Day 82 a note from God: Judges 3-5

So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.
Judges 3:11 NIV



Until . . .

That is the cycle we are now in . . . until . . .

Until what?

We had it so good until we forgot why . . .

and then we did things our way . . .

Until Othniel . . . but then . . .

Until Ehud . . . but then . . .

Until Deborah . . . but then . . .

Until . . .

Get used to it we are stuck in this cycle.

It takes some pretty rough and tumble, get the job done, leaders to gain the attention of these folks.

You would think they would have learned by now.

Then again you would think we would have learned by now and yet here we are living in our own world of sin and rebellion. Perhaps we need our own Canaanites pounding on our doors to wake us up and realize that God's way is the best.

That would work for a while, but then . . .

Until tomorrow . . .

Thanks for the Reminder Rich

I miss Rich. He died too young. I can still close my eyes and see Rich Mullins sitting at the back of my church reading mail in his flip flops, Mickey Mouse Sweatshirt, and torn jeans. I miss the music that Rich would have written. I miss the messages his music would have given.





And then on a quiet Indiana evening driving on US 40 towards Richmond (his hometown) there he is . . . singing on my car stereo . . . teaching me still . . . reminding me with words that are old, but still new.

Thanks for the reminder Rich.

The Maker of Noses by Rich Mullins

I believe there is a place
Where people live in perfect peace
Where there is food on every plate
Where work is rewarded and rest is sweet
Where the color of your skin
Won't get you in or keep you out
Where justice reigns and truth finally wins
Its hard fought war against fear and doubt

And everyone I know wants to go there too
But when I ask them how to do it they seem so confused
Do I turn to the left?
Do I turn to the right?
When I turn to the world they gave me this advice

They said boy you just follow your heart
But my heart just led me into my chest
They said follow your nose
But the direction changed every time I went and turned my head
And they said boy you just follow your dreams
But my dreams were only misty notions
But the Father of hearts and the Maker of noses
And the Giver of dreams He's the one I have chosen
And I will follow Him

I believe there'll come a time
Lord I pray it's not too far off
There'll be no poverty or crime
There'll be no greed and we will learn how to love
And children will be safe in their homes
And there'll be no violence out on the streets
The old will not be left alone
And the strong will learn how to care for the weak

And everyone I know hopes it comes real soon
But when I ask 'em where I'd find it they seem so confused
Do I find it in the day?
Do I find it in the night?
When I finally ask the world they give me this advice

Well they said boy you just follow your heart
But my heart just led me into my chest
They said follow your nose
But the direction changed every time I went and turned my head
And they said boy you just follow your dreams
But my dreams were only misty notions
But the Father of hearts and the Maker of noses
And the Giver of dreams He's the one I have chosen

Thanks again Rich.

Day 81 a note from God: Judges 1-2

After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what He had done for Israel.
Judges 2:10 NIV








I have been leading a small discussion group comprised of Generation Y members. This group is generally categorized as a group of young adults, between 20 and 30-years-old, who are deemed lazy and unmotivated. However, findings from a new study suggest this group is not lazy, rather just slow starters.

After reading this passage today, I am convinced that Gen Y is not a new phenomenon.

Consider that Gen Y has been identified by the following stats:

- 40% of this group have turned away from Christianity

- 50% of this group consider themselves athiest or agnostic

As a matter of fact as we continue to read the Old Testament, we will discover that this type of generation keeps popping up.

Perhaps the reason lies in the passage highlighted today: another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what He had done for Israel

Instead of passing judgement on the current generation, perhaps we need to look in the mirror?

How does a generation grow up not knowing about God?

It does so because the previous generation forgot to teach about all that God has done.

We (you, me, and the church) have failed a generation. We have not been able to articulate the message of God's grace in our lives. We have failed in word and in action.

We can be thankful for the few that have not forgotten. We can be thankful for the few within Gen Y that hold to this faith and are willing to tell others about the faith that they have discovered.

The question remains: Will we help them share the message of God's grace or will we get in the way and complain about their methods?

Day 80 a note from God: Joshua 22-24

And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side, the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.
JOSHUA 22:11-12 NIV



We should be able to identify with this story. How often we rush to judgement based on what we have seen or heard. Let it be said that facts should never get in the way of an opinion.

The Israelites didn't have the facts. They thought their brothers were rebelling against God. The facts were anything but that.

Calmer heads prevail and before war there is a coming together. There is an open dialogue. There is understanding.

We are still trying to learn the lesson . . .

Slow down

Get your facts straight

Don't rush to judgement

Is there someone or something in your life that needs a second look?

Be careful the conclusions you draw when all the facts are not known.

Day 79 a note from God: Joshua 19-21

When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them, as the LORD had commanded. They gave him the town he asked for—Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he built up the town and settled there. These are the territories that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun and the heads of the tribal clans of Israel assigned by lot at Shiloh in the presence of the LORD at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And so they finished dividing the land.
Joshua 19:49-51 NIV

A great lesson in humility and leadership.

