Of Needles, Camels, Rich men and Heaven
"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life ?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Matthew 19:16-30
Here we have a rich young man that comes to Jesus and asks how to inherit eternal life.
Jesus knew this man believed in God so he says,
“‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’”
Note these are laws that deal with one’s relationship with one’s fellow man. The Talmud states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
This is essentially what Jesus is saying.
The man replies that he has done this all his life. So Jesus tests his faith. He says
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
He wants to see where the man’s faith truly is.
It’s easy to have faith if you lack nothing. If you have plenty of money and possessions.
It’s much harder if you have nothing and have to rely on God for your day to day existence. That takes true faith.
Jesus said,
“I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
It’s not that the rich can’t get to heaven. And there’s nothing wrong with being rich it’s all about where the person’s hart is.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21.
Jesus assures his disciples that those who follow him, who put their faith in him and give up everything will be rewarded he states,
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”
Matthew 19:29
Please note Jesus is not referring to things in this life necessarily. There are many in the name it claim it crowd that would say by following Jesus we will become rich in this world. These verses do not mean this.
They refer to rewards in heaven.
Jesus also goes on to say,
“But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”
Matthew 19:30.
Think about it.
Saturday, 17 May 2014
Friday, 16 May 2014
Mental Health and the Christian My Story
Mental Health and Christians, My Story
I’m writing this because I feel it needs to be written, especially to those in the Christian evangelical, Pentecostal/Charismatic church.
You see I live with Bipolar Affective disorder a very real mental illness.
Over the years I’ve had many things said to me about it from people within the church who perhaps should have known better.
On one occasion I was told “mental illness is not real, people who say they have it need to get themselves together, pull themselves up by their boot straps and get on with life.”
On another occasion I had a man very sincerely tell me Mental illness is demon possession and I need to step down from my position in the church and have the pastor and board pray for me.
How very sad. Is it any wonder people within the church who have mental illness of any kind stay in the closet and shun treatment.
The people that said those harsh words to me fortunately are in the minority. Still especially in the church where one should expect love and understanding when it comes to mental illness there is, more so than in the secular world great stigma placed on people who have it.
They are considered weak morally and emotionally. Nothing could be further from the truth. These people have a very real illness equal to anyone with diabetes or cancer.
Let me tell you my story.
First the definition of Bipolar Affective disorder which is what I have,
“Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating manic episodes in which the individual feels abnormally euphoric, optimistic, and energetic and depressive periods in which the individual feels sad, hopeless, guilty, and sometimes suicidal. Manic or depressive periods may last for days, weeks, or months and run the spectrum from mild to severe. These episodes may be separated by periods of emotional stability in which the individual functions normally.”
For me my journey started as I headed home from work. I’d been working long hours and travelling over a hundred k one way to work. When suddenly without waring a fear of dread welled up inside of me, tears filled my eyes and I was forced to pull over to the side of the road.
When I gained enough of my equilibrium to go down to the next rest stop where I pulled into a far corner of the parking lot and cried for half an hour.
My doctor told me I was stressed out and to take time off work. Which I did going back just before Christmas.
Things went well then one night on my way to work in a snow storm, my car had spun out and my moods went out of control.
On that occasion my fathers house being nearest I’d pulled in and called in to work sick.
On that day my world shattered. Life would never be the same.
I went back to see my doctor the next day and it was then he suggested I see my first psychiatrist.
At the time I had a preconceived idea of psychiatrist that looked a lot like which doctors who prescribed happy pills.
Still I trusted my doctor and began fighting the dragon in my head.
My first psychiatrist was a strong believer in trying to change things by changing lifestyle and eating habits. But after a while he diagnosed me with Bipolar affective disorder and placed me on a low dose of Lithium the gold standard at the time.
Unfortunately he passed away as a result of cancer before I was stabilized and my care went briefly back to my family doctor. Who eventually got me in with my second Psychiatrist.
He agreed with the Bipolar diagnosis and started me on a trial and error treatment trying various combination of drugs. (There is no definitive test at this time for Bipolar, no single drug treatment that works for every one. Thus the need to try various combinations)
Some worked briefly others had side effects I couldn’t handle.
I at one point began to believe the words of William, Wordsworth who said
“We poets in our youth begin in gladness: but therefore come in the end to despondency and madness”
My second Psychiatrist got me reasonably stabilised then retired my treatment going back to my family doctor then to my current psychiatrist. An excellent doctor well versed in her pharmacology.
Someone who had worked with to help me through some very hard times.
That’s the key finding a good Psychologist that works with you and understands you.
Bipolar is like being in a storm a massive storm that billows all around you.
All you can do at times is to try and out run it but you never seem to be able too.
Another way to describe it is imagine you’re in a snow globe, simultaneously you’re holding the snow globe and inside it.
You’re shaking it in causing the storm rage all around you.
Intellectually you know you’re shaking it causing the storm but you’re powerless to stop it. So you continue with that storm pounding to the very roots of your inner psyche.
Another way of putting it is imagine your in a high powered sports car, you’re flying down the road with the wind whipping your hair. The adrenaline rush is fantastic.
Then all of a sudden you stop and jump into a pool of mud up to your neck and just wallow their until you think you can’t take it any more.
Then without warning the cycle repeats.
For me and I think even for the processionals there are a lot of things that are not understood. Goblins if you will in your mind.
Then in my case there’s the anxiety. Anxiety is faceless androids that wander through your mind causing irrational fear. Trying to control your life.
But there is hope. For me, almost without me realizing it I put together a team consisting of my psychiatrist, my family doctor, my pastor and church family and equally important my wife and family.
All of whom are there for me when I need them.
My faith means a lot to me and I am convinced that it has saved me on many occasion from doing something stupid, because suicide at times has lurked in the back of my mind.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
That statement is very true. In Christ I have found rest for my soul even I time of trouble.
Today I am on a magnificent journey. I still have some very bad days. But I’ve learned to live with the dragon because there is no cure at this time for the two headed dragon, that is Bipolar Affective disorder. You must learn to live with it and control it.
To day I can for the most part fully function. But I take things one day sometimes one moment at a time.
Reinhold Niebuhr once wrote,
The key for me is not just the successful cocktail of medications I’m on which is absolutely necessary. But it’s also my faith.
Through all the highs and lows I’ve gone through with this illness I firmly believe God has been there for me giving me reassurance and hope in what at times has been a very darkened world.
To the Christian who is reading this, if you recognize the symptoms above in your life talk to a health care professional. It never hurts.
In Canada all provincial health care systems cover Psychiatrist.
In Canada you can also go speak to the Canadian Mental Health association who can steer you in the right direction if you have any doubts.
Please remember Mental Illness as real as diabetes or cancer. Don’t try to go it alone.
There is help. There is hope.
I’m writing this because I feel it needs to be written, especially to those in the Christian evangelical, Pentecostal/Charismatic church.
You see I live with Bipolar Affective disorder a very real mental illness.
Over the years I’ve had many things said to me about it from people within the church who perhaps should have known better.
On one occasion I was told “mental illness is not real, people who say they have it need to get themselves together, pull themselves up by their boot straps and get on with life.”
On another occasion I had a man very sincerely tell me Mental illness is demon possession and I need to step down from my position in the church and have the pastor and board pray for me.
How very sad. Is it any wonder people within the church who have mental illness of any kind stay in the closet and shun treatment.
The people that said those harsh words to me fortunately are in the minority. Still especially in the church where one should expect love and understanding when it comes to mental illness there is, more so than in the secular world great stigma placed on people who have it.
They are considered weak morally and emotionally. Nothing could be further from the truth. These people have a very real illness equal to anyone with diabetes or cancer.
Let me tell you my story.
First the definition of Bipolar Affective disorder which is what I have,
“Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating manic episodes in which the individual feels abnormally euphoric, optimistic, and energetic and depressive periods in which the individual feels sad, hopeless, guilty, and sometimes suicidal. Manic or depressive periods may last for days, weeks, or months and run the spectrum from mild to severe. These episodes may be separated by periods of emotional stability in which the individual functions normally.”
For me my journey started as I headed home from work. I’d been working long hours and travelling over a hundred k one way to work. When suddenly without waring a fear of dread welled up inside of me, tears filled my eyes and I was forced to pull over to the side of the road.
When I gained enough of my equilibrium to go down to the next rest stop where I pulled into a far corner of the parking lot and cried for half an hour.
My doctor told me I was stressed out and to take time off work. Which I did going back just before Christmas.
Things went well then one night on my way to work in a snow storm, my car had spun out and my moods went out of control.
On that occasion my fathers house being nearest I’d pulled in and called in to work sick.
On that day my world shattered. Life would never be the same.
I went back to see my doctor the next day and it was then he suggested I see my first psychiatrist.
At the time I had a preconceived idea of psychiatrist that looked a lot like which doctors who prescribed happy pills.
Still I trusted my doctor and began fighting the dragon in my head.
My first psychiatrist was a strong believer in trying to change things by changing lifestyle and eating habits. But after a while he diagnosed me with Bipolar affective disorder and placed me on a low dose of Lithium the gold standard at the time.
Unfortunately he passed away as a result of cancer before I was stabilized and my care went briefly back to my family doctor. Who eventually got me in with my second Psychiatrist.
He agreed with the Bipolar diagnosis and started me on a trial and error treatment trying various combination of drugs. (There is no definitive test at this time for Bipolar, no single drug treatment that works for every one. Thus the need to try various combinations)
Some worked briefly others had side effects I couldn’t handle.
I at one point began to believe the words of William, Wordsworth who said
“We poets in our youth begin in gladness: but therefore come in the end to despondency and madness”
My second Psychiatrist got me reasonably stabilised then retired my treatment going back to my family doctor then to my current psychiatrist. An excellent doctor well versed in her pharmacology.
Someone who had worked with to help me through some very hard times.
That’s the key finding a good Psychologist that works with you and understands you.
Bipolar is like being in a storm a massive storm that billows all around you.
All you can do at times is to try and out run it but you never seem to be able too.
Another way to describe it is imagine you’re in a snow globe, simultaneously you’re holding the snow globe and inside it.
You’re shaking it in causing the storm rage all around you.
Intellectually you know you’re shaking it causing the storm but you’re powerless to stop it. So you continue with that storm pounding to the very roots of your inner psyche.
Another way of putting it is imagine your in a high powered sports car, you’re flying down the road with the wind whipping your hair. The adrenaline rush is fantastic.
Then all of a sudden you stop and jump into a pool of mud up to your neck and just wallow their until you think you can’t take it any more.
