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Teach With An Eye On Eternity
by Timothy Palla

I had excused myself prematurely from an evening church fellowship. There, all alone in my office, I wearily faced a pile of books, papers, Bibles, and "stuff" that covered my desk from one corner to the other, but tonight I wasn't going to organize my desk. Oh, how I enjoy peaceful Saturday nights. These moments of quiet fellowship with my Savior are to prepare my own heart for Sunday's worship. My eyes closed and I breathed a sigh of relief. "It's so good to have this time alone with you, Lord."

The silence was shattered by the sound of the phone. My heart sank. "Really, Lord . . . I need to calm my mind and focus my heart for tomorrow. Please, pretty please, let it be a telemarketer."

On the other end of the line was a woman who lives on the opposite side of the continent. She had just received a call from the retirement center near me and had been notified that her father, a resident there, would probably not live through the night. "Pastor," she said, "could you go and be of comfort to him in the last few hours of his life? I'll get the first available flight and be there as soon as possible." "I'm on my way," I replied.
 
Lew was the oldest member of my church and I knew him quite well. In two months he was to celebrate his 100th birthday. I had celebrated the last five with him. Lew was a dedicated Christian man who never came to church late. Sometimes he arrived an hour earlier than me and one time he arrived the day before! Snow, sleet, ice, sub-zero temperatures, pouring rain, unbearable heat-- none of it made any difference to him. At ninety years of age he drove across the United States to visit relatives. At ninety-six he was still cooking the beans over an open fire for our church's "Old Fashion Day" celebration.  At ninety-seven he was still living by himself and driving to church three times a week. That's just the kind of man he was: strong, loyal, independent, energetic. About three years ago he suffered a stroke which impaired his speech and mobility. Finally, his daughter was able to convince her "daddy" to sell his house and move into the neighborhood retirement community--still close to his church family and his friends. Now I was on my way to see him through the last mile of his nearly 100 year journey.

When I arrived at the retirement center, they were preparing to take Lew to the hospital. His doctor had decided to admit him in order to make him a little more comfortable; albeit, Lew wanted nothing to hold him back, nothing to prolong his life here on earth, no tubes, no IV's, no machines. As I followed the Emergency Squad to town, I prayed and asked the Lord for a Divine favor. "Father, let me be there for Lew as he leaves this temporary dwelling place and enters into the glorious presence of Jesus."

Soon after arriving at the hospital, the physician came in and spoke with me. "He may have an hour or so, but not much longer," he said. "Comfort him." I spent the next hour holding those 100 year old hands, softly singing a few hymns, quoting the Scriptures and whispering prayers of intercession into his ears. The room was beautifully quiet and I found myself deeply engaged in an attitude of worship-- something I had thought would be lost this evening.

Just as the doctors and nurses had predicted, Lew took his last breath an hour later. It was quiet. It was peaceful. It was perfect. There are times when a pastor witnesses the pure mercy of God in such a profound way that it changes everything about him for the rest of his life. This was one of those moments.

As a father, I had witnessed the awesome miracle of birth five times. What an honor to see life emerge into the world and watch each child take his and her first breaths. No human words can describe that sacred moment when God manifests His glorious powers of creation to your mortal eyes.

That Saturday night, God called me to leave the solitude of my home and to enter into a place of worship and awe that was as inspiring and beautiful as any sanctuary I had ever visited. Just as God had stirred my heart at my children's first breaths, He had stirred my heart at my friend's last breath. Lew's faith-filled life gave me solid assurance of his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The honor of being with him as he was escorted through the portals of Heaven was unforgettable.

The following Monday I sat at the dining room table and had devotions with my children. I was reminded that the most important thing in my life as a father was to influence my family's choice to have a second birth: the birth which would eternally affect their relationship with One Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This is why we pray together. This is why we faithfully attend the Lord's house of worship and prayer every week. This is why we read, write, and memorize the Scriptures daily. I want to take advantage of every possible opportunity to instill a passion for the Lord Jesus Christ in my children. I want them to choose eternal life--whatever the cost. This is why we homeschool.