Joshua is the last to receive his inheritance. By rights, for all that he had done in leading the people, he should have had first choice of the land. Instead he is last.

The one request that Joshua does make is granted, but even this request is a humble one. Joshua doesn't ask for the greatest of towns. This town is is not even the best town among those towns given to his tribe. This town was very much one of the least.

More is revealed about the character of Joshua with what he does with this town - he builds it up. Take that in contrast with the other tribal leaders who complain about their inheritance and complain about the work needed to build their cities and their land.

Joshua is a stark contrast to so many of today's leaders.

Joshua's humility and his desire to do the work needed still serve as great reminders of what is needed from one who will be called a great leader.

How would others describe your leadership?

Day 78 a note from God: Joshua 16-18

The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the LORD has blessed us abundantly.”

“If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.”

The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”

But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment 18 but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.” Joshua 17: 14-18 NIV

The tribe of Joseph complained because the land given them wasn't enough. Joshua pointed out that it was enough, but it would require work. Their response was then to say, "But we didn't want a fixer-upper!"

Isn't that like us? God provides for us and we respond by saying that it isn't enough or that it isn't exactly what we wanted.

We tend to want God to provide as WE want and not as God provides. We want God's provision to come without any work required on our part.

Remember - God has provided all that you need - it just might require a little work.

So, stop complaining and get to work.

One Solitary Life: A New Paradigm

"If you ain't first, you're last!”

Will Farrell as Ricky Bobby






We have a desire to be first and a desire to not be last.

Who remembers second place let alone last place!

Tony Stewart in 2008 after the Daytona 500, “I took the White Flag in first of course I am disappointed in not winning!”

Baseball quote from Scott O’Connell “Optimism is what every team has during spring training. Reality is what every team knows by July.” . . .

We have an innate desire to be first and to win And if not us winning - then at least our team!

During the life of Jesus he repeated a message so often that I think we miss it amongst all of His teachings.

In our examination of the life of Christ, we have heard His call to follow Him. Last week, we learned the secret to this call – spend time with Him.

Today I will tell you when we spend time with Christ, we will begin to hear a repetitive message about how success is measured and it might surprise you:

Matthew 18:3-4 (New International Version)

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 20:26-28 (New International Version)

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Luke 18:9-14 (New International Version)

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

As you read through Jesus’ teaching the humble concept comes up a lot.

The dictionary defines humble in the following manner:

1) having or showing a consciousness of one’s defects or shortcomings; not proud; not self-assertive; modest
2) low in rank or condition or unpretentious or when used in a verb tense as in humbled - to lower in condition

So by comparison with the world’s thought process, we are being called to a new paradigm of thought.

What is the new paradigm of thought? It is a thought that puts others before yourself.

IT is our nature to think differently than this. It is our nature to think that the world revolves us. It actually began in the Garden of Eden. We are born in to a world of me first – it begins with our first cry.

The world constantly reminds you that it is all about you. The world wants to convince you of the secret to happiness - you control all that happens to you – You can do anything you want because morality is functional at best or in the least it is situational. So, “If it feels good do it!” or “Just do it!”

Jesus told a story about two people praying, it is not the humble prayer I want you to look at, but rather the other prayer. It is this person, this Pharisee that we often allow ourselves to become. Perhaps it is not in praying that we become this person, but rather it a thought that goes through our mind that leads us to living our lives above others with an “I am better than you because” attitude.

As a group that has answered the call to “Follow Me,” as a group that has chosen to spend time with Jesus, we are called to be “Salt and Light” in this world. We are expected to stand out. We are expected to swim against the current of the culture. We are expected to dare to be different.

But how will we be different?

I owned my own company. I was the Undercover Boss with Customers. I always believe that the best way to get something out of my employees was to life them up and not push them down. I called it pedestal management – not that I was on the pedestal (neither were my employees) – the idea was that were all there to support one another – no one more important than the other. A pedestal shows off that which it holds up and not itself.

Starting to get the new picture of success?

Humility is the way to discover THIS NEW SUCCESS.

Humility is something you do before God before you do it anywhere else.

Remember the definition?

Coming to grips with all of your faults and shortcomings and bowing before a Holy God. James understood this James 4:7-10 (New International Version) . . .

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Do you understand this change in your way of thinking? If you want to make a difference with your life – don’t conform – be different. I think that many have heard this message and responded in a very extreme manner.

Reality TV is the direct result of this mentality gone in the wrong direction. When we all exclaim “Look at me, I am different” in that moment we became like everyone else. Church and Christians have become in many cases a Reality TV show gone bad – very bad. We strive to be perfect – holier than thou – a home for the perfect and the blameless – folks we are not perfect and the sooner we admit it and begin to live it the better we will be as people and as a church.

The world is being turned off by the church and by Christians. Folks we aren’t perfect. The world isn’t expecting us to be perfect – they know what we refuse to admit – We are hypocrites. We do a lot of pretending that we are more than are – that we are better than we are. The sooner we stop trying to pretend that we are perfect and instead humbles ourselves before God and others – the better we will be and the sooner that others will want to have some of what we have . . .

