Politics of the Heart

Posted on October 20, 2010 by jesustrek

Elections are less than two weeks away. We are reminded of this fact every time we turn on the television and are bombarded by advertisements for (but mostly against) various candidates for office.

I am reminded of the Bible verse that best sums up my political leanings, Ecclesiastes 10:2—“The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.”

OK, I realize that when this verse was written it wasn’t referring to the political spectrum in the United States of America. However, even taken out of context for humorous purposes, this verse speaks truth.

Wise people understand that pre-born babies are humans too, and that they deserve the right to live and become all that God has planned for them to become. Fools not only allow these tiny people to be destroyed, they boast that it is the right thing to do.

Wise people know that God has defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman that is designed to last a lifetime, and that a couple’s greatest happiness comes from finding fulfillment in God’s plan. Fools think that they can redefine marriage to suit their own warped views and that neither individuals nor society will suffer from this departure from God’s ways.

Wise people realize that it is their duty to be generous in sharing their blessings with those who are less fortunate. Fools are greedy with their own money, but are quite willing to forcefully take money from working people and re-distribute it to non-productive individuals and corporations through government giveaways.

The list goes on and on, but the point is quite clear—you can go to the right, or you can go to the left. Choose wisely, my friend!

Posted in Christian Living, Culture, Current Events, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dead Wood

Posted on October 19, 2010 by jesustrek

A couple of years ago, our family was removing a dead tree that had fallen in my in-laws’ yard. My brother-in-law cut off a slice of wood that was about 2 inches thick and a foot in diameter. The piece had an interesting pattern in the wood, and my wife wanted to keep it, hoping to turn it into something crafty or artsy.

So we took the wood home with us and kept it in our garage, where it stayed until we moved about a year ago. In the moving process, we found that the slice of wood fit well under the car seat, so that’s where we put it. And that’s where it still is, out of sight and out of mind.

The wood goes with us everywhere we go, so it has travelled a lot of miles in the past year. It never bothers us, but it never contributes anything to our lives either. It’s just there–dead wood.

I hope you aren’t the dead wood in your church. Don’t be satisfied to merely go along for the ride. Make a meaningful contribution to your church. Allow God to make something beautiful of your life.

Posted in Christian Living, Church | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Laughing in Church

Posted on October 18, 2010 by jesustrek

I laughed out loud in church yesterday. It wasn’t because the preacher told a joke, nor was it because something funny happened. I laughed out of sheer joy when someone was baptized into Christ.

My wife and I were worshipping at Indian Creek Christian Church in Indianapolis, one of our favorite churches to visit. “The Creek” does an excellent job of planning worship services that enable the worshipers to celebrate being in the presence of God.

 Baptisms are often done while the congregation is singing, and there is something about the music that makes the moment powerful. Furthermore, family and friends gather around the baptistery, and hugs and kisses often come before or after the believer is immersed into Christ. Baptisms are not hurried, and the suspense builds as we anticipate the wonderful moment. The congregation bursts into applause when the brand new Christian emerges from the water. And you just might see someone wipe away a tear, or even laugh out loud.

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”—Luke 15:10

Posted in Christian Living, Church | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Exercise for the Memory

Posted on October 17, 2010 by jesustrek

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh began tracking the physical activity and cognitive patterns of nearly 300 adults in 1989. Their research now indicates that walking about six miles a week appears to protect against brain shrinkage in old age, which in turn helps stem the onset of memory problems and cognitive decline.

Maybe a daily walk will help us remember where we left our keys. A regular exercise habit could keep us from forgetting names and appointments. Many of us could use a little help in this area!

Jesus knew that we would need help in remembering him. We even tend to forget the greatest thing that happened in the history of the human race—the fact that Jesus died to save us. So Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. He gave us an exercise to do on a regular basis to improve our memory. “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19) is inscribed on many communion tables. It is a prescription to help prevent memory loss. Communion is an exercise to help us remember.

Don’t miss your exercise this week.

Posted in Christian Living, Church, Current Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Holding Leaders Accountable

Posted on October 16, 2010 by jesustrek
Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger had a spectacular start to his career as quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Big Ben won his first 16 starts as a rookie. In his second year in the NFL, he led the Steelers to a win in the Super Bowl. Roethlisberger established himself as a premier player in the league and as a leader of his team.

This season, however, Roethlisberger was not named as one of the captains of his team. His behavior off the field had led to accusations of sexual misconduct, and the league suspended Roethlisberger for the first four games of the season. It seems that Big Ben’s teammates were holding him accountable for his actions. They have higher expectations for their leaders.

Many churches could learn from the sports world. I know of cases where churches have put the “captain” label on men who have proven themselves to be anything but capable Christian leaders. Poor behavior is ignored–and sometimes even rewarded–as divisive, quarrelsome, overbearing men are named elders and deacons in their churches.

These churches get what they deserve. They should understand that the church will never rise above the level of its leaders. That’s why Paul says that we shouldn’t be hasty in setting apart men as leaders (1 Tim.5:22) and that leaders who sin should be rebuked publicly (1 Tim.5:20).

