LOVE IS REAL

Have you ever question the existence of love?

Isn't it strange how LOVE can be the happiest thing ever, but also cause the most pain? And yet, everyone keeps searching for it.

Men always want to be a woman's first love - women like to be a man's last romance. Love makes the time pass. Time makes love pass.

Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
There is only one happiness in life: to love and be loved.

Some people say "you can't live without LOVE" personally, I think OXYGEN is more important.

Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love. Follow your heart, but don't forget to take your brain with you.

Gravitation can not be held responsible for people falling in love.

I'm not blind and stupid. I'm just in love.

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Strength in Silence

This weeks’ article is kind of an idea in progress, something that just came to mind this week.  Feel free to chime in disagreements or additions if you’d like.  My feelings are not going to be hurt, and I’d love to hear some thoughts and discussions to work through this if you’ve got something to add.

Men are generally known for controlling their emotions.  We don’t cry much.  We don’t get giddy much.  And when we get upset, we generally stop talking, stop responding, and shut down.  In our feminist culture these aspects of men are seen as huge weaknesses. 

Why can’t men be more open about their feelings? 

If you’re a woman in a relationship with a man, you’ve probably asked that question, and if you’re a man in a relationship with a woman, you’ve probably been asked that question.

But here’s the thing.  A man who is in control of his emotions is a good thing.  

Consider what would happen if a man gave into the anger he felt toward his wife or children, and he’s going to feel it sometime if he’s human.  Just look at cases of domestic abuse, and you’ll find a man who’s lost control, and the tongue is even more dangerous; a man who loses control of his emotions says things he ought not to say and does horrible damage to those he loves.  

2 Peter says that self-control leads to perseverance, and perseverance leads to godliness, and if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you lack these qualities; you’re blind or short-sighted, having forgotten your purification from your former sins. (2 Peter 1:8-9)

And don’t even get James started on controlling your tongue.

I guess my point is a man’s control of his emotions and the actions that may flow from those feelings is a good thing.  Self-control is a good thing.  Stepping away is better than striking out, and silence is better than a harsh world.  That’s not saying that problems don’t need to be addressed, just don’t mistake a man’s silence for weakness or running away from the problem.

Now, if you’ve made it this far, you’re probably wondering how this topic even came up.  It came up during a sermon that a visiting evangelist preached at our church a couple of nights ago.  He was sharing the Gospel, and he talked about Jesus’ silence during His trial and crucifixion, like a lamb being led to slaughter. (Luke 23)

And the thought came to mind, what if He had said something.  Let’s look at some of the things Jesus said: “He said to the paralytic, ‘Get up, pick up your bed and go home.’ And he got up and went home” (Matthew9:2-3), or how about “He cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come forth.’ The man who had died came forth (John 11:43-44), or even more scary “Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again! . . . As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. (Mark 11:13-14, 20).

Let’s not forget that this is voice that spoke creation into being.  Can you imagine what would have happened to Jesus’ accusers, His torturers, His murderers, if He’d not been in control of His emotions and His tongue?  Just a simple, “stop” might have killed them all.

Jesus was the perfect man.  If He clammed up and buried His emotions in this moment so that He wouldn’t hurt anyone, and so that He would ultimately save you and me, perhaps we should give men a little more breathing room on the emotional side of things.

What do you think?

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God's Sorrow

For some reason we often get this idea that God is this stoic, unemotional being, or if we do concede Him some emotions, we think of Him as angry and vengeful or loving and joyful, but what about pained and sorrowful?

Perhaps the most striking example of God’s sorrow can be seen during the time of Noah:  “The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.” (Genesis 6:5-6)

“Grief” isn’t a word we use much these days, but the definition for it is “to feel intense sorrow as in when a loved one dies.”  If you’ve ever had someone you loved die, you’ll know how God felt.  In the Hebrew the word used when God grieves means, “to breath forcibly, to pant, to groan while lamenting forcibly.” And the “heart was filled with pain” actually means “intense physical pain and anguish.”

Can you imagine the God of the universe feeling this way about His creation? I mean how intense must His love be that He would feel pain, actual pain, when human beings choose evil?  Is it any wonder He went to such great lengths as to send Jesus to suffer and die to redeem us?