Humility is not something we do well as people – Stuck in a Look at me World – want to be on TV – I want my 15 minutes of fame. Humility must become a new paradigm of thought for us. A new way of thinking must be introduced. But in practicing humility we must start with the basics.

Are you still stuck with the “How do I do this question?”

Just ask – God will transform you – A new paradigm of thought is needed in this world and it begins when we as a people, as a church, as individuals take the first step in humbling ourselves before God.

Is this a day, where you can begin to respond to the call to Follow Me?
Have you spent enough time with Jesus to understand this action of humbling yourself before God?

We cannot do this on our own. God will lift us up, not our actions, not our morals, not our thoughts, but in our humility towards God we will be lifted up! Church we must first stop being the “me first” group – we don’t have all the answers, but I do know the one who does?

I have been with Jesus. I have humbled myself before God.

Humble Yourself in the sight the Lord and He will life you up.

Success is available to us all

You just have to find the right definition.

Can you change your thinking and do the same?

Day 77 a note from God: Joshua 12-15

Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah.
Judah 15:63 NIV

Isn't that amazing and sad.

After all that had taken place - After all that Judah and the Israelites had witnessed - After all the lessons taught . . .

Judah could not . . .

Couldn't or wouldn't it?

God had delivered victory over and over, but this time JUDAH could not . . .

Couldn't or wouldn't it?

What might have happened if Judah had sought God's leadership instead of trying on their own? Apparently they still had much to learn.

What has God asked you to do?

Is your response "I couldn't or I wouldn't"?

Day 76 a note from God: Joshua 9-11

So Joshua took the entire land, just as the LORD had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions. Then the land had rest from war.
Joshua 11:23 NIV

I like the idea of rest from war.

I am tired of war, the rumors of war, the images of war, the speculation of war, the war on war, and war in general.

How about you?

I like the idea that when God is finished with the work He has promised that there was rest from war.

I can't help be reminded of a future time that is promised. A time when it will come to be that there is no more war.

Until then, I will try to live with the words of St Francis, "Let there be peace, and let it begin with me."

Day 75 a note from God: Joshua 5-8

Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.
Joshua 6:1-2 NIV


God has a sense of humor. How else do explain His words to Joshua?

Joshua arrives at Jericho to see great walls and a gate sealed up. There is no way in or out and yet God says, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands."

Joshua must have either cried or laughed. Disbelief must have been the thought of the day. For only faith could have looked at the city of Jericho and believed in victory.

This would not be the only time God would say this to Joshua. God does it again in our reading today.

Often God asks us to do things that seem impossible, improbable, or that we are incapable of doing. I think that is the point.

With faith all things are possible. With God on your side, who can stand against you?

So laugh today. Laugh at the impossible. Laugh at the empty tomb. Laugh at death. Laugh at the victory you have already won. I know it seems impossible, but remember God has promised the victory!

Day 74 a note from God: Joshua 1-4

Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses.Joshua 1:16-17 NIV

Wow! There is so much in the first four chapters of Joshua: Rahab, The crossing of the Jordan, the building of a memorial. Perhaps, I should finish the sermon series I have been working on about Joshua.

Until then I want to focus on verse 17 of Chapter 1.

At this point, Joshua should have run away!

These people he is leading our delusional!

"Just as we fully obeyed Moses." Are you kidding me?

When was that? Was it when you made the golden calf? or was it when you whined about the manna? or was it when you frequently decided that Egypt was better than where Moses was leading you? When was it that you fully obeyed?

The Israelites have a memory that works like our own.

We remember the convenient truth and like to gloss over our imperfections.

And then we like to blame our imperfections on others. We only did those things because . . . (you know the drill - fill in your blank).

I pray that we might say, "May God be with as He was with the Israelites." They were a sorry lot, but God never gave up on them.

Day 72 a note from God: Deuteronomy 30-31

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live
Deuteronomy 30:11-19 NIV

Moses speech ends with the emphatic call to "Choose Life."

The whole purpose of the law was not to keep people from living, but instead it was to give them life and prosperity. But this was a choice. Choose God's ways and surely you will have life and prosperity. Choose to not obey and surely you will have death and destruction.

What choices have you been making?

How are those choices working out for you?

Still seeking life and life more abundantly?

How about remembering the words of Moses spoken in Deuteronomy, "Choose Life."

God was chasing after us from the beginning with a message of living fully and prosperously. Are you ready to listen?

One Solitary Life: The Secret

We all want to know the secret to happiness, success, and wealth and I believe we have proven over and over again as a society that we will do most anything to discover the secret. Truth is we will buy most anything that promises the answer or perhaps better stated we will “buy into” anything that promises us secret information.


The world wants to know the secret to being healthy, wealthy, and happy. There has to be a secret and we want to know what it is. The world is seeking. We are seeking. You and I are seeking answers more so than at any other time. Why?

