What sin have I caused?

“Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.”   1 Corinthians 8:13 NIV -- http://bible.com/111/1co.8.13.niv

Last week I had the privilege of traveling to an education conference in Orlando. In the evening we chose to go to one of these micro-breweries. I haven't had beer for a long time and didn't drink any this time either. I did have some of their own home made sodas. They were delicious. I had a red raspberry and a home made root beer. Wow did it have great flavor. Afterward, I really thought about why didn't I feel comfortable drinking a beer. It's not a sin. In my past I used to have quite a few beers. But at some point in my life, I decided not to drink alcohol any more. I did this because drunkenness is associated with drinking alcohol. I know many great people that drink and don't get drunk. They are fine Christian people. I just have chosen to try to make sure I don't endorse sin in any way. People know I am a Christian and I don't want to give even the appearance of being hypocritical.

But, do I pay attention to other sins as much as this one? Have any of my actions caused others to sin? Have my actions been hypocritical of the gospel of Jesus? I always need to remember that my actions speak louder than my words. I can spend a lot of time worshipping, praying, or studying God's word, That may make me appear like a wonderful Christian. My actions can destroy that witness in a brief moment.

Dear Lord, please help me be aware of my actions. Lord, forgive me for the times I have destroyed my witness by careless words or deeds. I don't want to become legalistic like the Pharasees. I don't want to judge others for their actions, but I do want to maintain a high standard for myself. I treasure the gospel and your wonderful, saving grace. I praise you Lord for your love! Amen!

The encourager!

When the uproar was over, Paul sent for the believers and encouraged them. Then he said good-bye and left for Macedonia. While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through. Then he traveled down to Greece, (Acts of the Apostles 20:1-2 NLT)

How do you go about preaching the Gospel? So much of what we hear is gloom and doom. Society has gotten very skeptical and cynical. Even Christians feel obligated to bear the bad news. I really wish we would just emphasize the positives of life with God. Realistically we need to spend more time encouraging new believers, young followers and even stalwarts of the faith.

Life is not easy. So spreading encouragement could be exactly what people may need. It's so much easier to face trials if you hear the voice of your family and friends shouting encouragement. Life is going to be difficult at times. It is guaranteed! It may feel there is no way you can handle it. That is where you need your friends in the faith to come along side and encourage you. 

Send out an email, call someone, or go visit them. Do it specifically with the attitude to encourage them and let them know you are behind them. Bring the light of Jesus into their lives at the point where they need him the most.

Blessing things!

When you enter the home, give it your blessing. (Matthew 10:12 NLT)

Today my CMA, Christian motorcyclist Association, family are going out to do our first "Blessing of the Bike Shops". It always seems strange to me to claim to bless THINGS. But, it is not without some biblical parallels. Yet, even when you bless a home you are not blessing the building but you are blessing the people in it. When we bless a "bike" we are not blessing the bike but the biker. Today we will ask Gods blessing on these businesses, but we are really asking blessings of the owners, managers, employees and their families. 

I really enjoy bike blessings and this opportunity today is a thrill for me also. Whenever I get the chance to pray for people i myself feel extremely blessed. So many people say they are praying for someone or something, but most of the time those are done in private. I'm not down playing that prayer. But, taking the time to stop and actually physically pray for someone with them is a special moment. 

Praise  God for the opportunity to pray for others. Lord, I know you hear our prayers. I am honored that you truly listen to the prayers of your servants. I ask that you be with us today as we share your call to prayer. Give us the words and the actions as we travel the area today. Be with us and provide my Chapter with a special blessing throughout this day. Amen!

Open honesty in love!

So the LORD sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: “There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle. The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man’s own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest.” David was furious. “As surely as the LORD lives,” he vowed, “any man who would do such a thing deserves to die! He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole and for having no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The LORD, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. (2 Samuel 12:1-7 NLT)

Talk about an awkward moment, this confrontation between David and Nathan is truly an uncomfortable spot for both men. But, the confrontation had to occur. 

I have had some of those moments in my life. I have had to fire people. I've had to punish a wrong. If had to discipline my children, students, and employees. Every single time it occurs, it's grossly uncomfortable. But, confrontation of a fellow believer about sin would make me more squeamish than any other situation I've encountered. Our society says it's really none of my business. The bible says differently. As a matter of fact it is our duty!

The word "confrontation" is ugly. It sends visions of hatred and meanness. I have never seen a vicious confrontation, even if for noble reasons, end well. Our approach , especially with fellow believers, must be out of love and done with a pure heart. We must let our love shine through stronger than the hatred. We also need to approach any confrontation as a way to earn respect, not domination. An attitude of tears is great, an attitude of joy is not great. If we would just approach every battle of wills as a gentle rebuke instead of a blatant war, we would all be better off. 

Dear Lord' help me with my relationships with my fellow believers. Help me to be honest with them and they be honest with me. If I am do ping something wrong, sinning, or hurting my ministry, I want to know. If my friends, or family are doing the same thing, give me strength to let them know. We need to make each other better. We can not do that without you directing our lives. Thank you Lord for your wonderful love and the joy of living a life for you. Amen!

My performance evaluation before God

Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. (1 Corinthians 4:2-4 NLT)

I have been so blessed to have some great bosses in my life. Even now I love my Principal. I believe he is fair, caring, insightful, compassionate, and a great leader by example. He is also in charge of my performance evaluation. For some reason, that I fail to see, teachers are in an uproar about our evaluation process. I actually like it. I know it's not completely fair. But, overall it is a good tool to help rate my job performance. But, really I don't care about my Prinicipals evaluation of my job. I report to a higher power, my loving and gracious God.

My evaluation isn't about money. It's about how well I represent Jesus Christ to my students, fellow teachers, parents, and anyone else I deal with on a daily basis. Frankly, if God thinks I deserve a raise, I'll get it. If not, I won't. I spend not one ounce of energy thinking about my teacher evaluation. I love my job more than some earthly rating system. Getting a great or poor performance means nothing without the seal of the Lord. I don't want to do my best for my students sake, my Prinicipals sake or even my own sake. I want to do my best because my savior Jesus Christ expects it. 

Praise God for my career. Praise God for the opportunity to serve my community, school, and more importantly my students. I beg you Lord to give me guidance and direction to do the best for each and every student. I am overjoyed with your presence in my life. I am wildly blessed with your love. Thank you! Amen!

Crushed but not defeated!

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen. (1 Peter 5:8-11 NLT)

I have had times in my life that I have been devastated. I have been to the end of my rope. I have been crushed by overbearing bosses, misunderstood by an intended enemy, dissappointed by those who claimed to love me, and driven to depression because I had lost one of life's battles. The devil has had me right where he wanted me. He waits for my weakest moments. He stalks me, waiting for me to slip in my daily walk. He wants to devour me. He wants me to feel alone and defeated.

God is there to save us. God is there to remind us, the suffering is only for a short time. We are not alone. We all suffer together. We are family and family doesn't let family suffer alone. Our Heavenly Father does not let us suffer long. He raises us up restores us, strengthens us and will help us stand once again on his firm foundation. 

So regardless the pain you feel in this moment. Stand firm on the promises of God. Destroy the stalking Lion. Be strong in your faith. Even the Lion can not win when faced with such power as that which comes from faith in the God of the universe. 

Dear Lord, thank you, I praise you for defeating the stalking Lions of my life. I praise you for rescuing me from the depths, from the pains of life. I deserve nothing, yet you gave all. Praise God for the gift of his Son, Jesus, that we can soundly defeat the evil one! Amen!

Can't predict the future

Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. (James 4:13-17 NLT)

We just can't predict tomorrow. We can't predict stock market prices, the weather, the economy, or any number of life's activities. There is no such thing as a real "fortune teller". No matter how hard we try to control the future, we just don't have that kind of power. As a Christian I try to manipulate the future through prayer. If I just pray the right prayer, I will earn the right to control God! 

You know God is better than that. 

So what do we do?

We trust in the Lord. Our Heavenly Father knows the plan. He has great plans to prosper us. He has told us that. Now we just have to believe it. We need to connect with Jesus. We need to follow the spirit of the Lord within our hearts and minds. We need to act on his promptings and then just let life happen. It needs to change from my plans to his plans. My prayers need to be that the plan is revealed to me that I might do the will of God. When I'm in charge it is a "false" power. God has the real power and the wisdom of the future. Let him make the plans. Let him be the navigator of your life.

You can't force things

The Messenger-Angel said, “Can’t you tell?” “No, sir,” I said. Then he said, “This is GOD ’s Message to Zerubbabel: ‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ says GOD -of-the-Angel-Armies. ‘So, big mountain, who do you think you are? Next to Zerubbabel you’re nothing but a molehill. He’ll proceed to set the Cornerstone in place, accompanied by cheers: Yes! Yes! Do it!’” (Zechariah 4:5-7 MSG)

I had a wonderful day today. I got some letters from students today that just lifted my spirits. Have you ever wondered in life if you're making any difference? I hope that everyone WANTS to make a difference. I do want to make a difference in the lives of my students. I want to impact the lives of the people I hang out with. I want people to say their lives are better because of me. Of course the ultimate is when they see the Lord through me. 

You can't force these things!

I wish we could force these moments. But, if you do try to force them, they usually never happen. I notice I have had my greatest impact when I'm just trying to be me. The last three years as I have rejoined the classroom, I have seen a difference in me and then how students view me. I care less about how great a teacher I can be and more how great a person I can be. I'm not trying to to be their friend, I'm just trying to be a genuine , caring, loving human that gets the opportunity to hang out with kids. I don't try to be anything, I just am who I am. As I grow stronger in my faith I really have turned more of my daily life over to God. I am amazed to see the person I have become, not by my doing, but by the power and strength of Jesus.

Praise God for his loving presence and the guidance in my life.

Get'n after it!

So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. Then he commanded him: “Do not marry a Canaanite woman. Go at once to Paddan Aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel. Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother. May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples. (Genesis 28:1-3 NIV)

Have you ever seen God in your life? Have you ever been so amazed that you could attribute it to none other than the Lord himself? As I read the bible it is so refreshing to see an active God. Likewise, it is so wonderul to see God at work in MY life. I see answered prayer in ways that CANT be by chance. It's great to see proof of our active father throughout the world. I read an article recently about the proof of Gods existence by none other than a leading professor at MIT! I am refreshed by the preaching of one of my VERY young CMA brothers a few weeks ago. I could see the words of Jesus as they came  forth from his mouth. I am a part of the community mentioned in these verses. I love being a part of the body of Christ. I am blessed to feel his presence in my life and during my entire day. God is surrounding us. He wakes every morning, not sitting on the sidelines of this tiny planet, but getting after it and embedding himself in everything we do. 

Yes, God is here! Just as with Isaac and Jacob, God is in all things, not just the large or the small, he is in all things. He is real, he is relevant, and he is active. He is with us and he is going to come back, soon! I PRAISE his name and thank him for the wonderful life I am blessed with. Thank you Lord for not giving up on us, loving us, and sending your son for us. Praise God! 

Judge not!

This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not relent. Because they have rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed, I will send fire on Judah that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem.” (Amos 2:4-5 NIV)

It's so easy to ignore your own sins and shake your head in disgust at someone else's. As a great leader you always need to be just as critical of your own faults as the faults of those you lead. We have all fallen short of the glory of God! We have all made errors in judgement, we have all ignored God, we have all sinned against others and God.

A huge barrier for most christians is the sin of others. It's funny how our sins are always less than the sins of others. Of course we know that's not true, but we act like it. It's sad that we can't share, openly, our own sins as tools to show God's amazing love. It's sad that we won't even try to build relationships with the lost because of THEIR sins.

Please Lord, open our eyes and our hearts to the lost. Help us to do whatever it takes to bring the lost to you. Lord, you love me knowing my entire life. You love me regardless of my past. Thank you Lord, you are wonderful and I praise you for my life filled with you!

Excited about this foolishness!

but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, (1 Corinthians 1:23 NIV)

Our country has changed. A country founded on the ardent faith of its founding fathers has been replaced with a Godless society bent on proving my faith is foolishness. But, I don't care! I preach the Gospel of Christ crucified. This is foolishness to a growing number of my countrymen. They try to deny Jesus even walked the earth. So much evidence exists and his impact is clear.  Their are endless stories, examples, of God's impact on our lives. He is real, he is alive!

I heard an interesting fact. In all the world, not a single tribe, culture, or people has ever been discovered that didn't worship a god or gods. It doesn't matter how remote they have lived, it doesn't matter their level of advancement, or their longevity. They all believe. Is that just the consistent foolishness of our species? Or is it the revealing of God in the lives of the world. I certainly don't know of all religions, but none compares to the faith of a Christian. Nothing compares to God sending his son down to earth. Nothing compares to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. There is on truth. There is one God and when you really try to get to know that God, life changes, and life never ends. You spend eternity with Jesus! That's exciting "foolishness".

I praise God for this wonderful life I lead and the magic of the story of God's people. I praise God I am able to preach his gospel among the lost. Praise God even the lowly, like myself, can build a wonderful relationship with our Heavenl Father. 

The Perfect Plan!

