Transition Teachings!

I apologize for not writing a blog for quite some time...well in a long time.    I took the fall off from blogging as I needed to finish school.  School is done and now I can come back to blogging.  So here we go!

Transitions are fun!  Well, sometimes.  Okay so they can stressful as well.  As I write this, I have been away from my wife and children since December 16, 2011.  Nothing terrible happened, but I finally finished school after 39 years (even though I am only 34 but work with me).  Graduation meant that we were done with living on campus and we had to move.  We didn’t have a place to move to, yet.  I was hired full time at West Orange Christian Church (I love WOCC) at the end of November that would start by the beginning of January 2012.  What that meant is we needed a place to live and soon.  We did find a place, a place that we really, really liked.  But it wouldn’t be available until February 1, 2012.  We decided that is was worth the wait, so my wife along with our children stayed in South Florida with her mom and dad (my in-laws rock) and I stayed up in Orlando to work.  Now I have said all of that to say this:  Transition has been a time of teaching.  Here is what I have learned about myself in the last 45 days:  1) I hate being away from wife and children, I truly hate it! 2)  I have more of appreciation for wife than I ever have, I am truly nothing without her and I don’t care if you make fun of me for that…she is truly my rib. 3) My children are joy and I don’t want to miss any more time with them (those who say “how can anyone one bring a child into this world” truly don’t get the joy of being a parent).  4) I am a big wieny! I never want to be away from my family like this ever again.  I have so much more respect for our service men and women who are gone from their families, months to years, so they can sacrifice and serve our country. 

The time of teaching isn’t done.  There are some parallels here.  I also learned that I hate being away from God.   I began to consume His Word like I haven’t done in years.  I communed with God often in this last 45 days.  I did all of this before but something was different for me this time.    There was void missing in my life…it was my family…and I knew God would give me what needed to fill that void.  David told God that he waited for Him all day (Psalm 25:5).  David also reminded me in Psalm 27 and 28 that only God can fill my emptiness and that only God will carry me.  Why would I want to be away from God?  That’s foolishness, what else will carry me or sustain me or bring me joy or bring me peace…NOTHING!  Are you far away from God?  Why? 

I also realized that I am no good one my own.  I have known this for long time…but for some reason it was different for me this time.  Jesus tells His men as recorded by John in his letter, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” (John 15:4-6). Drawing near God compels me to be like my Jesus.  Jesus is my life!  My life wasn’t the same without Him…it was dark and hopeless.  I hated my life before Christ!  I was never meant to be separated from Him.  He died for me…He came to give me life eternal…He came to break my chains of sin so I could be with The Father forever…why then would I forsake Him?  No way!  I don’t want to be apart from Him, ever!  He is my Lord and my God.  He is the reason I live!  Are you attached to the Vine bearing fruit or are you on the verge of being cut off ? 

We have a Father in Heaven who loves us (John 3:16,17; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10; Ephesians 2:4; Romans 5:1-5, 8:28, 38-39, just to share a few scripture but there are a ton more that say the same).  I certainly don’t want to miss out on any more time with Him.  Do you feel the same?

Have a blessed day and will talk with you soon

-James

Are you ready???

Ever have those moments when you weren’t prepared?  I hate those moments!  Think back to those days of test taking…you know the ones you didn’t study for and you sat down to take the test and…yeah those moments.  Sometimes I am good at preparation and sometimes I am not.  I have procrastinated.  It never works for me.  Preparation is so important!  When disasters strike…when the economy crashes…when sudden pain or turmoil attacks…when…wait are we ever prepared for that kind of stuff?  Let me tell you a story.  I listened to an old WWII vet long a go tell this story; his name was Leroy Eims …listen to what he says: 

"Shortly after we hit the beach, our armored amphibious tank took two artillery shells broadside. We immediately evacuated our disabled vehicle and darted from hole to hole toward the enemy airstrip, which we were to take.

"The sergeant began to check on us to make sure that we were OK. He crawled over to me and asked, `You all right, Eims?'

