Good question

Posted on August 25, 2012 by glenn

Being a fan of athletics, I normally like a good movie with an athletic theme. I think about Hoosiers as it reminds me of my high school basketball days in a small town. Who hasn’t watched the movie Rudy, the story of the young man who idolized Notre Dame football and became a walk-on for that program? Now, I must admit I am not a huge Rudy fan but there is a scene that I remember. During a particularly troubling time in Rudy’s quest to make the team, he visits a priest. The priest shares the following quote with him, “Son, in thirty-five years of religious study, I have only come up with two hard incontrovertible facts: there is a GOD, and I’m not Him.” I like that quote.

This reminds me of Joseph near the end of the book of Genesis. When his brothers came to him and fell down before his face and proclaimed that they were his servants, Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of GOD?” (Gen. 50:19).

The King of Israel expressed similar thoughts in 2 Kings 5:7, “Am I GOD?”

Jacob, in Genesis 30:2, asked, “Am I in the place of GOD?”

These are good questions for me. I need to realize there are many things over which I have no control. There are many problems for which I have no solution. There are many wrongs that I simply cannot make right. But thanks to Him, I serve a GOD that only expects me to do what I can and He takes care of the rest. I must pray like it all depends on Him and work as though it all depends on me. That is all He expects out of me. I don’t seriously ever forget that I am not GOD, but sometimes my lack of faith probably makes it appear that way.

Rudy… like most good movies ends well, and almost always draws a tear when they carry him off the field at the end. But it is still not my favorite. One reason I am not particularly fond of Rudy is that I am not a Notre Dame fan. But I do like their fight song. It was our fight song in high school and it still rings up those old memories of high school pep rallies and Friday night football games. I can close my eyes and I am scoring a TD for my old high school. Cheer, cheer for old Winston High…ok maybe the translation misses something.

Posted in God, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Divide and conquer

Posted on August 22, 2012 by glenn

Deuteronomy 7:22 reads, “And the LORD your GOD will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once…”

This is referring to the children of Israel coming to the Promised Land and taking possession of it. Basically, it details the book of Joshua. The process used was very interesting and appears as though it was planned by a brilliant military strategist. The land was conquered in stages, just as GOD had said, little by little. The children crossed the River Jordan and took the central portion first. They then conquered the southern portion. Finally, the northern part was conquered.

This plan has been used as a military strategy throughout history. It is called divide and conquer. It makes perfect sense because if Joshua had started at the southern end to conquer the land, then the further he progressed the more concentrated the remaining forces would have become. The central and northern forces would have joined together and been a much stronger foe.

Toward the end of the book of Joshua, we find that the LORD had given Israel all the land which HE swore to give unto their fathers (Genesis 15:18). HE delivered all their enemies into their hand, all HIS promises had come to pass (Joshua 21:43-45). There was (and is) no land promise awaiting the Jewish people in the future, it was given to them then. Joshua 23:15-16 attaches conditions to their keeping the land and notes the possibility of their perishing off the good land and losing the Promised Land if they failed to keep the conditions. Sadly, in time, this is exactly what happened.

But for today’s thought, let’s consider the idea of “divide and conquer.” As stated earlier, this is still used as a military strategy even today. However, it also has meaning in other areas of life. Let’s consider a few. To begin, even a child knows something about dividing and conquering. We have all witnessed a child ask one parent for something and then go to the second parent when he doesn’t receive the desired answer. What has he done? He has attempted to divide. The wise parents will be supportive of each other and stand united.

In the church, it is applied when a person interested in change seeks to divide elderships, or elders and ministers, or members against members. We see the strategy at work in our country as many issues seek to divide us morally, politically, and otherwise.

Jesus taught us in Luke 11:17 that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Let us realize that strength comes in unity. And whether we are parents presenting a united front for our children or an eldership standing united on the truth, let us remember that united we stand and divided we fall.

Posted in unity | Leave a comment

In the name of the law

Posted on August 9, 2012 by glenn

Once, I had the opportunity to be with law enforcement as we traveled to a residence looking for someone. The person’s car was there and we were pretty certain he was home, but he would not come to the door to be served papers that had to be delivered that day. We have watched the scene on television dramas many times as they announce, “open up in the name of the law.” The meaning is simply this: open the door by the authority of the law. The officer was not saying open this door simply because I said so, or in my name. He was saying it with the authority and backing of the badge he wore that represented the laws of our country. “Open up in the name of the law” was a way of saying open up by the authority of the laws of our country.

