When in Doubt, Do.

Each time I speak or write, I take time the next day to reflect on the message I've delivered. In hopes that the next time I'll be better. No matter how fancy it sounds or how excitedly it is delivered, it's the same 2000 year old message. We are hopelessly lost without Jesus. In the back of every speaker's mind, who loves and fears God, is the hope the Holy Spirit moves people and not their delivery, or personality. There's always a doubt a little too much of the flesh got out in your message. It's sort of chaotic. I'm not sure it should be any different. I've come to trust that doubt as the only sign of my sincerity. 

Beyond my sincerity, is the call I received from Him. I only know of two things each God calls people to and from. He calls us to Himself and life and away from sin and death. These reflection moments have taught me my doubts are not an excuse for not continuing but a reason to continue to "press on".  We are "saved by grace through faith."and "faith without works is dead." God might call us to a different location or vocation but it won't be a vacation.There's a lot of things yet to do.

We shouldn't let doubt stifle the spirit.

God does gives us "a peace that  surpasses all understanding". It comes from the fact  while we have no power to change things, He can change anything. He can and does use anything or anyone to do it. Even us.

 Pray God will use us to change lives by engaging and impacting the community.  Share how God helps you overcome doubts in the comments below .

 

Six Things You Should Reject About the Bible

There are six things about the bible every Christian disciple should reject.

Reject the bible is just a book. 

It is the eternal holy communication between God and man. Psalms says it's a" light unto my path". John said the "Word was God "and the "Word put on flesh". Getting God's into your heart and mind is the closest we will come this side of heaven to touching Christ. When the word touches us, we  become the hands and feet of Christ by doing the things He taught us, putting flesh on the word today. 
Reject the bible is wrong.  The bible says the "...word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. (Psalms 119:160 KJV)" Either it is the word of God or it isn't. If it isn't, why should anyone listen to anything a bunch of dead guys from 2000 years ago say? If it is, we should treat it as such. The Word of God isn't a recipe book you get to customize by substituting ingredients. Isn't it convienant how some can quote those cotton candy verses from Paul's letters that melt in your mouth but can't stomach the verses where he qualifies pastors, church leaders, or speaks to discipline. If it is the Word of God, and we reject any part of it to make us more comfortable, we have traded the cross for a couch.

Reject the bible is at odds with science. Theories definitely, but not provable observational science. The bible encourages us to learn about God 'a creation. See Psalm 111.2  Whatever natural laws exist, it is God who creates and enforces them. The bible never called us to ignorance. Likewise, it never called us to arrogance. It's a spiritual book. Science is limited to the natural. 

Reject the bible shouldn't be taken literally. Sure, there is some figurative language used in the bible. Still, when the bible calls something a sin that is what it is. When the bible says for us think a certain way, act a certain way, operate our homes and churches a certain way, we should do it. 

Reject the bible doesn't apply to today. Jesus said that "man doesn't live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. "The bible has always been spiritual food. Now, just as much as ever, man needs to be spirit fed.

Reject the bible's authors don't speak with the authority of Christ. Including but not limited to Paul . Many people in church today reject the teachings of Paul. Paul's tough! On at least one occasion, Paul corrected Peter. If Paul's teaching is so controversial, why don't we just forget about it? There's a good reason and it isn't because he wrote most of the New Testament. It's not just because he was excepted by the disciples. Though he was the greatest covert, pastor, missionary, and church planter in the history of the world,  though he endured chains, stones, and lost his life in his service to Jesus Christ, Paul's accolades should not inspire our obedience. In Galations chapter one, Paul says the gospel he preached was the only gospel there is and that Jesus Christ had revealed it to him. To reject Paul's revelation means also to reject his  conversion, something those who knew Jesus best did not do. Here's why that's a big deal. Jesus said to his apostles in Luke 10 :16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me". 

We can reject the bible just like we can reject Christ. Those, who respond to His word through repentance and growth, will never know His rejection. How do you respond to His word?

The Tomboy I Call Moma.

Proverbs 31 best describes the type of mother I have, except additionally she's a tomboy. I'm so thankful for that. Not just for teaching me how to dig for fish bait. Oh, she was pretty enough to be a southern belle but she just wasn't prissy. She'd catch tadpoles or lizards. As a child, she taught me to embrace diversity in work and people without abandoning my heritage or principals. So, making and keeping many deep relationships have been the rewards for the variety of hard work.  She is tough.  Tougher than a lot of guys. You get that way working on a farm and running a hardware store. She picked butter beans and turned bolts. She'd cook breakfast and supper and still managed to make life interesting in between. I don't know how she did all she did. She has this knack for growing things. People as well as plants. I could tell you how incredible it was to have her for a mother but you wouldn't believe me. So, I won't bother with telling you how multi-talented and resourceful she is or how she has an underdeveloped artistic flair. I'll tell you some things I picked up from her.

 Brutal honesty, a trait that's as much a liability as it is an asset. That's not an apology, like it or not it's the truth. Her love of life and nature, creating my obsession for scuba diving. Her love for stories. My bedtime stories were the heroes from the Old Testament. These created a boldness and craving for adventure that can only be satisfied by living the Christian life and the telling His story through my life. She taught me her: fear of The Lord, furious love, determination, dependability, loyalty, and compassion without forgetting of justice.   Mom and I have done everything from fishing to sewing, cooking to constuction.  We even fought a war with cancer. And won. From guns and hammers to brooms and spoons my mom taught me to use the right tools to get the job done. She taught me a lot. But to be brutally honest, as a mother, she has been far from perfect. She has just been simply the best . Happy Mother 's Day.

The Unknown Artist

Some people question the existence of God. They love to pressure believers for evidence. Since they can't hear the still small voice of the creator, anyone that can must be delusional. Unbelievers say logic is on their side. Yet, if I suggested no one created the art pictured below, anyone would call me absurd. To illustrate the importance of faith in an absolute truth that cannot be proven, the artist purposely created the painting below in such a way it can never be proven he created it. He can reveal himself as the artist but since no original copy exists, it will always take faith in the artist for the observer to believe he is the creator.

Would you believe paint spilled across the canvas and this painting spontaneously appeared? Me neither. How about if we did it 14 billion times?How logical is it to believe a vastly more complicated, detailed work of art, the universe, spontaneously appeared by means of a comic accident?  Just as the evidence for the artist is the painting, so is creation the evidence of a creator.  The bible says: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (Psalms 19:1-3 KJV).

Suppose you look at the painting and said to yourself, " I've never seen the face or heard the voice of the artist. There is no signature. It's impossible to prove who painted this. Therefore, he might not exist". Would that be logical ? Do you think that makes him less real? What if a friend said he knew the artist and offered to introduce him to you?  If you said, " I don't like his work", would that make him less of an artist?  Turning a blind eye to the artwork or finding distaste for the artist will not change the fact the painting belongs to the artist. Turning down a chance to meet the artist means you'll never understand the painting. The artist alone interprets the art's true meaning and purpose. Jesus Christ is the ultimate artist and you are His masterpiece. You are the only evidence you need to respond to Him. Will you allow Him to finish decorating?