Satisfy Your Thirst by Worshiping Today

Doublemindedness

"Indecision is the graveyard of good intentions."

Unknown



In the nineteenth chapter of the book of Genesis we hear of the destruction of the Sodom and Gomorrah.  We hear also how the two angels instructed Lot to gather his family together and to flee the coming wrath.  They were told not to look back and not to stop on the plain lest they be swept away along with the rest.  We all know that the story says that Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt.  There is an incredible wealth of spiritual teaching in this incident.  It is about double mindedness and double mindedness leads to indecision.  Indecision leads to death.
Lot and his family had been living in a society that had lost its sense of holiness. You could site the town for any number of actions that indicated that they no longer understood the difference between right and wrong and only a clear break from that situation would give Lot and his family a chance to get back on track.  What was the significance of Lot's wife looking back?  Clearly she was reluctant to leave the life of the town behind.  She wanted to follow the Lord but she also had a fondness for the life she was leaving.  So, as she hesitated and looked back she was turned into a pillar of salt.  Even the pillar of salt is high symbolism for us.  Salt in a great big lump on your plate makes the food inedible - it makes you thirsty - it ultimately can kill you.  Salt in the Dead Sea makes it a place where life cannot survive.  So it was with Lot's wife.  Her indecisiveness drained the life from her and she died.
Are you following Jesus decisively or are you pulled in the direction of the things of the world and torn between the two?  Jesus said something similar when he said:  "Anyone who puts his hand to the plow and then turns back is not fit for the kingdom of heaven."

Unwanted

"The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted."


Mother Teresa of Calcutta



So many feel that they are unwanted.  We wander hither and yon hoping to find love and yet true love is difficult to find in this world.  We are more open about it than ever.  We look on Internet dating sites, we ask others if they know of someone and we even invite others to pray that we would find a partner or someone to share our lives with.  There is no doubt that the affection and love of someone of the opposite sex is a real self-esteem booster and valuable in people's lives.  Yet even while we are experience this sense of being valueless we reject, time and time again, the greatest statement of our value ever made.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."  (John 3:16)

Whatever your situation you are valuable.  God has declared it so.

Bow Down and Worship the Lord Today

Six Teachings of Jesus - Part 6

The Fig Tree

During this week I am  focusing on six different teachings of  Jesus that have the potential to change your whole life and lifestyle.  Although many of you will have heard these teachings before, I would challenge you during this week to ask yourself if you have really put these teachings into practice in your life - and where you have not then do something about it.  Matthew 11:29-30 says:  

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  

God never asks of us anything that is too much - and whatever He asks He will give us the strength to fulfil.

Today's Teaching: "The World Will Hate You."

Today's Teaching: "Watch For The Signs"

Deadlines.  How do you handle deadlines?  Some people hate them.  They can't stand the pressure.  Other people like them - they wouldn't get anything done otherwise.  I'm part of the later category.  I work best under pressure and deadlines give me that pressure.  When the deadline is far away somehow I just can't get down to it.  However, when I know that time is up it is amazing how quickly I can get things done. Do you remember what it was like in school?  Projects were assigned but the deadline seemed so far away.  At university most of my professors would hand out the term project at the beginning of the term.  They were all due at the end of the term....but that seemed so far away.  I could never get it through my mind that they were all due at the same time and if I wanted to get them all in on time I would have to get some done soon....even if the deadline wasn't for a couple of months.  

Just like we think deadlines will never arrive, so some have concluded that the kingdom of God will never arrive either. We say things like: "I've got too much life to live yet to think about the things of God.  When I get older I'll worry about that.....I've got lots of time - after all Jesus has not returned in the last two thousand years so I don't think it will happen today either."  The Kingdom of God may be here sooner than we think.  Jesus said: "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.  Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it (the kingdom of God) is near, right at the door."  (Matthew 24:32-33)

Are you ready?

