Grandpa Keltie (Oct. 31, 1922 - Jan. 30, 1991)

Everyone should have a Grandpa like I did. The untold memories that are flowing through my mind at this moment are too many to put down in this post. However, there are a few memories that typically rise above the rest and I will mention those:

My Grandpa knew how to make lemonade out of lemons. He never had much money but that never kept my siblings and I from wanting to go to his and grandma’s house. We learned how to tie rocks to handkerchiefs with string, throw them high into the air and imagine that they were paratroopers. We saw how some odd and end boards and some wheels could quickly be cut and attached to make a motorless go-cart. We didn’t need the motor. The hill behind Grandpa’s house worked just fine. These are just a few of the ways that Grandpa showed us how to make the most of what you’ve got to work with: a lesson easily applicable to all of life.

My Grandpa knew how to exude a positive persona that comforted and cheered those who happened to be around him. As an adult, I can look back on some of the situations I saw my grandparents in and know that it must have been horribly stressful. Yet, my Grandpa was never without a song in his heart that often came out in the form of a peppy whistle tune. In fact, my Grandpa was the janitor for Bible Baptist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee for all of my formative years. The building was fairly large, at least to a young child. But when we wanted to find him somewhere in the facilities, all we had to do was get quiet for a few moments … and listen for the whistling. (Being a janitor may seem like a menial job to some. However, as far as I was concerned, my Grandpa elevated the job.)

My Grandpa knew how to make Bible stories come alive! I remember spending many nights in my grandparent's home. After my brother and I slipped into our pajamas and brushed our teeth, Grandpa would tell us a story. If it was about Daniel in the den of lions, I knew Grandpa’s hair was going to get messed up to resemble a lion’s mane and there would at least be one "roar" in the story somewhere. If he told us about David and Goliath, I knew I would have to duck the imaginary stone that David flung at his nemesis. I loved Bible story time with Grandpa!

As I grew older and my love for the Scriptures developed, I also outgrew the bedtime stories. But another of Grandpa’s traits continued to influence me to value God’s Word more and more. Thirty or so years later, I can still see my Grandpa sitting in his recliner in the living room with his Bible open upon his lap as he read and studied it. He did this day after day after day. And now, years later, I enjoy doing the same thing. (The only difference is that he had a physical Bible. I use an electronic Bible with a computer on my lap.)

There are so many memories and lessons I could mention but I’ll close with my final memory of him. It was in January 1991 that I received a call in Lexington, Kentucky saying that Grandpa had just suffered a massive heart attack. I made the necessary arrangements with work and college and then drove the 7 hours to the ICU unit at the hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

I had been blessed to that point never to have suffered the loss of a family member as close as Grandpa. For that reason, it seemed surreal. I loved him dearly and knew that he was not doing well but just couldn’t fathom that it was his time to go.

As his family began to gather, loved ones made their way back to the ICU in twos to spend time with him. I went back with one of my uncles and noticed that he was sedated and seemed to be only mildly coherent. I stood beside his bed and my eyes were bringing me to grips with how serious my Grandpa's condition really was. I thought back on many of the memories I had enjoyed with this man and prayed that he would make it through this.

As I stood there beside his bed, he looked over at me and lifted his right hand toward me. I held it and he gripped my hand tightly as we gazed at each other. He began to move his mouth as if he were tring to tell me something but I couldn’t understand. He had tubes running everywhere and an oxygen mask on and so I couldn’t make out what he was trying to tell me. He let go of my hand and only moments later, held his hand up toward me again. My uncle noted that Grandpa wanted to hold my hand again and so I reached out the second time. We held hands and peered longingly into each other's eyes for the last time. It was only a few hours later, as many of his loved ones were gathered in the ICU waiting room, that he went home to be with his Lord.

I dearly loved my Grandpa and think of him often, celebrating the wonderful memories he left behind. I am comforted in the knowledge that we will be reunited one day in the presence of the Lord for eternity. And I just wonder if when I arrive in Heaven, God will say, “Matt, your Grandpa is here. See if you can find him.” All I will have to do is stop for a moment, get quiet ... and listen for the whistling.

Challenger tragedy - 25 years ago today

I remember the afternoon I heard of the Challenger tragedy as if it were yesterday.


That shuttle launch was advertised quite a bit more than usual because Christa McAuliffe was taking the ride. She was the first average citizen and the first school teacher to get the OK to go into space. This would be a very special and significant mission.


At the time, I lived in Galena Park, Texas, only a few miles from Johnson Space Center. As a student, I had made the trip to the Space Center quite a few times and always enjoyed the thrill and very clear sense of history, exploration, adventure and achievement of the American spirit as we took in all of the sights.


But on that fated day, January 28, 1986, I remember finishing my lunch in the high school cafeteria where some students were giving various reports of an explosion and the shuttle. But it wasn't until I finished lunch and entered the library that it really sunk in. The television was on and the 3 major news networks were playing the video of the launch, the 73 second flight and then the explosion over the Atlantic off the Florida coast.

