It’s Funny In A Strange Way

By Chad McComas

The writers and producers of “Evan Almighty” have captured the comedic irony of what it would be like if God showed up today asking someone to build an ark like Noah did. There is no doubt that the world has moved far beyond where God intended it and we can imagine that He’d like to start over, but what would it really be like to have God ask me or you to go totally against the tide of the world? Will we think it is funny? Will we be anxious to jump in and get stated on construction? Will we want to tell our friends and eventually our enemies what we are doing? I think not.

I remember when my father-in-law became a Christian. His biggest worry was that God was going to make him do something strange. Perhaps that’s the same concern that many believers have today. God is going to have me stand on a street corner with a sign saying “the end of near.” Most Christians don’t want to stand out in the crowd let alone at the head of the crowd.

So, “Evan Almighty” may be a comedy. Many of us may laugh out loud, but I expect that many of us cringe a bit inside thinking that it may be us next. We believe that God does have a timetable for this world. He has a plan. He will bring it all to a conclusion soon. He will be asking us to give His message to the world. He will be asking many of us to stand up in the crowd and go against the flow. But He will be the one doing the asking. Too often when we decide “we” have a message for the world we misrepresent God. We jump in trying to do the Holy Spirit’s job when we don’t have the credentials.

Jesus promised us that when it is time…we will have the message to give. We will have the strength to give it. And we will do it right!

Jesus told His followers: “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10:18-20

And when the Holy Spirit is working through us people will take notice. They will see God’s power. Remember when the disciples stood up against the religious leaders of the day? They made an impact. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

The bottom line for all of God’s messages through time, including Noah, is that God is in charge, He has a plan, He cares for His people, but His mercy and grace don’t last forever.

Chad McComas is the editor of The Christian Journal. He writes from Medford, Oregon. info@thechristianjournal.org

Why In The World Did God Invent Sex?

By Pam & Bill Farrel

In our book, Red Hot Monogamy, we look at all the reasons we could find in God’s Word to explain why God invented this thing called sex. (Because when you think of it, the whole concept of this activity is pretty comical). But God in His infinite wisdom, wanted to give an amazing gift to married couples that would fan the flame on their love for an entire lifetime. So what are some of the reasons?

Procreation:
This one is a bit obvious. Sex creates babies. For the human race to go forward, sex has to take place. Social studies show it is preferable for the children if they are born into a loving family with both a mom and a dad united in marriage. (Genesis 1:28) In a culture that is seeking to redefine marriage and the family, this is a key foundational principle. God meant for sex to create an intact, loving, stable family unit. That was and is his Plan A. There is just less hurt and pain when things are done God’s way.

Proclamation:
When a couple marries, their act of consummation is a symbolic picture of the wedding of Christ and His Church. (Check out Eph. 5) In a real sense, each time a couple enjoys each other sexually, it is a proclamation to Satan that God’s plan of love will win out over Satan’s misguided attempt to dethrone the Lord in the garden of Eden. In general, realize that a happily married couple, one united emotionally, spiritually and sexually, is the best antidote to the evil in the world because love is proclaimed.

Reconnection:
Life is busy and that was no surprise to God so He planned a yearning to be together into the human soul. The deep intellectual, emotional and spiritual connection that happens during sex is progressive. Good sex makes us yearn for more good sex, so a wonderful cycle of marital union can develop which will keep a couple coming back together over and over again.

Recreation:
God actually thinks sex should be fun. In the Old Testament, when a king spotted Isaac and Rebekah caressing in a private moment the word he used to describe their activity is “sporting with.” (Gen 26:8) That sounds a whole lot like fun to us! In addition, if you do a quick read through the Song of Songs, you see the King and his newlywed wife are enjoying their relationship immensely. They even have code words for sex and sexual acts. They play games to build their anticipation of being together. Song of Songs is all about a couple who enjoys a healthy sexual life and God included it in the cannon of Holy Scripture to remind us that that sex is supposed to be enjoyable.

Rejuvenation:
Sex within the context of marriage is good for our emotional and physical wellbeing. Sex raises the endorphin level so it makes us happier. While doing research on what people are “the happiest” for our marriage books, we ran across study after study that declare that married couples in a trusting monogamous relationship are having the best sex, (and feeling great about life). So if the show Sex in the City were more accurate and closer to reality, it would have some actors playing the couples in your church who are celebrating their 10, 15 and 25th anniversaries! Trust rejuvenates! So for singles, your purity is preparing you for a lifetime of satisfying sex later after the “I Do!” and for married couples, God wants us to invest in this precious gift called sexual intimacy so turn off the TV and enjoy the gift of your marriage and make time with your mate a priority this week.

Bill & Pam Farrel write from El Cajon, California. farrelcommunications.com

What Is An Addict?

By Jami Rae Mims

An addict is someone who depends on a mind-altering substance that changes your thinking or mood. They will go to any length to get drugs. It makes you not care about anyone but yourself. An addict abuses people, places and things. They justify their actions. Addicts think they can control it, but it controls them. Addicts are always most likely in denial. They “use” to cover pain most of the time. We as addicts try to close out the outside world out of our life to protect our addiction. Addicts tend to forget how to feel over time. We get weird behaviors and our vocabulary changes after a short time also. Like my granny says: Everyone wears a uniform in life. Kinda like “birds of a feather flock together.” As an addict I turn into a mean, uncaring, unkind person. I also isolate myself and become rebellious. I became more violent and not a very positive person. You might think you are hiding what you are doing, but it comes out in our behavior as well as other areas of life. Everything we do in the dark will come to the light. This is what an addict is to me.

Jami Rae Mims writes from Medford, Oregon.

What Is An Addict?

By Jami Rae Mims

An addict is someone who depends on a mind-altering substance that changes your thinking or mood. They will go to any length to get drugs. It makes you not care about anyone but yourself. An addict abuses people, places and things. They justify their actions. Addicts think they can control it, but it controls them. Addicts are always most likely in denial. They “use” to cover pain most of the time. We as addicts try to close out the outside world out of our life to protect our addiction. Addicts tend to forget how to feel over time. We get weird behaviors and our vocabulary changes after a short time also. Like my granny says: Everyone wears a uniform in life. Kinda like “birds of a feather flock together.” As an addict I turn into a mean, uncaring, unkind person. I also isolate myself and become rebellious. I became more violent and not a very positive person. You might think you are hiding what you are doing, but it comes out in our behavior as well as other areas of life. Everything we do in the dark will come to the light. This is what an addict is to me.

Jami Rae Mims writes from Medford, Oregon.

The Voice Of God

Poem By JT Martinson

Speak to me God, I long to hear
Where is Your voice, I know You care.
Speak to me God, I'll open my eyes
I'll turn to You, please hear my cries.

Is that You in the wind?
It whispers sometimes
The mountains shake
The cathedral bell chimes.

Is that You when the earth is still,
When the cold frost freezes
And the flowers wilt?

Maybe it's You in the spark of a flame,
In the heat of the sun,
And the tears of the rain.

Or maybe You breath in the depths of my soul,
An inner voice,
That's ancient and old.

It's a Father's wisdom that comes from above.
And He often chooses to speak
In the echoes of love.

Where sometimes He's clear,
With words that are strong,
But many times He's subtle
In the tune of a song.

JT Martinson writes from Central Point, Oregon.

Beyond 'The Secret': Self-help, New Thought And More

By Nancy Lovell

In the spate of self-help books led by "The Secret" some religion news writers are asking: What's the difference between religion and New Age or self-help philosophies?

One standout answer is Bishop T.D. Jakes. His new book "Reposition Yourself: Living Life without Limits," is a very American message. Eastern thought? No. Prosperity gospel: No. He's preaching practical, often rudimentary steps to helping people live responsibly and fully. No slapping bible verses on a how-to list--he's saying faith prompts action. And a whole lot of people particularly but
The T.D. Jakes book phenomenon may be a story in itself. As part of "The Secret" and other self-help trends, it stands out NOT for blending faith and self-help but for saying they don't separate in the first place.

If that catches your interest, Bishop Jakes has a lot to say about it.

The Secret, the enormously popular book and film, tells people to focus their thoughts on their goals and desires and to withhold thought or attention from unwanted outcomes. The author, Rhonda Byrne, and the handful of self-described metaphysicians, philosophers, writers and New Age thinkers whose work she references, describe this "law of attraction" as ordering up what you want from the universe. The emphasis is on material desires, and the premise is that Byrne and her colleagues are revealing ancient wisdom that has been suppressed from popular distribution.

The phenomenon presents the opportunity to explore lesser-known strands of American religious history, including the New Thought tradition, which began in the 19th century and is alive today among Unity churches, churches and groups allied with the Universal Foundation for Better Living and, to a certain extent, in Christian Science. It is also richly represented by self-help writers and lecturers, from Shakti Gawain to Wayne Dyer. Mainstream religions are responding to The Secret's popularity with sermons that differentiate New Thought principles from the tenets of the faith.

Why it matters
All religions explain humans' relationship to the universe, and most embrace a supernatural power that controls human destiny. Books such as The Secret raise the question: What's the difference between religion and New Age or self-help philosophies?

Things To Consider:
� The Secret's spiritual underpinnings may be new to many, but they have a long history in the U.S. and origins - however distant and faint - in ancient Eastern religions. The belief that thinking creates reality, which is the basic notion of The Secret, has been preached by such varied American philosophical and religious leaders as Norman Vincent Peale and Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy, says Carl Raschke, religious studies professor at the University of Denver, who suggests that positive thinking is a secular American religion, an extension of our pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps frontier ethos.

� The law of attraction - the idea that thoughts are made manifest in the material realm - has origins in early Hindu thought, which proposed, Raschke explains, the "mind alone" theory: that the mind is the only reality; all else is illusion. Such traditions of spiritual discipline, however, are not materialistic, unlike The Secret, which adapts the notion to American concerns with material acquisition.

� The 19th-century Theosophists and their leader, Madame Helena Blavatsky, are direct ancestors of the positive-thinking New Thought movement, of which The Secret is a part, says Dell deChant, associate chairman of the religious studies department at the University of South Florida. He says America is a cauldron for the development of new religious and spiritual traditions from old sources because of our strong emphasis on freedom of religion.

� The success of The Secret brings to the forefront other books and videos on positive thinking, New Thought and the law of attraction. Two examples, now among the top 15 audio best sellers, are The Secret: Universal Mind Meditation by Kelly Howell and Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires by Jerry and Esther Hicks, longtime writers and teachers of material similar to The Secret. Esther Hicks channels a spirit called Abraham. Noted thinkers in this genre also include Napoleon Hill (who wrote, with Arthur Pell, Think and Grow Rich, reissued by Tarcher Publishing, 2005); Norman Vincent Peale (The Power of Positive Thinking, reissued by Ballantine Books, 1996); Church of Christ, Scientist founder Mary Baker Eddy (Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures, IndyPublish.com, 2002); Theosophical Society founder Helena Blavatsky (see a Web site devoted to her); and 18th-century mystic Emanuel Swedenborg.