My wife and I may not be the best teachers. Our choice of curriculum may be antiquated. We may be disorganized, hap-hazard, or even clueless by some standards. We may not be able to "multi-task" or want to even if we could. Everything about our earthly lives may be plain, mundane, or possibly arcane. On the other hand, we don't feel a pressing need to apologize to anyone for it. Knowing the Lord and loving His Son, Jesus Christ, with all of our heart, all of our soul, and all of our mind is the foundation for what we do and the choices we make for our children. We're not preparing or leading our four sons and daughter to set their sights on such fleeting ambitions as fame or fortune. Don't get us wrong, we want our children to succeed in life. We want them to love wisdom and gain understanding in all things. We want them to be responsible citizens and patriotic Americans, but what good have we done if their souls are lost in the process? "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36 (italics mine). Our highest goal is to prepare them for eternity.

I hope I never forget the inexpressible joy of holding Lew's hand as his soul was transported into the presence of Jesus. As great as that was, an even greater joy awaits me: knowing my children will be with me in eternity. When I stand before the Righteous Judge, I want to be able to proclaim with confidence and boldness, "I have made them aware of their own sinful nature, I have shown them their need for salvation and taught them about the Redeemer, they repented from their sins, called upon the name of the Lord, confessed Jesus as their Savior, and committed their lives to His will and service. I have been faithful to teach them the Holy Way." There can be no greater joy than this. Thank you, Lew, for the fresh fire in my bones. May you remind me every day to set my eyes on what matters the most--preparing my family for eternity.

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Timothy Palla pastors Fairview Baptist Church in the Lucasville/Minford area of southern Ohio. He and his lovely wife, Jennifer have five children: Drew, Dane, Aidan, Ethan, and Meghan and have been homeschooling for over eleven years. You may contact him at tpalla@rocketmail.com

There is an old story preachers tell about a man trapped on the top of his house during a flood/hurricane/tsunami (insert your own natural disaster). The water is swiftly rising. As this man sits on his roof, fearful of being swept away by the current, he cries out to God, "God please deliver me!"

A few moments later, a farmer friend arrives with his boat. "Hey, friend, want a ride to safety?" he asks.

"No," replies the man on top of his house. "God is going to deliver me."

An hour later, the water is up to the gutters. A voluntary rescue person comes by on his yellow raft. "Hey, let's get you off of there -- and on to safety," he yells.

But the man on top of his house refuses to go. "God is going to deliver me."

Another hour passes and now the water is halfway up the roof. Roof Man is now on top of his chimney, nervously looking down at certain death and destruction.

Fortunately, a Red Cross volunteer swings by in a canoe and offers to ride Roof Man to safety. But Roof Man refuses. "No, God is going to deliver me."

A couple of hours pass by and the water sweeps over the top of Roof Man's house. He is carried away by the current and drowns. When he gets to Heaven, he meets Jesus and says, "I though you were going to deliver me."

Jesus looks down at Roof Man and says, "I sent a boat, an inflatable raft, and a canoe -- but you refused each one."

We've all heard this story and every time we hear it, we laugh, right? But quite often this is the story of our attempts to discern God's Will.

I can't tell you how many college students tell me, "I just want to do God's Will."

This is good. I wish more young people would surrender themselves to God's plan for their lives.

But quite often those well-meaning college students or teenagers or even young married folks act as if God's will is some sort of vague, hazy thing. A vapor that can't be grasped. It's almost as if they want God's Will, but don't every think they'll have a shot at actually finding it.
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It really doesn't have to be this way. Here are two truths that should change the way we think about God's Will.

   1. It is Satan who wants us to be confused, directionless, and ineffective.
   2. It is God who has a preordained plan for us, who has given us specific steps, and who wants to see our lives matter.

So, knowing those truths, how do we wrap our arms around that seemingly mysterious thing called "God's Will"? Here are four concrete ways in which God speaks to us:

1. God speaks through circumstances. Its funny, Christians routinely blast atheists and atheism, but we ourselves often act as if there is no God. We complain about the uncontrollable events in our lives as if we're just here by chance, left to sort life out on our own.

