Jesus for President

I know nothing about copyright and what images I can legally copy... 

but I'm attempting to be legit by posting where this image came from.

 http://timoberg.com/category/graphics-animation/ 

Despite all the Christmas cheer going around... a mere 2 days after Thanksgiving i might add. God didn't hesitate to put a substantial dose of clarity inducing conviction on my heart today.

It's those moments where I can see what He wants and then, rather than submitting, I "decide" what to do with that information. It is in that very instant that I check too see how it lines up with what I want, that I have begun worshiping something other than God. It should come as no surprise to you if you're actually following this blog that this divine creature of worship is indeed myself. But here's the point: Even if I choose to comply with His will, I am only being led by myself. I weigh God's word, how much I trust Him, conclude that He's a decent bet and then I make the judgement that He is worthy of listening to... this time. That's not worship, it's vague sense of regard at best!

Pastor Bill Clem made this clear to me today when he pointed out that we, as American's, have an aversion to kingly rule built right into the very foundation of this nation. We feel the right to choose our president and do not resign to being ruled by anyone until we have chosen to do so. And even then, we reserve the right to reject them and bring in another, more suited, ruler of our choosing. In fact, he pointed, we would likely be much happier with Jesus if we could elect Him as God as opposed to being subjected to him as King. And the truth is, this is exactly what many people do with God. They (the royal they that is) accept God as king when times are good and then reject him for another idol the moment that His "good" doesn't match their interpretation of it. The fact is, Jesus already is the King and always will be. The only question is, will I accept his gift of love and mercy and follow him or will I (attempt to) stand in defiance of him?

One Chocolate Square Closer to Holyness

photo © 2005 Elaine Ashton | more info (via: Wylio)

Today marks the beginning of Advent. This is the season where children eagerly anticipate the daily celebration of opening another square on their Santa endowed calender of chocolates (more reminiscent to a cheap cup of instant  coco mixed with cold water and left out to dry into a plactic like wafer). It's also the season where those of us who love Jesus begin building the anticipation for the greatest celebration of the year. The day that God was born human. It's amazing, it's humbling, it's cause for celebration, it... feels too early to be singing Christmas carols.

All the same, I am excited to be celebrating advent. I am excited to go into this holiday season working towards making this a lesson in rejoicing the greatest gift of all rather than a practice in self-gratification. I'm praying for a generous and motivated heart, that is committed to good works for the many many people in need. For works borne out of a love for Jesus and an appreciation for the gift of grace that He has shown me. I'm hopeful that a weekly reminder of that gift via MH Ballards advent mini-series and a daily devotional that I signed up for will help me along the way.

Putting Sin to Death

photo © 2008 Rob Hogeslag | more info (via: Wylio)


Alright, I'm pressed for time but wanted to get this thought down before it passes. Please excuse the lack of references.

In short, this is it: Jesus put sin to death but doesn't mean we don't have to fight it.

As of today, and I'm sure God is not done growing my understanding of this text, I understand this to mean that sin no longer has a hold over us and we now have the supernatural power though the Holy Spirit to endure that burden of resisting the temptation too sin. This requires effort on our part which is not the same thing as works. It is not religiousness to actively pursue spiritual disciplines. Making time to read the bible, pray, be in community, attend church, confession, repentance, service, giving, etc are not works in and of themselves, they are a battle against sin and my minimal contribution in putting that sin to death.

When God says that he has put our sins to death it means that he will help us to name them, and them equip us with the faith, endurance, and passion to defeat them. It does not mean we get to pronounce our love for him and then step out of the way so that he can clean up our mess.

This was only further ingrained in me in my reading plan today when I stumbled across Hebrews 2:18:

"For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." 

It's right there in plain (translated) english that Jesus himself suffered when tempted. It wasn't easy for him to resist temptation. His being GOD didn't just make temptation pass him over unscathed. No, he suffered as he resisted temptation and he came out on the otherside having resisted that temptation. More importantly, now that he has done it, he helps us. Yes, at times that is by taking temptations away all together, but more times than not, it's by helping us suffer through the temptations of our flesh.

Here's the thing, ever since I've given my life to Christ, my prayers have largely been in acknowledging the sin in my life, thanking Jesus for putting sin to death and it no longer having a hold over me (ref needed). And then sitting back and waiting for Him to take care of it. The thing is, putting sin to death requires action on our part. It is a war and there will be suffering and loss as a result. God died for our sins so that we don't have to. But does not mean that we are relieved of understanding the burden and the weight of what He did.

Prayer for Strength in Love

"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love."
- 1 Corinthians 16: 13-14


I won't go into the details of the particular challenge I've been facing the last few days, but let's just say that I'm experiencing first hand how being sinned against has the very specific outcome of either leading us to opening a foothold of anger in resentment in our life that Satan can latch on to, or pushing a closer in to the Lord. I'm afraid that I have done both in the last few days and as a result I have been repeating this passage this morning with a cadence not unlike Tina Turner and her Buddhist mantra's from "What's Love Got to Do With It." (does anyone else find them self tempted to break out into song just reading that string of words?).


