Us vs Them

I had this conversation last night and thought I'd type it up and maybe expand on it or not depending on how my memory works.

We, in the Christian realm, at times have an 'Us vs Them' mentality. It is evident in some church business meetings. We saw it during this election cycle. Why are we warring against each other? 

As Christians, aren't we all 'US'? Christ prayed in the garden before His crucifixion.  "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me." John 17:20-21

We, as Christians, saved by grace, are all 'US'. Jesus prayed that we would be one, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. Could it be that the world isn't believing because we aren't showing unity? I'm not bashing or pointing fingers, I'm simply asking a question.

Jesus also said, "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35 We know that throughout church history there has been strife and division. We toss our hands in the air and say, 'it's who we are'. Maybe so, but is it who we're suppose to be?

We are all on the same team. We have one head coach, Jesus Christ, but we each play different positions. Some are on offense and others on defense. Some are trainers while others may be water boys. An effective team works together for a common goal, victory, a win, a championship, or whatever goal they may have. We've seen sports teams implode because they do not work together. We've seen churches fall apart because they choose to not strive toward a common goal. Again, not pointing fingers or criticizing. 

So, if we are the US, who is the THEM? Simply put the THEM are those who aren't US. The men and women, girls and boys who haven't received the gift of salvation from the God who loved them and demonstrated that love that while they we're still sinner Christ died for THEM just like He died for US.

Do we hate THEM, dislike THEM? Are we scared of THEM or ashamed of THEM? Well...we shouldn't be. Throughout His ministry, Jesus hung out with sinners. When He was questioned about it, He said "the healthy don't need a doctor but the sick". Matthew 9:12. 

We, or US, are called to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) and to make disciples of all men (Matthew 28:19). So, in all reality, there shouldn't be an US vs THEM battle. Instead we should be loving THEM like Christ and in doing so inviting THEM to become like US, saved by grace in order to share grace with other THEMS.

Just a few verses to encourage US.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:13-14

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 

for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28

Amazing God

Question...Is God amazing because of the things He does for us...or is God amazing simply because He's God? I posted on Facebook yesterday..."Wow! What a mighty God we serve." in response to our last night of revival where we saw several students give their lives to Christ. Then I've been thinking. This is not a bad or wrong reason. But, are we more likely to say God is amazing when we see Him do amazing things? Shouldn't we give Him praise all the time? Ever express affection toward someone or compliment someone out of the blue and they question you why? I'm not sure God would question our affections but there are several examples were God questions or even rejects our expressions of love and devotion through offerings. He'd rather have our lives devoted to Him than our gifts. Just maybe He'd rather have our praise for no reason at all than only when He seems to "perform" to our liking. 

God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. 
With that being said, if God was amazing yesterday, then He's amazing today too. 
If we were blessed by God last week, guess what? We're blessed by God today too. 
If we felt an extra measure of God's grace and mercy several weeks ago, we've received that same amount of grace and mercy today. 
Many of us are so conditional with our love, devotion, care, etc. that we believe God must be too. But that simply isn't true. 

If Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord before the flood, we can find grace in Him today.
If Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness to Him, then our faith will be counted as righteousness now.
If David found forgiveness for his many sins and still held the title, a man after God's own heart. Then if we confess our sins, God will call us men and women after His own heart as well.
If Jesus could love the woman at the well with her messed up life, then He can love us with our messed up, broken lives.

All this rambling just to say God is amazing...yesterday, today and forever...regarding of how I feel or what He's done for me.

What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say

If you could write a letter to anyone, what would you write? What would you say? I was asked this question this week. I gave my answer rather quickly. Why would I know what to say to someone I haven't spoken to in years and yet struggle to say what needs to be said to people I see every day? 

One of the things I've learned over the years is that words aren't always necessary to communicate one's heart. The power of presence often speaks volumes. For most of us this struggle is real because we can't handle silence well. There needs to be some noise. Something has to be said. Usually our awkward silence is broken by an awkward but well meaning joke. That's not bad but does the silence need to be broken? 

The best thing Job's friends did for him was to sit with him in silence. Once they opened their mouths, it was all down hill for them. Blame God, blame yourself, blame God and yourself. Not the most productive chapters of the Bible to read. 

Sometimes the best things to say when you don't know what to say is nothing. Let your presence be enough. Let your hugs speak louder than words. Let your shared tears bring peace and comfort. Yes, God still speaks through us today but sometimes we represent Him best when we say nothing at all.

Hardest Thing?

Sometimes the hardest thing for us to believe is that if we are in Christ then God no longer punishes or demands payment for our sins. The reality is, however that when God the Father looks at one of his broken, sinful and often rebellious children he sees them, not in wrath and anger but in mercy and grace; God sees us as he sees his perfect Son, who died, was buried, and raised the third day for our redemption.

If our faith and hope is in Christ alone then our sins are forgiven and we are free from sin and all its penalties. Let us always hope in the mercy of God that is for us through the death and resurrection of our Savior King, Jesus, by whom we who were once his enemies have been made friends.

Worship through the Storm

Been watching a worship service online that focused on worshiping God through the tough times of life. The service was filled with music and testimonies. The first testimony was from a man recovering from a car accident and about the greatness of God and focusing on Him instead of his circumstances. The second testimony was a mother sharing her journey with a special needs daughter. She talked about the loneliness of her life and how many understand and are compassionate but as she gets older she wonders about never having an empty nest and continuing caring for this young girl who is now 16. They sang a song I hadn't thought of for years. 