And yet we seldom think about God’s feelings when it comes to sin.  We get so caught up in lifeless theology with words like “justification” and “sanctification” that we don’t even consider God’s broken heart when we pray for forgiveness.  Here’s a good litmus test to think about: Would you believe a cheating spouse was truly repentant if they asked for forgiveness the way you do when you approach God after you’ve sinned?

My fervent prayer is that anyone reading this would understand that God cares deeply about what we do, say, and think.  These things will either be done out of love for Him or not.  No action, word, or thought is neutral in this life, and when we sin in these aspects, we grieve God, even if we’re redeemed.

This is why Paul writes, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:30-32)

Loving God with all your heart, soul, and strength means considering His love for us and not doing anything to grieve Him, and because of Christ's life, death, and resurrection and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to love God like He loves us and can be forgiven when we do grieve Him.

May all the days of your life be pleasing to our Lord!

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3 Reasons We Don't Hear God's Voice

This is the first part of my series God is speaking. Can you hear Him? And this week I’ll be discussing what prevents us from hearing God.

A while back I had a conversation with someone and they snickered when I told them God speaks to me. They responded, “He speaks to you through the Bible, right? You can’t actually hear God.” Puzzled, I asked them why. And in their words they said, "God doesn’t work that way.”

Hmm…not according to this scripture:

Then Jesus said, ‘‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’’
-Mark 4:9

Knowing this scripture tells me two things:

1. We can’t hear God’s voice if He isn’t speaking. Therefore, God is talking to us.

2. We have a choice to hear or not

But sometimes, even when we do have the desire to hear God, we can’t. Here’s why:

1. We’re too busy and distracted:

                

We’re taught to be great multitaskers. We surf the web while listening to music, at work we're answering phone calls and sending emails, and if you’re a parent you’re the best of us all – cooking, cleaning, helping one child with homework while the other one is coloring on the wall. All which can be well – distracting.

                

Copyright Michael D. Waters

And although this may seem great, we can actually miss God’s voice because of it. Jesus said it himself:

Luke 10:38-42

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." 

Here I imagine Mary sitting as she listens to Jesus' words. And in the background comes noise from Martha who is so consumed in preparing for Jesus, that she misses Jesus’ presence! Martha, frustrated that Mary isn’t helping with any of the work, comes to Jesus asking Him to tell Mary to stop listening to Him to help her! However, to her surprise Jesus tells Martha this: only one thing is necessary now – hearing my words and fellowshipping with me.

We need to prioritize. Let’s give God our undivided attention.

2. We’re unresponsive to God:

All my life, I’ve lived about 10 minutes away from a train station – the biggest one in my county. When I was a little girl I remember hearing the trains coming in and out of the station. As a child, I my friends and I would always say, “Another train is coming” and even count how many we heard. However, as I got older it wasn’t exciting. Every time I heard a train come, I ignored it. Now, I don’t even hear the trains – even when I’m outside on a quiet night. Why? Because I’ve trained myself to block out the sound. I've become unresponsive to it. With God’s voice, it works the same way. Every time we hear God speaking to us we must respond. If we continuously ignore and become unresponsive to His voice, eventually we won’t hear it at all.

So the next time you hear God speaking to you, respond. Don’t let His voice go unnoticed.

3. We don’t know what prayer is:

If I were to ask you what prayer is what would you say? Think about it for a second.

While I don’t know what you’re response is, it should have and must have consisted of these three words, talking and listening to God. Prayer isn’t just talking on and on and on to God about everything. And I know as much as God loves hearing from us, He also wants us to love hearing from Him. In your quiet time with God and after you’ve finished talking, do you listen out for His voice? Or do you quickly end your time with an “Amen” and proceed about your day?

We can’t hear God if we aren’t listening out for Him.

