Life Is A Donut

Life is a donut; there is the good stuff and the hole. Each of us has a choice about where we will focus; the donut or the hole. In a time where many are tightening their belts there is probably no more important principle than gratitude to help us through.

The second replacement principle from last weekend’s message is replacing worry and complaining with gratitude. Philippians 4:6 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Those two words “with thanksgiving” remind us that an attitude of gratitude can change our lives.

Are you worried? Count your blessings. List the things in your life that you can be thankful for. If you are intellectually honest and get focused, you will find this list can grow quite long and boost your mental state.

So, stop counting your burdens and start counting your blessings. It is amazing how it will increase your joy and help lift your load as you travel down life’s road.

The Replacement Principle

This past week David Kellermann, acting chief financial officer of mortgage giant Freddie Mac, was found dead, hung in his basement, an apparent suicide. Stress can kill you! And let’s be honest, we live in a stressful world. There are global concerns and personal problems that impact every one of us.

Some folks deal with trouble by worrying, but worrying does nothing to change the past or improve the future, it only harms the present. I have found the principles of Philippians 4 to be of much benefit in this regard. Maybe you will too.

Philippians 4:6 offers a great replacement principle to help us cope with the stress of our day: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” It is simply a choice we make to replace worry with prayer. Why not try it today.

Everything Needed

Five times today I sat down to write this blog and five times the power has gone off. Blogging from home requires power.

The refrigerator stopped working today, even when the power was on. It needs something. So do I, where did that old cooler get to anyway?

The dandy lions are reaching for the sky and the lawnmower will not start today. It does not have everything it needs (I think the gas pump has stopped working).

I have been given a bike to ride in the Habitat for Humanity ride in May. Helmet and riding pants have been purchased, yes, the skin tight padded seat kind (don’t worry mom, I’ll be decent and wear something over them). But I still do not have everything I need for the ride; enough practice miles on the bike, riding jersey and possibly rider’s gloves. Judy said it would just be easier to make a donation to Habitat and forget the rest. Hmm…smart woman!

Not having everything we need is frustrating. Ever feel like you cannot live the Christian life? Guess what, you are right! The Christian life was never meant to be lived in our strength. That only leads to frustration. The Christian life was meant to be lived in God’s provision.

I have incredibly good news for you from 2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” Be encouraged! God has already made available to you and me everything needed to live for Him. Let’s do it!

Wake Up Call

The video below comes from the British show "Britain’s Got Talent". It's a great reminder of God’s words to Samuel, found in 1 Samuel 16:7b, when the prophet was looking to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as king. Samuel was looking at appearances but God told him: “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Snap judgments based on appearances often miss the mark. Enjoy the video.

"ME"

This morning I started to back my car out of the garage, looking into the driver side mirror, but something was different. Normally I can see the garage door frame, then the landscaping tile, and eventually the basketball goal post. By seeing them I avoid them and back out safely. This morning things were different and all I could see in the mirror was me. The mirror was turned directly toward the driver’s seat and I could see nothing else.

I did manage to get out without hitting anything, but it did serve as a meaningful reminder. As long as we are so focused upon ourselves we will not get too far. Life is not about “ME”.

Whose Image?

Here is an interesting email from my friend John Bennett, who allowed me to pass it on to you.

“Recently, while listening to a message by Ravi Zacharias, I gained a new insight into a very familiar scripture (Matt. 22:15-25) – one that is quite relevant during tax season.

Some Pharisees asked Jesus if it was right to pay taxes to Caesar. The Pharisees were not seeking truth but rather to trap Jesus. To directly answer the question was to either anger the Jews or place Himself in direct opposition to Rome.

When faced with a difficult question asked by someone with ulterior motives, it is often wise to respond with another question. Jesus asked to see one of the coins used to pay Roman taxes. He then asked whose image and what inscription appeared on the coin. Obviously, the coin bore the image of Caesar and a Roman inscription. The coin was the property of Rome. Since they were using Rome’s money, Rome had the right to levy taxes on them. Jesus instructed them to give to Caesar what is due to Caesar and to God what is due to God.

In light of Jesus’ answer, anyone sincerely seeking truth would have asked the following question. What then belongs to God? Jesus might have responded, “Whose image do you bear?”

