I suspect that most of us have regrets. Whether it is related to a job, college choice, relationship or life issue, we probably have a regret or two. The regret may be a distant memory or a recent occurrence; but either way, what do we do with our regrets? How do we turn the regret into something good.
I am sure every biblical character, except Jesus, has regrets. Abraham probably regretted trying to help God with His plan, Jonah may have regretted disobeying God's word to him. David regretted his affair with Bathsheba. Peter regretted his denial of Jesus and Paul regretted his persecution of the Church.
As I look to the Word of God and the examples of men and women before me, I consider their regrets or sins and then look at how the moved beyond them. Each one moved past the failure and did great things in faith. Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, as the Lord instructed, and his faith was credited to him as righteousness. David taught us how to repent and teach transgressors God's way. Peter went on to preach at the Day of Pentecost, being used by God to write Scripture and Paul went on to be a great missionary and wrote most of the New Testament.
Romans 8:28 states "God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose". I firmly believe that nothing is wasted in the economy of God. God uses our failures to create humility and dependency upon Himself. In our failure, our need for God, His power and strength are intensified and more easily recognized.
I have plenty of regrets. The scheme of the devil is to keep me focused on regrets, those things that are behind; things I cannot change. The proper response to regrets is to repent of any sin that I have committed and then move on. Keep looking to Jesus, who is the "Author and Perfecter of my faith", who loves me and has a greater plan for my life than I can imagine. Regrets, if not properly dealt with, cause me to look at myself and then I waller like a pig in my feelings, feeling sorry for myself. What I must continually do is look to Jesus. I must keep looking forward.
If you are dealing with regret, look to Jesus, repent and then move on and let Christ finish His work in you.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Don't Be a Ted Baxter
You may remember a TV show from the 1970's called "The Mary Tyler Moore Show". It was about a young single women living in Minneapolis, Minnisota who works for a local TV statation, WJM. One characters on the show was Ted Baxter. He was the anchorman who reported all the major news stories.
In one episode, Ted and Mary are up for awards in their respective areas. As they are waiting to hear the results, Ted realizes that if Mary wins they probably won't give the same station two awards so he confesses that he hopes she loses so that he can win. In the end he wins and Mary does not.
For the rest of the episode Ted is running around interrupting conversations to talk about his award that he carries with him everywhere he goes. In general terms, Ted Baxter is a selfish, self centered person.
This made me think "Don't be a Ted Baxter". If you were to be a Ted Baxter you would have TBS - Ted Baxter Syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by the following:
We all struggle with this syndrome because in reality, this "TBS" is our sin nature. Because of sin, we always think about ourselves and what we can get or gain from everything or everyone
around us. In Christ there is a change that happens. It is new birth; it is to become a new creation; the old has passed and the new has come. (2 Cor 5:17)
Philippians 2 is one passage that teaches us about this change He makes in our lives to rid us of this "TBS". Here is what it states:
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Don't Be a Ted Baxter - Have the mind of Christ.
In one episode, Ted and Mary are up for awards in their respective areas. As they are waiting to hear the results, Ted realizes that if Mary wins they probably won't give the same station two awards so he confesses that he hopes she loses so that he can win. In the end he wins and Mary does not.
This made me think "Don't be a Ted Baxter". If you were to be a Ted Baxter you would have TBS - Ted Baxter Syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by the following:
- Making yourself the center of attention
- Crying or whining when things don't go your way
- Being the epitome of arrogance and pride
- Interrupting the conversations of others to talk about yourself
We all struggle with this syndrome because in reality, this "TBS" is our sin nature. Because of sin, we always think about ourselves and what we can get or gain from everything or everyone
Philippians 2 is one passage that teaches us about this change He makes in our lives to rid us of this "TBS". Here is what it states:
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Don't Be a Ted Baxter - Have the mind of Christ.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Embrace the Wind
For the past number of years I have been cycling. It started as a way to lose weight that my doctor said I needed to lose but wouldn't lose ( he tried a little "reverse psychology" and it worked). Then it became a way of life to keep the weight off. After riding some 4,000+ miles or so I stopped riding. I lost interest and become lazy.
Well, this year has begun a resurgence of intentionality towards riding. I have a new willingness to put on the gear, air up the tires and ride. The major problem I most often face riding in Kansas is not so much the hills (yes there are hills in Kansas) but the wind. Because of the rich farmland we enjoy in Kansas, there is a noticeable lack of trees to block the wind. A beautiful, sunny day of 83 degrees with a 21 mph wind is great for sailboats and wind surfers but not so much for cyclist.
