Sunday, February 11, 2018
Open Our Eyes!
Perspective changes everything. Have you ever had an “aha moment?” You know...an epiphany, an attitude adjustment, or an eye opening experience?
Liam, when he was four years old, attended a play put on by kids at the Alliance Firehouse
Theater. In the play, a young lady and young man, who had slowly been falling in love with
one another came to that moment when the young lady asked, "have you ever kissed a girl
before?" Silence filled the theater. The young couple leaned in and Liam courageously yells
(with all his might) "NO!!!" The auditorium abruptly filled with laughter. Also, a few Sundays
ago. After baptism, Tony said, “and all God’s people said?” Everybody said, “Amen” and Liam
loudly asked, “and all dogs and people said?” With time, Liam’s perspective about girls and
common phrases will change.
Theater. In the play, a young lady and young man, who had slowly been falling in love with
one another came to that moment when the young lady asked, "have you ever kissed a girl
before?" Silence filled the theater. The young couple leaned in and Liam courageously yells
(with all his might) "NO!!!" The auditorium abruptly filled with laughter. Also, a few Sundays
ago. After baptism, Tony said, “and all God’s people said?” Everybody said, “Amen” and Liam
loudly asked, “and all dogs and people said?” With time, Liam’s perspective about girls and
common phrases will change.
Some of my favorite stories in the bible include perspective change. Balaam is trying to get
his donkey to take him where God does not want him to go. The donkey won’t budge.
Balaam starts beating the donkey. God allows the donkey to speak and the donkey states,
"What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" 29Then Balaam said
to the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me!” They proceed to have a brief
discussion, but then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD
standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.” The donkey
was able to see something Balaam could not see. The donkey had a better perspective than
Balaam.
his donkey to take him where God does not want him to go. The donkey won’t budge.
Balaam starts beating the donkey. God allows the donkey to speak and the donkey states,
"What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" 29Then Balaam said
to the donkey, "Because you have made a mockery of me!” They proceed to have a brief
discussion, but then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD
standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.” The donkey
was able to see something Balaam could not see. The donkey had a better perspective than
Balaam.
Another favorite story includes Elisha and his servant. They are both surrounded by the
enemy on horses and chariots. Elisha’s servant is terrified. Elisha, not fearful at all, wants
his servant to see what Elisha sees. So he prays, “O Lord, open his eyes that he may see.
And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of
horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
enemy on horses and chariots. Elisha’s servant is terrified. Elisha, not fearful at all, wants
his servant to see what Elisha sees. So he prays, “O Lord, open his eyes that he may see.
And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of
horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
How do we find the right perspective? Once we find it, how do we not forget it? Communion
allows us to remember Christ’s body and blood that was the greatest sacrifice for us. His
resurrection allows us to see and live differently. Imagine what life was like before Christ.
Imagine being an Israelite.
allows us to remember Christ’s body and blood that was the greatest sacrifice for us. His
resurrection allows us to see and live differently. Imagine what life was like before Christ.
Imagine being an Israelite.
The old way emphasized, “don’t sin because God will punish you,” The new way states,
“don’t sin because you love others and you love Jesus.” The old way would say, live your
life in a way that pleases God so that you can get to the promised land. The new way would
say, live your life in a way that shows Christ’s love to others so that they can get to the
promised land. The old way, was about me. The new way is not about me.
“don’t sin because you love others and you love Jesus.” The old way would say, live your
life in a way that pleases God so that you can get to the promised land. The new way would
say, live your life in a way that shows Christ’s love to others so that they can get to the
promised land. The old way, was about me. The new way is not about me.
Father, thank you for fresh perspectives. Father, we confess, sometimes we don’t
understand. Sometimes we sin because we don’t see the way we should. Sometimes we
struggle for perspective. Forgive us when we sin. We thank you for giving us Jesus. Jesus,
we thank you for being a game changer. Thank you for the new way. Thank you for opening
our eyes. Help us know your love that surpasses knowledge.
understand. Sometimes we sin because we don’t see the way we should. Sometimes we
struggle for perspective. Forgive us when we sin. We thank you for giving us Jesus. Jesus,
we thank you for being a game changer. Thank you for the new way. Thank you for opening
our eyes. Help us know your love that surpasses knowledge.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
From barking dogs to falling on your knees
The older I get the more I love this song (O Holy Night played before communion) and the more I appreciate communion. I hate to admit it, but as a kid, I can clearly remember dreading when songs like this came on the radio. They put me to sleep! I wanted the dogs barking jingle bells, Rudolph, or better yet, I loved the 12 Pains of Christmas! “What do you mean if one light goes out they all go out?” “Five months of bills!” Similar with communion, my very first memory is just wanting to be able to get a drink in the middle of church. For some reason, I thought that tiny little cup would quench my thirst to make it through the rest of the service and grape juice just never looked so good!
