Thursday, February 12, 2009

Why Is It?


Why is it that a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Why is it that 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Why is it that you can't find a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Why is it so difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or fiction book?

Why is it that everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?

Why is it that we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events at the last minute?

Why is it so difficult to share Jesus Christ with others, but so easy to talk about anything else, including gossip?

Why is it that we hardly ever question what the media says, but we question the inerrant word of God, The Bible?

Why is it that everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Why is it that we expect Jesus to provide for us, when we sit around and do nothing?

Why is so easy to spend time doing your favorite hobby, but so difficult spending time with God?

Why is it so easy to justify spending money on trivial excessive items for yourself, but so difficult spending money on a meal, or a wool hat for the homeless person who sits on the corner? 

Why is it that we continue to do the same things, yet long for and expect different results?

Why is it so easy for us to talk about doing something great, and puff ourselves up, but so hard for us to actually do it?

Friday, February 6, 2009

Stained Glass Masquerade


Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay


Lyrics from Casting Crowns

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Who's Praying For Me?


John 3:16 There's been a lot of crap going on lately.  In the world and in my home.  Distractions are rampant and keep me from Jesus.  Yes, that's my fault, and yes, it shows where my priorities lie, but the distractions are usually subtle attacks that I don't even realize until the end of the day, or the next morning.  Satan doesn't need to bring a full on frontal beating or a golf club in the back of the knees to knock me off track.  Most of the time it's anything that has distracted me enough to keep me away from time with Jesus.  I could not handle my situation (life) right now without complete faith that He knows what He's doing.  Couldn't - Nada.  Jesus is in complete control, even if I don't like what's going on right now.  And really I don't.  But is this our test?

These are times for us as Christians to shine and show our faith.  Not just talk about it, but express it, live it out like we actually believe what we talk about.  Don't just speak the well rehearsed Christian-eese lip service.  What greater example in these hard times than for people to see Jesus in our eyes, like a reflection in a mirror.  People - we talk about not having an opportunity - but in reality we have opportunities every day!  It's whether or not we seize those opportunities.  We are lazy, and have more excuses than  Mickey D's has fries.

Here's the really cool thing though.  Jesus Christ - thee Jesus Christ - is praying for you today. Everyday.  That just blew me away this morning when I was reading John 17.  And as sit here correcting all my spelling errors, it continues to sink in deeper.  It's stinkin awesome! Really!

Here is what Jesus is praying to His Father about:
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
9I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. 12While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.


Wow!  I think I can make it now.  I do feel the full measure of His joy.  I'm being prayed for by Jesus himself?!  wow!