Just Put Some Freaking Love On It!

Jeremiah 18:18-20

The people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem said,
"Come, let us contrive a plot against Jeremiah.
It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests,
nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets.
And so, let us destroy him by his own tongue;
let us carefully note his every word."

Heed me, O LORD,
and listen to what my adversaries say.
Must good be repaid with evil
that they should dig a pit to take my life?
Remember that I stood before you
to speak in their behalf,
to turn away your wrath from them.

There is this really cool guy I know. He is a firefighter and he was telling me one time that he was in training one time and this guy was showing them this video of a raging fire, and in a heavy New York accent he said, "Just put some f@#$ing water on it". He showed how simply dousing a fire with water nearly put it out. When I read these verses about being stabbed in the back the old me would have wanted to get even. Now my thought is, Just put some love on it. A lot of love. Soak that knife in the back with love. I will not lie. This is not an easy thing to do and I am not always successful but when I do the result is always way more peaceful. I have enough drama. I love to have love in my life.

Jesus,
I know following your ways are not going to be easy. For whatever reason there are going to be people that are just going to want to persecute me because of my love of you. Help me to stand strong. Help me to love them like you do. Help me to ask the Father for their forgiveness. I don't want to be a black pit of hate. I want to be a shining light of love. I know I am going to mess up and make mistakes. Please forgive me when I do and help me to get back on track. I am so thankful for all that you have done and given me. I love you Jesus

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen

To Judge or Not to Judge, That is the Question

Daniel 9:4B-10

"Lord, great and awesome God,
you who keep your merciful covenant toward those who love you
and observe your commandments!
We have sinned, been wicked and done evil;
we have rebelled and departed from your commandments and your laws.
We have not obeyed your servants the prophets,
who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes,
our fathers, and all the people of the land.
Justice, O Lord, is on your side;
we are shamefaced even to this day:
we, the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem,
and all Israel, near and far,
in all the countries to which you have scattered them
because of their treachery toward you.
O LORD, we are shamefaced, like our kings, our princes, and our fathers,
for having sinned against you.
But yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness!
Yet we rebelled against you
and paid no heed to your command, O LORD, our God,
to live by the law you gave us through your servants the prophets."

Luke 6:36-38

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

"Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you."

I read these verses today and I realize and remember I am a sinful man and have done sinful things, yet God still loves me and waits for me to return home. I read these lines and realize that I have judged when it is not my business to. My duty is to love with all my heart, not just when it is easy and when people are looking but all the time, especially when it is hard. I hope that all that I have wronged in my past will forgive me and I forgive all who have wronged me now and in the future. I pray that when memories arise that remind me of how I have been wronged in the past that I will snuff out any embers of anger and hate with the living water of love. Love that I receive from God. I want to love because this world so badly needs it, I badly need it. I would rather feel the warmth of love than the bitter cold of anger, hate and resentment, but I realize that I am not perfect. I pray that God will show to me quickly when I am wrong though circumstances and others that cross my path. Life is too short.

Jesus, help me to be blind today. Help me to be blind to all that will corrupt my heart. Help me to see people for your children. Help me to love like you do. Help me to remember your words this day and use them as my path. Help me to remember that judging is your job, loving is my job. I love you and am thankful for all that you have done for me.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

Walking Towards Prosperity or a Cheeseburger?

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Moses said to the people:
"Today I have set before you
life and prosperity, death and doom.
If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God,
which I enjoin on you today,
loving him, and walking in his ways,
and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees,
you will live and grow numerous,
and the LORD, your God,
will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy.
If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen,
but are led astray and adore and serve other gods,
I tell you now that you will certainly perish;
you will not have a long life
on the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy.
I call heaven and earth today to witness against you:
I have set before you life and death,
the blessing and the curse.
Choose life, then,
that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God,
heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.
For that will mean life for you,
a long life for you to live on the land that the LORD swore
he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

