5 Ways Heaven will be like a High School Reunion

Recently, I attended my 25th high school reunion. To be blunt, I had a blast.  I would imagine, it wasn't unlike the typical high school reunion for small towns. Everybody knows everybody. Not to sound cliché, but the more things change, the more they stay the same. If you tried hard enough , I guess you could find something wrong with it. The food was good but it wasn't fantastic. It wasn't a spectacular venue. I'm told we didn't have the budget for the Taj Mahal. It was less than perfect. Not the sort of atmosphere where you would expect to catch a glimpse of heaven. But, like so many spiritual lessons, God's truth parallels much of our everyday lives. Here's some ways heaven will be like our high school reunion.

There's a lot of planning involved: These things don't just happen. Every celebration event involves a great deal of planning. It is where the guest list starts. The celebration in heaven won't be an exception. The banquet in heaven was planned from the foundation of the world.

A sacrifice must take place to accomplish the setting: At most high school reunions,  people get to attend an event that most put no effort into creating. Don't overlook this. Someone sacrificed their time and energy for your benefit. Even though, you didn't ask them. Likewise, Jesus has sacrificed everything so we can come to Him.

Everybody was invited, but only a few come: Only 20% of our original class showed up. I bet that's about normal. The 80- 20 rule works in about everything. I hope Jesus does better with his party. The word is it will be "few". For just a moment at the reunion, I was kinda sad. I wanted to see some people I hadn't seen in awhile. That  didn't prevent us from having a great time. To be clear, there will be no sadness in heaven. So, I probably won't know if you don't make it, but indulge me the similes. At the reunion, people I thought wouldn't make it came while others I was sure would be there, were not.  I bet heaven will be the same.

Excuses will be made for missing it : Life has to take precedence over a reunion. There were some legitimate reasons for not making them. I get that. Still, let's be honest, some people just don't want to be there. Pick any excuse you want. If you'd like, you can double down with them for not attending church as well.  Does this sound like them? " There will be hypocrites and fake people there." "I don't make enough money". "I don't have the time." "I need my rest". My personal favorite is" I haven't forgiven so and so for what they did to me." That one could keep you away from a reunion and out heaven. We don't force people we love to spend time with us. Neither will Jesus. He will let you miss heaven if you want to.

If you want to attend, you need to RSVP: You can't just show up to a reunion. Preparations need to be made to accommodate you. Simply put, you'll have to respond to the invitation. Heaven's RSVP is done in the form of rebirth. It comes  through repentance and confession of a faith in Jesus Christ. There's no other way to attend the grand celebration. You coming? 

Little Things Learned

A year ago today, I underwent brain surgery and was diagnosed with a rare cancer. It's an odd blessing, a brain tumor. Here's some of the year's revelations and lessons.

People will surprise you. You'll never know how caring or how inconsiderate some can be until you are sick. I promise you'll cry tears of joy and sorrow.

Miracles still happen. Too many to count. Here is the top two. A tumor they said was too close to the carotid artery to resect is a 100% gone. Our financial needs were met miraculously. Praise God.

God will send you. Sometimes, where you don't want to go. I would never have went to Boston except for this tumor. There were people who were saved and lives changed because of it. I'm still humbled by that.

Make God sized Goals. The Broken Vessel has had 10,000 or so page views in the past 12 months.  My testimony of Christ has been shared in 25 nations so far. Speaking has been the icing on the cake. God makes BIG deals out of simple obedience.

Expect God sized test if you make God sized goals. Expect Satan to show up. Praise God for every obstacle he brings. Read Romans 8:28 for why.

Pray Big Prayers. The way God may answer them might be overwhelming. It might scare you half to death. But it will be worth it.

The Secret Weapon

Pardon the pun, but a year ago, I spent this week wrapping my mind around a brain tumor. First, they said it wasn't cancer. Then, they said it was. Since those days, the only certainty has been uncertainty. 

Few things in life are certain. For the most part, what we call a sure thing is just an illusion. What it really is, is a life most of us take for granted. 

