Good grief! What if he's right?

I like to stay in touch with what unbelievers are thinking.  An excellent source and, I feel, a very well written one at that, is a magazine called "The Sun".  Personally, I can relate to many of the stories, letters, and essays, and, because of them, I'm inspired to be genuine myself.

It is one thing to know that we are loved, whatever, whenever, and wherever we are, as Alan Knox stated so thoroughly in his blog.  But I believe it's quite another to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge in our hearts so well that others unmistakeably see Christ in us.

From the May 2012 issue of The Sun, the author is largely expressing the confusing disparity, resulting in an internal struggle, between tolerating and taking care of her terminally ill mother. Some of what's tolerated is the apparent hypocrisy of a church-goer, her mother, when she's not at church.

Speaking of a possibly convicting sermon, where the reaction is one of, "Good grief! What if he's right?" The author supposes that negative things carried for family generations can come to an end via a little applied compassion --

    "or,  if you know full well you're not up to the job [of forgiving people, and forgiving yourself], get down on your knees and let Jesus do it for you.  That is the arrangement that's on offer, if I've got the story right.

    All of a sudden church is over. These people! They grab you by the throat and wave God in your face, they preach damnation and everlasting glory, then they dismiss you just like that. That's it. We're done here. Go have lunch.

    At the door the preacher shakes our hands like we've made a deal, like we've each gotten rid of something we were glad to see the back of."

Dear Lord, let me be sure that is not the impression I leave as I encounter those who are struggling with real life issues, and are seeking a genuine answer, an answer only You can provide.

Beyond Salvation

Alan Knox said in his blog, The Assembling of the Church, that his church was soon going to study the book of Ephesians. In that regard, did anyone have any favorite verses to share?  Well, I had more than a verse is mind.  This is the comment I left...

I love this book! How do I pick a favorite verse or even a phrase? It's the whole thought and intent I love: the mystery of the gospel made known to Paul by special revelation, not known to other generations, and now revealed to us.

What is this 'mystery of the gospel', or 'the mystery of His will'? Isn't salvation the greatest gift there is to know? No! Neither was salvation a mystery not revealed to other generations. Is it that by grace we have been saved and not of works? No! Far from it! Rather, it is what is now available to those who are saved in this church age.

Through salvation, we already have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. It can't be that. Through salvation, we are already seated with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. It can't be that. Through salvation, we already have redemption in His blood, forgiveness of our trespasses. It can't be those either.

Then what?! What could possibly be more than salvation by grace while we're still on earth and awaiting our heavenly bodies and inheritance?! Is it merely that we love each other and worship God? What a privilege, but no, it is not those either.

This is what... and it is far MORE abundantly than ALL we could possibly ask, think, or imagine!  It is the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and fullness of God! It is to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge! It is that Christ will dwell in our hearts through faith, and we will be filled with His indwelling Spirit. It is that He will manifest Himself in us!

Perhaps all these things are summed up in this verse: "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:32 ESV)"  It is through this profound mystery that we grow up in Christ, that we mature and move beyond the milk of the word and sink our spiritual teeth into the meat of the word.  If it were just salvation, it wouldn't be profound unless we artificially inflated it.

Don't take the verses out of context. Don't read the verses in this book quickly and say, "I know that already." Instead, let us humble ourselves and be as nothing, so that He may exalt us at the right time. It's ALL about Him! Let Christ and His Father come and make their home in our hearts! Amen!

Fast Food Faith Fighters

[Edited 3/21/2017 because it sorely needed it.]

Grab a cause, any cause! Whatever you do, don't just sit there and enjoy your food.

Here's my dilemma. Apparently, I'm pro-gay marriage/anti-Christian if I eat Ben & Jerry's Half-Baked ice cream. But, I'm anti-gay marriage/pro-Christian if I eat at Chick-fil-A. Well, I hate to disappoint your club membership drives, but I'm just trying to enjoy a treat.

What am I supposed to do? Blog, of course!

oh... seems others beat me to it.  Oh well.