Six Teachings of Jesus - Part 5

Paul casts the demon out of the slave girl

During this week I am  focusing on six different teachings of  Jesus that have the potential to change your whole life and lifestyle.  Although many of you will have heard these teachings before, I would challenge you during this week to ask yourself if you have really put these teachings into practice in your life - and where you have not then do something about it.  Matthew 11:29-30 says:  

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  

God never asks of us anything that is too much - and whatever He asks He will give us the strength to fulfil.

Today's Teaching: "The World Will Hate You."

I grew up believing that if you did the right thing and if you stood up for Jesus there would be general acceptance for what you did.  It didn't occur to me that doing the right thing would be difficult.  But often to stand for the right is to stand against evil and those whose special interests are only for themselves and not for the good of all.  That can be a dangerous thing because you are often challenging the comfort, indulgence and privilege of a powerful few.  Those who have those things will go to great length to keep them.  I am reminded of the account of Paul and Silas' visit to Philippi that is found in the sixteenth chapter of the book of Acts.  On their way to the synagogue one day they encountered a fortune teller who followed them shouting: "These men are servants of the Most High God who are telling you the way to be saved."  She kept this up for some days until one day Paul turned around and commanded the evil spirit in her to depart.  It did and she lost her ability to predict the future.  You might think that Paul had done a great thing but this woman was a slave and her masters were furious because they had now lost their ability to make money from her fortune telling.  Paul and Silas were hauled before the magistrate and thrown into prison.  They had made enemies in powerful places.  

To be a servant of the Lord is to be prepared to make enemies in high places in order to proclaim truth, justice and dignity for all.  It can be dangerous. But hear the words of Jesus:  "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Six Teachings of Jesus - Part 4

Israelites Collecting Manna in the Desert

During this week I am  focusing on six different teachings of  Jesus that have the potential to change your whole life and lifestyle.  Although many of you will have heard these teachings before, I would challenge you during this week to ask yourself if you have really put these teachings into practice in your life - and where you have not then do something about it.  Matthew 11:29-30 says:  

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  

God never asks of us anything that is too much - and whatever He asks He will give us the strength to fulfil.

Today's Teaching: "God Will Provide"

I love the story of the Israelites in the wilderness and being fed by "manna" which appears on the desert floor for them to eat.  It is the details of the story that I love.  First they had to share what they collected.  When they collected the food they discovered that they always collected just enough for the whole community even though some collected more and some collected less.  That could be a sermon all in itself.  Second - if they tried to store it up for the next day they discovered that it went bad and wormy overnight.  Again a great lesson about God's provision for us and our desire to hoard things for ourselves.  Third - there was an exception to these first two details.  On the day before the Sabbath they were always able to collect twice as much as usual. When they kept half overnight it did not go bad.  On the Sabbath there would be no manna to collect.  It is this third detail that verifies for us that the first two details are a part of God's plan and that this plan has a lot to teach us about God's provision.  

Now in later times we have the teaching of Jesus:  God feeds the birds - he will feed you.  God clothes the flowers of the field - he will clothe you.  To believe these things frees you to become a generous person and put your greed behind.  To believe these things frees you to seek first the kingdom of God without fear that you will go without.  Have you let it sink deeply into your heart that God is providing for you? Then let go of your greed and fear.  What a glorious moment that will be.  

Six Teachings of Jesus - Part 3

During this week I am  focusing on six different teachings of  Jesus that have the potential to change your whole life and lifestyle.  Although many of you will have heard these teachings before, I would challenge you during this week to ask yourself if you have really put these teachings into practice in your life - and where you have not then do something about it.  Matthew 11:29-30 says:  

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  

God never asks of us anything that is too much - and whatever He asks He will give us the strength to fulfil.