An almost tangible cloud hung over the school for the rest of the day. Upon arriving home, we watched Tom Brokaw continue to break the news of the explosion. We learned more about those who were on that flight and how special they all were.

President Ronald Reagan would soon make his speech to the nation in our time of shock and mourning. I remember parts of his speech vividly, especially much of the last line. He said: "The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.'"

Last year, I took my family to the Kennedy Space Center. On a memorial plaque, I saw the engraved faces of those seven men and women who lost their lives that day. Among them were the faces of others who also died while bravely and proudly serving their country and furthering our knowledge of space.

On this day, 25 years later, may we take time to reflect on these men and women on the Challenger that fated day: Dick Scobee, Michael Smith, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Christa McAuliffe and Gregory Jarvis.

One final note: there was a bit of irony on that trip to Florida's east coast last year. On the same trip that I was reminded of the Challenger tragedy, I was able to enjoy an early morning shuttle launch with my family from about 25 miles away from the launch site. (The picture doesn't do it justice. The roar of the engines overhead and the brilliant orange flame that lit up the sky isn't conveyed adequately in this picture.) It was a reminder that tragedy is not the end. We learn from it, grow strong from it ... and keep on going.

Jesus and the importance of Bible study

Jesus knew how to make people squirm … and He wasn’t afraid to do it on occasion. I suspect that this was one of the reasons why people enjoyed listening to him.

On one particular occasion (Mark 12:28-37), some haughty scribes realized that Jesus was in the temple complex (they believed to be their “home court advantage”). They suspected that they could corner Him in a theological conundrum. They decided to ask Him to provide an answer to a question that had probably been a source of contention among them for a long time. Their question? “What is the greatest commandment?” That would have been an impossible question to answer because there were hundreds and hundreds of laws on the books. The religious leaders knew of the endless laws because they were the ones who had added most of them. However, He verbally nailed them with a decisive, cogent answer and “the large crowd was listening to Him with delight” (Mark 12:37).

On a few other occasions, Jesus made some folks squirm by asking a very specific question. Read these next few verses:

Matthew 12:2-3 “But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, ‘Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!’ He said to them, ‘Haven’t you read what David did when he and those who were with him were hungry…’”

Matthew 19:3-4 “Some Pharisees approached Him to test Him. They asked, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on any grounds?’ ‘Haven’t you read,’ He replied, ‘that He who created them in the beginning made them male and female’…”

Matthew 21:42 (While at the temple with the religious leaders and a growing crowd): “Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This came from the Lord and is wonderful in our eyes?’”

Matthew 22:23, 31-32 “The same day some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up to Him and questioned Him: … (Jesus replied: ) ‘Now concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read what was spoken to you by God: I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.’”

It was as if Jesus, who the religious leaders were trying to corner, would play their own game and corner them. If front of everyone, since the religious leaders had chosen a public setting to try to embarass Jesus, He asked them, "Haven't you even been reading your Bibles?! Does any of it ever sink in?!" And then He gave a relevant Scripture that settled the issue.

Jesus was obviously frustrated that folks who should have known the Scriptures were ignorant of its truths. They had read the Scriptures but they had never allowed it's truths to sink in so that they could easily and accurately apply it. Over and over, He looked these folks in the eye and said: “Haven’t you read your Bibles?”

Jesus had the integrity to ask this question because He knew God’s Word. At the age of 12, he was able to engage in coherent discussion with the knowledgeable religious leaders of his day (Luke 2:46-47). Now, some would say, “Well, I sure wish that I could have been like Jesus. He didn’t have to read the Scriptures to learn it. It just came natural to Him because He was God.” Not true (on the FIRST part of that statement). He had to read God’s Word and learn it, too. How else could He “grow in wisdom” (Luke 2:52). You don’t have to grow if you’re already mature. Jesus read and studied God’s Word and so should we.

Now, imagine that Jesus is looking you in the eyes as He asks, "Have you read God’s Word today?" Are you squirming or would you be able to talk about what you read in His Word this day?

Blogging for Books

I'm starting out on a new venture. Hopefully, it's all that it appears to be. If it is, It should be FUN!!!!!

www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggingforbooks 

Abortion, Lies and God’s Blessings

Anyone who denies that there are conundrums in Scripture that cannot be easily explained has never read the Scriptures. But what else would we expect from a Book written by men moved by God? If it was simply the product of men, all of the “problems” would have been resolved. Since it was written by God, we should expect that there will be things that boggle our mind but are perfectly understandable to Him.

