Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Open for Business

Yes, the economy in the West is weak right now. But there are still people with lots of money.


Some of those with lots of money do not live in the western hemisphere. They live in far away places like Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan to name a few. They have lots of money from selling oil - energy - to oil dependent nations like the US.

Speaking of the US -- they hate it. I know we all want to be liked, but that is not reality. The people who are killing our soldiers, and flying planes into buildings really do hate us. The more of us they can kill the better they feel.

The North Koreans just launched a nuclear weapon test. It was a sign to the world and especially to those that hate us that the doors are open for business. North Korea is very poor, but obviously scientifically very smart. They can detonate a nuclear bomb. There are people with lots of money, who hate the US, who cannot wait to get their hands on a nuclear bomb -- so they can kill more and more people -- Americans and our allies.

What will we do? What will they do?

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Thankful for unashamed preachers

In an evangelical world (even an SBC world) where the order of the day seems to be compromise with the world, talk like the world, look like the world, I thank God for men of God who stand and proclaim unashamedly the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Men who will call sin -- sin; men who will unapologetically call sinners to repentance.

We have kicked off revival services at Fairview and the messenger, Roger Roller, is so refreshing -- he hasn't tried to give us what we want, but what we need. He hasn't tried to impress us with his knowledge of the world, but proclaims the counsel of God.

May his tribe increase.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Seeking God?

This morning in my Bible reading I came to this verse . . .

And when they say to you, "Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter," should not a people seek their God? -- Isaiah 8:19

So often people ask, "what do you think?"

We go to conferences and read books and articles and blog posts to see what other people, "wizards" are saying.

When was the last time you heard someone say, "shouldn't the people of God seek God?"

Of course praying and seeking God is hard, humiliating, and not popular. So it is often avoided - even amongst those who call themselves "God's people."

Avoided --- and we suffer, just like the Israelites in Isaiah's day.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

"I've Got The Power!"

I remember a song when I was kid -- "I've got the power!" -- the singer would yell. That is really the only lyric that I recall.

No wonder it was a hit. We like to think that indeed we have the power. The power to do whatever -- we certainly don't like for anyone to infringe on our supposed power. When they do we have a power struggle. "I can" "No you cannot" "Oh yeah, watch me" "I will not let you" "Go ahead try and test me"

This happens in families with parents and children; it happens with co-workers; it happens in churches; it happens in governments.

"I've got the power!" Oh really?

I believe it happens in things of the spirit as well -- in the Christian life. "I can do it."

May we remember John 15 -- "Apart from Me," Jesus said, "you can do nothing."

May we recall the words of Oswald Chambers: "Every element of self-reliance must be slain by the power of God. Complete weakness and dependence will always be the occasion for the Spirit of God to manifest His power."

Do we desire to see what we can do or what the Spirit of God can do?
- in our lives? in our homes? in our church? in our community?

"I've got the power!" -- Only if He has me, and I have surrendered all to Him.