� Many scholars consider The Secret and the law of attraction to be representative of New Age philosophies. Other scholars of New Age say that tradition includes belief in the occult and paranormal, which is not part of New Thought, The Secret's direct predecessor.

Nancy Lovell writes from Lovell-Fairchild Communications. info@lovell-fairchild.com

Stress Test

By Bob Hansen

When at the cardiologist’s office the other day, I was suddenly struck by my selfishness. There I was, experiencing the wonders of a cardiac stress test, and I had not given a single thought to the vast majority of the reading public who knew nothing of this wonder. I determined, if by God’s grace I should survive the experience, to share with all so that all might gain vicarious enjoyment.

I know that when I’ve finished my story, many of you will say, “How can I get in on the fun?”

In that regard I have bad news. I only gained admittance to this exclusive club because of my heart attack. It seems that having heart disease is a prerequisite.
The total experience consisted of a series of three visits that occurred on three separate days. On the first visit, I was led into the bowels of the medical complex. There, a polite medical technician injected a clear liquid into my body. Those brave enough (or foolish enough) to ask what the fluid is, will discover that it contains radioactive material. Proper etiquette doesn’t allow saying, “Will it make me glow in the dark?” They’ve heard that one a million times.

After a half-hour (time needed for the radioactive chemical to permeated every cell in my body), I then faced the scariest part of the complex procedure—the dreaded rotating-tunnel-camera-in-closed-confines experience. This is my least favorite part—because of the warning. The technician said, “During the next twenty minutes you must not cough, sneeze, hiccup, scratch, breathe too deeply or snore.” (Like someone could fall asleep with all that pressure not to do all those things). “If you fail on any of these point, the procedure must start again from the beginning.” The scowl on his face indicated he wouldn’t like doing that.

Of course, this is the “pink elephant” suggestion. “You may think of anything except pink elephants.” And then a person’s mind is suddenly filled with nothing but pastel pachyderms, though one wouldn’t otherwise think of them more than once every couple of days.

Since I have been through this procedure twice before, I knew about this staying-still requirement. And so, the night before, I dreamt of lying there, the camera seeking the radioactive secrets buried within my heart. At first, the urge to cough was something only hinted at, something I could dismiss. But, quickly, it forced itself to the forefront of my thoughts, until I could think of nothing but coughing.

In my dreams I did everything I could to suppress the reflex. But what can a person do against something that is involuntary? Finally, with only a half-minute left in the twenty-minute procedure, my cough forced its way to my tightly clamped lips. There I stalled it as the clock ticked slowly. The procedure’s count down began. Ten, nine, eight…. My entire body tightened to hold back the explosion. Four, three….

Despite my best efforts, the inevitable eruption occurred. 3.2 on the Richter Scale. The entire test results were ruined. I heard the medical technician groan his disappointment. Now he would have to begin again. This would wreak havoc with his finely-tuned schedule. And, since he was a salaried employee, he would not get the overtime he deserved.

Fortunately, it was only a bad dream that didn’t become a reality. And even though I did have a bit of a cough the previous day, when the moment of truth came, I preformed like a champion. By that I mean that I didn’t perform at all—no cough, hiccup, sneeze, itch or deep breath. And no snoring. Thus ended day one of my adventure at the cardiologist’s office.

When I recount this experience, I can’t help but remember when I was invincibly healthy. In my youth, I was certain that nothing could trip me up, medically speaking. I would gladly trade the foolishness of those days for my present reality—or would I?

Having a heart attack changed me. For, within the traumatic experiences of those first few days, I tasted the grace-provision of God. Where fear should have been, I found calm. In the place of shivering terror, I discovered peace.

That first day, in the emergency room, I became dizzy and told the doctor. As the medical team quickened their activities, a tranquil feeling filled my mind. In my heart I said, “Is this death? Hmmm. It’s not so bad.”

As it turned out, that was not the day of my departure. But I still remember, and cherish, the grace I experienced. When other difficult situations arise, I hope I will recall the peace that I once sampled, the peace that only God can give.

Bob Hansen writes from Chehalis, Washington.

Stay In My Tracks

By D.J. Note

Barbara, a sweet colleague was summoned away for a day to attend the funeral of an uncle in Northern California. It couldn’t have been a worse time to try to make it over the mountain pass and out of the valley, and she knew it. Still, it was an event that needed her attendance.

While she was away the temperatures plummeted below freezing. Ice and snow formed on the roadways and mountain passes. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning—only vehicles with chains would be allowed over the mountain.

As evening approached, my co-worker and her family started up the mountain heading north. At the summit they discovered only vehicles with chains were being allowed to continue. Reluctantly, they headed back down the mountain to Hilt where they pooled their waning funds and purchased chains. Great! Of the three women, and one elderly gentleman, none was able or had experience installing tire chains. Still, in order to climb the mountain the task had to be accomplished. An hour passed, and all they had to show for their mass effort was the placement of one chained tire, wet feet, aching backs, frozen fingers—and three tires to go!

“Maybe we should get a motel and wait till morning,” Barb’s dad suggested.
Barb whispered a prayer for wisdom. “It makes more sense and will cost less to pay someone to put the chains on and get over the mountain tonight.” She would be needed at work the following morning. She thought of her son. “I’ll call Paul for advice and ask him to pray.”

Barbara’s adult son is a long-haul truck driver with enough knowledge and experience behind the wheel of an eighteen-wheeler to get through hazardous winter weather, all of which she wished she had at that moment. Paul had been scheduled to come over the same pass earlier that day, but he was sure to be home by now. Amazed at the string of big rigs chaining up, Barb began to count…more than eighty trucks lined the freeway being dressed in snow chains in order to brave the mountain ahead.

The road was a sheet of ice. Barb held the tiny cell phone and listened to the familiar ring tone. But there was no answer. A few minutes later she tried again, and this time she connected with his voice mail. “Paul, this is Mom. We’re trying to get back over the mountain on our way home from the funeral, but they’re not letting us through without chains. Please pray for us, Son. Pray for our safety and a way to get these chains on. I love you…”

Four-wheel drives, eighteen-wheelers, heavy SUV’s, and chained vehicles passed like a herd of turtles while the snow continued to fall and the stranded sojourners struggled to chain up their crippled compact. It was difficult to find the good in all this. And now evening had set in.

Disheartened and wondering if they’d be forced to find a motel, Barb heard a shout through the flying snow, “Grandma!” She turned to see her 16-year-old grandson jumping from the cab of an eighteen-wheeler. Paul! It was her son’s rig!

Paul jumped from the truck and made his way to his family. With outstretched arms Barbara greeted her son. “Oh! Am I glad to see you. How did you get through to us? I thought you were home.”

Paul hugged his mom and explained. “I threw four chains. Enough to get through the pass, but they’re requiring six for rigs my size. So they sent me packing. Oh, man! I was so tired, and frustrated. I grumbled all the way down asking God, ‘why?’ I had plenty of chain. Why not just let me through? Then I got your call, but couldn’t respond. I didn’t know where you were, but it’s obvious God did.” He flashed her an enormous smile. “Guess now I know why four chains wouldn’t do.”
In short order, Paul and his son threw a set of chains on the snow-covered vehicle, helped his family inside, then leaned into the window and told his mother, “I want you to stay right behind me. My chains will break up the snow and ice as we go. Trust me. Just stay in my tracks and I’ll get you home.”

Isn’t that just like our God? Every day He gives us opportunity to follow Him. He knows the way we should go. He’s aware of the dangers ahead. And He knows the way home.

Stay in my tracks. My feet will cushion the hardships and trials as we go. Trust me. Just stay in my tracks and I’ll get you home.

Deborah J. Note writes from Eagle Point, Oregon.

Standing Up To The Goat

By Mary Skoglie

I should've finished my juice before I went outside, that beautiful day in my aunt Peg's yard. But I wanted to be brave and meet him. My curiosity got the better of me. I went outside, with my V-8 juice in hand. He looked harmless enough, with the scruffy beard and big brown eyes. I reached over to touch him--big mistake! "He" was my aunt's goat, and he seemed just as eager to say hello to me. I used to think it was a good thing when a member of the animal kingdom ran towards me with excitement in his eyes. Surely he was just happy to meet me, right? I should've run the other way!

That ornery goat literally swept me off my feet. Feet that were rapidly being bound tight and secure with his rope, as I now lay in the dust. Still clutching my can of juice and trying to fend off this insane goat! But, I'm not much of a fighter with my face in the dirt and my feet bound tight! Needless to say, the goat won. He had me--and my juice! If only I had been able to stand strong against him and his rope!

I was just a kid that scary yet funny day. Yet, as an adult, it was a lesson brought home to me again, just recently. My pastor was talking about standing strong against the devil's schemes. Being aware of what is going on around us, and not setting ourselves up for a fall. If we stand strong and don't cave in to temptation or fear, we survive--and thrive. Somehow too, the harder it is to remain standing strong, the better it feels when we've overcome. As a recovering alcoholic, I can gladly vouch for that.

Some days I still want a beer. But I know that down will I fall! I recently got my three-year chip from Celebrate Recovery, and I'm looking forward to #4 next spring. It feels good. And it's not as rough as it was at the beginning of my journey towards sobriety and sanity. Still working on the sanity, and thanking God for sobriety--and my very life.

Temptation sometimes gives us gentle nudges. Other times, it comes crashing onto us, like the goat did to me! It can grip us tight in it's hold, and doesn't seem to let go. I was eventually freed from that ornery critter. Looking back, the freedom from the goat and his rope came much easier than my freedom from alcohol. If I had been able to stand strong against him, I wouldn't have fallen--and I could've had a V-8! If I had stood strong against an attack from the devil the night I started drinking, I would not have to steadfastly look the other way when I walk near the beer aisle today. But, I was in too much pain to think straight, and made the wrong decision. It was a decision that almost cost me my life. I wish now I would have stood strong and fought against the pain, instead of trying to literally drown my sorrows.

I have learned so much through both the alcoholism and the sobriety. I just pray God can use my past shame to help prevent someone else from taking his own journey into addiction. I can honestly say it was NOT worth the pain! I'm so grateful today for my life, far more than I have ever been. Even after a nervous breakdown recently, I am grateful.

My desire is to stand strong against temptation of all kinds, and to help others stand. It's sure hard to win a battle with your face in the dust and your feet trapped tight! Physically or spiritually.

I'm standing today. That old' goat from my past still lurks around me. I choose daily to remain free from him. Not to go snuggle up against him! Instead, I need to snuggle up to Jesus Christ today. I needed Jesus the night I had my first drink. I need Him today, as much as ever. I need His grace always, and am forever grateful for it. More now than ever before.

Is there an old goat lurking nearby in your life? Is there an old temptation to sin? Let’s stand strong! Let’s not allow ourselves to be "bound" again. Let’s stay free.

Mary Skoglie writes from Medford, Oregon.

