Believe in What?

This is something I came across in our study of John..... I cut it up a bit and added a thought or two. But the original thoughts from John Macarthur stand....

There's a whole theological school now that's developing and their thesis is "faith in faith." Isn't that good? They have faith in faith. They believe in believing. And you'll say to people well, you know, this and that ... and they'll say, "Oh, I believe ... I believe." What do you believe? "Oh, I believe ... I'm a believer." A believer in what? "Well, I just believe. I believe that God is in control ... I believe." Oh, that's real good.

You know something? Faith in nothing is nothing. It's zero, zilch, nothing. It doesn't mean anything to believe in believing. You know, I like it ... you've heard the song, "I believe for every drop of rain that falls a flower grows." Oh, in the first place, that's a lie. "I believe that somewhere in the darkest night a candle glows." Tremendous. "Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf or see the sky, then I know why I believe." (Gee didnt we sing this in youth choir?) You believe what? Don't push me. "I believe." Well, goody-goody. You see, that's the kind of attitude that a lot of people have ... I believe. You believe what? Usually when somebody comes to you and you ask them a question they say, "Well, I believe that's it's over there." That means they don't know. If you can't believe in something and on something, you're believing is ridiculous. Who cares whether you believe a candle glows? Who cares whether you believe a flower grows? That's irrelevant. God's not going to say to you someday, "Well, enter into My Kingdom because you believed the candle glowed." No, no ... that's so ludicrous it's inane.

No, no, no that's not the point. The point is at the end of verse 45 "they believed ... what? ... on Him." You see, faith is nothing unless it's placed in Jesus Christ. That's the whole point. Peter said, 'Neither is there salvation in any other, there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." If a man does not put his faith in Jesus Christ his faith is meaningless. And what cuts the ice is faith in Him. John 1:12, "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on ... what? ... His name." Christ is definitive. There aren't options. You can't just believe any ole thing you want, that's ridiculous.

OH THE PRESSURE

I recently read somewhere that the greatest burden we put on ourselves is to try to make it all about ourself. The pressure we put on ourselves when we make all the problems going on in the world about us. All the trials we are going through about us. All the wrong decisions others make about us. Just everything that we come in contact with being about us makes for too much pressure and puts us in an unsolveable dilemna.

No matter how we got into a circumstance, no matter who's "fault" it may have been, no matter how low we may feel we are, it is not about us.

When His friend, Lazarus was dying, Jesus pointed out that the circumstance was not about his illness or, ultimatelyy, his death, but it was for God's glory and that Jesus might be glorified. It was about God. Earlier, He was asked who's "fault" it was that a certain man was blind. Jesus said it was not about him or his parents. But it was to show how God would work in his life.

I find it much easier to be going through tough, uncertain times knowing it is not about me, but about how God will be with me as I go through them. It is also good knowing I am with someone who sees it the same way.

TOO MUCH STUFF

In One Particular Harbor, Jimmy Buffett laments about having too much..."I used to rule my world from a pay phone, ships out on the sea. Now times are tough, I got too much stuff. Can't explain the likes of me." Or something like that. Never could get a quote exactly right. (disclaimer: I know that is not the album cover for One Particular harbor. But it shows the pay phone).

I remember when one phone call on the only availiable type of phone, was made and details of our evening were set. I stood outside waiting for my friends to pick me up and we were out for the evening. I kept a quarter aside in case I had to call my dad to pick me up. Of course, he said never call him from a police station, call my mother instead. I heeded his warning until the calls from the station had become much more costly.

Now, there is tweeter, texxxing, emails, gmails, IMs, someone sent a picture of the outside of a friend's house to let them know they were outside waiting. I know I will never have a smart phone because I am just not smart enough for one.

All that "stuff" has only made relationships obsolete. There is no need for close relationships any more when you can brag abut having 200 friends on facebook. When I see someone, i cant ask them, eaten at any good restaurants lately because I already saw what they had yesterday taken on the droisy Iphone, thing-a-ma-zinger and posted on twister.

I am glad Jesus did not use texting. from martha, Laz is dead. From JC, Noprob, b there soon.

I am glad God is the same yesterday, today and forever.... insert smiley face here.

High Brow Dog

We love seeing Sheldon watching TV. Last night, he went crazy watching the dog show. He goes to the TV and then looks behind the screen to find the dogs on the screen. Then the funniest, he goes outside to find the dogs. Is that cruel of us? I hope not. We love our doggy and he has added alot to our home.

I WONDER WHAT THE VOTE WAS

In the Bible Study we attend on Tuesday evenings, we came to the passage in Ephesians that tells us that we were chosen by God to be holy and blameless and adopted by Him before the creation of the world. And besides that, for His pleasure and His glory. And it is so human to think we had something to do with that choosing. But, joyfully, it was God the Father who drew me to His Son, Jesus. Takes away a lot of the pressure to do it all on my power. That is cool.

It did get me to thinking how the conversation went when God preordained me to be His own. In light of all the politics that decides so much of our lives on earth now, I worry that the creation was delayed because of the debate in Heaven. I mean here is God, ready to create the world and before that creation He chose me to be in His family. I wonder if the vote was a split decision, like two to one or something like that. Makes me think my response to what He did for me should be more of appreciation and obedience rather than questioning everything I dont understand.

Family Issues

Wow, people, this was a family discussion. Rick Warren was speaking to his congregation. There are needs in every family. If some in the family take it outside the family, it is not his fault. The guy doesn't benefit from the funds. He takes no salary.
Here, at Central, the exact areas of need that Rick Warren shared about are hurting as well. I know some people feel better giving "their" money to ministry rather than buildings. I feel it all goes to good whatever the designation may be.
It is still a fact that all areas of ministry, as well as all areas of the economy, are lacking. Good thing God is bigger than all the squabbling.

2010, GOOD YEAR, SO FAR

First off, I didn't know a gala mean't suits or tuxes. I was not the only one who was not "dressed up". I didn't stand out but there were few enough of us that we were noticed. Jean bought a new top and I had on a new shirt. But I haven't seen that many ties in a long time.

Second, after a very "dry" year of not much Smooth, I have to thank Brian Bromberg for inviting some of his friends, and some of our favorite smooth jazz stars, to bring in the new year. Richard Elliot, Rick Braun and David Benoit are three of our favorites. As chance would have it, sitting at our table was the morning voice of the KYOT, Melissa Sharpe and her husband.

And at midnight, I could only reflect on how thankful I am that I am starting another year with Jean.