Perspectives

Just as viewing a performance through opera glasses gives quite a different perspective than watching the full stage; so, too, does looking at life from our own viewpoint as opposed to trying to see God's perspective. In many situations, I can easily just react based on emotion or human nature; or to be swayed by the opinions of others. Yet, I recognize that the wisest thing to do is to stop and consider how God sees the situation and what He would want me to do. While I have found that God's path can often be challenging and "less-travelled", it is ultimately the best and right path to take. And that is what I am doing in my current situation. Most people have said to just give up and let the person who, whether knowingly or unknowingly, has insulted and generated waves, just suffer the loss and have to deal with it. Yet, when I step back and think about it, I make the decision to continue, because my motivation is to serve God. If circumstances beyond my control prevent me from continuing, then so be it. But, while I feel that I am still serving; and that God is able to use me, then I will keeping going. I have evaluated my heart, and I know that it is right before God; and I do believe that I have a perspective that the other person is not realizing yet at this time. In that also, God has given me the confidence not to take personal offense or to lose self-esteem; but, instead to trust that eventually the truth will be made clear.

Living Word

This week was a good example of how, as Hebrews 4:12 says, "the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." While preparing for my class Bible Study on Hosea 8, I was reminded and convicted that I cannot live my life as the Israelites did and ignore the "warnings":

• I should not claim to "acknowledge" God, and at the same time "reject what is good"
• I should not "sow the wind and reap the whirlwind"; for, I cannot compromise in "little things" and forget the destructive consequences of sin
• I should not be a "stalk without grain"; for I do not want to give the appearance of walking with God, but in reality be fruitless, and no longer a useful vessel for His use
• I should not be a "solitary wild donkey"; for I do not want to be stubbornly wandering away from Him, making myself vulnerable to attacks from the enemy

I recognize that I need to be consistent in what I teach, and how I live my life. I fully believe that if I continue to compromise in sin, God would no longer be able to use me as effectively in serving Him. I need to keep walking CLOSELY with Him, I need to keep my heart pure and my mind on that which is good, and I need to be thankful for my "thorn."

Autumn

Summer is clearly over, and the Fall Season has blown in with the cool crisp winds. This is actually my favorite season of the year. It's not as cold as winter, not hot like summer, and not as "flowery" as spring. We can pull out the sweaters and boots, and dress in warm brown tones. There is something about Autumn that brings about a contemplative mood. It may be that the lonely howling of the wind outside, makes me want to just wrap myself in a warm blanket and stare outside at the changing colors and rustling leaves. Or maybe it's realizing that I need to take a breath and sit still, before the hectic holiday season begins. Nevertheless, I have many things to think about. I wonder why the painting contractors I requested estimates from the last two weeks seem like they were not interested in painting my house. They claimed that with the economy and the time of the year, work was slow; yet, they were still either lax in getting back to me or never responded at all. So, because of the timing, I now have to wait until next year before I start over by getting a new round of estimates before scheduling the painting. I figure that for whatever reason, God may be telling me to wait for His timing. There are other things to plan and prepare for as well - my trip to Australia, my Sunday Fellowship class coming over to my home for an end-of-the-year get together, planning for the next Bible Study series, and wondering what's the next step for me in God's Plan. There are things that sit in the back of my mind - Where's my Apologetics certificate? What will happen with running the AV projector at church? When can I schedule doctor's and dentist's appointments? Is there a community service area that I can help out with? And then, there are the things that many people now worry about - What will happen with our economy? What about all this financial insecurity? What about the future? What will happen in the elections? Who will be the next president & vice president? Will California redefine marriage? In light of all these, I'm just glad that God is ultimately in control. No matter what happens, He is with me; and I trust in HIM.

