Positive Christian Role Model Family
Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized
(I attended a dinner party at the home of a client who is also a good friend. Here is
the thank you note I wrote them. The reason I am sharing this is because the
world needs positive Christian role model families like this one.)
******************************************
“I wanted to thank you for a great dinner party. Everything was just perfect.
You set the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing and enjoyable time. I loved your
house & especially your back deck….what a perfect place for entertaining.
But what I enjoyed the most was enjoying your family’s company. You should be
so proud of Charlie because he is such a wonderful young man, cute as a button,
playful, fun, inquisitive, enjoyable, entertaining and so well behaved…..while still
being All boy which is exactly the way it should be. You obviously surround him
with all the love, nurturing, guidance, example and attention he needs which should
help him grow up to be a wonderfully well-adjusted, well-rounded, caring and
productive member of society.
There is a certain feeling I get when I am with your family that is very positive,
nurturing, loving, fun, supportive and caring. I am sure your neighbors feel
this, too, when enjoying your company. It’s so natural and genuine.
Scott’s eyes literally lit up as he told me what an amazing photographer Amy
was and that she built the railroad for Charlie. Likewise, Amy was so proud
telling me what a super chef Scott was….what a great testimony to the
wonderful relationship you have.
Your family puts out a very positive Christian message. I think God had your
family in mind when HE designed “the family.” There is so much positive energy
there that your example helps draw other families together. This world desperately
needs Christian role model families that shine as brightly as you do.
You are Blessed. “
Never give up
Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7
No five-night town
Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized
western half of
South Dakota, near the Black Hills, and thirty minutes from
Mount Rushmore,
where the huge granite busts of four American Presidents stand
watch over
the nation their real-life counterparts helped carve.
Rapid City is a town of a little over 63,000 people. You could fit this
whole town
into the average football stadium, and yet it’s the second largest city in the
state, surpassed only by Sioux Falls with 151,000.
At the airport, while waiting for my luggage with a few people on
my flight who
were coming for the conference I was due to keynote, I overheard
a conversation
one of them was having at the nearby rental car desk.
“How long are you going to be staying here in Rapid City?”
asked the agent.
“Five nights.”
“Really?” she seemed surprised. “Rapid City is not a
five-night town.”
Well that brought out a row of small town jokes from our
group, and I felt
superior to these simple folk I observed gathered around
the baggage belt,
until my eye caught a scene that showed me I was the
one who was
standing on the outside of something I could not reach.
A young soldier from the U.S. Army in desert fatigues
was surrounded by
his adoring family, or at least what I took to be his father,
grandmother, three
younger siblings, and perhaps a couple uncles. And the l
ooks on the two
younger boys’ faces as the soldier produced souvenirs
out of his bag would
have made Norman Rockwell sit up in his grave and
demand brushes and paints.
Conspicuously missing was anyone who could have
possibly been the
soldier’s mother, and that felt particularly painful. Yet t
here was a kind of
proud awkwardness about them. These were country
folk in overalls
whose favorite son was back from defending everything
they believe in.
And in that belief, they had something I realized I didn’t
have — a simple
commitment in the values they hold dear and a moral
obligation to fight
for them, and if needs be, die in the process.
Suddenly this poor excuse for a five-night town didn’t
seem so poor.
Sound familiar?
Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized
??
Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized
Becoming Like Jesus Is a Slow Process
Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized
This will continue until we are . . . mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely
like him. Ephesians 4:13 (CEV)
*** *** *** ***
Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth. Spiritual maturity is neither
instant nor automatic; it is a gradual, progressive development that will take the
rest of your life.
Referring to this process, Paul said, “This will continue until we are . . . mature,
just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him” (Ephesians 4:13 CEV).
You are a work in progress. Your spiritual transformation in developing the
character of Jesus will take the rest of your life, and even then it won’t be
completed here on earth. It will only be finished when you get to heaven or
when Jesus returns.
At that point, whatever unfinished work on your character is left will be wrapped up.
The Bible says that when we are finally able to see Jesus perfectly, we will become
perfectly like him: “We can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns.
But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he
really is” (1 John 3:2 NLT).
Much confusion in the Christian life comes from ignoring the simple truth that God
is far more interested in building your character than he is anything else. We worry
when God seems silent on specific issues such as “What career should I choose?”
The truth is, there are many different careers that could be in God’s will for your life.
What God cares about most is that whatever you do, you do in a Christlike manner
(1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Colossians 3:17, 23).
God is far more interested in who you are than in what you do. We are human
beings, not human doings. God is much more concerned about your character
than your career, because you will take your character into eternity, but not
your career.
The Bible warns, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into
it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed
from the inside out. . . . Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down
to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed
maturity in you” (Romans 12:2 MSG).
You must make a counterculture decision to focus on becoming more like Jesus.
Otherwise, other forces like peers, parents, co-workers, and culture will try to
mold you into their image. Sadly, a quick review of many popular Christian books
reveals that many believers have abandoned living for God’s great purposes and
settled for personal fulfillment and emotional stability. That is narcissism,
not discipleship.
Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted
lives. His purpose is far deeper: he wants to make us like himself before he
takes us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility,
and our ultimate destiny.