If we begin to talk about some of the "ethical dilemmas" in the Scripture, the problem becomes further compounded because we are blessed to live in a country where the laws on the books, by in large, don’t conflict with the laws of God. (One obvious exception is the abortion law. Tomorrow is “Right to Life Sunday.” It is on this day that we are reminded that we live in a country that celebrates death by staunchly defending the rights of the mother and denying the rights of the unborn.) However, since those laws that conflict with God’s laws tend to be performed and celebrated behind closed doors, we cannot conceive why we should disobey the government, much less how disobeying governmental laws and lying about it could bring God’s blessings upon us. 

Exodus 1 is a classic text when talking about ethical dilemmas. And a contemporary, American Christian may be thoroughly uncomfortable with how it works itself out.

The Israelites had prospered and grown into a large people group inside the national boundaries of Egypt. The Pharaoh decided that they had become a threat. Listen to what he said in verse 10: “Let us deal shrewdly with them; otherwise they will multiply further, and if war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” So the Israelites became the slaves of Egypt.

However, the Israelites were prolific and continued to grow into the great nation that God had promised Abraham (Genesis 12:2). So Pharaoh went to “plan B” and demanded that the Israelite boys must be aborted at birth. Two Hebrew midwives were assigned the responsibility of performing this gruesome task. 

Exodus 1:15-16 says: “Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, ‘When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them as they deliver. If the child is a son, kill him, but if it’s a daughter, she may live.’”

Very clearly, these two women heard the government, under which they lived and served, give them their orders. However, those orders went against their moral/religious convictions and they disobeyed. Exodus 1:17 says: “The Hebrew midwives, however, feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt had told them; they let the boys live.” This was a very bold and blatant act that could carry with it dire consequences.

This is nothing new for the believer. The Scripture states that we are called to obey the government under which we live (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). However, when God’s law and governmental law conflict, we must always obey God’s law and disobey the government’s (Acts 4:19-20; 5:29).

But the apparent ethical dilemma is found in verses 19-21. The Hebrew midwives disobeyed the governmental law, lied about it to the authorities and were blessed by God anyway. Exodus 1:19-21 says: “The midwives said to Pharaoh, ‘The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before a midwife can get to them.’ So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became very numerous. Since the midwives feared God, He gave them families.”

Some would explain this away by saying that the midwives were telling the truth. They say that the Israelite women really did give birth before the midwives arrived. However, verse 17 seems to say that the midwives were not passive but played an active role in letting the Hebrew boys live.

Obviously, situational ethics is not advocated in Scripture (doing what is convenient, rewarding or "right" in the moment). The midwives didn't simply disregard the government's laws because they wanted to. The broke the laws because they were obeying a higher standard. But God didn’t just tolerate their lies to an evil government demanding evil behavior. He blessed these women. Reread Exodus 1:19-21. That's what it says. 

I’m going to leave you with a quote from a man who lived during the time of the Third Reich. His name was Deitrich Bonhoeffer and he was a German believer/theologian/pastor. His heart broke over the Jews that were being slaughtered under Hitler's evil regime. He believed that the SS soldiers and the tyrancial government were not worthy of the truth and so he did much that many Christians in “safe” situations would condemn. In leaving you with this quote, I’m not resolving the ethical question I’ve identified in Exodus 1. Instead, I’m leaving you with something to think about. What do you think about how Bonhoeffer resolved "ethical dilemmas?"

“Those who wish even to focus on the problem of a Christian ethic are faced with an outrageous demand – from the outset they must give up, as inappropriate to this topic, the very two questions that led them to deal with the ethic problem: “How can I be good?” and “How can I do something good?” Instead they must ask the wholly other, completely different question: “What is the will of God?”

On God and Dentist Visits

When your toddler goes limp in your arms as the general anesthesia does its job, you do a lot of thinking as a parent. Joseph needed enough work done on his teeth today that the dentist decided to put him under for the procedure. But as the anesthesiologist took his limp body out of my arms and toted him out of sight, I had some moments of serious reflections on how our Heavenly Father must feel toward us.

First, I was reminded that things get messed up from time to time.

• Kim and I make sure that Joseph brushes his teeth every morning and evening and we keep an eye on his sugar consumption. Notwithstanding, he ended up with cavities.
• As our Heavenly Father oversees us and gives us His Word for guidance, we can count on things getting "messed up" every now and then (sickness, deaths, layoffs, broken relationships, etc.). If for no other reason, life gets tough because we live in a broken, messed up world (John 16:33).

Second, I was reminded of how protective parents are.

• I took Joseph to the dentist that we have grown to trust. If I didn’t trust those guys and gals, I would not have handed over my precious 5-year-old. He’s too small and naïve to watch out for himself. But, he doesn’t have to worry about that. He’s got a Dad and Mom that will gladly do that job for him until he is able to do it for himself.
• Our Heavenly Father is also protective of us. Nothing happens in our life that doesn’t come from His hands. In order for us to experience anything, and I mean anything, it has to get God’s approval first because He takes loving responsibility in watching over His children (1 Corinthians 10:13, Job 1:12; 2:6).