"I answered, `Yeah, I'm OK, Sarge.'

"He looked at me and asked, `Eims, where is your helmet?'

"I felt the top of my head and answered, `Must be in the tank, Sarge.'

"`Where's your duty belt?' Our duty belts carried ammunition for our rifles, a canteen of water, and a bayonet.

"`Must be in the tank, Sarge.'

"`As a matter of fact, Eims, where's your rifle?' He looked at me with disgust and pity. Because of our hasty departure from the amphibious tank, I was dressed about the same way that I would be dressed for a game of volleyball. And there I was, hopping from hole to hole, from tree to tree!

You know sadly I think this story reveals the truth about us…Christians.  I understand that there is so much like catastrophes, heartache, economic trouble, and the like that happen that is hard to prepare if we can prepare for it.  But I say that to say this:  There is MUCH we can prepare for! In fact something bigger…what am I talking about?  Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us we are in a battle:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…

We are in a battle!  Are you ready?  Why are we (Christians) not are armed, equipped and ready to wage spiritual battle.  The truth is…we are engaged in spiritual warfare. If we are to be successful in our work for the Lord Jesus, then we must be prepared for that battle and be ready to go to war.  The devil has been defeated and his time is coming but remember these words:  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. “  (1 Peter 5:8). Ask yourself this question:  Why am I not prepared for battle?  What’s keeping you from being a warrior?  Is it:  Laziness!  Ignorance!  Sin!  In the text Paul uses the term “standing.”  This word refers to something that is firmly fixed. It speaks of people who do not waiver.  Do you waiver?  Why or why not?  Verse 10 tells us to be “strong in the Lord” and “in the strength of His might.”  How are you standing?  Whose strength do you lean on? 

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us”

Remember Jesus’s words (Mark 11:22 & 9:23) “Have faith in God” and “All things are possible to him who believes.” 

God is God and He is all powerful and we will be able help us stand for Him in the day of battle!  Now having said that…are you ready?  It has been said that a soldier is no better than his equipment.  There are 3 things that come to mind immediately that make me wonder how much we tap into them:  Prayer, Scripture, and The Holy Spirit.  ALL THREE ARE IMMEDIATLEY AVAILABLE!  Do you tap into them?  I am not being clique…there is nothing clique about prayer, scripture, and the Holy Spirit.  Questions:  How much time do you devote to prayer?  How often do you seek communion with your Father?  He’s always available.  How often do you mediate on God’s word?  How do you “treasure God’s word” in your heart so you may not sin (Psalm 119)?  How often do allow God’s Spirit to lead you?  C’mon…those three help us in preparation…we are in a battle!  Be blessed my brothers and sisters…don’t be unprepared for battle.  Remember God bought you with a price…Jesus.  You belong to Him!  You are not alone…we fight it together.  Be prepared!

  

Casey Anthony and Jesus...

Well the verdict is in and she was found not guilty on murder charges or child abuse.  I have been, like so many, watching the trial and I too had my opinions and my own observations.  The truth whether one agrees or disagrees is that Casey Anthony was acquitted of murder charges based on reasonable doubt.  I, however, would like to take a different approach to this story.  Casey Anthony will be a free woman soon and I have read the media outlets saying that she will be offered a lot of money for her story and I also see that adult entertainment business has already contacted her lawyer.  The truth from where I stand is that she needs Jesus.  Casey Anthony in a lot of people’s eyes is a villain.  After the verdict came in yesterday, I read the many comments on Facebook and Twitter as well as the news outlets that allow people’s comments…they were 99% negative towards Casey Anthony.  I have a question for my brothers and sisters in Christ:  What if Casey Anthony walked into your church building on Sunday?  How would greet her?  With disgust or an embrace?  Caylee Anthony’s life was taken way too soon…but Jesus has her.  As Christians we know that no one can hide or escape from God’s eyes.  I don’t know what happened and neither do you.  But what I do know is that, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” which is from John 3:16 (which as Christians we most likely memorized as a kid).  That included Casey Anthony.  Are you willing to love her to the Lord?  We can define Jesus as love…why because God is defined as love (1 John 4:7,8).    And as Christians that also should define us…”and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:2).  How many of you prayed for her?  Why or why not?  Our job is not justice, that’s God’s job.  As children we are to be witnesses for Him.  Casey Anthony needs Jesus.  Are you willing to be the Light of Christ for her?  Remember, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8).  I am not any better than her.  I know what my life was before my walk with Jesus.  I hated it.  Do you remember your life without Jesus?  I ask again:  What if Casey Anthony walked into your church building on Sunday?  How would greet her? 

