I Believe

I was recently watching the Polar Express Christmas movie with my grandchildren.  At the critical moment, the "hero boy" declares that he believes.  My mind went back to a gospel song that was popular over 40 years ago when I got saved called "I Believe".

      I believe for every drop of rain that falls a flower grows,
      I believe that somewhere in the darkest night a candle glows,
      I believe for everyone who goes astray, someone will come to show the way,
      I believe, I believe.

      I believe above the storm a smallest prayer will still be heard,
      I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word,
      Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf, or see the sky,
     Then I know why, I believe.

     Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf, or see the sky,
     Then I know why, I believe. 

This ballad of general revelation is the "national anthem" for belief.  Belief is the critical element that cements our relationship with Christ our Saviour.  The Gospel of John is a virtual road map of belief.  Paul wrote to the Romans (10:9&10) those familiar words that "if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth you will be saved."  He goes on to say that "with your heart you believe and are justified".   Often lost in the context is the note that follows that "anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame," (vs 11)

This Christmas season is a time for belief.  A child's belief in a benevolent, lovable character from ages past is an apt example of the blessing available to all mankind who the Bible invites to "become the sons (and daughters) of God when we accept him." (John 1)  True Christmas believers find hope, help and personal attention in the Spirit of Christmas.  The true Christian believer can find the same blessing in an eternal and loving Lord.  Much like the commercial narrative of the holiday, Christmas believers are scorned by non-believers.  As well, the world around us scorns our belief but, scorned or not, He will never put us to shame.

Enjoy these holidays with the same innocence and joy of a Christmas believer as well as the hope and anticipation of a Christian believer.         

   

Who Would Jesus Vote For?

I recently heard this question posed in reference to a Sunday School discussion.  In considering the ramifications I was struck by 2 thoughts;

First, I was reminded of the story from the Civil War period of generals who encircled the President Abraham Lincoln and declared "The Lord is on our side".  President Lincoln is said to have answered "I'm less concerned about the Lord being on our side as I am about being on the Lord's side." President Lincoln had learned the benefit of measured decision making based upon the recognition of Who God is, what He says in His Word and how we as His followers should think and act in matters of State.

Second, there's Proverbs 25:4-5 to contend with;  "Remove impurities from the silver and the silversmith can craft a fine chalice; Remove the wicked from leadership and authority will be credible and God-honoring." (The Message)  

With a President to elect, along with 435 Congressmen and about 30 Senators, if we followed this scriptural mandate we could hope for significant strides toward "credible, God honoring" government.  Of course this assumes we're following other scriptural directions about government as well such as:
Exodus 22:28 (NLT) "You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers."
1 Timothy 2:1-3 (NLT) "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.  Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  

I don't know who Jesus would vote for but I have no doubt that His vote would be God honoring, that He would bathe the leaders in prayer and that He would not be swayed by the fear mongering and negative advertising to which we are doomed for the next several months.   

Bless Me…Me Too

It’s the plaintive cry of the brother done wrong; Genesis 27:34 NIV   When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me—me too, my father!”   Bless me.  Bless me.  Esau had been cheated not only out of his birthright but now his inheritance as well and the “blessing” was a big part of that.

I’ll bet that it’s a rare prayer that doesn’t include that phrase, bless me.  I must admit that there are times when I hesitate to play the “bless me” card.  I have already been blessed with so much; salvation, family, church, health.  How can I specifically pray for a blessing?

In recent years much has been written and said about the “prayer of Jabez”.  It is a classic ‘bless me’ prayer.  “Bless Me, expand my boundaries, hold me, protect me.” (1 Chronicles 4:9-10 Brother Ben paraphrase)  Certainly scriptural but a little self serving for me.  Today, however, I found a ‘bless me’ prayer I can comfortably pray.  I call it the blessing of Bezalel.

In Exodus 31 God is instructing Moses about the construction of the Tabernacle and furnishings and hand picks Bezalel as the superintendent of the job.  In verse 3 it describes the blessing God gave him:   ³And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and ability, in understanding and intelligence, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, (Amplified Version)

Now that’s my kind of blessing.  Bless me Father with the blessing of Bezalel that I may be full of the Holy Spirit, full of wisdom and ability, with understanding, knowledge and a familiarity with any job you set before me.  Amen

One by One

The following verse is by an anonymous author as far as I know.  It came to my attention years ago in college when a music student friend of mine put the verse to music.  I learned it and have sung it many times over the years.

