Be Ready!

Being a Christian means much more than just believing Jesus is our savior and hoping that through our correct theological doctrine we will one day get to a place called heaven when we die. In fact, as Christians, we should be more concerned about Jesus returning to earth than us going to heaven.

A true Christian is one who joins Jesus in His work on planet earth. In other words, to use religious terminology, we are “saved to serve.” In Luke 12:35-37, a passage of scriptures on watchfulness, Jesus is reminding us of this fact that his people should be watching, they should be ready and they should be doing his work. Jesus wants an immediate response when He knocks on the door.

“35Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37(a)It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.” Luke 12:35-37a

Jesus also instructs us to be on our guard against the thief. Luke 12:39-40 says, “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

It is said that Satan once called to him the emissaries of hell and said he wanted to send one of them to earth to aid women and men in the ruination of their souls. He asked which one would want to go. One creature came forward and said, "I will go." Satan said, "If I send you, what will you tell the children of men?" He said, "I will tell the children of men that there is no heaven." Satan said, "They will not believe you, for there is a bit of heaven in every human heart. In the end everyone knows that right and good must have the victory. You may not go."

Then another came forward, darker and fouler than the first. Satan said, "If I send you, what will you tell the children of men?" He said, "I will tell them there is no hell." Satan looked at him and said, "Oh, no; they will not believe you, for in every human heart there's a thing called conscience, an inner voice which testifies to the truth that not only will good be triumphant, but that evil will be defeated. You may not go."

Then one last creature came forward, this one from the darkest place of all. Satan said to him, "And if I send you, what will you say to women and men to aid them in the destruction of their souls?" He said, "I will tell them there is no hurry." Satan said, "Go!"

I pray Jesus will find us watching, ready and working when He returns!

Built to Last

In today's fast paced world, it can be quite a challenge to build a strong and healthy marriage. Unfortunately, our society tends to define success based upon the things we accomplish and the possessions we accumulate. This mentality has caused many people to neglect that which should get the best of our time and energy. Nothing is more important than building a great marriage; therefore, those who are married should make loving their spouse a top priority. The condition of our society is always a direct reflection of what is happening in our homes.

I have discovered that many people have no idea on how to build a successful and prosperous marriage. Listed below are three keys to building and maintaining a great marriage:

1. Build solid and strong foundations.

Successful marriages just don’t happen because people have feelings of love for one another. People who once were madly in love with each other get divorced every day. Like a sturdy house, a great marriage is built. The most important part of the building phase is laying solid and strong foundations. Whether it is a house or a marriage, solid and strong foundations are what everything else is built upon. During the foundation stage of marriage is when the husband and wife solidify a wonderful friendship.

2. Love to serve your spouse.

So many marriages are doomed for destruction right from the beginning because people marry with the expectation that their spouse is supposed to meet their every need. As soon as their needs are not getting met the way they think they should be, too many people choose to end the marriage. Although there are legitimate needs in a marriage that God uses our spouse to meet, the most successful marriages are the ones where the husband and wife live to serve one another. Learning to serve your spouse during the different seasons of life is vital to creating an environment of trust and intimacy in the home.

3. Communicate, communicate, and communicate.

Developing excellent communication skills are absolutely essential to effective marriages. Poor communication in a marriage is one of the main causes of divorce. Communication begins with the ability to listen and understand what your spouse is saying. When in doubt or unsure of what is being communicated, you should go the extra mile to get clarity. It is also important that you learn how to argue righteously and resolve conflict. Learning how to communicate in such a way to resolve conflicts in marriage is another way to develop trust and intimacy. Your biggest arguments can be moments when you get your greatest breakthroughs in your relationship if you possess the right communication skills.

Are you building a marriage to last?

Making the Most of Every Opportunity

Ephesians 5:15-17 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.”

These verses remind us that in certain moments during our lifetimes, God gives us unique opportunities within time to do something significant. These moments are “kairos” moments—a one time, passing opportunity—that is most strategic and pivotal. Apostle Paul is reminding the saints at Ephesus to: “Take advantage of the time that you have while you have it. You will never have this moment again.”

Alex Bilodeau, a 22-year-old from Montreal, won the men's moguls gold medal, which was the first ever for Canada when it was hosting the Olympics. It was a day of sweet brotherhood at the mountain. Bilodeau paid an emotional tribute to his disabled other brother Frederic, who was on hand for the historic moment.

"My brother has been an inspiration for me since I was young," Bilodeau said. "Growing up with a brother that is handicapped [cerebral palsy], you learn so much from those people. Everybody could complain, but you see a smile [from him]."

It brought great joy to my heart to witness Alex Bilodeau make the most of his Olympic opportunity. With the hopes and dreams of a handicapped big brother and his country riding on him, Bilodeau skied and jumped to Olympic gold.