But life isn't dog-eat-dog. God is in charge of this world. God is in charge of our little world. And the events that He allows -- getting fired from a job, meeting a future mate, getting rebuked by a pastor or Christian leader, the family we were born into, the town in which we live, the skill sets, talents, and gifts we possess -- are all part of God's divine blueprint for our success.

None of this happens by chance. God is not up in Heaven pounding His fist against His head saying, "Whoops, I really messed up with Dan." No, God didn't mess up. God didn't make a mistake. God isn't ever caught by surprise.

So you can do one of two things. You can continue to live as the world lives. You can stick to the motto, "Life is random, you get out of it what you make of it, I can't help the way I am." Or you can embrace your life -- your life right now -- as God's will.

Yes, what happens to you that's out of your control is God's Will for your life.

2. God speaks through opportunities. Remember the guy with the boat? God presented him opportunities and he refused them. A long time ago I had a friend who constantly agonized over every decision, every opportunity, and wondered, "Is this God's will?"

Meanwhile, God presented him opportunity after opportunity. He wanted to get married, but no girl was good enough. Oh, but he didn't say that. He said really good spiritual things like, "It's not God's Will." Oh yeah? Did you talk to anybody about it? Did you pray about it? Did you ever consider that this could be an opportunity to explore?

And on and on it went with this guy. A dozen ministry and job opportunities were presented, but he never pursued any of them. He hemmed, hawed, quoted a lot of Scripture verses, but never made a move.

10 years later I had lunch with him. And even though he's held down a job and even gotten married (finally found Miss Right), he's still in that pondering, hemming and hawing stage. I fear that at the end of his life he'll be like Roof Man and God will say, "I brought along this opportunity and that opportunity and you refused to take them."

God works through open doors and opportunities. It's that simple. These are not just "lucky" occurrences. If you want to do God's will, do as one of my Bible College professors used to say, "Go. Do something and God will direct you."
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3. God speaks Through spiritual counselors and mentors. This is where most of us slip up. We live a lone-ranger Christianity and refuse to listen to wise spiritual counselors. I believe that God's plan for the Christian in this age is through the local church. Every believer should not only be a part of a local church, but should voluntarily put himself under the accountability of that church.

Now, for young people, this is a tough sell. Why should I let a pastor or anybody control my life? But the truth is this: the Bible talks over and over about the value of wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to make good decisions, spiritual decisions, and God-honoring decisions.

But young people don't have a lot of wisdom. That's why we need to sit at the feet of pastors, trusted lay-leaders, parents, mentors, etc. Every major decision I have ever made in my life I have done with the approval and consent of my pastor. Why? I trust my pastor. He's a man whom God has sovereignly put into my life to help guide me.

And you know what? I've been blessed every time. There have been many moments when I have had what I thought was a really good idea. But people I trust, who have more spiritual wisdom than I do, raised questions. They said, "Hmm, I'm not sure this is a good idea and here is why."

You too have spiritual mentors in your life -- if you don't, find some in your church. Seek their wisdom. Seek their accountability. Seek their unbiased opinion.

A wise person will take such advice as God speaking to them. That is God's will.

4. God's will is revealed in God's Word. How basic, but how true. The fact of the matter is this: 99 percent of what God wants to you to do in your life is spelled out in His Word. And here's a news flash for you. God is not going to mysteriously lead you to do something that contradicts His Word.

Ask yourself these questions:

How much of God's revealed Word are you following now?

Are you faithfully seeking Him on a daily basis through Bible study and prayer?

Are you active in ministry at a Bible-believing church?

Are you sharing your faith?

Are you doing your best to live apart from sin?

Are you faithful to your spouse?

Are you seeking satisfaction in Christ instead of the world?

These are just a few of many areas where the Bible touches our lives, where God's Word is revealed to us in simple, concrete, direct language. And you and I can't escape it.

Quite often, Christians try to blend their own sinful lifestyles with the teachings of Scripture and then they wonder why they can't ever seem to discover "God's will for their lives." But unconfessed sin keeps you from closeness to God.