When will we learn this important lesson that much of the world already knows? Leaders must meet a high set of standards, and they must be held accountable for their actions.

Posted in Christian Living, Church, Leadership, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Making Something Out of Nothing

Posted on October 15, 2010 by jesustrek

It should never cease to amaze us when we consider how God created the universe out of nothing. He simply said, “Let there be…”, and there it was. Light, sky, land and sea, plants, sun, moon and stars, animals and finally mankind—God just had to say the word and they appeared.

I don’t have that kind of power. Sometimes I’ll be leaning back in my recliner in front of the television in the evening and I’ll say, “Let there be ice cream.” Occasionally, after a couple of minutes, a bowl of ice cream will appear in my hands. Other times, in reply to my command, I hear a voice saying, “Get it yourself!”

We don’t have anywhere near the power that God has. Heb.11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

Let’s take some time today to look at God’s creation and marvel at his awesome power.

Posted in Christian Living, Humor | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Obvious Advice

Posted on October 14, 2010 by jesustrek

A newspaper headline says that the Utah Poison Control Center advises people not to take poison. Do we really need people giving out such obvious advice? We would hope not, but perhaps we do.

 Just think about the common-sense “Do” and “Don’t” List found in the Bible. For example: Don’t eat the forbidden fruit. Be generous. Don’t be greedy. Love your neighbor. Don’t commit adultery. Go to church. Don’t lie. Pray continually. Don’t steal. Love God. Don’t be self-righteous.

The list could go on and on. When you think about the way we humans often behave, I suppose we really do need to be told what to do, even when the answer is quite obvious.

Posted in Christian Living, Culture, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Back Home Again

Posted on October 13, 2010 by jesustrek

Thomas Wolfe wrote, “All things point home in old October; sailors to sea, travelers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hounds, the lover to the love he has forsaken.”

It’s October, and I’m going home.

Vanceburg Christian Church in Vanceburg, Kentucky just asked me to be their preaching minister, and I jumped at the chance to go back to my hometown.

27 years ago, I left Vanceburg to live in Lexington, Kentucky. There I earned a college degree, got a job and found a wife. After I began preaching, the trail led to Junction City and then Science Hill. Then we left the bluegrass state for the flatlands of Indiana, where we have been for 8 years.

Along the way we found gladness and heartaches, friends and foes, victories and defeats. I have come to understand why someone once called full-time Christian ministry a “joyful burden”.

Last year the winds of change began to blow in our lives. My wife and I both sensed very clearly that God was moving us in a different direction. We were so sure of this that I resigned my ministry before we had been given our next assignment. We waited 10 months for God’s leading to take us in any specific direction. We were rewarded greatly for our patience.

Now, I’m going home. We will be close to family, and I have already begun to renew old friendships and acquaintances. We are excited about this new chapter in our lives. I am well-rested and ready to get back to preaching on a regular basis.

It will be difficult to say “Goodbye” to our dear friends in Indiana. Perhaps God left us here for nearly a year in between ministries because he knew it would not be easy for us to leave.

But now I feel like singing along with John Denver, “Hey, it’s good to be back home again!”

It’s October, and I’m going home.

Posted in Christian Living | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Original Real Thing

Posted on October 12, 2010 by jesustrek

I just read that Coca-Cola was originally intended for medicinal purposes. It was claimed that the beverage would stop headaches, cure neuralgia, hysteria and melancholy.

The original Coca-Cola came in green bottles, usually a pint, and the directions said that you were to mix it with water. It was only later that a much more watered-down version became the billion dollar business that it is today. It has been said that Coke is now 99 percent water and sugar.

The Bible is intended to be used for healing purposes, not just a recreational drink to fulfill our wants and desires. But many people tend to water it down to the point where it can no longer serve its purpose. Instead of gathering to worship weekly (Heb.10:25), people attend church much less frequently. Sacrificial living (Mk.8:34) is replaced with an occasional good deed. Tithing (Matt.23:23) somehow becomes 2 percent of our income. Proclaiming the gospel message to the world (Mk.16:15) is reduced to an infrequent and half-hearted invitation to come to church. Making disciples (Matt.28:19-20) is no longer the mission of the church, but we do still talk about it from time to time. Love for God and people (Matt.22:37-40) is not a priority any more, but it does get some lip service.

Let’s take our medicine and stop watering down the Bible. Let’s get back to the original real thing!

Posted in Christian Living, Church | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Imitators

Posted on October 11, 2010 by jesustrek

I wonder how many Elvis impersonators there are in the world? I suppose they make a pretty good living. Or how about those entertainers who are talented enough to do impressions of several famous people? I enjoy having a few laughs watching impersonators imitate politicians, Hollywood celebrities and other well-known people.

I even like trying to imitate celebrities myself, although I don’t think I’ll ever be able to give up my day job. I do a pretty good Bob Dylan, John Wayne, Bullwinkle Moose and Ronald Reagan. I must admit I need some work on my Bill Cosby, Popeye and Homer Simpson. I practice my impressions all the time, and my wife loves it. (Not really!)

Eph.5:1-2 says, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Maybe I should spend more time trying to imitate God. My wife would really love that!

Posted in Christian Living, Humor | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment