The Truth Hurts

I have been hearing from God for the past two weeks and it has been very difficult medicine to take. It started with a book I needed to read in preparation for the marriage seminar I was going to at my Church. Then came the marriage seminar. I followed that by going to a men's leadership training class. Lastly, there were individual occurrences God pointed out things I needed to see. All this in a nice little package that hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt like Wild E. Coyote when one of his schemes to catch the Roadrunner backfired. Can you see me waving that little white flag out from under a pile of rubble?
I was told in many different ways how selfish I've been as a husband, leader, and just in living. The book alone was a wake-up call that I couldn't start reading once I stopped. It convicted me and just kept hitting me-left, right, left, right. I was not able to hardly breath because it just said over and over how bad I was as a husband. It turned into condemnation until my friend told me what I was doing. He saw it for what it was and pulled me back into reality. I still haven't finished reading it yet.
I went into the marriage seminar expecting the best. I did learn a lot of new things that already helped me with understanding and communicating with Kim. However, there came another new set of things I was doing wrong. I didn't feel too bad until we had our first post-seminar fight. It was not as bad as it could have been before the book and seminar. The thing was a concept of the past mixed in with a little misunderstanding. We got through it but I felt like I couldn't change anything in my life. I was knocked down a notch and couldn't get back up.
Kim's mom's friend had a heart attack and they decided to go down to Columbus to visit. I was not going so I got the opportunity to go to the men's leadership training class at church. Originally I had not planned on going. I saw my life as it was and how to fix it. The only problem I had was a lack of ambition to take the leap to just do the things I needed to do to make my life productive and Spirit led. I pondered on these facts and recalled my track record. Then I looked at my present position and a longing to change stirred within me. I wish I could say it was all peaches and cream from that point on but I can't. I saw what needed done in my life and I just caved in. It was just too much for me to comprehend a happy ending to all this. I was always a slacker and even today I slide into slacker mode. I don't like confrontation, being told what to do, the chance of being hurt, or arguing. I back away from most things I can't control or dislike.
Then came Sunday...I had to go to the 'Race for the Cure' in downtown Toledo. I was trying to get out of it but it didn't work. I didn't have to walk, just be there to support Kim's sister and her daughter. I got through the day easy enough but the family is strong willed and they make decisions at the last second. I was complaining and had an attitude that was noticable.
When I got home I thought about how I acted. I wasn't unbarable but it was just enough to peak it's head above the surface and make things uncomfortable. Is this how I influence my family? Is this the way Jesus wants me to live? Is this the way I want to live? Obviously the answer is no and I knew I had to change right then and there. I broke down and cried and begged God to change me. I knew I couldn't do it and any ambition I had was dying. I was close to delving into a deeper depression than I've ever had. I was going to email my friends for help. I knew the answer but it was like I couldn't do it. The answer is 'just do it'.
God was disciplining me so I could change. I never felt all of what these two weeks have told/done to me before. God was gentle, kind, and forgiving. Now He's a Father spanking me and telling me what I did wrong and what I need to do to fix it. Emailing friends won't fix this. I picked up my Bible and said "Lord, tell me what to read. Give me exactly the Word I need for right now in my life that will change me forever." I heard "Zephaniah". I read the last half of the last chapter and knew it was what I prayed for. He spoke to me saying He loved me, is with me, and is changing me. Click here if you want to read what He spoke. The title of that post is a link to a blog that helped me in the right direction too.
I am taking the attitude of 'Just do it'. I am going to sacrifice myself for His glory. Too many examples have been before me not to follow their example. People need the me that God created and not the one I want. If I die in the process I go home to Jesus. It's a win-win situation:-)
Clinging to Jesus and not to this world is my goal. Welcome back Aaron, it's good to see you.

Guard Your Heart

I saw 'Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.' It made me wonder about guarding and how much I do and don't do.
I have seen some areas of weakness as of late and even considered not going to a marriage seminar because of the stark reality of my shortcomings. I know I need all of God I can get and to surrender my ways for His but the shock was overwhelming how much I am still an infant. I'm holding on to the easy life. There is so little self sacrifice. I am still protecting myself from rejection, being hurt, and being wrong.
So guarding my heart more than likely needs improvement. Here's what I found:

• Proverbs 4:13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

Guard instruction...written and spoken word of God. I have been doing better this year but I need to learn to stand on the Word. I need to believe it by living it. There is stuff God told me that I need to stand on too.

• Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

Guard lips...what I say. I have to stop before I speak. I let this slip as of late and my wife has been letting me know.

• Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life.

Guard the way...what I do. I can do better. What programs/movies am I watching, conversations am I having, and time am I wasting? How many prayers have I neglected to pray?

• Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Guard against greed...what I own and want to own. How much money have I wasted on stuff that later I find out how dumb it was to buy? Do I need the newest, best, brand name, electronic item to make my life easier? By the time you get it home it needs an upgrade. I need to downgrade on earthly treasures and strive for heavenly treasure.

• Psalm 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

Praise God!!! Even when I'm stupid He's watching over me. I need to take an attitude that I'm protected and just obey God without worrying about the consequences. God's got my back!

The Greatest People on Earth

I received this in an email from James Robison. He is the host of 'Life Today', a program that has Christian guests on it or just him and his wife. He goes around the world feeding those that need it most. Most recently, he's known for putting up wells in villages so people have clean water to drink.
Here is the story of the greatest people on earth:
it’s not uncommon for people to ask me, “Who is the greatest person you’ve ever met?” In my experience, the greatest people on earth are the missionaries and relief workers I have seen up close and personal. Around the world, they give their time, energy and sometimes their lives to help suffering people. Their lives, commitment and sacrifices, along with the joy in which they do it, leaves me overwhelmed.
Jesus said, "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) Clearly, he values this type of selfless service, so I recognize the greatness inherent in such dedication.

Wherever we go -- China, Romania, India, Angola, Croatia, Bolivia and many other places -- we find people to admire. I mentioned this to Peter Pretorius one time, telling him that Betty and I thought that the missionaries were the greatest people we had ever met. His reaction, and Ann’s [his wife] as well, really surprised me.

“James, let me tell you what we missionaries think,” he said forcefully. “The people who recognize the need, whether it’s by watching LIFE Today or some other means, and then reach out to help, these are the greatest people on earth. They are the greatest examples of God’s love because even though they are unable to personally meet someone else’s need, they are determined in their hearts to make sure the need is met. They make it possible for missionaries to go into the fields of suffering with hands filled with possibilities and life. They are the great enablers.”

Peter made me realize that regardless of how much the missionaries care, how much they pray, or how much they want to help, they are empty-handed without the support of others. In practical terms, it’s impossible for a missionary to hold a high-paying job or raise funds personally while they work to help others. Like the rest of us, they can only do one thing at a time. They would simply stand, weeping in the face of disaster with no way to alleviate the suffering, if it wasn’t for hundreds and thousands of others who give them the support, both financially and spiritually, that they must have to fulfill their mission.

That mission involves “Good Samaritan” care, like providing food, shelter and medicine, but it also involves evangelism. Paul wrote in Romans 10, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." He then asked, “How can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” A handful of people are called to do the physical work, but it takes a larger group to send them.

After reading this I realized this is my gift. I had thought 'if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously'(Romans 12:8) was me but this confirmed it. I play a crucial part in the missions field even though I have only been on two missions trips.
Let me encourage you to give to missions. God will bless you and your money will be used for a people you may never know until you step into heaven with them and you'll hear that song being played...'Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave.' What a glorious day that will be when I see all the lives I touched for the Kingdom. How can you not give?
**I have used only the part of this email that most relates to me. Click here to read the whole thing.**

