Hurting people and Christmas

Christmas time is a joy-filled time when we can all get together and enjoy the company of people and food. It is also a time where we can reflect on the year and on the things that we enjoy. It's also a time of hurt for some. December has always been bitter sweet for me, since moving to the west coast.

There have been many deaths around this time of the year. This week I experienced this again. In a weird progression a dear friend of our had a death in her life that made our hearts break for her loss. Yesterday one of my housekeepers came in and told us she has to go to Mexico as her father died yesterday. Elena, my head housekeeper, and I laid hands on and prayed for her. She then cried and let Elena hold and comfort her. Then last night we received the news that a beloved volunteer and friend of our at work passed away. Kym gave her all to the Lord. She had her own mail box in with the pastors, our only volunteer that had one.

Father, as we are hurting today we thank you for everything that you do. For all that you have given. For all that you are. We are so grateful that Kym is with you today. Tell her that she is loved and missed. Thank you again. Let us grow closer with these things. AMEN.

BK

Selfishly Impure...

Scripture:

Hebrews 12, 13; Jude

Observation:

Conviction

Application:

As much as I would love to be truly transparent about this reading I am afraid I can't. What I can say is that I need to be transparent with God about these areas that I deal with. Pride, selfishness and purity.

I am prideful. I have thoughts, as I am sure that you do too, that make me want to hide from myself. My head is so full of prideful thoughts sometimes that I want to scream. I consistently have to ask myself if I am doing it for me or for God... I think this is partly to do with the fact that I do not handle words of affirmation well. I don't like the "Your doing a great job." or "You are totally awesome we picked the right person" or "You are a great drummer". I don't feel right when people say these things that I don't really know why.

I am Selfish. I have this desire to make me #1... ALL THE TIME. I don't express it verbally, but it's in my actions. Maybe I need to make sure I take that weekly Sabbath that I so desperately need... Then again is "Me Time" biblical? I know God time is and time for others... but is "Me Time" biblical? Sounds like more selfishness... Ugh... "Nothing's fine, I'm torn" (SixPence, none the richer)

I am not pure. Need I say more? My thoughts, my actions, my mouth... Marriage doesn't heal the past. Marriage doesn't get rid of the things that you thought it would. No second thoughts about it... Just need the accountability I once had...

Prayer:

Father, where do I begin?

This Devotion gave me a headache... Some of you know what that means...

Putting emotions under the bus

Why is it so hard when you are in the heat of things to think clearly? You say things that other's that are involved either love because they totally agree with you about something or they totally hate you for it...

I can tell when I have grown... Bit by bit i handle situations differently than the previous one. In the end, it is all a learning curve... I wishi it was easier... But is't not.

Destroy thy flesh!

Scripture:

Job 19:25

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth...

Observation:

Jesus is alive and well and is coming back.

Application:

There is an old song called My Redeemer Lives. If you have been raised in the church you know it. If you haven't been raised in the church, but have attended a funeral you have probably heard it. It's one of those songs that I have sang over and over again and it has never really phased me. On my way to work this morning I was driving in silence when this song randomly popped into my head. I started to sing it and actually got those "Jesus Chills" that I get whenever I feel the presence of God. Part of the song goes;

Though my flesh it be destroyed
Yet with my eyes I will see God

For I know that my redeemer lives
And I will stand with Him on that day

This last week was a really stressful and fast week, up to today. Last night I was able to have dinner with a friend and really talk about things in life and get to know each other on a level that we have not known yet. It was a fruitful meal and the time spent was well worth it. It seemed to bring a relief to all of the things this last week brought and kind of start fresh for today.

In that, I believe God put this song on my heart to let me know that, through everything that goes on and the fact that my flesh, the world and every material thing that I have will ultimately do me no good in the end, I WILL SEE GOD. Through the hardships that I sail and all of the things that the enemy throws my way to trip me up, I will stand with God on that day when I see Him.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for quickening to me this verse/song that shows me the truth and that everything is good in your sight. That you are everlasting and we will see you on that final day and stand in your presence and realize, YOU are the one we have waited for.

Thank You

A day of Thanks?

Scripture:
Psalms 118:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever...

Observation:
What more can you observe than the ultimate truth about God? HE IS GOOD!!!

Application:
God is good... All the time, and all the time? God is good! It's a mantra that we say at Easthill and probably all over the world. What is there not to like about God? If you read about Him you will find He is good and so much more! Here is a snippet of what the Word says;

Shane Barnard - Psalm 145 Lyrics

Great is the Lord

So worthy of praise

Great is the Lord

One generation will

Commend Your kingdom

To one another

They will speak of

You And I will meditate

On Your wonder

And they, they will speak

Of Your glorious splendor

Of Your majesty

Everyday I'll praise

Thee Forever and ever

Everyday I will praise

Everyday I will praise

For You open Your hand

And satisfy desires of all things

My God, the King

The Lord is gracious

And slow to anger

He is rich in love

He is good to all

The Lord is gracious

And slow to anger

He is rich in love

He is good to all

Who call on Him

In truth He is near to them

He is hears their cry

And saves them, He saves them!