* Next week I will continue on with explaining the last 3 things that hinders us from hearing God 

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The Quiet Place

"And in the morning, rising a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." Mark 1:35

It could be a walk through your garden or a leisurely stroll in the park. The wind sends a cool breeze that wisps through your hair. Your eyes glance up to admire leaves that wave their hands in praise and adoration to the Creator. Aware of His glorious handiwork, you gaze into the blazing sun. Its brilliance beams down on your face, warming your heart like the kiss of a child early in the morning. Life in God is good...

Creation testifies and draws your attention towards the heavens. With your eyes closed, personal worship consumes you, and the awesomeness of God's goodness and grace floods your heart and mind. His love reminds you of each time He delivered you, every miracle and the promise of His steadfast love. Just the hint of His presence makes you smile.

It's the quiet place.

The purpose of this place is communion and intimacy. He wants to give you all of Him as you have Heaven's undivided attention. Here, you can turn aside and receive of the Father instruction, healing, wisdom and blessing. In turn, He accepts praise and adoration from you, His beloved. In this place, reflect on all the blessings and benefits that have been bestowed upon you by the Father. You can come to know His heart through meditating on His word and by seeking His Presence, for in His presence, joy is made full and complete. Suddenly, you realize He's with you and you whisper, "Father, I love You. You alone are worthy of my praise. I love You, Lord." 

As only a devoted father can, He smiles and speaks into your spirit, reassuring you by the Holy Ghost that "Yes, Child, you are Mine."

Jesus, our savior was often found in the quiet place speaking to His father. Our elder Brother was refreshed and strengthened daily in His fellowship and deep, intense intimacy with the Father. Jesus received guidance, affirmation and love while sitting at the feet of His Father. 

Prayer is our direct connection to and means of communication with God. It must be our priority. We must want to be with Him as he desires our company.

Just as He revealed himself to Moses while hiding him amid the rocks, so will he show Himself to those of us who long to know Him. 

Meet Him today in your quiet place.

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The Beauty of a Broken Heart

When we hear the words “broken heart,” we often think of a relationship that’s been broken, and it’s usually in reference to the person who’s been wronged in the relationship.  For example if a husband cheats on his wife, it’s the wife’s heart that is broken, not the other way around.  But what if the offender’s heart broke instead?

When David sinned with Bathsheba, he penned one of the most heart-wrenching Psalms in the Bible. 

Psalm 51 is a desperate cry for forgiveness, not to Bathsheba’s father Eliam, who was one of David’s mighty men who spent years living in a cave with the would-be king; nor to Uriah the Hittite’s family, another mighty man who lived with David for years and had been given a house near the castle; nor to the other mighty men, David’s friends who were surely shocked to learn David had their mutual friend Uriah killed; but David desperately pleaded for forgiveness from God.

David cries out:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. (Psalm 51:1-4)

While I’m sure that all those other relationships were deeply affected, David was heartbroken that his actions had caused a rift between him and God.

David ends the Psalm with the following:

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalms 51:16-17)

Just like David we’ve all done and do things that mess up our relationship with God, and it breaks His heart when we do, just like the spouse that’s cheated on in the analogy above, but what if those things broke our heart just like they broke David’s?

The Bible says, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)  God loves those who repent with a broken heart because they’re not worried about the consequences of their actions, offering sacrifice so they don’t get cursed or die, they’re worried about messing up their relationship with God—they care how He feels. 

Are there things in your life that are negatively affecting your relationship with God?  Have you considered how He feels about them?  Perhaps it’s time for a little heartbreak.

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Your Life's Mission

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

When was the last time you told someone about the good news? You know, the good news about Jesus Christ; his life, his burial, and RESESURRECTION!

The news is that Jesus Christ the Son of Man died and resurrected 3 days later as it was prophesied in the whole chapter of Isaiah 53. 

We all like hearing good news and what better way to brighten someone’s day then to tell them about this good news? News that can save someone’s life – literally.

Before leaving your house today, pray and ask the Spirit to lead you to someone with whom you can share the gospel of Christ Jesus. You can start a conversation with someone about Jesus’ life, or convict them with his death, how he saved your life – and theirs – so that you may proclaim his goodness.

We tend to be excited about telling somebody about the scores to a football game, a trending topic on Twitter, or the latest and funniest YouTube video; we forget how vital it is to tell someone about Jesus Christ. Let us not forget what our mission is and let us act in our calling.

