What the Manger Holds

Decades of Christmas memories travel in and out of my heart and soul this time of year. It's no wonder either. With all the sights, sounds, and smells there's bound to be sensory overload. It' funny how such a small and seemingly insignificant encounter, with practically anything, triggers our inner faculties, this time of year.

Maybe it was all the lights that reminded me, but I remember how I used to love decorating at Grandmas. No matter how cold it was, I was going to get strawberries, pound cake, and ice cream when we finished.  She would play Christmas records as the tree went up. Looking back, it probably was to keep me from hearing the frustrated words of my grandfather as he fixed the lights. Oh, and I can still smell the distinct aroma of her attic lingering on the ornaments since that was their home eleven months of the year. She had a ceramic nativity scene. If I was a good little boy, I could place baby Jesus in the stable. After Christmas, we would wrap it up in tissue paper and put it away to keep it from breaking. It's one of my favorite childhood and holiday memories.

You know, some Christians don't celebrate Christmas. History tells us it was a pagan ritual that church officials changed so newly converted people could celebrate Christ birth rather than the winter solstice. Knowing the history doesn't create a problem for me since the Bible says this:

Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Ironically, Christians celebrate the work done on the most pagan of all alters. An alter made for mankind's own system of death. Man brought death and murder into the world and created a device to accomplish death in its totality. The cross denied all dignity to it's victims while automatically increasing their torture. The  cross was built by men of the world for the oppression and enslavement of those who challenged a world system. It was an instrument of fear, death, and torture before God touched it and changed it.

God changed it so drastically, that the

once ultimate symbol of death and oppression, is now the greatest symbol of hope and eternal life.

That is happens, when God touches things, He changes them.

At Christmas, I can't help but think of how He has changed the manger. It's become a symbol as well. Before Christ touched it, it was nothing more than a wooden feed sack. I wonder how many miss who it is in the manger. 

Around 700 years before Christ was in a manger, the prophet 

Isaiah, wrote these words we say every Christmas. 

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

9:6-8

Yet, somehow we miss who it is is in the manger. 

The Wonderful Counselor, the prince of peace, we are ok with that, but  everlasting Father and mighty God? In a manger?

It's no mere mortal in the manger. God is who he is. You ask how is that possible? He was God's son. How does that work? I could tell you, God is not subject to the laws He creates.He is all powerful. I could tell you, He is outside of time and space. I could suggest, He has the ability to separate himself. Honestly,  I just don't know.  Just like, I don't know how any of God's miracles happen. Just like, Mary didn't know how a virgin could conceive. The only thing I can tell you is what Gabriel told her. "Nothing is impossible with God." Jesus is God according to lots of scripture in both Old and New Testament. So He's God and He's God son, cause He says so. And that is something only an all powerful God could pull off. 

 In the manger, there are parts of Jesus story you can't hear for the ooos and the awes in the background. There's angels singing, and nicely dressed, freshly bathed shepherds, worshipping a Wonderful Counselor.  It's serene and tranquil, the way we tell it. There's more to the Gospel message than peace on Earth. More than Christmas candles burn inside the hearts of men, where the Gospel ignited more than an emotion of joy.  

The manger story is beautiful, but it's not the beginning, the end, the middle, or even the climax of story of Christ. It was the things He said and did that made this story worth celebrating. It is who Christ is making this story holy. So many still miss who He is and miss what Christmas is. 

Christmas was the execution of an ongoing rescue mission, planned from the foundation on the world, to glorify the Father, by setting the captives free. The Christ of the entire story, many turn away from. 

So many that aren't saved love Christmas. Don't they?

For many people, the manger is all of the story of Jesus they have. Truthfully, the only part many want. Like Paul Harvey would say, "you need the rest of the story." They need to know the manger is as empty now as the tomb is. And it is the full life, between an empty manger, and an empty tomb, that we must focus on.

Remember Ricky Bobby's prayer from Taledega nights? "Dear sweet, baby, Jesus lying in a manger..." nobody turns away from baby Jesus do they?. Because if we are honest, what we really want, is a god we can wrap and unwrap when it is convenient. A god we can take in and out, when we want, and place in a setting of our own choosing. In short, a God we control instead of a God we obey. The problem is, we end up with an idol we decorate the mantel of our minds with, rather than, a God who decorates our lives.

See, in the manger, Jesus doesn't require anything of us. 

There He doesn't teach: turn the other cheek, love your enemies, love God with all that you are, or love your neighbor as yourself. He doesn't command us to: carry our own cross or the gospel. In the manger, all the scars Jesus took to save us are covered by swaddling clothes. We never allow our imaginations to visualize the manger in the shadow of the cross. Gruesome imagery of an infant child tattered and torn, mutilated, nailed to a cross, is just too much for our feeble psyches to take in. Yet, it is only in knowing nothing was less holy on the cross, than was in that manger, nothing was more sacred, or more innocent, more precious, more pure, in that manger, than was nailed that cross, that we can have the gift of knowing what the manger holds for Christmas. 

Oh, the manger is part of a beautiful story. A beautiful celebration of our savior coming from heaven, dying to save us  and he will return again. If there is anything to learn from the manger it is the transformation, the difference Christ's touch makes.The manger was nothing more than a wooden feed sack until Christ touched it, until Christ was in it. If all you know about Jesus is the manger story, then you missed He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. 