Third, I was reminded that there are times when information doesn’t need to be shared.

• I intentionally didn’t tell Joseph what was going to happen at the dentist's office. As he gets older and can handle the information, I’ll entrust him with it. But as a young toddler, it would only cause him grief long before he ever entered the dentist’s office. (I told him everything he wanted to know after the trip and he said he was glad that I didn’t tell him beforehand.)
• Our Heavenly Father also does not share with us what is coming our way. He knows that we would have the tendency to worry about it. Therefore, Jesus gave us the word in Matthew 6:34 where He says, "Don't worry about what may or may not happen tomorrow." He wants us just to rest in the fact that He knows what’s coming and He’s in control of it.

Fourth, I was reminded that there are times when a parent has to allow short-term pain for long-term health.

• If I had asked Joseph if he wanted to spend 30 minutes in a dentist’s chair where he would get needles stuck in his gum line and holes drilled in his teeth, I can guarantee that he wouldn’t have asked how soon we could get there. It would be much too painful for his liking and he would have wanted no part of it. However, as his parent, I knew that the procedure was necessary for his long-term health. So, Kim and I made the appointment and didn’t ask for his opinion on the matter.
• Our Heavenly Father periodically allows painful circumstances into our lives. Often, we don’t get a clear explanation as to why it happened. But one thing is for certain, God is about the business of making us holy. Short-term pain is always intended for our long-term good (Romans 8:28) which essentially means that we become more like Jesus.

Finally, I was reminded of how comforting home is.

• While I was glad to know that taking Joseph to the dentist would provide him with needed care, I was overjoyed when the anesthesiologist came out to tell me that I could take him home. Joseph was looking forward to getting home, too, because we don’t have a dentist’s chair, needles or drills anywhere in the house. He knew that home was a safe place and he wanted to get there.
• Our Heavenly Father is about the business of making us more like Jesus but there is coming a time when He will take His children home to be with Him. In fact, He will enjoy taking us there when it's time (Psalm 116:15).

"Real" Christianity

If you're like me, you're often frustrated at the "glossed over" Christianity that many describe. You may read their books, listen to them on the radio or hear their conversations as they tell of how walking with the Lord has brought happiness, peace, joy and all sorts of other things into their experience. Any hint of discomfort is strangely absent from their description. It may leave you feeling guilty about your own walk with the Lord or confused as to why you don't experience the same thing they do. I don't doubt that they are painting this picture of Christianity with good intentions. Many of them want to help God look good in an ugly world. They want others to think that God's way is the solution to all of the inner turmoil and outer conflict in life.

The only problem is ... that's not what's taught in Scripture. In fact, I'm so glad that the writers of Scripture, as God's Holy Spirit wrote His Word through them, were completely honest with their questions about God and His ways.

This morning, I prayed through Psalm 44 and the content of this passage was insightful. Here's the breakdown:

• Verses 1-3: The writer speaks of how his ancestors spoke of God's incredible acts. You can't help but read this and know where the writer is going. He's frustrated that he's not seeing God move in this way in the present ... but I'm getting ahead of myself.
• Verses 4-8: The writer plainly states that his trust is in God. He knows that none of the victories he could obtain are by his own power. It is God that gives the victory. This is why the writer insists on praising God.
• Verses 9-16: The writer is brutally honest with his questions about God's ways. Why is God allowing all of the horrible stuff to happen in his life when he has been so faithful to the Lord? It's very clear that the writer isn't saying that God is an innocent bystander. In his recognition of God's sovereignty, he states plainly that God is playing a part in all of the bad things that are happening.
• Verses 17-22: The writer notes that he would understand why he was going through such tough times if he had forgotten God or worshipped other "gods." But he pleads innocent of such wrongdoings.
• Verse 23-25: This Psalm is virtually anti-climactic. The good guy doesn't beat the bad guy by the end of the movie. The issue is left unresolved as the writer ends the Psalm by calling out for God to rise up and help him.

Honestly, I find this Psalm comforting because it's more real to my life experience than the "glossed over" Christianity that others advocate. Sometimes, I'm just like those disciples in the boat on the Sea of Galilee as the waves are working to swamp the boat and I wonder why Jesus is asleep (Mark 4:35-41). Why doesn't He rise up to help?

And yet, as I read the rest of Scripture, I realize that while some difficulties will persist and some questions will never get answered in my lifetime, I can know without a doubt that my Lord loves me and is sovereignly working out His plan even if it doesn't make sense to me. I can know that if I don't think He's working on my behalf and is "asleep", it only appears that way. And finally, among many other notions, I can know that these difficulties are causing me to long for the day when He will call me to my eternal home to dwell with Him forever (John 14:1-3).

Blessing Your Children

Genesis 27:38 (New Living Translation) “Esau pleaded, ‘But do you have only one blessing? Oh my father, bless me, too!” Then Esau broke down and wept.”