As I watched Bilodeau celebrate with the citizens of Canada at the medal ceremony, I began to think about how Jesus Christ seized his “kairos” moment. Bilodeau was lifted up on a platform to receive a gold medal, but Jesus Christ was lifted up on a cross for the sins of all humanity. His last words while hanging on the cross where: “It is finished.” Jesus Christ seized his moment, made the most of his opportunity, and brought glory to God by completing the work He was sent to do.

How important was it for Jesus to make the most of his opportunity? It was the most significant act in history because without Christ’s crucifixion, there would be no forgiveness for our sins.

As we remember Alex Bilodeau’s gold medal performance and Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, let’s find the inspiration we need to make the most of the opportunities God has given us here on earth.

Lord—please help us understand your will, and respond to it with obedience.

Confession Brings Freedom

On Friday February 19th, 2010, Tiger Woods gave a formal apology for his infidelity on every major news station in America. In addition to his apology, Tiger made a commitment to his wife, children, mother, friends, fans, fellow golfers, and sponsors to change his behavior. If he is truly going to make a change, he made a good first step by confessing his sins, and recognizing his mistakes.

Proverbs 28:13 says, "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

As we reflect on and rejoice in the gospel of Christ, two things happen. Our pride and defensiveness are stripped away, and we can let go of our illusion of self-righteousness, honestly examine ourselves, and find freedom from guilt and sin by admitting our wrongs. At the same time, the gospel shows us how important reconciliation is to God, which inspires us to do everything we can to repair any harm we have caused to others and to be reconciled to those we have offended. The restoration process involves four activities: repentance, self-examination, confession, and personal change.

To find the peace of God, we need to deal honestly with our transgressions. As Paul told Timothy, “If a man cleanses himself from (sin), he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). This cleansing process is inspired by Jesus’ promise that he has forgiven our sins and wants to purify us from the idols and habits that cause inappropriate behavior (1 John 1:9). He calls us to cooperate in this process of repentance, self-examination, confession, and personal change. The more faithfully we draw on his grace and pursue these steps, the more we will possess God's peace.

Let's learn from Tiger's press conference and not wait until our sins have destroyed our lives and hurt other people. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The quicker we admit this fact and repent for our sins, the quicker we can find freedom from sinful behavior. Remember, confession brings freedom!

Do you find it hard to admit when you are wrong? How can practicing repentance and confession help you live in the freedom Christ purchased for your life?

Hooray: The Virgin Got Sent Home

Two weeks ago on “The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love”, five women remained with only four roses to hand out. It was inevitable; one of the ladies was going home brokenhearted. Unfortunately and fortunately it was Cory. It was unfortunate because she got her heart broken. It was fortunate because she preserved her virginity for what will hopefully be the right man for her.

I am assuming that Cory is still a virgin because of her religious beliefs. I commend her form making this commitment, and not compromising her convictions during the show. When asked by Jake, “Would you live with someone during engagement?” Cory answered without hesitation, “No, I believe that is reserved for marriage.” She is absolutely right.

Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” God only approves of sex between a husband and a wife in a marriage covenant.

In fact, it is wrong to even stir up the emotions of another without a wholehearted commitment to that person. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 says, “It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”

Intimacy with another person without commitment is fraud!

I am not a big fan of the show format of the Bachelor. In fact, I hate it. I think it is the worst possible way to find your spouse. No man trying to find true love should be so intimate and physical with multiple women at the same time. Show after show this format leads to confusion and heartbreak.

It also facilitates an environment where the couple builds faulty foundations in their relationship. Instead of building on friendship, trust, purity and honor, they build on deceit, mistrust, impurity and dishonor. And, they do it in the name of love. Love is patient and love never takes advantage of another person’s emotions to try to figure out if they are the right one.

Wipe your tears dry Cory and be thankful you got sent home. God has a man waiting for you who will love you and honor you for making the right choice to wait for him. Don’t ever think for a minute that you should have to compromise your convictions to find love. Any man worth having you by his side will commit to you before he tells you he loves you, and he will wait to kiss you on your wedding day.

Trust me Cory; it will be worth the wait!

I Missed the Avatar Blues (Part 3)

I feel compelled to communicate that every longing of humanity mentioned in my last blog are satisfied as we live in relationship with Jesus Christ. I realized that the reason I did not leave Avatar feeling blue is because Jesus has changed my life. Jesus has met my longing:

1. To worship: Christ-followers don’t worship trees or an impersonal force of nature, we get to worship the one true living God. In John 4:23 Jesus said, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

2. To be free: Jesus sets people free from their sins and selfish desires. He gives us a freedom that empowers us to serve other people. We find true joy in this freedom as we use our liberty to help others. God has given us a beautiful planet to steward well and enjoy as we live life. Galatians 5:1 says, “1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

3. For a meaningful purpose: Matthew 28:18-20 says, “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Jesus has commissioned us to participate in the great adventure of making disciples of all nations. Nothing is more significant than being a powerful witness for Christ.