We are not called to sit and be idle, but to go out and make disciples. If someone doesn't want to listen to the glorious good news, dust the dust off your shoes and go to the next person (Matthew 10:14).

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

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When God Sings Over You

I had an amazing revelation about God and that verse in Zephaniah that says, “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” in choir practice last night, but it requires some explanation of how I found myself in the choir in the first place, so this post is going to be a little longer than my usual. 

The story starts with my wife:

I remember the first time I heard my wife sing, long before I had ever even considered dating, much less marrying her.  I was friends with her brother and was visiting him when this amazing soprano voice and piano accompaniment filled the house.  I remember rolling my eyes and saying, “does your sister have to play her CDs so loud?” 

He smiled with some pride in his eyes and replied, “That’s her.  She’s singing.”

I stopped complaining and listened in awe.

But then my wife got sick, and her illness gave her terrible acid reflux that took away her voice.  It also gave her terrible arthritis, and she struggled to play the piano or organ.  When we got married, she used to cry a lot about the loss of her abilities.  She was determined to worship God despite the loss, but in every worship service we attended, I could tell she longed to worship the way she used to.

We eventually moved to Texas where it’s warmer, and that lessened the arthritis, so she started playing the organ in our church, but her voice was still gone.

As for me, I’ve never been much of a singer.  In fact I’m pretty bad, but apparently according to my wife and others who’ve heard me, when I truly worship and don’t just try to hit the notes, my voice sounds pretty good and somehow I actually do hit the notes, so much so that certain ladies in our church, who shall remain nameless, hounded me every Sunday for a year to join the choir.

And so one day, I knelt down and prayed.  I said, “Lord, if you give my wife her voice back, I’ll join the choir”. 

Now, I can’t recommend these kinds of prayers.  I mean how does the created make a deal with the Almighty, right?  But for some reason, He answered my prayer, and my wife’s voice miraculously came back.  (It’s beautiful by the way).  And when I prayed about whether I had to join the choir or not, all the verses about keeping your vows to God came to mind immediately, so I did.

I’ve been singing in the choir for almost a year now, and while I’ve come to love the fellowship and the worship involved in being part of the choir, I still don’t really know why God wants the guy who can’t sing in the choir.  

Then last night in practice, the music pastor was doing a devotional with us, and He said, “God doesn’t want good singers.  He created a whole bunch of angels in the heavenly choirs who sing way better then we’ll ever sing.  God wants worshipers, so first and foremost you need to worship when you sing.” 

That was huge!  It brought things into clarity, and then the God spoke to my heart and said, “The angels are amazing, but you should hear me sing.”

I nearly keeled over.

Part of my testimony is that I came to Christ because God audibly spoke to me.  He said, “Give up those things that you love and follow me.”  It sounded like everything the Bible said it does: rushing water (Ezekiel 43:2), multitudes (Daniel 10:6), and the tumult of a great army (Ezekiel 1:24). So every time I see the Ten Commandments with Charlton Hesston or some other Biblical movie and hear that they gave God a deep baritone voice, I laugh a little. 

He doesn’t sound like a Sports Caster, He sounds like the Almighty, and there is little comparable to His voice on Earth, though the Biblical metaphors are pretty close.  His voice is like 10,000 voices speaking in perfect harmony and unison that seem to come from everywhere and everything and nowhere at the same time.

And even though I knew this about God’s voice, for some reason when I read that verse in Zephaniah about God singing over us, I imagined the Sports Caster baritone singing.  Last night, it clicked that when God sings, it’s choral.  It’s the sound of a choir in perfect harmony: the sound of rushing water in perfect sync, making music that all of creation would be utterly flabbergasted to hear.

And He chooses to use that beautiful unparalleled, unimaginable, unfathomable, unequaled voice to sing over you—over me. 

Words fail.  Where do I go from there? 

I had so longed to hear my wife sing again, and I praise Him for restoring her voice, but now my greater longing is to hear my King sing! 

Praise Him!  Worship Him!  He alone is worthy!

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