The blessing that Esau begged from his father is different from the kind of blessing that parents provide for their children today. The craving for that blessing however … is the same.

Parents, look for ways to bless your children regularly! Hint: Your words are your most powerful and cost-effective resource.

"Will the real Jesus please step forward."

Let’s just be blatantly honest with each other for a moment. The reception Jesus received by the Pharisees is not much different than the reception He would receive from many of our churches today. After all, He was constantly pushing the limits as far as the religious folk were concerned. He didn’t fit within their paradigm. He didn’t play according to their rules. He didn’t behave or teach according to their protocol. He was constantly upsetting the applecart … and the Pharisees hated Him for it.

The “religion” that Jesus advocated wasn’t one that fit nicely into a one hour service with padded pews, stained glass windows and polite platitudes emanating from a pulpit. It was rugged. It was real. It forced people to a point of decision. People couldn’t straddle the fencepost around Jesus. He called them to make a decision and live by it. There was no room for hypocrites around Jesus and that’s why the Pharisees regularly resisted him. He constantly made them uncomfortable and they despised him for it. (Would folks respond well to this today? Jesus hasn’t changed.)

A narrative is given in Matthew 9 that tells of a time when Jesus, once again, upset some religious folks. Let’s look at it and draw out a few points.

Matthew 9:9-13 (New Living Translation) “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me and be my disciple,’ Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with such scum?’ When Jesus heard this, he said, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do.’ Then he added, ‘Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: “I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.” For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.’”

Here are some points to ponder today:

Jesus surrounded Himself with folks who were known sinners. Tax collectors were “sinners” in Jesus’ day for at least a couple of reasons. First, they had the authority of Rome to collect taxes from their fellow Jews. However, they typically inflated the tax bill and pocketed the difference. Second, they committed these acts of theft against their own Jewish people thus receiving the title “traitor.” Yet, this is exactly the sort of people that Jesus surrounded Himself with for His three years of ministry.

Jesus didn’t care what others thought of His company. Pharisees could ridicule, the masses could gossip, His family could cringe if they wanted. Jesus really didn’t care.

Jesus’ purpose for surrounding Himself with sinners was to share the good news of forgiveness and eternal life with them. In this narrative, the Pharisees likened the sinners to “scum” but Jesus likened them to “sick people.” They needed help. He wasn’t going to leave them like they were. But in order to administer the medicine of the Gospel to make them new, He needed to get into close proximity to them.

Jesus cannot do anything with folks who don’t think they are sinners. The Pharisees spent so much time condemning others as guilty sinners that in so doing, they prohibited themselves from enjoying the message that Jesus had to offer. A patient must realize that they are sick before they are willing to take the medicine and people need to know that they are sinners before they will take from Jesus the life-giving message of the Gospel.

That’s the offense of the Gospel. It begins with the realization that we’re not OK. We’ve got a problem. We’re guilty sinners before a holy God. But here's the crux of the matter: Those that are willing to acknowledge that they are sinners will find the presence and friendship of Jesus. Those who are not will have to settle for a comfortable, lifeless, Christ-less “religion.”

If you've never received God's amazing gift of eternal life, go to http://www.wayofthemaster.com/about_kirk.shtml and click on "Listen to Kirk's Testimony." (It's only about 5 minutes long.) Feel free to contact me! I'd love to help you along in this decision.

Does God Care About My Self-Esteem?

When I think of self-esteem in Scripture, I’m immediately drawn back to Exodus 3-4. It’s the story of the burning bush when God called Moses to leave his flock of sheep. His new assignment was taking a trek to Egypt to call for the release of the Israelite slaves.

Throughout chapter 3, God laid out His plan and how this message would be received by the Pharaoh. God assured Moses of His presence and power. But in chapter 4, Moses expressed his sincere doubt at his part in this plan:

Verse 1: “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?”

Verse 10: “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

The Lord was probably getting upset at this point. (We know that by verse 14, He was angry.) In verses 11-12, God said “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

But Moses again expressed his doubt at being able to do what God had called him to do. Listen to verse 13: “But Moses again pleaded, ‘Lord, please! Send anyone else.’”

Moses self-doubt wasn’t a trivial issue. God had a plan. God’s plan was to use Moses. Moses was to trust God’s ability to enable him to accomplish that plan … and Moses was saturated with self-doubt. Verse 14 says, “Then the Lord became angry with Moses…”

One thing is still clear today. God has a plan. Further, like with Moses, He desires that we participate in His divine plan. But when we, like Moses, are saturated with self-doubt, God cannot adequately use us.

One of the exciting ways that we as Christians can move toward a better self-image is by reading and appropriating the truths in the first part of the letter to the Ephesians. If you are a believer, God has declared so many things true of you because you are “in Christ.” Christians should never hang their head in self doubt or defeat. Just read the first half of Ephesians and see what God says about you. You’ll see what I’m talking about.