4. For love: Jesus defined for us the true meaning and expression of love. Jesus’ sacrificial death proves to us that no one can love us like him. In John 15:12-13 Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

5. To belong: When Jesus saves us from sin and death, he joins us to a fellowship of other Christ-followers called the body of Christ or the church. This group of people becomes our new spiritual family. Our longing to belong is fulfilled as we connect with other Christ-followers and serve God together. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

For all those experiencing the “Avatar Blues” there is a remedy that can only be found by receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior. James Cameron’s movie has awakened in audiences around the world the longings we all possess. It is true that there is a God-shaped vacuum in every human heart that only Christ can fill. Pandora, 3-D glasses, the latest visual effects and compelling characters only give us a few hours of stimuli and escape that produce in us a vain hope of living in utopia. When reality sets in, we are left with feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts. Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, is the only one who can fill our hearts with a peace, purpose, and joy for all of eternity.

Oh, by the way, heaven will be much more amazing than Pandora.

I Missed the Avatar Blues (Part 2)

Wow! After watching this movie, audiences desire to leave their earthly life to participate in a society like the one in Pandora. As a member of the indigenous tribe, called the Na'vi, Jake Sulley had all the longings of the heart fulfilled that he could not find as a human. I will list the longings below and briefly comment on them.

1. A longing to worship: The people of earth in Avatar were humanists with no religion, and therefore, no value of anything sacred. They invaded Pandora with a Darwin philosophy of “the strongest survive”. Since man is god to the humanist, the quest for power, and the accumulation of wealth are noble pursuits. The Na’vi were very spiritual and sought divine intervention for direction and meaning in life. The people of earth were spiritually empty pillagers while the Na’vi found purpose from their deity.

2. A longing to be free: The people of earth were enslaved by their own greed. They had no peace in their hearts. The Na’vi ran and flew nearly naked in their environment, and were free to enjoy the beauty and wonder of Pandora, while ruling over the animals of their planet. They were not addicted to wealth and seduced by success.

3. A longing for a meaningful purpose: The people of the earth only lived for the moment. Their whole purpose was to pursue their insatiable lust for power and money. The more they gained, the more they had to possess. Jake Sulley, as a mighty Na’vi warrior, found purpose in protecting and fighting for his persecuted tribe. By living for someone else, he found a meaning in life more significant than trying to fulfill his personal desires.

4. A longing for love: The people of the earth were too focused on their own agendas to love one another. In other words, they were selfish and very divisive. The Na’vi valued finding their mate as a major part of becoming a contributing member of the tribe. Choosing a mate was synonymous with fulfilling their destiny in life.

5. A longing to belong: The people of the earth were corrupted by their humanistic philosophy that influenced them to do what was right in their own sight. This philosophy actually caused them to live in dissension as they pillaged Pandora. Not one person from planet earth was in love with somebody else in the movie. Jake Sulley got a new purpose and a new body as an Avatar. He also found meaning and new life after passing his tests and becoming a son of his Na’vi tribe.

Stayed tuned for Part 3!

I Missed the Avatar Blues

Okay, I admit it; I have seen Avatar more than once. In fact, I have contributed twice to the billions of dollars Avatar has grossed worldwide. Obviously, I enjoyed the movie if I went back to view it for a second time. Avatar, with its stunning visual effects, is a movie you have to attend at the theatre to experience it on the big screen.

After my first viewing, I left the movie both joyful and contemplative. I was joyful because I had just spent the night out with my wonderful wife. I was contemplative because I couldn’t help but notice the worldview being communicated in Avatar. It definitely portrayed the people of earth (mainly Americans) as greedy, selfish, divisive, deceptive and arrogant. It also displayed a combination of pantheism, Hinduism, New Age and Indian worship rituals as the way to create a utopian society. Christianity was completely left out.

A week after my first viewing of Avatar, I had a friend tell me about the “Avatar Blues” that people were experiencing after the movie. James Cameron's completely immersive spectacle "Avatar" may have been a little too real for some fans who say they have experienced depression and suicidal thoughts after seeing the film because they long to enjoy the beauty of the alien world Pandora.

So, after hearing about this phenomena, I went back to see the movie again wondering if I would experience the “Avatar Blues”. I did not, but I did get better insight into what is causing the “Avatar Blues”.

In their race to mine for Pandora's resources, the humans clash with the Na'vi, leading to casualties on both sides. The world of Pandora is reminiscent of a prehistoric fantasyland, filled with dinosaur-like creatures mixed with the kinds of fauna you may find in the deep reaches of the ocean. Compared with life on Earth, Pandora is a beautiful, glowing utopia.

According to a CNN report by Jo Piazza, a person named Mike wrote on the fan Web site "Naviblue" that he contemplated suicide after seeing the movie. Ever since I went to see 'Avatar' I have been depressed. Watching the wonderful world of Pandora and all the Na'vi made me want to be one of them. I can't stop thinking about all the things that happened in the film and all of the tears and shivers I got from it," Mike posted. "I even contemplate suicide thinking that if I do it I will be rebirthed in a world similar to Pandora and the everything is the same as in 'Avatar.' "

Other fans have expressed feelings of disgust with the human race and disengagement with reality. Ivar Hill posts to the "Avatar" forum page under the name Eltu. He wrote about his post-"Avatar" depression after he first saw the film earlier this month.

