Kid's devotion - There's no such thing as luck

1. Watch the video
2. Doug trivia - What is Doug's address?
3. Do you have anything "lucky"?
4. Look at the definition of "lucky" http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lucky
  How does this concept go against the Bible's view of why things happen?
5. Read these 2 passages. What do they say about things happening by chance?
   http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017:24-28&version=NLT
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%204:34-37&version=TNIV

Christians shouldn't believe in "luck", "fate", "Horoscopes", "Fortune Cookies", etc. because we then are saying there is a force out there outside of God's control and if that is the case then God really isn't in control. We taught our kids L.U.C.K stands for the Lord's Unceasing Caring and Kindness.

Going Beyond New Year's Resolutions

   I read a verse the other day that got me thinking about this; 

  "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." Prov. 29:25

      What are your New Year's resolutions this year? Lose weight (yes), work out more (yes), get healthier, quit smoking, be a better husband/wife, be a better dad/mom, start a retirement/college fund, get a better job ...   Maybe you have some "sanctified" resolutions; get more involved in church, read through the Bible in a year, lead someone to Christ, start family devotions (PLEASE!), take your prayer life to the next level...

     Although all the above are good and I believe pleasing to the Lord, my question is this - Why are you(we) making those resolutions? Look deep inside and ask "Why am I losing weight?" "Why do I want to be a better mom/dad?" "Why am I going to get more involved in church?"
     WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO PLEASE? In light of the above verse, if it is done for anyone other than the Lord it will prove to be a snare. What do I mean by a snare? How about increasing guilt and anxiety and decreasing self-image and worth when you never live up to your expectations which all of us have set so high we can never attain. Or your spouse's expectations? Do you think you can ever live up to those? Or your kids? Or your boss's? Or your church's?  Do you realize that you can witness to people or have a quiet time, just so you can feel better about your Christian life? That is a snare.WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO PLEASE?

   Paul writes in 2Cor. 5:9-15;
 ⁹ So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
 ¹¹ Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. ¹² We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. ¹³ If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵ And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

   Jesus states in Matthew 11:28-30
 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

So this year, as you make resolutions, ask Why am I making these? Who am I trying to please? Don't let these be a "snare" but rather a freeing experience as you seek to please the One who thinks you are so amazing he adopted you into his family despite knowing everything you have ever done in your life (and every bad thing you are going to do in the future) - he picked you. That is a burden that is light! Pleasing Him is THE goal and THE reason to make resolutions. Have a Christ centered New Year!

My Top Christian Songs of 2010

#1 Our God - Chris Tomlin ; Awakening CD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlA5IDnpGhc

This is a choice that only the family cynic could object to. A worship classic for years to come.

 2. More Like Fallin' In Love - Jason Gray ; All the Lovely Losers CD
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKTW-srvr6E

  Serving Christ out of love not obligation. Hits the nail on the head like no song I've heard in a long time. How did I forget it my first time through?

3. Of Men and Angels - The Rocket Summer ; Of Men and Angels CD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_GmLkIu2ew

   "Here I am, dear Lord, tasting hints of fame
And I don’t want it anymore
If it’s not you that I gain
Wanna fall at your feet
Don’t wanna fall from your peace
I understand ..."

4. Something To Believe In - Parachute ; The Way It Was CD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hrpJZsJfPQ

You wake up every morning looking for your answer
You’re waiting for your sign
While Jeremiah’s on his way to tell the people
But you watch him pass you by

You walk the streets at night still looking for your reason
But you don’t want to try
You swear the world has got you backed into a corner
But no one holds your hand to walk into a fight

You swear the light is gonna find you
But it can’t find you if you’re waiting all the time

Not the most blatantly Christian words ever, but still not bad for a mainstream band of Christians, or so I am told. And the song is amazing! (and the theme for the Rose Bowl on ESPN)

5. Forever Reign - Hillsongs ; Beautiful Exchange CD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au3EGgISYMc

Another worship classic.

6. Burn Me Down - House of Heroes ; Suburba CD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9aOv5YMVPI

Christian rock opera? Great words. Song 2 and 4 have a common scripture passage. Guess what?