Look around . . . Wars, Rumors of War, Devastation, Disease, debauchery, Crime, Natural Disasters, you name it . . .

The sad reality is that the world is still searching to find the Secret and the secret has already been revealed. But don’t tell those folks who run the television networks. Late Night TV will sell you the secret to personal wealth and with the advent of 1800+ cable channels you don’t have to stay up late to learn (no wait BUY) those secrets. Why if you find the right channel, you can even find a preacher or two who will promise you Wealth and Prosperity if you only will only give and . . .

Or you can go on-line or into any Bookstore (they still have those right?) and go to the Self Help Section of Books. You can find a book to help you do anything. You can find the secret to anything (if you have the time and the right price). The Books are too numerous to count and for that matter to numerous to really be of any help. The truth is any of the books work, if you do the work to improve – that is the dirty secret – not the information gained by reading the book, but the work put into being successful.

Trouble is what we are looking for is something easy. Something that doesn’t require work. Something that is simple and easy.

This stuff isn’t new. It has been around since Bible times. The world wants you to believe the secret is found in wealth and fame. Far worse than that they want you to believe the secret to getting that is found within you – That’s right the biggest lie you can buy on TV, the bookstore, or from the world is that everything is about you. You control everything – If you can think it you can be it or do it or become it. The only secret they have is the secret that what they are offering is fleeting at best and rotting garbage at worst.

Peter and John encountered a bunch of spiritual people seeking answers at the start of the church (Acts Chapter 4). Things were changing. All this Jesus stuff was supposed to go away after His death. But it was still going on. People still wanted answers and Peter and John were giving answers. 1000s of people were responding to the message (and this message was free). They gave away the secret for Free! It got them arrested. They were told to stop. They couldn’t. They didn’t.

Jesus plan “Come follow me” was radical. It promised eternal life. It promised something beyond this life. Jesus plan did not promise wealth. It did not promise fame. It didn’t promise success – or least not success as the world measured it. Jesus’ plan did promise a legacy. It promised that you could be great!

Jesus’ plan promised that which the world seeks: a lasting legacy of greatness!

Oh, did you miss that secret about the Jesus plan? It was right there in the story in Acts.

No one in authority could figured out why people were listening to Peter and John. The Bible states they also realized that Peter and John were ordinary men with no training. This surprised the leaders(Acts 4:13b NIV).

I like this passage about Peter and John because I want them to be Super Hereos of the Faith, but the Bible tells us they were ordinary men and that’s not good news. NO! That is great news! They are just like you and me - simple ordinary people trying to figure out to leave a legacy of greatness.

But here is the Secret: They realized that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13c NIV

The secret was not to be found in what they did or what they said. The secret was in who they been with – that was the difference.

You will not find never-ending happiness in things – happiness from things will fade in time. So, you will need more things.

You will not find fulfillment in accomplishing things – there will always be more to accomplish.

Could the simple secret to life – to happiness – to greatness – really be this simple?

The secret – they had been with Jesus!

Jesus didn’t give us this secret He lived the secret as He spent time alone with God.
It was his habit to go to the temple (church)- To go to the synagogue (study)- To spend time alone in prayer (personal quiet time).

So, what is the secret that we all seek?

“Time with Jesus”

When you have been with Jesus you are never the same. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
II Corinthians 5:17 NIV.

As a new creature we must begin to redefine what is success in order to discover to true GREATNESS. Next week will look at this definition of success for our lives.

Today we reveal the secret to success: Spend time with Christ.

Spend time with Jesus and you will begin to do more than just talk about HIM you will begin to become like HIM and begin to do amazing things. The secret will be revealed in not only how you talk but in what you do – You have been with Jesus!

You know the secret. Are you ready to share it with others?

Day 71 a note from God: Deuteronomy 28-29

If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God . . . However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you
Deuteronomy 28:1-2,15 NIV

Here is one of the sources of some of the bad theology that exists . . . Do good things and God will bless you, but IF you do bad things God will get you.

As in Haiti got what they deserved because they were the home of VooDoo and Japan got what they deserved because they were greedy and they attacked America.

Really?

Perhaps you missed the whole change from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Perhaps you missed the moment (that was the cross) when God said enough of the law - it is now fulfilled. NOW, God can have a relationship with an individual like He did with the prophets. NOW, each of us can have a personal relationship with God. NOW, each of us can be held accountable for our actions. NOW, each shall be given one life and one judgement.

Stop the bad theology. Spread the word.

And be thankful that God is not waiting this day to pass judgement on your thoughts and deeds. You still have time to make your relationship right with God.

Day 73 a note from God: Deuteronomy 32-34 and Psalm 91

Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; hear, you earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Deuteronomy 32:1-4 NIV



Moses finishes delivering his speech about the Law (Deuteronomy) and then breaks out in song.

Perhaps this was the first use of music for a call to respond. That would predate John and Charles Wesley by several thousand years!

Oh, and when the song was over, Moses delivered a blessing - that is sort of like a benediction.

Who knew we were developing our concept for worship while in the wilderness?