"When I woke up this morning after watching Avatar for the first time yesterday, the world seemed ... gray. It was like my whole life, everything I've done and worked for, lost its meaning," Hill wrote on the forum. "It just seems so ... meaningless. I still don't really see any reason to keep ... doing things at all. I live in a dying world."

Did you experience the Avatar Blues?

Stayed tuned for part 2 of “I Missed the Avatar Blues”.

Gaining the World While Losing Your Soul (Part 2)

As you watch players and coaches celebrate after winning a national championship, for a moment, it does seem like they have gained the whole world. According to those who win national championships, words can’t explain what a thrill it is to be the best in your sport. I just wonder how many coaches and players are losing their souls to gain a national championship.

How do you lose your soul while winning a championship? You lose it when you have to compromise your faith for success. You lose it when you have to neglect your family for extra work to gain a victory. You lose it when you have to cheat by breaking NCAA rules to get a top recruit. You lose it when your conduct on the field is unsportsmanlike.

In Matthew 6:24 Jesus said, “"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

When victories and money takes precedent over the glory of God in sports, they will become the master to be served. Victories on the field and money might give their recipient’s momentary pleasure and fame, but they will never produce eternal contentment in their human hearts. In fact, when victory becomes the master, winning championships actually becomes a curse instead of a blessing. After winning a championship, more money is given to the coach, and more expectations are placed on him/her to win another one. These modern day expectations are just not realistic, and detrimental to both the coaches and players they effect. The recent revelations of Coach Urban Meyer and his health concerns are our latest examples.

I hope and pray Coach Meyer’s health is okay, and I hope and pray that young football athletes would not want to emulate the behavior of the Miami Hurricanes football team portrayed in “The U”. There is a better way coaches and players can conduct themselves as they work to be excellent in their sport.

Don’t get me wrong! I wholeheartedly believe you should try your very best to win when you compete. I am just convinced there is a better Master to serve while laboring to be a champion. His name is Jesus, and everything we do in life (yes, even coaching and playing football) should be done for His glory. This is the only attitude that will produce a supernatural peace and joy in the human heart, and this is the only approach that will earn a trophy that lasts forever.

Gaining the World While Losing Your Soul

On Saturday, December 26, 2009, Urban Meyer sent shock waves through the college sports world by communicating that he was resigning as the head coach of the University of Florida football team. The following day during a press conference at the Sugar Bowl, Meyer announced that he was actually going to take an indefinite leave of absence, but still remain the head coach. He stated his personal health was the main reason he was taking some time off from coaching. He also mentioned he wanted to reprioritize his life with faith and family being the main focus.

Immediately, sports commentators and writers began to talk about the stress and pressure that major college football coaches experience in their job. According to their reporting, Meyer is the type of coach who keeps the candle burning at both ends while building the Gator football program into a national powerhouse. This lifestyle was literally deteriorating his health to the point that he was experiencing frequent and severe chest pains. His doctors informed him that if he did not change his daily routine, it could be fatal.

What made this story so shocking was the fact that Urban Meyer has been the most successful college football coach in the 21st century. You would think that if anybody should be enjoying their job, and the benefits of success, it would be him. Is he gaining the world while losing his soul?

I spent almost ten years as a strength and conditioning coach for the Florida State Seminoles. I had the opportunity during this time to witness firsthand the amount of time coaches dedicate to their profession. Although it didn’t seem possible at the time, there are even greater expectations for coaches to produce championship teams today as coaching contracts and bowl payouts have reached the millions.

Recently, I watched a documentary on ESPN called “The U”. It was a story about the success of the Miami Hurricane football program during the 1980’s and early 1990’s. The Hurricane football teams during this time were known for their talent, swagger and unsportsmanlike conduct. In fact, their conduct on the field became so disgraceful, the NCAA had to implement new rules and policies to deal with their flagrant violations. Most, if not all, of the Hurricane’s players and coaches didn’t care about how they behaved on the field as long as they were winning. Were they gaining the world while losing their soul?

After watching this documentary and pondering Coach Meyer’s announcement, I opened my Bible and read the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:26. In this passage of Scripture, Jesus asked Peter these questions: What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

I admire Coach Meyer for pondering these questions, and trying to get his priorities right. Hopefully, he will be able to do this during his indefinite leave of absence from coaching.

Stay tuned for part 2 of "Gaining the World While Losing Your Soul".

The Decade From Heaven

According to the December 2009 issue of Time Magazine, we have just gone through the “Decade From Hell”. It’s interesting to note this assessment came from one of our national magazines instead of an angry judgmental religious figure. Time Magazine is using Biblical terminology to describe our current condition in America. Entering into a new decade, I want to ask this question:

How do we usher in the decade from heaven over the next ten years?

