Saturday, February 16, 2013

The Testimony I Would Like to Hear

I am thinking of all the celebrity and politicians verbal testimonies through the years- some stumbling, most looking for the correct language. What I want to hear, just once is this....

I believe in God the Father Almighty,
The maker of heaven and earth
And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Born under the virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
Was Crucified dead and buried
He descended into hell,
The third day he rose again from the dead
He ascended into heaven
and sitteth on the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty
From whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,  the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
The Resurrection of the body
And the life everlasting.

"That's my testimony, is yours the same"?

Just Once.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Re-Training our Minds

According to one golf psychologist  golf's intrigue comes from  hitting that good shot- because it releases endorphin's in the brain thus subtly addicting the player.

Daughter Georgia has been playing close to ten years now and we have gone back and forth on the "secret" to golf and we finally agree on it.

Her mechanics are solid and has an envious swing. She is is a "driving range phenom" . How to translate all of that God given talent into low scores is a totally different matter. What a head game golf is! My left foot, my grip, my take-away- these thoughts  in competition can drive the better golfer mad.

And so the secret appeared. The secret to golf is to stare down the target and swing like a five year old. Just as one trusts his ability to drive a car a golfer has to trust his swing. Caution to the wind. You know all of the fundamentals, the proper grip, the stance, just trust!

And so it is with the Christian life- you have studied the scripture, you pray, you have read and most importantly you have committed your faith in Jesus Christ. Yet you are stuck- you are too introspective and go through a litany of faith tests and fail everyone of them. It's because you are looking inside.

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, this is the way; walk in it." (Isa 30:21) So walk in it!

And that is as charismatic as I will ever get.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

TO THE FREE WILLERS OF THE WORLD

I must admit that this is my favorite subject, i.e. making fun of those who think they make decisions with God.

I always thought this would make a great motion picture- the life of Lazarus before (JOHN 11)and after his being resurrected by Jesus who states emphatically he is doing this miracle so others may believe.

You know my theory that for the most part Jesus did not like miracles-they basically drained him and proved his divinity as he preferred to live a simple faithful life that He was the Son of God.

So picture the scene as Lazarus is raised and goes after Jesus...."What are you doing...I was in glory and you brought me back. "Send me back Jesus, send me back"!

Do you think Jesus asked Lazarus his preference or he did what would glorify God ?

Do you think he asks our permission whether we are to undergo a trial or a miracle?

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

Saturday, February 2, 2013

A righteous boy was born the other day. He may not know it but he is seen by God as perfect in every way. When it's his time he may come kicking and screaming, but God always has his way. He took the Pharaoh down and raised Lazarus up, and neither asked His permission.

This child is not of the world but a child of God. His name is Judah, named after Christ the King, the "Lion of Judah". Although a great lion he demands his infants be brought to his throne for his blessing. And so it will be.