Wow, this really lays it all out doesn't it? Thing is, if you keep reading you will also see that God keeps his word. When the Israelites follow God's commandments they prosper, when they turn away they fall. I read these lines though and part of me is like, "AHHH I can't hear you! I can't hear you!", as I stick my fingers in my ears. Part of me wants to be ignorant of these words. Part of me wants the ignorance so that I can go off and do what I want to do. As an American I want my freedom, but that's what's funny here. God is offering freedom. Many people I talk to think that God is just some guy with really harsh rules that hates fun. I used to think so myself. God wants us to live, be free and prosper. He wants us to be awesome. He doesn't want us to be held back because we are trapped in lives of sin. He doesn't want us slave to food, drink, sex or any other momentary trapping. He wants us to be like athletes in our prime. He wants us to be able to say no to things so that we can be champions. Thing is, I really like bad food, soda, collecting useless stuff. I like to hold on to things that weigh me down. Why, probably because they are tangible and bring momentary pleasure, but what is greater? Heaven is greater, and I know that  God wants to share heaven with me, so I turn to him daily, and like a great coach he is there to help me become what he has made me to be, a saint.

Jesus, 

You have so much waiting for me. This world is full of so much "great" stuff. Help me to see what is really behind everything in life. Help me to see so that I can better see the path that God has for me. I need help, I am weak. I love you and I want to get to heaven. I want to cast evil aside and out of my life. I want to bask in you love. I long to be loved. I love you Jesus. Thank you so much for your sacrifice on the cross. Help me to bear my cross today and everyday.

In Jesus Christ's name,

Amen

A Wilting Flower and a Winding Path

 James 1:1-11

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters,
when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect,
so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
But if any of you lacks wisdom,
he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly,
and he will be given it.
But he should ask in faith, not doubting,
for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea
that is driven and tossed about by the wind.
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,
since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.
The brother in lowly circumstances
should take pride in high standing,
and the rich one in his lowliness,
for he will pass away "like the flower of the field."
For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass,
its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes.
So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Reading these lines I find strength and then I heavily reflect. I find strength because... Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

It lets me know that bad days are coming. I remember as a young Christian I had this idea that because I believed that everything would be great because God would protect me from evil. I laugh now at my youth and misunderstanding. I realize that following God actually puts a big target on my back for evil. 

But also in these lines I ponder where I am actually at now, not where I think I am but actually where I am... or the one who doubts is like a wave of the seathat is driven and tossed about by the wind. I wonder how much have I actually turned my life over to God. How much do I actually trust him. I will admit that I am far stronger in my faith than ever, but I still have moments where the world throws something great at me and I don't turn to God. Not all days, but most I spend my mornings in daily reflection. I think about the day previous and where I was with God. This allows me to see when I begin to step away. This helps me to stay on the path with God. I am rich, by the worlds standards and I fear about becoming that wilting flower. My life is so rich, even on the persecuted days that I do not ever want to leave God's side.

Jesus,

I love you above all. You guide and teach me to be a man full of love and compassion for out of that I find a peace like no other on this world. Thank you, but let's be honest, I'm kinda dumb sometimes and loose focus of the big picture. Help me when you see me looking away from you and my destination, my home, heaven. Help me to stay on the path. Help me to love with reckless abandon. Help me to love like you do. After all, NEVER have I had nails in my hands and feet. NEVER have I worn a crown of thorns. NEVER have I been beat, whipped or spit on, and even if I ever do. I want to wear that persecution proudly for you did so for me. 

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

It's Time to Get Out There?

Mark 7:31-37

Jesus left the district of Tyre
and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,
into the district of the Decapolis.
And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment
and begged him to lay his hand on him.
He took him off by himself away from the crowd.
He put his finger into the man's ears
and, spitting, touched his tongue;
then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,
"Ephphatha!" (that is, "Be opened!")
And immediately the man's ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly.
He ordered them not to tell anyone.
But the more he ordered them not to,
the more they proclaimed it.
They were exceedingly astonished and they said,
"He has done all things well.
He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."

Reading these verses this is what jumps out at me...