Its not that God expects us to be perfect. But are you honestly living for Him, seeking Him, and doing your best to obey His commandments?

If so, guess what, pinch yourself, you're in God's Will.

As a new mother, I was determined that my son would know that Easter was more than candy, bunnies, and egg hunts. Bible stories, coloring pages, songs, even Resurrection Eggs in his preschool years... you name it, I probably used it to further his spiritual education.

On his fourth Easter morning, I woke Nate up to get ready for church. "What's today?" I began our rehearsed conversation. We had worked on this.

He rubbed his eyes, paused a moment, then exclaimed, "It's Easter!"

"Yes!" I was so proud he remembered.

Sounding like a cheerleader, I prompted, "And what does that mean?"

He jumped out of bed and beamed.

"Candy!"

Not the answer we had worked on. Some cultural traditions are, apparently, harder to break than others.

Nate's childish understanding of Easter reflects the influence that society has exerted on a uniquely Christian celebration. The enormity of Christ's resurrection has been whittled down to fertility symbols, commercial profit, and family gatherings.

How can we regain a proper appreciation for Easter? Is there a way to re-crown it as the rightful centerpiece of our faith, the ultimate day of worship?

I believe future success lies in remembering, and recapturing, the past. We have an ancient-yet-still-practical tool designed for that very purpose. The annual Church calendar parallels the life of Christ, preparing for and celebrating significant events through "holy days"--sacred time set aside to worship God for His unique work. The Advent season preludes the Christmas season, Lent prepares us for Easter, special days in Jesus' life are highlighted. Some denominations utilize the calendar consistently; others acknowledge the major seasons. Yet others ignore it altogether. Yet all recognize that Easter is the pinnacle of Christians' worship and celebration of God's work.
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Learning from the Past

The church calendar finds its origin in the Jewish pattern of feasts and holy days, which the Lord established to celebrate significant events in the Israelites' history. Passover commemorates the great deliverance from Egypt, when the Lord's messenger of death "passed over" those homes whose doorposts showed lamb's blood. The Feast of Unleavened Bread follows immediately, to remind the Jews how they left Egypt in such haste they could not even add yeast to their bread, for there would be no time for it to rise.

The next feast, First Fruits, was instituted on the day after the Sabbath that followed their first Passover in the Promised Land. On that day, the people offered the Lord the "first fruits" of their barley, the first grain harvest of the spring season. Just imagine the hope and joy the people must have been feeling during those first days after finally reaching the Promised Land. The Lord had been faithful to them! He had given them new life free from slavery, a new land in which to become a great nation, a new identity as the people of God.

As a sign of their gratitude for His past provision, and faith in His future blessing, each year the people would bring the first sheaf of grain to the priest, who would wave it aloft before the Lord. This grain symbolized the best of that which would give them life--barley and wheat (offered weeks later at Pentecost) were staples of the agricultural lifestyle the Israelites enjoyed. The grain was then left for the priest and for the poor. No one was to eat from the new harvest until the wave offering was made.

Jesus the First Fruits

The New Testament reveals Jesus' connection to the Feast of First Fruits.

In the week of Jesus' crucifixion, He was arrested Thursday night after celebrating the Passover meal, and He was crucified the following afternoon before the end of Passover. The Feast of Unleavened Bread began the next day, which happened to be the Sabbath. The Feast of First Fruits naturally fell the day after that. And on that day, Jesus rose victorious from the grave.

While the Jewish lunar calendar moves the dates of the feasts regularly so that First Fruits and Easter are not always on the same day, the significance (and sometimes the date) of our "holy day" of Easter corresponds directly with the Jewish holiday of First Fruits. Jesus is the first fruit of eternal life, the wave offering to God. Jesus' resurrection is the assurance of our resurrection. It is the promise that we will not see eternal death, but share in eternal life.
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Paul explains it better:

    But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power... (1 Cor. 15:20-25)

The Jewish readers of this letter would have immediately understood the connection Paul was making between Christ and the Feast of First Fruits. Now when they celebrated that feast, they would imbue it with even greater significance.