The Lord is gracious

And slow to anger

He is rich in love

He is good to all

The Lord is gracious

And slow to anger

He is rich in love

He is good to all

Every day I will praise

Every day I will praise

For You open Your hand

And satisfy desires of all things

For You open Your hand

And satisfy desires of all things

My God, the King Lord,

You are gracious Y

ou are slow to anger

Abounding in love

You are good to us [x4]

Prayer:

Father, May we NEVER cease to praise and give you thanks!

Flip the Pyramid...

Scripture:

Matthew 20:16 (read 1-28)

“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

Observation:

In the end, the last will be the leaders and the first will be the servants...

Application:

We have all heard of the management pyramid. You know, the one that looks like the example below. The one that says the top manager's are suppose to serve those that are subordinate to them and then finally the customer. Well, it's not a new concept. It is well over 2, 000 years old. Jesus teaches, in this section of scripture, this concept. We are to serve those that we lead. That is the mark of a true leader.

The biggest challenge for me is not leading in the administrative side of things it is leading in the spiritual side of things but is the MOST important part of my leadership. Going to church and doing the stuff

is not enough. It is the easiest part of leading but the LEAST important.

I must lead by spiritual example, not JUST by operations.

Prayer:

Father, I need the self control and the will to become this leader. I have knowledge, I need wisdom. I know processes, I need application. Teach me these things.

Thank you

Is God Really there?

Scripture:

Psalm 124: A song of ascents. Of David.

1 If the LORD had not been on our side—
let Israel say-

2 if the LORD had not been on our side
when men attacked us,

3 when their anger flared against us,
they would have swallowed us alive;

4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,

5 the raging waters would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

7 We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.

8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Observation:

God was Israel's protection and help in time of distress and throughout life.

Application:

Is God really there? Is He REALLY beside me? I some times have moments where i think that this CAN'T be real. That what I am living for, what a put my faith in, the job that I have and the friends that I have aren't the real thing. I some times doubt my faith because it seems too unreal. Can/is God really watching out for me?

The Psalm says basically- If God had not been on our side then we would be dead, an extinct nation. This applies to me so well... Had God not been at my side, I would either be living a life that is polar opposite to mine now, or be dead due to a potentially fatal accident that I had back in 2000.

So, in answer to my own question; Yes, God is really there...

Prayer:

God, thank you for being there.

Burger King & the Doctor's office

Scripture:

Ephesians 2:12

In Him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Observation:

We can call on God without fear.

Application:

I have a hard time coming to God about things. I mean, when I want things it is easy to ask, but it's more like I am ordering food at Burger King where I can "Have it MY way" rather than as though I am consulting a doctor. A doctor's purpose is to help us correct illness & help fix us when we are broken. There is always a process involved. I tend, however, to only go to the doctor's when I am sick and not for a regular check-up when I am well to let him show/teach me new ways to improve on my already well state. God is consistently giving me things to help me in this area.

Prayer:

Father, help me get in the habit of a regular check-up and not just when I am sick. Help me put my trust in you and feel the freedom to ask you these things.

Permissible benefits...

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 10:23

"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

Observation:

Instruction for gauging life.

Application:

"Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial...". How do I gauge my life? Is it based on the fact that I am a believer and I can ask for forgiveness for anything that I do, therefore I should translate this section of scripture as "I can do anything that I want."? Or, is it that I know what is permissible and what will benefit me and I should do those things and the things that are not beneficial I should abstain from?

I love this section of scripture because it leaves it up to me to make that decision. At the same time it give me more responsibility to make sure I am doing what is right.

Prayer:

Father, give me the wisdom to discern what is permissible and what is beneficial.

My thoughts on Harry Potter and Christian culture

Now, I know this is controversial. I know that people that will read this will disagree with me. I, at one time in my life, would have disagreed with what I am about to write. Times change and perspectives with it. Here is my new thought process about Harry Potter.

I have now, seen all of the movies. I know the plot. I even know what is going to happen in the next two movies. I have seen "A Very Harry Potter Musical" and totally dig it. I realized the other day, while reading a story on MLIA, just how much Harry Potter is a part of today's culture.

Ask just about anybody of the "secular persuasion" what they think about Harry Potter and they will probably give you a positive review about it. I would agree that the author did a fantastic job on the plot, character development and even the suspense. I have yet to read the books, that my wife is so disparately trying to get me to read, that are said to be incredibly better than the movies.

My opinion on the topic of "Is Harry Potter evil or not?" is this. No, Harry Potter is not evil. It is a story about good vs. evil, friendship and all of the above. I would group it in with The Da Vinci Code and Golden Compass. There are groups of Christians that like to freak out about things that "threaten" their beliefs. I have seen all three and would say that there is nothing to be scared of in these films.

Yes, Harry Potter's thematic base is witchcraft. I would agree that this can be a bit touchy and is nothing to mess with. I, personally, will teach my kids what witchcraft is and the fact that it is not to be messed with nor practiced. They will be well informed before I allow them to watch Harry Potter, but I will not keep them from the world. I will simply show them the world and the truth/lies behind it.

BK