Being in the Wrong Place at the Right Time

Yesterday, former basketball player Lorenzo Charles passed away tragically in a bus accident.  For those of you who do not know Lorenzo Charles, he played basketball for N.C. State.  He was on the 1983 national championship team.  In fact, if it were not for Charles, State would not have won the game.  You may not know who he was, but you may have seen the highlight.  With seconds to go, Derreck  Whittenburg threw up a hail mary, which fell short of the basket,  but it did land in Lorenzo Charles' hands who dunked the ball and the "Cardiac Pack" won the tournament. 

It is interesting that as I read the story of his death, team mates and friends said that Lorenzo Charles never let that moment go to his head.  He remained humble about his place in basketball lore.  In fact, he said that he was in the wrong place.  He was directly under the rim, which was the worse place to be to get a rebound.  But the worse place turned out to be the best place.  He was at the wrong place at the right time.  As a result, history was made.

In the Bible, Joseph was at the wrong place at the right time.  If you read his story (Genesis 37-50) you will find that because of his own boastfulness and his brothers jealousy, Joseph was sold into slavery. He later ended up in prison for something he did not do.  Joseph was at the wrong place, but God had him there at the right time.   Because he was in prison, through a series of circumstances, he came to the attention of the Pharaoh as an interpreter of dreams.  As an advisor to the Pharaoh, Joseph ended up saving Egypt and his own family from a famine.  Joseph would go on to say that what was meant for evil in his life, God meant it for good.

Too often, when we feel like we are in the "wrong place" we complain and the only focus of our life is to go someplace else.  We want God to deliver us from the "wrong place."  When we do that, we forget that God is sovereign, he may have put us in that wrong place for a right time.  It may be in that "wrong place" that God changes and matures our own faith.  It may be in that "wrong place" that God uses us as a witness for Christ.  Who knows but God may have put you just like Joseph in that "wrong place" for the right time.  Instead of complaining, trust.  Think about it.

 

Gay Marriage and the Sovereignty of God

The news entering this weekend was that New York has become the sixth and largest state to sanction gay marriage.  At this time, the majority of Americans do not approve of gay marriage, they still believe that marriage,by definition is to be between a man and a woman.  However, as time passes that majority is dwindling, so unless something happens, gay marriage will eventually be the norm of our land.

But what could happen to change this destiny.  Can we change the minds of those who ardently want their lifestyle approved and sanctioned by the state as normal?   Can we change their minds by reason and debate?  Can we make our protests and demonstrations just as loud as theirs so that we can be heard?  Yes, we can do those things, but will it change minds.   I don't think so, and here is why.

In Romans 1, Paul begins to demonstrate the universality of sin.  The core of our sin is that we have rejected God.  We have chosen to worship created things, rather than the creator.  Some would say that in America we don't have idols (except American Idol).  However, just because we have not carved out a God and worship it, does not mean that we are not guilty of idolatry.  What is our priority in life is our God, whether it be an idol, or a job, or a car, or a person.  We even have created our own God from the Bible.  We have stripped him of judgment and have said that He is only love.  Therefore, we have created an idol of our own imagination. 

As a result of our abandoning the worship of the God who has revealed himself clearly to all of humanity.  The Bible says that, "since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done."  Romans 1:28  The word debased here means, not approved.  Therefore, those who continually embrace behavior as normal and moral that which God has said is abnormal and immoral has a debased mind.  Their thinking is actually an expression of God's judgment.  Therefore, our reasoning and protests fall on deaf ears, unless God opens them.

The only answer to gay marriage in America is a spiritual awakening, what we sometimes call revival.  We need a great movement of the Spirit of God in our land.  But if revival is to come to our land it will not begin in the hearts of those who support gay marriage, it will begin in the hearts of the people in the church.  Revival will happen when we spend less time confessing the sins of the world, and more time confessing our own sin. God says revival will come when His people who are called by His name, humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways. 2 Chronicles 7:14.  One of our sins is singling out homosexuality as the worse sin and often times demonstrating hate rather than the love of God for homosexuals. 

