God is the Commander and Chief

Every once in a while, a song will hit me just between the eyes. The other day I was listening to to a song that I had recently purchased on iTunes, and, while I had listened to the song before, as I stopped to reflect on the words, I actually heard what this song was trying to say. The song is called “king of the world” my Natalie Grant. Please read the words:

"King Of The World"

I tried to fit you in the walls inside my mind

I try to keep you safely in between the lines

I try to put you in the box that I've designed

I try to pull you down so we are eye to eye

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?

I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world

How could I make you so small

When you're the one who holds it all

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world

Just a whisper of your voice can tame the seas

So who am I to try to take the lead

Still I run ahead and think I'm strong enough

When you're the one who made me from the dust

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?

I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world

How could I make you so small

When you're the one who holds it all

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world

Ohhhh, you set it all in motion

Every single moment

You brought it all to be

And you're holding on to me

When did I forget that you've always been the king of the world?

I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world

How could I make you so small

When you're the one who holds it all

When did I forget you've always been the king of the world

You will always be the king of the world.

Such a powerful song. 

I admit, most of the time I forget that God is in control of everything. Read these words from Paul:

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.

    He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,

16  for through him God created everything

    in the heavenly realms and on earth.

He made the things we can see

    and the things we can’t see—

such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.

    Everything was created through him and for him.

17  He existed before anything else,

    and he holds all creation together.

18 Christ is also the head of the church,

    which is his body.

He is the beginning,

    supreme over all who rise from the dead.

    So he is first in everything.

19 For God in all his fullness

    was pleased to live in Christ,

20 and through him God reconciled

    everything to himself.

He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth

    by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.” (Col. 1:15-20)

What I need to remember is that Jesus is running the Show. He controls all things.. all things hold together because of Jesus. 

yes, the world is in shambles right now, but it would be more so if Jesus would withdraw His hand from the world. 

So, today, when you feel like you are in over your head— which for me is most of the time, TBH, let’s remember that God is in control; God is the King of the world, and God has not left or abandoned us!

Hi, My name is Pastor Nick and I am a scrooge.

So, I have a bit of a confession to make. I am some what of a scrooge. I don’t like the Christmas Season. I should rephrase that, but I’m not going to. I don’t want to lie. I don’t like the Christmas movies that my kids have been watching since November 1st, I don’t like the Christmas songs that have been playing on the radio since November 11th, I don’t even like the Christmas commercials on CTV; the ones where companies wish their customers a merry holiday and a happy and prosperous new year. 

I do, however like all the Christmas lights and getting— and giving gifts— that part is ok— but the rest I could do without. 

I recognized that this could be a problem, so at the start of December, I asked the Lord to prepare my heart to experience Christmas in a new way. I asked the Lord for me to see Him more closely. I chose an Advent bible devotional plan on www.youversion.com, I found a Christmas themed book by one of my favourite authors, and I even allowed myself to watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. (Ok, that’s not religious one bit….)

I guess where I am going with this is that Christmas isn’t about the Hallmark movies. Christmas isn’t about the malls being so full of everyone tying to find that last minute gift for that person who really doesn’t need anything. Christmas is, all about Jesus. Always has always will be. 

There are a few verses in Matthew chapter 1 that i have been thinking about over and over these past few days… 

“ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (NLT)

A few quick comments on this verse

1. The reason we celebrate Christmas is because God is with us. He is our Immanuel— no longer do we have to dance around, make sacrifices or even wonder where God is. He is with us.
2. He has been given to us to forgive us our sins. Joseph and Mary were to name their son Jesus— which means the Lord Saves… He has come to save us from sin and shame and regret and destructive lifestyle choices. He has come to save us from us. 

This is what Christmas is all about, and because this is true, I have been asking for this God who is with us to open up my heart and do a new work in me. Something He promises to do. Something He will do in your life too if you would only ask. Read Isaiah 55:6-7. 

Sure  I will still gripe about the Christmas movies on TV or the Christmas songs on the radio; (even though they mostly proclaim the birth of Jesus) But I would like to be filled wth the Gift of God with us today, tomorrow and every day in 2018. 

Who knows, this might make me a little less scrooge-ie next year. But maybe not.

God is Faithful.

I’ve been thinking of the verse found in 1 Corinthians 13 the last few days. specifically 4 words contained in this verse. Let’s read the verse and then I’ll let you know what ones I’m thinking about “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (NLT2)

While there are so many truths in this verse, the words that I have been thinking about are the words: “ And God is faithful.” God is faithful. 