He shows us the way through the cross, He shows us the truth by His resurrection, and gave us His life, as an example to live by, so that we might live with Him. The only reason we even know about the manger is because there was a resurrection!. He who hung on the cross touched it and it changed, like everything He touches changes.This is story of a beautiful gift, the living word of the living God, sent to a lost world.

But the most beautiful part, there's no end to this story. And here's the big question, what part are you gonna play in the story?

Are you going to to spread the love of Jesus anywhere and everywhere? 

Are you touched by the manger, or 

Has he who touched the manger touched you? 

May the the season continually remind you of Him,

Merry Christmas.

The Truth About Pins.

Safety pins. I'd don't think they were intended for political purposes. Neither is this post. I think there's merit and corruption in both parties. What I don't see, is honestly about lawlessness, inequality, racism, or  greed in our citizenship. So, I'm not picking on a party or anyone. It's the behavior I'm calling out. We shouldn't ignore it if it's unproductive. We shouldn't reward it if it's bad. We should stop it if it's wrong. All of it should be analyzed. You have to admit, there's irony in college students wanting to draw an imaginary ring on a campus for a "safe place" while condemning those who want a wall around the country. Education has never been a replacement for common sense or intelligence.

Who knew, safetypins would become a national political symbol? Why not firing pins or hitch pins or hair pins? How about we make our symbol, bowling pins? That way, they could roll over us and knock us down. They'd like that, except ,we'd always stand up again. 

Symbols are overrated. They go to or over our heads. Before you start using one, you might want to research it .Apparently, some people are now wearing a safety pin as an indication they are a safe person to talk to following a tight presidential election having no idea the symbol has been hijacked. Research it. It has multiple meanings. Most of the rest of us had no idea talking in America was so dangerous. As long as you don't mess with our stuff, most of us are safe to talk to. If we are honest, we are kinda thinking, maybe it's pointless to talk to those wearing safety pins. Don't tell anyone, but up until last Tuesday, America was unified  and everyone, not wearing safety pins, agreed on everything and were safe to talk to. If reality was a hotel, it would be in a ghost town. You can't have this much diversity without some division. Here's the truth, when two people are in perfect agreement, the opinion of one of those persons is no longer warranted. You can learn lots from people you don't agree with, but you'll have to leave behind your sensitivity. 

The Bible teaches 

Faithful are the wounds of a friend;

profuse are the kisses of an enemy. Proverbs 27:6

Everyone, who tells you exactly what you want to hear, isn't your friend. Often, those who love you the most will do the complete opposite. If you don't recognize this experience, you are either oblivious or sheltered. Society can't wait for you have the pleasure of removing a knife from your own back and the revelation it was left there by an enemy you thought was your friend.

We live in a country where, at least for the moment, you have rights.

Under the First Amendment, freedom of expression affords you have the right to act like an emotional train wreck, who can't take defeat. You have the right to exude weakness or coddle it. You have the right to exaggerate the truth, or ignore the truth. As long as you're not under oath, you have the right to lie. You have a right to believe a lie. My personal favorite is there's more than one truth. It's the most popular. The rest of us have the right to call it like we see it. In other words, we have the right to speak something that is offensive. It's quite easily done, just slip up and praise Jesus or say something remotely patriotic.

I have the right to love anyone I choose. We can love someone we disagree with. Ask any parent parenting. Love doesn't, ignore, sugar coat, or exaggerate truth in life lessons. Oh, it might in the niceties of trivial questions like " How do I look?" But, it doesn't lie in matters essential to survival. So I'm saying this in love, but some are likely not going to like it .

The truth is so brutally honest, many times, it's dangerous. It's pointed. It pricks you in the heart. Everything a safety pin doesn't do. But a safety pin, it's cute and relatively safe. Like the blue pill from the Matrix. (Funny the symbolic colors and nature of those red and blue pills. Walking in a comfortable alternative reality, you take the blue pill. Walking in truth, you take a red pill.... hmmm. But I digress) Anyway,  the problem is the truth ain't, so much. Pretty, that is. Often, it's ugly enough people turn away from it. 

It happens to the best of us. Literally. It happened  to Christ. I'm reminded of these words from John chapter 6.

"After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him"

It wasn't the Pharisees that left. It was the disciples. 

Why? Go read chapter 6. Because He told the truth. He called people out in their motives. They took offense. In verse 61, He calls them on their offense and gives them more truth. The all knowing God of scripture, knew they would be offended at the truth, knew they would leave, ahead of time, and he said the truth anyway! The inventor of love, did not coddle their emotions, change his approach, his tone, the message, the word, or anything to make them stay. He didn't backtrack,  he moved forward without those uncommitted. He did not intentionally offend, but it was the truth. It needed to be said. And love doesn't lie. He is the way, truth, and the life.

You can sacrifice the Truth. Though, it will take something bigger than safety pins. You'll need hammers and nails. We've  done that already, and God hijacked their symbol of death, turning the cross into a symbol of life. There's only one way to know the difference between the real thing and a knock off. Inspection.Symbols have never been more than those displaying them. That goes for name brand goods, safety pins, or the crosses adorning necks or on towering steeple of a church. Maybe, it's time to respond to the Truth differently. Maybe, it's time to do like twelve men did with the truth . Walk with it and change the world. It wasn't safe for them. It won't be safe for us. Do you love enough, to be offensive as Christ?