According to Genesis, we are all made in the image of God; we belong to Him. However, that image was marred by sin. Jesus came to buy us back and restore His own image in us. Clearly, the Pharisees missed the most important question.”

Joy

“It is joy unspeakable and full of glory…” so the old hymn goes. It’s true! There is joy, great joy, when we come to Jesus. Sins forgiven and living life under new management with heaven as our new destination, why would there not be joy?

Yet living in a troubled world can rob us of that joy. Jesus said, in Luke 8:14 that the worries, riches and pleasures of life can choke us spiritually and keep us from growing. It can steal our joy.

That is why I am excited about the new message mini-series starting this coming Sunday, “Finding Joy In A Troubled World”. Based in Philippians, whose core message is “joy in spite of….” It is a message we can all use. Hope to see you Sunday!

Tax Time

Wow, it is here again; time to pay those taxes. I am paying more than I am used too this year and that hurts a bit.

I do not want to pay a penny more than I owe and, as a Christian, I do not want to pay a penny less than I owe. Living true to Jesus I can do no less. Being part of His kingdom compels me to do as Jesus said when asked about taxes, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (See Matthew 22:21)

By the grace of God, I am determined to never short change either one. That means that I pay and pray. I will pay my taxes (even when it hurts) and pray for our nation and its leaders (even when I do not agree), and I will choose to live full out for God every day of my life. What about you?

Easter Reflections

I am sitting back trying to unwind a bit after a full day of ministry. It has been good and I am grateful to God for so many who participated: drama cast, musicians/choir, audio/visual crew, greeters, etc. on the list could go.

Pastor Jeff Leake, in his blog “The LaunchPad” offered a list of things about Easter for which he is grateful. I agree wholeheartedly and thought I would pass them on to you. See if you can add anything to this list.

Because Jesus rose from the dead...
• Death is not longer something to be feared...it has been overcome.
• My life will not end with my existence on earth. I will one day get a resurrected body just like the one that Jesus has.
• I can be born 'spiritually' (born again). God imparts life into my soul right now. I no longer have to live on empty, but I can be saturated with the presence of the Holy Spirit.
• Because the risen Jesus pursued Simon Peter (even after his denial), I can be assured that FAILURE IS NOT FINAL and that GOD IS A GOD OF SECOND CHANCES.
• The devil has been defeated in every way and the curse of sin has been overcome.
• Healing for body, soul, and spirit has been released through the victory of the cross (and the empty tomb).
• I don't have to serve a dead religious hero, or pay homage to a great teacher who lived in the past and then died. But I can experience the adventure of following someone who LIVES TODAY is still very much active in the world.
• I can expect that Jesus will continue to give us convincing proof that He is alive by answering prayer and breaking through to do miracles and to demonstrate the fact that He lives.

The Great Exchange

What is the greatest exchange you ever made? Was it digital for analog, PC for Mac, old clunker for new shiny ride?

For me that's an easy question to answer. It has everything to do with Good Friday. I love how 2 Corinthians 5:21 captures the very essence of what Jesus did on the cross: "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Nothing can touch what Jesus provided for me on the cross of Calvary.

God's grace was extended making it all possible. My sin for His righteousness - forgiveness, freedom, purpose, eternal life.... What a gift!

Have you made that exchange? There's no better time than the present to make the greatest exchange of your life.

Nothing But The Blood

The words of an old hymn are rolling over and over in my mind tonight. Simple and sweet, they remind me of the power of Jesus’ sacrifice for you and me:

“What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. O precious is the flow that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know. Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

What could be more appropriate than that as we enter Passion Week? Hope you appreciate the clip.

Less Nosey

Every glance in the mirror now reveals a more streamlined, symmetrical appearance. It is not my physique (that’s another story) but my nose. You could not technically call it a “nose job” but I did have a mole removed. The doctor took one look at that bump growing on the right side of my nose and said I should be "less nosey", well, sort of.

The laser procedure itself was virtually painless and lasted approximately five minutes. The pain from the bill will last longer. The good news is I did not have any malignancy. Although it cost a little time and money, the preventative measure was nothing compared to the cost and pain associated with letting it grow into something more serious.

Sin is like that. If we keep short lists with God, repenting and going to Him for forgiveness the moment we sense the conviction of the Holy Spirit, the little things do not grow into bigger things. The moral of the story is simple: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.