7. Surrender - Third Day ; Move CD
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlena_xOTBE

 Great words, great southern rock sound

8. Lift Up Your Face - Third Day ; Move CD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij71LWwPt-w

  Ditto

9. Start Somewhere - TobyMac ; Tonight CD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rT7Zci7LQQ

 So Toby, you fight with your wife too?

10. Lay Down - Jars of Clay ; Shelter CD

    John 15:13 put to music. Sorry, no link

11. Don't You Know You're Beautiful - Seabird ; Rocks Into Rivers
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsaMplgr3c4

     Struggle with self image? God thinks you're beautiful

12. Hey Devil - TobyMac ; Tonight CD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9tM4-8sOPM

    Love it. Fun song and it rocks.

13. Here Goes - Bebo Norman ; Ocean CD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S97O9395rgc

  Song about stepping out in faith, not being held back by fear. Good stuff

14. Moving Backwards - Ben Rector ; Into the Morning CD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAEBaBRk9oU

   If you tread water in the river of life you will be pulled backwards; heavy stuff

15. Love Invades - Robbie Seay Band ; Miracle CD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAJOlH8bUK4

 Love the early70's rock sound!

16. Hey - Rocket Summer ; Of Men and Angels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39zxvxSYwIQ

  The wrestle with the flesh.

17. Boasting - LeCrae ; Rehab
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np1-mO0Lvrk

  " Tomorrow's never promised, but it is we swear
Think we holding our own, just a fist full of air
God has never been obligated to give us life
If we fought for our rights, we be in hell tonight
Mere sinners own nothing but a fierce hand
We never loved him we pushed away his pierced hands
I rejected his love, grace, kindness, and mercy
Dying of thirst, yet, willing to die thirsty
Eternally worthy, how could I live for less?"

18. There is A Way - Neworldson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17eWXuUTq5s

Where did this song come from? The rest of the album is totally uncool!

There were alot of other good songs by Christian artists but I chose these because of the music and the message. Let me know which were your faves.

My Top Albums of 2010

#7  Jaymes Reunion

 The strength of this album is the melodies. They are catchy, easy to sing along to, and just well done. I wish it would be stronger lyrically and more "Christian". You won't be blessed listening to this album but you will enjoy a number of the songs. Even though it isn't overtly "Christian" it is "safe for the whole family". Good introductory album; hope they can build on it.

6. Ben Rector

 Easy listening introductory album with insightful lyrics and catchy tunes. Once again not overtly "Christian" but songs like "Moving Backwards" give great insight into the Christian life without alienating non-christian listeners. If you like Bebo Norman, Warren Barfield, Sean McDonough, etc. you will really like this album.

5. Third Day

 Not their best but when they are good, they are REALLY good. I thought about not including this in my top 7 but I know I will be listening to this one, or some of its songs, long after I am tired of Jaymes Reunion  and Ben Rector. Third Day is unique as are the rest of these top 5. If you hear them on the radio you say "thats Third Day." If someone asks you who they sound like you say "um, Third Day?" We need more Christian bands like that!

#4. LeCrae

 Christian rap that even a 55 year old white guy can love. Great words, overtly "Christian", 17 songs (I think) so if you don't like one go to the next and you will probably like it. And I think for Christian rap it is totes "legit". (Kids, did I use those words correctly?)

#3. TobyMac

 OK, say what you will about TobyMac, the driving force of DCTalk, and his ?4th album. Yes he is probably getting too old to act this young, yes he has settled into a comfortable formula,yes quit promoting your kid as your successor, yes his concerts look eerily similar - I don't care. There is noone like him anywhere, he doesn't compromise on his faith, he hasn't sold out, and he just writes good music. His albums are a treat, well worth listening to over and over (with the volume up), invigorating, great for getting psyched up to, and becoming more and more radio friendly. Whats not to like? I'd name a kid after him.