With the windy conditions we have in Kansas you have to embrace the wind. If you wait for a calm day to ride you might ride 5 times a year. So, I am learning to embrace the wind. It is hard to ride against it. You have a sense that you are going nowhere slow. The sound of the rushing wind and the 9 mph on your speedometer can really cause to wonder why, why are you out here riding.
You struggle and struggle to make your way against the wind and you finally arrive at the turn around spot. It is then that you remember why you fight the wind, why you put up with legs that burn. It's because you have a tail wind all the way back. At one point a turtle could beat you and the next you are flying. But in order to fly with the wind you must first fight it. It is the struggle that makes you strong. It is the perseverance that rewards you with an almost effortless ride home.
There is a spiritual lesson to for us to learn. I call it "Embrace the Flame (trial)". Much like riding against the wind, life is sometimes a challenge; finances, health, relationships, etc. all seem to battle against us and make the ride difficult. We don't always understand why the trials come but James calls us to "count it all joy when you face various trials" (my paraphrase of James 1:2) So, it is in the midst of the trial that "faith is tested" so "that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:3-4 NIV) If we wish the trial away or we do not facing it, we lose the benefit of it. The benefit of the trial, if we count it joy, is perseverance or the result of genuine faith, maturity and completeness.
When we don't give up, when we become mature and complete there is reward. A life well lived and a eternal home with Jesus. No matter how strong the wind or the trial, keep pedaling and count it all joy. The turn around point is just ahead.
Well, this year has begun a resurgence of intentionality towards riding. I have a new willingness to put on the gear, air up the tires and ride. The major problem I most often face riding in Kansas is not so much the hills (yes there are hills in Kansas) but the wind. Because of the rich farmland we enjoy in Kansas, there is a noticeable lack of trees to block the wind. A beautiful, sunny day of 83 degrees with a 21 mph wind is great for sailboats and wind surfers but not so much for cyclist.
With the windy conditions we have in Kansas you have to embrace the wind. If you wait for a calm day to ride you might ride 5 times a year. So, I am learning to embrace the wind. It is hard to ride against it. You have a sense that you are going nowhere slow. The sound of the rushing wind and the 9 mph on your speedometer can really cause to wonder why, why are you out here riding.
You struggle and struggle to make your way against the wind and you finally arrive at the turn around spot. It is then that you remember why you fight the wind, why you put up with legs that burn. It's because you have a tail wind all the way back. At one point a turtle could beat you and the next you are flying. But in order to fly with the wind you must first fight it. It is the struggle that makes you strong. It is the perseverance that rewards you with an almost effortless ride home.
There is a spiritual lesson to for us to learn. I call it "Embrace the Flame (trial)". Much like riding against the wind, life is sometimes a challenge; finances, health, relationships, etc. all seem to battle against us and make the ride difficult. We don't always understand why the trials come but James calls us to "count it all joy when you face various trials" (my paraphrase of James 1:2) So, it is in the midst of the trial that "faith is tested" so "that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:3-4 NIV) If we wish the trial away or we do not facing it, we lose the benefit of it. The benefit of the trial, if we count it joy, is perseverance or the result of genuine faith, maturity and completeness.
When we don't give up, when we become mature and complete there is reward. A life well lived and a eternal home with Jesus. No matter how strong the wind or the trial, keep pedaling and count it all joy. The turn around point is just ahead.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Where is the hope?
We live in a time that seems to be different than other generations. News that would take days even weeks to reach us is now almost immediate. The decay of morals and the corruption of governments seems to be getting worse. We seem to devalue life and care more for personal agendas or personal rights.
Yet, with all of the badness of our world, its not new. When you look back at history, we see the same evil, selfish acts of terrorism and the murdering of innocent lives. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes states in chapter 1 verse 9 "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."
In the midst of all that is happening in our world there is hope. Our hope is Jesus Christ. He alone is the source of true hope for now and for all of eternity. But we often lose sight of this reality. We take our focus off of the Lord and put it on things around us. If we are not careful, we will put our hope in the political process. We will strive to legislate morality. We will fight for personal rights, when the reality for followers of Jesus is that we are slaves to Christ.
The Good News of the Gospel is that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sin, was buried and arose on the third day. We need to share this good news. We know the world is corrupt, we know that people are sinful and selfish; what is right is called wrong and what is wrong is called right. What we all need is a change of heart. Only God through Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit can this change happen and this message of good news is ours to share.
The Psalmist states "Why are you downcast, O my Soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5
We can look around us and become hopeless and defeated or we can put our hope in God and praise Him and "... be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have". (1 Peter 3:15)
Yet, with all of the badness of our world, its not new. When you look back at history, we see the same evil, selfish acts of terrorism and the murdering of innocent lives. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes states in chapter 1 verse 9 "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."
