So here I sit, up late again as usual. Why is my body like this? Why can't I just convince myself that I need to go to bed at the normal time that other people do? I don't know. I'm just different I guess. I'm used to staying up (often to the wee hours) and can't seem to break the habit very easily, despite the fact that I'm not as young as I used to be (and I'm beginning to feel it more frequently).
OK, so what am I doing? Well, I'm sitting here typing my random thoughts into my blog, noodling on my generic brand acoustic/electric bass (one of three basses I own and play), and winding down from a night at the local asphalt race track. Tonight was the first night this year (I use to go every week) that I've been to the track and it turned out to be an exciting evening for me. A young kid (only 17) that I do a web site for won his first career feature race in the class he's currently in (which happens to be the top weekly class at the track). I was rather pleased that this had been the night I finally went.
Well, now that I've shared that I guess I'll go get ready for bed. My band has an outdoor concert tomorrow at a local church's summer block party. I'll catch everyone later!
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Monday, August 15, 2005
Worthy or Unworthy? Remember Pauline.
I'd like to ask everyone to remember a lady named Pauline in your prayers this week.
While we (my SoulFlight bandmates and I) were out playing in Erie, PA this past weekend we had a lady (Pauline) rededicate her life to Christ during our concert. One of our sound crew was able to take her aside and pray with her while we finished our set and later I was able to speak with her and pray with her again.
One of the things that Pauline said she struggled with most is that she felt "unworthy" to be a Christian. She felt she didn't have everything all together like my band and I did. (I laughed inside at that one.) I grabbed my Bible and shared with her the following verses and message.
I told her that first of all none of us were "worthy" in and of ourselves (not even SoulFlight LOL ). Nobody is any more "worthy" to be a Christian that anyone else. God's word tells us, in John 3:3, that none of us will go to heaven unless we're born again because, as Romans 3:23 says, we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (That fact alone should make us all want to fall on our faces and cry "unclean" like the lepors of the Old Testament.) Thankfully, God loved us so much that He sent His only son to die in our place and take the penalty we all deserve. Romans 5:8 says "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." When we repent of our sins, accept Christ as our Savior and put our faith in Him we take on His righteousness, His blamelessness, and His "worthiness". Romans 3:22 says "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Our faith in Him, His cleansing blood, and His promises are what makes us worthy. John 1:12 tells us that all who have received Him and believe in His name, He gives the right to become children of God. Galatians 3:26-27 adds to that by saying "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." So our unworthiness is replaced by His worthiness through our faith in Him. And it is not something we can obtain on our own through our own efforts. It is a gift from God and all we have to do is accept it, receive it, and stand on it. Romans 6:23 tells us "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Ephesians 2:8-9 says plainly "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Have you felt unworthy in the past? Are you feeling unworthy now? Do you know someone who is feeling unworthy? Remember the message in God's word (and remember Pauline in your prayers). It is not our worthiness we need to worry about because our worthiness will never get any of us into heaven. It is only Christ's worthiness that He gives to us freely when we accept Him as our Savior. I will stand on that worthiness alone and claim to be a child of God. I am worthy because He is worthy. And if God considers us worthy because He sees His son's worthiness in us, then we ought to have a desire to live our lives as pleasing sacrifices to Him, worthy of His love and the price He paid to purchase us.
While we (my SoulFlight bandmates and I) were out playing in Erie, PA this past weekend we had a lady (Pauline) rededicate her life to Christ during our concert. One of our sound crew was able to take her aside and pray with her while we finished our set and later I was able to speak with her and pray with her again.
One of the things that Pauline said she struggled with most is that she felt "unworthy" to be a Christian. She felt she didn't have everything all together like my band and I did. (I laughed inside at that one.) I grabbed my Bible and shared with her the following verses and message.
I told her that first of all none of us were "worthy" in and of ourselves (not even SoulFlight LOL ). Nobody is any more "worthy" to be a Christian that anyone else. God's word tells us, in John 3:3, that none of us will go to heaven unless we're born again because, as Romans 3:23 says, we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (That fact alone should make us all want to fall on our faces and cry "unclean" like the lepors of the Old Testament.) Thankfully, God loved us so much that He sent His only son to die in our place and take the penalty we all deserve. Romans 5:8 says "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." When we repent of our sins, accept Christ as our Savior and put our faith in Him we take on His righteousness, His blamelessness, and His "worthiness". Romans 3:22 says "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Our faith in Him, His cleansing blood, and His promises are what makes us worthy. John 1:12 tells us that all who have received Him and believe in His name, He gives the right to become children of God. Galatians 3:26-27 adds to that by saying "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." So our unworthiness is replaced by His worthiness through our faith in Him. And it is not something we can obtain on our own through our own efforts. It is a gift from God and all we have to do is accept it, receive it, and stand on it. Romans 6:23 tells us "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Ephesians 2:8-9 says plainly "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Have you felt unworthy in the past? Are you feeling unworthy now? Do you know someone who is feeling unworthy? Remember the message in God's word (and remember Pauline in your prayers). It is not our worthiness we need to worry about because our worthiness will never get any of us into heaven. It is only Christ's worthiness that He gives to us freely when we accept Him as our Savior. I will stand on that worthiness alone and claim to be a child of God. I am worthy because He is worthy. And if God considers us worthy because He sees His son's worthiness in us, then we ought to have a desire to live our lives as pleasing sacrifices to Him, worthy of His love and the price He paid to purchase us.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Why is it?
