The Eclipse of Faith

Put yourself in Eliab’s shoes. “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of this stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). The oldest of Jesse’s sons, Eliab was the most likely candidate to be anointed the new king. His future was bright. Great days were ahead. Then he was rejected as king. His day turned to night. His hopes were dashed upon the rocks. His dream died an excruciating death. His clear future became muddy. His faith was eclipsed as David, the least likely candidate, was anointed king right in front of him (1 Sam. 16:13).

Eliab’s rejection to be king was not a rejection of Eliab. It was simply that God had a different path for Eliab. But Eliab made a huge mistake. He allowed his faith to become eclipsed by this disappointment. He allowed anger, bitterness, envy and jealously to enter his life because he was passed over (1 Sam. 17:28).

Don’t allow your faith to be eclipsed by shattered dreams and loss. Abide in Christ and let His Word abide in you and your life will bear fruit for His glory (John 15:7-8). Affirm your love and trust in God when things don’t turn out the way you thought. Guard against anger and bitterness when you are “passed over.”

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Is Your ‘Comfort Zone’ A Good Thing?

Our fallen nature is drawn to what we typically refer to as “our comfort zone.” We tend to gravitate toward what is familiar even when it is not good for us. We see this in Exodus 16:1-3 when the people bemoaned that they should have remained in Egypt because, at least, there was food. It became a comfort zone to them even though it was bad for them.

Then, Deuteronomy 31:1-8 describes Moses encouraging the people just before entering into the Promised Land. The wilderness became their comfort zone simply because it was familiar. Any change can bring about fear and anxiety. Yet we must move forward in what the Lord has in store for us. The Lord is not stagnate and He does not want His people to become paralyzed in the familiar. Embrace change as it is orchestrated by God. Do not be enslaved to your comfort zone.

Ask the Lord to help you know your comfort zone and to help you move forward as He leads. Confess your comfort zone as a lack of trust in God. Pray for strength and courage to live for God. Remember what King David said, “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.” Psalm 52:8-9

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Heaven is for Real, Really?

I have a lot I could say about this book, but I will try to boil it down to the basics. The first half of the book describes Colton’s illness. It really draws one into the story of these hurting parents. I could not help but remember when our youngest son was in the children’s hospital in Charlotte a few years ago.

The second half of the book deals with the interesting comments Colton made while engaged in everyday conversations with his parents. Colton was three years old when all this happened and his account slowly drips out over the next several years. There was not one big “heaven dump,” it was more of a slow leak.

Colton’s account was interesting. He said he saw Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. He saw family members in heaven as well as his mom and dad in the hospital while Colton was in surgery. The claims did not seem wildly unscriptural compared to other near death books I have read.

The whole question for me is the issue of authority. Did Colton really see and experience heaven? Maybe, maybe not. We will never know for sure. The experience cannot be authenticated. We must remember that this book is not authoritative. The only authority from God for life and the afterlife is the Word of God. Extra-biblical accounts should be kept in their proper place.

Given the rise of near death experiences (NDE) perhaps the evangelical community should gather together in one city (I volunteer Charlotte) to come up with some sort of biblical standard by which we can measure the validity of NDEs. We could call it the “Charlotte Statement on Near Death Experiences.” Maybe this could attach some guidelines to establish some measure of authority regarding such accounts. (Somehow I don’t’ think such a group will assemble.)

The big question to answer is how does this, or any other NDE, compare to visions of heaven in Scripture? If such a counsel could redirect our focus back to the Bible and away from subjective experiences it would be well worth it.

Do I believe heaven is for real? Absolutely! But Scripture is the only authoritative source from God to settle the issue not a near death experience.

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A Few Winter Activities

Logan Luke and I went hiking at the Greenway in Fort Mill. I don’t know how far we walked but it took us a little over 3 hours.

 

 

 

We were invited to a friend’s birthday party at the Carolina Panther’s Stadium (Bank of America Stadium). That was a cool birthday.

 

 

 

Lindsay ready to hit somebody!

 

 

 

 

The view from one of the luxury boxes. We also saw the visitors locker room, the press room and such.

The Most Important Pursuit

What we pursue in life tells a great deal about our priorities. Ask yourself this question, “What is worth getting up earlier in the morning?” Denying ourselves some enjoyment or pleasure for the purpose of attaining a higher degree of devotion to a more important discipline reveals what is really important to us. Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).

What have you laid aside for Christ? How have you denied yourself something for the greater pursuit of following Jesus Christ? Be sure your “spiritual reputation” not give an inflated impression to others as to your walk with Christ. There is little value in merely desiring to be like Christ in word only. Rather the most valuable task is to reorient our life to the pursuit of the life of Christ in devotion and mission.

Ask the Lord to reveal your top life pursuit. Thank the Lord for the grace to glorify Him with your life. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:25-26, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

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Bringing Up Girls

I just finished Bring Up Girls by James Dobson. He does a great job of pointing out the differences between boys and girls (as if we needed reminding). The book is very practical in how it steers moms and dads to relate to their daughters.

I often times hear people say, “Todays kids and youth have a much tougher time than we did growing up.” So true. This book is great for bringing up some of the issues that today’s girls face that were foreign to us growing up.

It is interesting to read this book right after I finished Gospel Powered  Parenting by William P. Farley. Farley focuses on the gospel shaping our parenting while Dobson focuses on fleshing out the practical steps and pitfalls of parenting. Farley brings us the larger point – the gospel. Dobson provides a good supplement.

If you read this book, I can just about guarantee you will learn things you did not know about your daughter and what she faces as she grows into a young woman.

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At The Speed of Anger

James instructs the church on one of the most formidable foes to biblical love; anger. James 1:19-20 teaches us, “…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.”

The enemy’s strategy regarding his tool of anger is to have it rush upon us. The destructive power of anger is in its quickness. Therefore, the best way to disarm anger is to do nothing at first. Only a fool gives full vent to his anger. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly” (Pr. 14:29).

Do not act or speak first but listen first. Wait for the rush of adrenaline to fade and then respond in a peaceful and Christ-like manner. This will produce righteousness instead of regrets.

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