Today's Teaching:  "Two Great Commandments"

We are all undoubtedly aware of the two great commandments - to love God with everything you have and are, and to love your neighbour as yourself.  These words are so easy to say that often times when it comes to preach on this subject I wonder what I might put forward that is new.  The problem is that no matter how simple it may sound it is profound to a depth that we cannot even begin to comprehend.  Jesus said: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  In a few short words Jesus has taken this concept of love and moved it from some sentimental or mushy thing to a place where the rubber hits the road - so to speak.  When the rich young ruler came to Jesus to ask what he must do to inherit eternal life Jesus mentioned a number of the commandments to him - Do not commit adultery, do not commit murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother.  The youth was content with himself and answered that he had done all these things.  Then Jesus got down to the meat of the matter - go sell all you have and give to the poor and come follow me.  It was too much for the young man to conceive of doing.  Yet to love God and to love your neighbour is in fact to give up your life for them.  Are you ready to do that?  This is what God requires of you!

Six Teachings of Jesus - Part 2

During this week I am  focusing on six different teachings of  Jesus that have the potential to change your whole life and lifestyle.  Although many of you will have heard these teachings before, I would challenge you during this week to ask yourself if you have really put these teachings into practice in your life - and where you have not then do something about it.  Matthew 11:29-30 says:  

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  

God never asks of us anything that is too much - and whatever He asks He will give us the strength to fulfil.

Today's Teaching: "Your Faith Will Be Rewarded."

The Book of Hebrews defines faith for us with these words:  "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Now we are not talking about an huge unreachable faith.  Jesus said that even faith as small as a mustard seed could produce great results.  But why is this faith important?

1. It's goal is your salvation - 1 Peter 1:9
2. It straightens not only the eternal path but the path of this life as well - Proverbs 3:5
3. It can change a mediocre life into one of great excitement - Mark 9:23
4. Faith overcomes the world - 1 John 5:4

So how do we grow our faith?  It is important to understand where faith comes from.  Paul asserted to the Ephesians that faith is not of ourselves but is in fact a gift from God.  The disciples asked Jesus saying "Increase our faith." The father of the epileptic boy cried out to Jesus:  "Lord I believe, help my unbelief."

Why not ask the Lord to grow your faith today?

Six Teachings of Jesus - Part 1

During this week I am  focusing on six different teachings of  Jesus that have the potential to change your whole life and lifestyle.  Although many of you will have heard these teachings before, I would challenge you during this week to ask yourself if you have really put these teachings into practice in your life - and where you have not then do something about it.  Matthew 11:29-30 says:  


"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  


God never asks of us anything that is too much - and whatever He asks He will give us the strength to fulfil.

Today's Teaching:  "You Must Be Last To Be First."

This really is a focus on the subject of power.  Have you ever been a part of a church , community organization or family where power issues are not a part of the picture? We can always attempt to grab power but in the end the results are usually disastrous.  Here are some principles found in scripture about the true gaining of power:

1. True power and authority comes only to those who are under authority themselves.
2. Power and position are given to us by others,not taken by ourselves.
3. Those who are exalted are those who have put everyone else's needs first.
4. Those who gain true power are willing to give up their whole lives for those they love.
5. If you want to be great in the kingdom of God then you must become a servant.  

If you want to have power you need to first of all give it up.  Have you abused power or attempted to grab it for yourself?   Then repent and become a servant.  Give your power away and you will find it.

Our God is Faithful - Meet With Him Today

School March Break

Today is the first day of the week long March Break for schools in Ontario.  Many families are packing the car and heading out of town for a holiday.  I suppose I shouldn't be kidding myself.  If you are among that group you are probably not reading my blog today.  But just in case you are...  When I was young holidays with my family were some of the best moments of my life.  They seemed to be a time when routines and duties were dropped and Mom and Dad had a little time to be with you - time that wasn't business that is.  When I became a father holidays were still a special time.  They were a time to forget the business of life and spend some memory-making moments with the children.  Sadly I know that many do not look forward to holidays.  They are a time when strained relationships become even more strained because everyone is together for too long.  They are a time when children have to shuffle between one parent and another. They are a time when there is nothing to do because parents are at work.