Even as I think back over the last few years of my life, of being in the hospital, over needing money for life, over needing a house to stay in- due to me resignation, I had to vacate the church owned house— God has been faithful. right down the minute. Not even did I have to think Did God do that? I knew/Know God did that. He showed up in our lives more than ever before, and He is faithful. 

as we head in to unknown days, He will continue be faithful. It is a part of Who God is. Faithful. Just like He is love, God is faithful. So, I thank Him for “pulling the strings” in my life, in the life of my family, for taking good care of us to see that we are looked after. God is faithful. Always has been, always will be.

The Lost has been found!!!

Have you ever lost something? Being who I am, I have lost things quite a bit. Because I am married, when I lose something, I just have to say a few words: Beth: do you know where this thing that I lost went..” and normally she is able to find what has been lost. 

however, there was a time before I was married, that I had lost something I deemed very important. It was given to me at a Pastor’s function, actually my first pastors function, and I held on to this for quite some time.. until I lost it. When I lost it, I was devastated. I looked everywhere for this lost item, I looked high and I looked low. I looked for the item in the hands of other people I knew. I had come to the point where I would ever see this item again. It was lost. 

Then, all of a sudden, one day, I noticed that one of my friends had found my lost item. not only had he found it, He was actually using it! I immediately told him, HEY: THAT’S MINE! He told me to hang on and he would give it to me when he was done. 

Losing something is not very fun, or nice. When people go missing for long periods of time, we send out a search party and scour the woods and try to find them. 

The problem is we are all lost. We are lost in sin, and shame and regret and failure. Thankfully, God knows this, and He sent out a search party out to look for is a long time ago. 

Jesus Himself said: “For the Son of Man came see and to save the lost.”(Luke 18)

You could almost describe this as His mission statement. This is the sole reason He came to this earth. to find what was lost. Rather, find WHO was lost. You and me. This is great news; the lost has been found and we can be with Him.

for the record, I still have that lost item. (it doesn't work anymore, but I still have it!) (Posted December 15/2017)

Update

So, hey. I've been slacking in the blog updates. Sorry. Life has been.... well interesting.

I dont want to bore you to death with details, but I have most recently been in hospital with an infection that required two weeks of IV antibiotics, and then I came home and came up with an idea that I would like to have a study downstairs, so I did what any normal husband would do: I asked Beth and she graciously moved a ton of stuff around in her office and presto: I have a space where I can do some studying and reading.. but more importantly I have a space where I can pray.... Oh I've prayed before in my chair, but something about having a room where I can close the door and pray to my Father in heaven... Seems to me that I read that somewhere... anyway, the point of this post is if you have something you'd like me to pray for/about, let me know and I will add you to the list. Doesn't much matter what it is, I just want to pray for you. you can also reach me by email. or twitter. or snail mail.
if you need any of my contact information, please reply to this post and I'll get back to you.

Remember: Jesus said When you pray, not IF you pray.... It never crossed Jesus' mind that His followers would not pray, so let me know how I can pray for you.

Final words.

I’ve been doing a little thinking today about Epitaphs. Or tombstone sayings. Here are a few that I found online that cracked me up:

On the grave of Ezekial Aikle in East Dalhousie Cemetery, 

Nova Scotia:

         Here lies

         Ezekial Aikle

         Age 102

         The Good

         Die Young.

Memory of an accident in a Uniontown, Pennsylvania cemetery:

         Here lies the body

         of Jonathan Blake

         Stepped on the gas

         Instead of the brake.

A lawyer's epitaph in England:

         Sir John Strange

         Here lies an honest lawyer,

         And that is Strange.

Lester Moore was a Wells, Fargo Co. station agent for Naco, 

Arizona in the

cowboy days of the 1880's.  He's buried in the Boot Hill 

Cemetery in

Tombstone,

Arizona:

         Here lies Lester Moore

         Four slugs from a .44

         No Les No Moore.

In a Georgia cemetery:

         "I told you I was sick!"

John Penny's epitaph in the Wimborne, England, cemetery:

         Reader if cash thou art

         In want of any

         Dig 4 feet deep

         And thou wilt find a Penny.

On Margaret Daniels grave at Hollywood Cemetery Richmond, 

Virginia:

         She always said her feet were killing her

         but nobody believed her.

thanks to my friend Google search  for helping me out on this one. 

I have given a lot of thought to death over the last few years. with all of my medical history, I’d be crazy not too… I don’t think about this all of the time, just the times that I end up in ICU and Hospital and…. well I digress. 

I’ve never given much thought to what I would like my tombstone to say, until today. Then I read Acts 11:24.

“Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord.”

Thats it. Thats what I want on my tombstone. Or said at my funeral. Or both. What could sum up a life better than that? 

I may not have much say on what goes on my stone— who knows, my wife may not want a tombstone, she may opt for a cup from David’s Tea… either way, I would like this verse to be spoken about me; so I am, starting right now, praying this small verse. 

I want to be a good man. Full of the Holy Spirit. Strong in the faith. and see many people come to the Lord. 

Let it be so, Lord. 

