Truth Telling
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Wednesday, June 7th, 2023
Warning signals are designed for a purpose-a warning that something big is coming.
Our community has tornado sirens. When heeded they save lives or at least lets us know something is coming. When the tornado made its way through our neck of the woods a couple of months ago-and landed in some areas- the only casualties were those who failed to hear or heed the warning.
When the tsunami hit Indonesia in 2010 (has it been that long ago?) over 400 people lost their lives. It didn’t have to be. They had a warning system of buoys that had become detached and drifted away. My question would be whether it happened because of the tsunami or from neglect or forgetfulness to check them. In any case, it was a tragedy which could have been avoided.
We have fire and smoke detectors in our houses. If heeded they save lives. What good would it do if we heard them go off and say, “Oh, that’s just the fire alarm. I’m going back to sleep”? said no wise person ever.
We have a warning system “built in” to each one of us. It is called the conscience. For the most part, that is enough. We have been given the ability to discern right from wrong.
For some-and I am referring to Christ followers-our system has another mainspring: the Holy Spirit. We all know our consciences can be hardened-seared it is called-where what is right and what is wrong is skewed. Oftentimes it is unreadable. The Holy Spirit (who is Christ in you) helps us to know right and wrong.
If you are a follower of Christ, stay sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. Stay open to those nudges, those gentle tugs on your spirit, that say yes or no. I’ve noticed those tugs are good warning signs when they need to be, and good lights to light my path.
But you must listen!
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Holy Spirit, Humility, Opinion, Prayer, Reflection, Sin, Truth Telling
Tuesday, June 6th, 2023
Do you remember a game called “Word Association?” Well…in case that was before your time…the game is played with someone saying a word and the other person(s) saying the first word that comes to mind. Charades is sort of this on steroids.
So…I’m going to give you a word and you write down in your mind or on paper the first word that comes to mind. Ready?
IDOL.
What word came to your mind? Statue? Religion? Carving? Ritual? Special place? Or maybe you thought of a specific one.
I’m guessing most of us would think statue or carving. And we would think of some religion or tribe somewhere that would have a stone or wood statue. Or we may think of someone who has a place set up on a home.
But let me push you beyond that. The Bible explicitly states, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Ex.20:3) It continues by saying, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image” and “You shall not bow down to worship them.” (Ex.20:4-5). Can’t get much plainer than that.
We wipe our hand across our forehead and say, “Whew! I dodged that bullet!”
NOT SO FAST.
An idol does not have to be a physical statue that we give homage to. An idol can be anything-ANYTHING-that garners our attention and affection. I have a 2-wheeled beast (a bicycle not the motorized kind) that has garnered a lot of miles and a lot of my attention over the years. Too much sometimes. No, I didn’t bow down and kiss it. But I can guarantee I have put off some things and allowed it to have way too much of my thoughts and way TOO much importance in my heart at times. You might be thinking, “Well, Bill, how could you direct so much of your attention to an inanimate object?” I rest my case on what an idol is.
You see…God will not stand for 2nd (or 3rd or 4th or…) place in my life. Or yours. He wants to be #1. He wants to be the boss. He wants to be the object of our adoration and worship. An idol is anything that seeks to usurp God’s rightful place of importance in my life…and yours.
What about you? What or WHO is #1?
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Humility, Idols, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Truth Telling, Worship
Monday, June 5th, 2023
I’m no expert that’s for sure. I constantly tell the folks at the church I pastor that I am not a professional counselor. What I am is a pastor who has a heart for His (and my) people. Since the first of May (excluding Mother’s Day), I have been preaching a series called Faith Over Fear. It has been a real test for me in preparing it and I have done a ton of reading to do that. With the exception of Father’s Day, I have two Sundays left in the series.
During my prep I have been using a 31-day devotional called Anxiety…Knowing God’s Peace by Paul Tautges. I highly recommend it. My thoughts today come from that book-Day 28. The devotion today are my thoughts with credit given when I use his.
First, please read Psalm 27. Read it slowly. Digest it. Now, go back and reread verses 1, 4-6, and 13-14.