Yeah, it was a popular topic for a while. I'd left a comment on one blog. A friend on Facebook 'Liked' the blog, so I just had to read it. But after I read it, I didn't like the triviality of judging others and dividing left and right. At first, when I heard about all these restaurant sit-ins, it sounded fun! Only it wasn't meant to be fun. These people were serious!

To me, there's something way more important than these issues, your soul. Our souls. Maybe if you just read my comment you'll get what I mean... 

My Blog Comment: As Christians, we have a singular responsibility, and it does not have to with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Chick-fil-A, sexual preference, or even someone’s personal sin-of-choice. That singular responsibility is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who need to hear it, with all gentleness and reason. 

Who needs to hear the Gospel? Anyone who doesn’t know it, whether straight, gay, lesbian, single, thief, slanderer, liar, sexually immoral, baptist, reformed, Unitarian, Catholic, those living their best life now, etc. If they don't know it, they need it, and just because they go to church or call themselves ‘spiritual, but not religious’ doesn’t automatically mean that they know it. 

The Gospel is not even about personal sin; we sin because we have a sin nature. We have a sin nature because God condemned us in Adam.  When the Bible lists the symptoms of those who won’t enter Heaven, it includes everyone except those who have been saved by believing in Christ. Excellent article! Excellent reference to John 3:17!  Read John 3:16 again, but also include John 3:18 and discover why those who were condemned in Adam remain so. 

(PS – In addition to this responsibility, our primary goal, the race set before us, is to mature as Christians, so that Christ can manifest Himself in us. John 14.)

I don't know when, but my blog comment was either not accepted or it was removed. Shame. The blog was http://jrlee.tv/2012/08/01/ben-jerrys-chick-fil-a-political-correctness/. I had never heard of Freedom Church and really have know no idea what they teach or believe beyond this article.

My point is this: I don't care about what you eat. I care about what's in your heart.

A Toast to... Wait, Why Are You Doing This?

Ever hear of Toastmasters?  It's an international organization (http://www.toastmasters.org/) that let's local club members develop speaking skills by giving them a structure in which to support each other in that regard.  That's my definition anyway.  Read the website for a formal definition and extra resources.

Membership comes with a 'Competent Communicator' workbook that steps the new speaker through ten projects, each a different speech, that focus on specific speaking skills.  The first lesson is called the ice breaker, because the simple focus is just to get in front of people and speak.  The topic is about yourself, something you should be very familiar with.

The second speech is about organizing your speech into sections, such as having a distinct Opening, Body, and Conclusion, with the Body consisting of directly related assertions and supporting material.  I have 5-7 minutes to deliver this speech.  My club lets me go over the time limit a little, but discourages me from doing so.  In an official Toastmasters speaking contest, I would automatically be disqualified if I went over 7 minutes.  My total speech time was clocked at about 6 minutes and 10 seconds during practice and came in at about 6 minutes and 20 seconds during our club meeting. (It's always a little longer than I expect.)

Here is the entirety of my speech written out for your edification, entertainment, and education.  I hope the theme question inspires you, which is the real reason I decided to post this speech.  As usual, please let me know what you think by leaving a comment.  Thanks!


Speech #2 “The Wake-up Call” – 5 to 7 minutes


A. Opening – 1 minute

Some time ago, I checked into a hotel, got settled in my room, and called the front desk for a wake-up call at 6am. The next morning at 6am the phone rang. I figured it was my wake-up call, but I answered it anyway out of habit. It was my wake-up call alright. After I said, “Hello,” the voice on the other end asked, “What are you doing with your life?” I’m up!

Actually, someone really did ask me a question that was truly my wake-up call. This question came years ago from a friend I met at a Bible study that I attended, and it continues to challenge my spiritual growth to this day. That question was, as I asked myself, “Why I you believe what I believe?” I would like to challenge you with the very same question in hopes that it invigorates your personal growth. Why do you believe what you believe?

B. Body – 4 to 5 minutes

The great ancient philosopher Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I don’t think I’d go that far, but there’s certainly more to life than simply increasing its speed or complexity.

For me, examining my life meant that I needed to discover the real reasons why I did things. I realized that most of my actions were based upon what I believed to be true. But why did I believe those things?

