If I Had Known I'd Be Alive! - That Ol' Bible

The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. - 1 Chronicles 13:10

I have always been a reader. I truly enjoyed it as a child. Today, as an adult I can't imagine electing not to read.

The world changes quickly. Innovation and the joining of technologies happens daily. Yet I often hear from business associates how much they dislike reading. I also hear it and even more often from Christians and even those who are in positions of leadership.

True pillars of the faith exist who do not have a habit, a discipline, of reading the Bible. You might be one of those. One such Christian friend and business associate told me that he found it a difficult discipline to master. My response was, "Jim, if you do not get into the Bible; if you do not read from it and yes, do it daily, you cannot know how it is that God will speak into and provide guidance to your life specifically."

My worldview, no, LIFEview on the subject of the Holy Bible has less to do with issues like infallibility and inerrancy and much more on the premise that its constant and continual message is this, God's written Word, as provided in the Bible, is life to our souls. It provides knowledge that leads to life."

The prophet Hosea tells us, My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as My priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children. - Hosea 4:6. God has given us His Word that has specific foundational principles. You can't know them unless you read about them. Understanding God's heart, His desire for mankind, the fulness of the message of Jesus Christ must be understood if we expect our Heavenly Father's personal, intimate blessing.

King David forgot to follow what we perceive as a law. But something more than God saying, "I said so!" was at work when God instructed David to allow no one to touch the Ark of the Covenant. "...But they must not touch the holy things or they will die..." - Numbers 4:15.

You might recall the story. When they were transporting the ark, one of the men, Uzzah, seemingly in an innocent manner reached to steady the ark but was immediately stricken dead when his hands touched the ark of God.

This has led to speculation. Did David know this law or did he simply forget? Well, the answer was that David knew it because God had told David directly. Had David failed to instruct Uzzah about this command and thus not take care of one who was put under Davids' care? If Uzzah was aware did he really believe it was a specific instruction from God?

Regardless of the implications we know that David thought it was okay to carry the ark the way Uzzah did. And, because of David's lack of truly "hearing" God a man lost his life for his presumption.

Too many of us take the Bible lightly.

We believe we can violate His Word without consequence. Or, perhaps that its directive instruction is not true or relevant to us or to the time in which we live. But the Bible itself says that the Lord stands by (He is at the ready) to uphold His Word.

The Bible can be life, or it can bring death. When God provides instructions, we need to follow them. The Word of God leads to the personal instruction and direction of God for each of us. Knowing this about God brings reverence for our Heavenly Father. David was afraid of God that day and asked, 'How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?' - 1 Chronicles 13:12

We must all have a fearful respect when, like David, God speaks to us to speak through us. For truly, it is life or death.

Do you take God's Word seriously? Is it life or death for you? Does it even register in your heart to devour it daily and discover how the Holy Spirit will use it to revolutionize your life? Do you feed upon His Word daily so that you might know Him and know His instruction and intimate communication to you?

It is my prayer that you understand God's written word as given in the Bible and that it does what it says it will do…give you abundant life in your daily walk…

 I remain...
 InHISgrip,
    ~J~

Men of God Emotionally Crumble - It's Allowed

>Now the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may make a case against us and seize us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys.” When they drew near to the steward of Joseph’s house, they talked with him at the door of the house, and said, “O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food; but it happened, when we came to the encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; so we have brought it back in our hand. And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” But he said, “Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them. So the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed. Then they made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there. And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. Then he asked them about their well-being, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” And they answered, “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves. Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there. - Genesis 43:18-30
You needed to read most of the background story…The scene is a follow-up meeting between Joseph and his brothers; well, more brothers. This meeting included one they had previously and conveniently left home at the request of their father and in guilt over the treatment of a previous younger brother, Joseph himself.

Suddenly, Joseph, this now great man, this strong-hearted and efficient prime minister of a mighty nation, collapsed inside. (Did you read until the very end?)
Had the years hardened him? Had he become less emotional as time went on and he had gone through all the ups and downs of life? Had his time with God prepared him for every situation so that he handled them all with calm and reserve?

Hardly.

No, truly great men and women, no different than you and I, are suddenly seized by those times in life when they can no longer restrain the wellspring of emotion surging within them. There is no composure. Their feelings bubble to the top. That's what happened to Joseph at this never expected moment in his very full life. This was a moment that was truly a kingdom moment. It is at such amazing, blessed times that words fail us. And, completely acceptable, as with Joseph we must get alone to regain our composure. Joseph did.
The Scriptures speak,
Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his bedroom and wept there - Genesis 43:30.

Close your eyes for a moment and picture the scene. With little warning, the handsome, confident leader of millions has turned away from his guests and rushed to his bedroom and collapsed in an uncontrollably sobbing heap! Twenty plus years of pain, heartbreak, loneliness, in a moment, passed before Josephs' eyes. All the loneliness. All the loss. All the seasons and birthdays and meaningful festivals and commemorative times without his family. It was too much to contain, like a rushing river pouring into a lake, swelling above the dam. His tears ran, and he heaved with great sobs. All of a sudden, he was a little boy again, missing his daddy.

There have been times in my own life when I've had doubts, when I've stumbled over great cracks that appeared in my world. Some of those have occurred because of the pain of my past. Many of them because of the pain of my time here and now. I've had those times when I climbed into my own bed and wept, crying out to God. I suspect I am not alone in this. Such times of pain, and despair are part of "Life 101" aren't they? I pray, have you not already done it, realize honesty in your identity, real rather than false or the protection of some kind of super-confident image is more hurtful than it is helpful.

