money. So let’s say it is material wealth, is that a bad thing? Everyone strives to do well financially, so why is it when there is a level of success in that arena, all of a sudden that person is scorned upon?
Is it jealousy or that pious attitude that you know better on what you would do with that wealth than the person or entity that has it? “Well if I had that much money, I would do such and such”.
Isn’t it all relative anyway? I mean the “rich” guy should sell his big house and cool car to live more modestly. Then he could do more for the (fill in the blank) _________. But compared to 90% of the world, we in the US are richer than most everyone. So why don’t you go sell all your stuff, live like they do, and then YOU can do something about whatever “it” is that you are concerned with.
Or maybe it isn’t all the rich people. It is just those rich preachers. You know, all they want is your money. Hmm? I think all churches take offerings. Why do they do that? Is it to just keep the local church afloat? Don’t you think churches want to have influence? If the values and morals that the church represents were to exert a greater influence on society, don’t you think we would live in a better world? I do.
You pay for movie tickets, tickets to the ball game, restaurants to eat out at, and the like. Do you care what they do with your money? No, since you received some value with your purchase, you are satisfied. With the church, you personally benefit and the ability of the church to exert a greater, positive influence on society expands as well.
So what’s the rub then with the church and money? It is as if you become the moral authority and whatever passes the acid test for you, you’re fine with it. Whatever does not, you feel like you have a legitimate gripe. The thing is, there is only one person’s action that you are accountable for, and that’s yours.
Do I agree with everything the “church” does? No, but so what! Tell me, is there anyone, or anything you agree with 100% of the time? I give because of what He has done for me. I give because I want the influence of the church to grow. I give because I want the influence of the Word of God to touch people’s lives. I will leave the management of that money to the people that will ultimately be accountable for how it is used. And personally, the more I have, the more I can give. All to the glory of God!
Apr 09
Are You Moved?
A couple of weeks ago, I had heard some unexpected negative news concerning our Senior Pastor’s health. It was hard to believe. Here is a man who has instilled such great faith in all of his congregation. He is a military man, a rock, and a fighter. With all that he has taught and imparted to us about health and healing, it was stunning. Hello? How could this man, our pastor, be fighting something like this? Well, the fight of your faith commences.
My mom passed away a year and a half ago after battling cancer. She never gave up hope. She was believing for her healing up to the end. So, if she had such great faith and passed away, and now your senior pastor has a health related issue, what are you suppose to think.
So this week, our pastor was going to take some time away to aggressively treat it. Then the news last night, after preliminary testing to determine his treatment, they can’t find anything. Um, what? Nothing? Clean bill of health? Yes, that’s the deal! Great News! God gets all the glory!
So now where is my faith? Do I add up all the people with great faith that didn’t make it and all of the ones that did? I guess I am at 50/50 then. Is that what we are suppose to do?
I don’t think so. We are not suppose to be moved by circumstance. The “news” on the economy is not good. Should I be moved? So and so had a strong marriage and now they are getting a divorce, should I be concerned? My father in-law committed suicide at 50, does this mean our family is cursed?
If my eyes were on other people or circumstances for my faith, I would be toast. That is not your gauge. Some people disappoint, some people are great examples. Circumstances are always in flux. The only true measure is the hope and promise that can only be found in His word. That is your measuring stick. By keeping my eyes on the what He has to say, I find myself breezing through those stormy days. I find myself more grounded and less likely to be blown off course. So, may you find yourself relying on His promises as you navigates the waters of your life.
Apr 09
Not in my own strength
I have been reminded lately about the blessings in my life that are totally out of my control. Me and my wife were out with some good friends tonight and were talking about our pasts and how we got from there, to here. As I was going over this with them, It put me into remembrance of how it all sounded so made up! It wasn’t, but it sure didn’t sound like it could happen to just an average guy like me. My life is so blessed now. It wasn’t always: my educational background, the mess of my life when I was younger, drinking, drugs, job hopping, divorce, financial mismanagement all pointed me down the road in opposite direction.
So how did I get to this point?
Apr 09
Fire and Sex
I have been pondering this generation’s preponderance for sex, and the normalizing of it in every aspect of our life. Our society has been dumbed down to the point that anything that is considered clever and funny is sex-related. What it really is, is crude, unimaginative humor, that appeals to our lowest nature. Can you go to a comedy movie these days that does not have a heavy dose of sex? I don’t think so. There is nothing in those movies that elevates and lifts us to a higher place. I know the pervasiveness of sex has taken the taboo off the subject, but how quickly we have fallen. IT IS EVERYWHERE! So what gives?
What I am Reading
