Between Thanksgiving and Christmas

It always seems like a blur, but so do the years between 88-90 or 98-00 or even these past two years.

In the same way God knows what we need and yet still instructs us not to pursue our own agendas, I believe God knows our limitations and only expects us to do what we can. I also believe this takes away any of my excuses of inability or lack of opportunities. God is interested in my using the abilities I do have and me taking advantage of the opportunities I do have.

During this period between Thanksgiving and Christmas I'm going to try and take the time to "play God" in someone's life. Matt. 25.40... I want to encourage those around me as well.

When Most People Are Wrong

Matthew 7.13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Whenever I am selfishly pursuing my own agenda I become part of the norm in society. No one will blame me for trying to make things better for my family and myself. The undertow I will have to fight to live a godly life trying to help others instead of just helping myself will be a lifelong challenge.

How can so many people be wrong? They are doing what comes natural. I believe going against what come naturally to us is why trying to walk the narrow way is such a daily battle. I'll be going against the grain, running against the wind if you will and fight against the rising tide all my life. The victory won't show up until my Savior comes back to rescue me.

Linda Diane Grewar Lampley

Linda Diane Grewar Lampley was born on February 12th 1944 in Madison Tennessee. Linda died on Friday, August 28th 2009 at the General Hospital in Jackson Tennessee.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, William and Evelyn Grewar as well as her brother Bill.

Linda is survived by her husband Rodger Dale Lampley Sr. of Three Way, TN and her sister Billerine Grewar Warner of Wrightwood, CA. Linda is also survived by her five children, Rodger and Joyce Lampley of Enville, TN and their two sons Rodger and Bill, James and Kim Lampley of Godfrey, IL and their four children Savannah, Greg, Tabitha and Zek, Cam and Lorrie Gulley of Eastland, TX and their five children Chloe, Parker, Kaleb, MacKenzie and Heath, Shane Lampley of Memphis, TN and his son Steven of Knoxville, TN, and Houston and Brandi Lampley of Memphis, TN and their three daughters Allison, Brooke, and Kaitlyn.

Honduras, Predisan, and Trying to make sense of it all.

If you have been following the news coming out of Honduras, to say the country is on edge is an understatement. Kyle Huhtanen, one of the directors at Predisan, writes a compelling essay about how the dominos have fallen thus far. Kyle also notes how the consistency of our challenge to model Christ is paramount and takes precedence over any of our particular political druthers, no matter how high the stakes.

Our prayers go out to Honduras, Predisan and particularly the families living in such a tense situation.

And the next logical step is...

... to start worshipping frogs. It would be hilarious if it weren't so tragic.

Post Number 100

Even the world recognizes how shallow chasing after materialism is.

The clip is only 32 seconds long, but when the woman at the end sarcastically notes, "Now my job is WAY less soul crushing." ... the harsh truth about how soul crushing and soul destroying the agenda of this world really is comes creeping out around the edges.

Compared to 90% of the world or more, anyone working in the conditions these people are acting as if they are working in would be considered beyond rich and successful, but there is no satisfaction to be gained in life through only an abundance of stuff.

Jesus said "A man's life consists of more than just and abundance of things."

Church-Shopping.

I recently came across a pair of articles that discussed the frequency in which Americans change their religious affiliation. One conclusion, "More than four in 10 American adults are no longer members of the religion they were brought up in..." or as noted by another article, "What the Pew researchers didn't anticipate is that fully 44% of Americans have changed faiths at least once. "

It is interesting that an article chose to headline the minority behavior uncovered by Pew Research (i.e. "Church-Shopping" and "Changing Religion"). Further, there is no indication if this is an increase, decrease or steady trend in American behavior. The article entitled "Changing Religion" touches on this by noting that, "the fact that most people who switch religions do so before they are 24, combined with the finding that older people as well as younger people have changed, suggests to Smith that the trend has been going on for some time". It seems to me that there is nothing new in the results of the study. America has always been a religious "free-for-all". From the Puritans to the Latter Day Saints to the Family churches, there has always been choice in this country when it comes to the choosing of one's religion.

The real trick, in my opinion, is to maintain your faith. If "church-shopping" is a result of an effort to keep one's faith fresh, I cannot find fault in it. But in the end I think it is a loop that cannot circle forever. It will eventually lose it's momentum. The apostle Paul was a master at finding the good in every situation. He exhorts Timothy in 1 Tim 6:6,"But godliness with contentment is great gain.". At the end of the day I believe that what we all need is Love. That is supplemented with Peace for those who are able to be contented in their godliness. I hope that our house of worship is providing both in great abundance.

Ref:

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1894361,00.html

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/27/changing.religion.study/

While I'm Waiting by John Waller

Part of the soundtrack to the movie Fireproof. Excellent movie, sensational song.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom." Isaiah 40.28

Dishonest Scale

It will not matter if the Constitution of the United States is interpreted to read that the union of two men or two women is equal to the union of a man and a woman in marriage. Just because someone, a court, a congress, a king or a president declares a lie to be the truth, that lie does not cease to be a lie and the truth does not cease to be the truth.

The financial parallel is just as destructive as we have seen how declaring someone living entirely from gov't benefits, i.e. unemployment, food stamps, welfare, (all of which have a legitimate place in our society) as equal to someone providing a service or producing a product, i.e. gainfully employed, when it comes to being able to purchase a home or qualifying for a loan.

The dishonest scale hurts everyone involved even if the damage is not felt immediately as was the case with the banks and other financial institutions of the United States.

The Parallel Mission

In Gen. 24 Abraham has his servant swear to him he would go find a wife for his son Isaac from among his own people. We never learn of this servant's name and his role is completed by the end of the chapter.

The servant is going to find a wife for the son of his master. Since the church is the bride of Christ and we are trying to bring people to Christ, isn't our mission the same as Abraham's servant? I am sworn to find a bride for my master's (God's) Son.

Also note how the servant is concerned about the "what if." What if the girl refused to come back and be the son's wife? Then the servant is released from his oath. We don't have to worry about those who refuse, ours is only to press on presenting Jesus' offer of glory, salvation, redemption and honor.