I spent most of this year slaying the invisible monsters and battling the one I can see in the mirror. Cancer is a  disease certain to challenge your faith over and over. You might eradicate it from your body but it will plague you in the constructs of your mind. Satan will attempt to torment a soul in this life, even if can't in the next. Just ask Job. This week, I make an appointment for another MRI to see if the tumor has regrown. Last year they couldn't find any trace post surgery.  Praise God! In spite of that great blessing I've been given, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little anxious.  It's a new spiritual battle I face everyday.  Like all spiritual battles, it's  one I can learn from and one I'll be victorious in, through Christ.

The monsters aren't the only thing invisible. There are battle scars you just can't see. No one can tell by looking, I've had brain surgery. Yet, I can assure you the scars are there, on the inside. They are still a source of pain, despite the fact that you can't see them. Reminding me, we can't see the scars on people's hearts. Especially those camouflaged with smiles and wit or the ones heavily armored with rudeness and indifference. Constantly now, God reminds me we were made from the dirt and I was always broken. Even before the revelation of this disease.

 Besides the spiritual armor discribed in Ephesians 6, Christ followers have a secret weapon to deploy in spiritual battle.

It's a weapon of mass construction. The only solution I've found. Praise. Thanking God in all circumstances. Praise reminds us of not only who is our Father, but also, who our Father is. Our creator, sustainer, defender, and redeemer. Our friend.

The enemy can't stand it. Can't stand for it. Can't stand up to it. Can't stand around it. 

Jeremiah 17:14 says"Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you 

Praise changes everything. Praise leads to service. Service is just praise on steroids .

If you are in any spiritual battle , I encourage you to share them. Don't battle alone. Let's praise Him!! And serve Him!!! What are someways we can serve Him together?

Why God Doesn`t Have Grandchildren.

A while back, my girls and I attended a real Indian pauwau. Amid the festivities, one of the chiefs offered beautiful words of prayer to a creator deity they refer to as Grandfather.

During the prayer, my youngest daughter tugged on my hand and found my eyes open. In a confused little whisper, she asked "do we pray ?" "No," I whispered back," God's our Father not our grandfather.

Some might find this trivial. Others might

consider it dogmatic. I guess, God could be mistook for a grandfather. Especially by those of us, who visualize God as, some benevolent old guy who stays out of the way. For sure, too many of us have reduced our visits with God to brief encounters over the weekend. Sort of like spending the weekend with grandpa. I mean, you got to maintain somewhat of a relationship to get the good stuff at Christmas, right?

 To be clear, it is not my intention to split hairs or to slay some invisible dragon. Neither is my intention to insult Native American traditions. My intention is to kill a wolf in sheep's clothing, a heresy, disguised as multiculturalism.While the world embraces multiculturalism, we must remember God did not create the various cultures, man did. Lord knows, I aint trying to deliver a southern fried version of the gospel, neither y`all.  Multicultural ideas are bound to find their way into Christianity. It's not some mysterious phenomenon. Since Jesus created all of mankind, He resonates with men from all cultures. It's why Christianity is able to cross borders and appeal to even those belonging to other faiths. As platonic as some multiculturalism seems, if the ideas are contray to biblical teaching, they must be rejected. 

Here's why it matters. Satan's methods are subtle. Left to our own imaginations, we will invent our version of God. I found this quote from C. S. Lewis researching for this blog.

“What would really satisfy us would be a God who said of anything we happened to like doing, ‘What does it matter so long as they are contented?’ We want, in fact, not so much a Father in Heaven as a grandfather in heaven — a senile benevolence who, as they say, ‘liked to see young people enjoying themselves,’ and whose plan for the universe was simply that it might be truly said at the end of each day, ‘a good time was had by all.’”

— "The Problem of Pain"

The concept of a grandfather god leaves us with either another god, which is idolatry, or an absentee father. An absent father is either dead or has abandoned us. Those are ideas Satan would love to convince us of.  God chooses His children and the heirs to His kingdom. Unlike grandparents, it's  the exclusive right of a parent to choose the creation and number of their children.   Ephesians 1:4-5 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will. Fathers have a responsibility to meet the needs of dependant children. A tasked not assigned to grandparents. For example, grandfathers are not expected to discipline children in the way a father should. Make no mistake, our Father loves us and will discipline us. Hebrews 12:6 tells us because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son." By taking on the roll of Father, God has agreed to meet our needs and began an exclusive relationship with us.

