Good Gosh! Somebody help me! The more I listen to the media and politicians these days, the more I think that there has been an infectious germ that some evil terrorists have released in the atmosphere. It causes an awful desease that's symptoms are becomming more and more evident in the society today. The dreaded desease is known as "stupid." There are "stupid" outbreaks everywhere you turn! There is an evident shortage of the common cure for this desease - 'common sense.'
You really see the affects of this disease in areas concerning things like:
>Same-sex marriage - Give me a break! Some parts are simply not compatible. Never were, never will be! Wake up people! I love you even if you are caught up in this lifestyle. But, it is still wrong, and a sign of "stupid" if you think it's not!
>Global Warming - Over the last 100 years, the earth's temperature has increased approximately 1 degree fareinheight. Could that possibly be the results of a geological cycle? I wonder how those temperatures would compare to 200 years ago? We do need to be better stewards of the earth's resources. But, most of us are being "Gored" with information that is not totally accurate. "Stupid!"
>Gun Control - Let's make sure that we get the guns out of the hands of people that will use them to kill another person. I'm sure that would deture the murderer from breaking the law by having a gun in his possession illegally. Get a brain! If a person is disturbed enough to kill another person, what would keep him from breaking gun-control laws? Take some 'common sense' for your "stupid" outbreak if you believe that.
>Relativism - The idea that truth is relative only to the context of an individual is a sure indicator that "stupid" is really eating you alive. If you believe that, then my "truth" is that if you are hit in the head with a hammer, that feeling is not really pain? You wanna try it? "Stupid."
There are so many more examples that could be used. Hopefully you get the point! Blog is a little long already.
I realize that most of you who read this blog have the same ideals as I do. I would ask that you maybe share this blog with someone who don't. Maybe we can get a handle on this epidemic of "Stupid." It will at least provoke the thought.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Better Off!
When I consider all the arenas of life and society that I'm involved with, I have to ask the question, "Are any of them in better condition at my departure than when I arrived?" Are they Better Off because I have been there? Is the place and the people in better shape than what I found them?
We can all float through life and never really consider this idea. I would rather like to consider it, hoping that the world will somehow be a better place when I'm finished here. My life may seem to be a very small thing in the scope of all humanity, but I want it to be as "big" as possible.
I believe that has to be intentional on my part. I don't believe in the notion that "whatever will be, will be." I believe that there is a Great God, with a great plan for my life. Yet, I have to make a decision to be a part of that plan. I can go off and do my own thing! God will not stop me from carrying out my own will. He will send 'stop' signs along the way, but I can continue in the same direction, even if it is a dead-end road.
God allows me to cooperate with his will for my life. But that is really up to me. All of us have a purpose in life. Discovering that purpose can seem complicated at times. But, if and when that happens, you can be sure that the world will be Better Off because of it!
We can all float through life and never really consider this idea. I would rather like to consider it, hoping that the world will somehow be a better place when I'm finished here. My life may seem to be a very small thing in the scope of all humanity, but I want it to be as "big" as possible.
I believe that has to be intentional on my part. I don't believe in the notion that "whatever will be, will be." I believe that there is a Great God, with a great plan for my life. Yet, I have to make a decision to be a part of that plan. I can go off and do my own thing! God will not stop me from carrying out my own will. He will send 'stop' signs along the way, but I can continue in the same direction, even if it is a dead-end road.
God allows me to cooperate with his will for my life. But that is really up to me. All of us have a purpose in life. Discovering that purpose can seem complicated at times. But, if and when that happens, you can be sure that the world will be Better Off because of it!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Control Freaks - Part II
You see people who think it is their place in life to keep everybody else in line. Those are the people that can't be trusted with their own freedom. Usually they know, that within themselves they would abuse the freedom that others enjoy. In other words, they can't trust themselves! They just can't handle too much freedom. Take Fidel Castro or Saddam Husein for instance. Their abuses as evil dictators, reveal why they went to such great extremes to keep others oppressed and under control. They assumed that anyone who was granted the same freedom would use it as they did - to abuse others. The only freedom that a Control Freak will endorse is his own. I don't want to be a Control Freak.