Don't go out in the next Nor'easter

I read an interesting passage this morning. As I may have mentioned a few times ago, I am working my way through the New Testament book of Acts. I am really taking my time, tying to understand what is going on in this book. I am almost at the end of the book, where Paul finally gets to Rome to please His case before Caesar. But Paul actually has to get to Rome, and he does so via ship…. no planes at this time in history. Canada Post maybe, becasue it took FOREVER for him to arrive, but I digress. 

anyway, the passage that jumped out to me was Acts 27. I’ve included the immediate context, where Paul is out at sea and they are in the middle of a “NorEaster”:

13 When a light wind began blowing from the south, the sailors thought they could make it. So they pulled up anchor and sailed close to the shore of Crete. 14 But the weather changed abruptly, and a wind of typhoon strength (called a “northeaster”) burst across the island and blew us out to sea. 15 The sailors couldn’t turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it run before the gale.

16 We sailed along the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, where with great difficulty we hoisted aboard the lifeboat being towed behind us. 17 Then the sailors bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it. They were afraid of being driven across to the sandbars of Syrtis off the African coast, so they lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship and were driven before the wind.

18 The next day, as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. 19 The following day they even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard. 20 The terrible storm raged for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars, until at last all hope was gone.

21 No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, “Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Crete. You would have avoided all this damage and loss. 22 But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. 23 For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, 24 and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said. 26 But we will be shipwrecked on an island.” (NLT2)

There is some interesting news, now isn’t it. These sailors had thought they would be safe to travel, so they loaded up and instead of having a save sail, they sailed right into the heart of a storm, where they were blown and tossed and ended up upchucking things— and probably the contents of their stomachs as well—.

what I really jumped out to me was the words that Paul spoke, particularly in verse 25: I know God, but we’re going to be shipwrecked. (the PN version)

Paul was telling the people that although their ship would be destroyed, none of them would die. God would grant each one of them safety, but yet they would still end up in hitting an island somewhere, losing their ship. 

sounds like great fun, doesn’t it? “I believe God… But we will be shipwrecked on an island.” (NLT2)

Sometimes that’s how our life will go. We believe in God, but we still hit a wall. When we believe in God we can often times blow right through a wall. When we believe in God and we can still end up in a hospital. We can believe in God and some bad stuff can happen to us. 

We can believe in God and good stuff happens to us as well, but we often overlook those things and focus only on the bad stuff… I’m not saying this is right or wrong, I’m just telling how it is. 

So, if you are feeling a little bit like Paul’s travelling companions were— feeling like you’re about to be shipwrecked— Hang-on. 

Hang on to God. He has not forgotten you. He has not abandoned ship; He is with you each step of the way. 

My Dishwasher.

The other day I was unloading my dishwasher and got to thinking to myself, “you know, this dishwasher has only one job to do. Wash dishes.” 

(If you think it’s strange that I talk to myself… well, its not. Sometimes its the only intelligent conversation I have all day! But I digress…)

My dishwasher has only one purpose, as I said, and that is to wash my dishes. It is not supposed to bake me a cake; nor is my dishwasher supposed to vacuum out my car.  Its sole purpose is to wash dishes. 

this got me thinking.. obviously, or you wouldn’t be reading this post…. but it got me thinking about our job as Christ followers… what is our job exactly?

Well, let me give you a few Scriptures and see if you can pick up what I’m trying to lay down….

first of all Ephesians 5:1-2: “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (NLT2, emphasis added)

How about this one, from Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome: 

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (NLT2, emphasis added)

One more: “But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” ( 1 John 2:5-6, NLT2. Emphasis added)

The main theme from each of these verses is the same: Those who claim to follow Jesus, should act/think/be like Jesus. Not your favourite actor, not your favourite political party. Jesus. 

How often we get this wrong. At least I do. I think that I was made for something else; made to do something else… but I need to remember that just as my dishwasher was made with one purpose in mind: to wash dishes, I was created anew in Christ Jesus to represent Jesus to a world that desperately needs to know Jesus. 

My sole purpose on this earth is to Know Christ and to Make Him known. 

Sure, it’s ok for me to love my family and get a spare part or three along the way, but the reason I am here is to know Jesus Christ and to show/share Jesus Christ with the folks in my world.

I don’t want to sound like a downer here.. but I’m just afraid we miss the mark so often. We think we have to have an opinion on everything; when in reality we are here to learn from and follow Jesus, to listen to and for His voice— (read John 10) to Love God and Love people. 

So where am I going with this? 

I’m not sure really… other than to serve as a simply friendly little reminder that it’s our job to serve Jesus. To Listen to Jesus. To represent Jesus. 

Now, I understand, probably better than anyone that we miss the mark more than we hit the target. And that’s where— thankfully God’s grace kicks in… so today, say a little prayer and ask God to help you serve and represent him.. you never know who might be watching.