Christ paid the ultimate price for us so that we might be called the sons and daughters of God. We are children because of His will and called to a holy inheritance. It is so important to realize we cannot create relatives for our Heavenly Father by procreating. Our children are not automatic heirs to our Father's kingdom. They too, must be adopted like all our brothers and sisters. Make sure your children know they must have an exclusive relationship with a Heavenly Father, because God has no grandchildren.

Karen DeAngelo Another Broken Vessel

Testimonies are one of the weapons we use to combat the enemy. When we testify, we join the supernatural power God has displayed throughout our lives with the natural world in the present moment.  The bible says "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Rev 12:11

After salvation, our greatest weapon against our enemy is our testimonies. One of the most inspiring testimonies belongs to Karen Miller DeAngelo. She's another broken vessel pouring out the living water of Christ.  She's definitely done battle with the enemy and continues to be a warrior for the kingdom of God. Her telling of her story influenced me to tell my own. It's my hope she might influence you to tell yours.

I consider Karen Miller DeAngelo, a close friend. There's nothing odd about me being friends with the outspoken wife of a pastor. Except, we've never met. In fact, I've never even heard the sound of her voice. Yet, I know intimate details of her amazing life.

I met Karen's daughter, and would be son-in- law in South Africa in 2008. I fell in love with them. After hearing part of Karen's story, upon returning to the states, I reached out to her via the internet. I began reading her blogs and was hooked. Thanks to the age of social media, Karen and I have cultivated our common interests into a friendship through Facebook since August 2009. 

During my fight with cancer, Karen was as  very supportive. She and her church  lifted my name to the father.

I just finished Karen's autobiography, Yellow Fields of Grace, published this  year by Tate. It's a hilarious tale with an inspiring testimony, heart breaking struggles, bold confessions, and victory in Jesus. One that will have you cheering for her and Christ. Karen's story is one of triumph over tragedy that you won't want to miss. You'll laugh and cry as you get to know her as well as I do.

About that Flag. Thoughts From A Southern Christian

   I've never thought of the Confederate flag is a symbol of hate and racism. My father is a history buff . He taught us early on there was a rosey version of American history taught in the classroom and then there was the truth. He never candy coated any history to make it easier to swallow his point of view. He taught me,  in most conflicts blame lies on both sides. That flag, to him and many of us, is our heritage. Still, as I explained to my daughter of twelve, I've never been dragged from my home and beaten by people waving that flag.

No matter how true or beautiful a picture heritage paints it can't erase those kind of memories etched into the minds of the victims. I've struggled with how a Christ follower should respond to this controversy. I'm still struggling. Some think a Christ follower has more a responsibility to be kind than to be right. I believe we can and should be both. Jesus said " blessed are the peacemakers". There's no getting around that. Peacemakers are what we should be. Peace is built on the truth. If we aren't sure about what is right, we should at least be honest about how we feel and what we do know.  Here's some honesty in things I can and cannot reconcile. 

It's not the flag coming down but what came down with the flag that troubles me. Even though I think the photo of a police officer in confederate boxers dishonors it, I can't help but be concerned. This guy 's first amendment rights seem to be infringed. The first amendment is a right trumping political correctness. The rationalization used to remove the Confederate flag could be used against the American flag and national monuments. I believe a more extreme application of this rational

will eventually call for the removal of crosses from churches. 

Some of the wisest words a dear pastor friend ever said were "there are no political solutions to spiritual problems". Politics rarely breeds peacemakers but it does well with hypocrisy. If symbols of injustice should be absent in America, why was the Chinese flag raised at the White House in 2009 and in Washington state this April? Remember Tiananmen Square? 

 In perhaps the most unified moment in history of our state, politicians managed to divide people. For political gain. Sadly, that division has even made it's way into some churches. Especially Perry Noble's Church.  Click here for the story. For the record, I disagree with Noble's take on the reason for the War of Northern Aggression was fought. I believe the war like most wars was fought over greed. However, I'm inspired enough by his confession of racism to look over his naive view of history.  Don't let satan use your southern pride, or your support of removing the flag, to divide your church. Jesus said "a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand." There are true believers on both sides of this thing. Don't roll up this controversy into God's sleeve.

