Wednesday, June 20, 2012

sometimes there is no bow

I was reminded last night as I told the Bible story what a disney culture we really have. What do I mean by that, well that there is always a nice, clean, or happy ever after ending. As I told the story I was told it was scary, mean, and not nice. It was recommended to dumb it down. I sat there shocked. Really dumb down the Bible, that is the last thing we need to do. We have been doing that for far to long.

Instead I think we need to remember in life sometimes there is no neat ending, sometimes what happens just does not make sense. Some things we just can't complain and put a nice neat bow on it. We should not be surprised by this the Bible is full of stories that don't make sense and so is life. The one thing I do know is that God promised if we following him will not be easy. Persecution always follows kingdom proclamation. If you want an easy life do not talk about the Bible. I also Know that God promises to take care of us and that in the end no matter what if we follow him it will be worth it.
The Bible is full of amazing, unique, mind blowing stories of God showing his power to the world. Some end with great endings and some do not. In fact all but one apostle was killed for his faith, there is no bow there from a human standard, but from our spiritual nature there is nothing better.
So I think it is time to let God's word be God's word. Please stop dumbing down the stories, if there is no happy ending be okay with that, maybe there was and we just don't know the whole story. God has a plan and in the end there is a happy ever after for all of us who love him and follow him.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Who has forgotten who?

I hear a lot that God has forgotten me or won't forgive me. I have come to wonder how many times it is reversed where it is actually us who forget God. We stop believing he loves us and will always forgive us. The Lord has promised us in the old testament and reminds us in Hebrew 13:5 If we obey him he will never leave us or forsake us.
If we obey him, oh how we forget that key part. God may correct us or even punish us, as any good father should do to children he loves. We see this example several time in the life of David, but he never left David. He does this because he loves us, and his mercy and grace in this is far better than what we deserve.
I think far to many times those of us who claim God left me or doesn't love me have in fact walked away from him first. We have decided too many times that the ways of this world are better and more satisfying.  We forget God or how much he loves us, we stop obeying him and his commands, and then when things get bad and we are not rescued we instantly blame God. Instead of taking responsibility for our part in turning away from him to chase a path that leads to death. Proverbs 16:25 reminds us of this truth, there is a path that may seem right to US, but that leads to death, because it is not God's path.
1 John 2:15-17 again reminds us that the love of the world does not come from the father and those who love the world cannot have the Father's love in them. All these things will pass away, these desires will fade, but the man who does the will of the Father will live forever. Amazing how all the Bible always works together. going right back to the promise if we obey him he will never leave us or forsake us.

So I again ask the question who has forgotten who? Who has left who? Who has truly forsaken who? Is it God breaking a promise, which has yet to happen or is it us falling in love with the world and chasing things that will give us only gratification in the short term.
Lastly lets us not confuse or father correcting us as leaving us. I need me father's correction and at time rebuke. In those times as much as it may hurt I never feel abandoned if anything I feel loved and wanted instead of shame. I know my Father loves me enough to correct me. I know left to myself I will follow the path Proverbs 16:25 talks about, I will follow the path that leads to death.
So next time you get ready to say God left you do a heart check, look to see if it is you who walked away first. Own it if you have and humbly ask for forgiveness. Brokenness and humility bring us closer to God, not pride and self assurance. Again look to David how many times did he seek God's forgiveness and it was always granted and he was always loved never forsaken. Don't' let your love for anything but God and pride convince you that God left you, instead take a look inside and see if it was you who started walking away for the path God has marked out for each of us.