Listen

Sometimes I need to learn to be quiet.  I talk a lot.  I am a conversationalist! I enjoy being around people and having “conversations!”  But I talk too much.  How about you?  Are you a talker or do you keep to yourself?  I would probably drive you crazy.  It has been said of me by one of my professors at Bible College that, “James, he’s a great guy but bring a bag lunch with you because he doesn’t shut up.”  That’s a fair and accurate statement.  Know don’t get me wrong…I am also a good listener.  I will give you my undivided attention when you talk…and sometimes I’ll just listen to you and not respond.  But I could be a better listen.  I always need improvement!  My listening skills need some work.  You might as well as throw my patience skills in there too.  Now I say all of that to say this…God needs my undivided attention.    He has things He needs to say to me but I need to stop talking or I won’t hear Him.  I don’t know if you have ever done this but I have…when someone was speaking I was already thinking of what I was going to say in response to them having completely not listened to them.  Instead of giving that person my undivided attention, I am thinking of my retort.  Have you done this?  I have been awful about this at times.  I love praying to God.  I look forward to my time of communion with Him daily and often as I can.  How about you?  I realize I can’t have a relationship with Him without communication.  There are two sides to that.  My part which means I need to talk with God as well as doing His will…the other is me listening to Him.  Now I can do that by reading His Word and then meditating on it and allowing it to penetrate my soul.  I can also listen by being quiet.   David says in Psalms 143:8 that, “Let me hear Your loving-kindness in the morning; for I trust in You; teach me the way in which I should walk; for to You I lift up my soul.”  Now how can God teach me if I am talking?  In Psalm 46a it reads, “Cease striving and know that I am God…”  I believe it is “be still” in the NIV.  The Hebrew word I found in verse 10 was the word “urgo” and it means “let go” or “relax.”  God is sovereign and I am not.  Since that is the case, I need to “let go” of whatever it is that needs letting go of and let God be in control.  He is anyways whether I like or not.  Sometimes it necessary for me to “unload” on God or bring petitions before Him and other times…I need to be still and listen.  He is where patience comes back into play because sometimes being still means more than just 15 minutes.  I have a hard time being still.  Ask anyone that knows me…I move.  I can’t sit still nor stand still.  I drive people crazy.  But it is important for me to be still…because God wants to teach me and I need to listen and if I don’t shut up, I will miss out on God’s teachings.  I desire to do God’s will.  How about you?  When was the last time you just quieted your mouth, heart, soul, and mind…and just listened to God?   God has a lot to say through His Word.  God has a lot to say through His children.  God has a lot to say even through things and circumstances that might surprise you.  Are you listening to God?  Remember Job?  He was too busy talking at one point as were his friends…God was listening and when He answered Job…Job realized he needed to be quiet, that he was talking too much and listening enough.  You often read in the Old Testament that God’s people were “not listening” to Him and it got His children into trouble.  As parents don’t we have these same frustrations with our own children?  So tomorrow when you wake up…how will you start your day?  Will you just rise up and begin rushing out the door dealing with the day’s demands and become busy, doing the normal routine?  Or will you arise and begin your day with God listening to His word and His plan for your day?  Hey remember relax, He is God!  He is good!  He has an everlasting love for you!  Stop talking so much and listen.