My next memory about communion revolves around guilt. Communion was my time to take inventory and see how I failed at being a “good Christian” It was a focus on whether or not I had been “naughty or nice.” It was a reminder of my failure with guilt stacked on...I did appreciate Jesus and remember his salvation, but the majority of my focus or my emphasis was on failure and guilt.
Now, as I am older, I can’t wait to sing this song. I feel like it tells my story! I love the story line, the build up, and the passionate drama. This song speaks to my heart and reminds me how Jesus has changed me from guilt to hope. This song reminds me that while I was/am stuck in sin...pining in error (worsening/declining) yearning because of my sin... My emphasis or focus can shift from my deeds to His power and love. His law is love- a love that surpasses knowledge, a love so wide, high, and deep.
Now I really feel I have a thrill of hope because I am experiencing spiritual transformation. After 40 years, I am noticing a change in who I am. I believe Jesus is transforming me. We all can have the thrill of hope. We have the thrill of hope that our sadness will go away. The thrill of hope that our anger will be calmed. The thrill of hope that our anxiety will be changed to peace as His gospel is peace. The thrill of hope that we will be transformed and made knew.
Here in communion, we remember our need for a night that was set apart, when the God of the galaxies that is way bigger than anything we can fathom, who created us, became a baby through a virgin birth. We remember our need for a savior who died and came back to life. Let’s pray: Father we fall to our knees. We rejoice in our salvation. We are sorry for our sins, we thank you Jesus for saving us. Thank you for your love that surpasses knowledge.
Sin and error pining- declining in sin. Worsening in sin.. Or longing for help because of sin
Sunday, October 1, 2017
When is forgiveness fun and...not so fun?
Have you ever had fun forgiving someone? I know, weird question.
My fun forgiveness memory was when someone I ended up knowing ran into the back of my car on Tuscarawas st. in Canton. I got out of the car, saw it was a past patient, we hugged, I looked at the car...looked at her, and said. “eh don’t worry about it.” She put her bumper in her trunk and we got out of there. Forgiving her wasn’t that hard for me because my monte had 195000 miles on it and the extra cracks and dents didn’t really change the appearance that much. That time, forgiving was fun and easy.
Paul tells us to “examine ourselves” during this time. In other words, look into our hearts and see if anything needs dealt with. Perhaps one of your issues today is forgiveness. Maybe the pain, betrayal, and sadness are just too great and feelings are too raw making forgiveness seem impossible. If so, I want to remind you that Matthew 19:26 states, “With God All Things are Possible” and we are told in 2 Timothy 1:7 that the spirit God gave us gives us power, love, and self discipline. We have the perfect example of Christ forgiving others when He was being crucified and he cried out in prayer, “Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing”
Another example can be taken from a modern day hero named Victor Marx. Victor Marx goes after the source of sex traffickers in the US, has befriended juveniles who are at highest risk of crime, and now lives in Iraq where he runs an organization that rescues kids who have been orphaned and kidnapped. Victor Marx attributes being able to be who he is today because he forgave two of the men who would do beyond terrible things to him as a kid. His forgiveness of them allowed him to move on. His terrible experiences; being able to endure different methods of torture, toughened him and have given him the ability to go places most would not even think of going. Those experiences have made him better instead of bitter. This is a very good representation of Romans 8:28- “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Communion is the perfect time to deal with the impossible feelings in your heart. We are reminded that Christ makes the impossible possible. Sometimes learning to forgive is a process and takes time. Hang on! Keep coming to the cross. Keep praying for help.
Prayer: Father, thank you for making the impossible possible through Christ. Open our eyes and help us see how forgiving others will help us and those around us heel. Give us the strength and courage to forgive and help those around us become better.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Chase the Lion and Dare to be a Daniel
Mark Batterson wrote a book entitled, "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day." Around 2007, a buddy of mine recommended it to me. I read the book and listened to a six or seven series podcast series Paster Batterson put on while I would run the bike trail at quail hollow. The idea of chasing the lions in my life became one of my creeds. In other words, welcome trials. Welcome challenges. Then, go after those challenges with everything you've got!
Another creed I was taught as a kid was "dare to be a Daniel." My mom always told me to "dare to be a Daniel" from the time I am early enough to remember. The lesson here was to go against the flow. Don't be afraid to stand up for what is right and represent the Lord. In addition, Daniel was very gifted. He was refined. Daring to be like Daniel was a charge to be the best I can be and grow strong, fearless, and build great character.
Here is an image from Mark's book:
Another creed I was taught as a kid was "dare to be a Daniel." My mom always told me to "dare to be a Daniel" from the time I am early enough to remember. The lesson here was to go against the flow. Don't be afraid to stand up for what is right and represent the Lord. In addition, Daniel was very gifted. He was refined. Daring to be like Daniel was a charge to be the best I can be and grow strong, fearless, and build great character.
Here is an image from Mark's book:
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
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