In a similar way, celebrating holy days--scheduled reminders of God's work through Christ--can make our worship more meaningful. Structure need not be stifling. Done right, it can be liberating!

These traditions also provide a means for teaching our children the redemption story. On Nate's fifth Easter morning, we went through the routine again. "What's today?" I asked.

"Easter!" he giggled. As in, don't you know that, Mom?

"What's that mean?" I prompted, not sure what I would hear this time.

He shouted, "Jesus is alive again!"

I had to fight back the tears. Yes, Jesus is risen.

He is risen indeed.

Become a Woman of Goodwill

Sandy Coughlin

"Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright." Proverbs 14: 9

After 17 years of marriage, I can look back and say that it was my job to love my husband, Paul. Not to change him. And it was God's job to make him good and my responsibility to express goodwill -- not condemnation.

Was I a woman of goodwill?

I was tested by this "goodwill" question when I married a Christian Nice Guy (CNG) seventeen years ago.  A CNG, you might ask?  I didn't realize that the daily abuse my husband suffered as a child would affect our everyday life together. What I thought were such "nice" Christian qualities in my husband when we married turned into frustrations and fireworks because of my husband's passive approach to life. Oh, don't get me wrong.  My husband had amazing qualities, so that to this day I have never looked back.

What exactly is goodwill in a marriage?

Goodwill is a tangible, practical expression of love. Helpfulness, concern, care, friendly disposition -- are all related to goodwill and all lead to intimacy.  It is the willingness to act in a spirit of cooperation, instead of trying to win arguments. It is proactive, alive, and dynamic. Goodwill is not a passive attribute. Goodwill is among the most concrete ways of expressing love and fostering intimacy, yet when we think about this word, we think of used clothing.

How do you know if you have it?

The will to do "good" toward your spouse is more than having good feelings for him (thank goodness). Though good feelings are important, goodwill also includes kindness, consideration, thoughtfulness, and practical support. This is wonderful news for CNG wives, because controlling how we feel is often harder than exerting our will to determine our good actions.

It's okay and even normal to have mixed feelings about my/your husband at times. For me, being an assertive woman, I found myself frustrated in this passive marriage. My husband lived under the radar of life. He felt that if he lived life safely, his problems would be few. And this affected the intimacy between us, though we both yearned for more depth in our relationship.

Intimacy is a choice, and you have to be available, present and vulnerable with one another. My CNG didn't always feel safe with me, so it was easier for him to not always "show up."  It was difficult for him to make his wants and needs known and he didn't always come clean with how he felt.  I found myself often walking on eggshells - not a fun way to live.

How do you lose goodwill?

Goodwill, present in most marriages when vows are exchanged, can become virtually buried under the rubble of anger, resentment and dwindling respect that builds over time.  Coming to terms with these emotions is vital if you're going to give your efforts toward helping intimacy grow.

If you lack goodwill, take up the task of becoming a worthy steward of your husband's heart. It worked for me. I learned to be more supportive and understanding of my husband's wacky past, and I started pulling out my secret weapon -- empathy.  I became a woman of goodwill when I made an effort to understand Paul more, and I stopped the nagging, coercing, attacking and shaming (which in reality only pushed him further from me).

I came to the understanding that passive people are made (through life's experiences), and not born.  I then started feeling more for Paul and becoming more empathetic toward him. My respect was strengthened as I became increasingly able to see his struggles in a healthier light. My respect for him was enhanced even more once he started being more open and honest, and he began to exert his will and express his feelings.

When it comes to love and intimacy, goodwill is like silverware: Almost everyone can learn how to use it, even though we weren't born knowing how, and even though some of us took a long time to try it. Goodwill is remarkably practical and beneficial for those who produce it and receive it.

I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.
-- John 15:12

I read this verse and think of family members, friends, acquaintances (and dates), and reason to myself that I am doing fairly well at loving others.  I treat people fairly, I spend time with them, and I like to lavish gifts upon those close to me.  What more can I do?  And speaking of "me," when I'm alone and left out of activities, holidays, and events, I wonder, "Where is the love back?"  "Isn't anybody applying this passage to me?"