In that respect, are you examining your own life? Have you even thought of examining your own life?

Upon examination, you may discover, just like I did, that you have long believed, acted on, and depended on things that you only assumed to be true. Are you, like most of us, susceptible to ‘herd-mentality’ or ‘group-think’ and blindly following the traditions or habits of others? Perhaps, it’s more likely than you think.

How much of what you believe is based on previous generations of family , and yet you’ve never asked, “Why do we do that?” or seriously sought out an answer? Are your beliefs based on the beliefs of a culture that you’re associated with, no matter how shallow that association? Do you follow the ebb and flow of popular fads, the customs of your society, or even scientific progress, without even asking why?

How many people here believed in the Tooth Fairy? Did it ever occur to you at that time to ask why you believe in the Tooth Fairy? No, of course not! Your own parents may have just been carrying on a cute tradition from previous years. Yet, didn’t your actions and attitudes change when you no longer believed?

Well, life is no Tooth Fairy. But I’m sure, just like me, there are actions and habits you want to change.

It made sense to me that life was about much more than just working, playing, eating, sleeping, and pooping. More important than recognizing what I believed, was understanding why I believed it.

What beliefs do you want to strengthen, such as firmly understanding just how precious and beautiful you really are? Or, what beliefs do you want to weaken, such as a fear of failure, or even just the inability to be truly content with where you are? If you want to change, and not everyone does, then pay real close attention to the origin of your beliefs.

No matter where you are in life, there’s always room to grow, and that’s a good thing! Your journey through life could become more, maybe a lot more, wonderful, amazing, rewarding, and genuinely soul-satisfying. Perhaps, your life itself could have more life in it! Is the examined life worth that?

Let’s make it a positive statement. Instead of saying, “the unexamined life is not worth living,” let’s say, “the examined life leads to abundant living.” Personally, I believe in Jesus Christ who said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly,” and “Out of their hearts will flow rivers of living water.”

To me, those are beautiful thoughts and beliefs to hold onto tightly that have gone through the scrutiny of self-examination. I know why I believe those things. The question is, “Why do you believe what you believe?” What do you firmly believe and have no shadow of a doubt as to why you believe it? What beliefs do you truly own?

A. Conclusion – 30 seconds

Make my wake-up call your wake-up call, and answer it when it rings. Ask yourself, and seek earnestly and often, to discover why you believe what you believe. The answers might not only surprise you, but delight you as well.

What is THIS thing called, Love?

For a moment, forgetting the challenge of reflecting intonation in writing. I attempt to ask, which is the proper question? "What is THIS thing called, Love?" Or, "What is this thing called 'LOVE'?"  I first heard the former question from a comedian pretending to allude to something private. The implication is that it should, of course, be the latter usage that is appropriate.  I still chuckle at the pun. Then again...

When I was in my late teens, I did some not-so-nice things.  In my late-twenties and early-thirties, I heard about Positive Thinking. Now, as a 'certain amount of time has passed,' I fully believe in the Lord.  I believe and trust that scripture is the Word of God as He chose to reveal Himself. I also came to believe that Positive Thinking isn't necessarily obsolete for a Christian.  Consider this...

We are encouraged to engage in a form of 'Positive Thinking' in scripture.  Take the book of Philippians, verse 4:8 (ESV), which says (enumeration mine):
"Finally, brothers,
1) whatever is true,
2) whatever is honorable,
3) whatever is just,
4) whatever is pure,
5) whatever is lovely,
6) whatever is commendable,
7) if there is any excellence,
8) if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things."

I must say it sounds lovely (#5) just to be told to think about these things!  Gladly!! You got it! But, as I began to ponder, I find the exercise is not so easy. Rather than immediately dreaming and beaming, I find myself asking:

1) What is true?
2) What is honorable?
3) What is just?
4) What is pure?
5) What is lovely?
6) What is commendable?
7) Is there is any excellence?
8) Is there is anything worthy of praise?

I find, then, that the question that is the subject of this post is, in fact, appropriate after all. "What is THIS thing called, Love?"  I would LOVE to solicit feedback from you the reader before I expound upon my ponderations. Any takers?

