God demands action now!

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32 NIV)

I am completely horrified by the brutal slaying of Christians in Iraq. I am equally devastated by the lack of urgency to take action against these killers. I am also greatly affected by the mass number of Palestinians killed by needless shelling. No I'm not upset at my Israeli friends, but the cowards that hide behind their own women and children. I have seen too many public displays of women and children beheaded, shot, and buried alive. I've seen too many families ripped apart by extreme Islamist. Call me a hater if you want, tell me I lack compassion, I don't care. Just get the killing to stop.

We are called to action to protect innocent women and children. We are called to protect those who can not protect themselves. It's not politics, it's not negotiation, it's power that will protect them. Our congress, our president, our military leaders are all useless if we sit by and watch this occur. Maybe we should exchange them for these innocent lives. I do not think violence and war can solve the ills of this world, but a line has been crossed. It now becomes a solemn duty to fight until the death if necessary and put these radical groups in the grave for good. Our own humanity demands it! 

God took extreme measures to save us from ourselves. Would he not comitt more to sacrifice for innocent people? I say yes. He takes action through us. He prompts us to our own sacrifices for the innocent. Let's be bold and serve mankind by sacrificing our own to save others!

Serve - Endure - Sacrifice

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (Philippians 3:10 NIV)

Being an educator, my first thoughts of this verse is ACADEMIC. To know Christ I need to study him, his life, and his messages through the a Bible. Obviously, I need to do that. KNOWING Christ is so much more than studying him. We need to take that knowledge and live it. That really is the struggle. How can I become like Jesus, participate in his sufferings, even unto death. When I think of the suffering of Christ I go right to the Cross. The Cross is the ultimate sacrifice. Not many of us will be in a position to die for someone else. So what does Jesus life mean for us? What are we to do to become like him in his death.

Sacrificial living is the best way to become like Christ in death. Knowing the power of the resurrection should give us strength to overcome the persecution of living a life sharing the gospel message. Participating in his sufferings means serving others when it is not best for us. We can live a daily life that reflects the knowledge of Christ. We need to sacrifice our comfortable lives and share the message openly, we need to prepare ourselves to battle against the powerful opponents of our message and never give in, never surrender.

Being like Christ is an ultimate goal that, frankly, I'm a long way from achieving. I need to continually remind myself how I can live like Christ in THIS particular moment, in THIS particular place. If I'm ever asked  to sacrifice my life, I will. Until then, I will pursue a daily life that serves, endures, and sacrifices for the message of Christ.

What's your soul worth?

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? (Mark 8:36, 37 NIV)

I posed a question to my students yesterday. If a 6 inch beam was stretched between two skyscrapers what would it cost to get you to cross? $1 million? $100,000? The safety of your family? The question was to get the students to think about what's important to them. What do they value in life? 

As Christians we might turn the question around. If God asked you to give up "something" for him, what would you be willing to part with? If you were called into the ministry would you give up your job? If you were called into the mission field would you sacrifice time with your family, your job, your house? If you were asked to renounce Christ or lose your life would you give up your life?

What priorities do we place in front of God's will? I ask you the questions, but I'm not sure about my own answers. We all need to search our hearts. God wants all of us. He wants every part of our lives devoted to him. He calls us to use every gift, every blessing, every talent, for his kingdom. If we choose to ignore that call, those blessings may be taken away. Is your soul more important than the stuff of your life? 

My Honorable Granddaughter, Lauren Klaehn!

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10 NIV)

What does Honor mean? We use this term so loosely and many just don't understand it. Our military, police officers, and firemen know the definition of honor. They live it. This verse gives a great insight to what a honor means. 

Our society is about ME! This time of year is a great training ground for MEism Our younger children learn early to make lists for themselves. Television stations run commercials continuously about what YOU NEED! The entire Christmas season is tainted with selfishness and materialism. Every once in a while we run across someone who really knows the definition of honor because they give of themselves and don't care about GETTING as much as GIVING! This year I know someone, personally, who gave up her Christmas for someone in need.

My granddaughter, Lauren Klaehn, is a selfless, honorable young lady. She really stepped out this Christmas to honor someone else above herself. When most sophomore girls are anticipating great quantities of clothing and trinkets for Christmas. My wonderful granddaughter is giving all her Christmas to a homeless woman. She selflessly is taking over two hundred dollars that would have been her Christmas presents and giving it to a homelessness woman. She found out what this woman needed, shopped for it, and is giving it out of pure love. Her parents didn't prompt it. She brought it up on her own. She has jdeveloped an beautiful attitude of honor and dedication to others above herself.