But someone might ask: “I thought we were supposed to be humble!” We are. But true humility isn’t doubting your worth or abilities. True humility knows that you are filled with worth because you were purchased for God with such a high price (1 Peter 1:18-19). It also means that you are capable of whatever task God calls you to (Philippians 4:13). But true humility further realizes that apart from Christ, we’re nothing and cannot do anything. It’s HIM that gives us worth and competency.

I suspect that Christians shouldn’t strive for “self-esteem” which leads to pride. We should strive for “Christ-esteem” which leads to praise! The end result is that you become someone that knows who you are in Christ and what you can do in Christ so that God is free to use you in His divine plan. Exciting stuff!!!

If you've never received God's amazing gift of eternal life, go to http://www.wayofthemaster.com/about_kirk.shtml and click on "Listen to Kirk's Testimony." (It's only about 5 minutes long.) Feel free to contact me! I'd love to help you along in this decision.

Filling My Mind w/the Word

I absolutely enjoy walking for exercise. I experience many health benefits from this practice but in so doing, I enjoy knowing that I also am engaged in an activity that Jesus did often. He had no public transit system at His disposal when He traveled. He didn't have a personal vehicle. No plane or train. In fact, the only time we're told that He ever did anything except walk was when He rode into Jerusalem just before His crucifixion.

As I walk, I find that it eats up much of my time and so I've learned the benefit of listening to sermons and Christian media. I almost always have my mp3 player with me loaded with sermons from one of my favorite preachers, John MacArthur. His websight allows for free download of thousands of sermons.

Those sermons can be accessed at: http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons.

God: "Do you trust me?"

Genesis 15:1-6 paints a general picture of how God desires to relate to us … and at first glance, it may not seem all that attractive. But as we reflect on it, we'll realize that it frees us to live lives directed by a divine purpose.

Here’s the text in the New Living Translation:

“Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abraham in a vision and said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Abraham, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.’

But Abraham replied, ‘O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.’

Then the Lord said to him, ‘No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.’ Then the Lord took Abraham outside and said to him, ‘Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!’

And Abraham believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

As I ruminated on these verse and used my imagination to pretend that I was Abraham hearing these words from God, I came away a little bit frustrated. I reacted this way because God wasn’t answering all the questions Abraham had/I would have had. God wasn’t filling in the blanks. In fact, it seems that He was intentionally leaving some basic details out.

It seems to me that God could have immediately clarified the issue for Abraham. He could have elaborated on a step by step process in which Abraham could analyze God’s plan and then ask appropriate questions. Then, there would be no question in Abraham's mind what the plan was and whether or not it would work.

Yet, God didn’t get specific with Abraham. He was leaving out some major components of the big picture (much like He did when He called Abraham to leave his home in Ur. God simply told him to start heading west and He would tell him when to stop. Why not simply name the country?)

God withheld pertinent information from Abraham because of the principle imbedded in verse 6. “And Abraham believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.” This was what it was all about. It’s as if throughout all of these encounters between God and Abraham, God was essentially asking, “Abraham, do you trust me?”

As Kim and I raise our 3 boys, we have the task of taking three very dependent young men and helping them to grow into independent men. If they hit their late teen years and are still completely dependant upon Kim and me for everything, we will have a very clear sense of failure. We want them to be able to spread their wings and fly, to be able to take life by the horns. They will need to become independent of us to do that.

Yet, as our Heavenly Father relates to us, He sees His task as being the complete opposite. He wants to take independent individuals who rely only upon themselves and make them more dependent upon Him. He wants us to trust Him, to follow Him, to rely upon Him.

This dependence will be characterized by such things as:

• Lack of trust in our limited abilities, insight, etc.
• Growing in fellowship with God and knowing His desires.
• Trusting that He knows what is best … and then obeying wholeheartedly.

Name some specific ways in which you have recently shown that you wholeheartedly trust the Lord. If the list is too short, why not begin compiling a new list today?

Glorifying God in Our Death

I wrote the following blog on June 3, 2009 but thought I would share it again. I was thinking about Charlie today...

I got word today that a dear friend of mine passed away. I have fond memories of gutting houses and restoring them with Charlie Bevins and our mutual friend, Clancy Trent. These men where many years my senior. Yet as we spent hours upon hours up to our eyeballs in drywall dust, insulation and such, we remodeled homes and built strong, lasting relationships that we will enjoy throughout eternity.

The thing that really drew us together was our mutual love for our Lord Jesus Christ. Many of our conversations centered around some biblical truth or some message by one of our favorite preachers. We laughed a lot and enjoyed our time together.

"Christianity" is easy in those times. Anyone can speak of a love for the Lord when things are going well. Glorifying God comes fairly easy on the mountaintops. But it is when we are led by our Heavenly Father into a trying time, when our faith is tested, that what is really inside of us comes out.

