Living Unfiltered for God

In the last four posts, we have been studying some lesser-known, or at least less talked about individuals from the Bible. All of them have played an important role in the broader story that is HIS-story. Our final character though, Ananias, exhibits perhaps the best example of what it means to live unfiltered for God. That is, when we hear God prompt us to do something (however that may work for you), we do it. We all know the story of Paul. How he was originally known as Saul and made quite a name for himself by persecuting (and worse) any and all Christians that he came across. We also know of his “conversion experience” as he was on the road to Damascus one day. Scripture records it like this:   As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”   “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.   “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, ”...

In recent years, there has been a lot of controversy about whether we should say, “Merry Christmas” or, “Happy Holidays” this time of year. Unfortunately, like so many things these days, it has become a divisive, political issue. Let me say from the outset, I’m solidly in the “Merry Christmas” camp. That said, I recognize that, at least from a purely religious standpoint, it does not apply to everyone. I have Jewish friends for whom, “Happy Hanukkah” would be more appropriate. But, also non-believing friends who, while they may not be followers of Jesus, still celebrate Christmas in its secular form (if that can really be a thing.) And of course, many others that fall across the spectrum. I’d like to offer here, though, a different way to think about all of this. Will you give me a few more minutes? Sitting in church this morning, as our Pastor was talking about Jesus being the fulfillment of certain Old Testament prophecies, I was struck with the following thought, “ Don’t just s...

Over the last few weeks, our church has been doing a sermon series called "Wonder". It has been especially impactful to me, during this season of Advent, to "re-remember", if you will, all of those things that bring me wonder. Those things that just make me stop and say, "Wow, would you look at that?" Sometimes it's something I see, other times it's a situation, still others it's a memory that is brought to mind. I wanted to use this space today to record just a few of these wonder-filled moments for me over the last few weeks. I would love it if you would share some of yours in the comments, as well. Where have I found wonder lately?... ... I've found it in nature. The picture below was taken of the sunset on my way home from work the other day. It still doesn't quite capture the vividness of the colors. I saw and "wondered" at how God just shows off sometimes with His beauty in nature. When you look closely, it's alm...

Yesterday we started looking at the Peace Prayer of St. Francis and what it would look like if we really did try to live it out. So much of it involves almost living counter culturally. Paul urged us to, "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." ( Romans 12:2, NKJV )  Today, I'd like to look closely at the first two lines... where there is hatred, let me sow love; It doesn't take long to find hatred in today's world. So, in a strange way that's good news, because that means we can sow love anywhere - wherever we find ourselves - and it will positively impact our surroundings. What do you think that means, though, to 'sow love'? For me, it goes back to Jesus being asked which was the greatest commandment and stating that, after loving God, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves ( Matthew 22:34-40 ). Easier said than do...

As we enter into this last week or so before Christmas, as the hustle and bustle will no doubt become faster and busier, let us not lose sight of the reason that God sent Jesus for us. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. ( Titus 3:4-7 ) Along with Jesus came the "kindness and love" of God. Those are probably not the first two words that come to mind when thinking about society today. But they should be our goal. Jesus told us that these were the most important things we should do! When the Pharisees were "testing" Jesus, they asked him which was the greatest commandment. He responded,  ...

When do you start listening to Christmas music in your house? That's usually a question that has a definite answer. in our home, it's typically the Friday after Thanksgiving - that's the day that we usually break out the Christmas music and start. I must confess though, this year I started a little earlier. I had a CD or two in my car going before Thanksgiving. For some reason, I was anxious to get an early start! One of the great things about Christmas music, especially if you are Christian, is that singing about Christ becomes "mainstream"! Sure there are lots of Christmas carols that really have nothing to do with Christ, but many of them do. And in regards to those that do, I have a couple a couple of questions for you... Do you really listen to the words? Do you really think about the lyrics that you are singing? Have you thought about the power of what we are proclaiming when we sing some of these songs? One of my favorites is "O Holy Night...

The Christmas season is typically one of joy and excitement. For many though, it can be a difficult season of pain and sorrow. For those who have lost loved ones in the previous 12 months and have to go through the holidays without them for the first time, this can be a very difficult time of year. We happen to have a number of friends, and some extended family, that are struggling to get through their first holiday season without their husband, father, wife, mother, child, etc. As a friend or family member of these folks we need to be sensitive to this in a number of ways. They may not be "feeling the Christmas spirit" the way we think they should, or even the way they have in the past. I think there are a couple of things we can do though, to walk with them through this stage of their grief. First, I think the following verses provide direction and hope for grieving folks who are trying to navigate the difficult waters that they now find themselves in: " L...

Have you ever really thought about this question? I suspect, that as Christians, we spend a lot more time thinking about God's love for us, than we do about how we actually love Him? Perhaps during worship at church or elsewhere, we praise Him and offer our love to Him through our words and singing and so forth, but day to day, hour by hour, how do we express our love to the One who created us, beyond just telling Him? Jesus makes it very clear that we are to, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." ( Matthew 22:37 ) He tells us in the very next verse that this is the first and greatest commandment, so it's a big deal! But how do we do that? What does that really look like? Fortunately, Jesus makes it similarly clear in the 14th chapter of John, in several different ways that, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching." ( John 14:23 ) So then, it appears that to love God is to obey God. In essence then...