Turn on your t.v. and it takes about 3 nano-seconds before the subject of sex comes up. There must really be something to this whole sex-thing if it's such a popular topic.
Well, while I was reading through Genesis recently (first book in the Bible), I noticed plenty of references to sex there too. And it wasn't all pretty--incest, rape, prostitution, seduction. Two sisters get their dad drunk so that he'll sleep with them (mom is dead) so that they'll have children so that they'll carry on the family line; a widower (Judah, whose line Jesus came from) hires a prostitute to sleep with him (just because) who happens to be his daughter-in-law who was left hanging without one of her dead husband's brothers to marry (the widowed woman was supposed to be given one of her husband's brothers if the husband died); Leah pays off sister Rachel so that she can sleep with the husband they both share so that she can have more babies; and Potiphar's wife does her best Mae West imitation to seduce the young, handsome Joseph. Potent stuff. Hollywood wasn't the first to notice. And then there's the fall-out: Nations emerging from the incest that would be a thorn in Israel's side for years; revenge; jealousy between half-brothers; an innocent man being framed for rape.
Sex is powerful. Just imagine how powerful it can be for the good when it's contained within a life-long covenant of love between a husband and wife. No messes to clean up; no broken hearts; no attachment disorders. Think about it.
Blessings
Friday, October 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Mattress shopping
I recently went mattress shopping. Since we spend about 1/3 of our day on our mattress, I thought it important to be thorough. So I went to 4 different mattress stores to investigate which mattress would be best for my sleep hygiene. I talked to the "evangelists" (salesmen) in each store; I listened to "eye-witnesses"(both in person and online) who gave their testimonial as to the benefits/drawbacks of their mattresses; and I personally tested the different mattresses to see which one I preferred the most. Then, after discussing the options with my wife, we made the commitment to purchase what seemed to be the best bed for us (although we were not 100% certain).
If choosing a bed could inspire that kind of careful scrutiny, then choosing a leader who will impact our entire life and eternity deserves careful investigation. After his resurrection, Jesus' followers worked through their doubts about him. They needed some evidence. Have you done your own investigation of the evidence of the resurrection? This is too big of an issue to put on a back-burner. Talk to an "evangelist" (somebody who's already bought into following Jesus Christ); talk to "witnesses" who've experienced him for themselves; test the faith for yourself. Then, when you're ready, make a commitment of faith in him. You don't have to be 100% certain, either (that's why they call it "faith", not "certain"). As a witness myself I believe you'll be satisfied with top-of-the-line spiritual hygiene.
Rick
If choosing a bed could inspire that kind of careful scrutiny, then choosing a leader who will impact our entire life and eternity deserves careful investigation. After his resurrection, Jesus' followers worked through their doubts about him. They needed some evidence. Have you done your own investigation of the evidence of the resurrection? This is too big of an issue to put on a back-burner. Talk to an "evangelist" (somebody who's already bought into following Jesus Christ); talk to "witnesses" who've experienced him for themselves; test the faith for yourself. Then, when you're ready, make a commitment of faith in him. You don't have to be 100% certain, either (that's why they call it "faith", not "certain"). As a witness myself I believe you'll be satisfied with top-of-the-line spiritual hygiene.
Rick
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A Weighty Word
I recently spoke with a friend of mine about his ministry of church-planting. He has planted thousands of churches in the Philippines, Indonesia, Africa, South America, and elsewhere. His approach is different. He takes the words of John 17 very seriously, where Jesus talks about his followers being one so that the world may believe that the Father sent Jesus into the world. My friend has taken Jesus' words and applied it to a church planting model: Bringing together believers and pastors from different traditions to plant churches.
As I listened to him I thought to myself, "He takes Jesus' words in John 17 more seriously than I do. To my friend they've got weight. For me, John 17 is nice in an ecumenical service (kind of a Gospel-lite), while he's changing the world with them." Isn't it true that we can read God's Word the way we read letters to the editor? "Yeah, I like that teaching (because I agree with it or it makes me feel good)" or "No, I'll bypass that teaching (since it makes me uncomfortable or doesn't make much sense in my world)".