I can't begin to express the pride I have in this wonderful caring young lady. Frankly, I'm embarrassed that she understands what it means to be a Christian better than her 53 year old grandfather. If you want to know the true meaning of honor and sacrifice, ask Lauren. She is starting to understand those honorable military personnel who sacrifice their lives for our freedom, or the firemen and policemen who puts his life on the line to protect us. She is living the definition of HONOR!

Merry Christmas Lauren! May God bless you in special ways now and throughout your life!

Family = Mom!

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: (Proverbs 31:28 NIV)

I have great daughters. I have great grandkids. I wish I could take credit! Truth is, my wife is the real reason for my wonderful Christian family. Her heart for our family is pure and the love she shares is amazing. The character of a business "starts at the top" , the character of a family begins and ends with MOM. This is even more true for the Christian Family. As we were raising our family she made sure our kids had clothes and all the necessary things to grow up at her own sacrifice. She was the taxi driver, cook, maid, nurse, teacher, laundry service, counselor, disciplinarian, and Christian example. She never complains and would do anything for her family, even at the cost of her own health. 

My wife is the epitome of a great family leader. She has an undying love for her daughters and an equal or greater love for her grandchildren. She has always given selflessly and with no limits. It's Christmas and we focus on Jesus, as we should. But I often think of Mary and her great sacrifices. My lovely wife follows her great example. Mary was blessed to be the mother of our savior, but she had to sacrifice all from Jesus birth to his horrific death on the cross. She was a true example of the typical Christian mother.

I thank The Lord for being blessed with such a wonderful, loving wife. She has passed that love and family dedication to our daughters. She is the greatest blessing of my life. 

That's expensive perfume!

and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2 NIV)

I am not a perfume guy. I know some women who just love their perfume. They put a lot of money into smelling right. The most expensive perfume is listed below

1. Clive Christian No. 1 Imperial Majesty Perfume – $12,721.89 per ounce

Take note that it is $12,721.89 per ounce. Even if the price is for the bottle, it will still take a lot of people aback.  The whole bottle contains 16.9 ounces of Clive Christian’s signature No. 1 fragrance. The bottle itself is made of Baccarat crystal. A brilliant cut white diamond weighing five carats adorns the bottle. It also boasts of an 18-carat solid gold collar. This is a very rare perfume, as only 10 bottles were ever made, thus ensuring it will become a highly sought after collectible item in the future.

Isn't it amazing, just for a smell. 

At school I've seen football players, after a sweaty night on the football field, douse themselves with perfume instead of taking a shower. When you mix sweat with a bottle of perfume, the smell is a bit much, to say the least. 

Sometimes my life stinks. It might be my own doing or it might be something completely out of my control. That's where the sweet perfume of Jesus Christ comes in. This wonderful perfume is more valuable than Clive Christian #1. The cost for us was paid by Jesus. The perfume of Jesus covers everything in my life. He covers my sin, he covers the sins against me. He covers my poor judgment. He covers my sickness and my health. He makes even the worst of times, joyous. I have 53 years of experience to know this is true. When I say Jesus is the savior of my life, he has literally saved me. He has rescued me from all the pains of life. Praise God for his love and covering my sins with his death on the cross. 

Change Me!

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1 NIV)

In my life, what sacrifices have I made for others? I have to admit I've been more about myself than others. Probably the biggest sacrifice I ever made was giving up my job as Athletic Director to go back in the classroom. I did it so I could spend more time with my family and in ministry with CMA. It took 53 years for me to finally see I had my priorities wrong. I wonder how many blessings I missed because of my selfishness. Since I made my "Sacrifice" I have been blessed abundantly. I need to think more in terms of sacrifice. What do I have to give up that's getting in the way of me serving God? What can I do in my life to set my priorities straight?

It's hard to make changes on our own. Many times we need God's direct intervention. I have been preaching for God to help me change. I want to be more compassionate, more of a servant, and more of a minister for Christ.  I did this through some struggles a few years ago and God sent me back to the classroom. Those prayers and the guiding of the Holy Spirit have changed me in a great way. As we offer ourselves to God and his plan, we worship God more than when we do in anytime of our life. Pray for God to change you. Look at your weaknesses and ask God to help you overcome them. Be ready for changes. God will hear you!