Maybe when we our more concerned about cleaning up God's house rather than the state house, revival will come to our land.  When God's people are right then the world will hear a clear message coming from lives that reflect the message of the Gospel.  God's spirit which revived His church may then awaken a nation.  May we pray and seek His face until that day comes.  Think about it.

Why We Don't Grow

The researcher, George Barna, constantly reminds us that there is little difference in the behavior patterns between Christians and non-Christians in America.  People come to Christ but their lives never change. Paul tells us in the book of Colossians that we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear son. The problem is that too many Christians are still living like they are in darkness.

As I was reflecting on these statistics, it occurred to me that one of the reasons that this is true is an over emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Don't get me wrong, I believe that each of us must come to Christ personally, but when we are in Christ we become members of His body.  That is as believers we belong to each other.

However, too many Christians try to live the Christian life on their own.  They join churches and have fellowships, attend worship services and even belong to small groups.  But, we rarely allow anyone close enough to us to help us grow.  The Bible calls us to spur one another to love and good works but most of will not let anyone know where we need the spur.  We encourage one another, but we do so with shot gun blasts not pinpoint accuracy.  Everyone once in awhile something hits us in the right place but it is not always enough to make a difference.

Life transformation happens when God takes the word of God and impresses it in our lives.  But this needs to happen in the context of relationships.  We need to have relationships in the body of Christ, that are real. We need relationships where we can be honest about our spiritual struggles, so that we can have brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for us and encourage us in our specific needs so that we can grow in Christ.  Do you have those relationships.  Think about it.

From Failure to Victory: Rory McIlroy

Yesterday, Rory McIlroy, the 22 year old Irish golfer won the U.S. Open in record breaking fashion.  He shot 16 under par to win at the Congressional golf course.  It was a stunning victory which followed a stunning collapse at the Masters.  Going into the final round at Augusta National, McIlroy was leading the field.  Then one bad shot after another led to an 80 in the final round.  Everyone said he choked at golf's most prestigious event.  As he began play yesterday, people could not help but question, would it happen again.  The answer was no and now the 22 year old golfer will not be remembered as one who choked, but one who broke a course record at one of the most difficult golf courses.

I am glad that the young golfer had a second chance to prove himself.  I am more grateful that God gives us a second chance. In fact, when you are in Christ, God gives you an infinite number of second chances.  Our acceptance by God is not based on our performance but on the infinite perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ.  My acceptance by God is not based on how good I am but how good he is.

Some would think that this would that it does not matter how I live.  The answer of course is it does matter.  I seek to live out the righteousness that is in me by faith alone in Christ alone.  I seek to live that righteousness not to be accepted by God but to offer my life as a living sacrifice.  Am I perfect at it.  The answer, of course, is no.  But God gives me a second chance.  It reminds me of a poem I heard many years ago. It is called a New Leaf by Kathleen Wheeler.

He came to my desk with a quivering lip, the lesson was done.

“Have you a new sheet for me, dear teacher? I’ve spoiled this one.”

I took his sheet, all soiled and blotted,

And gave him a new one all unspotted.

And into his tired heart I cried, “Do better now, my child.”

I went to the throne with a trembling heart, the day was done.

 “Have you a new day for me, dear Master? I’ve spoiled this one.”

He took my day, all soiled and blotted,

and gave me a new one all unspotted.

And into my tired heart he cried, “Do better now, my child.”

Rory McIlroy is not the only one who can make a change.  In Christ we all can go from failure to victory.  Think about it.

Representative Weiner, Stars and Rehab

Anthony Weiner was caught "sexting".  Before he decided to resign his position, he goes to rehab.  When it was revealed that Tiger Woods had multiple affairs, he went to rehab.  It seems that whenever anyone famous gets into trouble for their behavior, they go to rehab.

Some would say that they do so to gain sympathy with the masses.  I won't be so cynical for I cannot know the thoughts and motivations of individuals.  But I do know that the impression that is given is that people don't believe that we are in control of our behavior.  If we do something wrong, it is really not my fault.  I am sick, I need to be rehabilitated. It was the way I was raised, its my parents fault.  Its the pressure from my job, its my employers fault.  It is the anxieties caused by life, it is societies fault.  Every one is to blame but me.  When there is no one else to blame then I must be sick.

There is good news for our bad behavior.  There is an escape.  When we come to Christ we find that he has saved us from the penalty of sin.  Romans 8:1 says that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  But Jesus has also saved us from the power of sin.  In Christ, sin no longer has mastery over us.

In order to come to Christ, we must admit that we are a sinner.  We must admit that our bad behavior is our fault.  There is no one else to blame but ourselves.  When we can truly admit that we are a sinner, then we can find a Savior.  Think about it.



 

Searching for Sarah's Dirt

They released Sarah Palin's emails from her time as governor of Alaska.  The news media sent people to comb through the emails to see if they could find anything to implicate her in wrong-doing, or some gaff to hold against her.  In the end, they found a hard working governor who did her best to balance work and family.  It became a non-story, because nothing sensational was discovered.

But could you imagine just for a moment if someone could dig deep into your life to find dirt on you. How far would they have to search to find something?   Most people would say, search all you want, I am a decent hardworking citizen.  Which is probably true.  But, what if they could read your mind, hear your thoughts, search your heart?  How many of us could stand such scrutiny?  We harbor bitterness and resentment, jealously and rage in our hearts.  Most do not let them out on display but they are there.

The bad news is that there is one who knows your heart.  Jeremiah 17:10 says "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways,according to the fruit of his deeds."  Your thoughts, the intentions of your heart, the hidden desires you have are an open book to God.  He knows them, you cannot hide them from Him.  And yes, one day you will be judged for them.  Who can stand such knowledge?

The good news is that despite all the dirt that God knows about you, He loves you anyway.  The Bible says that God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for the ungodly.  When we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, then our sin (including all the evil thoughts that run through our minds) are forgiven.  And God receives us not because of what we have done but because of what Christ has done for us. 

You may say that I am a decent person, but does that include every thought that has crossed your mind.  You may have and most likely have not acted upon them but you are held accountable nonetheless.  Will you not trust Christ today so that you can be forgiven?  Think about it.

LeBron James and the Plans of Men

Before the NBA season began, LeBron James made headlines when he chose to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat.  Most people would care less except James went on TV to announce the decision.  James would join Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh to be a trifecta that would bring a championship to Miami.  Such is what everyone thought, except the Dallas Mavericks.  Last night the Mavericks won the NBA championship.  Miami may win another year, but not this one.  Such goes the plans of men.

The Bible says in Proverbs 19:21, many are the plans in the mind of a man,but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.  Men make plans and sometimes they materialize but not always.  We make plans for vacation, and we take it.  We make plans for retirement and we do so.  But sometimes, we make plans for vacation and a hurricane ruins them.  Sometimes we make plans for retirement, and the economy turns sour and our savings dwindle to nothing, so we keep working.

There is nothing wrong with making plans but we must always recognize that there is only one whose purpose stands for ever.  Another James (Not LeBron) said, ¹³Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"— ¹⁴yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. ¹⁵Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." ¹⁶As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil."  James 4:13-16

God holds are future, whatever plans we make we must always trust Him.  None of us knows what the future holds, but we do know who holds our future.  We can trust Him.  Think about it.

Storm Warnings

Weathermen do a tremendous job warning us when storms are approaching.  It seems like every day this week, I have seen a thunderstorm watch or warning flash across the television screen.  These are very helpful to prepare for what may come our way.  We know to come in out of the rain before it hits. 