If you are among the blessed who know this coming holiday will be a great time for your family rejoice and give thanks.  Perhaps you will take a moment to pray for those who are less fortunate.

My New Position

The link below will lead you to a video posted by the Diocese of Huron.  In the video I discuss my new role and the way forward for the Diocese.

http://news.diohuron.org/2011/03/director-for-mission-ministry-video.html

Ash Wednesday

When I was young Ash Wednesday was one of the most serious days of the whole year - second probably only to Good Friday.  Anglican youth went to church in the morning at one of the down town churches in Quebec City and after the service we were given a green card that when presented at school permitted us to arrive late for classes that day.  We had to take a city bus from the church to the school and as you can imagine we broke the serious mood just a little by dragging our heels as much as we figured we could get away with. It was, however, just the beginning of a different discipline that would permeate our lives for the next forty days.  There were extra church services to attend on a regular basis.  There would be serious conversations about what each one of us would give up for lent and decisions would have to be made.  Many of the normal routines of life would fall under scrutiny as the question would be asked as to whether or not this activity was appropriate for lent.

There is no point in longing for the past.  I am not sure I would want the past to return except for some sadistic desire to impose upon a new generation those torments that I had to endure.  None the less, I am mindful of the words of Ecclesiastes 3:1  "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.."  This dissertation ends with the proclamation:  "He has made everything beautiful in its time."  (Ecclesiastes 3:11)  So what was beautiful about what we did?  As I look back I realize that this discipline taught me that life was not always about my wants and whims.  It taught me that when I put away some of the worldly desires I had, it really did turn my mind and my heart toward the things of God.  It strengthened my realization that the spiritual side of life was important.  All this is a part of my heritage that I do not regret or resent.  As we shy away from these practices today I wonder what message we are giving to our children and what kind of a heritage they are receiving.  A tree without roots will get blown over in the storm.

Mardi Gras

Bonhomme Carnaval

I spent my teenage years living in Quebec City.  Part of the culture and heritage of that great city was and still is Carnaval.  The winter carnival is always a time of celebration and partying in the midst of what can seem like a long and cold winter.  There are ice sculptures, canoe races, a grand parade and the renown ice castle to mention a few of the features of this popular event.  Of course the partying is always over by the end of Mardi Gras - or in English we might say "Fat Tuesday." Why is it called Fat Tuesday and why do we eat pancakes on this day? Simply because Lent is a time of fasting and so the people would get rid of all the fat in the house to prepare for their time of restraint.  Pancakes and some other foods were a good way to use up all the fat.
In other circles this day is called "Shrove" Tuesday.  "Shrove" comes from the old English word "shrive" which means "to confess."  In ancient times the people would confess their sins on this Tuesday which is the day before Lent begins in order that they could enter Lent with their slate clean before God.  Some of the practices of fasting and confessing are not as prevalent in our world today but we certainly have kept the pancake part of the tradition going.  I don't think there is a church for miles around that is not serving pancakes tonight.
Let's think for a moment about the fasting and confessing.  We live in an age where self discipline and self denial are not popular activities.  When I grew up there were no parties in Lent, no weddings or other kinds of celebrations and in general this was a somber time.  While I am not suggesting that we need to revert to the rigidness of those times I suspect a little fasting and self discipline are healthy for us in all kinds of ways and that we abandon these practices at our own peril. The intent of fasting is that we might have the opportunity to take our eyes off the things of this world and place them on the more spiritual matters that tend to get crowded out in this busy life.  Some believe that fasting is a way of getting God's attention and thus our prayers answered but this is contrary to most Christian theology as I understand it.  We do not gain God's favor by our goods works, but rather receive it freely by his grace.  What we do gain from fasting is a closer relationship with God.
I am told that this is exactly what twenty first century people are looking for - an experience of God.  Why not give it a try this Lent?  You never know where it will lead you.

