Sunday, July 22, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Who wants to go?
Who wants to go to heaven? Everyone I hope.
Anyone want to go today?
I remember my sophomore year in high school; I was so ready to go to heaven. I wasn’t depressed, or unhappy, but dealing with adolescence just did have much appeal to the idea of living in eternal bliss.
Now that I’m older (much older) these thoughts have long ago been replaced by a wife, kids and the responsibilities that go with raising a family. The thought of abandoning my wife and leaving my kids fatherless, keeps my focus earthly.
Two thoughts;
Do we really understand the finite nature of our currant condition? Who of us could restrain our anticipation of an all expense paid vacation to our favorite destination if it were to happen later this week? Wouldn’t we all be ready to go? The longer I think on this the more selfish I become. “Take me now Lord”. Take me to a place far beyond the pain and suffering of this life. A place of peace and love with no more tears and no more struggles.
My second thought is; where is my ministry? Who is going to be left behind if God called me home today? Is there anyone? Who are they, and what am I doing about it while I am still in Gods service? If I can’t easily give some quick answers to these questions, how effective is my ministry or do I even have one. We all need to be giving and planting into Gods work here on earth. We weren’t created just to be saved and then to die. A line from the movie “The end of the spear” instantly brought me to tears. Missionary, Jim Elliott was about to get into his plane and meet the Huaorani Indians in Ecuador for the first time, face to face. His young son asked if Jim had a gun to protect himself, Jims reponce was yes he had a gun, but no he wouldn’t protect himself. I am ready to meet Jesus and the Huaorani men are not. This is not a common or easily given point of view, even amoung us christians. It should be. Giving our life so that God is glorified should be natual to us. Leaving this life without Gods kingdom being affected is a tradgedy.
Anyone want to go today?
I remember my sophomore year in high school; I was so ready to go to heaven. I wasn’t depressed, or unhappy, but dealing with adolescence just did have much appeal to the idea of living in eternal bliss.
Now that I’m older (much older) these thoughts have long ago been replaced by a wife, kids and the responsibilities that go with raising a family. The thought of abandoning my wife and leaving my kids fatherless, keeps my focus earthly.
Two thoughts;
Do we really understand the finite nature of our currant condition? Who of us could restrain our anticipation of an all expense paid vacation to our favorite destination if it were to happen later this week? Wouldn’t we all be ready to go? The longer I think on this the more selfish I become. “Take me now Lord”. Take me to a place far beyond the pain and suffering of this life. A place of peace and love with no more tears and no more struggles.
My second thought is; where is my ministry? Who is going to be left behind if God called me home today? Is there anyone? Who are they, and what am I doing about it while I am still in Gods service? If I can’t easily give some quick answers to these questions, how effective is my ministry or do I even have one. We all need to be giving and planting into Gods work here on earth. We weren’t created just to be saved and then to die. A line from the movie “The end of the spear” instantly brought me to tears. Missionary, Jim Elliott was about to get into his plane and meet the Huaorani Indians in Ecuador for the first time, face to face. His young son asked if Jim had a gun to protect himself, Jims reponce was yes he had a gun, but no he wouldn’t protect himself. I am ready to meet Jesus and the Huaorani men are not. This is not a common or easily given point of view, even amoung us christians. It should be. Giving our life so that God is glorified should be natual to us. Leaving this life without Gods kingdom being affected is a tradgedy.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Why I don’t like Harry Potter
Admittedly, I have never read any of the Harry Potter books, nor have I watched any of the movies. I do read many blogs of people I have never met, so while scanning their profiles I have often found Harry to be one of their favorites. This has been a touchy subject with some of our friends, so I will explain my thinking and let you decide for yourself.
The supernatural is NOT amoral. It is not out there to be used for either good or evil. A brick IS amoral. It can be used to build a house (good) or it can be used to crush someones skull (evil). God’s power can be used in prophecy, healing, forgiveness and salvation. This is all supernatural, it is all good and it all comes from God. Sorcery, fortunetellers, and witches also have powers that are supernatural. These do not come from God but come from Satan. If you rely on any “power” other than God, you will never please God with the outcome, no matter how you perceive it to be good.
I believe that angles are among us, and I believe that God still works through visions and words of knowledge among many miraculous ways. But, lets not loose focus. Personally, red flags start flying whenever I hear talk of pursuing the supernatural by Christians. We should pursue God, love our neighbors, seek His kingdom and seek His will for our lives.
This is not limited to just Harry. Whats so raven, Sabrina the teenage witch and Charmed are just a few of the many that are shown on TV everyday. I watched Bewitched as a child, and I don’t think that I have suffered any permanent damage, but lets not support or glorify those things that clearly are opposed to Gods teaching.
For the intellectuals out there here is a good site.
The supernatural is NOT amoral. It is not out there to be used for either good or evil. A brick IS amoral. It can be used to build a house (good) or it can be used to crush someones skull (evil). God’s power can be used in prophecy, healing, forgiveness and salvation. This is all supernatural, it is all good and it all comes from God. Sorcery, fortunetellers, and witches also have powers that are supernatural. These do not come from God but come from Satan. If you rely on any “power” other than God, you will never please God with the outcome, no matter how you perceive it to be good.
I believe that angles are among us, and I believe that God still works through visions and words of knowledge among many miraculous ways. But, lets not loose focus. Personally, red flags start flying whenever I hear talk of pursuing the supernatural by Christians. We should pursue God, love our neighbors, seek His kingdom and seek His will for our lives.
This is not limited to just Harry. Whats so raven, Sabrina the teenage witch and Charmed are just a few of the many that are shown on TV everyday. I watched Bewitched as a child, and I don’t think that I have suffered any permanent damage, but lets not support or glorify those things that clearly are opposed to Gods teaching.
For the intellectuals out there here is a good site.
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