One Way

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

When I was lots younger I didn't care much for this verse and how succinct it was and somewhat wrote it off as just indicative of the zealousness of Peter and not an actual principle of my faith. I have long since learned that all of scripture is good for doctrine and reproof. I have been reproved as I matured regarding my early faith and desire to make sure that I wasn't being judgmental or close-minded. Funny how we grow up our views and understand better about what open-mindedness is and about who judges and to take ourselves out of the formula of what Scripture means.

There is a Balm in Gilead

"The people cry out, 'The summer is gone, the harvest is over, but we have not been saved.' My heart has been crushed because my people are crushed; I mourn, I am completely dismayed. Is there no medicine in Gilead? Are there no doctors there? Why, then, have my people not been healed?" Jeremiah 8:20-22

Having grown up in Baptist churches for over 50 years. (yes, I started attending church regularly when at 13) I am very familiar with a lot of hymns. Since it was basically the only music allowed at one time, I learned a lot of them and as a young man the best ones with the best messages and most compelling melodies stayed with me longest. Many of my favorites are "Negro Spirituals", with their roots in the oppression of African-Americans who first came to America in chains. Their hellish voyage aboard slave ships was only the beginning of their sorrows. The break-up of their families, the horror of bondage, the whips and shackles, their loss of dignity... all combined to crush body and spirit. Out of this injustice came some of the most compelling music ever written. Songs that were composed in the fields and barns, the words speaking of the daily pain and future hope. Often slaves were allowed to sing while working, (doesn't that sound humiliating in and of itself?) Words like "Go Down, Moses," "Roll, Jordan, Roll", "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands", and "There is a Balm in Gilead".... based on Jeremiah 8:22. I know songs I have written out of my dismay have been some of the best. Since their aren't many more dehumanizing experiences than slavery, these "spirituals" convey the depths of woe, survival and faith. Though these hymns cannot be accurately dated nor the authors credited, they have become classics, because of their excellence and depth of meaning. These words and tune were written about 1800 and when a Gospel singer and friend of mine passed away recently I was reminded of how inspiring it was to me to hear him sing this particular song. I want to share the words with you. Be blessed.

He Has Risen

"...He has risen..." Matthew 28:6]

These words are spoken every Easter Season more than at any other time. Of course it is that time of the year, but it is true all year long. He arose over 2,000 years ago and by doing so, changed everything for everybody forever. His resurrection showed the world that He conquered death and sin. What that means for us is that by accepting Jesus as our personal Savior we can have our sins forgiven and live forever with Him.

Don’t be a Cretan!

"They claim to know God, but by their actions deny Him." Titus 1:16

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to Titus, the young pastor, to encourage him in his work on the island of Crete. Evidently, the Cretans were a surly lot with lots of rough edges and not much conscience about it. Paul says earlier that Titus should straighten them out because even their leaders were prone to be overbearing, hotheaded, violent, dishonest, and they drank way too much. Whoa, not an easy job assignment. Paul directs Titus to rebuke them sharply, and to confront their bad behavior so as not to corrupt the whole church. Even today the term “Cretan” is far from a compliment and the reputation of this culture and people has had a bad reputation for centuries. Of course the grace of Christ can transcend anything or anyone regardless how inappropriate or vile. It is largely unknown across the many years how the churches on this Mediterranean Island faired. I am sure sometimes better and sometimes not.

The Hand of God

"The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar river in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the lord was upon him." Ezekiel 1:3

Ezekiel saw a lot in his life as a priest and a prophet. He saw many visions, things too amazing and wonderful to describe, and maybe even to understand. We today, certainly don’t completely understand, totally all that Ezekiel saw. Some of it is awesome, and some symbolic, some prophetic, and some as clean as day, but all of it from God. The Lord’s hand was on Ezekiel. When we think of his hand, we envision His healing touch, and we picture His creative power, His interceptive reach. But this is different; when His hand was on Ezekiel, He revealed things, showed things and opened his eyes to things, and opened his eyes to things no one had ever seen.

Father Knows Best

"The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. … But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. … Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed … "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead." Daniel 1:5, 8, 11-16

I have been thinking about the above story from the first chapter of Daniel a lot lately as we prepare to inaugurate The Daniel Plan healthy lifestyle program at Grace Harbor. The highlights quoted above serve as a great illustration of how something we may view as "good" is not "good for us."

The Whole Story

So may all of your enemies perish O Lord! But, may they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength.’ Then the land had peace forty years." Judges 5:31

Wow, forty years of peace! What a blessing! Judges has an underlining theme as it tells the saga of good and bad leaders, mostly bad. Several times throughout the book it says, “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” This always leads to disaster! Of course, bad leaders didn’t help matters.

This blessing is preceded by another, asking that those who love God be like the rising sun. The picture I get is strong, bright, reliable, and the source of light. The words about peace for 40 years and this blessing take on deeper comparative meaning when read after the first 9 words of verse 31. “So may all of your enemies perish O Lord.” And just how is the author suggesting they die? Well, the little victory song that precedes verse 31 tells of Jael, a rather strong woman who all by herself took a tent peg and drove it through the temple of unsuspecting Sisera, the baddest dude in that time. He was a horrible, detestable man who had been a curse and had killed countless innocent people. So that is the flip side of the blessing about the rising sun for those who love God. In essence, the enemies of the Lord should be lulled to sleep with warm milk and the BOOM, tent peg through the temple. Just thought you ought to know the whole story. The Bible is graphic and real.

Time

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I love this passage of Scripture and the verses following. When I was in my teens a new music group the Birds recorded a song “Turn, Turn, Turn” that used these words from Ecclesiastes as lyrics. I always enjoy when the truth intersects culture, because it is an opportunity for positive change.

Change My Perspective

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I have been a little under the weather lately. For awhile I have been fighting some bacterial infections and just as I figured that out and was getting better, my resistance was low and I picked up the flu bugs going around. What is interesting to me is that I was starting to accept that I didn't feel well and almost presuming that wouldn't change. After a barrage of over the counter meds, home remedies and probiotics, I now am on antibiotics for a few days and I actually feel quite a bit better. Don't sound like it or necessarily look like it, but inside me I know I am getting well. I believe real soon I may be feeling better than I have felt for a long time. I don't like that I was thinking I wouldn't get much better again. We have a capability to give in to things as they are too soon sometimes. That is what I did. I lost hope and quit believing for the best. I went into survival mode, cruise control, just getting by gear. Well, I am getting back in drive and more under His control and moving forward mood. I've had some changes happen to me and around me lately and these affected how I was feeling. My mood and health and attitude kinda ganged up on me.

God Is Always With You

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." - Matthew 18:20

Last night was truly encouraging with our first Thursday evening worship service. I know for myself, Sunday mornings hasn't been much of an option with work, family, travel, etc., so it was nice to meet up with fellow Christians, put all worldly matters aside and simply worship the Lord together.