Fireproof

I watched Fireproof, from the makers of Facing the Giants, over the weekend. I am very glad to see that there are now more wholesome Christian-themed movies being made available in the theaters. And it's great to see that it's been in the top 10 box office movies the first two weekends it's been shown. I'm hearing amazing stories of how the movie is affecting the lives of some of those who watch it, by motivating them to work at saving their marriages. Since it is focused on marriage, the movie doesn't have as broad applicability as did Facing the Giants; but, I can see how it has the potential to be really effective for use in ministries to couples. The whole idea of the "Love Dare" and the reminder of the need for Love and Respect in a marriage are putting Biblical principles into action. For me, it was neat to hear the movie use John Waller's song "While I'm Waiting." Ever since I first heard John Waller's album "The Blessing," I've loved his music. "While I'm Waiting" has significance in my life as well, because it reflects my perspective well, in that while I am still single and waiting, I have still been serving and worshipping HIM, allowing HIM to work in my life and use me in my singleness. If I, as a person who is single, can still truly enjoy the movie so much, I would not hesitate to recommend it to others, especially to those who are married.

Redeeming Love

I just finished reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. The inspiration for this amazing love story came from the Book of Hosea in the Bible. Naturally, a great love story like this would be a reflection of the true source of love, God Himself. God loved us first, when we were unlovable, living in sin and rebellion against Him. He is continually faithful, even when we are unfaithful. Yet, He also gives us the freedom to choose to accept the love that He offers to us. And when we choose to love Him back, we can fully experience His saving grace. I've been struggling this week, in preparing for a Bible Study on Hosea 6. It seems like such a short passage, a mere ten verses. Yet, the passage talks about the healing love of God. Surely, this is an area which is so relevant and deeply meaningful. Maybe I struggle because I sense that this can be such a powerful study; yet, I don't know how to present it adequately. The last chapter of Redeeming Love even quotes Hosea 6:1 "Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up." It is clear that only God can truly heal. We may search for other ways to heal; but, many will only cover up or offer temporary relief. The cure, the renewal, the true healing comes only from God. For those who blame God or don't think that a God who has allowed such pain and suffering in the first place would or could heal, we see in the passage that in the cases where the pain is a result of judgment and chastening, the ultimate purpose was that in one's misery, one might recognize the need to turn back to God. Pain and suffering entered the world when sin entered the world as a result of our rebellion against God and the breaking of our covenant relationship. God continually desires to heal the broken relationship and to restore us to intimacy with HIM. Every single person needs healing. In this fallen world, there is no one who is unscathed and whole. Every single one of us has been broken and hurt. Not one person can say they have never experienced pain. And that is why we all need the great Physician, the great Healer - God.

Love

I remember listening to a lecturer one day ask the question, "How would you define LOVE?" Throughout history, so much has been written about love; and so many have pondered upon it. We know that it is much more than just emotions and feelings; but, how would we really define it? 1 Corinthians 13 offers a Biblical description of characteristics of love; and how it is lived out in life (i.e. patient, kind, etc). Yet, when I contemplate a more succinct way of defining something as complex as love, I would consider John 15:13 as the best illustration: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." I would define love as being willing to sacrifice for that person, even to the point of death. In the last few weeks, I finished reading some very famous love stories: Romeo and Juliet, Phantom of the Opera, and Lady Miriam. In each story, we can see that true love indeed was willing to sacrifice everything, even life itself, for the object of their affection. And, of course, in the greatest love story ever told, "God so loved that world that He gave His Only Son"; and Jesus Christ loved us so much that He willingly lay down His life for us on the cross.

Facing the Giants

I just watched Facing the Giants again last night. A story like this, which is filled with God's truth applied to life, can have as much an effect on me subsequent times watched as it did the first time. "For nothing is impossible with God" -- what a great truth to cling to! This inspires me to continue to trust Him in the face of difficulties and even "impossibilities" And, it is so true that it is important to do all things for the glory of God. When we do things with the perspective of eternal future, the results are what will last. It was well illustrated in the movie when the coach asked the team if they could remember who won the championships in the previous years. If their goal was just to win games and championships, those things will "fade" after awhile. But, when they changed their perspective to do things for God's glory, lives were changed. It affected every other aspect of their life: school, relationships, and character. One of my favorite characters in the movie was the father of David. He was so faithfully supportive of his son; and was always ready to encourage and give strength; despite his being confined to a wheelchair. I loved, at the end, when he stood up behind the goal posts to show his son that he was there and that he believed that his son could kick the miraculous 51-yard goal to win the State Championship game. There are so many wonderful elements in this movie. I hope that when I face the "Giants" in my life, that I will keep my eyes on Christ and that I will just try my best, and leave the rest to Him. May He be glorified in my life! Amen.