Well, how about reading it as if it's actually true? God's Word represents reality, and reality bears out the truth of God's Word. My friend is proving it: When believers are one, Jesus is glorified and people are drawn to him. God's Word is far weightier than letters to the editor. Why not let it have its "weight" with us?
As I listened to him I thought to myself, "He takes Jesus' words in John 17 more seriously than I do. To my friend they've got weight. For me, John 17 is nice in an ecumenical service (kind of a Gospel-lite), while he's changing the world with them." Isn't it true that we can read God's Word the way we read letters to the editor? "Yeah, I like that teaching (because I agree with it or it makes me feel good)" or "No, I'll bypass that teaching (since it makes me uncomfortable or doesn't make much sense in my world)".
Well, how about reading it as if it's actually true? God's Word represents reality, and reality bears out the truth of God's Word. My friend is proving it: When believers are one, Jesus is glorified and people are drawn to him. God's Word is far weightier than letters to the editor. Why not let it have its "weight" with us?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
One-Day-at-a-Time
I'm at a different place in life right now--there's lots of stuff going on that doesn't fit into my sequential, linear way of doing things. I have more responsibility, which has had the effect of making me feel like one of those cartoon characters with dazed eyes and little birds swirling around their head.
So I've had to take a new approach: 1-day-at-a-time. I ask God for grace for each day's load, and it's been good. I'm staying in the moment, getting things done, while staying fresh in the process. I'm not thinking as much about the future and enjoying the present more. It fits with what Jesus instructed us to do, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will woryy about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Mt. 6:34)
I realize that there's a place for planning for the future, but doing so while missing the present I don't believe is the Jesus way. As with all of his instruction, it's so much more liberating. I highly recommend it. Blessings.
Rick
So I've had to take a new approach: 1-day-at-a-time. I ask God for grace for each day's load, and it's been good. I'm staying in the moment, getting things done, while staying fresh in the process. I'm not thinking as much about the future and enjoying the present more. It fits with what Jesus instructed us to do, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will woryy about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Mt. 6:34)
I realize that there's a place for planning for the future, but doing so while missing the present I don't believe is the Jesus way. As with all of his instruction, it's so much more liberating. I highly recommend it. Blessings.
Rick
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
hospitality
Anyone out there wondering whatever happened to "hospitality"? The kind of thing we do when we open our homes to each other or strangers. The word literally means "kindness to strangers" or the "love of strangers". The word "stranger" has a scarey connotation to a lot of us today, but does that mean we just don't do it because it sounds scarey or invasive of our privacy? It still is the heart of God. So I wonder how much we miss when we simply hide away in our castles, protected from all the people on the outside.
Growing up it seemed like we were frequently in each other's homes. It was normal; we got to know each other; and our lives were enriched. We recently welcomed some "strangers" into our home who needed a place to stay while they supported a family through a court case. They are believers in Jesus from another faith tradition. We agreed to some boundaries and, after sensing it was the right thing to do, we welcomed them. While we have made it affordable for them to support this family in crisis, we have been enriched. We have heard their stories of living in Morrocco for 4 years as missionaries and of hosting Muslim students in their home. Because of hospitality, we have seen more of how God has moved in our world. We have been encouraged by the faith of one of their Muslim students who committed to follow Christ despite his family's death threats on his life. The whole experience has added more texture to our lives.
I know that I've been cared for many times by people opening their homes to me in a time of need. It's a great idea. "Practice hospitality", says God. Don't you think it's about time to recover what is fast becoming a lost art?