And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment

Wow, people brought a deaf man to Jesus, people. A community new of someone that needed healing by Jesus and they came together and  brought him to his presence. This is one of the areas of being a Christian that I am very bad at. I know that I am to share the Gospel and bring people to church but I am a very shy man. It's something that I have been working on and praying of for such time, and I have been to a lot of churches over time but I have never seen a group of people bring someone to church. To me this just seems so beautiful, the community of the church coming together to save/help someone. I know that as a community that we can work together at different times planting the seed and then watering it for the salvation of a particular person. I'm not saying it never happens, I guess my heart just longs to see it more. I guess this is a call for me to get in the game so to speak. I have been told many times, "If you don't like how something is, get in there and make a difference." 

Jesus, 

I know you know what I am already going to say, but please help me to not be so shy. You have helped me a lot, but I think you are still calling me to come out of my shell more. I know that you are in each person of this world. I know that you call me to help and love everyone I meet. I don't know why I am so shy. I don't know why I feel like I should hide in the shadows.  Help me please. I want to be the best I can be for you. I love you and all you have done for me. Thank you.

Easy Come, Easy Go

 Mark 7:24-30

Jesus went to the district of Tyre.
He entered a house and wanted no one to know about it,
but he could not escape notice.
Soon a woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him.
She came and fell at his feet.
The woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by birth,
and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.
He said to her, “Let the children be fed first.
For it is not right to take the food of the children
and throw it to the dogs.”
She replied and said to him,
“Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps.”
Then he said to her, “For saying this, you may go.
The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
When the woman went home, she found the child lying in bed
and the demon gone.

At first read I could get confused, maybe even a little frustrated, I am a father and I could only imagine need help with one of my children and having Jesus initially refuse would leave a bad taste in my mouth. But here the woman is persistent and her wish is granted. That says something to me. I don't think that God wants the easy followers. I don't think God likes to be used as an ATM or a Genie for quick fixes. God wants us fixed completely. I think God wants us transformed. I think that is in part why he sent his son to earth to live among us. I know there have been times I have prayed for things and then gave up because I didn't get what I wanted right away. I must not have want "whatever" that badly huh? I heard a pastor one time say that if God had a $1000 waiting for everyone at the altar each Sunday the church would be packed, but that most people don't realize that what is waiting at the altar is worth more than a mere $1000, and it's there every week. I guess my fault in the past has been that Jesus' way doesn't have blinking buttons, or fancy gadgets or a buy one get two free offer. To me these verses say, "I don't want easy followers because they will make for easy leavers."

Jesus,

I'm sorry if I give up too easily sometimes. You're awesome and I just don't always realize that. I get distracted by random fleeting things. I know that if I stick with you I will find love, peace and joy that only you can offer. Help me to have the fortitude to follow what is important. Help me to not loose sight of my mission. Help me to love others. Help me to share your word. Please don't give up on me. I know that I am a mess. I love you Jesus and I need you. Please heal me so that I may spend eternity with you in heaven. 

Wisdom vs. Falling On My Face

1 KGS 10:1-10

The queen of Sheba, having heard of Solomon's fame,
came to test him with subtle questions.
She arrived in Jerusalem with a very numerous retinue,
and with camels bearing spices,
a large amount of gold, and precious stones.
She came to Solomon and questioned him on every subject
in which she was interested.
King Solomon explained everything she asked about,
and there remained nothing hidden from him
that he could not explain to her.

When the queen of Sheba witnessed Solomon's great wisdom,
the palace he had built, the food at his table,
the seating of his ministers, the attendance and garb of his waiters,
his banquet service,
and the burnt offerings he offered in the temple of the LORD,
she was breathless.
"The report I heard in my country
about your deeds and your wisdom is true," she told the king.
"Though I did not believe the report until I came and saw with my own eyes,
I have discovered that they were not telling me the half.
Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report I heard.
Blessed are your men, blessed these servants of yours,
who stand before you always and listen to your wisdom.
Blessed be the LORD, your God,
whom it has pleased to place you on the throne of Israel.
In his enduring love for Israel,
the LORD has made you king to carry out judgment and justice."
Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty gold talents,
a very large quantity of spices, and precious stones.
Never again did anyone bring such an abundance of spices
as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