About a month ago, Charlie had some shoulder pains and went to the doctor. Soon, spots on his lungs were found. It wouldn't be long until he would be unable to move any part of his lower body. Today, only a very short time after his initial doctor's visit, he went to be with the One who died for him.

Something that stood out among his friends who watched his quick deterioration was his attitude. Charlie refused to get angry. He refused to question God. And in so doing, I believe that he wonderfully illustrated the principle of John 21:19. That verse says that in "...death (we can) glorify God..."

How is that possible? How can something as ugly as death bring glory to God? Simply put, we show how highly we honor our Heavenly Father by showing what we are willing to endure ... while still praising Him.

Suppose someone broke into your house in the middle of the night. You bolted out of bed only to find them at the end of the hall with your television in their arms and a gun in their hand. You may simply encourage them to get out of the house. Take the television ... just get out. But suppose as you bolted out of your bed, you looked down the hall and you saw to your horror an intruder with your child in tow. All of the sudden, things change. You beg and plead. You may even offer your own life so that your child will remain unharmed.

Principle: "What we are willing to give/endure directly shows where our values and priorities lie."

Is it not just as obvious where someone's values lie when in the face of death, they continue to express their love for God? As they willingly embrace the harsh reality of what came from a loving Heavenly Father's hands, doesn't it show that in their eyes God is highly esteemed? And in so doing, aren't they "glorifying God in their death?"

May Charlie Bevins stand as an example of how a true believer is to embrace whatever God allows into his or her life ... and glorify Him by maintaining an attitude of praise and adoration.

The Basis for Mankind’s Value

To some, Genesis 9:5-6 seems unduly harsh (and most certainly politically incorrect). Yet, the deeper meaning of this text could warm the coldest heart.

The context: Noah and his family had just exited the boat after the world-wide flood. God gave Noah permission to add to his culinary repertoire. Adding to his vegetarian diet, he could now have meat and thus the animals around him would, from that point on, have one eye on what they were doing and one eye on Noah. But, while mankind was allowed to take the life of an animal for food, taking the life of another human was an act of murder that bore a serious consequence.

In Genesis 9:5-6, the New Living Translation quotes God as saying: “And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die. If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.”

Capital punishment was prescribed if a murder took place. Capital punishment was not perceived as murder since the one demanding the life was God and not another human. But the basis for which God would require such a thing is fascinating – the reason God took murder so seriously was because of the value of each human life. “God made human beings in his own image.”

Did you know that this is true of you? You have infinite worth because God made you in His image. To some extent, limited as it may be, you and I bear the likeness of God and thus have great intrinsic value.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a theme park with my son’s 4^th grade class. We hopped onto a ride that dramatically illustrated how a big explosion was the beginning of all that we now see. As we left, I commented to the adult chaperone I was spending the day with that the clear reference to evolution was troubling. He politely commented that he knew with my background that I would have been offended by its message.

Polite conversation ensued as I talked of the implication of an evolutionistic worldview. I mentioned that mankind has a longing, in fact a desperate need 1) to be valued and 2) to know that each individual life has purpose. These two cravings are the very substance from which “hope” springs. Without hope, mankind easily and quickly spirals into depression and meaninglessness.

Very clearly, evolution is completely silent on anything constructive regarding mankind's value or purpose. Concerning "value," with “survival of the fittest” as its motto, the men and women who have made something of themselves may have a reason for feeling personal value. But their value is solely based upon performance. Those who for one reason or another cannot perform have no basis upon which they are to be valued. In fact, evolution predicts that one way or another, they will cease to exist or be exterminated (remember "survival of the fittest"?). Regarding the second need for “purpose,” evolution leaves people with nothing but emptiness. We’re here by accident. A big bang created all we see and our very existence  is only by happenchance. There’s no rhyme or reason. No destination. We're just here for a little while and then we will cease to exist. How depressing is that?!?

But in Genesis 9:6-7, we see that God places a harsh punishment upon someone who took a human’s life because “God made human beings in his own image.” Does this passage say anything about human value? Of course it does! Just as you could look at one of my boys and see a striking resemblance to Kim or me, so too can we look at each other and see enough of God’s image. That's why God placed such a high value on human life and it's protection in Genesis 9. It's because He places high value upon you and me and He wants us to place the same value upon each other.

Further, because there is a God who has made us in His image, we can read in the Book He has written that we also have a purpose. Ultimately, we are to glorify him and to enjoy Him forever. If we have given our lives to Him, then we become His children with the task of pursuing personal holiness and encouraging others to come into relationship with Him. And all of this will culminate in the time in which we will spend eternity with Him (see Revelation 21-22).

