LET US SEE THIS THING WHICH GOD HAS DONE

“LET US NOW GO – AND SEE THIS THING WHICH IS COME TO PASS, WHICH THE LORD HATH MADE KNOWN TO US.” LUKE 2:15



There is within our nation an entitlement mentality. With the birth of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” Program, which created welfare, a new dependence upon others to carry the responsibilities of individuals was born.

Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” perpetuated and increased the expectation to a resulting “Welfare State”, which has produced generations of adult who rely upon others to provide for their most basic needs.

The rugged individualism and corporate cooperation of local communities to work together to achieve goals and to provide local needs dissipated. After decades of being taught that they were inferior and unable to provide for their families, fathers quit believing that they were able to make a decent living and many Americans forgot how to accept the responsibility to provide for their own.

The belief of “WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE” was replaced by the misguided dependence upon Government.

The Shepherds, the Wisemen and the common believers who walked before Christ had experienced reliance upon Government for their needs and come apart wanting. They had become dependant upon the laws of men to legislate fairness and come away cheated and disappointed. So when the Angel proclaimed the birth of a New King; God’s Son and a star was placed in the heavens to point the way, all men of seeking hearts sought him.

Their reliance was no longer upon what some man “WOULD DO”, they went to see “THIS THING WHICH IS COME TO PASS” (this thing which God has already done)!

Man may promise “HOPE AND CHANGE”, but ONLY God can deliver.

Only our loving Father can sincerely offer Eternal Hope and Lasting Change.
Man may promise, change by saying, “YES WE CAN”, but the Word of God has a greater promised backed by the infallibility of Almighty God Himself; He instructs us to say, ‘I (not the Government)CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS WHICH STRENGTHENS ME!” So, “LET US NOW GO – AND SEE THIS THING WHICH IS COME TO PASS, WHICH THE LORD HATH MADE KNOWN TO US.” Amen

DARE YOU DOUBT?

Out of concern, John Lennon once lamented that with American Youth that The Beatles had become more popular than Jesus Christ and the world (especially the American “church”) erupted into mass hysteria. I doubt that many would argue with that observation today. Predictably without examining the intent of his observation, the church had reacted. Years later, not being able to separate his understanding of religion from God, the disillusioned songwriter wrote, the song “God” in which he summarized;

God is a concept,
By which we can measure, Our pain,
I'll say it again, God is a concept,
By which we can measure, Our pain,
I don't believe in magic,
I don't believe in I-ching, I don't believe in bible,
I don't believe in tarot, I don't believe in Hitler,
I don't believe in Jesus, I don't believe in Kennedy,
I don't believe in Buddha, I don't believe in mantra,
I don't believe in Gita, I don't believe in yoga,
I don't believe in kings, I don't believe in Elvis,
I don't believe in Zimmerman, I don't believe in Beatles,
I just believe in me, Yoko and me, And that's reality.
The dream is over, What can I say?
The dream is over, Yesterday,
I was dreamweaver, But now I'm reborn,
I was the walrus, But now I'm John,
And so dear friends, You just have to carry on,
The dream is over.

Within months of penning those words the only relationship which he professed to believe in nearly completely dissolved. Yoko sent him off to live with a younger woman for what became known as ”the lost weekend”, which was in fact two years of excessive living and debauchery. The end result was a “prodigal son’s” return home accompanied by sincere questioning of the mysteries of life and by many accounts his conversion to Christianity, which he held onto and is reflected in several songs written toward the end of his life.

Whether or not the later songs really do expose a sincere conversion, they certainly demonstrate a changed attitude and wiliness to examine much of what he had routinely dismissed earlier in life.

My point is, before you can sincerely know what you believe in, you must first know what it is that you do not believe in.

Never questioning translates into one’s believing what others have instructed you to believe without examination.

One confidence in another’s convictions can never be as strong as one’s own personal convictions.

For example, I don’t believe in this fallen world, I don’t believe in politics to better this world for mankind, I don’t believe in my own goodness, I don’t believe in the institutional church as it has evolved, I don’t believe in manipulation is from God, not even when practiced by Preachers, I don’t believe the church ought to be a begging-institution, but rather a giving-family, I don’t believe we ought to be about the business of imitating the world; knowing these things, I can now sincerely ask what do I believe?