When I Don't Know What to Write, I Read What I Wrote

When I don't know what to write, I read what I wrote. When I read what I wrote, I'm amazed at how enthusiastic I was about writing.

Yet, I notice huge gaps of time between my posts on this blog. Huge gaps! My introduction to 'Write to Heal', for example, made it sound like I was going to write every few minutes. But, I did not, as evidenced herein.

Why not? Four reasons stand out:

1. I don't know what to write, 
2. I write elsewhere other than this blog, 
3. I'm not making and taking the time to write, and 
4. I'm embarrassed that my journey through life and Christianity isn't perfected and I will be judged by those who know me. This is a big one and a reason for the others.

I do believe what I have to say will resonate with a few. There will be those who appreciate what I've written and shared. Therefore, I'm encouraged and I write.

But, those few are not likely to be the ones most vocal in my life. Rather, it's my perceived judgment of this latter group that scares me. I fear being honest and vulnerable in my writing because I fear repercussions. It keeps me from writing personally and genuinely because I'm too busy validating my own shame based on someone else's opinion of me.

Yet, as time goes by, each day, I realize more fully that I am in Christ, and Christ is in me, and the Father is me, and I am in Him just as Christ is in Him and He is in Christ.

In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. (John 14:20)

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16)

The good news is I've gone through various worldly disappointments. I had hoped for deeper earthly acceptance and greater success, but I'm met with little, by worldly standards anyway. This is indeed "good news" because I've learned and still learn not to put my hope and trust in the world.

I've come to accept circumstances that were out of my control, instead of trying to force my preferred result. I've come to accept people for who they are, and acknowledge my inability to change others, instead of trying to force my thoughts, methods, and standards on them.

I thought I needed to be treated a certain way in order to feel loved. I needed to hear my love language spoken. The silence, however, has made me realize, more than anything, that real love comes from God, and I find love in what I give, rather than what I get.

Familiar with Psalm 23? If not entirely, I've pasted it below. 

I'd like to focus on just a tiny phrase of just one verse for now: my cup overflows. Here's the ironic thing I learned about love; I feel loved when I love others from a pure heart, and I am able to love others from a pure heart because God first loved me.

Therefore, I've learned, rather, am learning, imperfectly, to seek God first. Know Him. Pray to Him. Treasure His precious words of revelation to me in scripture.

Let His words be my, and your, 'Revelations For Life'. Amen!

Psalm 23:1-6

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Reflection Time!

“It is not about me!” I found myself repeating that phrase to myself a few times on Saturday, my birthday. What a depressing weekend! It started off great at Men’s Bible Study, but went downhill fast when my wife and I started talking about budget-related items. Earlier, the Bible Study leader had invited us to attend a Couples Dinner at the church that evening. We went, almost reluctantly. Bruce McCracken gave an introduction to his Seasons of Marriage weekend seminar. It was convicting at a time I didn’t want it.

Sunday was even worse. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone, and mostly didn’t. By nighttime, my wife thought I was mad at her, even though I told her how I felt during our little break between Sunday school and morning service at our church (a different one): depressed, like a huge disappointment to my family, and slight headache. I don’t know what to think now. But this is certainly not the time to bring up issues either. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. (This was written yesterday, 2/13.)

“Whether I feel like it or not…” is probably an applicable phrase for me in many respects. “Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her… whether you feel like it or not.” “Be anxious for nothing… whether you feel like it or not.” “Pray without ceasing… whether you feel like it or not.” “Confess your sins… whether you feel like it or not.” “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect… whether you feel like it or not.” “Love God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength… whether you feel like it or not.” “Love your neighbor as yourself… whether you feel like it or not.” Let feelings be the result, not the motivation. Let His love be the driver.

It complements my earlier statement, “It’s not about me!” But I should not leave it there. It is about Christ! His love will motivate me! Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. I love because He first loved me.

Therefore, I am able to love my wife, children, in-laws, regardless of the love I receive back from them. God has pasted the “Here You Are” label to my life and, just as the kid looking at the museum directory sign, I should be astonished that He knows this, and rest in the comfort of His provisions graced to me in my present circumstances.