The little verse that is Jude, verse 22 says, "Of some having compassion, making the difference. We can love through it, we can love deeply and in meaningful ways to those with whom we understand. It's comforting to realize we're in good company in times like those that our friend Joseph was going through. Isn't it?

Yes, it is true. Joseph had become a great and powerful man, admittedly, but he was also a real human being with real human emotions, who could step out of the corridors of power and have the strength to weep his heart out. Spending a life that might have destroyed others but spending it in the shadow of the Almighty created just such a man as he.

I remain…
InHISgrip,
~J~

In The Face of Betrayal We Found Grace

...Peace be with you! - John 20:19

How would you respond to a group of friends, those who followed you as a teacher, mentor, and more if having poured your life into them, teaching them all you know for three plus years, only to have them disband though you had instructed them otherwise? What would you say to them after you were reunited for the first time? I'd be cynical. I'd use sarcasm. I might want to speak with them one at a time and enumerate their failings.

I'll tell you this, at the very least I'd make sure they felt shamed by their lack of loyalty and commitment. After Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead, He appeared to the disciples. His first words to them were, "Peace (Grace) be with you!" The word grace means "unmerited favor." When someone loves you unconditionally, without regard to your behavior in return, it becomes a powerful force in your life.

Such was the case for the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. They could have expected reprimand. Instead, they received unconditional love and acceptance. He was overjoyed to see them. They were equally overjoyed to see Him.

And in this, Jesus created a teachable moment. Jesus understood that the disciples needed to fail Him as part of their training. Quality, wise, understanding Coaches are just like that. For the Apostles it would be this failure that became their greatest motivation for service and one of the things they would use to illustrate God's amazing love personally. Failure allowed them to experience incredible grace for the very first time and grace would transform them from men into men of God. Have you experienced this grace in your life?

Have you extended grace to those who have hurt you? Can you let go of any wrongs that have come through friends or associates?

The grace you extend may change their lives-and yours.

 I remain... InHISgrip, ~J~

You Can Deal With This Or You Can Deal With That!

Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'? - Genesis 3:1



Have you seen the commercial with the Gangsta Hamsters for the Kia Soul? You get two choices of "cool" which actually get reduced down to a toaster and a brightly colored boxy Kia Soul. There is a 3rd choice which is the cardboard equivalent of the Fred Flintstone mobile. But the cardboard option collapses upon itself; not such a good choice is it?

Of course in the real world we do have those kinds of choices all day long. I'm still working on the real lesson of the commercial but it's catchy and sticks in your head. I suppose we can choose practical and more fun (the Soul) or just practical and cheap (An unplugged electric toaster with no personality).

God is big on giving man freedom and boundaries-freedom to manage what He has entrusted to us, boundaries to protect us from evil. It is a kind of "this" or "that" scenario. We can choose but clearly in the economy of the Kingdom of God there are good choices and those which are summarily hideously horrible.

Our typical thinking tells us that God was the original law giver. That He created these boundaries and this was the first form of, "You better do what I say." In the case of those first boundaries in the Eden and between God and Adam and Eve I see this differently however. I'm hoping it's a view from God's perspective. The rule was not set for the purpose of limiting the couple. No, it was the first lesson in understanding the value and the responsibility of bad choices. It was a first lesson in not just communicating with God but truly taking His lessons and thoughts and messages to you personally to heart. They got into trouble when they first allowed His clear direction to be misrepresented and then more so when their questioning caused them to ignore those boundaries.

If you are churched you know that God had provided everything Eve and Adam would need for life on earth. In my mind this is the "Adam Project." He also entrusted them with responsibility to manage and work the Garden. God works and so does His progeny. God gave the two of them freedom in that responsibility. He has those same characteristics and we are made in His image from that perspective. Our mutual substance indicates we, both our Creator and us were made to express ourselves creatively through our mental and physical efforts.

But we are not God. We are merely "in His image," thus each of us has freedom of choices and boundaries in our lives. Whenever you are hired for a job, you must have the freedom to make certain decisions. You must have the authority to manage things within your area of expertise. You must also have limits within your area of responsibility. You need to know where those limits are and stay within them. In the case of our lives we have both freedom and boundaries and to those who recognize God's authority (it is a choice you know) we should embrace that our eternal life is always under the umbrella of God's authority. As a side note, we should also "get" that regardless of politics, our definition of competency, personality and its conflicts that we are also under authority in many other areas of our life.

So, several thousand years after the failed "Adam Project" in Eden Jesus comes on the scene, in the form of a man and is put under the same earthly contingencies that a typical dude of His time faces. He grew. He matured. He listened and communicated with God the Father. This led to a point where He understood the concept I speak about regarding boundaries. Jesus, under the headship of His Heavenly Father, accepted a form of freedom and boundaries that you and I would recognize.

This all leads me to my point (I think). When Jesus was tempted for 40 days by the Satan after being baptized, He was challenged by the evil one to venture beyond His freedom and personal boundaries.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God. ’ ” ; , Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.- Matthew 4:1-11

Now Jesus boundaries were very different than some of ours aren't they? For instance, Satan said to Jesus that He had the power to turn a stone into bread. Jesus was hungry and easily could have justified, from an earthly perspective, using His power to feed Himself. However, Jesus understood He could do nothing outside the boundaries of God's will for His life. Guys, can you see how intimate the Will of God is? There is a certain and vital perspective here. You need to know what it is the Father wants you to do. I guarantee you it isn't discovered at a church meeting, Sunday School, home meetings or seminary. It certainly isn't between the covers of a book (though all of these things have the potential to feed it). It is found in your intimacy with God the Father. In this instance Jesus knew it was God's perspective for Him to eschew the advice of Satan and continue as a man, feeding Himself, in this instance, as a man, with the limitation to not create food miraculously. God was showing His Son that "man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" - Mt. 4:4b. The lesson was personal. It was intimate. It was proximate to Him and He could embrace its power by accepting this boundary.