Detecting God's Blessing

"It's hard to detect good luck - it looks so much like something you've earned.
Frank A. Clark



Well I have to tell you that I don't believe in luck. So, you ask, why are you posting quotes like this one on your blog?  Because I don't think we have earned it either...  so what is left?  So what do I believe?  I believe that the Lord God has more say in what is going on in our lives than we can possibly imagine.  We human beings like to think that we are in control of things, but I believe we have far less control than we want.  If Frank Clark had said:  "It is hard to detect blessing - it looks so much like something you've earned" I think he would have been on the right track.

"Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and revering him.  For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land - a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing, a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.  When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.  Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and decrees that I am giving you this day.  Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God,...You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me."  But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.  (Deuteronomy 8:6-18)

Worship the God of Wonders today.

He Who Waits

"All good things come to he who waits."
Proverb




Waiting has never been my strong suit.  Have you ever made a major purchase such as a car only to discover that they will not be able to make the delivery for a few days?  I certainly have had that experience on many occasions and I freely admit that I have not always handled it well.  In my first parish there were three different communities that I ministered to.  These communities were not connected by road and so travel was either by boat, snow mobile, plane or helicopter.  As you can imagine travel was uncertain and dependant on the weather.  There were many occasions when the best laid plans were scuttled and several days might pass before an opening in the weather would again permit travel.  I was also fairly newly married and a few extra nights away from home seemed like an eternity.  Learning patience was a painful process.  If there is a prayer I would not recommend you pray unless you are prepared for great refining it is:  "Lord, teach me patience."  I have learned a tiny bit of patience over the years and now waiting a few days for the delivery of a purchase, or an extra night away from home are things I generally take in stride.  But it now seems that some of the more important things in life are things that we can wait months or even years for.  On more than one occasion I have taken comfort in the words of Psalm 27:


"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Whatever your heart's desire or need.  Don't give up.  The Lord know about it even before you ask.  Be prayerful and wait upon the Lord.  He will come to you!

How Do You Know?

Since I announced on Sunday that I would be leaving Trinity Church to accept the offer of a position with the Diocese of Huron a lot of people have been asking how to discover God's will for our lives in these important times of transition.  There is no doubt that recognizing the Lord's hand in things is a lot easier in hindsight but there are a few principles that have helped me along the way.  I have always enjoyed the story of Jacob making his decision to leave his father-in-law Laban's home and to return to the land he grew up in.  The story is found in the last part of Genesis chapter 30 and in chapter 31.  It would have been a major decision for Jacob.  His two wives would have to leave their father and family behind.  For Jacob it must also have been a dangerous decision.  He had fled from his father's house having deceived his father and grabbing for himself the birthright that would have normally gone to his brother Esau.  He would have no idea how his brother might react if he returned.  In the story we see the progressive steps in Jacob's call to go home.  In the 25th verse of Genesis 30 Jacob requests his father-in-law's permission to leave.  This whole thing begins with a desire in Jacob's heart.  I believe most calls from God begin with that desire.  But the circumstances were not right and so that call is not yet confirmed.  Jacob and Laban make a business deal that will ultimately make Jacob very rich and so Jacob stays.  The desire in our hearts needs to be confirmed by circumstances.  Eventually the circumstances change.  Laban and his sons become less favorable toward Jacob.  Bluntly put, tension arises in the relationship.  Finally Jacob heard the Lord speak.  In Chapter 31 verse 3 it says: "Then the Lord said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives and I will be with you."  I'm not sure exactly how the Lord spoke to Jacob but in my own life there are at times signs, there have been dreams and visions,  God has spoken to me through other people and sometimes it is just that still small voice inside that speaks.  However it happens I go away confident that God has sent a message.

How do you know when you are called to something?  When the desire of your heart, the circumstances and the voice you perceive to be from the Lord all line up, chances are it is really God who is speaking. When that happens be bold, be strong for the Lord your God is with you.