These ideas Help Me:
- Never use my freedoms for gain, at the expense of others.
- Mind my business - I don't "need" to know everything anyway.
- Be responsible, regardless of what others do.
- Trust others with their freedom.
- If you are in charge of others, try not to micro-manage.
A famous man once said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Surely this would apply to all Control Freaks.
These ideas Help Me:
- Never use my freedoms for gain, at the expense of others.
- Mind my business - I don't "need" to know everything anyway.
- Be responsible, regardless of what others do.
- Trust others with their freedom.
- If you are in charge of others, try not to micro-manage.
A famous man once said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Surely this would apply to all Control Freaks.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Control Freaks
Sunday was a Great Day for Beech Springs Tabernacle! We honored our Pastoral Staff. Thank God for the people who have heard the call and given themselves to ministry in this capacity. We are blessed with some great people!
Sunday morning's message brought attention to the fact that we are called to maturity as believers. One of the marks of maturity for anyone, is revealed when a person has freedom and can manage it without causing harm to himself or others. We have to realize that we are granted freedom in this walk with God. Freedom comes with a great responsibility. Freedom comes at a price! That price was the life of Jesus Christ.
With that freedom, you are released from a life of control. God does not want to control your life, he wants you to be free! Free from religion, sin, bondage, addictions, etc.. He wants you to lovingly serve and obey him and his plan for your life. He will not try to force you into a life that you are not willing to live. Yet, there are people who insist on a life that is based on a "have-to" mentality, where their relationship with God is based on what they "have-to" do, instead of what they "get-to" do. I have to realize that God has given me the opportunity to serve and follow him. I "get-to," I don't "have-to." People who never come to this resolve, never know the freedom of the life that we can have in Jesus Christ. And since they never know that freedom, they never want anybody else to experience it either. They become Control Freaks! They want to be controlled, and they want to control everybody else.
If Jesus doesn't want to control you, then why should I?
More to come with next blog!
Sunday morning's message brought attention to the fact that we are called to maturity as believers. One of the marks of maturity for anyone, is revealed when a person has freedom and can manage it without causing harm to himself or others. We have to realize that we are granted freedom in this walk with God. Freedom comes with a great responsibility. Freedom comes at a price! That price was the life of Jesus Christ.
With that freedom, you are released from a life of control. God does not want to control your life, he wants you to be free! Free from religion, sin, bondage, addictions, etc.. He wants you to lovingly serve and obey him and his plan for your life. He will not try to force you into a life that you are not willing to live. Yet, there are people who insist on a life that is based on a "have-to" mentality, where their relationship with God is based on what they "have-to" do, instead of what they "get-to" do. I have to realize that God has given me the opportunity to serve and follow him. I "get-to," I don't "have-to." People who never come to this resolve, never know the freedom of the life that we can have in Jesus Christ. And since they never know that freedom, they never want anybody else to experience it either. They become Control Freaks! They want to be controlled, and they want to control everybody else.
If Jesus doesn't want to control you, then why should I?
More to come with next blog!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
No 2nd's Please
Last week after The Masters Golf Tournament, I happened to catch a replay of an interview that the media was doing with Tiger Woods. In that interview, he responded to a question about his feelings about not winning the tournament with this statement: "Well I didn't show up for this tournament to finish second." It was almost as if he wanted to make sure that everybody knew that he was not satisfied with anything other than a first place finish. It made me wonder how many times people settle for seconds when they were wired for first. I understand that everyone can't finish first place every time. But, do we come to the place that we are satisfied with less than the best for every arena of our lives? If so, we settle for second! Let this thought reach beyond athletics or sports. Tiger Woods is probably the best golfer in the world. But, I am the best Daddy for my children. The best husband for my wife. The best friend to my friends. Nobody can do those things as good as me. Because nobody is as good at being me as I am! Being the BEST looks like this:
B - Become! Become all that you have the potential to Be.