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How to Think Like a Christian

James Allen wrote

 "A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts."

It's a loose translation of Proverbs 23:7. Look it up.

 According to scientists, there are lots of things that cause us to think the way we do. Individually and collectively, all sorts of factors condition our way of thinking. From culture to geographical conditions, everything about the world, in which we live, effects our thinking. Our survival seems to be the primary motivator, followed by our desires. Still, these scientific facts offer little in the way of an explanation for having the delinquent thoughts we entertain. 

 The way we think determines what we allow ourselves to believe, effectively controlling us. To put it bluntly, our thoughts create our actions. Since the dawn of creation, man has been a slave to the incentives of that which sustained or aroused him. Here we are in the 21st century, man can barely recognize the difference between the two. The line between want and need has all but been erased. 

Imagine the simplicity. Every human action, kindness or the dereliction of morality, begins with a thought. 

No one is baffled why people do benevolent acts. It's the heinous deeds, man inflicts against man, perplexing everyone. Logic falls short of offering reason for our evil agenda since much of it serves no purpose. Why do we have such terrible thoughts? While science would endeavor to answer the question of how we think, the bible would answer why.

Mark 7:21-22

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.

Satan's first words to Eve, are still echoing in the ears of humanity, as it introduces the idea of evil, to those whom only have the capacity to handle the knowledge of good.

More important than understanding the reason we think the way we do is understanding how to change. To think like a Christian, one must first know the hopelessness of his condition. Faced with the knowledge we are separated by our evil thoughts from a God that only wanted good for us, we will cry out for His forgiveness. It's in this revelation we find ourselves in need of a savior. When God gives us His Holy Spirit, He gives us a peace. A peace, that guards our minds.

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect

We cannot allow the media, politics, or circumstances to control our thinking. We must renew our minds continually by being in God's word. For, it is only there, we can discover the solution and prevention for evil. Jeremiah 33:3 says " ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

God is good, God is Great. God is love. Think about it. Never stop thinking about it.

When God Says Go.

For eight years, I've volunteered at church that taught: Love God. Love People. Do something about it. I served both God and people as best I could and grew in my faith. It wasn't love at first sight. They weren't perfect, but they never pretended to be. They just didn't mind telling you Jesus is perfect. Truth is, there's things I don't like about it, things I would changed if I could. It's the same sort of feeling I get looking in the mirror. We might have made a mistake or two sharing the gospel. If we could have, we'd worked harder , but that only means we would have made more mistakes. I could have stayed and been forever satisfied with just the things they get right and the things I'd never ever change. I've never seen a congregation work harder at doing the impossible, trying to get church right. Whatever we've gotten wrong, I've never seen more people collectively try to advance the kngdom of God.  I fell in love with the mission and the people. Including all the pastors. I'm still In love, but God has called me something new. 

Somethings are easier to say than to do.  Every church I've ever been around creates the most aesthetically pleasing and comfortable place it can to teach the message " get out of your comfort zone". If we are honest, all of us look for comfort in all things. Which includes, our service and worshipping of the creator. There's a wide range in styles of churches. Whether we want an old time religion, a social club, a stand up comedy routine, or a fashion show church, you'll find one spreading the gospel, or at least claiming to. You can find Pastor Noah Grace, or Reverend Prophet Bishop Pastor Grace Yasser. Right or wrong, whatever we like is available.

 It doesn't have to feel good to be wrong. It's not the styles that breed a false sense of security. Don't kid yourself, some people find comfort of being miserable inside the walls of any type of church. They institute themselves there, in a flawed sense of righteousness, through a self inflicted suffering, and in a pretense of servitude. Those people's hearts offer a counterfeit worship, no matter, if an organ, or an electric guitar, plays Amazing Grace. Oh no, it's not the venue, the preaching style, or the genre of music we subscribe to that produces comfort. It's the sense of belonging to someplace more than in the service of God.  I hope, wherever you worship, it's in spirit and truth. 

From the first time truth connects with you spiritually, it can be uncomfortable. It shows you what you need to change. When obedience calls you to live up to two thirds of God's name and GO, it's more than comfort you sacrifice. It's home. I wish I didn't have to leave to be obedient.

A relationship with Christ is the most valuable and fulfilling experience anyone can have this side of heaven, but it isn't without adversity. The bible teaches following Jesus means we must deny ourselves, rejoice in suffering, and put others before ourselves. Unintentionally, a misconception, of always loving what God has called us to, is being communicated by God's people. To be blunt, more often than not, serving God, AKA doing something about it, ain't always fun. Hard work usually isn't, but it's rewarding. Still, the path God puts us on is never one we'd choose for ourselves. No, our choices would lead to hell. We don't even know to how great a place He is leading us.

And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

 Everything God has ever asked me to do, every sacrifice, those I did or didn't, like, or understand, has ended up changing myself and others for the better. Come to think of it, Jesus didn't particularly want the cross, either. 

Who is God?

Who is God?
Everytime I hear that question, I hope someone clicks this link for an answer.
Who is God?

It's an age old question re-asked by Nat Geo's host, Morgan Freeman, in one of the recent episodes of the currect documentary "The Story of God". It's not the question that bothers me. It's, arguably, the most important question that can be asked. It begs another. If God is a "who", wouldn't there be some individuality to His personality? Tozer penned these words in his book, "The Knowledge of the Holy": "Only after an ordeal of painful self-probing are we likely to discover what we actually believe about God". There is no such thing as just a question. There is always a motive. No question should be answered without considering who is doing the asking.  If there is a God, then nothing is more important than what we believe about Him. Freeman's ideas are dangerous, not only to himself, but to anyone who adopts them. 

I grew up watching Freeman preform as, Easy Reader, one of his many reacurring roles on PBS's "The Electric Company." I've always been a fan. Over the years, I've been a fan of many people whom I did not agree with. Celebrities and locals alike. I find it so funny, the authoritative validity we graciously afford celebrities. In 1986, at the ripe old age of fourteen,  Peter Bergman's words, " I'm not a doctor , but I play one on TV", opened my eyes to this insanity. I don't think it's an accident, Freeman, who played God, is asking this question. On matters, as simple as, which cough syrup to purchase, or serious matters of religion and politics, we listen to celebrities. No wonder, pastors, these days, try so hard to become one. No doubt, crazy as it is, Freeman's former role will give credibility to the answers he provides to his question. He has played the role of President, as well. It doesn't mean Freeman's endorsement of a canidate will guide my choice come this November.

Freeman takes a broad approach toward finding this god. He even Involves scientists, who have proven, believers meditating on God activates the brain in a way atheists are incapable of.  Freeman correctly states: "Experiencing the divine actually changes the brain, changes 

the way we see the world."  He goes on to examine a wide variety of cultures and many major religions, such as Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Insistant upon being all inclusive, Freeman chose mega church pastor, Joel Osteen, to answer questions about God from a "Christian" perspective . I guess it was a "practical" choice. Osteen is "practically" another celebrity who admittedly stated to Freeman," I don't go a lot of doctrine, and you know, I go practical." I can almost see Paul shaking his head while quoting 2 Timothy 4:3, adding an " I told you so". Osteen goes on to state, "God can be involved in as much as a part of your life as you want him to be." Which is "practically" believing, you can control an all powerful God. When Freeman asked Osteen "who is God?", Osteen's responded with " Our Father, the creator, somebody that gives us purpose and destiny... It's what you choose to believe through faith." Osteen neglected pointing out, you can choose to have faith in the wrong things and certainly believe in the wrong God.  No wonder he doesn't do doctrine. Freeman's comment after "worshipping" at  Lakewood saddens me. His soberrng words, " that was quite a show", should make the modern church cringe. Repentance just isn't good entertainment.

Freeman's universal approach, to the creator of the universe, alarms me less than his thoughts toward himself. As he exits the building, seemingly empowered, Freeman declares, "clearly having faith in the God in you, your inspiration, your power. Faith in the God in you...if you ask me who God is I'd would say a bit of the divine in all of us. There's God in you, there's God in me. The God in me is who I really  am at my core. The God in me is the best version on me. The God in me is who I strive to be. Who I was meant to be."

Depending how deep you want to go, there's a plethora of  unbiblical thelogy being stated here. You need only scratch the surface biblically to know who we are at our core, in our hearts, isn't pretty. Jesus did not come to save who we are at our core, but to change who we are at our core. Jeremiah 17:9 describes our core. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick;

who can understand it?" 

Who we are at our core, since the fall, has always been idolators. Tozer wrote, "The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him." Fashioning a god of our choosing, within our minds, from the materials of our imagination, will always produce a god reflective of self. If you study Freeman's response above, you'll hear it. Think this is an exaggeration? Consider Freeman's statement in his 2012 interview with TheWrap. 

Freeman was asked if he considered himself atheist or agnostic. He replied, "It's a hard question because as I said at the start, I think we invented God. So if I believe in God, and I do, it's because I think I'm God."^[ 

Most of us would never be so bold as to make the claims Freeman made in TheWrap. You know why we can't judge him? Regardless of whether or not we'll admit it, we have done the same thing. Everytime we have disobeyed God's word, or His spirit, we have placed the more managable god, ourselves, on the thrones of our hearts. One we could control, or use to our advantage. There's a reason the first commandment is to "have no other gods before me." Remember what Jesus said was the greatest commandment? Recall what two all the other commandments hinge on? To follow the teaching of Christ, you must deny yourself.

 Idolatry is the essence of sin, and is why all sin is equal in the eyes of God. For in the moment Adam attempted to rise above God, by ignoring His commands, sin was born in idolatry. There are no levels of being disobedience to perfection. It's why eating fruit we were told not to, equated to mass murdering the entire human race. Part of understanding who God is, is remembering who we are.