While asking myself this question, and praying for an answer, I began to discern the Lord prodding me to read the book of Micah. Micah was a prophet of God who prophesied concerning Samaria, the capital of Israel, and Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. The subjects of Micah’s messages reveal much about the society of the day. He constantly renounced the oppression of the poor by the rich. He characterized the rich as devising ways in which to cheat the poor out of their land (2:1-5). People were evicted from their homes and had their possessions stolen. Those who committed such crimes were fellow Israelites (2:6-11). The marketplace was full of deception and injustice (6:9-16). The rulers of the country, who had the responsibility of upholding justice, did the opposite (3:1-4).

Micah denounced the religious practices of the nation. He predicted the destruction of Judah as an act of God’s judgment. Other prophets, however, led the people to believe that this could never happen because God was residing in the nation and would protect them. Micah contended that the other prophet’s message was not from God. Instead, the message from God was the imminent devastation of Judah (3:5-12).

The people worshiped other gods. They did not quit believing in and worshiping the God of Judah, but they combined this worship with devotion to other details (5:10-15). The people believed all that religion required of them was to bring their sacrifices and offerings to the Temple. No relationship was acknowledged between their activity in the Temple and their activity in daily life. Micah attempted to correct this misconception by arguing that God is not just interested in the physical act of making a sacrifice but is supremely concerned with obedience that extends into daily life.

If there is a God who is involved in the affairs of nations we better take heed because the conditions of Israel and Judah were frightening similar to America today. Marketplace injustice, political corruption, apathetic faith, false prophets, idol worship and oppression of the poor are all symptoms that currently plague America, and invite the wrath of God.

In Micah 6:8 the prophet communicates what the Lord requires from those who want to please Him, and the three keys to ushering in the decade from heaven. It says, “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God are three character qualities that Jesus Christ exemplified. This is best demonstrated in the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11. It says:

3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" Jesus said, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Jesus upheld the justice of the law, which required the stoning of people who were caught in adultery, by telling those who were without sin to throw the first stone. Knowing no one would make the cut to throw a stone, based upon his qualifications of a sinless life, Jesus gave the woman a chance to receive mercy. And, in an amazing act of humility, Jesus did not condemn the woman either as he commanded her to go and leave her life of sin.

In the next ten years, let’s usher in the “Decade From Heaven” by emulating Jesus Christ, and acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God.

May God bless us in 2010 and beyond as we obey the words of the prophet Micah!

Leaving Behind the Decade of Hell

I simply can’t believe that we are at the end of 2009. Each year seems to be flying by faster and faster. It is even more astounding to me that we are about to enter into a new decade. Ten years have already come and gone in the new millennium—wow!

Entering 2010, and a new decade, has caused me to seek the Lord in prayer to a greater degree than usual. I just finished reading the cover article, “The Decade From Hell”, in the December issue of Time magazine. The article listed neglect, greed, self-interest and deferral of responsibility as the causes for some of the most troubling developments of the decade. In fact, the writer says, “In large part, we have ourselves to blame.”

Listed below is a summation of the events that transpired over the last decade:

• Threat of the Y2K computer meltdown to start the 21st century.
• 2000: Torrential rains and flooding leave more than a million homeless in Africa.
• U.S. presidential election ends in chaos and is resolved by the Supreme Court.
• 2001: Nineteen Islamic terrorists fly hijacked jets into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000.
• Enron files for Chapter 11, the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history to date.
• 2002: Beltway snipers strike, killing at least 10 people in the D.C. area.
• Congress authorizes U.S. military action against Iraq.
• 2003: Power failure blacks out millions in U.S. and Canada.
• President Bush declares “Mission Accomplished” as insurgency grows in Iraq.
• Earthquake in Iran kills more than 26,000.
• 2004: Tsunami kills more than 200,000 people in about a dozen countries in Southeast Asia and Africa.
• 2005: Hurricane Katrina strikes New Orleans; levees break; more than 1,500 are killed.
• Earthquake in Kashmir kills some 80,000.
• 2006: Charles Carl Roberts IV kills five girls at a Pennsylvania Amish school, then himself, in one of three school shootings in a week.
• Gas tops $3.00 a gallon.
• 2007: Student at Virginia Tech guns down 32, then himself.
• Senator Larry Craig pleads guilty to disorderly conduct after airport-bathroom gay sex sting.
• 2008: Oil hits record $147 a barrel.
• Dow drops nearly 34% for the year, the worst decline since 1931; S&P is down 38.5%, its worst year since 1937.
• 2009: Chrysler and General Motors declare bankruptcy; government becomes part owner.
• Bernie Madoff pleads guilty to fraud worth an estimated $65 billion.
• World Health Organization says H1N1 flu is global pandemic.
• Unemployment rate hits 10.2%.

I concur. Many, not all, of the problems we have experienced in our nation over the last ten years have been self-inflicted. If it is true that we have just gone through the decade of hell, I want to pose this question:

Have we just experienced the decade of hell because America has continued to turn away from God?