     God will make a way, where there seems to be no way
     He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me
     He will be my guide hold me closely to His side
     With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way
     He will make a way.

The third testimony way from a gentleman diagnosed with a brain tumor in January who passed away in June. They played a video of him right after his surgery and he talked about writing a book about what happens when all your plans are changed. 

Throughout the service they sang songs about God's greatness and His faithfulness. They sang about God never-ending presence and His promise to not leave us or forsake us. It was just a great reminder to me here at the end of a very busy summer that in the good and the bad we worship. A statement was made that I've heard several times before...we are either coming out of a storm, heading into a storm or caught up in the midst of the storm. 

I thought about the time when Jesus' disciples were crossing the sea and a storm came and they were freaking out while all along Jesus was down below sleeping. They wake Him and ask Him don't You care if we drown? Then Jesus speaks to the wind and the waves..."PEACE". Jesus still speaks to the storms in our lives as well. His word is the same as it was on the sea that night. When we call out to God in our storm, He says "PEACE". Now, it may not change our storm, its circumstances, the chaos of it, but it can change us. God gives us a peace that passes understanding. I've seen it in the life of a husband who just tragically lost his wife in a freak accident. I've seen it in the eyes of mother as she was diagnosed with cancer. I've seen it in my friend's life as he faced uncertainty about a job and housing for his family. 

I don't know of anyone who asks for hard times but I've seen plenty who have ridden the storm held tight in the palm of God's hand.

What Time is it? It's Summer Time!

Well, I haven't done well blogging this year so far. Here we are at the end of May and this is my 3rd post. And I don't see this trend changing soon because it's summer time. Let the madness begin. 

Summer is always full of activity. Beginning next week we have VBS. The following week is Super Summer. Then a mission trip to Branson. Two weeks later we go to Montana. Then Association Youth Camp. Anyone tired yet? Well I am but that's because I've been fighting sinuses and allergies for the last 4 days. As all this ministry lies ahead, I'm reminded of Colossians 3:17  "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." 

I have to admit that I usually forget the last part of this verse. The giving thanks part. I am so excited about this summer's events and what God is going to do but, part of me is already giving thanks for when it's over. If I am not careful I may wish it all away before it happens and I can miss the blessing of serving and doing all in His name. 

This isn't just a summer thing. We can all wish life away. I know teenagers do it...I can't wait till I'm in High School. I can't wait till I have my driver's permit. I can't wait till I have my license. I'm counting the days to graduation. We, adults, do the same thing. How many days till hump day? Is it Friday yet? How long till vacation? Life is precious and we should be thankful for each day. 

"This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24

Blessed...Saint

I just got back from an amazing funeral service...yes, I said funeral. Now I know that those two words aren't usually associated with each other...amazing and funeral. This was the funeral of a dear lady of 90 years who lived her faith out daily. It was seen and heard in her children, her grandchildren, her daughter-in-law, her niece and even from her own voice. Mrs. Elsie was an joy to know. Throughout the afternoon she was referred to as a lady and her legacy. Now we know her family and her are not perfect but Mrs. Elsie exemplified what it means to walk daily with the Lord. Her family talked about her prayers. They talked about her singing, humming and even yodeling. A grandson mentioned her being at the altar with him when he received Christ as Savior. They even played an audio clip of Mrs. Elsie sharing at a women's retreat about 10-15 years ago. She talked about God's abiding strength and security and His salvation that is available for all. Then she sang a song. Sometimes the tone was a little off but for a 75-80 year old lady I was impressed. The song was about how in all our circumstances God is sufficient. What a great testimony and what a great blessing to share with family and friends. When all is said and done...what will He say about us?

Late New Year Thoughts

Well, I haven't posted since last year. Here we are 20 days into 2016. God is doing great things. He always does. We just don't always see them. It's not the God's works are hidden. We either aren't looking or we don't know what to look for. 

We see the hugeness of God in the bright blue sky or in the freshly fallen snow. 
We see the intimacy of God as a tear rolls down our cheek, tears of sorrow or joy. 
We hear the voice of God as it echoes in the thunder. 
We hear the whisper of God as we watch a newborn sleep. 

But in the silence, in the quiet, in the shadow, where is God then? 

He's in the same place. He's in the silence. He fills the quiet, not with noises or sounds. He fills it with Himself. His presence permeates every void. Every crack, every crevice. 

We just celebrated Christmas less than a month ago. We reveled in the thought of Emmanuel, God with us. His presence didn't leave us on December 26 or even January 2 when the holiday season 'ends'. 

So in 2016, whether it's a great year or a troublesome one, look for God's presence. Whether it's mostly spend on the mountaintops or in various depths of a valley, see God at work. There may be times when it's impossible to see Him with your physical eyes. Remember seeing isn't always believing, sometimes believing is seeing. 

And if your sight is blurred, try your other senses. David said 'Taste and see that the Lord is good'. Even though a physical touch may seem impossible, there are times when you can feel His presence. Or listen to sounds of God all around. God speaks through creation. He speaks through family and friends and even strangers. A powerful way He speaks is through music. There can even be fragrances that can make us aware of God's presence. 

These are all part of God's promise. He's promised to never leave us nor forsake us. He is and always will be here. We are never alone.