Truthfully, however, my response to this verse is, "I'm trying, but. ..."

This is probably not what my reaction should be (as a mature Christian), but many years ago I would have only replied, "But ...," so I've made some progress.

The reason for my apprehension in being fully obedient to this command is that I look around and I see broken, hurting, poverty-stricken people everywhere needing a hand.  It can be so overwhelming that I say to myself, "Where do I start?"  "How can I make a difference?"  "What can I do as a single?"

What is this love?  This word (in our society) has become so watered down.  It is used to describe feelings for inanimate objects, food, television shows, and every once in awhile, people.  We use love in relationships the same way that we describe our favorite sports team.  When all is going well, there is an abundance of love, but when we're "losing" or things are going poorly, we blame others and our love is gone.

The love that Jesus talks about is not a passing or temporary emotion, nor is it superficial.  Rather it's a choice, a decision, a commitment, an action.  Love is not based upon attraction, but virtue.  In order to love others in the same way that Jesus loves us, we must learn how to love the Lord, and then how to love ourselves.

Love the Lord

If you love me, obey my commandments.

-- John 14:15

This sounds simple enough and most of us could list many of his commandments and easily affirm that we are being obedient.

 Do not murder -- I haven't done that.
 Do not give false testimony -- I speak the truth.
 Do not covet your neighbor's servant, ox or donkey -- Hmmm, maybe his flat-screen TV, but none of the others.
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However, God distinguishes one as the most important.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.

-- Matthew 22:37-38

I do love the Lord, but do I actually do it with all of my heart and all of my soul and all of my mind?  What does it actually look like to live this verse out in my daily life?
 
All of Your Heart
 
But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being.  Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a right spirit within me.

-- Psalm 51:6, 10

The word heart comes from the Hebrew word lev, which carries the simple meaning of center, as in the will or intention of a person.

My intention is to love the Lord, but the state of my heart (selfishness, negative thoughts, doubt, fear) tends to inhibit me.  To cleanse my heart of all impurities (not of God), I must start by admitting my weaknesses, asking the Lord for forgiveness and forgiving myself.  Spending time with the Lord--in his Word and in prayer, reconciles me to God and enables me to love him with all of my heart in the same way that he loves me, unconditionally.

All of Your Soul
 
Honor the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly.  Put away forever the idols ... Serve the Lord alone ... Choose today whom you will serve ... As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.

--Joshua 24:14-15

Soul in Hebrew (nephesh) can be defined in many ways to mean heart, life, soul, wish or desire.  Some scholars have translated it to mean passion.

Passion today is often used to describe a desire to achieve wealth, fame, fortune or notoriety, but rarely as a way of how to love the Lord.  As a result, I find it difficult to do on a daily basis.  I am faced with many distractions.  The imagery of big homes, big cars, and big screens cause me to have big desires.  Most of these desires interfere with me wholeheartedly serving and being passionately in love with the Lord.

No one can serve two masters.  For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.

-- Luke 16:13

To truly love the Lord with all of my soul (and passion), I must reevaluate my priorities and not create or serve any other god before the Lord; not money, not fame, not power, not love (of any thing or anybody).
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All of Your Mind

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

-- Romans 12:2
 
The Hebrew word dianoia translates to the word mind, meaning to think through and think over in meditation and reflection.

I have prayed often that I would know God's will for my life.  Looking back at many of these moments, I can see how I didn't hear His will because my mind was not on Him, but rather on things of the world (my job, my finances, my wants, my desires).  I was so engrossed in being like the world, that I lost focus of the things of God (spending time in prayer, growing in his Word and serving others).  What I was honestly looking for was confirmation of my will, not his.

In order to love the Lord with all of my mind, I need to be one with the mind of Christ.  That takes time, patience, and perseverance, as it would with any relationship.

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:  "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?"  But we have the mind of Christ.

--1 Corinthians 2:14-16

Love Yourself

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

-- Romans 12:3

What is your immediate thought when you hear that someone loves themselves?  Conceit?  Arrogance?  Pride?  "Loving yourself" in today's world usually translates to mean that you love some thing (usually superficial) about yourself, such as looks, possessions, status, money, or a significant other.  The reason some people do not love themselves is because they have based their self worth upon these things and currently lack them.