In the midst of all that is happening in our world there is hope. Our hope is Jesus Christ. He alone is the source of true hope for now and for all of eternity. But we often lose sight of this reality. We take our focus off of the Lord and put it on things around us. If we are not careful, we will put our hope in the political process. We will strive to legislate morality. We will fight for personal rights, when the reality for followers of Jesus is that we are slaves to Christ.
The Good News of the Gospel is that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sin, was buried and arose on the third day. We need to share this good news. We know the world is corrupt, we know that people are sinful and selfish; what is right is called wrong and what is wrong is called right. What we all need is a change of heart. Only God through Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit can this change happen and this message of good news is ours to share.
The Psalmist states "Why are you downcast, O my Soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 42:5
We can look around us and become hopeless and defeated or we can put our hope in God and praise Him and "... be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have". (1 Peter 3:15)
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Perfect...Not!
Perfect : 1a: being entirely without fault or defect ...b: satisfying all requirements...
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Please allow me to state the obvious...we are imperfect people living in a imperfect world. Yet, it seems, we are under pressure to be perfect. But is this idea of being perfect something we impose on ourselves or does it come from outside of us? I think both. We see all around us imperfection; baseball players striking out, baseball pitchers throwing balls, basketball players missing free-throws, politicians mis-speaking, etc. We see corruption and harshness in governments and selfishness abounds in all of us. If we make to many mistakes...not enough hits, strikes, free-throw, etc we may find ourselves without employment.
To realize that we are not perfect is helpful but not an excuse to willfully be disobedient to God's word or the law of the land. Mistakes will be made, we will sin but in Christ, God has called us to perfection, which is completeness. Jesus said in Matthew 5:48 "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect". (ESV) This comes at the end of Jesus speaking about loving our enemies in the Sermon on the Mount and is a command. God the Father is our true example of perfection and therefore we are commanded to follow His example. While Jesus was on the earth, He was perfect, without sin, fault or defect and satisfied all requirements; was obedient to the Father.
Is being perfect even a possibility? Not in the sense of sinless perfection but in the sense of completeness; in a progressive way. We ought to be progressing in our holiness, godliness, righteousness and faithfulness. This is not accomplished on our own. It is completed in us when we are totally and completely in Christ. Paul states in Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (ESV)
Again, Paul says in Ephesians 4:11-ff "And he gave the Apostles, the Prophets, the Evangelist, the Shepherds and Teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unit of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood (italics mine) or a perfect man (KJV) ...to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (ESV)
The point is not striving to be "perfect" by our standards but rather to die to self and let Jesus Christ live His life through you and be diligent to know His word, to pray, to give, to serve, to completely surrender everyday and live for His glory and honor.
I in no way have come to completeness in Christ. I struggle with my flesh like all of mankind but the words of Scripture are true. Therefore may we seek to be perfect/complete in Christ and not give up or give in to our misconception of perfection but rather rest in Christ and keep our eyes on Him.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Eternal and Great God
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning: great is your faithfulness" Lamentations 3:22-23
The love and mercy and faithfulness of God are important attributes of God. All of them are important but Jeremiah points to these three as continual and new and great. I am thankful for God's attributes being the same. I am glad that he does not change like shadows and is not one way today and another tomorrow.
He is merciful and gracious towards us because He knows that we are weak and frail and made of dust. He is the One who made us, created us, knit us together in our mother's womb. He knows the trials we face and He knows how to "work all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28)
I am prone to focus on my mistakes, failures and troubles. The things I should have done or could have done seem to flood my mind. But when I think of verses like Lamentations 3:22-23, the LORD reminds me of Who He is. When I truly realize how great and awesome He is and that He created everything that is, that nothing is hide from His eyes, that He rewards those who love and fear Him (fear as in reverence and awe and love and adoration) , how can I for one second worry about tomorrow or what I am going to wear or what I am going to eat or what job will I have.
God loves me. His mercies will never end and He is faithful. Oh, that I would love Him with my whole heart, mind, spirit and body and love others as He has loved me; that my life would bring Him glory now and forever more.
The love and mercy and faithfulness of God are important attributes of God. All of them are important but Jeremiah points to these three as continual and new and great. I am thankful for God's attributes being the same. I am glad that he does not change like shadows and is not one way today and another tomorrow.
He is merciful and gracious towards us because He knows that we are weak and frail and made of dust. He is the One who made us, created us, knit us together in our mother's womb. He knows the trials we face and He knows how to "work all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28)
I am prone to focus on my mistakes, failures and troubles. The things I should have done or could have done seem to flood my mind. But when I think of verses like Lamentations 3:22-23, the LORD reminds me of Who He is. When I truly realize how great and awesome He is and that He created everything that is, that nothing is hide from His eyes, that He rewards those who love and fear Him (fear as in reverence and awe and love and adoration) , how can I for one second worry about tomorrow or what I am going to wear or what I am going to eat or what job will I have.