You and I are tempted every day to go beyond our God-ordained boundaries. I suspect we normally aren't aware of it. We aren't used to thinking in the way I just described of Jesus. But we have issues relating to hearing the Holy Spirit. There is the obvious of course such as financial problems that have arisen through debt, making wrong decisions due to pressure, or manipulating someone in order to achieve our ends, it all represents rebellion toward God. But what about those gray areas? What happens when we are taken away in our own life situation where we feel out of control and some of the choices seem to be morally neutral. Then what?

We both, you and I need to start on a new path today. Perhaps a good start is a lengthy time of reading the stories of those who heard from God in the Bible to get a sense of just how He might do it in us. We need to spend quiet time "listening" to our spirit. We should write down what we hear or think we hear. We need to surround ourselves with others who are hearers of "The Word" and bring them along on our journey. Ask God to show you His freedom and boundaries for your life. These are meant to bring God's love and intimacy into your life, your heart, your actions...

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

Of Brooks & Battles

And David came to the two hundred men who were left behind, that they should not follow after David, and he had caused them to remain by the brook of Besor. And they came forth to meet David, and to meet his people with him. And David drew near to the people, and they asked him how he did it. Then every ill-disposed and bad man of the soldiers who had gone with David, answered and said, Because they did not pursue together with us, we will not give them of the spoils which we have recovered, only let each one lead away with him his wife and his children, and let them return. And David said, You shall not do so, after the Lord has delivered the enemy to us, and guarded us, and the Lord has delivered into our hands the troop that came against you.
And who will hearken to these your words? For they are not inferior to us; for according to the portion of him that went down to the battle, so shall be the portion of him that abides with the baggage; they shall share alike. And it came to pass from that day forward, that it became an ordinance and a custom in Israel until this day.- I Samuel 30:21-26


Today, as I came down for coffee, I was greeted with a reading from Max Lucado's Book, "Facing Your Giants." It's been laying around and I've skimmed it previously a bit. It is essentially a study of life-lessons from the life of David.

I recommend you get to know David. His life, love, passions, and weaknesses will give you hope. The way God deals with Him will encourage your Christian faith.

I was reminded that somehow, in all my years, yea decades of Bible reading I had missed this story or the point of it.

As the story goes, David and his men had just returned from battle, only to find that their village had been destroyed, and their families had been taken captive by an enemy army. David's troops were devastated, worn out, and angry. After no little bit of anger and finger-pointing at David they set off to rescue their families and recapture their belongings.

In their pursuit of the enemy band, David and his army came to a brook, called Besor. They rested a while, got some water, and then David gave the command to get back on the trail, but 200 of the soldiers decided this was as far as they'd go. They could go no further. A none too happy army moved on and left them behind.

The author asks, “How tired does a person have to be to abandon the hunt for his own family?”

Later in the chapter Lucado goes on, “The church has its quorum of such folks. Good people. Godly people. Only hours or years ago they marched with deep resolve. But now fatigue consumes them. They’re exhausted. So beat-up and worn down that they can’t summon the strength to save their own flesh and blood. Old age has sucked their oxygen. Or maybe it was a deflating string of defeat. Divorce can leave you at the brook. Addiction can as well. Whatever the reason, the church has its share of people who just sit and rest.” And yes, some have always rested...

I remember the last time I was at Brook Besor. I can still taste the water. I was overwhelmed by Satan’s attacks on every area of my life. I couldn’t fight anymore. I was at the end of my rope. I remember yelling at God, “You promised me that you would never give me more than I can handle, but you did! I can’t take it! I can’t go on like this! If you want me to keep going, you are going to have to do something about it, because I can’t fight anymore!”

He did. He knew...

While I was waiting at the brook, too tired to fight, God did what David and his men did in this story: He fought the battle for me! Within weeks, things had changed. Through little effort of my own, some of the problems simply worked themselves out. Others became more manageable, and I was able to gain perspective on how to better handle each situation. I'm regaining my strength and "mostly" back on my feet, and life is good once again. Well, it's better. And yes, my brook experience is proximate...it's recent.

Just as David and his army continued on in their pursuit, rescuing their families and recapturing their belongings (and making sure that those resting at the brook got their share, even when the the more "fair" and/or greedy of the army wanted to exclude them), Jesus fights our battles, and wins the victory for us! He does more than that though. He gives us more than we deserve.

Two thoughts struck me as I read I Samuel's 29 and 30 (Yes, go on, read the two chapters...it will help God give you a personal perspective on this and you do need it...)

1. Thank you Lord for being my Warrior - for coming to my defense against all of my enemies

2. Thank you for helping me understand that as a leader I need to recognize and show grace and mercy to all your saints both those who enjoin the battle and those who are now at the Brook.

We need a living soul to show us grace and love when we just aren't feeling it inside...ya know?