E - Expect! Expect greatness from your life every day.
S - Stretch! Stretch beyond your perceived limitations.
T - Try! Put out your greatest effort in all that you do.
Giving life your BEST leaves you with no regrets! Anything less than that will always leave you with regret and all the seconds in life. I've heard it said that another way to describe "second place" is "first loser." No 2nds Please!
B - Become! Become all that you have the potential to Be.
E - Expect! Expect greatness from your life every day.
S - Stretch! Stretch beyond your perceived limitations.
T - Try! Put out your greatest effort in all that you do.
Giving life your BEST leaves you with no regrets! Anything less than that will always leave you with regret and all the seconds in life. I've heard it said that another way to describe "second place" is "first loser." No 2nds Please!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Here She Comes Again
To all my fellow Americans - Be advised, "Here she comes again!" Hillary has served two terms in the White House, and now she's bidding for another. I have no party affiliation, and no other political agendas than to elect people on the basis of their stand with moral issues as defined by Judeo-Christian truth in the Bible. Make no mistake about it, Hillary does not hold to the moral values that are found in the scripture. She's pro-choice, which means that she is supportive of the continued slaughter of unborn children. She supports same-sex marriage, which is the perversion of the most sacred institution within the human race, the family. Anyone who promotes these issues can not be considered legitimate in their public stance as an individual of genuine "Christian Faith." How can anyone who professes a belief in the Bible of Christianity, support these types of agendas? If you are so stuck to a "party" affiliation, that you as a believer can still support these types of candidates, you need to get your head out of your behind!
No, I'm not a Republican, a Democrat, or some right wing Independent of sorts. I'm a Christian! I've been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ! I do not believe that is a tag that I wear that gives me the right or the reason to "look down my nose" at the rest of the world. But, I do think that it should weigh heavy on my beliefs. And what I believe should affect how I behave. Even in the Voting Booth!
No, I'm not a Republican, a Democrat, or some right wing Independent of sorts. I'm a Christian! I've been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ! I do not believe that is a tag that I wear that gives me the right or the reason to "look down my nose" at the rest of the world. But, I do think that it should weigh heavy on my beliefs. And what I believe should affect how I behave. Even in the Voting Booth!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Keep Growing
I spent several days last week in classes and seminars. I feel like there's always something to learn - always room to grow! Life is really about a continual learning process. The prophet Isaiah said, "...learn to do well."(Isa. 1:17) People learn and grow by a variety of methods.
>Intellectually - Some people don't like to put themselves in an environment where they are not the most knowledgeable in the crowd. Hang out with some people who know more than you do, about the subject you are in pursuit of.
>Experience - Place yourself in a position to experience life at a different dimension. There are times that your experiences will far outweigh your education.
>Resistance - The challenges of your life will many times become the most fertile ground for your growth and progress.
>Refusal - There must be a conscience decision made that says, "I refuse to settle and remain where I am right now!"
I believe the moment you decide to stay where you are, and stop growing and learning, is the moment you choose to give up on your destiny. That can happen when you're 15, 27, or 45! Or, you can still find progress being made when you're 45, 65, or 85! The choice is really up to you. But, I challenge you...KEEP GROWING!
>Intellectually - Some people don't like to put themselves in an environment where they are not the most knowledgeable in the crowd. Hang out with some people who know more than you do, about the subject you are in pursuit of.
>Experience - Place yourself in a position to experience life at a different dimension. There are times that your experiences will far outweigh your education.
>Resistance - The challenges of your life will many times become the most fertile ground for your growth and progress.
>Refusal - There must be a conscience decision made that says, "I refuse to settle and remain where I am right now!"
I believe the moment you decide to stay where you are, and stop growing and learning, is the moment you choose to give up on your destiny. That can happen when you're 15, 27, or 45! Or, you can still find progress being made when you're 45, 65, or 85! The choice is really up to you. But, I challenge you...KEEP GROWING!
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