Way to go Moses!

Day 70 a note from God: Deuteronomy 24-27

Do not have two differing weights in your bag—one heavy, one light. Do not have two differing measures in your house—one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. For the LORD your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly. Deut 25:13-16

Practice what you preach . . .

What's good for the goose is good for the gander . . .

Treat everyone equally . . .

Do not set out to deceive with your business practices . . .

These are not new ideas. They are all part of the law that was given by God to the Israelites as they set out to settle the promised land.

We can be thankful that every time we knowingly deceive someone that God is not there to pass quick and severe judgement. BUT, do not be deceived either. Judgement for your actions will come at the end of your time on this earth.

Jesus died that we might not have to live under the penalty of death and that we might not have to live under the burden of the law.

However, freedom fro the burden of the law does not make us free to live as we want. In our freedom we submit to the King of kings and willingly become His servant. It is in that moment that we can choose to obey the law not of concern for punishment but out of love for the King.

How you live your faith matters now . . . and always.

Day 69 a note from God: Deuteronomy 21-23

If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” Then all the men of his town are to stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid.
Deuteronomy 21:18-21 NIV

And you thought your parents were tough on you!

I'm in favor of tough love and believe that a little discipline can go a long way, but I am thankful we don't live under the law any more.

Perhaps this helps you understand the lengths that some might go to uphold the law of their holy books. Especially if the believed that upholding the law was the only way to eternal life. Didn't say it makes it right but at least you might begin to understand them. Consider that without Christ we would still be upholding this law.

Be thankful for your parents that in your times of rebellion they didn't follow the law.

Day 68 a note from God: Deuteronomy 17-20

The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” . . . . When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the LORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees
Deuteronomy 17:16,18-19 NIV

God provides for that which we don't even know we want. Before there was even a cry for a king, God provided directions for a king.

The directions apply to even us today.

Don't go back. That is great advice. Like the people in the wilderness who cried out to go back to Egypt, sometimes we long for the old life - don't go back!

To keep from going back, don't accumulate those things that will pull you away from God. Instead, take time to meditate on His word.

It might be good to be king, but no one said it would be easy.

Whose king of your life?

Day 67 a note from God: Deuteronomy 14-16

Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build to the LORD your God, and do not erect a sacred stone, for these the LORD your God hates.
Deuteronomy 16:21-22 NIV

A clear statement about worship that we have seemingly ignored. By that I don't mean that place Pagan Poles in our churches to worship the goddess Asherah. Nor do we erect sacred stones to represent unseen gods.

But we have allowed other things to challenge our purpose in gathering for worship - that being to worship God and God alone.

We argue about the music - contemporary or traditional.

We argue about the seating - chairs or pews.

We argue about the way to take communion.

We argue about the color of the carpet in the sanctuary.

We argue about the images we place our sanctuary (Bibles, Flags, Crosses).

The reality is we have allowed other things to replace the central reason we are there.

The list could be endless.

The point is what have you allowed to creep into the altar of God in your life?

What is competing for the central position of worship in your life?

The law was given. We are free to choose.

But what choices are we making?

Day 66 a note from God: Deuteronomy 11-13

Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always. Remember today that your children were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the LORD your God: his majesty, his mighty hand, his outstretched arm; the signs he performed and the things he did in the heart of Egypt, both to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his whole country; what he did to the Egyptian army, to its horses and chariots, how he overwhelmed them with the waters of the Red Sea as they were pursuing you, and how the LORD brought lasting ruin on them. It was not your children who saw what he did for you in the wilderness until you arrived at this place, and what he did to Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab the Reubenite, when the earth opened its mouth right in the middle of all Israel and swallowed them up with their households, their tents and every living thing that belonged to them. But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the LORD has done.
Deut 11:1-7

This passage is a great example of why I like the Old Testament so much. The stories are great, but when you read enough you find glimpses of the New Covenant.

You didn't catch it?

Read verse 7 again: But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the LORD has done.

Throughout the Old Testament God's relationship (The Old Covenant) was with the entire nation of Israel. As one sinned, they all sinned. The prophet Jeremiah is a herald of the New Covenant that will come. This New Covenant will allow for each person to be personally accountable to God - each person will be able to have a personal relationship with God. Jesus Christ will usher in the New Covenant.

But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the LORD has done.

The nation of Israel had forgotten, but the reminder was that YOU have seen what God has done.

Have you forgotten what God has done for you?

Take time today to remember . . . be thankful . . . be personally accountable

Day 65 a note from God: Deuteronomy 8-10

If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God.
Deut 8:19-20 NIV

This is one of those troubling passages in the OT that leads people to developing real bad theology - the type of theology that has God seeking to "get you!"

This passage leads people to teach things like "God is passing judgement on America for 'her' sins."

Apparently, these people stopped reading the Bible after the giving of the law to Moses.

OT God judges Nations (one sins: they all sinned), but the Covenant revealed in the NT (and the person of Jesus) judges each individual.

God is not out to get you. God is in the interest of rescuing you (See John chapter 3).