When the people of a nation rebel against and forsake God, they do so to their own demise. For example, after the building of the temple was complete, the Lord warned Solomon about the consequences of Israel’s disobedience. 2 Chronicles 7:19-22 says, "But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. 21 And though this temple is now so imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and say, 'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?' 22 People will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—that is why he brought all this disaster on them.' "

I am sure many Americans are ready to leave behind the “Decade of Hell”. However, before we do, let’s learn some valuable lessons from the last ten years. If neglect, greed, self-interest and deferral of responsibility continue to be the character traits of American citizens, then we should not expect the negative symptoms to diminish.

I pray the events of the last decade will cause us to humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways, seek the Lord and pray. If so, maybe the next ten years can be the decade from heaven. I sure hope so.

Happy New Year!

The Reason it is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Every year during the holiday season I spend extra time thinking about what makes Jesus Christ the most unique and magnificent figure in human history. As I drive through town, I see church signs declaring: Jesus is the reason for the season. Amazing songs admired for generations such as Joy to the World, Silent Night, and my favorite, O Holy Night, can be heard on just about every radio station. Andy Williams could not have sung it more perfectly. The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. I am a firm believer that Jesus is what makes this portion of the year so special.

In this blog, I want to list five reasons the birth of Christ distinguishes him from any human, prophet, religious figure, or person who claimed to be the messiah that has ever lived.

My top five reasons for believing Jesus is the Son of God are:

1. His Divine Birth

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:30-35

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, they forever tainted humanity with their sin. Every human born after Adam and Eve’s rebellious act would now be born into sin. God had to create a new lineage of humanity by starting with a human that was not born of sin. God accomplished this through the immaculate conception of his son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only one born with a divine nature because the Holy Spirit conceived him.

2. His Divine Love

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Very rarely will someone die for a good person, but Christ died to save sinners. His love is revolutionary because it changes the human heart to live a life of righteousness. More than creeds to follow, Jesus offers a transformational personal love relationship with every person who will open their heart to him.

3. His Divine Mission

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

The wages of sin is death and eternal separation from God in hell. We have all fallen short of the glory of God and sinned; therefore, we all are destined to suffer the horrific consequences of our actions. I don’t blame God. I wouldn’t allow sinners into the perfect place of heaven either. However, Jesus’ main mission on earth was to redeem mankind, and save them from eternal damnation.

4. His Divine Power

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:38

If someone is going to claim to be the Son of God, they better have the evidence to back it up. Jesus proved he was the Messiah by performing many documented signs, wonders and miracles. His whole life on earth was about helping and healing people. What a great legacy to leave behind for others to emulate.

5. His Divine Book

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21

To make sure we would never forget the greatest event in human history, the birth of Jesus Christ, God made sure his holy servants recorded the Scriptures. The Holy Bible is God’s special revelation to us revealing the character, nature and purpose of God. It also gives us answers to the most important questions in life such as: Where did we come from and why are we here?

There you have it, my top five reasons I believe Jesus is the Son of God.

The holiday season reminds me that it is not because of a lack of evidence that people deny Jesus. They do so because they choose to suppress the truth of God’s Son. Not me, this Christmas I will be joyfully celebrating and worshiping the greatest man who ever lived during the most wonderful time of the year. I invite you all to join me. There is nothing quite like it!

I pray that every Christmas light would remind you that Jesus is the light of the world. I pray that every gift under the tree would remind you that God sent Jesus Christ as the most significant gift to humanity. I pray that every hug from a beloved family member would remind you that Jesus loved you enough to die for your sins. I pray that every smile on a child’s face after opening their gift would remind you that in Jesus we have life everlasting.

Merry Christmas!

The Right People at the Right Place at the Right Time

How would you like to be one of the first people to gaze upon the face of God’s son? Imagine being invited by a heavenly host and an angel to a manger to witness the birth of Jesus Christ. That is exactly what happened to the shepherds in the Christmas story.

It seems the shepherds were the right people at the right place at the right time.

Luke 2:8-14 says, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

What happens when the right people are at the right place at the right time? Just like the shepherds, they get to experience a miracle. I can remember two times in my life when I was the right person at the right place at the right time.

The first time was in Tully Gym at Florida State University (FSU) playing pick-up basketball in the summer of 1988. The previous spring I had just left Mercer University, and forfeited a full basketball scholarship to attend FSU in the hopes of earning a spot on the men’s basketball team. For most of my teenage years, I had worked on being the right person by practicing my basketball skills with intense dedication. Then, in a moment, I found myself making six three point shots during our game as head coach Pat Kennedy watched from the bleachers. Out of nowhere, the next week I received a full scholarship in the mail.

The second time was when I met my wife, Cindy. I had just finished playing squash in the Leach Center at FSU, and was stretching when I saw this pretty girl getting a drink at the water fountain. I had spent the last four years working on being the right man by not dating, and learning how to love God with all my heart. Now, in a moment, I was talking to a girl about to graduate who would become my future wife. I went to the Leach Center to work out and met my soul mate.