A dear friend of mine is currently under the weight of having his wife and children in an auto accident and while the kids are good the mom, Ruth, faces much re-constructive surgery.  The thoughts expressed in this song I send out to them in love.

"He does not lead me year by year, or even day by day."
"But step by step my path unfolds and God directs my way, as God directs my way. "


"What need to worry then, or fret.  For God Who gave His Son"
"Holds all my moments in His hand and He gives them one by one, He gives them one by one."


"Now I am glad that this is so.  Today's enough to bear."
"And when tomorrow comes His Grace shall far exceed my care, shall far exceed my care."


"What need to worry then, or fret.  For God Who gave His Son"
"Holds all my moments in His hand and He gives them one by one, He gives them one by one."

To Gloat, or Not to Gloat. Is There a Question?

Since the execution of Usama bin Laden there has been much discussion on whether or not the rallies and revelry were "an appropriate Christian response".  The following is my perspective, not intended to change your opinion or to help you find one, just my 2 cents.

I'm a firm believer that God has attributes, or characteristics that don't change.  For that reason we can have confidence that He is not wishy-washy.  As Christians we tend to lean on the more "New Testament" qualities; Love, Justice, Truth.  However, to think that God is different between the Old and New Testaments is to fail in understanding who He is at all.

A familiar story in the OT is recorded in the book of Esther.  In a simplified paraphrase it's the story of "Haman bin Laden" who hates people not like him.  He sets upon a mission to not only destroy the infidels but to bankrupt their entire society.  God uses otherwise anonymous nobodies to disrupt his plan and ultimately Haman suffers the same death he intended for the infidels.  The "infidels" not only celebrated his death and the end of his "terrorism" but established a holiday, Purim, to commemorate it all.

The point of this, my point, is that historically there have been "bin Ladens" who tried to do other societies in because they were different and "infidels"in their eyes.  God has intervened through the use of willing little boys (David), beautiful young women (Esther) even slaves (Joseph) to ensure that those who would be known as His people receive His Divine protection.  In many, if not all, of His "deliverance-s" the result was celebration.

So, is celebration in this situation a bad thing?  Not as long as you remember who really orchestrated it.  One last paraphrase; the shots of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord.

Maybe this was 3 cents worth of opinion.     

Nitey Night

Now I lay me down to sleep...one less terrorist this world does keep...with all my heart I give my thanks...to those in uniform regardless of ranks...you serve our country and serve it well...with humble hearts your stories tell...so as I rest my weary eyes...while freedom rings our flag still flies...you give your all, do what you must...with God we live and God we trust....Amen

(The verse above was copied from a friend.).

Thank you to all who serve and have served.

I Cain't Get No...Satisfaction

Satisfaction.  What a simple yet complex emotion.  I was reminded of this the other evening when my wife and I took her aunt who was visiting to dinner.  She's from here originally but lives in Chicago now so when she's in town she wants seafood.  She has no problem twisting our arms into submission.

We were at the restaurant scanning the menu and I saw what I wanted but found it a little pricey so I looked along for something else.  I found a cheaper meal that I knew would be just as good and decided the check out the appetizers and found Hushpuppies.

Now I'm a good ole boy from the South and I thought "I can't remember the last time I had hushpuppies" so I ordered them to come with my meal.  Deb rolled her eyes a little when I ordered them.  But her tune was greatly changed when they came.

I took one and ate it and was satisfied.  That singular taste both rewarded me and reminded me of previous hushpuppie experiences.  My wife and aunt tasted them and liked them so well that they ordered another serving, many of which made the trip home in the doggie bag.

Could I have eaten the whole batch?  Of course but I didn't need to.  I only needed that simple morsel that reminded me of taste, of history, of pleasure, of understanding.  

This weekend the world will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, commonly referred to as Easter.  I pray their celebration experience will serve to "satisfy" the need within to be reminded of the hope of salvation, the substitutionary sacrifice He made, the Blessed Hope we have in Eternity and the privilege we have to enjoy a relationship with the Living God.  

Mmm, that was good.