Think about it
Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized
|
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Don’t let your worries get the best of you;
remember, Moses started out as a basket case.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* The good Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* When you get to your wit’s end, you’ll find God lives there. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* People are funny; they want the frontof the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Opportunity may knock once, but temptation *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Quit griping about your church;if it was perfect, you couldn’t belong. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* If the church wants a better preacher,it only needs to pray for the one it has. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* God Himself does not propose to judgea man until he is dead. So why should you? *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Peace starts with a smile. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* I don’t know why some peoplechange churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from? *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* A lot of church members who are singing ‘Standing on the Promises’ are just sitting on the premises. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* We were called to be witnesses,not lawyers or judges. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Be ye fishers of men. You catchthem - He’ll clean them. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Don’t put a question mark where God put a period. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Don’t wait for 6 strong men to take you to church. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Forbidden fruits create many jams.*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* God grades on the cross, not the curve.*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* *God loves everyone, but probably prefers ‘fruit of the spirit’ over a ‘religious nut!’ *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* He who angers you, controls you! *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats! *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Prayer: Don’t give God instructions — just report for duty! *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* We don’t change the message, the message changes us. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given. |
THE SCARS OF LIFE
Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized
|
Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.. His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father’s fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn’t let go.” You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He’s been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way but sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That’s when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go. Please pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. Never judge another persons scars, because you don’t know how they got them. Also, it is so important that we are not selfish, to receive the blessings of these messages, without forwarding them to someone else. Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them, too - enough to not let them go.
|
Beggar’s banquet revisited
Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized
by John Fischer Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. (Luke 14:23)
This is one of my favorite stories Jesus told about the Kingdom of God (Luke 14:16-24). After preparing a great feast, a wealthy man sent his servants out to bring in the invited guests. But none of them could come. They all had pretty lame excuses, too: “I have just bought a field and must inspect it… I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out… I now have a wife so I can’t come…” So he sent his servants out to round up anyone they could find.
Now I’m pretty sure this parable was told mainly for the benefit of the religious leaders who were following Jesus around, testing Him and trying to prove He was not the promised Messiah. They would have been the invited guests who had better things to do when it came time for the big feast. They were the ones with a sense of entitlement. They had received their embossed invitations generations earlier through the Law and the Prophets, and they would certainly have assumed they had reservations in heaven. They would have received this story as a grave insult.
But the other side of the story is all about the people who do get in at the end. They are the ones who never expected it. They don’t have a clue how they got there. They are not sure how to behave — they’re not even sure what this is. What a beautiful picture of the grace of God, to invite a bunch of clueless people into heaven! No one woke up that morning expecting to be at a feast. What good fortune! How could this be happening to me? It’s my presumption that this will be the prevailing attitude of heaven. I just can’t imagine anyone looking around and saying, “Yep, this is about what I expected,” or “Look at that group over there. How did they ever get in?”
No, everyone’s going to be flabbergasted that they got in, and pretty wide-eyed about the whole thing, and this merely captures a refreshing sense of fellowship that has been going on here on earth as long as we’ve known about our salvation. When it comes to fellowship, no one’s any better than anybody else. Everyone is surprised and full of gratitude for receiving what we don’t deserve, and that puts us all in the same boat. This is what we have here on earth; I don’t think heaven will be any different.
Come to think of it, the religious elite probably wouldn’t like heaven anyway. It’s just not their crowd.
The Big, Bad Dinosaur
Posted by John | Filed under Uncategorized
by John Fischer Chandler had a bad dream once. He dreamed I was a “big, hungry, giant, bad dinosaur.” When I asked him what I was doing in his dream he said with a smile that didn’t make me feel any better about this, “You were eating me!”
Except for the alarming nature of the idea itself, he didn’t give me any reason to be concerned. It wasn’t something that woke him up in the middle of the night and had him running to his mother for comfort. He didn’t appear to lose any sleep over it, and the telling of it was more amusing to him than anything.
This is all pretty much in keeping with what I’ve experienced with my two older children, who, when I would get really mad at them, would not be able to keep themselves from laughing. It must be something about me when I get really upset that makes me appear irresistibly funny. (My wife says it’s the veins that pop out on my forehead when my face turns red.) Of course I take this as lack of respect, which makes me even madder, and apparently, that much funnier. And when I turn to my wife for help, I usually get the same treatment. She bursts out laughing too. I’m convinced they are in cahoots over this.
Well, for years I assumed this was a conspiracy to undermine my authority. What happened to the good old days when Dad was feared and respected? When we tiptoed around him like being on a fault line that could erupt any minute and shake our world to bits?
Is that what authority is — a raging bull (or in this case… dinosaur)? Well I am beginning to realize it isn’t. Authority has a lot more to do with being responsible than it does with being angry or demanding respect. Authority is not something you bull your way into; it’s something you earn. And when you have it, you don’t have to demand it. Jesus had it — had the ultimate authority of God Himself — and He never lorded over anyone. In fact, He used His authority to serve. He needed nothing, so He could give everything He had.
Not that children shouldn’t learn to respect their parents. Honoring your father and mother is one of the Ten Commandments. It’s just that you don’t force respect. That only makes you look like a big bad dinosaur, and if those you are trying to impress don’t have the luxury of laughing in your face, you can bet they are laughing behind your back.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)