You may have been taught some bad theology over the years, but know this:

God loves you.

Jesus died for you.

How you live your faith matters . . . today . . . and always.

That was the message in the Old Testament and the message is the same today.

One Solitary LIfe: What is your plan?

When I was little if you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would have told you that I was going to drive a gas truck like my grandpa. I used to spend time every summer riding around with my grandfather in northern Indiana delivering gas and heating oil. It was a very cool thing to do. But, alas I did not become a truck driver.

As I grew older I wanted to become an architect. I loved designing and building things. I built things with Lego blocks back when they were nothing but multi-colored bricks. I then discovered that becoming an architect was a very lengthy process. So, I did not become an architect.

As I headed off to college, I did not have a plan for what I wanted to be. I just wanted a college degree and I was firm in the belief that the degree would open doors for my future. When I graduated, I wanted a job in sales. I became a top salesman.

I went on to own part of my own company. I gained a reputation as a top sales trainer and as a forward thinker in business. But, it wasn’t enough for me. At least it was not enough to answer the questions that began to burn inside of me:

I began to ask my self is this it?
Is this all there is?
I was successful, but was I making a difference?
Was I doing anything of significance?
What would my legacy be? What would I leave behind?

I think no matter where we are in our lives, when we are honest with ourselves we begin to ask the hard questions.

We begin to ask questions of ourselves like: “Why I am here?”

I think that is what the season of Lent (our journey to Easter) can be for each us.

Lent can be a time that we can ask ourselves, whether we are young or old or somewhere in between – “Am I making a difference with my life?”

We all want to make a difference with our lives? (Right?)

So, what are your plans to make a difference?

Take the time to write them down . . . (no really, write them down)

When I was in the business world, I use to consult with business owners about their business plans and their sales and marketing plans. They would tell me all that they were doing and planning to grow their business and then I would pause and ask, “So how’s that working for you?”

So, take a look at what you have written down and ask yourself, “How’s that working for you?”

Again, I believe we all want to make a difference with our lives.
We all want our faith to have meaning in how we live. We want to have impact on people’s lives.

We want to be remembered as having made a difference for having lived our lives.

But here is the catch, if you are still asking the questions then whatever your plan is - it is not exactly working out like you had hoped.

Let me share with you a simple plan that works.

So simple, that you have probably heard it before and missed it.

It is contained in three words.

It is a plan for making a difference with your life.

It is a life altering plan.

It is a plan that will take your one solitary life and send it in directions that will change not only your own life but the life of everyone you encounter.

Are you ready?

“Come Follow Me.”

I told you it was a Simple plan.

It was Jesus’ plan for his disciples then and it is His plan for His disciples now.

“Come follow Me.”

It is a choice.

“Come” as in move from where you are.

“Follow” as in you are not in charge.

And “me.” As in it is personal.

You want to make a difference with your life?

Then let someone else lead. Not just anyone – this “Me” is the Master, the Son of God, the Alpha and the Omega, the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Christ, the Messiah, The Promised One, the Perfect Lamb, Emmanuel and in time you will learn everything you need to make a difference in this world.

And remember that this call is to you personally. Make a commitment this Lenten season to commit your life to discovering the meaning of this simple plan – Come Follow me.

Allow your one solitary life to find direction in the simple words – “Come Follow Me.”

Will you answer the call?


VIDEO from worship service: I was here

Day 64 a note from God: Deuteronomy 5-7

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 NIV

In 2008, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church made it official - to witness is now required of our members.

Actually it has always been a part of our Christian faith. Not only a part, but a mandate.

Most often, the problem is we don't know how.

That is what this passage is about for me. Our faith should be so much a part of how we live our lives that it is what we talk about wherever we are. When you enter our home - you know there is something different about the people that live there - not because of the pictures on the wall (or the fish symbol on the cars in the garage) but because of the way the people live.

Want to know how to witness? Live you faith . . . everyday . . . everywhere.

In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?” (Deut 6:20 NIV)

In other words, when someone asks you why you live the way you do (which by the way is usually a compliment about your life) be prepared to answer.

That answer IS your witness.

Day 63 a note from God: Deuteronomy 3-4

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.Deut 4:9 NIV

Why is it we so easily forget the lessons that we have learned from the past?

The Israelites have seemingly forgotten all that they have witnessed - The Plagues, the Red Sea, the Manna, the Quail, the Water from the Rock, the golden calf, more plagues, enemies defeated, etc.

Not only have they forgotten, but they have not taught the lessons to the next generation.

We are losing the current generation perhaps because we have forgotten to tell them about all that God has done for us.

When is the last time you told someone about all that God has done for you?

Day 62 a note from God: Deuteronomy 1-2

See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the LORD swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them . . . The LORD your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Deut 1:8,10 NIV

40+ years spent in wilderness and then . . .

Then what?

Then God remained faithful to the promise given long before.

You see God is always faithful. God always keeps His promises.