Sensuality, Sexuality, and Swearing

By Larry Bunnell

My mom used to tell me there are certain words Jesus didn’t like to hear. A long list. Bless her, mom was wrong (er, that time).

God does not have a list of bad words and good words in a big cosmic tome in the sky.

Someone’s apt to suggest the Ten Commandments instruct us not to take the Lord’s name in vain. Not quite. Consider:

First, Christians are not required to keep that decade of commands –or any set of rules for that matter. Read Galatians, paying particular heed – in context – to the fourth chapter which deals directly with that particular list of commands. In addition, throughout Galatians Paul uses the word "law" without an article. In the Greek this means that he is not speaking only of a particular law, but the concept of law. We are not under the burden of any law, but free.

Second, the command not to take the Lord’s name in vain refers, literally, to misusing – or using lightly – God’s covenant name (YHWH, usually spelled, "Yahweh.” That’s why the name is spelled in all caps in English translations; to alert us to the fact that it is the name of God.

We are warned not to swear, but that means we are not to make promises or curses like: "I swear to God if you don’t ..." or "I promise in God’s name ..." etc. We are to keep our promises free of such importunate additions. One’s simple, direct word should suffice.

My favorite epithet – which would not see the light of print in this or any other publication for general reading – is an Anglo-Saxon word that is objectionable in some circles. I wouldn’t say it in worship, not because scripture forbids its use, but because in our culture it is inappropriate. Odd, isn’t it, that when I say that word in French, German, or Latin nary an eyebrow is raised.

Culturally acceptable words change from generation to generation. Most of us think it silly that in the twenties the word "naked" was spelled, "n _ _ _ d" in newspapers.

I nearly forgot; there’s that other thing: Sex. The Church used to tell me sex was evil. Wrong!

What got me thinking along this line was a letter the Christian Journal printed from a person exercised about the paper recommending a particular movie that had bad words and, gasp, "sensuality."

I hope the writer meant "sexuality."

Sensuality has to do with our senses: hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, and tasting. If our senses are evil, then there is something wrong with the God who made us with those wondrous sensual pleasures.

If sex is bad why did God allow the Song of Songs into scripture? Influenced by narrow and overly-cautious Victorian sensibilities, biases, and fears, this lovely sex poem has been made into a weak analogy of God’s relationship with humanity. But it is first and foremost a poem celebrating sex.

Insist on seeing it as an analogy? OK. But I learned as a college freshman in Elder Grove’s hermeneutics (the study of the interpretation of scripture) class that one must first understand scripture in its historical and cultural context. The context for the Song of Songs is first a love poem (that, by the way, likely predates Israel and remembers pagan spring rites).

It’s a shame that we post-moderns are more fastidious about sex and speech than the ancestors and forebears of our faith. Especially since Jesus was far more concerned about how we spend our money and how we treat others, especially the others hated, ignored, and pushed aside.

I said at the opening of this piece that there are no good words or bad words. I told you my mom was wrong about that.

I’m wrong.

There are words God does not want to hear, inappropriate words: Words that belittle, like "stupid." Words, lots of words, that push people into boxes, like the infamous "n" word, "faggot," words that marginalize women (my sister, wife, and mother), or calling Arabs "ragheads;" an evil epithet I heard a (supposed) Christian talk show host use.

God gave us bodies not only for pale, bloodless function, but for pleasure. Enjoyment. God gave us language to uplift and explain, yes, but also to delight and entertain.

Our reticence about our bodies and our strange (moveable) dividing line between what is and is not acceptable speech are cultural and have little to do with the faith of Jesus.

Most of my generation – baby boomers – is impatient with the obvious hypocrisy and nascent victorianism in the Church about words and sex. No wonder so many of them find other engagements any time the church is open.

Larry Bunnell writes from Klamath Falls, Oregon. wizrb@charter.net

Psalms 23...A New Look

Sent by Sylvia Lakey

The Lord is my Shepherd (Relationship)
I shall not want (Supply)
He makes me lie down in green pastures. (Rest)
He leads me beside still waters. (Refreshment)
He restores my soul (Healing)
He leads me in the paths of righteousness. (Guidance)
For His name sake (Purpose)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. (Testing)
I will fear no evil. (Protection)
For You are with me (Faithfulness)
Your rod and your staff comfort me, (Discipline)
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. (Hope)
Thou anoint my head with oil, (Consecration)
My cup runs over. (Abundance)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. (Blessing)
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. (Security)
Forever (Eternity)

Sylvia Lakey writes from Rogue River, Oregon.

PrayNorthState...A Ministry Of Gathering

By James Wilson

PrayNorthstate is a ministry of gathering the Body of Christ. Founded in 2001, based and focused in Northern California, our vision has roots in the worldwide Transformation movement. Our full-time staff consists of my wife, Diana, and me; we are entirely donation supported. We partner with any group of Christians who are ministering beyond denominational boxes, seeking reconciliation and healing in their communities, and accepting no substitutes for God’s Kingdom on earth. We draw from the charismatic, evangelical, and liturgical streams of the Kingdom without prejudice and we love to see miracles that don’t look like traditional signs and wonders, but which display God’s overwhelming love all the more for that. When the vision is given to someone else we offer help; when the vision is given to us we ask for help.

In recent months we have come alongside ministries creating a festival to honor single parents, making a night to honor Israel, and holding a prayer summit for regional pastors. With the help of many congregations we led our fifth annual speaking of the entire Word of God over our city from the breezeway of our local city hall. We accepted leadership of our city’s National Day of Prayer observance and provided support and encouragement to leaders in other regional cities for their NDP celebration. Several of these included Bible reading marathons for the first time; we offered training and support.

We just launched the third annual edition of Paah-ho-ammi, a project of targeted prayer in which teams pray daily for assigned topics of community – and thus Kingdom – concern. We document baseline statistics for issues such as violent crime, unemployment, traffic fatalities, and cancer admissions to our local hospital. We then proclaim the difference between the time of prayer and the same period a year earlier. Our first foray into this arena recruited one hundred and thirty-five Christians from many churches; we saw God reduce crime in the county sheriff patrolled areas by more than 20% and He gave similar fruit in the areas of traffic deaths and cancer admissions. In 2006 more than two hundred Christians joined us for daily prayer. Traffic fatalities were cut by 40% while cancer admissions went down by a whopping 58%. A dozen churches spent time in services each week praying all seven of the Paah-ho-ammi prayer topics.

The needed gifts for a ministry such as ours are Kingdom vision, persistence, and a willingness to look foolish in the Name of Jesus. A talk show on secular radio was in the background of the original vision God gave for PrayNorthState; the intention was to interview a couple of Christians who were ministering outside of the box and share their relationship to Jesus and how it led into a particular manifestation of servanthood for them. I was advised by some Christian leaders that I would run out of guests to interview in three months; to date we have been on the air in Redding for six years and we are booked three months in advance with servants to showcase. We’ve had a television program on Fox of Northern California since 2005 and this year the Lord has opened up two more radio stations to double and then double again the coverage area. In the next few months we hope to launch a new effort focused entirely on celebrating the leadership and initiative God has birthed in the younger generation. We call it Genesis Generation Radio.

The willingness to be foolish may be the most essential gift of all. When the Lord blessed us with permission to begin a prayer project in 2004 that was first conducted under another name and in another region he stipulated that we call it Paah-ho-ammi. He did not tell us what the words meant – or even in what language they were found – but He did tell us to solicit support from the churches and go for it. Many leaders questioned my sanity when I brought them the vision. Eventually He led me to check the Hebrew dictionary in the back of my concordance and I discovered perfectly good biblical Hebrew meaning “Cry alas, My People.”

This year we launched the project with more than three hundred people committed to team membership and daily prayer; between fifteen and eighteen churches committed to corporately support the project through a one-to-two minute focus time in their services. Diana and I will be teaching the principles of Paah-ho-ammi – or any of the other prophetic acts with impact in which the Lord has demonstrated His delight to us – in Scotland, Sweden and Norway later this year. We are willing to share in any American communities that hunger for God the way we hunger for Him.

PrayNorthstate can be reached at 530-941-3470 or at praynorthstate@charter.net

James Wilson writes from Redding, California.

Practicing Prayer With A Gentle Spirit

By Barry N. Shaw

“When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23 After hearing the false testimony against Him: “Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.” Mark 14:61 In the face of extreme adversity, our Lord displayed quiet strength, yet at the same time, meekness and gentleness.

On the one hand we read this about our Lord’s strength: “... eyes are like blazing fire.” Revelation 19:12 “Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” Revelation 19:15

Jesus is is meek, humble, loving, considerate, peace-loving, submissive, full of mercy, as a child, respectful, least, obedient, of quiet Spirit, not resentful, slow to anger, kind, sensitive, speaks in a gentle whisper, and like the South wind.
The Lord is a gentle Spirit. “Gentleness is a most necessary feature of the inner man [the spirit]. It is the opposite of harshness. God requires us to cultivate a gentle spirit.” Watchman Nee, The Spiritual Man.

Not much has changed in the world since Jesus was attacked by His enemies. He said that people would insult us, persecute us, and falsely say all kinds of evil against us because we believe in Him. (See Matthew 5:11) Daily, we read about attacks on Christians in the world. Prayer has been banned in our schools and now there is a movement to ban prayer in public. Permissiveness is the rule rather than the exception. God’s commandments are considered inappropriate displays in public places. Selfishness prevails rather than generosity. Freedom of religion is under attack in our culture. It comes under the guise of political correctness. Our nation has drifted toward secularism in all aspects of life.

Our fleshly tendency is to lash out in anger at those who seek to suppress our beliefs. But the Lord has a plan for eternity. “He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:45

Despite the persistent attacks on Christianity by secularism, we are to turn the other cheek and be peace loving. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge...but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:18-21

It is written in the Bible that Jesus Christ will return in His timing with blazing fire in His eyes to justly judge the world. In the meantime, He teaches that we should live as gentle children of God. He said: “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the sons of God.” Matthew 5:5, 7, 9

He also teaches that we should give our cloak willingly to who is suing us; to pray for those who persecute us; and offer our left cheek to one who has already struck our right cheek. Yes, it’s very hard to do this. Our flesh tells us to hate our enemies. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-45

Our response to adversity, like our Lord, is to be His followers with a gentle spirit. We must continue to ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with that spirit. (See Galatians 5:22,23)

“Though it has the power of revenge and the protection of the law, [the gentle spirit] nevertheless has no wish to avenge itself with the arm of flesh. It is a spirit which in suffering harms no one. The one who can boast such a spirit as this lives righteously himself but never demands righteousness from others. He is full of love and mercy; wherefore he can melt the heart of those around him.” The Spiritual Man.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways...Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret...the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.” Psalm 37:7-8,11

Barry N. Shaw writes from Applegate Valley, Oregon.

Overcoming Resistance

By Brian Klemmer

What is your dream? Do you want to be the best in your field? Do you want to have a number ten relationship or marriage? Do you want to be in top-notch physical condition? Then remember this saying: Nothing great becomes great without overcoming great resistance.

Why remember this saying? Because when you commit to anything that's significantly bigger than where you're at, your belief systems kick into gear to defend themselves. Resistance shows up. What do most people do when they encounter resistance? They resist resistance. They give up on their goal. They shut down.

Instead of resisting resistance, overcome it. Here are three keys to help you succeed.

The first key is, RECOGNIZE resistance. Recognize that when you commit to great things, resistance is a natural course of events. As a management tool for others and ourselves, we need to be aware that difficulties are a natural course of progressing to the next level. Perhaps your dream is to become presidential in a network marketing company, but your downlines are jumping ship. Or perhaps you committed to losing weight, but all of a sudden you've got a relationship problem on your hands. In any scenario, remember to recognize that these difficulties are part of the process.

The second key is, WELCOME resistance. Our natural response to these complications is to become frustrated and perhaps even question why we are shooting for the stars. But when our attitude toward resistance is to surrender to and welcome it, we can flow through these problems instead of giving up.

The third key is, STAY THE COURSE. This is much like encountering the resistance of weights. In order to build muscles, you know that you need to push through the weights, or the resistance.

The fairy tale world is full of knights who desire to become king. But we all know it's impossible to get to the throne without slaying the proverbial dragon. So, if you want to become king – in other words, great in terms of business, marriage or your personal life -- when problems arise, don't back down. Don't say, "I'll confront this dragon another day." First, recognize that resistance, or difficulties, are part of the process. Welcome them. And then, stay the course. Remember, nothing great ever becomes great without overcoming great resistance.

Brian Klemmer writes from California. To reinforce the concept of overcoming resistance, listen to the CD, Overcoming Obstacles, David and Goliath, or read When Good Intentions Run Smack into Reality. Both are available at www.klemmer.com

Book Review: "Out Of The Fire"

By JOHN DIEHM

YREKA — “Out of the Fire” is an appropriate name for the autobiography of David Hobbs, a man who spent most of his life fighting forest fires in and around Siskiyou County and the fire of atheism before coming to God.

The book is filled with colorful experiences, giving a glimpse of his life and insight into the adventure and risk of fire fighting. Hobbs worked for years as a crewman on a fire fighting helicopter team and on the elite Rogue River Hotshots, articulating the perspective of a firefighter working next to the flames.
His gift for writing keeps the reader engaged in the book that tells not only the story of his life but also the perspective of a man in the process of change.

Hobbs said he was motivated to write the book when he realized that the things that happened to him were “extraordinary” and a story that needed to be told.
He started the book in 1989 while spending a year in Massachusetts and realizing that the people there had a different culture and perspective on life and no concept of life in the forests on the west coast. “The book is valuable in sharing the perspective of someone living and working in the forest as a fire fighter,” he said.Hobbs said in his life he had to work through a lot of things but always had a job and family. In his book he describes how he met the Lord in 1974, ending the story of his life in Yuba City where he lived in a Christian commune for 5 years.

“I had no moral standard; I just did what felt good,” he said. “I had to learn a lot of things the hard way. I hope that others would learn and avoid some of those mistakes.”

Hobbs said that in his high school year book he was called “the atheist.”
“The essence of the book is how I was changed from a strong evangelistic atheist to a born again Christian,” Hobbs said. “To me Christianity was always a controversial thing. I had no intention of becoming a Christian. How it happened is the story of the book, with a lot of other experiences thrown in.”

In talking about his book, Hobbs said, “Finding your way through life, your place in life, is the most important part of the book. The most important thing for any of us is where we fit in at the end of our life. Yes, I found my purpose and did what I was supposed to do.”

Hobbs said he found that his purpose was to live for God, to know Him and find His will for his life rather than his own will. “It is remarkable how that came about,” he said.

“My experience and fires up here, and the people I met, was really life changing,” he said. “I was stationed in Yreka for two summers with the helicopter. Some of the people I write about are still alive.”

Describing his book, Hobbs said that it is an adventure story for young people who are interested in adventure and danger. “It is amazing how many near death experiences I have had and seen,” he said.

Hobbs is now a house painter in Marysville. His self published book is available at the Marysville Bookstore and through the Internet.
“I have a website and have been hearing from people all over the country who order the book and tell me their stories,” he said.

“Out of the Fire” by David Hobbs is available at www.outofthefirebook.com
Hobbs said that publishing this book is scary, because it contains intimate stories never before shared with a living soul, now being broadcast to the world.
“But it’s a story that needs to be told,” he said. “Each one of us is sent out into the world with very little instruction on how to live this life we’ve been given. We all know people who have destroyed their lives and wasted their potential; but how about us? How can we live our lives in such a way that when it’s over we will look back with joy on a well-lived life, instead of in regret at a misspent life of failure? And, unfortunately, life doesn’t come with a REWIND button.

“I found the answer to all I was looking for and more after searching for years in all the wrong places. Though everyone must find it for themselves, it is my hope that my story will at least steer some in the right direction, that they too may find this answer most precious."

An excerpt from the book called “Dangerous Fires” is as follows:
“We had just reached a point opposite the top of the [slash] block when the fire suddenly came roaring across the block in a rushing wall of flames. The wind generated by the fire was like a hurricane, blowing the flames in a straight line toward the forest and right at us. They hit the forest at the edge of the block like a crashing wave hitting the rocky shore. The first row of trees burst into flames with a roar. The whole crew up and down the line cried out, turned tail and ran.” (Year 4—“Lake of Fire”)

Love That Husband of Yours!

By Sheri Del Core

I love listening to the slow, southern drawl and old-fashioned expressions of my great Aunt Ruth. Our phone conversations span over 5000 miles. Aunt Ruth is in a nursing home now battling both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, but her words are still powerful and her influence truly inspiring.

In every conversation I anticipate a dialogue about her loneliness for her dear departed husband. Even though she has a great deal of family, friends and company, her heart aches terribly for the loss her precious Vance. I try to sympathize with her the best I can, but we both know I can’t genuinely identify with her circumstances. So she tells me, “You just love that husband of yours!” I know that she is saying love him while you still have him. Don’t get caught up in petty differences or grudges. Forgive him. Delight in him.

The words written in a letter my mother left for me ring in unison with those of Aunt Ruth, “Be gentle with each other and love each other as much as you can.” I know that my mother was saying love each other even when you don’t want to love each other. Put yourself aside and choose to love. Invite God into your marriage and tap into his power, and his boundless capacity to love.

In Titus 2:4 older women are encouraged to train the younger women to love their husbands. That makes sense when thinking of the days of arranged marriages, but is it relevant today? Absolutely! We arrange our own marriages based on romantic love, but we still need godly examples of how to continue to love. We need Biblical counsel on how to love the way God wants us to love. 1 Corinthians 13:4 teaches us both how to love and how not to love. God tells us not to envy, boast, and be prideful, rude or self-seeking; not to be easily angered or keep record of wrongs--all the things that come so naturally. Instead God instructs us to be patient and kind, rejoicing in truth, protecting, trusting, hoping and persevering. For this kind of love we need God to be alive and active in us, we cannot love this way by our own power.

Having an active prayer life and consistent time in the Word is essential, but what an extra special blessing to be encouraged and mentored by the older woman of the body of Christ. Sometimes we need to be told to love that husband!

Sheri Del Core writes from Aptos, California. sheridc@pacbell.net

It’s Easy To Forget

By Bobby Polete

This past Easter as I was sitting in the back of the church operating the sound equipment for the choir and band, it came to me that I had forgotten something. I remember that the church talks about it all year long, we sing about it, the pastor has Bible studies about it, and yet when Easter comes we often gloss over it. It seems to only be a foot-note in the back of our minds.

At Easter we look forward to the day that our Lord was resurrected. He appeared to Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9), to the other women (Matthew 28:9), to two disciples (Luke 24:15), to the eleven disciples (Luke 24:36), and many more. We celebrate the resurrection with great vigor, worship and praise. We celebrate with lily flowers decorating the church, picnics after church, and much more. But, it’s easty to forget something.

What about the death on the cross? Without the cross our celebration of Easter wouldn’t be possible. Christ died on the cross to wash our sins away! Without what happened on “Good Friday” we would be destined to die in our sins. So why don’t we do more to celebrate Good Friday? This one act is more important than Christmas and Easter combined. I doubt we even stop to thank the Lord for being stripped of His robes, His flesh being ripped away in pieces, while being whipped and beaten. He was then paraded through the streets carrying “our” cross. He was nailed through the hands and feet then hung up in pure agony. A Roman soldier pierced His side. He was mocked and despised. Jesus died a horrible and painful death.

As I was thinking about this I hung my head. Tears began streaming down my face and my heart hurt for the pains He endured so I may be set free from my sins.

Hopefully next year we will not forget the cross. I hope that the doors of every Christian Church will be wide open on Good Friday so we may enter in solemn prayer, to ask forgiveness of our sins and to thank Jesus who died for us so we do not have to carry “our” cross.

Bobby Lee Polete writes from Vacaville, California.

How To Do A Biblical Word Research Without Being A Biblical Scholar

By Marlene Yundt

ANYONE can take a Bible word to its original Hebrew or Greek meaning. You need not be a Bible scholar. Let me explain:

Although I prefer NASB for study, for purposes of Biblical word research I begin with the KJV. Why? It is easier to trace the word origin. You also need to start with the right study library. Here is how to build that library to do your scholarly research.

Let’s begin with Psalm 51:5 AND THE WORD “iniquity.” Once you have located the word you desire to research, go to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible by James Strong; Thomas Nelson Publishers. Locate the word and note the number beside it. In this instance, it is 5771. Go to the back of Strong’s to the “Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary”. Look up the number – 5771 – and find Psalm 51:5 and its Hebrew word (also note the word written in the Hebrew language). There is a referral back to 5753 and to the meaning, “perversity.”

Now, open the Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words by W.E. Vine; World Bible Publisher. Look up “iniquity.” Note that there are several meanings. Look for either Psalm51:5 or the closest meaning to it. The word Anomia also refers to the Psalms and states it is found about seventy times. This literally means “lawlessness.” It indicates the meaning as lawlessness or wickedness.

From Vine’s go to the Englishman’s Hebrew and Chaldee Concordance of the Old Testament. Turn to the “English and Hebrew Index” in the back of the book. Look up “iniquity.” Find the Hebrew word from Strong’s Concordance and locate the page number: 910. Here you will find Psalm 51:5 “I was shapen in iniquity.”
Using the New Testament words, you would go through the same process, only using Wigram’s Englishman’s Greek Concordance of the New Testament (numerically coded to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance) by George V. Wigrams; Baker Book House.

From these resources, you discover the true root meaning of the word and can now create your interpretation.

Why do this exhaustive research? For accuracy! As Christians, we are to be “Bereans,” taking everything we hear and read back to God’s Word. Research it. Do not be a “silent sponge.” I find that the Holy Spirit “prompts” me when I hear something that does not sound right – even in my own Bible study or church meeting. Accuracy is everything. What you heard and read, you are inclined to believe that it must be true. Discover for yourself.