In any case, I thought I'd share where the spirit is leading me with this passage in the form of prayer.


Father God, I thank you for giving me these words today. For the encouragement, for the love, for showing me that you are here for me.


Lord, I pray that you would help me to be watchful. Watchful of the people that might attack with false accusations and hold me in judgement for reasons unknown. I don't ask this so that I can avoid them or be ready with response, because God I know that you will protect me. Lord I pray that I would be watchful over my own reaction. That I would be careful not to respond in anger as, I confess, I have done. That I would not open the door and let Satan into my life. Because he is so destructive God. He gives me a brief moment of raging satisfaction which is not only followed by your holy conviction, but which does not reflect the love, forbearance, and patience that you have given to me.


God, help me to stand firm in the faith. I pray that you would give me the strength to both represent you well AND to lean into you for words and a heart of love. I am so tempted to use a sharp tongue and rely on my own wit or deductive reasoning, to try and win an argument about worldly things with worldly reasoning when the issue at hand is most likely you. God help to trust in you with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).


Jesus, show me what it means to be a man in this struggle and in all of my life. To lead my wife by example. To prioritize as you call me to (You --> Brooke --> Baby --> Family --> Work --> the Church). To reflect you and what you have done for me, for them, and not to protect my pride. To reflect your love through the heart you have given me by the spirit that empowers me to do so.


Father, help me to be strong in all of this. To live with a strong conviction, strong faith, strong love, and strong resistance to temptation towards sin. Help me to be strong through you and not by myself. And when you help me Lord, please help me to not seek glory in my strength.


Finally, God, may all that I do be done in love. I have given far too many apologies lately for acting out of anger. I fear I haven't apologized enough. God when I like anger guide my behavior I do not reflect you. I don't share how much you have done for me, how you have been patient with me, how you love me and offer forgiveness no matter what I do. I pray that I can be more like you in this. Because the surest way for anyone to know you, to love you, is to feel your love. By your grace I have the ability to share that love. I pray that I would do so.

God or Gift?

It's that time of year again, the leaves are changing colors, there's a crisp in the air, an hour fell off of my clock at some point last night, and Mars Hill is kicking off its "Generous" campaign once again.

Is wealth your god? Or is it a gift from God given with a specific purpose? That's the question that was asked of us in church this morning. A question that usually, no, without fail, causes us all to groan inwardly at best  as we grow suspicious of the church's true intentions; tithing.

Admittedly, the question was focused around financial giving. But, it has implications reaching further, extending to the way we treat the entirety of God's grace in our lives. And my conviction today was not about whether or not my wife and I give regularly, sacrificially and cheerfully. Instead, it was about all of the other area's that God has blessed my life and I have not... appreciated his role, to put it mildly.

My initial response was no. No, money is not my god. No, I do not feel discontent with what I have. No, I do not pursue flashy things to elevate my status. No I do not hoard my money or pine after more of it.

"And he said to them, Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." - Luke 12: 15

Then it hit me, I do covet comfort and security. I'm just not as painfully aware of it because I've convinced myself that I already have it. I'm content because I already have much. I'm secure because I don't think I'll ever be without it. I do credit it to God, but I also take it for granted.

I asked myself this question. Is my lack of fear about the fast approaching end of the un-refinancible (yes, you can make up words while blogging) 80% fixed rate, interest only, 5 year arm, on my severely underwater condo loan because I rest assured in Jesus Christ? That I am confident that even if rates go up leading to eviction, financial ruin, poverty, public disgrace, and everything else that might follow, I still find comfort in knowing that I will be with Jesus on the other side? Would I still believe that He is in control and has a plan for my life? Or is it because I believe that he wouldn't allow that to happen to me? Or worse, because I believe that I wouldn't allow that to happen to me? I hate to admit it, and maybe wouldn't if I didn't know that no one reads this blog, but I'm pretty sure it's the latter. I've convinced myself that God has blessed me with the ability to make sure my life stays comfortable and secure. God help me.

To regard something as a gift, I need to appreciate the fact that it was not earned and that I bear no entitlement to it. Like a gift, He does not take back His promises. He also does not promise much of what he gives. We... I, need to be careful which gifts I latch on to. If my soul rests in the gifts of earthly comfort I will find myself idolizing material things and distancing myself from His calling. When the time comes that He calls on my soul to return, will I even want what He has truly promised me? Will I be ready to give up my worldly things for an eternity of service in the presence of God?

"And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." - Luke 12: 19-21

God, help me to be rich toward you. To love you by sharing what you give me. To seek opportunities to love others the way that you have shown love to me. To not store up insurance of comfort but to shepard your gifts with love and devotion to you.

okay.. times up, wish I could go back and edit this but I know if I don't post now I never will.