We often spend time in the wilderness of life because of our own rebellion. Our wilderness is our own doing - not punishment - not anger - but our own stubborn choice.

Is it time to come out of the wilderness? Is it time to end your rebellion?

God's promises await those that will humble themselves and obey.

Day 61 a note from God: Numbers 35-36

The towns you give the Levites from the land the Israelites possess are to be given in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe: Take many towns from a tribe that has many, but few from one that has few.
Numbers 35:8 NIV

The 48 towns for the Levites were not in one area. They were in different parts of Canaan that belonged to the different tribes. The tribes that received more land had to give more towns to Levi’s tribe.

God reveals that He is fair in all matters. This includes practical matters.

We should be careful to be fair in all that we do.

God cares about every part of our daily lives.

Ash Wednesday: The Sign of Jonah

Later a few religion scholars and Pharisees got on him. "Teacher, we want to see your credentials. Give us some hard evidence that God is in this. How about a miracle?" Matthew 12:38 The Message

So you are the Messiah? Prove it.

A common response seemingly in any generation.

Prove it is seemingly a common response for any generation.

The earth isn’t the center of the universe. Prove it.

The earth is round. Prove it.

All men are created equal. Prove it.

Pluto isn’t a planet. Prove it.

Your team is better than mine. Prove it.

God exists. Prove it.

We want evidence. We want proof.

But here is the problem . . . what will we do, when we are given proof ?

"Show us a sign—then we’ll believe you are the Messiah!" That was the challenge the religious leaders of the day issued to Jesus. They wondered if this man was the Messiah, as some were claiming—and they demanded that He prove it!

What did Jesus do?

He gave them a sign, telling them: "A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." Matthew 16:4

Another gospel records these words of Jesus: "This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation." Luke 11:29–30

Christ’s miracles were amazing signs of God’s power and ministry.

John the Baptist wanted a sign – Jesus said tell Him what you have seen.

Jesus showed signs of healing the blind and cleansing the lepers—which the Messiah was prophesied to do (Isaiah 61:1).

Yet Christ said that the primary sign to identify Him as the Messiah would be "the sign of Jonah."

What was the sign of Jonah and what does it have to do with us today?

The seemingly obvious answer is the three days. Jesus spent 3 days in the grave. Death, burial, and resurrection will be the sign.

But there is also another part to the "sign of Jonah." Jesus’ call for those in His audience to repent was like Jonah’s call to repentance.

The inhabitants of Nineveh responded to Jonah’s call to repentance:

From the least to the greatest, all turned from their sinful lifestyle. And God saw their works that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that He had said that He would do unto them; and He did it not. Jonah 3:10 KJV

Another call to repentance comes as we begin our journey towards Easter.

During our journey to Easter, we will look at some of the signs and miracles of Jesus. A reason for telling you about them is so that by reading them and hearing them and considering them, you will find among them the sign for you – the sign that persuades you and convinces you that Jesus is the Messiah; that he is the one sent by God. I hope you will find new life for yourself through Him.

Signs are important. We need signs in our daily life. We need signs to help us distinguish between what is real and what is false. The gospels are written to give us some of the signs we need.

Tonight, we take on a sign - A sign of the cross taken from the Ashes of our celebration.

It is easy to get caught up in the hype of Lent. Yes, I said hype of Lent as we declare with loud voices, “I gave up this . . . I gave up that . . .”

Hear the hype talking? That is not Lent. Lent is not a period of time where we replace a vice with the declaration that we are doing good.

Lent is an inward journey – a journey of reflection – a journey of choices.

And so today, we make a choice - A choice to believe - A choice to seek - A choice to journey to Easter.

On Our journey to Easter we will see many signs. Our journey will culminate as we witness the one sign Jesus spoke of – the sign of Jonah – resurrection.

Some will see the signs and choose to believe.

Some will see the signs and still question.

It is your choice.

Jonah had a choice – initially he ran.

His second chance (and his response) created a great revival.

Now is your chance.

What will you do?

Day 60 a note from God: Numbers 33-34

Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.
Numbers 33:1

Be encouraged today.

Did you know there are stages in this journey you are on?

Even the Israelites went through stages, which is why I believe this passage is important to us.

John Wesley would have said these stages are part of our process of "going on to perfection." The idea is that we are not yet complete in our faith. We have more steps or stages to yet go through.

Same idea expressed in the thought "Be Patient. God isn't through with me yet."

Ask yourself this: When did I begin my journey of faith in God? When did I begin to have a relationship with Jesus?

After answering those questions, ask yourself this:

Am I in the same place in my relationship with Christ or have I moved to the next step?

Perhaps it is time to move to the next stage?

Day 59 a note from God: Numbers Numbers 31-32

Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, “Should your fellow Israelites go to war while you sit here?"
Numbers 32:6 NIV

IT began a long time ago . . .

What is it? The desire to sit in the back and enjoy the sights while eveyone else does the work.

The Israelites had many battles to fight as they entered the promised land, but some wanted to stay where they were to enjoy the land at the edge.

How often have you left the work to others?