Anxiety comes from all angles. Some of it is external. David talks about evildoers, adversaries, enemies, people who say lies about him, and armies at war. (vv.2,3,6,12)
But notice where he goes for help! Not his inner Self. Not his guru. Not his self-help books. Not his weapons of war. No, take a moment to read verses 1,4,6,11, and 13-14.
What can we learn from David in Psalm 27 (and here is where I copy from Mr. Tautges’ book):
- Faith cripples the power of fear by reminding us of the right-now presence of the Lord. (v.1)
- Faith cripples the power of our fear when our focus and affection become singular in the Lord. (v.4)
Mr. Tautges is correct in those statements. I’m not so naive to think that it as is as easy as “acknowledge and stop worrying.” But it is a place to start! The chorus from an old song comes to mind: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
Setting our sights on Jesus recalibrates us; refocuses our heart where it belongs and in turn, alleviates our fears.
What or WHO will you focus on today?
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Faith/Trust, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story, Truth Telling
Thursday, June 1st, 2023
“Worldview matters.” So says John Stonestreet in his introduction to Faithfully Different by Natasha Crain. He goes on to say, “A worldview makes a big difference in how we think, how we make decisions, and how we relate with others.” (p.9)
My thoughts were turned to his quotes for two reasons: 1) I’m reading her book; and 2) I read 2 passages of Scripture today that spurred my thinking.
The first is the whole chapter of Psalm 1. (Please take a moment to read its 6 verses). It is a chapter of opposites, of comparisons. It compares the godly person to the wicked (ungodly). {Note: the psalmist uses the word “wicked” but that has such a sharp connotation in today’s language so I use the word ungodly instead. Same species. Different fish} Verses 1-3 describe the one who walks with God, while verses 4-6 describe the one who doesn’t.
The second Scripture is Proverbs 1:7- “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (ESV). The goal of the righteous person is to seek the knowledge of God (His Word, His way, etc.), but it begins with a healthy fear (awe) of God. Wisdom is despised by the fool.
I think the word that comes into play here is the word “discernment.” Going back to the quote at the beginning about worldview, we are constantly being bombarded with and by a secular worldview-a worldview described in Psalm 1:4-6.
One can either have a biblical worldview or a secular worldview. Like it sounds, a biblical worldview is based on God’s Word to man. A secular worldview is based on man’s word to man. They are diametrically opposed to each other.
The world needs to conform to God’s Word (biblical worldview) rather than trying to conform God’s Word to the culture (secular worldview). For that to happen the follower of Christ must become discerning. That comes from putting Psalm 1:1-3 into play.
Choose your worldview but choose wisely. It matters.
Posted in InTheShadow | 12 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, God, God's Word, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Sin, Truth Telling, Worldview
Wednesday, May 31st, 2023
There is a saying you may have heard or will hear from time to time: “You can take that to the bank.” When a person uses that phrase it means “what I have said to you is a sure thing.”
The Bible is filled with “take-it-to-the-bank” moments:
- “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:10
- “We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” Romans 3:23
Can anyone really argue with the logic-and the TRUTH-of those two statements? I think not. There is not a person on this planet who think someone is perfect and has never sinned or done anything wrong.
There are many other statements you can take to the bank. Let’s give another scenario: You are feeling overwhelmed. You are feeling alone. You are feeling like you are drowning. You are anxious. You feel abandoned, like you are in a boat in the middle of an ocean without a paddle. You are being tossed around by a storm and YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT. But God’s take-it-to-the-bank words come to you in the nick of time to reassure you: “You are not alone. We are in this together. I promised you I would never leave your or forsake you. You belong to me. Trust me. You are safe.” I’ve just given you a different take on the passage that says, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” He says, “I am with you, even to the end of time.”
Those words-trusting those words-turn panic into peace; bad news into good news; fear into faith; confusion into calm. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you in my righteous right hand.” (ESV)
And…You can take that to the bank.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, God, God's Word, Ministry, Opinion, Perseverance, Prayer, Reflection, Suffering, Trust, Truth Telling
Tuesday, May 30th, 2023
With yesterday being Memorial Day, we should have stopped to remember and be thankful for the men and women who served our country to preserve our freedoms. I hope you did.
I recently read a story that is all about remembering. I’ve been reading No Reason to Hide by Erwin Lutzer and he tells the following story:
Millions of mothers can be called heroes. One such is Sonya, who entered into an abusive marriage at 13, and later separated from her husband. She never did learn to read, but she was passionate that her children learn to do so.
She had two son, Curtis and Benjamin. Ben was 8, his brother, Curtis, was 10 when their parents divorced. Sonya worked 2-3 jobs at a time, leaving their small apartment at 5:00 a.m. to go to work, and not coming home until midnight.
When the brothers came home with poor grades, she instituted a strict change. She limited her sons’ TV time and they couldn’t go outside until their schoolwork was done.
Sonya could not have predicted her son Ben would become a famous pediatric surgeon. He performed the first reported separation of twins who were joined at the back of the head. He was an esteemed professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Ben Carson always paid tribute to his mother and credits her fervent dedication to him and his brother for their success.{Pages 230-231- Edited for space}
I wonder what Sonya Carson would think of today’s philosophy of allowing the schools to determine what a child is taught. The battle raging today over who should have the say over children-school or parents-is not one Sonya would have tolerated. I firmly believe it is the parent’s responsibility to teach our children, not the schools. The ungodly philosophy taught in our schools, and hiding it from the parents, or even in direct opposition to them, makes my blood boil. Okay…down from the soapbox.
I leave you with this today: we may never know the influence we have now, or down the road. But let’s make sure it is a good one.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Influence, Leadership, Opinion, Parenting, Reflection, Story, Truth Telling
Thursday, May 25th, 2023
Have you ever heard of compartmentalization? I think many people, especially Christ-followers, are experts at it.
So, what is it? Compartmentalization is the art of “sectioning off” our lives. This goes here. That goes there. It is good if you are purging your house or office, but I see it way too often in church people. Sunday is…well…Sunday. That’s the day you go to church and do “church things.” I can remember once asking my grandfather to play cards when I was visiting with he and my grandmother one Sunday. His response was like this: “Bill, my dad and mom were not very religious in any way, shape, or form, but I asked him one Sunday to play cards with me and I was told Sunday was not the day to play cards or any game.” He went on to say, “We never did play cards on Sunday. Every other day, but not Sunday.” Sunday, even to a non-believer, was a sacred day.
It’s easy to get trapped into a religious vs. non-religious mindset. It is easy to say, “I listen only to Christian music or a Christian station. Never anything…wait for it…secular.”
Do you see what I just did? I compartmentalized religious music vs “secular” music. How easy it is to do that and to justify it.
But let’s look at it a different way. Years ago I memorized a Bible verse and used it whenever I signed anything. It was Colossians 3:17;“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” That verse tells me that no matter what I am doing-singing praise, cleaning a toilet, cutting grass, reading my Bible, helping my neighbor, riding my bike or working out, WHATEVER-I am to do it FOR and IN THE NAME of Jesus. No religious vs secular. No matter what I do, it is to be done for Him and for His glory. A Christ-follower singing a rock song (within reason, of course) and doing it for His glory, is following the same path as a Christian singer singing, “To God be the Glory.”
Let’s see all we do as an opportunity to honor God.After all, what good is our faith if it does not affect every area of our lives? Let’s stop compartmentalizing.
Posted in InTheShadow | 12 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Lifestyle, Ministry, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story, Truth Telling, Worship
Wednesday, May 10th, 2023
“Game Night!” There is a lady and family in the church I pastor who love to play games. They will get together on a pretty regular basis just to play games. Exotic games. Me? I’m more into Backgammon, but I also know people who are into long games of Monopoly or Risk, or other games. They will play for hours!
There is actually a common game we all play. I wish it was new. I wish I had thought it up and marketed it. Every time it is used I would get a “piece” of the action. I would have made millions. We all play it and often without giving it a second thought.
THE BLAME GAME.
I read of a city employee in Lodi, CA who sued the city to the tune of $3600 because he backed a dump truck into his personal vehicle. This 51 year old man argued “the city’s vehicle damaged my private vehicle.” I’d say he not only has a screw or two loose, but I’d even go out on a limb and say he was looking for a new job!
Whatever happened to taking responsibility? I had three brothers and when something would happen mom would get us all together and ask which one of us did it. “Not me” was all she got. Then she had this uncanny ability to discern which one of my brothers did it and say, “Okay Rob/Garry/Curt (notice who’s name is missing?) 🙂 , why did you do it? We were good at blaming; not good at lying and taking responsibility.
The Blame Game is not new. It started in the Garden with Adam and Eve. After their sin and God confronted them, they blamed another. “It was the woman you gave me.” “The serpent deceived me.” From the very moment sin entered the world, blame came with it.
We are good at it. Let’s be honest. It is so much easier blaming someone else for our mess up, than to take responsibility. Here is a challenge: take note of how often in a day you hear or use the Blame Game.
Let’s stop playing this game. Let’s start playing the “I Did It” game or the “Point my Finger at Myself and Take the Blame” game.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Leadership, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Sin, Story, Truth Telling
Monday, May 8th, 2023
Common in many news cycles is the passing along of what are called conspiracy theories. The past several elections (and I’m sure future ones) have been filled with them. They are on both sides of the aisle-R or D; conservative or liberal; cultish or mainstream; religious or non-religious.
Conspiracy theories are nothing new though. In the days of Jesus, one that was passed along by those who wanted to downplay or deny the resurrection was that the disciples had stolen the body (Check out Matthew 28:11-15). The religious leaders bribed the Roman guards to spread the rumor, i.e. conspiracy theory, the disciples has stolen the body. They even said they would straighten it out with the authorities.
Theories about the resurrection abound. The wrong tomb theory (the ladies went to the wrong tomb). The swoon theory (Jesus didn’t really die on the cross; He just passed out. He then revived in the cold, dark tomb, mustered enough strength to roll the stone away, overpower the guards and walk away). Wrong person theory (someone took His place on the cross and was mistaken for Jesus). Tell me: how ridiculous do those all sound? The conspiracies go on and on-ad infinitum, ad nauseum.
Unfounded “truths.” Gossip. Slander. Lies. Mean-spirited words. All are part of a subversive element that should not be, but is, in the church. Relationships and friendships cannot survive with that kind of garbage being present in individual lives, and especially in a church.
Let’s stick to the facts, the truth. Let’s not pay one bit of attention to political conspiracy theories. And certainly not give any credence to conspiracy theories that make their way into the church. THEY AIN’T WORTH IT! Let’s leave the conspiracy theories where they belong…in the trash.
Posted in InTheShadow | 12 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Church, Friendship, Humility, Kindness, Leadership, Love, Mercy, Opinion, Reflection, Story, Truth Telling
Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023
“He never saw a mirror he didn’t like.” That is not a compliment. It speaks of one who is in love with the mirror, or should I actually say, the image in the mirror.
He/she walks by a mirror and they can’t help but look. I work out at the local Y in our town. The wall is covered with mirrors. Some use them to make sure they are doing their weight exercises correctly. Others? Well, let’s just say they love looking at themselves in the mirror. Flexing when they think no one is looking. Then again… I have even walked into a room where special classes are held to get something (when it is empty) and noticed that mirrors are a staple. Why? Especially because I hear most are in the class because they don’t like what they see.
Every morning, like most people, I have a ritual. I get up and shower then head to “my” bathroom where I brush my teeth, put on deodorant, and shave. The latter is, of course, done in front of a mirror. It could be kind of dangerous to not use a mirror. I have not yet become that brave. However, I don’t dwell in front of the mirror. I have no hair to style, comb through, blow dry or primp. But I do see imperfections, especially those that come with aging.
The apostle James talks about a mirror in chapter 1 of his book. He says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (verses 22-25) To look into a mirror and not do anything about what you see is like a person who looks into the Word of God (the Bible) and refuses to put into practice what he/she has seen. One would think it is pretty silly to look into a mirror after eating, seeing food on one’s chin, in one’s beard, or a shirt, and say, “Oh well,” and not do something about it. Reading the Bible, seeing the truth about ourselves, and not making the effort to change is just like the aforementioned person.
How much better it is to look into a mirror and do something about what you see (if possible). How much more important to look into the lamp of God’s Word and make the changes necessary to show Jesus in a clearer light.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, God's Word, Humility, Jesus, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story, Truth Telling