Paul taught us to keep our eye on the prize and to press forward. I see the flag controversy as a distraction to more pressing issues the enemy would love the church to ignore. People are lost. People are hurting. God's people are his flag.

Zechariah 9:16 (NKJV)

The Lord their God will save them in that day, As the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, Lifted like a banner over His land.

 

The flag is down and God is going to cause that to work for the good of his people. Romans 8:28 says so. God never fails to keep any of His promises. He's proved this one over and over in my life. I've no doubt he will prove it  to every believer. My hopes are healing will come through this.

 Here's what I do know.  God loves us even though we get things wrong. Our opinions about the flag may or may not be right, but we can respond correctly. We can respect other opinions. We can love people we disagree with. The bible teaches we don't have to have our way in personal grievences. Check Out 1 Corithians 6:7. Symbols change. We know nothing worldly last forever. Once the cross was a symbol of death. Christ made it a symbol of eternal life . That's what He does. He change things. There's a few flags I hold dear to my heart but His banner over me is love. Is that the flag flying over your heart? Christianity is a major part of not only the South but our nation's heritage. Are you as passionate in waving that flag? The only heritage that last forever is one found in Christ. 

What I Have in Commom With Bruce Jenner

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, right and wrong still existed. Normal was king. Well, it wasn't so long ago. In 1977,  Star Wars debuted and the athlete formerly known as Bruce was on the Wheaties box. Crazy fantasies used to be expressed on screen. Now, they take on reality. Or at least, the cover of Vanity Fair. Today, nothing can be wrong unless it's right. It's a warning sign from the word's of Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Those who dare celebrate Bruce Jenner's decision are doing just that .
 People used to say, "have you had your Wheaties, yet?" If you answer, " yes", it will now be followed with "can you keep them down?"  The controversy has sparked all kinds of opinions. .Click here to see these from A Different World , where Bailey admits despite how he was raised, once the new wears off,  he can get used to Jenner. A different world?  Indeed not, just the same old fallen one. A world gone mad. Bailey's right about one thing. "people will adjust once the novelty wears off".  As they adjust, it will take stranger things to stun them. As we slide further down the slippery slope, what new version of iniquity will America embrace as normal?  The situation brings curiosity and many questions come to mind. Many want to know why a man like Jenner would do such. Could it be an addition to media attention? Was this a breakdown or a publicity stunt designed to generate money?  It doesn't matter. What matters is it was a desperate cry for help that went unheard except for those ready cash in on Jenner's insanity. Since the love of money is the root of all evil, from the mad scientist, who call themselves surgeons, to the magazine companies, all were lining up to sale their souls. As long as, they get their piece of the pie.
Many theories have been tossed about on what might have caused this disorder. Understandably, more than a few have compared Jenner's ordeal to self mutilating. When the novelty wears off, even if the majority accept Jenner, I wonder if he will accept himself? Apparently, Jenner, has never been able to feel at home in his own skin. Apparently, something is missing. Something he needs to fill. Where Jenner went wrong was he tried  to fix the inside by changing the outside. I guess Jenner took the "less is more" quote seriously. The reason this will never work for him is it isn't real. It's just worthless pieces of plastic.
Every believer knows there is a God sized hole in your soul that only God can fill. Every child of God, has this much in common with Jenner, at one time or another, all of us have tried to fill that hole from the outside.

 So, how should a child of God respond to Jenner and others like him?
By:
1. Teaching others the word of God and by walking it out. What we are for, is more important than what we are against. Offer as much grace as possible without compromising our principals. We should never celebrate sinful behavior.
2. Resisting the temptation to laugh at people like Jenner. Sin isn't funny. It cost Christ his life. Proverbs 14 teaches us "fools laugh at sin"
3.Praying for Jenner and others like him, no one is not beyond redemption.
4. Remembering that rebellion has been our normal since the garden. A world gone mad was exactly what Christ died for in the first place.Everytime we sin, we break what Jesus said was the greatest commandment. It doesn't get any worst than that and we all have done it. Their are plenty of "normal" sins. We should find our own sins just as sickening as Jenners.

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.