Who is God? Ravi Zacharias explains God this way: - God "is the only entity in existence the reason for who’s existence is in Himself. All other entities or quantities have the reason of their existence outside of themselves. So in that sense, God is uncaused, non-contingent, implicitly perfect, His very existence is not dependent on anyone else." We will never know who God is until we narrow our search for Him. For, the only way to Him is through Christ. No one finds that narrow road without repentance. No one finds this God lusting for more power. Rather, the revelation of this God comes from to those who know they are powerless. The God in me, saved me from who I truly was. The God in me, created a new version of me. The God in me, is who I truly am meant to serve. I did not make Him, He is making me. He's the master of the universe, the creator of all things. God could have been anything He wanted to be. He chose to be my Father, my savior, and my friend. I so hope you get to meet Him this side of eternity.

5 Things Mom Taught Me & Never Knew

When I was a kid, my mom was a stay at home mom. My siblings and myself missed out on so many things because of that. Most of which, I'm thankful. America's culture has been transformed because of her lust for entertainment and "toys". We have abandoned our values, sacrificed our families, and created an entitlement generation in the quest for the comfort of things. My mom never fell into this trap designed by Satan. 

Somewhere, we lost the perspective taught in Titus 2:4 
"so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." 
We watered down the importance of mothers in the home. Consequently, just as the scripture implied would be the result, our generation no longer cherishes the word of God, let alone obeys it. Additionally, the boundary lines, God created, that separated male from from female, with the beauty of His wisdom, have been blurred. So much so, we no longer cherish the uniqueness of our roles, and consequently no longer value our sexuality. Even though my mom was somewhat of a tomboy,  she never sacrificed her femininity. For More about my Mom, click here. If you know her, you know, she's quite outspoken for the equality of women without compromising her interpretation of scripture. One great lesson, I learned from her. You can become whatever you want to be, as long as, it is the person God created you to be.  She waited, until we were all out of high school, before she began a career in telecommunications. While we were kids, she had an upholstery shop in our back yard. It allowed her to make money while remaining a stay home mom. Originally, the building had been a smoke house for curing meat. So, as you might imagine, the place with no windows was extremely hot. It was a blessing when my kid brother accidentally drove into the building, making the perfect place for a window air conditioner. 

My mom taught a lot of lessons in the upholstery shop. I'm not talking about skills of the trade. I'm referring to life lessons. Some she might not be aware of.

1. To be unselfish. She put the value of raising us ahead of her worldly desires. She could have made lots more somewhere else. She put our souls ahead of worldly wealth. Her relationships, built with this one principle, make her the richest person I know.

2. How to treat people and how to handle hard- to deal- with people. According to her, the best option is to make friends with as many people as possible. Still, in this life, you will make enemies. I'm not getting into the details, but a stay home mom in the seventies, working for herself, at home, put her in compromising and vulnerable positions. She taught me in those situations, why to, how to, when to, when not, and for what, to fight. Sometimes, it doesn't matter if you can win a fight. What matters is what you stand to lose by not fighting. It just has to be worth fighting for.  We dealt with friends, enemies, and everything in between. It has been a most invaluable asset.

3. Put family first. The upholstery shop often had my grandfather, grandmother, and great-great aunt working together right beside the kids. The collective wisdom and memories gathered there are priceless.

4.The value of hard work. It wasn't an easy job. It didn't pay great, but there's a satisfaction that comes from working with your hands. It taught me pride in the accomplishment is worth more than the monetary reward for the task.

5.Use the talents God gave you. Mom was a killer seamstress. It's as much as art form as skills. She tapped into that talent and created substance. God gave us all talents and there are no limits to His resources.

 In upholstery, you take something old and worn and make it new again. You make it valuable again. You turn it into something worthy for a place in someone's home. You begin by ripping off the outer covering to reveal the frame. It is only then, the frame might be repaired. Some parts might even be replaced before it is recovered. In the end,  you have a brand new product. Upholstery work is a great analogy for the work that God does in the lives of those He saves. He gets down, beneath our skins, into the very framework of our souls. There, He repairs, and covers us in the blood of His son. In doing so, He transforms us into a new creation suitable for His home in Heaven.

I'm so grateful for what my Mom and God taught me in the upholstery shop. Happy Mother's Day. 

Allysa's Story: Suffering from Imperfection

We met in the elevator. She was wheeled into the same waiting room as myself by her grandmother, Elaine. Not much of her hair was left and not much was left for her to smile about either. Her skin was so pale and thin, you could see the viens in her forehead. Hidden behind thick lenses, where the dimmed eyes of a child. No doubt darkened and I suspect, damaged by her treatment. She was feeling sicker than usual and neither Elaine, or her granddaughter, could force a smile. It was the kind of scene you would turn away from if you could. A special kind of horror, a terror every parent hopes never to face, is a child battling cancer. Some unbelievers would use this situation to find an excuse to hate God. Nothing can convince some He isn`t evil. Even if, they are sure He isn`t real. In fairness to them, we offer little in the form of an explanation. If we are really honest,  these kind of struggles are the hardest for believers to make sense of.

Humanity, as audacious as it can be , shyly turns away from suffering every chance it gets. It`s a constant reminder of the fragile reality of our imperfection.  It`s easier to ignore heartache when people remain nameless. We justify ourselves by whispering little nameless thank yous to God for sparing us from the  "curses" like caring for a sick child. Or we just pretend there is no order to the universe and that a loving God couldn't exist amid the tragedies. I couldn`t turn away from this sweet little eight year old. This day, heartache had a name. Heartache`s name was Allysa. For the first few moments, all I could think about was her parents and what they must be going through.  Then, briefly I pondered what my parents maybe feeling as I fight my personal battle with this disease. I found grace in not finding the answers to those questions. Yet, I still asked God to help me understand. What was and still is inescapable was the vision of my own daughters, sitting in her place.  In my mind, I could see them in the wheelchair. I don't even want to suffer the thought.

 She was exhausted from treatment, pain, and nausea. Kneeling down, I introduced myself and offered her a spearmint. "It helps with the nausea," I said. She refused the mint, but replied weakly with her name. She didn`t seem too interested in talking, until I asked "what is your favorite song ?."

"It`s inappropriate," she said as she whispered the title in my ear. Determined to get a smile out of her, because the bible says in Proverbs 17:22" a merry heart does good like a medicine", Sir Cletus can`t mix a lot did his very best at Baby Got Back. God only knows, if I'll ever find a more useful moment for this goofball personality He created me with .

Transformed from the laughter, her sad cold eyes eventually warmed up to a glow. It was a most beautiful transition, like winter turning to spring. She reached  for the spearmint I had offered earlier. Placing it in her fragile little fingers, I asked her grandmother if could I pray for her.  After we prayed together, I really got to know Allysa and Elaine. I tried to bring as much laughter their way as I could, while fighting back the flood of tears that would freely flow the moment I was alone. Overwhelmed by a sense of loss, coupled with the separtion from my daughters during my treatment, I found myself being thankful this wasn't my child. An idea that left me confronting the truth about my own selfishness. In my pityful gratitude, laced with my own personal, convenient, and comfortable desires, I had momentarily forgotten every child is a gift from God. Allysa's parents are lucky to have her. I was very fortunate to have met her.

 I found out, she can`t make up her mind on a favorite color since "they are all so pretty". She thinks Batman is cooler than any other super hero. She is wicked smart. When it came to her treatment and medicines, she had to help her grandmother keep track of important information. I witnessed her, respectfully but correctly, arguing over the details about her treatment. Showing me Allysa`s cheerleading photo, Elaine told me how this little dancer had preformed with the big girls at some of the Celtics` games. How differently she looks now. A shell is all that now remains of the body that houses the same beautiful soul of this princess, a daughter of the one true King. Since she was diagnosed with a brain tumor in October, she`s lost 20% of her body weight. During the conversation, I found out Allysa had been abandoned by her mother and father. If that was all someone knew about Allysa, they might convince themselves God doesn`t care. I`m betting every thing, even my whole life, that He does. Before you make up your mind about God, you need the rest of the story. The truth is, we don`t have it and we never will, this side of heaven. Still, at least, there`s more to this particular story.

Allysa, was abandoned by an unfit mother. After spending time in a foster home, her mother decided she wanted Allysa back. Later, the courts would return her to her mother only to remove her again. Eventually, she and her brother, were adopted by her foster family.  It`s highly unlikely she would have ever been diagnosed in time or received the proper treatment had she not been abandoned. Despite looking like hell, (the origin of this disease) Allysa's hair will return. It`s likely she`ll make a full recovery. Upon finding out my cancer doesn't respond to chemo, she rolled her eyes and informed me how lucky I am . "I only have four treatments left and the prognosis is good ", she told me sophisticatedly.  As surely as, I know this is God`s grace in action, I know someone would ask, what about those who don`t recover? Wouldn`t it be better if they had never been born? Why doesn`t God just make things perfect to begin with?

I`d tell you, "He did" if I thought my theology would satisfy intellect or logic. I`d offer a doctrine if it afforded anything that would sooth the emotions of nonbelievers who really care, or believers who really don`t understand anything more than God can`t be understood. In fact, I`d hope you`d never allow anything I say or write draw you into a belief of what you perceive as Christ. Yet, I would still be unable to hide my relationship with and would point you to the one who gives a peace beyond all understanding. Knowing full well, only His spirit can overcome the hate and contempt we have for a creator we do not and cannot fully understand.

Atheist turned theologian, C.S. Lewis, wrote "Try to exclude the possibility of suffering and you find that you excluded life itself." Nothing says more about the human condition than suffering. Contrastingly, Buddha teaches  "the root of suffering is attachment". Perhaps that's why so many children are abandoned. If detachment from people is the cure, I'm destined to suffer only the teachings of Christ. Suffering brings out the worst and best in all of us. It will draw us to, or push us away from God. Jesus is the only God, who shared and endured our suffering and continues to do so. Rejoicing in suffering is a biblical concept. While everyone is running away from suffering, we are taught to run towards it. It's there, in the sufferings of our Lord, we find the cure for what ails mankind. It`s not as crazy as it sounds. In the last four months, I have experienced things and met people that would have never been possible without this cancer and I`m so thankful for it. Life begins in suffering, so you could even say, suffering is natural and perhaps needed. Think of it this way. If the temperature was always perfect, we`d never know the satisfaction of warming by a fire on a bitterly cold night. A refreshing cool dip in the pool would yet to be discovered. In a perfect world, there`d be no underdogs to root for. There would be no winners, because, of course, there could be no losers. No obstacles equates to no challengers and absolutely nothing to aspire to. No heroes. Without the human need to be comforted, there would be no Allysas to turn away from. Meaning we`d never know what it means to show compassion or feel empathy. In a perfect world, void of human needs, there would be no desire to meet her or anyone else. If God had prevented suffering to enter into man`s fallen world, would we even be able to define our humanity? Beauty can only come from ashes if something gets burned in the process. Void of the human experience, what would we become? It`s scary to consider, considering how short we fall with them. Sparing this world from suffering would have prevented sacrifice and denied the birth of Hope. For Hope is born from suffering. Suffering isn't desirable but men rarely desire what is best for themselves. Doesn't a world without suffering sound a lot like a perfectly bland existence with no chance to taste heaven? Suffering brings the hope for heaven. I wouldn`t miss that for the world. Would you ?

Between the Cross & the Resurrection

Tomorrow is the celebrated anniversary of God's magnum opus, The Resurrection. The day God, in human form, triumphed over death to save us. Just yesterday was the celebrated anniversary of greatest paradox in history. The crucifixion of Christ. Ironically, the crucifixion is simultaneously man's greatest injustice and only hope for redemption. Here were are, stuck in between these two monumental events. I'm guessing, the disciples must have felt Satan might be winning on the day before that first Easter. Sometimes, I feel like Satan is running amuck in between the moments God shows off in my life. As if , I'm in between two great seasons. One that already happened and one that is coming. It's those days, when I'm forced to "wait upon The Lord ", I meditate the most.  Unlike the disciples, we have the luxury of knowing Sunday is coming and grace will abound. I've learned one simple truth that gets me through those moments between God showing off. The truth is God is always showing off. It just takes a little more effort to miss it sometimes.   I'm somewhat addicted to excitement.  There's nothing I enjoy more than being in a moment when we are reaping a harvest for His kingdom or witnessing some other a supernatural event where God pours out His providential grace in provision. Even when life seems mundane and boring, I remind myself God is always awesome . His plan is perfect, and will work together for our good. Those moments, when it's the hardest to see, I focus on the mysterious things about God.  Today, the day before Easter, above all days, I reflect on the mystery of God's grace.

Grace is given at the expense of Jesus and is the costliest gift we can receive. By it's very definition, it is unattainable based upon merit or ability. Grace, so intricate in detail, God laid it out from the foundation of the world. So expensive, it cost the life of the creator of the universe. So perfect, its application determines the eternal destination of the soul.

 It's almost laughable reading the futile attempts of learned men describe how to receive it. Philosophical debates have been waged on how, when, and who can get it. Churches, have split over whether or not you can keep it, or loose it, in an endeavor to comprehend what is written about it. A man could loose his sanity trying to figure out grace.

I don't know which is a worse tragedy,  to over complicate salvation to the extent it appears impossible to receive, or to reduce and simplify it to a mere one time, once said, fix all, prayer. Both distort grace. It really comes down to one question. Can we be true believers in Christ, unless we are Christ followers? Truth be told, grace is a paradoxical as the cross. Can someone truely believe in Christ and not follow Him?

Jesus tells us,

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." Luke 9: 24

I'm convinced many people know about grace but just do not want it. It's simple really, they know you can't have grace and be left unchanged. Seduced by this life, and the illusion of feeling in control, I've been there. It's overrated. If sanctity of life applies to this life, how much more to our spiritual life since we must loose one to save the other?  The more I let go of this life, the more alive I feel.  Every moment takes me closer to heaven and seeing Jesus. 

People, afraid of grace, feel they are captain of their own ships enjoying smooth sailing. They are destined to sink, unless, they abandon ship. Destined to drown, unless, Christ pulls them from a would be watery grave.

Grace tends to navigate her ship to rougher waters. She does not sail, for her captives, now slaves of Christ, man the oars. Christ followers cannot self navigate, for Christ is the way. Christ steers the ship, and we should row aimlessly comforted knowing, not only the ship, but the passengers, and even the sea, belong to Jesus. I don't know exactly how I got chained to this oar in the galley of this ship. I'm just glad to be here and hope I get to see you.

It is my prayer you would become a committed follower of Christ. Happy Easter.

Loving Outside the Box

More than a few times in my life I've been too excited to sleep. The end of this mission trip is definitely one of those times. It's 11 pm here in Africa and by the time America reads this I will already be in tomorrow. Fitting, since I'm already thinking of the future. John Long, Samuel Limbe, and myself preached, the Holy Spirit moved. I was reminded of this truth God's word always accomplishes His plan

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void,

but it shall accomplish that which I please,

and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

 I'm not sure the number of salvations. Thirty eight baptisms. We gave out over 100 bibles. Funded a couple of brand new church plants. And too many more things to list. I'll be telling these stories for years. So many wonderful things happened. I've learned a lot. We can't take much credit. It was a group effort. Many of you partnered with us, allowing us to be ambassadors of your generosity. I shall forever be indebted. Thank you.

 This mission has been an overwhelming success but there is so much more God is calling us to do. I hope you'll partner with us again.