Colossians 3:17 states, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to GOD the Father through Him.”

“In the name of the LORD Jesus” is synonymous with “by the authority of the LORD Jesus.”

There is authority associated with naming something. We may think of naming our children or naming our pets. In Genesis 2:19-20, Adam was told to name all the animals.  In 1:28 it was noted that he had dominion or authority over them all.

The Colossians text teaches us that all we do has to be done with His (Christ’s) authority. As a matter of fact, look closely at the emphasis placed on the “all”. Three times in the text it is emphasized. Whatever you do – that encompasses the totality of our actions. In word or deed – words of course are the things we say and teach; deeds represent our actions or practice. And once more for emphasis the scripture adds do all, which leaves out nothing.

Everything we do, whatever we do, our teaching and words, as well as our actions, must be done in keeping with His authority. Thus we must be certain that we live our lives in harmony with the teachings of Christ.

Let us submit to His authority in every area of life. Whether it is my home, the way I spend my recreational time, the way I worship Him, etc., let us do all by His authority.

The guy never did come to the door that day and I still think he was home. He wasn’t willing to submit to the authority of the laws of our country.

Posted in authority | Leave a comment

Plan of work

Posted on August 8, 2012 by glenn

I work in a field that on occasion puts me in schools to evaluate them as part of ongoing accreditation. The process we use is applicable in many places, not just in the school setting. As a matter of fact, I would say that if you visit any successful industry, hospital, or even family environment, you will find this process in place. The terminology may not be the same, but the idea will be present. Any successful organization engages in these four steps on a continual basis. That being true, it would behoove us to look at our church setting, and even our personal lives, using these four ideas. The four ideas, along with a description or definition, are:

  • Profile – This is a snap shot of where we are today, or any point in time.
  • Vision – This is a picture of where we want to be in the future; it is our goal.
  • Plan – This is simply the bridge that will take us from Profile to Vision.
  • Results – This is a continual process of evaluation.

And note that this whole process is ongoing. We are constantly examining where we are and where we are headed. The wise man, Solomon, proclaimed in Ecclesiastes 1:9 that “there is nothing new under the sun.” Such is certainly the case here. We find strong Biblical teaching for each of the four ideas.

  • Profile – Psa 119:59; Hag 1:7; 1 Cor 11:28a; 2 Cor 13:5a
  • Vision – Gen 12:5; Phil 4:13-14
  • Plan – Luke 14:28-30
  • Results – Gal 6:4
Posted in growth | Leave a comment

Icons

Posted on August 1, 2012 by glenn

OK, when you hear the word ‘icon’, you may think about people who are well known and have gained a following to the point that they are looked up to and revered. But I want you to think about a different idea concerning icons.

I work on my computer daily. When I turn on my computer, the Windows screen comes up. Those little symbols on the screen of my computer are called icons. Regularly I have to clean my screen because the number of icons accumulate and take up the whole screen.

Now think about the computer icons for a minute. And take, for example, this very document I am writing. It’s a Word document and will be saved to the desktop on my computer. When I do this, there will be an icon that will appear. Now, we all understand that the icon is not the document. It simply points to the document located elsewhere on the computer. Pointing to the icon will lead me to the original document and open my blog.

Let’s switch gears just a bit. In Genesis 1:26, the text reads, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” And throughout the Scripture we are reminded that we are made in the image of GOD. That is a powerful thought to contemplate. I want to look at one of many passages that contain this idea.

Colossians 3:10 states, “…and have put on the new [man] who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” We again are confronted with the fact that we are made in the image of Him. Here is where we will tie the two ideas together. The Greek word translated ‘image’ in the text is the word ‘eikon’, the obvious origin of our word ‘icon’.

The lesson is clear. Just as the Word document icon on my computer desktop is not the original, but simply points to the original, I should serve as an icon for my Creator. I am, obviously, not the original but if I am carrying out my mission, I will be pointing others to the Original. I will be an icon for GOD.

There are multitudes of people who don’t know GOD and will never read their Bibles. But GOD wants me to live my life so that when the world looks at me, they see Him. I can point others to Him.

I am an icon.

No, not in the sense that I am a rock star or athletic superstar with people looking up to me. No one is seeking my endorsements or asking for autographs. I am an icon because I am made in the image of GOD the Creator. And, according to Colossians, when I put on the new man I serve as an image of Him who created me. Oh, how that should give my life purpose.