I wish that every storm in life came with a warning so that we could prepare.  Most of us would love to know ahead of time that a crisis was coming, so that we could prepare and maybe soften the blow.  But life does not work that way.  Trials and troubles often times seem to just come out of the blue.  I experienced that the other day, when in the middle of driving in a storm, my water pump broke.  I sure wish I knew that was coming, because I would not have been driving.  Because I was driving, when the pump broke, it threw a belt which damaged my radiator.  If I only knew, I could have prepared. 

We know life does cause us trouble.  Jesus promised us that we would face tribulation.  We just are caught off guard from the causes of it.  It sneaks up on us.  But there is a way to be prepared.  Psalm 46:1 says,  "God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble."  To be prepared for the storms, we only need to remain close to Him.  The good news is that God has promised not to leave us nor forsake us.  But our problem is that we often times drift away.  Unless we work hard at our relationship with God, we drift.  When we are adrift, we are unprepared to face the storms of life.  So to be prepared, we need to continue to draw near to God.  Think about it.

Adultery and the Congressman

The news cycle these days are filled with the allegations and apologies of Rep. Weiner of New York, who has now admitted to "sexting".  That is he has texted lewd pictures of himself via "twitter".  He sent these pictures to women other than his wife and I saw a non scientific poll which said that a sizable majority  people classified this behavior as adultery.  My prayers are with the Representative, not for his political career but for his family and I hope that his marriage can survive all of this.

I am glad that most people see this behavior for what it really is, adultery.  But I wonder how many people would agree with Jesus' definition of adultery.  Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:27-28   That is if a man for one second longs to be with another woman, or a woman dreams she was with another man, then they have broken the commandment in spirit. 

Most people don't like this radical definition because it hits too close to home.  If you agree, then you are condemning yourself.  Most of us don't like to be condemned.  We like being able to say that because I have not "sexted" or had an emotional affair, or slept with someone else, I have never committed adultery. Therefore, I am a good person. 

But if I accept Jesus' definition, then I cannot just examine my outward behavior but must look at my heart.  Chances are most would say, I am not good.  But in God's economy, when I admit that I am not good that is in fact good news.  For it is only when I can admit that I am a sinner that I can find salvation.  Jesus said that he did not come to call the righteous to repentance but the unrighteous.  As long as I can consider myself good, I don't need Jesus.  But when I recognize my sin and repent, I can find that God has provided a way.

Christianity is not about being good.  Christianity is God's love for bad people.  God sent His Son to die to pay for our sins.  God sent His Son to live a perfect life so that He could declare us righteous by crediting what His Son did in our account.  This can only happen when I admit that I am a sinner, believe that Jesus is God's son who died for my sin, and confess Him as my Savior and Lord.  So, how do you see your self.  Are you basically a good person.  If so, you don't need Jesus.  But if you can come to the place in your life where you can admit that you are a sinner, you are on the path to salvation.  Think about it.

Dr. Kevorkian and the Death of Authority

Dr. Jack Kevorkian died this week of natural causes in a hospital bed after suffering for years with several ailments.  I find that interesting since Dr. Kevorkian became famous (or infamous) in the 1990's for not only advocating physician suicide but participating in them.  He wanted people to die with dignity, I assume that  he believed from his actions that a natural death from disease is dignified,even though he fought against it.

I know what I believe about Physician Assisted Suicide and that really is not the point of this blog.  Kevorkian was just a symbol of one of many things wrong with America.  Kevorkian did not like a law, so instead of fighting for his position, he took the law in his own hands.  In fact he defied authority and broke established law that was not just based in preference but in a moral precedent that has guided civilization for hundreds of years. 

Authority in our day is to be defied, not respected.  But God has a different standard.  He says in 1 Peter 2:13-14, "Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good."  Hebrews 13:17 says, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account."

These passages do not mean that we are to follow blindly and that we are to never question authority.  But it is a reminder that authority is to be respected.  That respect for authority is lost in our day.  If we are to become who God wants us to be, we need to follow His standards rather than the worlds.