Tuesday, June 25, 2013

When Did God Change?


The year was 1978.  My father had a Ford Station Wagon that was green, with brown paneling on the side.  In those days, station wagons were made with a backseat that faced the traffic in the rear.   It was great to make faces at oncoming cars and to get truckers to honk their horn. 

The day was December 31st. We were on our way to baptize my brother, Keith.  I remember as if it were yesterday.  It was unusual to have thunderstorms in St. Louis in December.  It was raining hard.  Thunder was loud.  Lighting lit up the sky.  As I was sitting in the far backseat on our way to the church, I was scared.  Not scared of the loud thunder or the flash of lighting, but scared that if Jesus came that night or I was hit by lighting and died, I wouldn’t go to heaven. 

I was 12.  I heard all the fire and brimstone sermons.  Preachers pounded the pulpit.  The same question sermon after sermon, “If Jesus were to come today, would you go to heaven?”  At 12 years old, I was so afraid that I wouldn’t go to heaven.  I wanted to go to heaven!  I wanted God to love me and not be mad at me.

As my father drove, I sat quietly.  Praying.  “God, if you get us to the church building safely, I will give my life to you.  I will be baptized.  I will live my life for you.”

We made it!  Our family entered the church building and my brother Keith was preparing to be baptized by my brother Jim.  I sat on the front seat with nervousness.  “I made a promise to God,” I said to myself.  I finally got the nerve to go to my dad and say, “Dad, I want to be baptized, too.”  My dad asked, “Why do you want to be baptized?”  I said, “Because I want to go to heaven.  I want Jesus to be Lord of my life.  I want to be a preacher and tell others about Jesus, too.”  My father wrapped his big arms around me and gave me a big hug and said he was proud of my decision.  After Keith was baptized, it was my turn.  My brother Jim baptized me on a rainy night in December.  As I resurrected from the water, I knew!  I knew that something changed within me and connected me to God, Jesus, and Spirit.  It was more than any feeling I  had felt before. It was powerful!  34 years later, I can still feel what God did at my baptism.

During the last 34 years, I’ve gone against God’s best for me. I sin.  I’m weak.  I feel the pressures of life.  Early in my life, I only heard about the punishing God.  The all-seeing eye watching every move we make kind of God. If we get out of line, he will surely punish us. 

That was then.  Today, I know a God who is deeply in love with his children.  I also know that God does not call us to be perfect; he calls us to trust him.  He will get us through all the difficulties we get ourselves into. When we love him with all our hearts, soul, strength, and mind our attention is taken off ourselves and placed on God.  We will do our best to serve and be involved in kingdom work, not because we are trying to please God, but rather, we desire to glorify God.

The faith journey is not perfect, but his forgiveness is limitless – 1st John 1:9, But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (NLT)

Our spiritual life will have traces of weakness – but his grace is sufficient – 2 Corinthians 12:9, …My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness….” (NLT)

We will get weighed down by pressures, life struggles, and sufferings – but he said we can always come to him – Matthew 11:28, "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out…Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.” (The Message)

God has always been grace! He has never been the all-seeing eye watching out for those doing wrong.  God has always been the all-seeing Father who cheers at our victories, hurts when we do wrong, forgives when were sorry, lifts us up when we are down, and loves at all times.

God has always been mercy!  God has always been a forgiver!   God has always loved us deeply and forever!  

Today, I know a God that I didn’t know 34 years ago.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Uninterrupted Conversation!

Vacations are supposed to be a time to relax and get away from all the “stresses” of life. Recently, I spent several hours on the beach by myself. It was one of the most relaxing times for me in a long time. I walked for several miles along the waters edge. My thoughts were as mute as my words. No one needed me. No schedule to keep. No bills to pay. Nothing. I was completely alone. Until….

Until I looked around and saw kids building sand castles, men and women getting sun tans, young boys with huge fishing poles casting out into the ocean, lovers holding hands as they walked, birds flying overheard looking for their next meal. People everywhere. Noise. The crashing waves. The sounds of boats and airplanes. I wasn’t alone, not for one minute. However…

However, I was able to put all the noise and people out of my mind. I was alone again. No noise, no people, no fisherman, nor boats; just me! I went to a place in my mind that only God and I could hear and know. It was peaceful. Joyful. Uninterrupted conversation.

Jesus on many occasions went to places where he could have uninterrupted conversations with his Father. They were deep conversations about spiritual matters. After all, Jesus was all about living up to the much-needed spiritual standards that were in contrast to what “religious” folks thought were the norm of the day.

Jesus spent much time in solitude. He got a way from all the hectic parts of life, people, and demands. Jesus disciplined himself in the routine of solitude so much that it became an integral part of his ministry.

As Jesus begins his ministry, he immediately goes into the desert alone (Matthew 4:1-4). Before Jesus chose his Apostles in Luke 6, he was alone all night praying. Before he went to his death, he sought alone time with his Father (Mark 14:32-36).

Developing the discipline of solitude takes work and time. However, it is a spiritual must for every believer. Maybe you remember the commercial several years ago that said: Calgon, take me away! We need time alone to refresh ourselves spiritually, mentally, and relationally. Teresa of Avila said, “Settle yourself in solitude and you will come upon Him in yourself.” Solitude is an opportunity to be in the presence of God, not in His absence, nor anyone else. Solitude gives us uninterrupted conversation with our Father!

Remember, Be God Controlled,

Brian