I don't know that I would have wanted to be Solomon here, I mean the fame would have been overpowering. I know in the past when I have had a little notoriety it went straight to my head and I eventually fell on my face. I will say though, I wish I had the wisdom of Solomon. Maybe that's why he fared so well for a time. Solomon eventually was seduced away from God laws and his kingdom suffered greatly. I ask myself, "Do I seek God's wisdom every day?" No, I don't, not everyday. I know though that when I seek God's wisdom I receive it and if I follow it, I find peace and prosperity. But I have to surrender, I have to surrender my ego and my will, that's a toughie. 

Jesus, 

I'm not a smart man, but I know that you know all and see all. I don't want all that, but I do want to know how I can get to heaven and have peace in my days here on earth. I have you and I turn my life over to you. I know there will be days I walk away from you. I am sorry in advance. Please don't give up on me. Shine brightly so that I can find my way home to you. I love you so much Jesus. Thank you.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

At the Heart of the Matter

Mark 7:1-13

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem
gathered around Jesus,
they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals
with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands.
(For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews,
do not eat without carefully washing their hands,
keeping the tradition of the elders.
And on coming from the marketplace
they do not eat without purifying themselves.
And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed,
the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.)
So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him,
"Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders
but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?"
He responded,
"Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites,
as it is written:

This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
In vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.

You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition."
He went on to say,
"How well you have set aside the commandment of God
in order to uphold your tradition!
For Moses said,
Honor your father and your mother,
and Whoever curses father or mother shall die.
Yet you say,
'If someone says to father or mother,
"Any support you might have had from me is qorban"'
(meaning, dedicated to God),
you allow him to do nothing more for his father or mother.
You nullify the word of God
in favor of your tradition that you have handed on.
And you do many such things." 

Part of me is like, "YEAH! STICK IT TO 'EM JESUS!", but then a little whisper begins to form in the back of my mind, "Do you honor God's laws fully?" It's a fair question and the more time I take to analyze myself the more I fall short. I kinda wish I had been one of these pharisees. I mean, sure I would have been ashamed, but at the same time Jesus is the ultimate life coach. I would have loved to had a face to face conversation with him so that I could find out how I could be a better person. Each time I learn something at church that rubs me a bit the wrong way or that I try and resist is a great opportunity to become a better Christian. It might be hard, but just like training for anything the more I put into it the more that I know that I am going to get out of it and become a better person.

Jesus,

I know that when I turn everything over to you I am happier, have more peace and more love in my life. I want you to fill my heart. I want to learn and own your ways. Help me to choose your way today. My ego might not like it but I know I will be happier. Help me to love you and follow your ways. Help me to not be a hypocrite. Help me to love like you do. Help me to accept all of you children and love all your children that cross my path today. I love you Jesus and I want to be the best me for you.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

Making a "Home" for Jesus

1 KINGS 8:1-7, 9-13

The elders of Israel and all the leaders of the tribes,
the princes in the ancestral houses of the children of Israel,
came to King Solomon in Jerusalem,
to bring up the ark of the LORD's covenant
from the City of David, which is Zion.
All the people of Israel assembled before King Solomon
during the festival in the month of Ethanim (the seventh month).
When all the elders of Israel had arrived,
the priests took up the ark;
they carried the ark of the LORD
and the meeting tent with all the sacred vessels
that were in the tent.
(The priests and Levites carried them.)

King Solomon and the entire community of Israel
present for the occasion
sacrificed before the ark sheep and oxen
too many to number or count.
The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD
to its place beneath the wings of the cherubim in the sanctuary,
the holy of holies of the temple.
The cherubim had their wings spread out over the place of the ark,
sheltering the ark and its poles from above.
There was nothing in the ark but the two stone tablets
which Moses had put there at Horeb,
when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel
at their departure from the land of Egypt.