Now, you not only have the steps to research, you also have the library resources to do the job. Other resources for a good library might include: Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson, Baker Book House; The Wycliffe Bible Commentary; Church History In Plain Language by Bruce L. Shelley and Evangelical Dictionary of Theology by Walter A. Elwell, editor, Baker Book House.

Marlene K. Yundt writes from Portland, Oregon. marlene.yundt@comcast.net

How Important Is Prayer For Our Nation?

By JC Lamb

As Christians, can we pray our nation back to its former state of strength and unity? Can we pray our nation back to moral health?

Last month, I was thrilled at the prospect of meeting with other Christians, especially other pastors, at Medford's City Hall to pray for our nation and our leaders. What a wonderful opportunity to show our community and the world that Christians stand united for the welfare of the good ol' U. S. of A. I was so excited that I accidentally showed up on the day before the National Day of Prayer! What a surprise to me when I showed up on the right day to find only one other minister!

Pick any forum – work, school, social recreation, church, TV/radio, etc. - and you will encounter debates about war, politics, government incompetence, failing economy, lack of morals, infringement on Human Rights, entitlements and taxes. We are afraid of terrorism, but enraged at invasions of privacy. We complain about the cost of living, but we don't curtail our desires within our means – credit makes all things possible. We complain about the misbehavior of our children, but we encourage the use of televisions and computers to entertain our kids while WE build our portfolios. We worry about violence in schools and our immediate environments, yet invite it with zeal into our living rooms via DVD rentals and pay-per-view channels.

II Chronicles 7:14 says: "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." (NLT)

This passage tells us that we CAN pray our nation back to God! So on May 3rd, WHERE were the prayer warriors? Where were the faithful? Alas, they were not at City Hall in Medford! Is this how it was across most of the USA?

God promises to forgive us of our sins and restore our land if we 1) humble ourselves, 2) pray, 3) seek His face, and 4) turn from our wicked ways. In this, I find great courage and hope. I realize two key elements about restoring our nation for God:

First, He is directing HIS people. If we are called by His name, we can rest in His promises. No amount of “niceness” or good thoughts can substitute for true faith in Christ. Only God's people can restore this land.

Second, God isn't asking us to come to Him collectively at City Hall, but collectively in heart. The National Day of Prayer is an opportunity for Christians to visibly raise a united voice, to exemplify our concern for the health and well-being of our country. But, like Easter and Christmas, the proof is NOT in the DAY, but in the LIVING. For those of us who are called by His name, humility is our way of life, prayer is our way of communicating, seeking God's face is our way of finding our path, giving up our own desires for the will of God is how we turn from our old nature to our new nature in Christ!

When we live our lives this way, no matter the state of the nation, we win. If our country returns to its Judeo-Christian roots, we have extended its existence for a time. If our country continues to deteriorate, we look up to the soon coming of our Lord. Either way, we win!

But we have a part to play. It isn't to stand idly by and LET things happen, but to pray God into EVERYTHING we say and do and think. From this vantage point, it doesn't matter WHERE we were on the National Day of Prayer but, rather, WHAT we are doing EVERY DAY to keep God in America.

JC Lamb writes from Medford, Oregon.

His Gentle Servants

By Patti Iverson

A little boy wanted to meet God, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey. Shortly he met an old man sitting in the park staring at pigeons.

The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.

He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but never said a word.

It grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he went more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man and gave him a hug. He got the biggest smile ever.

Later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked, "What did you do today that made you so happy? "He replied, "I had lunch with God. You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God. You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a gentle touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring... all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace them with gentleness—and GOD.

If we really, truly base our lives on Proverbs 3:5-6 (trusting in the Lord with all our hearts, leaning not unto our own understanding, and acknowledging Him-and He is directing our paths) we will be gentler and kinder people. I just KNOW we would.

Words hurt. “If your brain were chocolate it wouldn’t fill an M&M.” “He’ll cry over your wounds so he can get salt in ‘em.” “He told his kids Santa is too old to get around anymore.” “He’ll throw a drowning man both ends of a rope.”

I cringe when the jokes make me laugh or even just smile. But sometimes they do. Am I becoming shallow as the world? Accepting? Oh no! May it never be!
Our world is full up of put downs, mean jokes, and meaner people. Phaedrus, (15BC-50AD) a wise Roman poet, claimed: “Gentleness is the antidote for cruelty. Witticisms please as long as we keep them in boundaries, but pushed to excess they cause offense.” Ah, there’s that gi-normous, humongous word, “boundaries”… As believers we ought to try to help one another in gentle love to stay within the boundaries so as never to cause offense to any of God’s creations.

“Mean people suck.” is a bumper sticker we see on the road today from teens and the homeless souls. We should not want to break them, but to bend them enough so they can see God in our gentle humanity towards them. The bullies, teasers, and meanies are all around us. It was a big deal to Jesus. His idea of meekness and gentleness was not just a simple plan. It was a new lifestyle. The burly apostles balked at Jesus trying to instill the concept of gentleness in their hearts.

Leo Buscaglia said: “Only the weak are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong. Our society values assertiveness, aggressiveness, strength and war.” But we can turn it around! God said so! He said: “Love your mean people and pray for those jerks who make you mad, tease, and bully, that you may be sons of your Father who is in Heaven.” Okay, that’s my” loosey but truthy” paraphrase of Matthew 5:44.

There’s an old Basque proverb: “God is a good worker but loves to be helped.” That dear little Twinkie guy was a gentle helper! So was the old codger, who gently allowed the boy to see the best, the “God” in him. God wants us-that’s you ‘n me, pal, to be His helpers. His gentle servants…

“Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us, for we need You to help us find our way.” That’s the first line to a wonderful chorus. I want to be gentle, like Jesus my Shepherd. I want others to see God in me, even if I have to pass out Twinkies ‘n root beer! But luckily He’s given us many ways to show the world His gentleness by our gentleness to all living creatures. Press on in life and laughter!

Patti Iverson writes from Medford, Oregon. randpi@charter.net

I Want To Be Just Like Him

Some Assembly Required...an ongoing men's column
By Randy Knapp

“A child arrived just the other day,
He came to the world in the usual way.
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay.
He learned to walk while I was away.
And he was talking 'fore I knew it, and as he grew,
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, dad.
You know I'm gonna be like you." Harry Chapin, 1974

The song, Cats In The Cradle, by Harry Chapin records the lament of a father who found little time for his adoring son amongst his all-too-important responsibilities. He had bills to pay, important meetings and a family for which he was responsible. The son looked on and learned from his father what it must be like to be a man. The song ends as the disappointed and now aged father hangs up the phone after another fruitless attempt to connect with his son. Now, it’s the son who has no time for the father. The old man apprehended too late that his son had learned to be just like him.

In our affluent culture it is all too easy to become ensnared by the need to provide a comfortable living for our families. With our house payment, car payments, four different insurance payments, taxes, phone, internet, and cable television contracts, three quarters of our monthly income quickly becomes nondiscretionary. We pay for gasoline, groceries, and the minimum allowed payment on our credit cards with what remains, and desperately search for additional sources of income.

In becoming so tied down to the urgent commitments in life, we often neglect the matters of true importance. Our children need to see us pursue the kinds of things that lead beyond this life into the heavenly realms. Jesus said that we’d lose it if we didn’t seek the Kingdom first. We can invest all we have in this life and lose the life that really matters.

Our children are watching us, and they see it all. We think we are strong as we hide our worry and stress, but our children see through it. When we are too busy to spend time with God, our children know it. When our frustrations explode into arguments with our wives, our children experience the tension. . .

“Lord, I want to be just like You
'Cause he wants to be just like me
I want to be a holy example
For his innocent eyes to see
Help me be a living Bible, Lord
That my little boy can read
I want to be just like You
'Cause he wants to be like me”

. . .

And I'm trying so hard to learn from the best
Being patient and kind, filled with Your tenderness
'Cause I know that he'll learn from the things that he sees
And the Jesus he finds will be the Jesus in me.” Phillips, Craig & Dean, 1994

. . . and when we awake an hour early each morning to spend time in communion with our Heavenly Father, our children share in the blessing.

Generational statistics show a marked decline in the number of individuals who acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In the “World War II” generation, roughly three-quarters of Americans claimed to be Christians. In my parents’ generation, that number was halved. In my generation, only sixteen percent of Americans claim to follow Christ, and in the generation of my children that number will drop to four percent.

This is an easily recognized generational pattern. It has been repeated over and over throughout history. What is the next step? The collapse of our society and its descent into disarray. That is a harsh statement, and it is certainly alarmist, but all we have to do is read Judges, the writings of Samuel, the Chronicles, and Kings, and virtually the remainder of the Bible to recognize that the prophecy is entirely true.

This is a clarion call to save our children and our society, and we men are the ones who must lead the rescue.

Pursue the Kingdom first and let God handle the remainder of your life. He promises that when we make that commitment, He’ll hold up His end. No matter how tired we are, find time to read the Bible and connect with God every morning. An excellent place to start is with “My Utmost For His Highest,” a daily devotional by Oswald Chambers. Read “Wild at Heart,” “Waking the Dead,” and “The Way of the Wild Heart,” by John Eldredge. Join or start a men’s group that is committed to working together to hold one another accountable to the rescue mission, and to building each other up.

When we find our genuine calling in life and connect to the True Source of our strength, our children will notice. They will watch us become champions of the Kingdom, and when they grow up, they’ll want to be just like us.

Randy writes from Medford, Oregon. knappsnest@msn.com

Be Gentle and Forgiving

By Mark Swegar

“As God’s Chosen children, clothe yourselves with compassion and gentleness, forgiving as the Lord forgives you.” Colossians 3:12-13

Some time ago, one of my children badly burned herself and had to be taken to the doctor. There they placed salve over the wounds and began to bind up her hand with bandages to protect the injured and vulnerable skin. All this was done in the name of healing, so that there was no place for infection, pain or scarring. The goal was to restore full use of that portion of her body.

The Lord’s heart towards us is much the same as this. Ezekiel says that God desires to bind up the wounded, strengthen the weak, and gather the scattered sheep into one flock (Ezekiel 33:16). Jesus comes to the church of Laodicea with healing salve to anoint them (Revelation 3:18). But those who refuse God’s help cannot be healed because The Lord will not force Himself on anyone. The Apostle Paul quotes the Prophet Isaiah in a godly lament over a stubborn and cantankerous people when he says: “The heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return, and I should heal them” Acts 28:27, Isaiah 6:10 And the Lord stands with salve in His right hand, bandages in His left hand and tears in His eyes, because He cannot heal those children who would rather fight than forgive.

The Lord will heal us, revive us and raise us up if we will return to Him and simply allow Him to do it (Hosea 6). But we are also warned that if we pick and tear at one another, we will end up in mutual destruction (Galatians 5:15). The decision is ours, and it has much to do with forgiveness. Immature children are eager to keep score and count up the times they have been offended. But Paul tells the Corinthian church that God has refused to count up our offenses against us (2 Corinthians 5:19). The Greek word used here for offenses is also used in The Lord’s Prayer when we pray: “Forgive us our trespasses (offenses, sins) as we forgive those who have offended us.”

It’s time for Christians to grow up and stop counting offenses! We have entire portions in the body of Christ who refuse to function “as every joint supplies” because of past hurts. Wounds have festered, scarred over and remain infected, painful to any touch. We must LET GOD HEAL! We love because He first loved us. We forgive because He first forgave us. We heal because He first healed us. We must bless and curse not. We speak repentance and healing to the entire body of Christ. We must stop fighting and let Him anoint us with healing salve!

When Jesus was dying on the cross, He prayed, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” When Stephen was dying in the stone pit, his final prayer was, “Forgive them, Father, do not let this sin be held against them.” When Jesus laid hands on his disciples to receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:23), He immediately spoke of the power of forgiveness (or lack of forgiveness). The nature of Christ is to forgive. Since we desire to be like Christ, the Father is faithful to allow many offensive people to cross our path, so that we may have the privilege and opportunity to forgive, thus becoming more like Jesus. If we think, “I never had it so rough before I was saved,” we’re absolutely right! Isn’t God good? With forgiveness comes healing. WHAT POWER! Jesus wants us to release that Power “seventy times seven” times.

Isaiah said that the Lord’s heart for Egypt was to strike them, but then heal them so that they might return to the Lord God (Isaiah 19). If this was His heart for ancient Egypt, then how much more is it right now for His own people! Jeremiah adds that He will heal and reveal an abundance of peace and truth (Jeremiah 33). Lord, heal us, your body! Make us one! Help us to forgive those who have offended us and have trespassed against us. Help us to carry Your healing love, power and truth to a desperate and dying world! Help us to establish Your Kingdom for all time! We seek first Your Kingdom and Righteousness. We do believe, Lord. Please help our unbelief. We lift You up, that You may draw all mankind unto Yourself. We declare that You are our God, and we are Your people. In our thoughts, words, and deeds, may You be forever Glorified! It begins with us, and it begins right now. Amen.

Mark Swegar writes from Medford, Oregon.

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark.

1. Don’t miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you are 600 years old someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don’t listen to critics. Get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety’s sake…travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you’re stressed, float a while.
10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when we are with God there is always a rainbow waiting.


Editor’s Note:
This anonymous article that was sent to The Christian Journal takes a humorous look at lessons from the Ark, but they make great sense. God is always teaching profound lessons through all the stories in the Bible. It is important that as we look at any story in the Bible that we see what the story teaches about history, but also what it teaches us today about life. The Ark represents God’s efforts to save mankind even when He is deciding that mankind needs to be restarted. There are always some in mankind who connect with God and understand His ways and His will. The small group is outnumbered by the masses who go about life doing things their own ways or following the crowd. Being a “Noah” means listening to God and standing up against the “tides” of life. It means stepping out and taking risks doing things the way God asks us to do them even if they make little to no sense at the time. It may not be a boat that God is asking us to build at this time, but anything He asks of us will take a determined effort to accomplish. The end result will be safety in the “storms” of life.

Chad McComas
The Christian Journal

Elijah's Last Encounter With Ahab

By Martin A. Recio

Elijah’s last encounter with king Ahab was an accusatory one.

The Story
Next to Ahab’s palace was the vineyard of Naboth. In spite of what was offered, Naboth did not wish to sell his land. It was his ancestral possession. Scripture states that Naboth’s refusal to part with his vineyard caused the king of Israel to sulk like a petulant child. He laid down on his bed, and turned his face to the wall and would eat no bread.

When Jezebel, his wife and queen, discovered the reason for his behavior, she resolved to act. She took matters into her own hands. Jezebel had no regard for the Lord God of hosts, or His prophets, or for the laws of Israel. She chided and comforted the king of the nation: “Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, and eat bread: and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth.” I Kings 21:7

The king of Israel kept silent, although he knew that Jezebel planned evil. He thought that by remaining silent he would escape the consequences of Naboth’s murder. But Elijah was quick to point out his error.

Jezebel moved quickly. She proclaimed a fast in expiation for an unknown sin. However, at the proper time, the nature of the sin would be known. Then the people would pronounce the judgment. Naboth was set on high as the one to be incriminated before the elders of the nation. Two fellows of the baser sort came and sat opposite him, charging: “Naboth didst blaspheme God and the King.” I Kings 21:13 Enraged, the people took Naboth out and stoned him to death.

The queen had planned well. Jezebel—who did not believe in the Lord God of Israel—had Naboth accused, charged, and condemned with the sin of cursing God and the king. In Israel, this was blasphemy and treason. The property of one put to death for treason was forfeited to the crown.

As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth was dead, she said to Ahab: “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive but dead.” I Kings 21:15 The king did so, and was in possession of Naboth’s vineyard, when the Lord instructed Elijah to go and meet Ahab with the message of judgment: “Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? (The murder of Naboth, Elijah charged directly to king Ahab.) Thus saith the Lord: “In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, shall the dogs lick up thy blood.”

Startled, Ahab said to Elijah: “Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?” The king was aware that his sin had been uncovered. It was not Jezebel who had killed, but Ahab. And he had come to take possession, as though he could murder with impunity. Elijah left no place for pretense or self-delusion. He came straight out: “I have found thee; because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord. Behold, I…will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel. “ I King 21:2021

Struck to the Heart
Ahab was struck to the heart. His conscience was aroused. He remembered the fire on Mount Carmel, amidst the glory and grandeur of the Lord God. He remembered the coming of the rains, and his deliverance from the armies of Syria and Ben-hadad. It was against the Lord God that he sinned who had manifested his power and glory to Ahab, and had given his deliverance.

Though incited to sin by his wife, Jezebel, and to work evil, the king was no fool. He rent his clothes, wore sackcloth on his flesh and fasted. He repented and humbled himself before the Lord God, and in the presence of all his people.
“And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his day: but in his son’s day.” I Kings 21:29

Although his house was to be swept away, Ahab’s repentance and public humiliation brought a postponement of the judgment. Ahab was later to fall in battle, but he died as he had never lived—with courage, endurance, and in fear of the Lord God. Elijah’s words, character, and mission deeply affected the king of Israel. But though he humbled himself before the Lord, and learned to fear Him, Ahab withheld the surrender of his heart to the will of God.

The word of the Lord has this awesome power: it can strike to the heart, and it can quicken the soul of all who would hear. The essence of the Old Testament Religion and the New Testament Religion is the same: it is still a matter of the heart. God’s word can strike one to the heart and turn one to the Lord Jesus. And with the coming of the Spirit, the heart can be turned to the will of the Lord God. So let it be, O Lord Jesus.

Martin A. Recio writes from Ashland, Oregon.

Don’t Wait Till It’s Too Late

By Nancy Canwell

Here’s a question for those of you who are married: What would you be willing to give up for your spouse? Watching sports all day on Sundays? A habit that annoys them? A tendency to nag? Or how about a kidney? That’s exactly what Cindy gave up for her husband, Chip. She gave him one of her kidneys. (recent associated press article)

You see, as a child Chip had juvenile diabetes. Later when he and Cindy married, she’d promised in advance to be a donor, should he someday need one. Last September when he was hospitalized for kidney failure, she knew that his condition was life threatening. So she kept her wedding promise, giving him a part of herself and saving his life.

It sounds like a romantic love story, doesn’t it? But it gets even better. Chip and Cindy were in the process of getting a divorce. After ten years of marriage they’d decided to split-up, date around, and work toward divorce. But Cindy’s unselfish act of love renewed their feelings for each other and all divorce plans ended.

I wonder what would change if those of us who are married found out that our spouses had a life threatening illness? Would we suddenly become gentler with our words? I think so. Would we quit nitpicking about the little annoyances that don’t really matter? I think so. Would we long to turn back the clock and relive the years? I think so. Would we bargain with God, promising that if our spouses live, we’d change and be better partners? Yes, I think so.

So, why wait? Some years ago my husband attended the funeral of a man who’d been killed instantly in an accident. After the funeral, the man’s wife burst into tears, laying out all her regrets and “if onlys” for the relatives to hear. But it was too late. He was gone.

The time to appreciate our spouses is today—not tomorrow. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, but today is. If we wait till they’re gone and only then realize how much we love, need and appreciate them, they’ll never know. And we’ll be left with a double grief—not only the grief of losing them, but also the grief that comes from realizing we can’t change the past.

God had a much higher ideal for marriage when he created the first couple. He said that it wasn’t good for man to be alone. He said husbands and wives should be so close that they become as one flesh. Through God, this form of closeness is available to any married couple. I’ve witnessed couples whose marriages were in such turmoil that it would have taken a miracle to get them back together. And it did. The miracle of forgiveness and unselfishness happened. The miracle of true love, actually.

Today is the day to let your husband or wife know just how much you love them. You don’t have to give a kidney, you know. You can give a note, a word, a hug, a special date, an act of kindness…. Today’s the day. Let’s begin again in our marriages. No “if onlys.” No regrets.

Nancy Canwell writes from College Place, Washington. ncanwell@charter.net

Delightful Joy

By Stewart Whittemore

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11

Have you ever wondered what is meant by "My joy" that Jesus speaks about in the above verse? I have. Generally, one might think of joy as just being happiness or gladness, but Jesus is referring to a greater joy than happiness or gladness we experience here on earth.

Lately, I’ve been filling in on a school bus route. It is a route in the tougher section of our little city. In fact, it’s noted for its gang activity. Just before I started the job someone was murdered on one of my service streets.

It has been a struggle to say the least. Children come from many difficult situations at home. The environment I work in is one of rebellion against any kind of authority. That includes me. It has not been joyous. I am learning that whatever situation I am in, God is in control. I try to hear what the Lord is saying to me in these difficult and challenging times.

The other day I did a word study on "joy" in the Bible. One meaning jumped out at me from this exercise. It was "delight." (see Job 33:26) Delight seems to be a cut above happiness or gladness.

When one little girl from the rough section of town gave me a flower my heart melted with "delight." That flower was certainly the highlight of my week and it put a whole different perspective on my new assignment. The problems I had run into before seemed to pale in comparison. It is teaching me to be more gentle with God's children, no matter what part of town they come from.

Thank You, Lord, for Your "joy."


Stewart Whittemore writes from Grants Pass, Oregon.

Helping Young People Seeking Direction

Compass Quest Academy
By Kelly Nokes

“How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted. I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, GOD; train me in your ways of wise living. I’ll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it. I relish everything you’ve told me of life, I won’t forget a word of it.” Psalm 119:9-16 The Message

I remember graduating from high school and setting out on my own, taking with me my parent’s faith, entering into the work force and a year later the college atmosphere.