Then without warning the cycle repeats.
For me and I think even for the processionals there are a lot of things that are not understood. Goblins if you will in your mind.
Then in my case there’s the anxiety. Anxiety is faceless androids that wander through your mind causing irrational fear. Trying to control your life.
But there is hope. For me, almost without me realizing it I put together a team consisting of my psychiatrist, my family doctor, my pastor and church family and equally important my wife and family.
All of whom are there for me when I need them.
My faith means a lot to me and I am convinced that it has saved me on many occasion from doing something stupid, because suicide at times has lurked in the back of my mind.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
That statement is very true. In Christ I have found rest for my soul even I time of trouble.
Today I am on a magnificent journey. I still have some very bad days. But I’ve learned to live with the dragon because there is no cure at this time for the two headed dragon, that is Bipolar Affective disorder. You must learn to live with it and control it.
To day I can for the most part fully function. But I take things one day sometimes one moment at a time.
Reinhold Niebuhr once wrote,
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time...
The key for me is not just the successful cocktail of medications I’m on which is absolutely necessary. But it’s also my faith.
Through all the highs and lows I’ve gone through with this illness I firmly believe God has been there for me giving me reassurance and hope in what at times has been a very darkened world.
To the Christian who is reading this, if you recognize the symptoms above in your life talk to a health care professional. It never hurts.
In Canada all provincial health care systems cover Psychiatrist.
In Canada you can also go speak to the Canadian Mental Health association who can steer you in the right direction if you have any doubts.
Please remember Mental Illness as real as diabetes or cancer. Don’t try to go it alone.
There is help. There is hope.
Our Children
Our Children
“Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.”
Matthew 19:13-15
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” The words of Jesus.
As Christians our Children are our future. We need to bring them up in our faith. Proverbs states,
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6.
This proverb does not say hit your children over the head with your bible or bash them with your faith.
Over the years I’ve seen many children of Christian parents turn from Christianity and it can be directly related as to how the parents presented their faith.
One friend of ours was constantly correcting her children by quoting the Bible. Another refused to let there children watch anything but Christians things on television. They refused to let them watch anything that didn’t have a g rating. They were never allowed to go to the cinema. Star wars and Star trek were even suspect.
When they realized that we let our children watch the Simpsons on television that our children were free to watch non-Christian programming and horror of horrors, science shows on evolution, they were horrified.
We were criticized by them. Even though we explained that especially with programs like the Simpsons, we used them as a way to discuss things with our kids.
We home schooled our children as did the people who criticized us. The difference was we encouraged free thought.
Education and social responsibility were taught to me by my father and mother. My parents were socialist (not communist) dad and mom were members of the English Labour party for most of their lives.
They truly believed that we all have a moral responsibility to help our fellow man.
My father had seen the horrors of what man could do to man during world war two when he was among the liberators of Bergen-Belsen.
It strengthened his resolve to do whatever he could do even to better his fellow man.
He instilled his beliefs in his children.
From as young as I can remember we had discussions on politics, religion and social situations around our dinner table and, we particularly as we entered our teen years, were expected to add to the discussion. Further more our opinions were respected
It was because of what he taught me that led me to embrace Christianity.
Jesus preached the importance of the individual. That God valued the life of the individual above all.
This is what I and my wife instilled in our children. We used everything from a trip to the bank, to Homer J. Simpson, to Stephen Hawkings a brief history of time, as well as many, many more things, and above all the Bible and God’s principles there in, to teach our children.
We were far from perfect when it come to our teaching but something worked. Today both my sons are very active in their church. I think they live there half the time.
My youngest now a carpenter goes off each year on short term mission trips to various countries around the world, to help build everything from schools and orphanages to even helping rebuild after hurricane Katrina.
Both are in love with God. Both still watch anything and everything on television although they don’t watch the Simpsons anymore, sorry Homer.
They still go to the movies and watch, Star Trek, Spiderman, and Star Wars.
My oldest son soon to be married is having a Star Wars stag and doe.
And somewhere amid all the activity we all sit down including my soon to be daughter in law, discuss the scriptures the state of Christianity and the state of our society both nationally and internationally.
Sadly many of the children of the friends that criticized us years ago are no longer serving the Lord. They’ve moved out of their parents home and don’t go to church.
My son’s are still in touch with some of them and witnesses when they gets a chance. But they are far from God.
I think it is imperative that we as Christian parents need to be careful how we present our faith to our children and indeed our grandchildren. We need to heed the words of Joshua Loth Liebman who wrote,
“Give your children unconditional love, a love that is not dependent on report cards, clean hands, or popularity. Give your children a sense of your whole-hearted acceptance, acceptance of their human frailties as well as their abilities and virtues. Give your children your permission to grow up to make their own lives independent of you. Give them a sense of truth; make them aware of themselves as citizens of a universe in which there are many obstacles as well as fulfilments. Bestow upon your child the blessings of your faith. These are the laws of honouring your son and your daughter. Out of these laws will be built the Declaration of Independence for the coming generation, a spiritual and emotional independence that, in turn, will make the world free, democratic, safe, creative.”
Think about it.
“Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.”
Matthew 19:13-15
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” The words of Jesus.
As Christians our Children are our future. We need to bring them up in our faith. Proverbs states,
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6.
This proverb does not say hit your children over the head with your bible or bash them with your faith.
Over the years I’ve seen many children of Christian parents turn from Christianity and it can be directly related as to how the parents presented their faith.
One friend of ours was constantly correcting her children by quoting the Bible. Another refused to let there children watch anything but Christians things on television. They refused to let them watch anything that didn’t have a g rating. They were never allowed to go to the cinema. Star wars and Star trek were even suspect.
When they realized that we let our children watch the Simpsons on television that our children were free to watch non-Christian programming and horror of horrors, science shows on evolution, they were horrified.
We were criticized by them. Even though we explained that especially with programs like the Simpsons, we used them as a way to discuss things with our kids.
We home schooled our children as did the people who criticized us. The difference was we encouraged free thought.
Education and social responsibility were taught to me by my father and mother. My parents were socialist (not communist) dad and mom were members of the English Labour party for most of their lives.
They truly believed that we all have a moral responsibility to help our fellow man.
My father had seen the horrors of what man could do to man during world war two when he was among the liberators of Bergen-Belsen.
It strengthened his resolve to do whatever he could do even to better his fellow man.
He instilled his beliefs in his children.
From as young as I can remember we had discussions on politics, religion and social situations around our dinner table and, we particularly as we entered our teen years, were expected to add to the discussion. Further more our opinions were respected
It was because of what he taught me that led me to embrace Christianity.
Jesus preached the importance of the individual. That God valued the life of the individual above all.
This is what I and my wife instilled in our children. We used everything from a trip to the bank, to Homer J. Simpson, to Stephen Hawkings a brief history of time, as well as many, many more things, and above all the Bible and God’s principles there in, to teach our children.
We were far from perfect when it come to our teaching but something worked. Today both my sons are very active in their church. I think they live there half the time.
My youngest now a carpenter goes off each year on short term mission trips to various countries around the world, to help build everything from schools and orphanages to even helping rebuild after hurricane Katrina.
Both are in love with God. Both still watch anything and everything on television although they don’t watch the Simpsons anymore, sorry Homer.
They still go to the movies and watch, Star Trek, Spiderman, and Star Wars.
My oldest son soon to be married is having a Star Wars stag and doe.
And somewhere amid all the activity we all sit down including my soon to be daughter in law, discuss the scriptures the state of Christianity and the state of our society both nationally and internationally.
Sadly many of the children of the friends that criticized us years ago are no longer serving the Lord. They’ve moved out of their parents home and don’t go to church.
My son’s are still in touch with some of them and witnesses when they gets a chance. But they are far from God.
I think it is imperative that we as Christian parents need to be careful how we present our faith to our children and indeed our grandchildren. We need to heed the words of Joshua Loth Liebman who wrote,
“Give your children unconditional love, a love that is not dependent on report cards, clean hands, or popularity. Give your children a sense of your whole-hearted acceptance, acceptance of their human frailties as well as their abilities and virtues. Give your children your permission to grow up to make their own lives independent of you. Give them a sense of truth; make them aware of themselves as citizens of a universe in which there are many obstacles as well as fulfilments. Bestow upon your child the blessings of your faith. These are the laws of honouring your son and your daughter. Out of these laws will be built the Declaration of Independence for the coming generation, a spiritual and emotional independence that, in turn, will make the world free, democratic, safe, creative.”
Think about it.
Thursday, 15 May 2014
Is it only a toothpaste tube
Is it only a toothpaste tube
“When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan.
Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ ?
So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”
Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.
For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
Matthew 19:1-12.
I know a couple who got divorced sighting irreconcilable differences. Later I was talking to the wife who told me very seriously, “I couldn’t stand the way that man left the toothpaste tube.”
They had known each other only six months prior to getting married and their marriage had lasted just under two years. They had found out that they were not at all compatible. That their little quirks drove each other around the bend.
I think the problem was they entered into marriage too lightly which ultimately made divorce inevitable.
Now let me make things perfectly clear here. There are times when divorce is necessary.
Over the years I’ve heard pastors and evangelist make extreme statements everything from only a man can divorce his wife. The wife cannot divorce her husband, to Adultery is the only reason for divorce. They even quote the above passage Matthew 19:1-12.
THOSE WHO PREACH SUCH DOCTRINE ARE IN MY OPINION WRONG.
We are in the twenty-first century and all credible scholars accept that first, divorce is a two way street. A woman can divorce her husband for just cause in the same way a man can divorce his wife, infidelity (adultery) and especially abuse are the two reasons that stand out in my mind.
All to many marriages these days are entered into far too lightly. Marriage should be a love relationship.
By love I don’t mean sexual. It has been my experience that marriages based on sexual attraction and fascination is doomed to fail.
When the fascination ends and you enter into a valley in your relationship or other trials come it will fall apart.
The Apostle Paul gives what I think is the ideal definition of Love when he writes,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
Paul writing to the Ephesians explains what I believe should happen in a marriage when he writes,
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”
Ephesians 5:25
A husband should love, defend, and protect his wife to the point of giving up his own life.
Paul also makes it clear what it should be like in a marriage arrangement when he writes to the Corinthians,
"But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.
Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."
1 Corinthians 7:2-5.
No marriage is perfect. There will be big ups and downs from time to time. Times when you disagree and argue.
In the thirty-five years I’ve been married I know this is true but when I was dating my wife we read the above scriptures believed them and evaluated our relationship with respect to them.
There was also one other scripture we read that makes perfect sense if you truly love your spouse it’s Paul writing to the Ephesians. He writes,
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,”
Ephesians 4:26.
My wife and I have practised this principle since before we were married and it works.
I know others who have read and practice the above principles and their marriages too are solid.
Still relationships from time to time do go wrong. But it is up to the husband and the wife as far as possible to work on their relationship.
To carefully examine themselves and their relationship with their spouse. Then ask the question is divorce really necessary.
Or is it only a toothpaste tube.
Think about it.
“When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan.
Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ ?
So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?”
Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”
Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.
For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
Matthew 19:1-12.
I know a couple who got divorced sighting irreconcilable differences. Later I was talking to the wife who told me very seriously, “I couldn’t stand the way that man left the toothpaste tube.”
They had known each other only six months prior to getting married and their marriage had lasted just under two years. They had found out that they were not at all compatible. That their little quirks drove each other around the bend.
I think the problem was they entered into marriage too lightly which ultimately made divorce inevitable.
Now let me make things perfectly clear here. There are times when divorce is necessary.
Over the years I’ve heard pastors and evangelist make extreme statements everything from only a man can divorce his wife. The wife cannot divorce her husband, to Adultery is the only reason for divorce. They even quote the above passage Matthew 19:1-12.
THOSE WHO PREACH SUCH DOCTRINE ARE IN MY OPINION WRONG.
We are in the twenty-first century and all credible scholars accept that first, divorce is a two way street. A woman can divorce her husband for just cause in the same way a man can divorce his wife, infidelity (adultery) and especially abuse are the two reasons that stand out in my mind.
All to many marriages these days are entered into far too lightly. Marriage should be a love relationship.
By love I don’t mean sexual. It has been my experience that marriages based on sexual attraction and fascination is doomed to fail.
When the fascination ends and you enter into a valley in your relationship or other trials come it will fall apart.
The Apostle Paul gives what I think is the ideal definition of Love when he writes,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
Paul writing to the Ephesians explains what I believe should happen in a marriage when he writes,
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”
Ephesians 5:25
A husband should love, defend, and protect his wife to the point of giving up his own life.
Paul also makes it clear what it should be like in a marriage arrangement when he writes to the Corinthians,
"But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.
Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."
1 Corinthians 7:2-5.
No marriage is perfect. There will be big ups and downs from time to time. Times when you disagree and argue.
In the thirty-five years I’ve been married I know this is true but when I was dating my wife we read the above scriptures believed them and evaluated our relationship with respect to them.
There was also one other scripture we read that makes perfect sense if you truly love your spouse it’s Paul writing to the Ephesians. He writes,
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,”
Ephesians 4:26.
My wife and I have practised this principle since before we were married and it works.
I know others who have read and practice the above principles and their marriages too are solid.
Still relationships from time to time do go wrong. But it is up to the husband and the wife as far as possible to work on their relationship.
To carefully examine themselves and their relationship with their spouse. Then ask the question is divorce really necessary.
Or is it only a toothpaste tube.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
With Respect to Mercy
With respect to Mercy
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.
Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’
The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’
In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
Matthew 18:22-35.
I read a commentary on this portion of scripture once. The writer of the commentary used few words to sum it up. He said something to the effect,
God is a merciful God, a very forgiving God, but he judges those who do not forgive.
This in a nutshell sums up what Jesus is saying in this parable is saying.
He is telling Peter not just to forgive seventy-seven times but time without number.
James writes,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:12,13.
As Christians we need to take such things to hart. Paul writing to Titus states,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour,”
Titus 3:4-6.
Being a Christian is all about Mercy and forgiveness. It is that mercy we must show to the world around us.
Think about it.
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.
Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’
The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’
In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
Matthew 18:22-35.
I read a commentary on this portion of scripture once. The writer of the commentary used few words to sum it up. He said something to the effect,
God is a merciful God, a very forgiving God, but he judges those who do not forgive.
This in a nutshell sums up what Jesus is saying in this parable is saying.
He is telling Peter not just to forgive seventy-seven times but time without number.
James writes,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:12,13.
As Christians we need to take such things to hart. Paul writing to Titus states,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour,”
Titus 3:4-6.
Being a Christian is all about Mercy and forgiveness. It is that mercy we must show to the world around us.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
In Gods will
“I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:18-20
Here is a classic verse used by the name it claim it crowd. They call out and say all we have to do is have another person agree with us and it will happen.
It doesn’t happen that way. What ever we ask should be in accordance with God’s will.
If we truly love God, are studying the Bible and are in prayer to him our ways will slowly become his ways.
God knows what we can handle and what we need and he will provide.
What we need to do is what Paul is saying to the Colosssians,
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:16,17.
Over the centuries there has been a lot of negative things done in the name of Jesus. Things that have brought ill repute to the name of Christ. Things done because man wanted to do them. God did not.
I know of one group that went as far as saying to pray and ask God to change the fillings of their teeth to gold.
Nothing happened but some actually believed it was going to happen. You see they were misguided by those who misinterpreted the above verse where two or three agree.
The leaders of their congregation made them a laughing stock.
This should serve as a warning. We need to be careful what we ask for and ask that the will of the father be done and accept that will as Jesus did.