I should also keep in mind how I would want to evangelize to others. I want to show my reasonableness, Christ’s love, and His assurances. It would be stupid to start with condemnation, commands, and judgments. Yet, that is exactly what I do with my own family: condemn, command, and judge. “Come to me all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest for your souls,” says Jesus. Lead others to His gentle ways.  Let them find rest for their weary souls in Him.

Lastly, just because I don’t feel it doesn’t mean it’s not real. There was a time that His word did not make sense to me. But it was very real nevertheless. Be real. Be genuine. Be useful to Him. Do not bury my talent. Love others with His love, not my own. Soak and baste in His love, then I will have more than enough to give away, and find I love others whether or not I feel loved by them.

My Love is Given Me

My love is like a rose;
...a rose.

I've been given who I am;
...I am!

Yet no one asks, who knows;
...who knows?

What's with the spotless lamb;
...Spotless Lamb!

Right With God

At the end of another Al-Anon meeting, we would all stand in a circle, hold hands, close our eyes, bow our heads, and clearly articulate The Lord's Prayer, King James version.  It was a good meeting. I cried at one point because I heard my story. Someone knew my pain. Emotional and spiritual were closely linked experiences, in my mind. Capped off with our usual ending, I used to think that's what made me right with God.

The Law of Distraction, Part 1

A few years back, I had heard of the 'Law of Attraction' while networking for my small business.  It made so much sense to me back then. I readily believed in the power of forming and holding a strong, clear vision of my goals. "People don't plan to fail, they fail to plan." Of course! The real power came from the accompanying positive, no, exhilerating, emotions. You had to see it plainly and jump-up-and-down feel it as if it were already so.

See what? Feel what? That's where I slumped. While I believed in the 'Law of Attraction', I wanted to incorporate my Christian beliefs into them.  I ended up getting in my own way of making these 'Laws' work for me.  When I tried to form a vision, material things would seem so vain and the vision would grow dim. 

I tried making spiritual goals, yet there wasn't something I could visualize for them. I tried starting out with simple goals: be a writer, publish a book, become a real estate investor, be a loving father and husband, etc. But, the process didn't seem to fit me even though I thought it simply must happen for anyone. It's like the law of gravity: it's just there. Why not use it to your advantage?

I even tried setting a goal that I would become a goal-oriented person. Yet, that was even more like wishful thinking. Rather, God wanted to show me who was really in charge. He did. What an awful time I spent struggling; pretending things would get better; hoping for the break-through that would never come through; and breaking into uncontrollable sobs at my desk in the middle of the work day. I lost hope and despaired.

Years later, in the present, I realize the 'Law of Attraction' was a 'Law of Distraction' for me.  In the end, what did I really love? What had become the essence of my life? What was really important to me? Ah! To return to my true love: Jesus Christ. Instead, I had repeated the deadly pattern over and over: I'm healed! Thinking I'm healed, 'now' was the time to fit the normal mold or even the successful mold. But I looked and saw the mold wasn't the one made by my Creator. It was fashioned from the opinions and praises of men. Not only was I distracted, I was deceived, with myself largely to blame.

The journey I am on, which has only recently begun, has been an awakening one, and a true blessing. My heart knows the way Home now, and that way is not man's way. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9) 

I have seen my attempts to embrace this so-called 'Law of Attraction' to 'get' things out of life crumble. After all, as Max Lucado so clearly reminded me one weekend, it's not about me. Selfishness brought about discipline from my heavenly Father, and that was tough. It was never about me, yet I wanted it to be so bad. Once I embrace that idea, however, that it isn't about me, in my heart, joy abounds. I was blind but now I see! How marvelous are nature's brilliant colors, the shifting lights of a majestic sunrise, beautiful souls in the image of God!

For me, there is no stronger attraction than the grace, mercy, and love of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Who else has the words of life? Anything less is a potential distraction. It's law, simple, like gravity. Yet, when He fills my cup, my cup overflows. Indeed, the key to understanding my history is to understand His Story in it.