How often have you resisted change and wanted to stay in the place you were?

Read the rest of the story . . .

I still wonder what blessings were missed by those left behind. Sure they went to fight the battles, but they were not "all in" as the saying goes.

How about you? Are you all in?

Day 58 a note from God: Numbers 28-30

Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: “This is what the LORD commands: When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. Numbers 20:1-2 NIV

Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth . . . so help you God?

Hmmmmmm . . . should make you think before saying I do.

Much has changed over the centuries, but the idea of swearing an oath to God has not changed.

Consider your words and your vows.

What are you willing to swear to?

Day 57 a note from God: Numbers 26-27

Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.”
So Moses brought their case before the LORD, and the LORD said to him, “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.
Numbers 27:4-7 NIV

The battle for women's rights started a lot longer ago than most want to remember.

Women began speaking up in the wilderness with Moses and guess what?

God agreed that women should have rights that were equal to men.

Just a reminder. This ain't no new thing. This is an old thing and apparently it has already been settled.

Day 56 a note from God: Numbers 23-25

While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them.
Numbers 25:1-3 NIV

There is a joke hidden somewhere in this story, but I'll leave that to another day.

Don't get sidetracked by the sex. The problem here is the idol worship. There are many paths that lead us away from God - in this case it is sex. There are countless other stories in the Bible and in our lives of things that lead us away from God.

When God is not first in our lives, something else is. And whatever that is becomes our idol.

As the story goes . . . well let's just say it isn't a good thing to ignore the first commandment.

Day 55 a note from God: Numbers 21-22

Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn.
So he bowed low and fell facedown.
Numbers 22:31 NIV

Allow me to preface this comment by saying I am not a fatalist. In other words, I do not believe there is no point in trying or praying because what is will be and what comes is already determined.

That being said, I wonder how many times in our lives have we been frustrated by events in our lives? How many times have our paths been blocked in going where we wanted to go? How many times did we not get what we wanted?

Then I wonder how many times did these things happen as a result of Divine intervention?

I wish God would open our eyes more often.

I wish we had more than rear view images of Divine Intervention.

But what if our inability to see what God is doing is not because God hasn't opened our eyes, but instead it is because we refuse to look?

Take time today to look again at the things in your path and open your eyes to the possibility of the Divine.

Somep'n 'at's common-like, and good

Somep'n 'at's common-like, and good
And plain, and easy understood;
Somep'n 'at folks like me and you
Kin understand, and relish, too,
And find some sermint in 'at hits
The spot, and sticks and benefits.

We don't need nothin' extry fine;
'Cause, take the run o' minds like mine,
And we'll go more on good horse-sense
Than all your flowery eloquence;
And we'll jedge best of honest acts
By Nature's statement of the facts.

So when you're wantin' to express
Your misery, er happiness,
Er anything 'at's wuth the time
O' telling in plain talk er rhyme--
Jes' sort o' let your subject run
As ef the Lord wuz listenun.

Ran across this poem by James Whitcomb Riley today.

I think it expresses my concept of preaching and the thought behind this blog.

So, I share it with you . . . any thoughts?

Day 54 a note from God: Numbers 18-20

Why did you bring the LORD’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!Numbers 20:4-5 NIV

Really? Again. The Red Sea. The Manna. The Quail. The Golden Calf deal. The ground swallowing the rebels. Really?

After all that God has done . . . After all that they had witnessed . . . the complaints begin again.

We would never do anything like that . . .

This time the anger burns within Moses as well. The water comes, but at a price for everyone.

How much have you forgotten? What blessings in your life do you need to recount today?

Day 53 a note from God: Numbers 16-17

The Israelites said to Moses, “We will die! We are lost, we are all lost!
Numbers 17:12 NIV

This is a fascinating change of language.

The previous chapter tells the story of a group of Israelites, who my guess had the strength of courage created by more than themselves, challenging Aaron and Moses.

They wanted the same rights and priveleges that they had.

They felt entitled.

I am sure that many sat on the sidelines and quietly cheered them on.

In a moment their quiet cheers of self-entitlement turn to open cries of utter despair.

That is us. We quietly cheer for more in our relationship with God and then when faced with the reality of what that might mean . . . we realize how totally lost we are.

We can not save ourselves. We can not directly approach God. We need a chief priest that will intervene for us.

Be thankful for Jesus today. He is our High Priest. He intervenes for you and I with God. I know I am thankful for such a great high priest.

Day 52 a note from God: Numbers 14-15, Psalm 90

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.’”
Numbers 15:37-41 NIV

I don't know about you, but I have my High School and College Diplomas hanging on my office wall. The diplomas are framed with the tassels that I wore when I graduated.

I suppose the diplomas are visual representation for others of the "expertise" that I have gained.

For me they are a reminder of where I come from and what I have learned in the past.

My office and home are filled with those types of reminders.

God wanted His people to remember all that they had learned. God instructed them to create a visual reminder that would be with them everyday.

What reminders of God's faithfulness do you have to remind you daily?