I believe in the Kingdom of God which transcends our world. I believe men are corruptible and given power, men are easily corrupted, whether in politics or ministry. I believe we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. I believe Christ provides mercy and grace and salvation for those who seek Him. I believe in the New Testament Church as the New Testament Church existed. I believe as Billy Graham said, “If I can talk you into it, someone else can talk you out of It”; I believe, I am not The Holy Spirit, therefore I should not try to do His job. I believe the “Church” is God’s people and God’s people ought to be the most generous, unconditional givers on earth, not expecting anything as a condition to their wiliness to give. I don’t believe the Church is to be an Organization, but rather a living organism, which reflects the image of God.
God said “I PREFER OBEDIANCE OVER SACRIFICE”. If I pray three times a day because it is recommended by my Pastor, I may be cultivating a great religious habit, but if I pray without ceasing, because I long for the pretence of God in my life, I will, like Christ, despise religion.

What do you believe? Why do you believe it? Do not be afraid to question, but don’t be too stubborn that when you see the truth, to embrace the truth. Amen!

BUSINESS OR GOD

“New Testament writers never use the imagery of a business corporation to depict the church. Unlike many modern “churches”, the early Christians knew nothing of spending colossal figures on buildings, programs and projects at the expense of bearing the burden of their fellow brethren” Frank Viola

The local newspaper headline said something like, “Local Preacher Begs for Money”; isn’t that how most of the world envisions the Christian Church anyway? The story went on to say how this internationally-known preacher needs 3 million dollars before December 31 or his ministry, which has already downsized by 35%, is in danger of collapse. Actually, the ministry collapsed long ago. What we are talking about is the need to finance a large corporate structure of buildings, programs and salaries. Where is that model in the New Testament Church?

The danger in running like a corporation is the possibility of dying like a corporation and the Christian Church (regardless of who they are) is one corporation Obama’s Administration will not bail-out!

The biblical model for Church is FAMILY. I suggest that it is impossible to grow a mega-church on a family structure. At some point, the structure, i.e. “church” becomes more important than individuals if it is going to continue to grow; the volunteer secretary who was with your ministry in the begging must be replace by a professional with more advanced skills, regardless of what that might do to her personally or spiritually, the once tight-knit familiar group grows into a sea of unknown faces and “community”, which once sprung naturally out of relationship, must now be scheduled and planned and programmed with little personal interaction. The “Pastor” must abandon personal interactions in order to operate as a CEO who is more concerned with the “survival of the ‘ministry”, than the spiritual health of his congregation.

For years, we struggled to live up to the maxim; “a church” has to operate as a business” and it nearly killed us. The reason is simple; God’s Church is NOT SUPPOSE TO BE A BUSINESS – IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE A FAMILY WHICH IS HEALTHY AND FUNCTIONAL. If we love one another, we will care for one another. We don’t need to adopt a business model, when God has already given us the model we are to follow; family. Amen!

TODAY HOLDS BLESSINGS!

There are so many blessings with each new day; no doubt we also encounter some trials which teach us endurance, but it is the Joy of The Lord which strengthens us. So if you have lost your joy; RE-JOICE!

Determine to find the rainbow in each storm; if your husband leaves his socks by the bed, be thankful you have a husband. If your daughter writes on the walls, take time to thank God for her creativity and she is currently writing you’re your heart. Realize in a few years you will wish she were still your baby girl, crayons or not. If circumstances of yesterday have broken your heart, Thank God that it is no longer yesterday and as surely as the sun rises on each new day; today holds brand new possibilities for you. You can weep over what is lost and you can rejoice over what is yours now to find.

Years ago, I lost everything that was important to me; my wife, my children and most of my friends; all of my material possessions were gone and I was paying off debt that wasn’t mine. I dropped 75 pounds within weeks. I had a job making less money than I had ever made and more bills than I could possibly pay. I no longer had a home and my car was as close to death as I felt. I felt like curling-up into a big ball and dying.

It was then that I realized that I had nothing more to lose! Suddenly my spirit was filled with the realization that I was free to follow hard after God without hindrance; what more could it cost me?

I began to give beyond my means to give and I began to serve at every opportunity. I would drive to church with my gas tank on empty and walk out of church to find a twenty dollar bill in my coat pocket. I was free to live by faith and there wasn’t anything else the devil could take from me, except perhaps my life, but only if God would allow him and what would that matter? “TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY IS TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD!” Death held no threat to me. Most importantly, I began to rejoice. I began to see every minute blessing that God was giving me.

In time, like Job of old; my whole life had been restored better than I had ever known it before. I found love like I had never known, which continues to grow to this day. I had two more daughters and in time my first two came home to me as well and as God always does, He multiplied our joy of children with grandchildren which I have been able to enjoy. He has indeed restored to me all that the old worm tried to destroy and God has given me even more. And from the night I lay under a wagon on a fairgrounds realizing that I had nothing left to lose, God has allowed me to serve Him though ministry.

Out of the darkest nights comes the brightest promise of a brilliant new day ahead. Amen!

Mirror, Mirror

Looking into the mirror, I see an unknown, but somehow familiar face staring back at me. It is not the face that was mine for most of my life; the eyes are dimmer, the face is fuller. Unexpected wrinkles and folds hide the man I once was. My hair is just as full as ever, but kept short in an older man’s cut; hair that once was held back only in a ponytail does not even touch my ears, let alone my shoulders. Heavier, somehow duller; unknown, but not unfamiliar, that is the reflection that I see.

I stare trying to determine who it is that I have become and I see my Father and his brothers. I recognize that I have the Holman’ head and nose. I look like my father in some ways, but I can also recognize my Uncle Arble and Uncle Roy, my eyes remind me of my beloved Aunt Deloris or Aunt Orpha. Life has in short order transformed me from a skinny rock-n-roller into a fat preacher. Life has robbed me of my youth and left standing in my place I man who resembles his father more than he resembles who he once was himself.

Spiritually I want to resemble my Father, not the father who helped to give me physical life, but the one who called my spirit man into existence. I wonder if the people around me notice a family resemblance to the One who is Love. When our Spirits touch, do they recognize the One who created them in me? As time has caused me to morph physically into the reflection of my birth family, has it also allowed me to be transformed more into His image? I hope so.

Three words, “God Is Love” changed the course of my life. Can the expression of that love through me help to transform the people He has allowed into my life? Will the man I conduct business with, the woman I speak to on the phone, the young man I pass in the car; will they see me or will My Father who is at work in me?

And who will they see in you? Will you reflect love or anger or mistrust or deceit? God’s Word clearly tells us that we are created in His image. Is His image clear in you or has the hardships of life left your countenance so distorted that He is unrecognizable? I pray you resemble your Father today in all you do.

The physical mirror reflects outward changes and an inward inheritance; I pray our spiritual mirrors would reflect inward changes that will lead to our eternal inheritance. Amen!

What If?

What if, every church took all the money they pour into "Christmas Productions", cancelled all their special services, pageants and plays and gathered together instead in order to serve the individuals of their communities? advertising dollars and bought clothes for the homeless or even better; offered them a warm place to sleep?, What if they took their prop money and gave to the poor, saved their printing expenses to buy diapers for the babies of single mothers? What if every church funneled all that they invest in presentations and did their level best to fill every known need in their communities and partnered together with other churches to help meet yet other needs ?
What if ?
What if, every Christian Believer decided to buy only one special gift for each person in their family (including the children)? What if they only bought or better yet, made that one thing that their child or loved one would always remember? What if, like God we only gave our very best? What if the joy of Christmas was measured, not by the amount presents under the tree, but by the thoughtfulness and love behind each gift? What if each gift was so special that only one gift need be given?

What if?

What if, we took the time that would otherwise be spent on shopping for for our loved ones and invested it instead in being with our loved ones? What lasting memories could be created in place of the forgotten moments of excess that fill Christmas morning? What if, rather than spending hours and hours in rehearsal at church for music and plays, we chose instead to share life with one another? What if we invited our neighbors and community members into our homes for dinner? Would there be a greater?

What if?

What if, the focus of Christmas day itself was centered in believers coming together to worship, families coming together to visit, communities coming together to remember the goodness of God through the single gift of love for us through His only Son? What if we served the afternoon serving food to the hungry?

What if?

What if, at every Christmas table, each Christian family shared their meal with someone who would otherwise eat alone on that day?

What if?

I think the world might stop and notice; I think that they might find the answer to the gnawing hunger that haunts them, a hunger that will never be filled by more things or good times. The world has heard our sermons, they’ve seen our plays, but few have every had the opportunity to see that our lives are any different than theirs. What if we reconsidered how we celebrate Christ? I think those who are yet to know Him and we who do, might better understand the love of God.

ARE YOU WILLING?

“FOLLOW ME” Matthew 9:9 b

The invitation of Christ echoes throughout time and creation. It is a call to all who are hungry of spirit and weary of soul. The brevity of these simple words belies the significance of life-change for those who readily respond to them.

Spoken first to Matthew, a man whose name is ever linked to sinners and prostitutes; a tax collector who routinely cheated people of their money, a significance, which offers hope to every sinner. It is an invitation whose significance stands as a warning to every person of religious persuasion.

Hear the voice of Christ; He invites you not to a cold dead religion; He invites you not to a social gathering; He invites you not to cold steal and stained glass; He invite you and me, as broken as we are into a living relationship with one another and with Father God.

Some refuse to heed His call because they do not love the Father, others refuse to heat it because they refuse to love their neighbors as much as they love themselves, yet others refuse to honestly respond to His gentle voice because they love their traditions and their religion more than they are will to love God or man.

Matthew’s response is recorded, “AND HE AROSE, AND FOLLOWED HIM. He rose-up from where he was, leaving life as it had always been behind and followed in the footsteps of Jesus, even unto death and life eternal. As Peter would later leave family, home and job; Matthew recognized his need and followed the only One who could ever fulfill that need. Peter saw his brokenness and followed after the only One who could heal his brokenness.
What about you? Are you willing to abandon all the “Known” for the “Unknown” of walking with Jesus? Are you willing to leave family and riches, comfort and even traditional church if need be to follow Him?

Jesus is calling, “Follow me!” What will you do?

Thoughts

I awakened to an increased awareness of my need for God. This awareness grew from more than the sinus headache which punishes me even as I write; the awareness is born more from the eating hunger of emptiness which invades every corner of my spirit whenever I drift from His burning presence.


We live in an age that has taken the greatest truths and reduced them to vinyl bumper stickers and diminished love to nothing more than a Hallmark Store sentiment. Eternal truth orders our universe and true love has little to do with warm feelings of fondness and more to do with the gut-wrenching need to care for others more than we care for ourselves.

Certainly, we plan our way, but our Heavenly Father directs our steps. Our God family is once again vitally aware of God’s providence in our corporate worship life. In recent weeks He has once again opened the door for us to have a place to worship weekly.

We had been advised that we may need to move soon, but our God has said, not yet! He has not only showed us His great favor in keeping us where He has led us but as He always does, when we are in His perfect will; He has expanded our blessings in being there.

As a young man I sang of the elusive butterfly of love; as an older man I have hungered for the elusive experience of true Christian community, which like love is non-existent without sacrifice. I remember asking, “How will I know when I am in love?” The consistent answer left me frustrated; “You’ll know!” “Recently I have been seeking God hard, “How will I know when we have discovered true biblical community? How can I create it?” I suspect God smiles as He says, “You will know and you cannot create it, only I can. “ For the first time in a long time, we, as a God Family are indeed experiencing relationship rather than religion.

The greatest treasures in life are those intangible, elusive, sometimes almost mystical values that we cannot create, cause or define, but are wholly aware of when they exist; love, community, liberty, life.

So precious are these treasures that they come only through great sacrifice, even to the point of death. What did Jesus say, “HE WHO SEEKS TO SAVE HIS OWN LIFE SHALL LOSE IT, BUT HE WHO IS WILLING TO LAY IT DOWN FOR MY SAKE SHALL FIND IT.”

Tammy and I were discussing God’s law of supply and demand other day; we decided that some people call it Karma, some say “What Goes Around; comes around”, Jesus said, “GIVE AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU, PRESSED DOWN, SHAKEN TOGETHER AND RUNNING OVER. THE MEASURE BY WHICH YOU GIVE IS THE SAME MEASURE BY WHICH YOU RECEIVE.” It’ is a law of God which applies to us all whether we believe in Him or not; this truth is so evident that it cannot be ignored or denied. “JUDGE AND YOU WILL BE JUDGED”; you give mercy, you will receive mercy multiplied, you give love and you will receive love multiplied, if you are gracious toward others, you will be able to be gracious to yourself as will others, more than you deserve, likewise, if you are judgmental, critical and damning the same will be returned to you in greater abundance than you dare imagine, perhaps not today or tomorrow, but sooner than you like and perhaps eternally unless you are repentant.

Yes, God is with us and His laws, as translucent as they may be never fail. Amen!