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

Takin' It Easy - Not So Biblical After All

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!- Psalm 90:12-17

This last week, at my favorite coffee house, as I prepared my lesson for Sunday, a group of 4 walked in, ordered their drinks and sat right across from me and my Mac. One gentleman of the group just started shaking hands with all the patrons. He must've shook hands with a half-dozen folks he’d never met before. Then he looked at me, and with a grin and a twinkle in his eye, walked over, bent slightly at my table and whipped out his hand in my direction. I grabbed hold, smiled and realized that this was a working mans hand! It was a hand you could strike a match on, toughened by decades of rugged toil.

"And a great day to you sir," I said. "You look like a man who enjoys life. What do you do for a living?" I inquired of my brand new friend.

"Me? Well, I'm a farmer from back in the Midwest. It is what I do and I guess I have gotten to be pretty fair at it."

"Really? I guess I'm not surprised, since you've got hands like sandpaper! Those are some tough hands!" "Ya, well son, yours aren't so much but you look like you pluck on that gizmo there pretty good. What do you do?" After sharing with him my work and passions he patted me on the back and said, "I like it!"

He then laughed . . . asked me a couple of insightful questions, then told me about his plans for traveling with his new girlfriend (and he winked). "She's the young one over there at the table."

"What did you do last week?" I asked.

His answer stunned me. "Last week I finished harvesting 90,000 bushels of corn," he said with a smile.

I then blurted out, "Ninety thousand! How old are you, my friend?"

He didn't seem at all hesitant or embarrassed by my question. "I'm just a couple months shy o' 90." He laughed again as I shook my head. Wow!

the man in front of me had lived through four or five wars, the Great Depression, seventeen presidents, ninety Midwest winters, who knows how many personal hardships, and he was still taking life by the throat. I had to ask him the secret of his long and productive life. "Hard work and integrity" was his quick reply. "Be honest, do what you say and do more than they think you can. That's all."

As we parted company, he looked back over his shoulder and added, "Don't take it easy, young feller. Stay at it!" This wisdom from a ninety year old to a fifty pluser...truly.

The Bible is filled with folks who refused to take it easy. In the Old Testament is the story of a man named Caleb, who, at age 85, attacked the powerful Anakim in the hill country and successfully drove them out (Josh. 14)? Or Abraham, the Father of our Faith, who had a baby (well, actually Sarah did) when he was "in his old age" . . . he was 100, she was 90 (Gen. 21)? Or Noah or Moses or Samuel or Anna, the 84-year-old prophetess . . . significant people, all.

Age means zilch. Wrinkles, gray hair, and spots on your hands, less than zilch. If God chooses to leave you on this earth, great. If He makes it possible for you to step aside from your work and move on to new vistas with fresh challenges, that's also great. Be sensitive to the spirit to expect to be doing more in your future, not less...

And whatever else you do, don't take it easy!

"No disease is more lethal than the boredom that follows retirement" (Norman Cousins).

As I typed this I wasn't sure of the deep spiritual truths other than I just was inspired by it and felt for someone out there who's butt might have grown a size or two in the past year or so, take heed! Death waits at the door, spiritually and physically of those who quit on life and godliness!

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

Ah! You're Just Seeing Things!

And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha - 2 Kings 6:17

Everyone who knows me knows I am a huge fan of all things baseball. One of my two favorite all-time baseball movies is the movie Field of Dreams. Kevin Costner plays the part of an Iowa farmer that had a vision to build a baseball field in the middle of his cornfield.

Part of the romance and mystery is this: he did not know why.

What he did know was that he was to do it. Much to the chagrin of his neighbors and extended family, he built the baseball diamond in the farm community. As the story continues, one night some players showed up. The man realized these were no ordinary players, but were actually the great players from the past. When the skeptical family came to view this phenomenon, they were unable to see what the farm owner could see. This made it even worse for him. Now he was really a lunatic in their eyes; having plowed under valuable farm land he needed to pay the bills and feed his family.

This fictitious story has a spiritual application for you and I. First, if God tells us to "build a ball field," we should do it. It is not for us to determine the reason we are instructed to do it. Once we are obedient, God steps us through obedience, one foot at a time in front of the next. Because He is a personal God He will allow us to see what others cannot see. It is His personal vision for each of us who names Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It's also a kind of rite of passage for those willing to risk their reputation for God's purposes. As our walk and trust levels rise in our faith my dear friends and family God increases the spiritual senses to levels we never knew before. If you continue to walk in faith those around you will observe this. You will become a spiritual beacon in ways you had not considered. As in the movie mentioned above, "They will come" to you for wisdom, truth, and a touch from God.

Do you want to see what others cannot see? Let me put it another way: do you wish to see more for what God would do in and through your life? If so, it will require a level of obedience that will go beyond human reason. This last week I read an article that showed the path from agnosticism to faith to world-wide power with God for over a dozen men (Wilberforce, Tolkien, T.S. Eliot, and C. S. Lewis to name a few). These men all claimed they got there because Christianity was the only reasonable explanation for the world, their lives and the future. Each however proclaimed it was a step of faith that caused them to realize just how personal and loving God was.

Your faith and God's personal command to you may require risk and ridicule from others. But you will see what others cannot see and it will be an eternal adventure! I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

Becoming A Draft Day Favorite

...Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel... - Zechariah 4:10

When I was a boy growing up in Calumet City, IL it may take a bit of work but we could nearly always put together a game of pick-up baseball (3 player teams and even two player teams worked.) basketball and even football. On the "big teams" days when we could get 3 or more per team, two captains would alternate making the best choices among the neighborhood gang to make up the two teams. In baseball I was a lock for one of the top two first picks. It took awhile for me to be selected in the top 5 in basketball though (and the loss of about 20 lbs.)