When the priests left the holy place,
the cloud filled the temple of the LORD
so that the priests could no longer minister because of the cloud,
since the LORD's glory had filled the temple of the LORD.
Then Solomon said, "The LORD intends to dwell in the dark cloud;
I have truly built you a princely house,
a dwelling where you may abide forever."

I can read theses lines and think, "Well isn't this just a nice little piece of history. Solomon loved God and wanted to be near him. Isn't that just quaint." I read these lines though and then I pondered, "What does this say about me and my life today?" Solomon built a temple, a mighty and beautiful temple. He gave God a physical real home in Israel where everyone could go and worship. So what does that mean to me? Do I make a place where I can worship the Lord? Yeah, I mean I have my local church, but in recent years I have been working on finding a place where I can have a special place for God in my own home. It's not what I want yet, and I will ashamedly admit that my focus for this goal drifts and fades and then resurfaces with the distractions of everyday life. Maybe you're wondering why someone would do this, or if it is even important. My answer to you possible ponder is yes, it is important and you should do so because someone told me to do so. I know funny right? Just by taking a place at my desk and making it home to my cross and prayer cards is a major boost for me. It gives me a "home" to go and meet Jesus. It is a physical reminder that I belong to God and that I should make time for him, because his council makes me happy. It reminds me that I consider myself a Christian and makes me reflect daily on how successful I am. I could go on, but to you I would recommend making a place in your home where you can connect with God. The next important part is to use it. Just like the Israelis experienced it is wonderful to make a home for God but to visit and then listen to God is also important for life success and happiness.

Jesus,

I want you to have a home in my heart. I don't always make it available to you and I am sorry. There really is no excuse. Help me to hear you each day. Help me to make a great home for you in my house for my wife, children and myself to enjoy. I know that if I keep you at the center of our lives everything will work out for the best. Thank you so much Jesus, I love you. 

Just Doing the Right Thing

Luke 2:22-32

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go
in peace, according to your word,
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”

This is one of those readings that I really like because there is just so much going on. Reading this it just blows my mind that God would become man and come to earth. To me it just shows how much He loves us that He would come to earth, and make himself a baby unable to life his own head in a poor family no less. It makes me feel like I put too much emphasis on money and possessions and that I should be more like God and just love. I wonder over the fact that Mary and Joseph held God in their hands and still were subservient to the Temple. It makes me want to be a better father and a better Christian. I read about Simeon and how he knew his purpose in life and how he fulfilled it, and I think how lucky and great that must have felt. I often ponder if I have found my way.

Jesus,

You are so beautiful, thank you. I don't have the mind, time or strength to type everything that I am thankful for. I love you Jesus. I know I let you down sometimes, I am sorry. I want to be stronger for you, please help me. I want to love like you. The world needs so much love. Let me know how I can help you. I pray all parents will grow to be like Mary and Joseph. I pray we will all find our calling like Simeon. I pray that we will all learn to love like you. Wow Jesus, just wow. Thank you.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

Getting In the "Game"

Mark 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
"Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them."
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

I read these lines and feel a call to arms, or like a great half-time pep talk from an awesome coach. The more I meditate on what it would have been like to be there I get goose bumps, but then uh, I think about what they take. They basically take nothing but the clothes on their back. For a guy who lives in the U.S. that seems a bit scary. I mean I'm not rich but I walk out the door each day to work with may more than this. When I concentrate on the lines... 

He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.

It makes me realize how little I really NEED. I realize that maybe by American standards I am not rich, but that by the worlds standards I am lucky to have so much. This challenges me and my new realized wealth. What am I going to do with it? Hmmm, I plan on looking for God's word in my life today, to accept my mission to be the best Christian I can today, love the way God wants me to and to be bold in my personal mission.

Jesus,

A lot of times I think I need this or that but I realize that I really only need you. You provide for me so well, actually really well. Help me to make the most of what I have. Help me to see how I can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, tend to the sick and visit the imprisoned. Help me to see that everyone on this earth needs you. Help me to see how I can help your word reach all so that everyone may know that they are not alone, that they have you. I love you Jesus. Thank you for my mission.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen