Wednesday, April 21, 2010

1 John 2:6


1 John 2:6 (New International Version)

6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

But I Knew The Guy

Yesterday a person I knew was sentenced to life in prison.  After the gospel meeting last night, I overheard a preacher and an elder discussing the sentence.  The preacher was frustrated because of the life sentence and not the death penalty.  I wanted to say "But I knew the guy."  I remained silent.



Two minutes ago, two colleagues commented on the situation and was dismissive to the murderer and a former colleague who publicly supported the murderer.  Their conclusion was "We didn't really know the guy, and we have to move forward."  I remained somewhat silent. 


Friday was the anniversary of April 16th.  Since that day, there has been a camp who believes we have to move forward.  Some want to move forward with respect.  Others just want to move forward.  Others want to continue to remember.  


I don't know what I want.  


Christianity and religion in general requires discipline.  It requires punishment.  It requires moving forward.  It requires being intentional.  It requires struggle.  But it also requires love, compassion, forgiveness, and peace.   


Unfortunately since Friday, I have been in a funk.  The previous paragraphs get into some of it.  I can't break from the past, but I can't embrace the future either.  This dilemma disallows enjoying the present.  And the present is all that matters.    


Heavenly Father, 
Guide me as I struggle with the world,
Show me Your ways,
Ease my pain,
Help me learn from the past,

Help me enjoy and achieve in the present,
So I can embrace the future,
Help me balance discipline and love,
Help me balance punishment and forgiveness,
Help me be intentional while also being compassionate,
Lord, help me live a life of repentance,
And forgive me for my many failures,
Help me to trust in Christ,
Because through Him I can do all things,
It is in His name I pray,
Amen.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Purpose

I have read a number of self-help books.  They all have a general theme:  Be purposeful.  Be intentional.  Plan.  Be proactive.  Understand your commitments, and fulfill your commitments.  Have discipline to say "no."  Have discipline to do the things you say "yes" to.  

This is another point that I was trying to get at with this post.  Our actions have to match our intentions.  There will be times when our actions and intentions get confounded.  Times when people perceive our actions different from what our intentions were.

God's call is to keep pushing.  Jesus told us to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile (Matthew 5:38-48).  To keep pushing, we have to be purposeful and disciplined.  We have to work to make our intentions and our actions mesh.  We have to trust and be faithful, and let our intentions be His intentions and our actions be His actions.      

   

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Father Longenecker Does It Again

Here:

"If the resurrection of Christ is a historical fact, then we have a choice. We can get busy living or get busy dying. In other words, we can follow the path of Life or follow the path of Death. The path of Life is one that accepts the resurrection by faith and steps out to follow Jesus Christ as the Lord of Life. This path is a path of hope, a path of peace, a path of forgiveness and a path of joy. It is a proven path trod by millions of ordinary people down the ages. It is simply a new way of living opened up by the fact of the resurrection. It is available to all through baptism, faith and membership of Christ's Church.

The other alternative is the path of Death. The path of Death can be followed in two different ways: the Epicurean or the Stoic. These two classic philosophies assume that there is nothing after this life. Therefore, the Epicurean lives for pleasure in the present moment. "Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you die." While it is possible to follow this path in a crude and decadent manner it is also possible to follow it in a refined and tasteful manner. You can be an Epicurean by either loving porn, pizza and mud wrestling or by loving grand opera, haute cuisine and high class ladies. The stoic response to the fact of death is to live a dignified life of service to one's fellow man--hoping to leave the world a better place than you found it. Both philosophies end in despair.
"

Thursday, April 1, 2010

What I Wanted To Say Last Night But I Couldn't Seem To Find The Words

For every blistery winter day, there are beautiful Spring days.  God remembers us.  God has chosen us to be His firstfruits (James 1:18).