What I do remember was how good it felt to be valued by others for what they perceived I could contribute. Conversely, it was a feet-shuffling, uncomfortable feeling when I was "down the line" and not chosen in one of those prime spots. For some of the neighborhood kids, on really big days it was possible to not be chosen at all.

Such was the case for Zerubbabel. He was a man chosen by God to rebuild the temple. God saw something in Zerubbabel that He could use for His purposes. The people also recognized that Zerubbabel was a man in whom they could place their faith. So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people - Haggai 1:14a.

If you are part of the remnant of those on this earth who name the name of Jesus Christ, God is calling you out. Believe it or not, right where you stand, right now, YOU are being selected. You are first! It isn't tomorrow. It isn't when you get it all together. He wants you now. You have a place in His work. You are a valuable, eternal asset immediately. I want to make a couple of points about this calling to you.

1. Do not let the business of your current work sidetrack you from the importance of God's agenda for you. I hope you can recall the day Jesus Christ and your life in Him became apparent to you. If you have to think about it I suggest you write it down so that the next time it isn't so hard. Remember, from that day on God's call on your life and the eternal work of the Kingdom of God and your place in it took preeminence. If this is the first time you have gotten that memo then think of it as you just got it in the mail, in your locker, to your E-Mail account and delivered in person by the King of the Universe personally!

2. Remember that your leadership in your home is an important part of that calling. Your personal selection to God's team means you must take your position and have yourself equipped to do the work. You will put on love, grace, peace, mercy, godly knowledge and a desire to ensure that everyone who comes into your territory, every ball shagged in your part of the field is done so cleanly and every opportunity to shoot or hit is done so to make sure you optimize the opportunity. Be prepared.

3. Preparation means you do things to make sure you are ready for the game. You have already been chosen. Make sure you can perform. For the Kingdom of God team it means you pray enough (which is constantly be in a state of prayer - I Thessalonians 5:17), read God's word so you know the plays (2 Timothy 2:15), talk team strategy with the rest of the players on your side regularly (Hebrews 10:25), wear the team uniform which is the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17).

Hear me my friends and family, Satan's strategy is to keep us distracted with the urgency of the moment versus the importance of eternity. He wants us to stand out in right field and gaze at the ant hill instead of keep our head in the game!

Ask God what your priorities should be today. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Make His priorities your priorities. Serve your head coach, Jesus Christ, with fervor, fire, determination and power. It is the calling of your team to take the championship but we have got to be prepared!

I remain...

InHISGrip,
~J~

This Is An OUT OF MY HEAD! - House Bill 3200 YIKES!!!

Well, I have done it! I didn’t want to. I didn’t think it was necessary actually. But I can tell you that I have read the entire text of proposed House Bill 3200: The Affordable Health Care Choices Act of 2009.

I studied it with particular emphasis from my specific area of interest Historical Constitutional Law. I was frankly concerned that parts of the proposed law that were being discussed might be unconstitutional. What I found was far worse than what I had heard or expected. And, from my perspective, informed citizen, I was right. Much of it is written so that our constitutional rights will be remanded.

First, you need to know that much of what has been purported negatively about the new law (and please, make no mistake they are not mandating legislation but new rules of LAW) and its implications is in fact true, despite what many Democrats and the media are saying. The law does provide for rationing of health care, particularly where senior citizens and other classes of citizens are involved, free health care for illegal immigrants, free and on demand abortion services, and most likely forced participation in abortion procedures by members of the medical profession.

The Bill will also eventually force private insurance companies out of business (or fully restructure every organization and corporation that operates in the field at costs that have not even begun to be understood or studied) and put everyone into a government run system that will develop whole new agencies. Federal bureaucrats will ultimately make all decisions about personal health care and most of them will not be health care professionals but rather political appointees. Hospital admissions, payments to physicians, and allocations of necessary medical devices will be strictly controlled.

However, as scary as all of that it, it just scratches the surface. In fact, I have concluded that this legislation really has no intention of providing affordable health care choices. Did you see that? Health care is not the purpose of this law! Instead it is a convenient cover for the most massive transfer of power to the Executive Branch of government that has ever occurred, or even been contemplated. If this law or a similar one is adopted, major portions of the Constitution of the United States will effectively have been destroyed.

First thing to go will be the masterfully crafted balance of power between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of the U.S. Government. The Congress will be transferring to the Obama Administration authority in a number of different areas over the lives of the American people and the businesses they own. The irony is that Congress doesn't have any authority to legislate most of those areas to begin with and by that I mean currently or historically. I defy anyone to read the text of the U.S. Constitution and find any authority granted to the members of Congress to regulate health care, associated business or the direct management of business in the United States.

This legislation also provides for access by the appointees of the Obama administration to all of your personal healthcare information, your personal financial information, and the information of your employer, physician, and hospital. All of this “access” can easily be abused and becomes a direct violation of the specific provisions of the 4th Amendment to the Constitution protecting against unreasonable searches and seizures. You can also forget about your right to privacy. That will have been legislated into oblivion regardless of what the 3rd and 4th Amendments may provide.