God loves me. His mercies will never end and He is faithful. Oh, that I would love Him with my whole heart, mind, spirit and body and love others as He has loved me; that my life would bring Him glory now and forever more.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Never Long Enough
Last night a good friend passed away unexpectedly. Death, when it comes, always comes unexpectedly. No matter how "prepared" we may feel, when it happens it is always a shock.
Death is a reminder that life is never long enough. There is more family time to be spent, more birthday parties to attend, more grand babies to be born, more holidays to be celebrated; there is just more life to be lived.
Death brings an end to what we had known as normal. Our loved one had always been there. For some, life has always been lived with their presence. Now life will be lived with that void. Scriptures reminds us that life is but a breath. A vapor that appears for a little while and then is gone. We are like the grass that is here today and then is burned up with the heat of the sun.
We know these things to be true. Most of us have experienced the death of a close relative or friend. So, what do we do now? It often seems that life won't or can't go on but day by day we make it through. For the follower of Christ, our strength is not our own. It comes through His Holy Spirit that resides in us. It comes from friends who express their sympathy and support. It comes from God's Holy Word and it's teaches that death, for the follower of Christ, is not the end; it is a continuation of the promised eternal life that Jesus promises for those who are called by His name.
Knowing that life is never long enough, live today to the fullest. Love and obey Christ, love your family and seek to do all that the Lord has for you.
Blessings
Death is a reminder that life is never long enough. There is more family time to be spent, more birthday parties to attend, more grand babies to be born, more holidays to be celebrated; there is just more life to be lived.
Death brings an end to what we had known as normal. Our loved one had always been there. For some, life has always been lived with their presence. Now life will be lived with that void. Scriptures reminds us that life is but a breath. A vapor that appears for a little while and then is gone. We are like the grass that is here today and then is burned up with the heat of the sun.
We know these things to be true. Most of us have experienced the death of a close relative or friend. So, what do we do now? It often seems that life won't or can't go on but day by day we make it through. For the follower of Christ, our strength is not our own. It comes through His Holy Spirit that resides in us. It comes from friends who express their sympathy and support. It comes from God's Holy Word and it's teaches that death, for the follower of Christ, is not the end; it is a continuation of the promised eternal life that Jesus promises for those who are called by His name.
Knowing that life is never long enough, live today to the fullest. Love and obey Christ, love your family and seek to do all that the Lord has for you.
Blessings
Monday, January 7, 2013
New Year
It seems that with every new year, we all set out to make changes in our weight or exercise routine. We may decide that it is time to learn a new skill or work on some unfinished project. The new year seems to provide a new beginning.
I am taking this new year to evaluate where I am and take stock of the good things and then look at the not-so-good things and then seeking to make any corrections needed. I have realized that I can make changes but I can't fix myself.
When I have tried to fix myself, I end up doing things that only last for a time. I am limited on what I can do except to become more and more dependent on Jesus Christ. This is not easy and its not about making external changes. The external changes are truly made when the internal thoughts and mind are transformed into the likeness and attitude of Christ. Only Christ can make true change happen.
I am a follower of Christ. I believe that the Bible is true in all of its teaching. I may not always understand or do what the Bible teaches but it doesn't take away from it being true. Each day I need to grow increasingly dependant to follow and obey the words of the Bible. Yet, I cannot do it on my own. It takes Christ living in me and the work of the Holy Spirit to give the understanding, knowledge and strength to follow His commands.
I pray that 2013 will be a good year for you and me. I hope that we all live godly lives in the power and strength of God our Savior and let Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, make those necessary changes in our lives for His glory and honor.
I am taking this new year to evaluate where I am and take stock of the good things and then look at the not-so-good things and then seeking to make any corrections needed. I have realized that I can make changes but I can't fix myself.
When I have tried to fix myself, I end up doing things that only last for a time. I am limited on what I can do except to become more and more dependent on Jesus Christ. This is not easy and its not about making external changes. The external changes are truly made when the internal thoughts and mind are transformed into the likeness and attitude of Christ. Only Christ can make true change happen.
I am a follower of Christ. I believe that the Bible is true in all of its teaching. I may not always understand or do what the Bible teaches but it doesn't take away from it being true. Each day I need to grow increasingly dependant to follow and obey the words of the Bible. Yet, I cannot do it on my own. It takes Christ living in me and the work of the Holy Spirit to give the understanding, knowledge and strength to follow His commands.
I pray that 2013 will be a good year for you and me. I hope that we all live godly lives in the power and strength of God our Savior and let Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, make those necessary changes in our lives for His glory and honor.
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