Posted in influence | Leave a comment

Facades

Posted on July 31, 2012 by glenn

We have all known people who have disappointed us by their actions. There are people that we have known for a long time and we thought we knew them. But then something happens to reveal their true character or motivation. It is such a disappointment when that occurs. However, we have probably been guilty of letting others down at some point ourselves.

Truth be told, we are all pretty good at putting on faces before others. Some even have their Sunday faces that are very different from their Saturday night faces. Jesus had a name for this kind of person; He called them hypocrites. I think the person for whom I have the most respect is one who is the same whenever and wherever you see them.

Perhaps the greatest compliment ever given to a man was stated in Acts 13:22, where it is said of David that he was a man after GOD’S own heart. We are reminded of the incident in a young David’s life when the successor to King Saul was being sought. All the children of Jesse were presented to Samuel for him to anoint the next king. David, being the youngest, was not presented. Samuel asked for David to be brought in and, of course, he was GOD’S choice to be the 2nd king of Israel.

Judging by appearance, David did not seem to be the best choice. But in 1 Samuel 16:7, we find one of my favorite statements. It simply states that man looks on the outward appearance but GOD looks on the heart.

As I contemplate this great truth, this question comes to mind: what does He see when He looks at my heart?

I can put on a facade when dealing with my fellow man. I can hide my true motives from them. I can wear a Sunday face but have a Saturday night mentality. But I cannot fool my GOD. He knows.

Let me pray the prayer of the Psalmist and say “create in me a clean heart and renew within me a right spirit.” And help me O LORD to be the same whenever and wherever I am.

Posted in hypocrisy | 3 Comments

Never count out Oscar Pistorius

Posted on July 25, 2012 by glenn

Recently I read the story of Oscar Pistorius of South Africa. He reached a dream by being selected to represent his country at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. He will run a leg in the 4X400 meter relay team. This means he will run a quarter mile, as will his 3 teammates. It has been said that the 400 meter run, the quarter mile, may be the ultimate test athletically because it combines speed with endurance. Much of the race is run anaerobically or in other words in oxygen debt.

I can personally attest to this fact. I think the closest I ever came to death was in a 400 meter race. In my younger years, I was a track and field person but I competed in the shorter races as well as the field events. At one particular competition, my team’s 4X400 relay team lost a member at the last moment and I was chosen to fill in. One of my races was the 200 meter run. So I began the 400 meter race as though I was running only 200 meters. At the end of 200 meters, I was out of gas and by 300 meters was really hurting. I will never forget the pain I endured rounding the last turn and heading down the home stretch. My legs felt like concrete and I was in heavy oxygen debt.

So I know a little something about running 400 meter races. And Oscar Pistorius is a world class athlete. He has reached a dream that many around the world have worked their lives to accomplish. Hard work and dedication pays off and it takes rare ability, as well. Now what makes Oscar any different from these hundreds of other athletes?

Did I tell you that Oscar had both his legs amputated below the knee at 11 months old? He could have been one to never walk let alone run. He could have been relegated to a wheelchair all his life. He could have been handicapped; but not Oscar.

He is now known as a ‘Blade Runner’. He runs on two Cheetah Flex-Foot blades, J-shaped limbs that are 16 inches long and weigh a little over a pound each. There is much discussion on whether he will be allowed to compete but that decision will not change the fact that he has changed the perception of disability.

GOD gives each of us talents, abilities, and opportunities. HE then holds us responsible for how we make use of those blessings. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 notes that HE gives to each according to his ability (verse 15) and will expect us to give an account of our use of them (verse 19).

I remember writing in my younger son’s yearbook “For unto whom much is given, of him shall much be required,” taken from Luke 12:47.

If we could tap into the talents GOD has given to each of us, without placing limits and restrictions on ourselves, the way Oscar Pistorius has done, what could we accomplish with our lives?

To GOD be the Glory, Oscar!

Posted in stewardship | 1 Comment

Soundness of Scripture

Posted on July 18, 2012 by glenn

The Bible is full of examples of accuracy that builds one’s faith. The study of apologetics is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of information. This information includes countless examples from GOD’S word. There are so many places in Scripture where it would have been easy for man to make a mistake if he were not speaking from inspiration. Let us consider just one such example today.

If you have read my blogs for very long, you know I am a “numbers” guy. I taught mathematics in high school for a number of years and am intrigued by numbers. Beginning in Genesis 5, there is a long list of genealogies. And along with the names we have ages assigned. It is pretty common knowledge that the oldest man ever recorded in scripture was Methuselah, who lived to be 969 years old (Gen 5:29). Actually, it is a pretty sad commentary on his life that nothing noteworthy is said about him. That is a long time to live without accomplishing something of note to be recorded. But that’s not our focus today. For today, let’s just note that he lived 969 years.