Ephesians 1 (The Message)

7-10 He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.

I'm a planner. 90% of my job is to plan. As Athletic Director I work on schedules 5 and 6 years ahead.  I have varsity football officials scheduled through 2015.  I have nearly every other sport (varsity) official hired for the next 2 years.  While we are now beginning the fall sports season, I will soon begin working on plans for the winter season. I have check lists for about every event and occasion. I hate it when I forget something.  About 4 years ago we were getting ready for the National Anthem for the football home opener when it was pointed out to me that there was no flag for the National Anthem. I was so embarrassed.  I hate forgetting things.  I wake up at night in a cold sweat when i realize I have forgotten something for an event.

I am so thankful that God has a better memory than I do.  He has been planning since the beginning of time.  Unlike, the GHS athletic director, he never forgets a thing. His plans are perfect.  He DELIGHTS in the plans he has made. Most people don't see the behind the scenes planning that has gone on to make a football game possible.  We also don't know all the plans God has made for us. We have to trust him.  We have to know that he is  a perfect planner.  When he does reveal the plans, they are always so exciting.  In many ways we do know the plan.  We even know the final result.  The plan goes straight through Christ being crucified and raised in 3 days.  It ends with eternity in Heaven. We may not know all the details but we do know the outcome.  Since we know the outcome we should be able to just sit back and enjoy the trip. I can't wait to see the plan revealed in my life!

Dear Lord,  Thanks for The perfect plans you have made for us.  Thank you for leading us along the path to the final completion of that plan.  I can't wait to see the future you have for me! Amen!

Ace the Test!

2 Corinthians 13 (The Message)

 ^5-9Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.

School starts this week for GHS. It won't be long and the students will be studying for the BIG test.  They will take Pop quizzes, chapter tests, Unit Exams, Final Exams, and the ultimate Graduation Exams. I always had to spend tons of time studying. There was nothing natural about my academic ability.  My wife Stephanie, however, never had to open a book. She was and is naturally smart.  When she sold her books back in college, the pages had never seen the light of day. I had to do all sorts of tricks to memorize and learn the material. So, when I read this verse, it brought back some memories of long nights of serious studying.

One thing that struck me about this verse is the first two words.  Test yourselves. I certainly am not a biblical scholar.  I even did a little checking.  I couldn't find anywhere else in the Bible where we are instructed to "Test Yourselves". I apologize if there is and I missed it.  I found numerous places where God has tested us and He tests us everyday.  Since the very beginning of time we have been tested by God.  Sometimes we passed, most of the time we fail.

I think most students would love the idea of testing themselves.  The problem with testing ourselves, how do we know if we're passing or failing.  When I was in college, I always bought the optional solution manual. (I was a mathematics major.) I would legitimately do the problems and then check the solution manual.  If I didn't do it right, I would go back, do another problem and continue to do this until I got it right.  Sometimes, this process took forever.  I also joined numerous study groups.  I always looked for the smartest groups.  Sometimes they were better than the solution manual. I also found that if I could try to tutor someone else. It always seemed like it helped me more than it helped them. Since I was an adult when I went to college, I was never afraid to go straight to the professor, outside of class, to get direct help. There is nothing like going straight to the experts!

My Christian life is no different.  I have several copies of the solution manual. I have to study it daily and have for years.  I still struggle with the material! I'm not sure I will ever figure it out. I still attend those study groups.  Most people call them CHURCHES! Besides the study groups,  I also have to meet with the Ultimate professor at least once, but more than likely, several times a day. I figure if he created the universe, he is the only qualified expert when I don't understand the homework assignment.  I also try to do my own version of tutoring.  Although I feel very inadequate trying to teach others, selfishly it helps me more than it helps them. Just like in college, I really consider myself to be a slow learner. I have to study like crazy. I have to test my heart, my attitudes, and my motives every minute of every day. I also found out that at the top of the class is Jesus. He is the only one who ever aced the test. I certainly need him as my study partner. I can't ever imagine passing the test, yet my Professor knows my heart. He knows  everything about me.  He runs his class different than any professor I ever had.  His educational philosophy is centered around Grace.  He is looking for commitment, and honesty, openness and effort.  He knows I am doomed to failure, but he loves me just the same. He always gives me an undeserved A+. I could live in his class forever!

Dear "Great Teacher", Thank you for being patient with me even when I just don't get it.  Thank you for developing a class  that is designed just for me.  Test me and help me continue to test myself. Help me to improve and to be able to follow your plan for my life! Amen!