Most certainly, in Genesis 9 alone, we can see that each individual (no matter the color of their skin, the content of their character, the competence of their abilities, etc.) has great worth. However, there's one more thought I'll leave you with concerning your potential worth:

My car is 11 years old and I know that eventually, I'm going to have to replace it. Just suppose that I go into a car dealership and spend some time going back and forth on a price with the saleperson. When we finally settle on the price I am willing to pay, something happens in that moment. At that moment, I have solidified my personal assessment of the car's value. Whatever the amount I settle upon is the value that I place upon that car. I wouldn't pay more than I think it's worth and the saleperson won't let me pay less. What I am willing to pay shows the value I place upon the car. Got it? Follow me on this next thought...

What price did God pay to cover your sin debt and adopt you into His family? He paid the price of Jesus. Listen to what 1 Peter 1:18-19 says: "For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." We've already agreed that something is worth what someone is willing to pay, right? Carrying that same line of logic into this truth in 1 Peter, we realize that you and I weren't worth anything to God until, by His own compassion and grace, He chose to place value upon us and sent His Only Son to pay your sin debt and mine. He was willing to pay "Jesus" for you and me. What does that say about the value of those who have the gift of eternal life?

If you've never received God's amazing gift of eternal life, go to http://www.wayofthemaster.com/about_kirk.shtml and click on "Listen to Kirk's Testimony." (It's only about 5 minutes long.) Feel free to contact me! I'd love to help you along in this decision.

Removed from Eden

This morning, as I have again recently started my yearly journey of reading through the entirety of Scripture, I came across Genesis 3:22-24. Here’s how the New Living Translation reads:

 

²² Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!” ²³ So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. ²⁴ After sending them out, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

 

At first glance, it would seem that it was a God filled with anger that threw Adam and Eve out of the Garden. It would seem that he was furious when He placed a mighty angel with a fiery sword at its entrance to guard it against their intrusion. But this isn’t the case at all.

 

It was a gesture of utmost compassion. When Adam and Eve sinned by taking of the forbidden fruit, they brought death upon themselves and all living things. (They immediately died spiritually in their relationship with God and they began to die physically until the day when their bodies would eventually be laid to rest in the ground.) Further, they brought a curse upon all of creation so that none of it exists in its perfect form as it did in the beginning.

 

However, it wasn’t creation with which God was ultimately concerned. Compared to the vast expanse of God’s creation, He was primarily concerned with the two small specks on planet Earth called Adam and Eve. In the verses preceding our text, God killed an innocent animal, stripped off its skin and clothed Adam and Eve as an illustration of the death His own Son would one day die to clothe those who would believe in His righteousness.

 

Further, in our text, God banished Adam and Eve from the utopian Garden of Eden where they would eventually die after a life of pain and struggle. This, however, was an act of unspeakable compassion on God’s part.

 

Only Heaven knows how unbearable it would be to live forever in our present condition in a broken creation. Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, we live in a world were disease spreads, children go hungry, friends and loved ones die, natural disasters persist, thieves steal, murderers kill, governments oppress, etc. As good as this life can sometimes be, it has more than its share of pain. Wouldn’t it have been a curse to allow Adam and Eve to remain in the Garden and eat of the tree of life so that they could live forever … in our world as it presently exists?

 

No. God wouldn't allow such a thing. He removed Adam and Eve from the Garden to keep them from eating of the fruit that would enable them to live forever in this world … so that they could eventually die. If they were followers of Him, they would have something infinitely better waiting on them in a new place called Heaven that would remain forever perfect. And there is a tree there that they and we will be able to eat from freely … the Tree of Life (Revelation 2:7; 22:2, 14, 19).

 

Are you headed for Heaven? Get more information here, http://www.wayofthemaster.com/about_kirk.shtml

by clicking on "Listen to Kirk's Testimony."

Communication in Marriage

OK. I have to plead ignorant of something. At least, I was ignorant of an issue until a few moments ago. I was reading in the John Maxwell Leadership Bible this morning and read contemplatively through Genesis 1-2. I really didn’t get much new information since I had read these chapters many, many times before. And yet, I was taken aback when Maxwell’s notes said that the problem with Eve’s sin in chapter 3 was due to a lack of communication. My immediate thought was, “Boy, THAT’S a stretch.” But then, as I went back and reread the Scripture, I was convinced. Here’s the order of events:

Genesis 2:7 – God creates Adam out of some of the materials with which He made the earth.

Genesis 2:15 – God formally places Adam in the Garden of Eden and gives him his purpose within this environment.

Genesis 2:16-17 – God makes it clear that Adam is not to eat of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.


THEN....

Genesis 2:18ff – God creates Eve and presents her to Adam.

Genesis 3:2-3 – Eve’s response to the serpent shows her misunderstanding of what God had actually said.

This order of events makes it clear that Eve was created after Adam received the instructions. It appears that he failed to properly communicate with his wife the things that God had shared with him.


It would appear that the issue that causes so much marital discord today is an issue that set up the initial downfall of humanity. However, with 20/20 hindsight, we can learn from Adam's mistake and make appropriate corrective actions, right?