Spending your life savings!

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13 NIV)

What's the most expensive purchase you have ever made? I am sure, for most of you, your house is the most expensive purchase. Some of you it might be your college education. If you add it up, college can really be expensive. Others might include a business purchase, property, or a multitude of items. I remember the first house my wife and I purchased. We had to sacrifice so much to do it. The stress of making a purchase like that is incredible. Some people purchase homes way beyond their reasonable means. I have even heard home owners that can't afford furniture to decorate that new home because of the expense. They gave up everything and live on the edge just for the image. That's crazy.

Now think about the crazy sacrifice God made. He sacrificed his only son so we could live. The comparison of these sacrifices is immeasurable. Who would give their life intentionally for someone else. It wasn't money, fame, or fortune that God decided to come to Earth. It was love that drove Jesus to the cross for us. He did it so we could spend time in eternity with him, true sacrifice. God gave up more than his life savings and he spent it on a sinful, unforgiving people that ignore him, ridicule him, and mock him on a daily basis. He knows that's how we are and he did it anyway.

Whipping Boy!

Psalm 69 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ¹ Save me, O God,
   for the waters have come up to my neck.
² I sink in the miry depths,
   where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
   the floods engulf me.
³ I am worn out calling for help;
   my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
   looking for my God.
⁴ Those who hate me without reason
   outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
   those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
   what I did not steal.


Have you ever heard the term "whipping boy"? In ancient biblical times if a prince made a mistake in his training or made a poor decision, he was never punished. Instead of punishing the Prince, a boy, known as a whipping boy, would take the punishment. He did nothing wrong, but he received the punishment.  That would be like seeing someone commit a murder and since you were a witness they forced you to serve the time. Maybe if you knew the murderer personally, you might to do this to protect him. That type of character is rare. That sacrifice is not natural.

Wether you're a coach, business leader, school administrator or just a friend, sometimes you decide to take responsibility for something someone else did. Many times it would be so easy to put the blame where it belongs. But a good leader, who cares about his people, might decide to take the blame to protect them. It takes a thoughtful, caring person with strong character that takes this step.

Jesus was our "whipping boy". He did nothing wrong and yet he suffered the cruel death on the cross for us. He could have called out the God of the universe to set the record straight. He could have told the truth and let us take our own punishment. He didn't. He did it to protect us from our sinfullness. He sacrificed his life for us. What have we done in return?  Would we make the same sacrifice for him?

Dear Lord, I am so ashamed of my sin. I know you suffered a cruel death for me and you did not deserve it. Please forgive me of my sins. Lead my life in a way that is pleasing to you. I owe you everything and can give you nothing. Thank You for your Grace. Thank You for your Love. Because of you, I will live forever. Amen!

24/7/365

Psalm 40 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁶ Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
   but my ears you have opened^[c]—
   burnt offerings and sin offerings^[d] you did not require. 
⁷ Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
   it is written about me in the scroll.^[e]
8 I desire to do your will, my God;
   your law is within my heart.”

All through the old testament you hear about this sacrifice or that sacrifice. They sacrificed sheep, lambs, and all to wipe out their sins or to honor the Lord. But, God does not desire our sacrifice. Go does not even require them. Verse 7 tells what God is really after. He's after US! He wants us to come to him, to desire to do his will and to take his will deep into our hearts.

I haven't heard of too many people building alters and sacrificing lambs or sheep. I haven't seen too many sacrificial alters around town. But, this thought of sacrificing and giving offerings to God is just as "ritual" as ever. We go to church out of obligation. We giving our tithes grudgingly. We sacrifice our time only in small amounts. We commit to christian service only when we have to. We are going through the same ritual sacrifices they did in the Old Testament. God doesn't want these types of offerings and he doesn't require these kinds of sacrifices.

The "law" must be within our hearts. We can't serve the Lord out of obligation. We must serve, give, and sacrifice from the heart. It has to be us. We can't just do it on Sunday. We can't just do it as a monthly commitment to a ministry. We have to live and breath service to the Lord, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for the rest of our days on this Earth. That is pleasing to God!