 Tanzania is a place where sowing seeds isn't a metaphorical gimmick employed by those preaching a prosperity gospel. It's life or death. Here  "living water" takes on a deeper meaning, knowing many walk as much as 2-1/2 miles to get dirty water. In many cases it's deadly water. Tanzanians see the value in God's word, literally. Here the bible cost roughly 1% of the average yearly income. Do the math. Compared to person making $30,000 annually and the bible would cost $300.  Having to ration out God's word was mindblowing as well as heartbreaking. 

America teaches it's people to think outside the box, so to push ourselves beyond the boundaries of normality and mediocrity. Thinking outside the box, we create beautiful pieces of art and compose masterpieces of music. Outside the box, we find the knowledge to advance in technology and medicine. What if, we loved outside the box? What if, we saw people instead of problems? What if we reminded ourselves, those are image bearers of the Almighty flighting for survival, instead of changing the channel? What if, we were motivated to work as hard for compassion as we do for comfort? What if, we really treated them as our brothers and sisters? Our lives would read as if we were pages torn from the ultimate love story, the word of God itself. American pastors speak of hell to scare people into heaven. 

In this part of Africa, they are just ready to go to heaven. I hope you'll join us in helping them get there.

Are you on Vacation or a Mission

Every churchgoer has heard it. Most of us have said it. So much so, it's now became cliche. "This is not our home". It's a truth paraded by the church in her music and messages, but camouflaged by her actions.

 It's hard to inspire confidence to nonbelievers, in a reality of heaven, with so many of us, living our clean lives blinded by our stained glass windows. If we really believe this world is not our home, we must decide whether we are on vacation, or a mission. We short change nonbelievers and sell our God short, living as if, we manufacture our own safety... If you can call that living. The bible teaches us in Isaiah that God has a plan and a purpose. 

remember the former things of old;

for I am God, and there is no other;

I am God, and there is none like me,

declaring the end from the beginning

and from ancient times things not yet done,

saying, My counsel shall stand,

and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

calling a bird of prey from the east,

the man of my counsel from a far country.

I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;

I have purposed, and I will do it. 

This passage reminds us God has declared our end from the beginning. He demands a response from the natural world, when He calls the "bird of prey from the east". Commanding nature, He's covered all the details. He's gonna save His people with you or without you. The only part God has asked us to do is to remember. Many Americans have forgotten the debt of gratitude we owe foreign missionaries. Some foreign strangers carried the Gospel to our ancestors. Without that sacrifice, we'd be destined for hell.  We did not simply inherit our relationship with God. People sacrificed to take the Gospel so to insure your salvation. Jesus told us to do the same in Matthew 28:19-20 Perhaps, yours isn't a call to the mission field. I'd wager whatever cross God's calling you to, I'm betting it is more than simply filling a pew.  Find a place to serve Him and His mission to save His people. We all need to constantly remember God is in control . Remember who He is. Pray prayers only He can answer. Never sacrifice an opportunity to see God show off to the illusion of safety. 

There's a freedom that comes in remembering every breath you take is a gift from God. He is your only life support. My advice is to never hold your breath. Take a deep breath. Do you smell that? Smells like heaven. Reminds me of home. How about you?

Are you Merely Injected with Christ?

Today, I received the final vaccine in preparation for a mission to Tanzania, Africa. I did my research and looked up the various vaccines I would need on the CDC's website. Then, I did what any cheapskate would do. I opted for the bare minimum and less expensive injections I could get away with. It's not that's just the way I roll. It's the way I have to. I still ended up with almost five hundred dollars in preventative medicine.  It's equivalent to around eight months salary for the average worker were I am going. It's hard for us to imagine.
Waiting in the doctor's office, I realized many of us treat our salvation in much the same way. As if, salvation were only some preventative medicine in which a minimum dosage could make you immune from Hell. I started wondering, what if salvation was injectable?

Of course, there would be some that refused it, saying it wasn't really needed. Others would simply pretend they had it to get them into the places where it would be a requirement.There would be some that claimed the vaccine itself wasn't a real cure. Sadly, if it were possible,  many claiming to have had the injection would prevent others from receiving theirs.
 Every evangelist can tell you stories where a prospective convert will ask, "just how much of Jesus do I need to get to heaven?"If salvation were a vaccine, no doubt loads of people would take the minimum. Perhaps, even more troubling, if we are honest, most currently on the vaccine,  just wouldn't follow the doctor's orders, despite him paying all the cost. So many of us fail to exercise our faith, and hold back bold prayers, like we are afraid of a reaction to the medicine. Because we are merely injected with Christianity.
 Scripture tell us  "no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man Imagined, what God has prepared for those that love him.  2 Corinthians 9
If we're are honest, many Christ followers long to see the power of God move, but prays as if we are scared He will. The enemy has used the mystery of where God's call might take us to frighten us so much, many will settle for a bridled spirit. It's like turning the volume way down while playing your favorite song. It makes no sense. It's why I cringe at "be careful what you pray for, you just might get it".
 Here's what I know, I am cancer free but I follow my cancer doctor's orders. I don't miss appointments and I still take his advice. Likewise, we should follow Christ's instruction. Salvation isn't meant to be some one time injection cure all quick fix. It's the beginning of a life long treatment plan. It's a beginning of a relationship. Like all relationships, you have to communicate what you want out of it. I triple dog dare you to dream big dreams and pray bold prayers so you can watch God show off.