In both of these scenarios, I was blessed to be the right person at the right place at the right time. Attending FSU on a full basketball scholarship, and marrying the greatest woman in the world are two miracles that have happened in my life.

As I reflect on the shepherds in the Christmas story, and think about these two incidents in my life, it is a great reminder that God is faithful. If you continue to obey the Lord, remain patient and trust in His provision for your life, then you can be the right person at the right place at the right time.

Humility or Humiliation

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14

I will never forget a lesson one of my spiritual mentors taught me a long time ago. It was an instruction on how I should conduct myself as I serve the Lord. It was a reminder to act like the tax collector in this parable and not the Pharisee. He said, “You can either humble yourself before the Lord or be humiliated by your sinful behavior.” I have found these words to be some of the wisest I have ever received.

A sport icon, Tiger Woods, is going through the most humiliating week of his life. In a statement released on his website Woods states, “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family.”

As a man who desperately needs the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ, I am not here to throw stones at Tiger Woods. However, I do believe that his transgressions can be a teachable moment.

One of my friends posted a comment on their Facebook page concerning Tiger Woods and his infidelity. It read: “I knew Tiger was arrogant, but I did not know he was stupid.”

Is Tiger arrogant? I must admit that most of the elite athletes I have met in my lifetime of being involved with sports are very prideful. You have to be confident to excel in your sport. The question is: Do you have to be arrogant?

I have never met Tiger personally, so I do not know firsthand whether or not he is arrogant. I can only draw conclusions from my observations of him on television and what I read about him in the press.

I believe anyone who does not recognize his or her need for redemption from the Lord Jesus Christ is an arrogant person. James 4:6, 10 says, “6God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Refusing to receive the grace of Jesus Christ by repenting for your sins and putting faith in Him to change your sinful nature is the ultimate act of pride. Our pride always leads to our destruction. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

I can’t help but think how life today would be different for Tiger, and so many others, if they would just humble themselves and admit they need the blood of Jesus to cleanse them from their sins. If Tiger would have done this, he could have avoided hurting the ones he claims to love more than anything else.

Tiger’s transgressions are a reminder that, even with the best of intentions, we cannot manage our sinful nature. Sooner or later we will succumb to temptation. We need to humble ourselves, and submit our lives to the only One who can redeem us by washing away our sins. His name is the Lord Jesus Christ.

You can either humble yourself before the Lord or be humiliated by your own sinful behavior. If Tiger would have chosen the former, he could have avoided the most embarrassing and painful moment of his life. My prayer for Tiger is that he would humble himself and become a recipient of God’s grace.

Have you humbled yourself before the Lord by recognizing your need for redemption?

Giving our Best on the Wrong Day

This past weekend was rivalry weekend in college football, and the majority of the games were quite exciting. Unfortunately, the most disappointing game was the Florida State vs. Florida match-up. The undefeated and first ranked Gators clobbered my poor Seminoles. Well, there is always next year. It seems like I have been saying that for many years now.

Anyhow, while watching the games during rivalry weekend, I couldn’t help but notice the pageantry of school colors, and the passion each fan possessed while cheering on their team. Each stadium was filled with students and alumni who were clapping, shouting, screaming, dancing and raising hands as they applauded their teams to victory. I even saw some of the most dedicated fans bowing down to their favorite performers after a big play. Other fans were crying as their teams ran onto the field. It was evident that there was no other place these people would rather be on a Saturday afternoon or evening.

Shouting, clapping, bowing down, dancing and raising hands are all external forms of praise and worship. Human beings were designed by God to participate in these activities. Therefore, we are inevitably going to find something to praise and worship.

Check out the following Scriptures:

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. Psalm 47:1

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. Psalm 95:6

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. Psalm 134:2

Let them praise him (the Lord) with dancing. Psalm 149:3a

As a sports fan, I really enjoy the game of college football. In fact, it is one of my favorite athletic contests to watch. I think it is great that people support and cheer for their favorite team. As a former college athlete, I know firsthand how much it meant to my teammates and me when our stands were full of enthusiastic fans.

I just wish people would show the same enthusiasm, support and passion on Sunday in church as they do on Saturday in college football stadiums. I feel compelled to remind us that Jesus is the one who conquered sin and defeated the grave for all of eternity. He is the one who is worthy of our best praise and worship.

I propose we move our tailgate parties to Sunday mornings as we anticipate praising this great champion.

See you in the church parking lot on Sunday!

Thankfulness: The Position of Power

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Thankfulness is so much more than good manners or good etiquette. It is a position of power that is rich in benefits. Psalm 69:30 says, “Magnify Him with thanksgiving.” This underscores the magnifying properties of thankfulness. To magnify something is to bring it closer, to see it with clarity and in detail. When we are thankful, it takes us from seeing God generally at a distance to seeing Him up close and personal.

When Jesus was faced with one of His greatest challenges, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, the first words from His mouth were, “Father I thank You”. Then, he commanded the risen Lazarus to step out of the tomb. When we are unthankful the problem is magnified and solutions become hard to find.