Can somebody explain to me why so many Christians compromise their faith and lives these days? Yeah, yeah, I know.... Peer pressure. A desensitized society that rubs off on desensitized Christians. A timidity to be bold for Christ. A lukewarm attitude or indifference about being different than the world. An ignorance of what it means to be truly Christian....followers of Christ. I could go on and on....
I recently got into a debate with some other Christians on a popular Christian band's web site message board. These individuals I had the privilege of chatting with were arguing that it was/is "OK" for Christians to curse (or "cuss" as they were calling it, which they say is different than cursing). All admitted that they "cuss" and find nothing wrong with it. It's "only" the condition of the heart when you use certain words, not the words themselves. Some said their pastor even cusses from the pulpit or even while praying to God Himself! One poor misguided soul even went as far as to say he "doesn't give a f***" what his pastor says while another jokingly posted that he "cusses responsibly". I sat and read these words (and many more) in utter shock and sadness at how much our secular, sinful society has affected some people who profess faith in our Lord and Savior. My brothers and sisters, this is not right! We should be different than the world around us! We should not be copying the world's bad habits and then trying to justify or "clean" them up by pretending they're ok! God's word tells us clearly that we should not let any unwholesome words out of our mouths. How can this be so misinterpretted or ignored?
Should Christians stand boldly for Christ and proclaim His word, denouncing the evil lies that are working their way through our congregations and stealing the souls of our fellow believers? I sure believe we should. I believe God's word also says that if we don't give warning that we will also be held accountable for keeping silent. I make no apologies for trying give warnings to my brothers and sisters out of honest concern for the Body and love for God's children. This recent occasion was no exception. "Legalist!" they cried. "Self-righteous!" others said. I was even called a "weaker brother" who had "less wisdom and understanding" by the very same young man who dropped the f-bomb. Now I don't claim to be the smartest guy in my neighborhood, and God has had to whack me with a two-by-four on more than one occasion, but when Romans chapter 14 is even thrown at me and others who dared to call sin a sin I have to question what translation of the Bible these people are reading. When I see this type of thing it's enough to make my heart break. I can't help but wonder how our Father in heaven feels when He hears the foul language of His children and then the attempts to demand innocence in His presence. How often do people choose to take a shower and then refuse to turn the water on and scrub? Like it or not, no amount of deodorant will cover the inevitable stench before God's nose.
Tonight I shed a tear. I shed a tear for the lost who should be found...the found who should be running home after the Shepherd but instead have become ensnared again in another patch of brambles just shy of the open, lush, green meadow. Dear Lord am I a dumb sheep too? Help me to always see my weaknesses through the work of your Holy Spirit, even if it means a whack from your staff. Help me to understand your ways and have a growing desire to cast off my old clothes for your new ones. Help me to see my mistakes and overcome my dumb sheep ways. Thank you for your Son, your mercy, and your grace.
I recently got into a debate with some other Christians on a popular Christian band's web site message board. These individuals I had the privilege of chatting with were arguing that it was/is "OK" for Christians to curse (or "cuss" as they were calling it, which they say is different than cursing). All admitted that they "cuss" and find nothing wrong with it. It's "only" the condition of the heart when you use certain words, not the words themselves. Some said their pastor even cusses from the pulpit or even while praying to God Himself! One poor misguided soul even went as far as to say he "doesn't give a f***" what his pastor says while another jokingly posted that he "cusses responsibly". I sat and read these words (and many more) in utter shock and sadness at how much our secular, sinful society has affected some people who profess faith in our Lord and Savior. My brothers and sisters, this is not right! We should be different than the world around us! We should not be copying the world's bad habits and then trying to justify or "clean" them up by pretending they're ok! God's word tells us clearly that we should not let any unwholesome words out of our mouths. How can this be so misinterpretted or ignored?
Should Christians stand boldly for Christ and proclaim His word, denouncing the evil lies that are working their way through our congregations and stealing the souls of our fellow believers? I sure believe we should. I believe God's word also says that if we don't give warning that we will also be held accountable for keeping silent. I make no apologies for trying give warnings to my brothers and sisters out of honest concern for the Body and love for God's children. This recent occasion was no exception. "Legalist!" they cried. "Self-righteous!" others said. I was even called a "weaker brother" who had "less wisdom and understanding" by the very same young man who dropped the f-bomb. Now I don't claim to be the smartest guy in my neighborhood, and God has had to whack me with a two-by-four on more than one occasion, but when Romans chapter 14 is even thrown at me and others who dared to call sin a sin I have to question what translation of the Bible these people are reading. When I see this type of thing it's enough to make my heart break. I can't help but wonder how our Father in heaven feels when He hears the foul language of His children and then the attempts to demand innocence in His presence. How often do people choose to take a shower and then refuse to turn the water on and scrub? Like it or not, no amount of deodorant will cover the inevitable stench before God's nose.
Tonight I shed a tear. I shed a tear for the lost who should be found...the found who should be running home after the Shepherd but instead have become ensnared again in another patch of brambles just shy of the open, lush, green meadow. Dear Lord am I a dumb sheep too? Help me to always see my weaknesses through the work of your Holy Spirit, even if it means a whack from your staff. Help me to understand your ways and have a growing desire to cast off my old clothes for your new ones. Help me to see my mistakes and overcome my dumb sheep ways. Thank you for your Son, your mercy, and your grace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