You are the only Bible some people will ever read...

I have been working my way trough Steven Furtick’s book (Un)qualified. It’s a very good book. The theme that runs through the book is “the third word.” Basically, when Moses came to God and wanted to know God’s name God told Him I AM. 

Moses was looking for something more, like we would when we ask someone their name.. I am Nick, or I am Beth… but not so with God. His Name is I AM. 

So Steven picks up this theme and runs with it in his book…. how we must allow God to determine our third word, like forgiven, or loved, or precious, or saved. Not broken, or abused, or adulterer. We need to let God give us the third word….

as I am reading this book, the author touched on one of the 10 commandments and it reminded me of a story that I read along time ago by another one of my favourite authors, Max Lucado. 

The particular verse in question is Exodus 20:7: “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.” (NLT2)

Many of us who have grown up in the church have been told that this verse means that we are not to use the Lord’s Name in vain. We are not to cuss. We are not to say Lord Almighty. 

But, both authors— Steven and Max— agree that this verse means more than not just taking the Lord’s Name in vain. It also is talking about a lifestyle. 

(Max Lucado was in an airplane having a conversation with a Jewish Rabbi.) He goes on writing:

My puzzled expression was enough to request an explanation. "Don't think language; think lifestyle," he instructed. "The command calls us to elevate the name or reputation of God to the highest place. We exist to give honor to His name. May I illustrate?" ... I took notes. He proceeded to create a story involving a Manhattan skyscraper. Everyone in the building works for the CEO, whose office is on the top floor. Most  have not seen him, but they have seen his daughter. She works in the building for her father. She exploits her family position to her benefit.

One morning she approaches Bert, the guard. "I'm hungry, Bert. Go down the street and buy me a danish." The demand placed Bert in a quandary. He's on duty. Leaving his post puts the building at risk. But his boss's daughter insists, "Come on; hurry up." What option does he have? As he leaves, he says nothing but thinks something like "If the daughter is so bossy, what does that say about her father?" She's only getting started. Munching on her muffin, she bumps into a paper-laden secretary.

"Where are you going with all those papers?"

"To have them bound for an afternoon meeting."

"Forget the meeting. Come to my office and vacuum the carpet."

"But I as told..."

"And I am telling you something else."

The woman has no choice. After all, this is the boss's daughter speaking, which causes the secretary to question the wisdom of the boss.

And on the daughter goes. Making demands. Calling shots. Interrupting schedules. Never invoking the name of her dad. Never leveraging her comments with, "My dad said..."

No need to.

Isn't she the boss's child? Doesn't the child speak for the father? And so Bert abandons his post. An assistant fails to finish a task. and more than on employee questions the wisdom of the man upstairs. Does he really know what he is doing? They wonder.

... The girl dishonored the name of her father, not with vulgar language, but with insensitive living.... But what if the daughter acted differently? Rather than demand a muffin from Bert, she brings a muffin to Bert. "I thought of you this morning," she explains. "You arrive so early. Do you have time to eat?" And she hands him the gift.

En rout to the elevator she bumps into a woman with an armful of documents. "My, I'm sorry. Can I help?" the daughter offers. The assistant smiles, and the two carry the stacks down the hallway.

And so the daughter engages the people. She asks about their families. Offers to bring them coffee. New workers are welcomed, and hard workers are applauded. She, through kindness and concern, raises the happiness level of the entire company.

She does so not even mentioning her father's name. Never does she declare, "My father says..." There is no need to. Is she not his child? Does she not speak on his behalf? Reflect his heart? When she speaks, they assume she speaks for him. And because they think highly of her, they think highly of her father.

They've not seem him. They've not met him. But they know his child, so they know his heart.

... Paul wrote: "We are ambassadors for Christ as though God were making an appeal through us..." 2 Corinthians 5:20.

The ambassador has a singular aim - to represent the King. He promotes the king's agenda, protects the kings reputation, and presents the king's will. The ambassador elevates the name of the king.

I pray that we do the same. May God rescue us from self-centered thinking. May we have no higher goal than to see someone think more highly of our Father, our king.

"You know how the story ends? the rabbi asked..."No, I don't. How?"

"The daughter takes the elevator to the top floor to see her father. When she arrives, he is waiting in the doorway. He's aware of her good works and has seen her kind acts. People think more highly of him because of her. And he knows it. As she approaches, he greets her with six words." The rabbi paused and smiled ... "What are they? " I urged, never expecting to hear an orthodox Jew quote Jesus. "Well done, good and faithful servant."

May all of us reflect the Father's heart until we hear the same. (found this illustration here)

Really, what more could I add? 

We are representatives of Jesus Christ. Do people see Him, when they look at us? I pray the answer is yes!