It did not take long for the teaching and temptations of the world to strip away the worldview I had borrowed from my parents. I was being bombarded from every direction by ideas aimed directly at manipulating my thought processes designed to conform me to the latest ideals and trends cooked up by the world. It’s no wonder that many young adults, like me, find themselves dazed and confused by the world’s mixed messages.

There is an exciting new community resource in Southern Oregon being developed to combat these trends. It’s the Compass Quest Academy of Christian Studies.

At Compass Quest the goal is to build upon and solidify Christian values and the ethic foundation that parents have passed on to their sons. Compass Quest will help participants own this foundation as it provides a one-year wilderness lodge experience intended to last a lifetime!

Compass Quest will provide an atmosphere conducive to a Biblical Worldview through:
1. A 21-Credit diploma of Christian Studies with Pacific Bible College.
2. Work ethic development with vocational training.
3. Leadership and motivation training through hands on application of ministry skills in partnership with Wilderness Trails Camp Ministries and other mission programs.

Through these and other tools young men will develop a vision for their personal Quest as Christian men.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Gil Bailie (from John Eldredge’s book Wild at Heart p. 200).

For more information about creating visions of coming alive visit: www.compassquest.org or call (541) 890-7491.

Kelly Nokes writes from the Medford, Oregon area. kelly@compassquest.org

Being “Useful” For God

By Chad McComas

Most every Christian I know wants to ultimately hear the complimentary words of the master found in Matthew 25:21. The master leaves for an extended time and gives talents to three of his servants. One gets five, another two and the third one talent. There have been numerous thoughts on what the talents represent. Some say money. Others say skills and abilities. This article isn’t going to deal with that. But I do want to suggest that when the master says… (“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!”) our hearts resonate with a deep satisfaction. Deep down we want to be “useful” for God.

Being “useful” for God is just as much about our character and demeanor as it is about building resources and numbers for God’s kingdom.

Paul outlines the “fruit” of our sinful nature verses the “fruit” of the Holy Spirit’s presence in Galatians 5. It is all about character and behavior: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23

This issue of The Christian Journal is looking at gentleness. Gentleness is how we use what we have in life. And how we use what we have makes us useful or not. The Greek word for gentleness is chrestotes (khray-stot'-ace). It literally means usefulness, i.e. moral excellence (in character or demeanor).

Are we “useful” for God’s kingdom?

At the end of the sermon on the mount Jesus talks about the narrow way. He talks about false prophets (people who say they are from God) and how we can recognize them by their “fruit” (gentleness is included). Then He warns that when these followers want to come into the kingdom He tells them: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23

Evidently being “useful” to Jesus and His kingdom is much more about being “gentle” than it is about being successful in miracles and prophecy.

We have all heard the stories of huge football players taking ballet dancing as part of their training. Seems odd, yet the premise of taking all that strength and power and getting it under control with grace and finesse makes good sense. It’s making them “useful” tools rather than out-of-control forces.

We all want to be “useful” for God.

Paul tells us how to be useful: “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

How are we to be gentle? He continues: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

It’s time for all of us as believers to let God prune us to be more fruitful in the area of gentleness. Because when we are gentle…we are useful to Jesus and His kingdom.

Chad McComas writes from Medford, Oregon.

Be Still –Five Ways to Bring Quiet to our Live

By Beverly Hill McKinney

Traffic jams, children yelling, TV blaring, phones ringing, and music blasting--noise, noise, noise. It all contributes to our daily chaos. How can we find peace and quietness in our lives when they are frazzled by noise and distractions?

Let’s look in the Bible for clues. We will see many different ways the Lord speaks to us if we are ready to hear.

Moses was called from a burning bush; Elijah was called in a still small voice. David was tending sheep as a faithful son when he was called by God’s gentleness. It is difficult to hear the still small voice of the Lord in today’s world. How can we hear God’s whisper if all around us is the clamor of the world? We need to gain a spirit of quietness.

1) We need to allow the Lord to lead us throughout the day.
“…he leads me beside the still waters.” Psalms 23:2
Notice it says: “he leads.” If we are to find the still waters of life, we must be willing to listen and be led where He wants us to be. We must be still and hear where He wants to lead each day. When we allow Him to lead, He will show us opportunities to share His love with those around us.

2) We need to set time aside to be still in His presence.
“Truly, my soul waiteth upon God; from him cometh my salvation.” Psalms 62:1
“Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 46:10

These verses tell us to wait and be still before the Lord. By setting aside just 10 or 15 minutes each day to sit and be still will result in a closer fellowship with Him and those we encounter in our daily lives. As we choose a verse or section of scripture, we can read it over and let it resonate in our minds. We have the opportunity to let the Lord show us how scripture can be used in our lives. As we wait on the Lord and come into His presence, we can set other things aside and put our minds totally on Him.

3) We can schedule a prayer time each day.
Maybe it is taking a break and closing our office door for five minutes of prayer. It can be taking a few minutes during our lunch hour to spend communing with the Lord. Or, after the children are down for the night, we can take those few quiet moments to talk to our Heavenly Father. Whatever time we set aside, it can be our scheduled time each day to spend with the Lord. I’ve found that a good way to begin or end my prayer time is to quietly recite the Lord’s Prayer. (See Matthew 6: 9-13)

4) We can plan a spiritual retreat.
Once a month we can plan a day to spend alone as a spiritual retreat. A city park with walking paths and places of quiet meditation can be a favorite place of retreat. A church retreat center can be a great place to stay for the day to spend quality time with the Lord. Even better is to take a weekend at a motel to set one’s mind totally on praying and meditating on the Lord. I find that including a short Bible study or devotional book helps focus my thoughts. One can also take the elements of communion (crackers and grape juice) and have a time of communion with the Lord, waiting in His presence.

Jesus saw the importance of getting away and spending time with his Father. Not even his disciples could distract Him from His time alone. He did not let the cares of the world keep Him from communing with His Father.

5) We need to set aside media distractions.
Often when we read our Bible or spend time in prayer, the TV or background music distracts our thoughts from our time alone. We need to turn off everything else and concentrate on God’s Word and His voice.

Psalms 62:5 says: “My soul, waits only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” The word “wait” in this verse is from a Hebrew root word meaning “being still” or “being quiet.” To receive all God has for us we must learn to be still and quiet before Him.

Let’s begin today to practice being still and quiet before the Lord so He can speak to us once again in His “still small voice.”

Beverly Hill McKinney writes from Rogue River, Oregon. bmckinnehill@yahoo.com

Dream House

I went walking around and around in circles. I was looking through my new house. I was so excited, because I finally had a place where I really wanted to live. I had dreamed of moving to this house for a long time. I liked the sun shine as it spread around and I liked the yard. Now I finally would have a home I picked out.

God has a home for us too. It is so much better than here. What has God prepared for us? Our dream house. Because God wants us to be happy and feel like we are at home with him.

Soon, it will be time to leave and go home...then I will have the ultimate dream house!

Be Blessed

By Stewart Whittemore

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11

Have you ever wondered what is meant by "My joy" that Jesus speaks about in the above verse? I have. Generally, one might think of joy as just being happiness or gladness, but Jesus is referring to a greater joy than happiness or gladness we experience here on earth.

Lately, I’ve been filling in on a school bus route. It is a route in the tougher section of our little city. In fact, it’s noted for its gang activity. Just before I started the job someone was murdered on one of my service streets.

It has been a struggle to say the least. Children come from many difficult situations at home. The environment I work in is one of rebellion against any kind of authority. That includes me. It has not been joyous. I am learning that whatever situation I am in, God is in control. I try to hear what the Lord is saying to me in these difficult and challenging times.

The other day I did a word study on "joy" in the Bible. One meaning jumped out at me from this exercise. It was "delight." (see Job 33:26) Delight seems to be a cut above happiness or gladness.

When one little girl from the rough section of town gave me a flower my heart melted with "delight." That flower was certainly the highlight of my week and it put a whole different perspective on my new assignment. The problems I had run into before seemed to pale in comparison. It is teaching me to be more gentle with God's children, no matter what part of town they come from.
Thank You, Lord, for Your "joy."


Stewart Whittemore writes from Grants Pass, Oregon.

Are Pastors To Blame For The Divorce Epidemic?

By Matt Friedeman (AgapePress)

We have a divorce epidemic in America today. And I am wondering how much pastors are to blame.

I am of the school that thinks we usually put way too little expectation on the Church and its pastors for societal woes. When it comes to the institution of marriage, the vast majority of ministers have dropped the proverbial ball and by so doing have led the nation to the brink of disaster.

Too few of us (pastors, and I am one of them) take seriously the words "holy matrimony." By failing to recognize the importance of this expression, we assume that anybody who wants to should be able to enter into it and with our blessing. After all, not to perform such ceremonies could cause congregational discord; so as people who make a living by the offerings of that congregation, we allow almost anything.

But is it possible for "holy matrimony" to exist when one or both potential spouses have no love relationship with the Lord? Do pastors query their young lovers about such matters? Or have we assumed that the pastoral office has no business barging into people's lives on these all-important issues?

I recently heard a program on American Family Radio in which a number of family counselors were asked, "Would you marry a young couple that was determined not to have kids?" Having never considered that question, I listened intently on my side of the radio. To my astonishment, every counselor interviewed said they would not marry such a couple. After all, Biblically, procreation is a God-ordained purpose of marriage.

Interestingly, I have never known a pastor to broach the subject, much less take such a stance.

Do church leaders require intense marital counseling? Not a couple of sessions and a blessing, but serious examination of a range of relational issues? I know that most do not, and by not training people for marriage we leave them vulnerable to a secular worldview that is less than successful when it comes to matrimony. Candid and pointed discussion about finances, family, conflict resolution, personality match, friends and interests, communication, religion and values, parenting issues, etc., should be considered an essential precursor to every church-sanctioned wedding ceremony.

Research suggests when such matters are responsibly addressed and the church demands significant commitments of those seeking marriage, the divorce rate substantially decreases. Where such matters are not taken seriously, Christian marriages mirror the culture at large: the breakdown of the family unit that threatens our very survival as a nation and a serious Christian community.
We pastors, and the churches we represent, are not to be "blessing machines" -- throwing out words and sacraments willy-nilly to anyone who asks. For in the end, by adopting a low view of the Church, of the institution of marriage and of the pastoral office, we haven't really blessed but most assuredly have cursed the people we intended to help.

Matt Friedeman (mfriedeman@wbs.edu) is a professor at Wesley Biblical Seminary. Respond to this column at his blog at "EvangelismToday.blogspot.com."

Enthusiasm In Obedience Pleases God

By Lynn Johnston

One day God said to Abraham (Genesis 22) “I want you to take your son, Isaac, your only son, the one whom you deeply love, and offer him for a burnt offering on Mount Moriah.”

“But God,” replied Abraham, “He is my only son.”

“I know that.”

“But God, I love him with all my heart, I am old, I have waited all these years for him. What are you asking?”

“I want you to do it for me.”

“Shall I tell Sarah what you want?”

“No, don’t tell Sarah. This is just between you and me.”