Jesus set the example in the garden of Gethsemane when knowing what was ahead of him he prayed,
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Luke 22:42
As Christians we need to examine carefully how we pray and what we pray for. Do you?
Think about it.
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:18-20
Here is a classic verse used by the name it claim it crowd. They call out and say all we have to do is have another person agree with us and it will happen.
It doesn’t happen that way. What ever we ask should be in accordance with God’s will.
If we truly love God, are studying the Bible and are in prayer to him our ways will slowly become his ways.
God knows what we can handle and what we need and he will provide.
What we need to do is what Paul is saying to the Colosssians,
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:16,17.
Over the centuries there has been a lot of negative things done in the name of Jesus. Things that have brought ill repute to the name of Christ. Things done because man wanted to do them. God did not.
I know of one group that went as far as saying to pray and ask God to change the fillings of their teeth to gold.
Nothing happened but some actually believed it was going to happen. You see they were misguided by those who misinterpreted the above verse where two or three agree.
The leaders of their congregation made them a laughing stock.
This should serve as a warning. We need to be careful what we ask for and ask that the will of the father be done and accept that will as Jesus did.
Jesus set the example in the garden of Gethsemane when knowing what was ahead of him he prayed,
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Luke 22:42
As Christians we need to examine carefully how we pray and what we pray for. Do you?
Think about it.
Monday, 12 May 2014
Correction
Correction
“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Matthew 18:15-17
This is for Christians only. It simply tells us how to correct someone. And this method of correction is not just for the laity in the church. It is for the leadership also, from the deacons and elders to the pastor also.
Step one if a brother in Christ sins against you go to him and speak to him privately and if he listens you’ve as Jesus says “won your brother”
Step two if he doesn’t listen. Take one or two others with you so that things may be documented by two or three witnesses to see that it’s not just a personal thing between two people.
Step three if he doesn’t listen treat him as a none believer.
This procedure is today used in many churches as a way to correctly correct an errant person in the church. Even to the point of excommunication.
It is a good method if used correctly and in my experience works well.
Again in my experience it tends to yield positive results because quite often the person in error doesn’t see his error unless it is brought to his attention. Then if he is a true believer he will humbly take the correction to hart.
All of that being said, especially when it comes to the pastor, just because we disagree with what he said in his sermon this is not a way to attack him.
Within any denomination or church congregation there are minor differences of opinion.
When we correct someone in authority we need to make certain that it is for the right reasons. Something major. A major doctrinal statement error or a moral problem.
Over the years I’ve seen people “corrected” for not wearing a suit to church or wearing jeans to church. Something I believe means little to God.
There are far more important things to worry about when it comes to working in the church. It is these things we need to watch out for.
It is these things Jesus is speaking about.
Think about it.
“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Matthew 18:15-17
This is for Christians only. It simply tells us how to correct someone. And this method of correction is not just for the laity in the church. It is for the leadership also, from the deacons and elders to the pastor also.
Step one if a brother in Christ sins against you go to him and speak to him privately and if he listens you’ve as Jesus says “won your brother”
Step two if he doesn’t listen. Take one or two others with you so that things may be documented by two or three witnesses to see that it’s not just a personal thing between two people.
Step three if he doesn’t listen treat him as a none believer.
This procedure is today used in many churches as a way to correctly correct an errant person in the church. Even to the point of excommunication.
It is a good method if used correctly and in my experience works well.
Again in my experience it tends to yield positive results because quite often the person in error doesn’t see his error unless it is brought to his attention. Then if he is a true believer he will humbly take the correction to hart.
All of that being said, especially when it comes to the pastor, just because we disagree with what he said in his sermon this is not a way to attack him.
Within any denomination or church congregation there are minor differences of opinion.
When we correct someone in authority we need to make certain that it is for the right reasons. Something major. A major doctrinal statement error or a moral problem.
Over the years I’ve seen people “corrected” for not wearing a suit to church or wearing jeans to church. Something I believe means little to God.
There are far more important things to worry about when it comes to working in the church. It is these things we need to watch out for.
It is these things Jesus is speaking about.
Think about it.
Sunday, 11 May 2014
A Question Answered
A questions answered
“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?
And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”
Matthew 18:10-14
Here’s something short and simple.
The Apostle John wrote,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
This is what the above parable from Matthew eighteen is saying.
That is why Jesus came to earth.
I know it’s hard for many people to understand but it’s true. It is because of God’s love that we, if we would only believe in Jesus can have eternal life. Paul saying,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
The whole premise of Christianity is God reaching down in mercy to mankind, Jesus saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
Think about it
“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?
And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”
Matthew 18:10-14
Here’s something short and simple.
The Apostle John wrote,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
This is what the above parable from Matthew eighteen is saying.
That is why Jesus came to earth.
I know it’s hard for many people to understand but it’s true. It is because of God’s love that we, if we would only believe in Jesus can have eternal life. Paul saying,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
The whole premise of Christianity is God reaching down in mercy to mankind, Jesus saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
Think about it
Saturday, 10 May 2014
Woe
Woe
“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
“Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.
And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”
Matthew 18:5-9
Here is a warning from Jesus I think we as Christians in particular need to heed. We need to be careful how we treat people and what we teach.
A friend of my soon to be daughter in law has a child about eight. She is visibly disabled.
The child grew up in church and heard much about a specific preacher. She wanted her mother to take her to this man to be healed.
They got there and were told to sit a the back. During the alter call, a call for those in need of a healing touch, the child asked her mother to take her forward.
To the horror of the mother they were intercepted on there way down to the front and asked to go to their seat.
It totally devastated the child, and the two went away disillusioned.
The mother also noticed at the time that there were no people at the front with extreme disabilities.
Here is an extreme example of how someone can cause someone’s faith to be questioned. To cause someone to sin.
Fortunately as I understand it the little girls faith rebounded because it was in Jesus not in the preacher.
Not all such encounters have such a happy ending.
The warning Jesus give in this passage is not only a warning about making children sin, but about making all people sin.
All believers I’m sure know of pastors, and evangelist that have cause people to fall away from God.
We not only as pastors and evangelist, but as individuals need to be careful what we say and how we say it.
We need to be conscious of how we act.
People are watching our lives and they need to see the truth of Jesus in it.
Think about it.
“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
“Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.
And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”
Matthew 18:5-9
Here is a warning from Jesus I think we as Christians in particular need to heed. We need to be careful how we treat people and what we teach.
A friend of my soon to be daughter in law has a child about eight. She is visibly disabled.
The child grew up in church and heard much about a specific preacher. She wanted her mother to take her to this man to be healed.
They got there and were told to sit a the back. During the alter call, a call for those in need of a healing touch, the child asked her mother to take her forward.
To the horror of the mother they were intercepted on there way down to the front and asked to go to their seat.
It totally devastated the child, and the two went away disillusioned.
The mother also noticed at the time that there were no people at the front with extreme disabilities.
Here is an extreme example of how someone can cause someone’s faith to be questioned. To cause someone to sin.
Fortunately as I understand it the little girls faith rebounded because it was in Jesus not in the preacher.
Not all such encounters have such a happy ending.
The warning Jesus give in this passage is not only a warning about making children sin, but about making all people sin.
All believers I’m sure know of pastors, and evangelist that have cause people to fall away from God.
We not only as pastors and evangelist, but as individuals need to be careful what we say and how we say it.
We need to be conscious of how we act.
People are watching our lives and they need to see the truth of Jesus in it.
Think about it.
Friday, 9 May 2014
Who is the greatest
Who is greatest
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child and had him stand among them.
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 18:1-4.
What makes a person great, Education, being a great orator, Power, being a mighty hero, What?
Most people when they hear the names of great leaders may have heard the name but few know much about the person.
I watched a documentary that asked young people, the twenty or so group who Winston Churchill was. Sadly most didn’t know. Some were able to say he was a British prime minister but little else.
I doubt if most Americans could name more than one of the signatories on the constitution.
Canadians are the same unable to name the fathers of confederation. Most have never heard of Thomas D'Arcy Etienne Hughes McGee.
In the motion picture Patton, General George C. Patton is attributed as saying,
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honour of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."
Patton, arguably one of the greatest generals in history knew about such things. Being a conquering hero means little. He knew about greatness. Yet today few people know much about Patton.
One man’s name however is known around the earth. Jesus of Nazareth. Two point two billion people still follow him today.
Dr. James Allan Francis in 1926 wrote’
Jesus humbled himself to the point of washing the feet of his disciples.
Humility is in short supply among most people today. How many politicians have fallen because they refused to humble themselves and admit what they were doing was wrong.
How many wars have started because the leaders of a country have refused to back down because it was a case of honour. And to back down would be a disgrace.
Jesus the Son of God who was there on the day of creation. Who created the world. Humbled himself to become a man and to die for the sins of man. To die for crimes he didn’t commit.
We as individuals need to look at the teachings of Christ. We need to look at his life, learn the lesson of humility he taught and put that lessons into action in our life.
In doing so I believe we will make the world a far better place.
Think About it.
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
He called a little child and had him stand among them.
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 18:1-4.
What makes a person great, Education, being a great orator, Power, being a mighty hero, What?
Most people when they hear the names of great leaders may have heard the name but few know much about the person.
I watched a documentary that asked young people, the twenty or so group who Winston Churchill was. Sadly most didn’t know. Some were able to say he was a British prime minister but little else.
I doubt if most Americans could name more than one of the signatories on the constitution.
Canadians are the same unable to name the fathers of confederation. Most have never heard of Thomas D'Arcy Etienne Hughes McGee.
In the motion picture Patton, General George C. Patton is attributed as saying,
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honour of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."
Patton, arguably one of the greatest generals in history knew about such things. Being a conquering hero means little. He knew about greatness. Yet today few people know much about Patton.
One man’s name however is known around the earth. Jesus of Nazareth. Two point two billion people still follow him today.
Dr. James Allan Francis in 1926 wrote’
He never wrote a book
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never travelled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness...
Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race
And the leader of mankind's progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life
Jesus taught us what it was to be humble. He came to do the work of God. To do the will of his Heavenly Father. In doing so he showed us what it was to be humble.Jesus humbled himself to the point of washing the feet of his disciples.
Humility is in short supply among most people today. How many politicians have fallen because they refused to humble themselves and admit what they were doing was wrong.
How many wars have started because the leaders of a country have refused to back down because it was a case of honour. And to back down would be a disgrace.
Jesus the Son of God who was there on the day of creation. Who created the world. Humbled himself to become a man and to die for the sins of man. To die for crimes he didn’t commit.