If you decide not to have healthcare insurance or if you have private insurance that is not deemed "acceptable" to the "Health Choices Administrator" appointed by Obama there will be a tax imposed on you. You will be penalized for being entrepreneurial and a freethinking, free acting citizen! It is called a "tax" instead of a fine because of the intent to avoid application of the due process clause of the 5th Amendment. However, that doesn't work because since there is nothing in the law that allows you to contest or appeal the imposition of the tax, it is definitely depriving someone of property (real property holders) without the "due process" of law.

So, there are three of those pesky amendments that those who seeks to control hate so much out of the original ten in the Bill of Rights that are effectively nullified by this law. It doesn't stop there though. The 9th Amendment that provides: "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people;" The 10th Amendment states: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are preserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Under the provisions of this piece of Congressional handiwork neither the people nor the states are going to have any rights or powers at all in many areas that once were theirs to control.

There is a ton more but you get the gist don’t you? (Please just nod your head here.) This is not about health care; it is about seizing power and limiting rights. Article 6 of the Constitution requires the members of both houses of Congress to "be bound by oath or affirmation" to support the Constitution. If I was a member of Congress I would not be able to vote for this legislation or anything like it without feeling I was violating that sacred oath or affirmation. If I voted for it anyway I would hope the American people would hold me accountable.

For those who might doubt the nature of this threat I suggest they consult the source.

Here is a link to the Constitution:

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html_

And another to the Bill of Rights:

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html

There you can see exactly what we are about to have taken from us. I know, it’s hard work being a free American. That is why we find ourselves even having to go through the ordeal of this situation. “Lazy” does not seem to be in our mantra as a nation but it has become a cloak we wear to cover up an otherwise very busy life. Let’s resist the taking from us what has cost us so dearly to acquire, the ability as freethinking men and women to do right until the stars fall!

In all of this my hope and my focus is my faith in a God who controls the destinies of men. He also provides for creativity and will and purpose. I personally have purposed not to just flop over and let an ill intentioned regime take away the rights of millions with the brush of a pen.

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

When It's Time to Move On - Expect Greater Things!

In this way the man grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys. - Genesis 30:43

The Old Testament Patriarch (prior to becoming old or a patriarch) Jacob left his homeland after suffering a broken relationship with his brother Esau. Jacob, at the biding of his mother and whether right or wrong robbed Esau of the family blessing.

We next find Jacob working for his uncle Laban. This was no short-timer gig. Jacob stayed for 20 plus years.

But now it's time for him to leave Laban's hire. But (and this should give us a sense of both Jacob and ourselves - Note to self: if I have done something for 20 years and have NOTHING to show for it, I might have a problem!) he had no physical assets to show for those years under Laban.

Laban had taken advantage of his nephew in every way. As you become more familiar with the story you realize in some ways, Jacob was reaping the seed he had sown his entire life as a manipulator and controller starting with the whole stealing the blessing debacle from his brother Esau.

And in the next instance we personally find hope. For, as bad as Jacob had been, as rotten as he may have treated his brother and as lousy a conniving cheater he might have been, God's hand was on Jacob, and He had plans to prosper him.

That blows me away. Say it with me, "God is good to me when I do not deserve His goodness."

But, still, Jacob had one problem - he had no resources of his own. For Jacob to launch out on his own, he would need finances or something of value. In those days, resources often meant large flocks of animals. This was not as convenient as a bank account but still quite effective for the time. Well, as it was with Him, God gave Jacob a dream that resulted in a strategy for creating wealth by multiplying his sheep. Even though Laban sought to prevents Jacob's efforts, God overcame the evil in Laban to allow Jacob to prosper.

There are a bunch of lessons for us in this story. First, when God decides it is time to move you into a larger place of His calling, He has the ability to provide the resources you need to support the call. Find hope in this.

God gave Jacob a dream that resulted in a strategy never used before to build wealth. It was totally from God's hand. It was creative and new. Expect God to work in your mind and your mind.

Then, God called Jacob to move out after he had demonstrated his faithfulness in 25 plus years of serving his uncle. Jacob learned to live under authority and served the man faithfully, even though Jacob knew he was being taken advantage of. Your loyalty in life will inure to your benefit eventually - count on it.

What God did in Jacobs life He will do the same for you and me. However, a word of caution: Be sure the strategy operating in your heart and mind is born from above, and not from self-effort. This is where our being personally sensitive to God's voice needs exercise. It comes from listening daily and expecting to hear from Him.

The difficulty for most Christians is to learn the difference between the strategies born of God versus the strategy of self-effort. It is like anything in life we wish to master; the more time we spend with our Heavenly Father...in His word...in worship...in prayer and in meditation and listening the easier it is for His leading to be heard in our heart of hearts and understood by you and I.

Stand with me today...but...shhhh...service...learn loyalty...be a man/woman of honor...expect God to move in you and through you.

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

Reflections: What God Sees in the Mirror of Your Heart

They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom - Psalm 145:11-12

I have just spent 10 days at conferences with some of the brightest business minds. Two things came to mind as we went through sessions on systems, marketing, influence, and financial success. Those two things were:

1. We must all be accountable in order to stay the course

2. Test & Measure Your Efforts

So, it came back to me, how do you measure our effectiveness in God, or should we even be thinking like this?

The early Church, Peter, Paul, the other apostles, their converts, those guys n' gals, they turned the world upside down in that first century. What made them so effective in their compelling dissemination of the Gospel message?

Was it their theology?

Was it eloquent preaching?

Was it due to one man's influence apart from Jesus?

The Scriptures are clear as to what made the early Church effective. It is at the core of God's heart, and it is quite simple. Ya wanna know what it was?

God desires to reflect His nature and power through every individual.

And kids, let me tell you, when this happens, the world is dynamically impacted and eternally changed because those who reflect His glory affect the world.

We serve a God is is determined for the success of the race of humanity He created. It includes a plan that makes the central elements of success also the cornerstone of that success. What does this mean to you and I? It means He is a God who will not share His glory with anyone because no one else's glory creates and sustains vibrant life!

God sets up situations in order to demonstrate His power through them. He hedges His bets! But, if you have the winning hand why would you fold in favor of something less?

He has overseen the affairs of man since the day He created man and, well, actually even before then. His desire is to reflect His glory through you and me, so that all men may know of His mighty acts and the glorious splendor of His Kingdom and be drawn back into a child/Father relationship with Him.

The apostle Paul was all over this foundational concept. Paul said, My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power - 1 Cor. 2:4-5.

You wish to understand a clear cut method to know if you are pleasing God? Here is how you can know. If you do not see His glory being reflected through your life, then you need to ask why.

You will know why. If you ask sincerely the Holy Spirit will reveal precisely where He desires to lift you up and create victory within you that God's amazing and awesome glory can be reflected through you!

Join me today, a moment of thoughtful silence, asking the Father what do I give over to you Lord that will give you more space in my heart of hearts...together, arm-in-arm, let us march through the Gates of Hell, into the glorious presence of our Daddy in victory!

I remain...

InHISgrip (but slightly more broken)

~J~

Are We Self-Made or Is that Un-Made?

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me" - Deuteronomy 8:17

Over the weekend a friend moved into their beautiful new home here in Mesa, Arizona. While we were trying to manipulate some large piece of furniture we had an exchange where the phrase, "Can I ask you a question?" came up. It gave rise to his sharing with me a story that, as an 11 year old in a grain field in Wisconsin he asked that very same question one day to his father. His father's response was, "No!"

He never asked him another question. Ever.

I would say that the hurt his father caused, the hurt this man felt, created a person that was so deeply offended that the concept of self-made man, or, man's man has been his creed. He might feel it deeper than most.

The unapproachable father...

We've all heard someone say, "He's a self-made man." What are they saying in this statement? Usually it is a statement about the determination and the strength of purpose and character someone has shown in the pursuit of their goals, their lifestyle or position? In my friends case he worked hard because often, having gleaned the bare essentials of the information needed, he worked alone and learned the hard lessons in solitude.

Many a person has achieved success through honest hard work. There is a sadness to the story above though isn't there? That little story provides us the backdrop to perhaps create an understanding of those who have a perception that has both strengthened them but perhaps also hindered them in their walk in Christ.

I often smile and many times laugh when someone looks at my resume and exclaims, "My! You've done so much! This is amazing!" They don't know all the people it took to make my resume look like it does; literally hundreds and probably thousands.

There is a danger for any of us who may have achieved significance through our work. That danger is the belief that we achieved it through our own efforts apart from God's grace and mercy. When we're convinced of this and embrace it as a core, personal belief, we internally embrace a kind of personal entitlement, rights and privileges. We have earned and feel we deserve all we have and usually more than that as well!

In the life story that Jesus told of the prodigal (St. Luke 15:11-32), we find the wayward son had a brother. Once the prodigal came home, was restored in his relationship to his father, this other son refused to celebrate the return of his once lost/now found brother's return. After all, he had been the good son. He had stuck it out. He stayed behind. He had never demanded anything of his father. He gave self and not a godly heart and heritage for the reasons he was faithful to his responsibilities. Why was he not being given or why had he NOT EVER been given the kind of attention this loser brother of his was now receiving?

What was his problem? What problem does anyone face who thinks it is their work, their effort, their character, their integrity...?

In the case of this brother he couldn't embrace mercy and grace. He didn't get his brother's failure and the pain of falling into a lost, separated and sinful life. This personal pride kept the "good brother" from experiencing God's real grace and learning a lesson in love; how to extend grace and kindness to those who do not deserve it and see how it miraculously changes lives!

Do you want to know how legalism develops? Have you heard that term in your church or amongst your friends. Well check that story out about the Prodigal Son and his brother. Legalism is the outcome of the continual practice of taking for your own personal credit and comparing it to the actions of others. Comparing ourselves to what others have and get versus our much more righteous life and position is what creates the growth and development of a cold heart and an insensitive attitude toward others who may have stumbled in their lives. This same "righteous" brother did not truly understand the love of his father apart from works; for he felt he gained acceptance only by doing his job.

Is that how you view God? If so, shame on you! Your God is not the father who said, "NO! You can't communicate with me. Do better! Do more!"

Mmmm...no, your Father sent His Son - Jesus and paid off your debt and you did NOT deserve it, nod did I...nor do I deserve His grace and mercy daily though it is there.

Do you feel accepted by God, regardless of what you do? Perhaps a family culture of, "do it yourself, by yourself, for yourself" is the way you were raised. In the breadth of our lives and the narrowness of the calling that God has placed on your life there are dangers, minefields to avoid.

Today, with me, let us be encouraged and realize that God has gifted us to accomplish anything and incredible mighty things! But these are done through and with His grace, and, as His kids, not by our works.

I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

God's View of Our Earth Shattering Differences

Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart - Proverbs 18:18

(You might want to categorize this under things that might surprise you about God.)

We prayed about it. We discussed it. My friend had one desire; I had a different one.

"Okay, let's settle the issue the way the early Church settled matters when an agreement could not be achieved. Let's flip a coin."

"You must be joking!" my friend lamented.

"No, the early Church cast lots often to determine a course of direction or even select the disciple who would take Judas' place."

"Okay," my friend agreed.

We flipped the coin and the matter was quickly settled.

In the Old Testament there are many examples of casting lots for determining a decision. We hear little of this method today. Most of us do not want to release the decision process to this seemingly "flippant" process; yet the Lord says, The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord (Prov. 16:33).

Flipping a coin is the equivalent to casting a lot. It removes our own opinions and leaves the final outcome to the Lord. Pray before you take such an action. It will surprise you who is willing to submit a decision to the Lord and who isn't. It removes the element of control from both parties.

Having shared this with you I believe that God revels when His kids get together, use their creativity and create solutions together that are greater than either one would have created alone. I believe in unity in The Spirit in the bond of peace.

I believe the Lord would first have us make decisions through agreement and continued prayer for the decision. However, there are times when casting lots, short-straw/long-straw can be the not just the quickest and simplest resolution, but also help us keep God's perspective on the value and importance of earthly things compared to godly. Casting lots removes each person's temptation to lord it over the other.

Move on! Cast the lot and settle the dispute. The relationship is what matters as long as godly principles and commitment to Jesus reign in the day you can do this with the Lord's blessing. I remain...

InHISgrip,
~J~

To the Men of the Church on Rogers St.

The men of our church spent the day working on my mother-in-laws cabin and this was part of our day; we just shared and I provided them with some of the following...I hope it speaks to your heart.

Every man should read Temptations Men Face by Tom Eisenman. I appreciate Tom's candor and practicality. He pulls no punches; neither does he wrench your gut with guilt. His observations, insight, and suggestions are both penetrating and provocative. This book got me thinking about the top temptations father face.

First, the temptation to give things instead of giving ourselves-our presence, our personal involvement - Don't misunderstand. Providing for one's family is biblical. First Timothy 5:8 calls the man who fails to provide for his family's needs "worse than an unbeliever." But the temptation I'm referring to goes far beyond the basic level of need. It's the toys vs. time battle: a dad's desire to make up for his long hours and absence by unloading material stuff on his family rather than being there when he is needed. Like in the bleachers during ball games or in the audience during a band concert, like by your child's side when the homework calls for a father's encouragement, or driving the boat when your child is learning to water ski. Nothing takes the place of a father who gets involved.

Second, the temptation to save our best for the workplace - Nobody has an endless supply of emotional energy, creativity, enthusiasm, ideas, humor, leadership drive, and a zest for life. How easy it is for dads to use up all those things at work, leaving virtually nothing for the end of the day. As a result, the wife and kids get only the leftovers. Our families deserve better! By failing to pace ourselves, by not deliberately saving some of our creative energy for home, we tend to be listless, negative, boring, and predictable. Be a rare unselfish man who thinks ahead, maintain right priorities, and keep your family surprised by your attitude.

Third, the temptation to deliver lectures rather than earning respect by listening and learning - James 1:19 is worth a look, here: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" . When things get out of hand at home, it's our normal tendency to reverse the order James suggests. First, we get mad. Then, we shout (lecture No. 38 . . . or is it No. 39?). Last, we listen. When that happens, we get tuned out - I've learned that the hard way. Our family members may stop. They may look. But they aren't listening. They go through a slow burn. It's a sobering realization, dads, but our home is not an extension of the office . . . and our wife and children are not employees. Maybe we get respect automatically where we work, but at home we must earn it the old-fashioned way. We must work for it.

Fourth, the temptation to demand perfection from those under our roof - Fathers and husbands can be extremely - unrealistic, can't we? It does me good to remember that a .330.375- batting average is considered tops in the big leagues. That means the professional ballplayer swings and misses well over 60% of the time. Yet .350 and he's the batting champ. In fact, if he keeps that up long enough, he's a Hall of Famer. Sure is easy to set our expectations for the wife and kids out of reach, expecting them to bat a thousand. Fathers are commanded not to exasperate their children (Ephesians 6:4), which suggest being an annoyance or one who causes grief. An exasperated child can never jump high enough, thanks to a demanding dad who mistakenly thinks good coaching means always raising the bar. Good coaching notices the little improvements and celebrates them.

Fifth, the temptation to find intimate fulfillment outside the bonds of monogamy - Thanks to our ability to rationalize, we men can talk ourselves into the most ridiculous predicaments imaginable. I've heard most of them. I've also listened to the children of adulterers after the fact, which never understands; who hurt beyond description, which carry scars indefinitely. The charm of seductive passion is incredibly strong, able to blind even the godly. The enticement can be powerful enough to make a man momentarily forget his family as well as ignore the crippling consequences of his sin. That's why I suggest that dads carry a picture of their brood and look at it often. It's impossible to fantasize sensual lust while looking at the smiling, trusting faces of your family.

Sixth, the temptation to underestimate the importance of your cultivating your family's spiritual appetite - Men, your wife and kids long for you to be their spiritual pacesetter. Children love knowing that their dad loves God, walks with God, and talks about God. Never underestimate your role as the spiritual head. If your wife is running circles around you in this area, that tells me a lot more about you than about her. And don't think the kids don't notice, and wonder. Ready for a challenge? Begin to spend time with God, become a man of prayer. Help your family know how deeply you love Christ and desire to honor Him. Start today! C'mon, men . . . it's one of the greatest gifts any father can give a family. I remain…

InHISgrip,
~J~