Sincerely,
Rick
Growing up it seemed like we were frequently in each other's homes. It was normal; we got to know each other; and our lives were enriched. We recently welcomed some "strangers" into our home who needed a place to stay while they supported a family through a court case. They are believers in Jesus from another faith tradition. We agreed to some boundaries and, after sensing it was the right thing to do, we welcomed them. While we have made it affordable for them to support this family in crisis, we have been enriched. We have heard their stories of living in Morrocco for 4 years as missionaries and of hosting Muslim students in their home. Because of hospitality, we have seen more of how God has moved in our world. We have been encouraged by the faith of one of their Muslim students who committed to follow Christ despite his family's death threats on his life. The whole experience has added more texture to our lives.
I know that I've been cared for many times by people opening their homes to me in a time of need. It's a great idea. "Practice hospitality", says God. Don't you think it's about time to recover what is fast becoming a lost art?
Sincerely,
Rick
Friday, March 11, 2011
spring training
I went to Spring Training with my dad and brother this week to watch a little baseball in the warm Arizona sunshine. At one of the games I sat next to a Dodger fan (I've been a life-long Willie Mays/Giants fan...not exactly the coziest of seatmates). Well, he turned out to be an interesting guy. He played college ball and then made it all the way to the Triple A level. He had a real respect for the men playing the game that day because, as a former minor leaguer himself, he said that there are days that you just don't feel like playing the game. These guys, he said, paid the price and made it. They persevered.
Is there any "field" in life where perseverance isn't important? It sure is for anyone following Jesus Christ. I've been surprised at how many times I felt like packing it in and then, maybe a day or week later, something great happened because I kept the faith. I kept going. Nothing fancy or very inspiritional...just one foot in front of the other. Like Paul said, "suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope." I like character and hope a lot. But they don't come without persevering through hard times. Keep going, friend.
Is there any "field" in life where perseverance isn't important? It sure is for anyone following Jesus Christ. I've been surprised at how many times I felt like packing it in and then, maybe a day or week later, something great happened because I kept the faith. I kept going. Nothing fancy or very inspiritional...just one foot in front of the other. Like Paul said, "suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope." I like character and hope a lot. But they don't come without persevering through hard times. Keep going, friend.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
the language of prayer
Hello,
I read recently that learning how to pray should be like learning a new language--you immerse yourself in the language of prayer until it becomes of a part of you. And the place to immerse yourself in the language of prayer is in the book of Psalms. Psalms has been believers' prayer/worship book for millenia.
That's been true for me. In college I had a religion professor who said we ought to read the Old Testament as well as the New Testament, and that a good place to start was in the Psalms. So I started reading Psalms. A funny thing happened: I started praising God more (because it happens all the time in Psalms), and my vision of God got bigger (because God is really big in Psalms). And it's wasn't like I sat under some theologian who analyzed the structure of Psalms for me or explained they're meaning. No, I just absorbed these truths into the warp and woof of my being like a child learning the word for "ball" or "dog" from mom and dad after months of immersion in their home.
Why not try it? A Psalm a day, year after year, until you pick up the language of prayer/worship? No sterile classroom environment or boring lecture, but a steady diet of the language of prayer in the comfort of your own home (or office or commuter van,etc.). Blessings.
Pastor Rick
I read recently that learning how to pray should be like learning a new language--you immerse yourself in the language of prayer until it becomes of a part of you. And the place to immerse yourself in the language of prayer is in the book of Psalms. Psalms has been believers' prayer/worship book for millenia.
That's been true for me. In college I had a religion professor who said we ought to read the Old Testament as well as the New Testament, and that a good place to start was in the Psalms. So I started reading Psalms. A funny thing happened: I started praising God more (because it happens all the time in Psalms), and my vision of God got bigger (because God is really big in Psalms). And it's wasn't like I sat under some theologian who analyzed the structure of Psalms for me or explained they're meaning. No, I just absorbed these truths into the warp and woof of my being like a child learning the word for "ball" or "dog" from mom and dad after months of immersion in their home.
Why not try it? A Psalm a day, year after year, until you pick up the language of prayer/worship? No sterile classroom environment or boring lecture, but a steady diet of the language of prayer in the comfort of your own home (or office or commuter van,etc.). Blessings.
Pastor Rick
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