We as individuals need to look at the teachings of Christ. We need to look at his life, learn the lesson of humility he taught and put that lessons into action in our life.
In doing so I believe we will make the world a far better place.
Think About it.
Thursday, 8 May 2014
Child of God
The Sons of God
“After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax ?”
“Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?”
“From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him.
“But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
Matthew 17:24-27.
Here the subject of Temple tax came up. Every man over the age of twenty had to pay two-drachmas to Gods work, for the up keep of the temple.
It’s interesting what is said here,
“What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?”
“From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him.”
The implication here is that the tax is collected from others for God, not from the sons of God, God’s royal household which Peter and the rest of the disciples belonged.
John make things clear when he writes,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12-13.
Paul to the Galatians writes
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,”
Galatians 3:26.
This is a fact about Christians. We are sons and daughter of God when we accept Him by faith.
John also notes another fact,
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
1John 3:1.
It is a fact that all too often the world does not understand Christians. They can’t understand why we would go as far as suffering and dying for Him.
They don’t understand because they do not know Jesus.
It is up to us to with the help of the Holy Spirit to show them reality that is Jesus. His love and his grace.
We are to be humble in doing this.
Even in the passage above with respect to temple tax Jesus uses wisdom. He says to Peter,
“But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
We should as far as possible not offend the secular world. We should as much as it depends on us, pay our taxes, respect the laws of the country in which we live.
The writer of Hebrews saying,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Think about it.
“After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax ?”
“Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?”
“From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him.
“But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
Matthew 17:24-27.
Here the subject of Temple tax came up. Every man over the age of twenty had to pay two-drachmas to Gods work, for the up keep of the temple.
It’s interesting what is said here,
“What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?”
“From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him.”
The implication here is that the tax is collected from others for God, not from the sons of God, God’s royal household which Peter and the rest of the disciples belonged.
John make things clear when he writes,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12-13.
Paul to the Galatians writes
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,”
Galatians 3:26.
This is a fact about Christians. We are sons and daughter of God when we accept Him by faith.
John also notes another fact,
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
1John 3:1.
It is a fact that all too often the world does not understand Christians. They can’t understand why we would go as far as suffering and dying for Him.
They don’t understand because they do not know Jesus.
It is up to us to with the help of the Holy Spirit to show them reality that is Jesus. His love and his grace.
We are to be humble in doing this.
Even in the passage above with respect to temple tax Jesus uses wisdom. He says to Peter,
“But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
We should as far as possible not offend the secular world. We should as much as it depends on us, pay our taxes, respect the laws of the country in which we live.
The writer of Hebrews saying,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Faith
Faith
“When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.
I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
“O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”
Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’”
Matthew 17:14-20.
Here Jesus rebukes the demon possessed boy.
Please note here not everyone that was healed of seizures was demon possessed. This boy apparently was.
I have over the years some very well meaning Christians that claim all people suffering form epilepsy are demon possessed. Those same people claim also that mentally ill people are demon possessed. Don’t listen to them.
We live in a fallen world and illnesses do happen. Epilepsy, seizures and mental illness are no different than a broken arm. They are “real” illnesses that need the help of a doctor.
Don’t get me wrong prayer can and does heal some people but by in large there are not that many that are healed that way. Otherwise our hospitals would be empty.
Why it doesn’t happen I think is perhaps for the same reason Christ’s disciples couldn’t heal the boy in question.
Note,
“Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’”
Matthew 17:19,20.
The disciples had faith probably in great quantity but Jesus said they had little faith more than likely meaning the quality of their faith was lacking.
He makes it clear that with enough faith they and I believe we can, remove great difficulties from our lives.
Unfortunately for most of us it’s hard to have such deep faith. Still God does honour the faith we have.
God is a personal God. He meets us where we are at. He knows our weaknesses and understands us.
The miracles Jesus did were there to show he was the Son of God.
Even miracles we see done today in the church should give God the Glory not the person presiding over the service or event.
Think about it.
“When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.
I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
“O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”
Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’”
Matthew 17:14-20.
Here Jesus rebukes the demon possessed boy.
Please note here not everyone that was healed of seizures was demon possessed. This boy apparently was.
I have over the years some very well meaning Christians that claim all people suffering form epilepsy are demon possessed. Those same people claim also that mentally ill people are demon possessed. Don’t listen to them.
We live in a fallen world and illnesses do happen. Epilepsy, seizures and mental illness are no different than a broken arm. They are “real” illnesses that need the help of a doctor.
Don’t get me wrong prayer can and does heal some people but by in large there are not that many that are healed that way. Otherwise our hospitals would be empty.
Why it doesn’t happen I think is perhaps for the same reason Christ’s disciples couldn’t heal the boy in question.
Note,
“Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’”
Matthew 17:19,20.
The disciples had faith probably in great quantity but Jesus said they had little faith more than likely meaning the quality of their faith was lacking.
He makes it clear that with enough faith they and I believe we can, remove great difficulties from our lives.
Unfortunately for most of us it’s hard to have such deep faith. Still God does honour the faith we have.
God is a personal God. He meets us where we are at. He knows our weaknesses and understands us.
The miracles Jesus did were there to show he was the Son of God.
Even miracles we see done today in the church should give God the Glory not the person presiding over the service or event.
Think about it.
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