#2 House of Heroes

 A peculiar pick for this high, I will admit, but these guys are unique and amazingly talented. Vocals, harmony, song writing like nothing else out there. Non-formulaic (3 verses a chorus and a bridge - ha) these often break into rock operas. There are Christian themes throughout but not enough to alienate an unbeliever (Is that good or bad?). Still, such a treat for the ears and such a work of art it has to be way up there.

#1 The Rocket Summer

 I've been waiting for him to make this album. Boldly Christian, well accepted by secular audiences, a prodigy that plays all the instruments on the album along with vocals, this album is clearly my #1. Yes it has a few throw away songs, but what I really like about Rocket Summer is the passion behind his music. I feel it when he sings, he moves me. It's not like he is just adding vocal tracks like so many artists. In a sub-par year for music, this album stands out. You will like it because it sounds like ... um....um...um    
   

Monopoly Game - The American Dream

¹⁵ Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
 ¹⁶ And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. ¹⁷ He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
   ¹⁸ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. ¹⁹ And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
   ²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
   ²¹ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:15-21

I had never noticed this before this year,but the number of Monopoly games out there are staggering.  There are G.I.Joe, Charlie Brown, Harry Potter, etc.;you have an interest in something, I bet you can find it in a Monopoly game.
    I don't have anything against the game other than I hate playing it; it takes too long and it is pure luck. Yes, you heard me, pure luck. If you land on the right properties and get monopolies and don't land on the bad ones (all determined by dice roll) you win. But that has nothing to do with my blog.
     How many of us are playing Monopoly with our lives? The rich man in the above passage was. He got more "money" so he bought more "property" on which he built more "hotels" and then he kicked back and said "I won." This is how I have been "taught" my whole life. I'm not sure where I learned it but it certainly has been ingrained - get a good job, become self-sufficient, make lots of money, invest it wisely, increase your net worth, then retire, relax, and enjoy. Isn't this the American Dream? Or if we are talking Monopoly - get lots of money, buy properties, buy more properties, take money from other people, build, invest, take more money from people, reach the top and then you enjoy and gloat while everyone else moans and hates you.(Back when we were dating, Karen threw the gameboard at me and cussed me. True story) Jesus would say, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
         What does it mean to be "rich to God"? Let me illustrate it this way; let's say you are in the army and deployed to Afghanistan for 2 years. Do you use your paycheck to buy land there? Do you invest in a car. Do you buy the latest in Afghani wardrobe? Do you buy a house? No! You are sending all your money back to the states because you are headed back there in ... (you are probably counting the hours). That is the mindset behind being "rich toward God"; realizing you are an alien here, a short-timer and handling "your" money in a way that makes sense with that in mind. How do we "send money home"? How do we invest in things that are off the Monopoly board? Paul puts it this way in 1Timothy 6:18

                Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹ In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age...

Jesus puts it this way in Luke 12:33:

                 "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail."

If I could summarize the "just" of what they are saying it would be - money should be seen not as something to be accumulated on Earth but rather as something to spread around to help those who don't have any. In that way, those who are proper managers, or stewards, of the money will be given more to disperse and will be sending treasures for themselves up to their permanent homes. It is sort of like my drug sample closet at work;

       The drug-rep (God) comes and gives me samples (money). Now I can choose to hoard them and say, "Wow, look at how full my closet is. I must have $50,000 worth of drugs in here.(earth)" When the rep comes back what will he say? "I guess he doesn't need anymore since he hasn't used what I gave him." He will go away unhappy and come less and less.Plus the medicines soon go out of date and become worthless. But if I give "my" samples away, patients (those in need) are happy and are praising God and me. The drug rep comes and refills my closet and gives me extra because he sees how fast it is going out and I become his favorite doctor. This is how we are to treat earthly possessions.     
        So don't get caught in the "mousetrap" of  playing "Monopoly" in your "game of life". It really is a stupid game.

Rethinking Prayer

       Prayer is not a magical formula to get what you want from God. When I moved to Tennessee i was told by some well meaning Christians that as a doctor all I had to do to stop hemmorhage (uncontrollable bleeding) was pray Ezek. 16:6 (in KJV of course) http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezek%2016:6&version=KJV. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a secret formula to move the all-mighty God of the universe to be obligated to do our bidding? If there was these might be the keys:
1. confess sins - Ps.66:18
      If I had cherished sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened
2. follow Biblical patterns such as the Prayer of Jabez who got what he asked for
3. Have confidence- James 1:6-8
 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
4. Have faith - James 5:15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well
                        Matt. 21:22  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
5. Abide in Christ - John 15:7
               If you abide in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
6. Pray passionately - Hebrews 5:7
            During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard ...
 7. Be persistent - Luke 18:1-8  Parable of the persistent widow
8. Don't ask selfishly - James 4:2,3
            You do not have because you do not ask God. ³ When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures
 9. Pray with someone - James 5:14-16
               ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. ^{... 16} Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed
10. Deal with relational friction -  1 Pet. 3:7
              Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
11. Get in a fellowship - Eph. 6:18
              And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

 Now I still believe this to be true in that when there is no sin blocking our communication, we pray according to Biblical guidlines passionately in faith, and abide in the vine - we will be so in tune with God that our prayers will become His prayers. In other words we will be asking for what He wants rather than what we want and thus we will always get what "we" want. But in the rest of this blog bear with me as I try to give a different slant on prayer.
        This is the traditional approach to prayer; we have problems which drive us to prayer to get results or answers.

                  Problems  ------> Prayer -------> Answers

So according to the above 11 points we are focusing on the 2nd arrow because answers are the bottom line as seen below;


                                               confidence, obedience, abiding, passion,biblical examples, faith, etc.
              Problems -------> Prayer ----------------------------------------------> Answers

Let me take you back to Hebrews 5:7 " During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission." Do you see that! Jesus our greatest example in Gethsemene prayed with sweat drops of blood that if there were any other way other than the cross let it be done. Now do you think Jesus followed the 11 conditions for getting prayers answered that I listed above? Of course! Did he get the answer He wanted? No, but He got something better; He was heard. Have you ever wrapped your mind around the fact that when you pray the God of Isaiah 6, Daniel 7, Ezekiel 1, Exodus 19,33, and Revelation 4 actually hears you just like when you are in a conversation with an earthly friend, spouse, etc. I think our prayer diagram should look more like the below diagram with prayer being the bottom line. Prayer should be the culmination not answers.


Problems ----------> Prayer-----------> Answers

See that - prayer redefined. God gives/allows problems in our lives to drive us to our knees so we can experience that relationship with him that we were created for, to experience that oneness with him that Jesus prayed for (John 17:23), and possibly more important than that, acknowledging our utter dependence, allegiance, and submission to Him which gives Him the glory He deserves. That is truly why we exist - for the praise of His glory - and prayer makes that happen. This is not just some random thought but is seen all through scripture. Therefore this is what finally happens to our diagram:

                                                   obedience, passion, biblical examples, faith, confidence, abiding, etc.
Problems ----------> Prayer <--------------------------------------------------- Answers

See the difference? The answers are what strengthens our relationship with God and the magnification of His glory.(The < is pointing the other direction) The confession of sin/obedience that used to be on our checklist of things to do in order to get  what we want now is done to give us a more intimate relationship with God. The passionate prayers deepen our emotional connection with our heavenly Father rather than part of a formula to get answers. The confidence in getting answers now becomes a confidence in The Faithful and True One.And so on,you get the point - I hope.
              I encourage you to rethink prayer. Prayer is the bottom line.

Kids Devotion - Anxiety, worry, fear

1. Watch the video.
2. Why was Doug worried? Were his fears justified? How did Doug react to his fears?
3. Websters defines anxiety as ; an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it. Put that in your own words.
    What are you afraid of? Have you ever been afraid of a situation and then when it was over you realized there was nothing really to be afraid of? Discuss it.
4. Read 1Kings 19. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Kings%2019&version=NIV Elijah had just won a great victory on Mt. Carmel and the people rallied around God and killed all the prophets of Baal. Immediately after that Elijah became scared to death of what? Was his fear justified? Why or why not?
What 2 things helped Elijah thru his anxiety?
5. Tell your parents about something you are worried about and turn it over to God. Watch and see how God takes care of it.