So Abraham got up early, took with him his servants and provisions for the trip and sacrifice. If he left a note for Sarah it may have said: “Have gone to Mound Moriah to offer a burnt offering—will be back in a few days. God bless you and I LOVE YOU!”

Having closed the tent door quietly so as not to awaken his devoted wife, he moved out in the early morning hours before it was light. The beautiful stars in the heavens were still shining. It was a good day to walk with God and have a heart to heart talk with Him.

Mount Moriah was a good day’s journey. Abraham was in no particular hurry. He wanted to smell the flowers and enjoy being with his son for the last time. I don’t think his steps were especially heavy. He was enthusiastically doing just what God wanted him to do. In this case hurry was not necessary. It was a time to soak in more of God and His presence because He was definitely there all the time and this was a very difficult task to perform. It was the time spent with God that was important. Disobedience was not an issue. He may have thought, “I will do it because God asks me to. I know that this young man is destined to be a father of many peoples. How God can do that when he is dead is something I cannot understand unless God miraculously raises him from the dead. That must be what God is going to do—after all God miraculously gave him to us when we could not have children.”

Hebrews 11:17-19 indicates this very thing and also Isaac is a picture of the resurrection of Christ. God can raise the dead. God brought Isaac out of a dead womb, he could also raise him from a sacrificial altar. He is a living God and like Job says: “even if I die, yet in my flesh I shall see God, even with my own eyes.”

At the end of the trail, Isaac noticed that something was missing. “Father, I see the wood and the fire but where is the animal for sacrifice, did you not forget something?”

“No son, God will provide Himself a sacrifice.”

To Isaac that was a sufficient answer. God could have an animal up on top of the mountain.

When the two had climbed the trail to the top, Abraham built an alter from the stones and laid upon the alter the wood that Isaac had carried. Still there was no animal. Now Abraham had to tell his son that God had asked him to offer his son as the burnt offering. Did Isaac run down the trail screaming? Did Isaac resist or struggle? I don’t think so. Abraham bound Isaac’s hands and placed him on top of the wood on the altar. He then took his sharp knife, raised his arm and just before it plunged down, the voice of God came out of heaven. “Abraham, Abraham, stop, there is a ram caught in the brush, offer him for your son!”

SUBSTITUTION
Isaac needed a substitute. The ram took his place.

Mankind, lost in sin, needs a substitute. Abraham said that God would provide. God will not only provide a sacrifice, but He will Himself, be that sacrifice. When Jesus was born of a virgin many years latter, he was God who came in the flesh and he was later sacrificed on the very same mountain Isaac was sacrificed on. Jesus also carried his own wood that became part of the offering. As a burnt offering Jesus was totally offered to God to satisfy every sentence. He paid it all. John pictures Jesus as the Burnt Offering. Jesus said: “I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:29

Abraham desired to do what God wanted. He had to chose quickly to do the will of God. His enthusiasm was pleasing to God. Enthusiasm is the key to doing whatever God asks.

Are we as willing as Abraham to follow God’s leading? When it comes to giving our tithe to the Lord, are we enthusiastic to do it? God is waiting to pour out upon us more blessings than we can imagine, but He can’t. God is not poor, but He wants us to give enthusiastically so that He can do more for us and through us. (Read Psalm 1) The word delight is a word like enthusiasm. Our delight in God and His Word will result in all kinds of blessing and prosperity. God stands behind His Word.

Caution: When we walk with God, there are some things we can’t tell others about. It may be too profound and they may think we are crazy. Walking with God is a personal thing—a burden that only we can carry alone. Our burden then becomes God’s burden. And we wait on God.

During the three days Abraham took for this journey, he was waiting to see what God was planning to do. How was He going to rescue his son?

The three days Jesus was in the tomb was very significant. Redemption was finished and it was time to rest and wait for the coming resurrection.
We don’t always understand what God is doing in our lives. We have to just rest in Him.

Lynn Johnston writes from Shady Cove, Oregon.

A New Spin On The "Old Ten"

By Troy Pomeroy

“ . . .for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23

Most of us have this verse memorized and relate to it all too well. We are well aware of our faults and shortcomings. We allow ourselves to be under the yoke of the Law, even though Jesus lifted that burden by His work on the Cross.

If we look at the progression of how God’s Law was revealed to us, we can begin to see His ultimate goal for us. He initially gave over 600 commandments through Moses, which as we know got summarized into the Ten Commandments He wrote on the stone tablets.

When Christ came in the flesh, He declared: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17

The Law God gave us was always good. Jesus refined it and made it simpler: love God and love people. If we can do these two things, we meet the requirements of the Law.

Yet, the Ten Commandments continue to get a bad rap. They seem legalistic, restrictive, or oppressive. Most of them tell us what we can’t do – “Thou shalt not” They are certainly impossible for us to keep. Perhaps because of our guilt in falling short, we don’t like to think of “The 10” too much.

What if we looked at them in a different way? We can all agree that honoring your father and mother is something to strive for. That command is easier to swallow because it is written in a positive way – something to do instead of something not to do. So without altering the Bible, what if we emphasized the positive inherent in each of the commandments? Instead of making sure we don’t murder people, let’s make sure we help people live. Instead of remembering not to steal, let’s remember to be generous and give to others. For each thing we shouldn’t do, we have an antidote in something we should do.

A fun exercise is to take the Ten Commandments and rephrase each one in a positive way. Change it from “restrictive” to freeing. In doing so, I believe we begin to see the heart of the Father and His desire for us to make His creation a better place.

Troy Pomeroy writes from Eagle Point, Oregon. pastortroy@epacenter.com

A Different And Gentler Way

By Fred Wikoff

“The purpose of the Christian life is not to escape dangers and difficulties but to demonstrate that they are handled in a different way.” Ray C. Stedman in, Authentic Christianity

One of the gross misconceptions of accepting Christ as our Lord and savior is that our troubles are over and life will be one happy event after another. But this is not the case. Just the opposite is true: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34

From the very beginning, Christ’s ministry stirred controversy and mixed reviews. Early opposition by the Pharisees was just a sign of worse things to come. Loved by the oppressed, but despised by the religious elite, Christ cautioned his disciples: “I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you to councils, and flog you in their synagogues.” Matthew 10:16-17

With this ominous warning from Jesus, why would anyone think that the Christian life is going to be trouble free? Indeed, I have often felt that when my life seems to be going too smoothly it’s a sign that I should stop and make sure that I’m not neglecting God’s calling.

Satan likes nothing better than for Christians to find great comfort and satisfaction in attending church regularly, but too often leave their beliefs at the church door when they venture out into the community. This passive, tolerant behavior might avoid friction and promote harmony and favor among neighbors, but is this what Christ intended?

When we accept Christ we sign on for a life of extended service. We are Christ’s front line in a battle with Satan for the souls of mankind. We need to expect to engage the enemy daily. We need to expect ridicule, disrespect, and disputes at every turn for we are not of this world: “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” John 17:14

With Christ living in us we are different, and when anyone is different they are looked upon with fear and suspicion. It’s up to us to alleviate this fear and suspicion by demonstrating that Christ is the truth, and has a gentler and better way to deal with life’s problems: “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

“Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat let him have your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.” Matthew 5:39-42

All of us need the Holy Spirit’s guidance to live these commandments. To live the Christ-like way places us last and everyone else first . . . a direct turnaround from the world’s win at all cost mentality. With Christ in us we are suddenly a threat to Satan and those he controls. And when we joyfully live a life of service, filled with gentleness, concern, and love for others, we demonstrate the truth of Christ’s glory.

Make no mistake. The trials will always be there. Trials provide an opportunity for Christian growth and maturity which can demonstrate to the world Christ’s way. That’s why James says: “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.” I John 5:4

Fred Wikoff writes from Eugene, Oregon. EugeneSpud@msn.com

A Balanced Boat

By Lynn Ludwick

Angry waves slammed the boat, capsizing it and hurling me into the churning sea. I held my breath, though I knew in a matter of seconds my lungs would scream for air and with the intake would come a fatal gulp of water. I’d heard drowning was painful. Panic filled my every pore.
I awoke in the predawn hours, my heart pounding, my breath ragged. I lay curled and frightened on my bed. It had only been a dream, but so real I half expected to feel water lapping at my feet. My urgent praying sought peace, and in a moment the Lord stilled my heart and eased me into a calm sleep.

A couple of days later I glanced through a magazine and happened upon a feature article about sailing off the New England shores. The sky’s blue was clear and pure, and a few wispy clouds pluffed in piles here and there. A steady, but kind wind blew boats over even, rolling waves.
The scene pictured before me was serene, but I remembered my nightmare. I knew that ocean waters don’t always remain calm and sailboats might well find themselves at the mercy of a storm. And people might drown, as I almost had. In daylight hours I was in the midst of a storm, afloat on a raging sea and my night terrors vividly reflected my fear.

Though one of the sailboats in the magazine tilted leeward, I knew it wouldn’t go under, for I remembered a sermon I once heard. A sailboat must carry adequate weight below the waterline to maintain proper balance, so even if it does tip it will right itself. The pastor said there needs to be as much weight as possible below the waterline and that reducing it by just a fraction imperils the boat. One way to achieve this balance is not just adding more weight below, but minimizing the weight above.

This made me think of Jesus and his invitation to his disciples: “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” They climbed aboard and he proceeded to settle down for a nap in the bottom of the boat. A squall arose, but Jesus slept on. His ever-bewildered followers panicked and shook Him awake with a not-so-gentle reprimand: “Master, Master we’re going to drown.” He stood, probably stretched, calmed the storm (with a verbal rebuke!) and questioned their faith. They were dumbfounded and terrified. They asked each other, “Who is this?” Luke 8:22-25

Being God incarnate, I suspect Jesus either knew about the upcoming storm or personally ordered it as an object lesson. Yet, He still invited them onboard.

So it is with me. He knows all about my current storm. When my boat is in danger of capsizing, I need to remind myself that Jesus built the boat, planned the trip, invited me along for the ride and is at peace, though not oblivious to the situation. And only Jesus will suffice as my needed weight below the waterline (marking the place where I’ll go under and drown). I know that when the boat tips I’ll cry out with concern that borders on panic, but He’ll be there at just the right moment—without my prodding. And He will calm my storm.

How do I manage aligning more weight in the bottom of my boat and less on top? We sing a song at church.. “I want more of you and less of me.” Less worry, less self-seeking, less emotional and possessional stuff. Reducing the weight just a fraction of an ounce at the masthead effectively adds several ounces below the waterline. The balance issue isn’t even proportional, ounce for ounce. As it always seems to be with God, if I take a baby step—less of me, He meets me with a giant step—more of Him.
When the disciples asked of Jesus: “Who is this?” their question probed at a deep level. How could He control nature? They learned, and so have I, that He is all-powerful God as well as the personal One who said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

I know I’m safe if Jesus balances the boat in which I maneuver the storms of life.
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm in a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” Psalm 107:28-30

Lynn Ludwick writes from Medford, Oregon. Lynniegirl45@hotmail.com