Not Of The World

I went to a Detroit Lions game Sunday. It was a free ticket from a friend, an $80 free ticket. How can people justify paying such a high price for a football game? I understand the whole 'fanatic' thing. I 'r' one:-)
I went to the restroom and walking back I checked out the prices for pop/hot dogs, etc. $4 for a bottled water!!! I just kept on walking. The curiosity stopped right there. I never would have gone if I had to pay.
The Lions were playing the Green Bay Packers (my favorite team). My buddy knew this and that is why I was chosen for his extra ticket. His two boys went with us. It was fun and the Packers won. I love experiencing the atmosphere of 'being part' of the game and seeing the whole field instead of whatever the cameraman chooses to show us.
However, this is where the good stuff stops (except seeing the stadium). I saw all the usual worldly things: drinking beer, cussing, gesturing, and music that is ungodly. I also saw hatred towards players on the field, guys being paid millions of dollars, sky boxes being rented out for a LOT of money, and just a sad feeling that people are so into this.
I saw football by looking down on it from up above (literally and figuratively). On TV it seems so big, but from row 24 in person they look small and real. I am not of this world and see myself separate from a game I love. It just is not that important anymore. Lately, a lot of things seem smaller or less spectacular when you experience them. I guess compared to God all things are small:-)

The Stones Will Cry Out

I was responding to a blog the other day and this verse eluded me: Romans 1:18-20 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
I have been having a hard time lately finding and remembering verses. I am usually within the ballpark of where a verse is located. Sometimes I know two words and can search on line or in my concordance. However I think this is God's way of having me search out a new thing I never saw before.
It took two days and linking out to a devotion/commentary to find it. In the process I found these:
Luke 19:39-40 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
Psalm 19:1-2 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
Habakkuk 2:11 The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it. Joshua 24:25-27 On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he drew up for them decrees and laws. And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the LORD. "See!" he said to all the people. "This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God."
After reading: "This stone will be a witness" I realized God was talking and old sermons I dismissed came back to me. I remember how they went into the science side of it. It was based on Isaiah 55:8-12 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
It got me thinking. I remember one thing said was how you can never take back anything you say. The vibration sent out goes on forever. That is why we need to watch what we say:
James 3:6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Not only does our word carry on out of our mouth forever, it can cause destruction in our lives. Also, our fight is not against our neighbor:
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. Ephesians 4:27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
I believe God is telling me, at least, that our enemy is out to get us by whatever means he can. In the Word quoted above STONES CRY OUT. The spoken word goes on forever and God word does not return back to Him empty. This tells me we need to speak His word out loud. If a stone can be a witness, it can be a witness for us or against us. If we say bad stuff it will send out bad stuff as a witness. It will open the door for the enemy to rule in that area.
I see how spirits can be in a room where there are Christians. We must send out good news, the truth, in order to dispel anything set out to trap us. By not saying anything we allow things to be said to us. The enemy speaks to us all the time to discourage, oppress, depress, and mislead. If we are not confessing what God says for our lives, the enemy is saying what our lives are not. Worship music is another great way to speak the truth and bring joy. It can drown out every evil thought, word, or memory.
There are many things to be retrieved from these verses. I have only touched the surface. The main point to all of this is to speak the truth.
Deuteronomy 32:46-47 he said to them, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess."
Matthew 12:33-37"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
*Words are important*Speak the Truth*

Jesus Boycotted?

This is one of many ponderings I've had recently. I had read of and saw protests. I have also heard of boycotts. They both seem like the right thing to do but is it what Jesus would do? He said give to Caesar what is Caesar's. I know when the temple was being desecrated He cleared it of the thieves. Jesus confronted the religious leaders of the day but He still attended the ceremonies. He cursed the fig tree when it produced no fruit.
Boycott means: To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion. (Dictionary.com)
Yes this seems right and noble but is this the thing Jesus would do? Does He want us to fight against the corporations that sponsor abortion, gay rights, and pornography? I have heard of the effectiveness Focus on the Family has when they call for a boycott against a corporation or a call for action against a bill that could change our morals as a country. Millions of calls come in to the Senate or House of Representatives and the bill fails. They also have written and called corporations in an effort to have them stop supporting a cause or financing a group that supports immorality. Usually if their efforts go unresponsive they send out a call to boycott their product. They also send a clear message this is what they are doing and the reason behind it. Typically they give in before it even begins because they know the financial loss they would suffer.
This is an effective tool in this world's system but is it what Jesus would do? I'm just wondering...
***Here is a verse I read today that goes along with Focus on the Family's actions and if Jesus would boycott: Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.