Consider the following:

Gen 5:25              Methuselah was 187 when Lamech was born.

Gen 5:28              Lamech was 182 when Noah was born (thus Methuselah was 369).

Gen 7:6                Noah was 600 when the flood destroyed the earth.

Adding the ages together gives one exactly 969 years!

Now what if the scriptures had said Methuselah lived 970 years? There would be an obvious problem.  The fact is Methuselah died in the year of the flood. Maybe he died sometime that year before the flood came. But he was alive to at least see much of the ark built. It is sad to think that maybe he died in the flood. That we don’t know but we do know the scriptures are 100% accurate.

The more we study GOD’S word the deeper our faith grows. Isn’t that what Romans 10:17 tells us? “ So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of GOD.”

Posted in faith | Leave a comment

Running after a goal

Posted on July 5, 2012 by glenn

24,902. That is the circumference of the earth at the equator. I began a running program in the fall of 1977 and have been running for thirty-five years. I am a numbers person, so of course I have all those running logs documenting my runs. For many of those years it has been a goal to run around the earth. After thirty-five years of running, the end is in sight. At my current pace, I should reach my goal in early 2014. I plan to have a celebration when I reach that milestone. I see bumper stickers of 13.1 and 26.2 announcing that the car owners have run the half or full marathon. I think when I reach my goal I will find a sticker that says 24,902.

Thirty-five years is a long time to pursue a goal. But I should tell you that I have been pursuing a goal even longer than that. In the summer of 1976, I was obedient to the Gospel and have been pursuing my goal of heaven since then. I, like the apostle Paul, am “reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3:13).

I think goals are extremely important. If we don’t have direction, if we don’t know where we are going, how will we ever arrive there? This is important with our family goals, at work, in my case, exercise, in our personal growth, etc. Goals are important.

The most important goal in this life is to be prepared for the life that will follow. That is why thirty-six years ago I read the following verses in my bible and acted on them.

Hebrews 11:6 – I knew I had to have faith.

Romans 10:17 – I knew that faith’s origin is the Scriptures.

Luke 13:3 – I knew that I would perish unless I changed my ways, i.e. repentance.

Matthew 10:32 – I wanted to confess my LORD.

Acts 22:16 – I realized I had to be immersed in water to have my sins removed.

I hope you are a goal setter. I hope you have a goal of spending eternity in heaven. I look forward to that goal becoming a reality. But I hope the LORD lets me have time to reach my running goal.

Posted in salvation | Leave a comment

Walk according to the Spirit

Posted on July 1, 2012 by glenn

My last blog ended with a reference to Romans 8:1 which reads, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” So begs the title of today’s blog.

Romans 8:1 is one of my favorite verses and so is 1 John 1:7. It is no coincidence that these two verses are very similar. The reading of the latter is “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Thus, I am very interested in the idea of walking in the light, or synonymously walking according to the Spirit. So what is it and how can I know I am so doing? Let’s consider Galatians chapter 5 for a few observations.

Galatians 5:16:   reference is made to walking in the Spirit

Galatians 5: 18: a note is made about being led by the Spirit

Galatians 5:25:   we find the phrase live in the Spirit

Let us briefly develop an understanding of walking, being led by and living in the Spirit by considering the negative. Sometimes a good definition can be derived by considering what it is not. Such is the case in this context. Let us consider the following three points:

  1. Note verse 16: we walk in the Spirit by not fulfilling the lust of the flesh. The context then proceeds to identify some things that qualify as the works of the flesh. This list includes adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like. If you are clear of all those enumerated, the last phrase is a catch all. Verse 19 in the New King James refers to them as sins of an earthly nature. It is pretty easy to give yourself a test on each item. Realizing there are no sinless perfect human beings ask yourself, would He describe me as walking in the light or pursuing the sins of an earthly nature?
  2. Verse 18 declares if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. There were some in Paul’s day, as well as ours, that think one can be good enough to gain salvation on our own merit. That is, we can keep the law perfectly and thus be entitled to heaven. Nothing can be further from the truth. We are saved by grace. Are there things we must do to access that grace, i.e. obedient faith? Absolutely! But we are not saved by our own merits.
  3. Verse 26 is a very concise final ‘not’.  If we live in the Spirit, we will not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Though I can never attain perfection, I want to strive to walk according to the Spirit. I hope you do as well.

Posted in discipleship | Leave a comment