On the other hand, being thankful allows us to see how big God is and places the problem in a redemptive light. When the Lord is magnified through thankfulness the problem does not dictate our response, God does.

While fishing with my boys the other day, my oldest son Josiah jerked his fishing pole to set his hook and hit me in the face with the rod. The rod scratched my expensive polarized sunglasses and cut my face. Needless to say, I was very angry.

Instead of acting upon my anger and yelling at my son, I chose to keep an attitude of gratitude during this unfortunate and painful incident. I began to thank God that I had my sunglasses on and didn’t get my eyed poked out. Thinking about the ramifications of getting my eye poked out changed my whole perspective.

As I continued to fish, I wondered how I would have responded if my eye did get poked out. Then, I realized I could still be thankful because I have two eyes and still the ability to see. I then began to carry on this thought to its ultimate conclusion. What if both my eyes got poked out? Then, I could still be thankful that I have life. What if the jerk of the fishing pole had cut off my head and killed me? Then, I could still be thankful because I am going to heaven.

The power of thankfulness is that it keeps positioning us into something bigger and better than the problem. When we lack gratitude we are employing a very narrow radar screen. In other words, we have very limited visibility. I am often amazed at how easily people can doubt God over a simple cold, flu or some minor crisis; “O God where are you in my suffering?” My question to that is, “what about the gazillion others sicknesses, diseases and catastrophes He does keep away from us?” Giving thanks keeps our moments in divine perspective.

Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving!

The Pain of Unfaithfulness

Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble. Proverbs 25:19

In Proverbs 25:19, reliance on the unfaithful is compared to the pain that manifests in the human body when parts of it are not functioning properly. Solomon wants his readers to understand the devastating consequences of unfaithfulness. Some injuries hurt more than others. A sprained ankle is very painful.

Sometimes, the pain can be delayed, at other times it is instant. The level of pain is not always a measurement of the extent of the damage. Some people hear a 'pop' in their ankle. This could suggest a torn ligament. Swelling of the injured area follows the twist.

Rapid swelling usually indicates severe damage has taken place. The bleeding of damaged tissue causes the swelling, and the discoloration is a result of gravity pulling the blood downwards. The swelling is often situated a small distance away from the actual damaged site.

Just like the pain that comes from a damaged foot, people who act unfaithful cause tremendous pain to others. Infidelity in a marriage covenant hurts the one whose trust was betrayed. Children are emotionally damaged when parents abdicate their responsibilities. Churches can split over one member’s dissension. Companies and their clients suffer when an employee is dishonest. Unfaithfulness always hurts other people.

Have you or somebody you know ever been hurt by someone who acted unfaithful? What did you learn from that experience?

Get An Increase By Making An Investment

So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' Luke 19:13 (Parable of the Ten Minas)

God expects increase from His investment in people. The Parable of the Ten Minas teaches us about this truth. In this parable, the master gives his servants a certain amount of money with the expectation that they steward it wisely by putting the money to work.

This parable reminds us that there is a spiritual law called the law of investment. By use you possess and increase, and by disuse you decline and lose. The key to increase is investment. This applies to everything in life. Money will not earn interest unless it is invested. A muscle that goes unused will eventually atrophy. Parents can build a Godly legacy for generations when they chooses to invest in their children.

Jonathan Edwards is one of the greatest scholars America has ever produced. Before he was president of Princeton, he served as a pastor of a church. He was known to spend 12 hours a day in his study, plus pastor a church, plus father 11 children. When he had those children, he was praying and decided he wanted all of his children to know God and the purpose for which they were created. The Lord pressed upon him to spend one hour a day with his children.

His descendants include:

300 Pastors, 120 became professors at universities, 110 of his ancestors became attorneys, 60 were prominent authors, 30 were judges, 14 served as presidents at universities and colleges, 3 served in congress and 1 became vice president of the U.S.

How did it happen? It happened because Jonathan Edwards made an investment into his children.

How are you investing what God has given to you? Are you getting increase from your investment?

God Owns It All

Our role as a steward on planet earth involves faithfully managing what God has entrusted to us. The key to good stewardship is remembering that God owns it all. All the resources and abilities we possess are within our control only temporarily.

As the Bible says, And [Job] said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21).

This is one rule with no exceptions. Your hearse will not be pulling a U-Haul. Someone asked John D. Rockefeller's accountant if he knew exactly how much Mr. Rockefeller had left when he died. The accountant replied, "Certainly, to the penny. He left everything."

God has a general purpose for all believers, such as bringing glory to Him and sharing the good news of God's salvation through Jesus Christ. Each believer also has specific purposes for life unique to his gifts, talents, contacts, and opportunities. As we prayerfully discern our gifts and opportunities, God begins to reveal to us where to spend our efforts, time, emotional energy, and money on those areas. Then, of course, we must choose to obey what He has revealed to us.

Are you faithfully stewarding what God has entrusted to you?