A large percentage of our television shows and advertisements are focused on surgically altering (cosmetically), physically changing (weight loss/quick fix exercises), or superficially covering (make-up/fashion) one's body these days.  Billions of dollars a year are poured into "making over" the way God created us, which means there are a lot of people who don't genuinely like how they are, let alone love who they are.
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Don't worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes.  Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing?

--Matthew 6:25

And why worry about your clothes?  Look at the lilies and how they grow.  They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

--Matthew 6:28-29

Oswald Chambers says this about the "lilies of the field" and us:

"They grow where they are planted.  Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us.  Therefore, we don't take root anywhere."

We refuse to grow where God plants us because we tend to not like who we are, where we are, or what we are--God's intended creation.  Many of us look at ourselves each day through the world's point of view.  Instead we need to look through God's eyes.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.

--Psalm 139:14

Until we are able to love ourselves and accept God's creative work in us, we will fall short on loving others as the Lord has commanded us to do.

Love Others
 
And the second (commandment) is like it:  'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

--Matthew 22:39

In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers asks us the question:

"Are we experiencing the 'much more' He promised?  If we are not, it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us and have cluttered our minds with confusing thoughts and worries.  How much time have we wasted asking God senseless questions while we should be absolutely free to concentrate on our service to Him?"

And our service to him is "to love each other in the same way that I love you."

Are you absolutely free to concentrate on your service to him, able to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul and mind, able to love yourself as God's creation (not the world's), and able to love others in the same way that he has loved us?

These questions shouldn't make us feel defeated as in looking at a final losing score, rather they should inspire us to work harder, love better and serve more sacrificially.

I recently read where an anonymous donor bequest the Architecture Department at my alma mater $60 million.  "Financial hardships forced him to give up his dream of becoming an architect" (many years ago) and "supporting students who dream of becoming architects is a way of achieving that goal" (Connections, Cal Poly, Fall 2007).

This man showed how a person's dream doesn't necessarily have to die, but can be passed on and encouraged in other people who share the same dream.

Isn't that what Jesus did for us?  He gave his life so that we can have life, so that we can pursue our dream which is His command for us:  to love others in the same way that He loved us.

Jesus Never Promised We Would Be "Comfy"
David Burchett

Last winter I was killing time at Baton Rouge Airport before heading home. The airport is designed with a large central glass dome and some trees in the middle of the atrium. The early morning rush was over and the airport was surprisingly quiet. I heard something that caught my attention.

Chirping.

Not some bozo on a cell phone. Actual bird chirping. I looked up and saw what looked like a couple of sparrows flitting about near the top of the atrium. Somehow these wild birds had found their way inside the airport terminal. I watched them for awhile and I thought about how cold it was outside that day. I reflected on how "lucky" those birds were to be in a climate controlled atrium and not have to brave the elements. They could pick amongst the left over food of the travelers. Airport food might be wretched for humans but it was a feast for foragers. What a life!

And then it hit me. That is what I tend to seek in my Christian life. Preferring comfort over challenge. Safety over risk. I looked at that bird in his artificial and safe environment and I incorrectly surmised that was a good life for those birds. Perhaps it was but that was not what birds were created to be. Those sparrows were created to fly freely. They were designed to soar without hitting the glass ceiling of safety.

God did not not create me to live in a climate controlled atrium of safety. Living that kind of Christian life is so easy in America. There is a safe path of least resistance to be a Christian in this country. No resistance just might mean you aren't doing anything that threatens Satan. In basketball you don't guard the players that aren't doing anything. They pose no threat to your goal of winning the game. Sometimes I suspect I am unguarded by Satan's defense for a reason. I choose the bench instead of the arena.

Comfy Christianity is epidemic in America. We encounter a store that won't say Merry Christmas and we think we are persecuted. God help us.

We send checks instead of serving. But according to most giving research we don't even do that very well.

God has called me (and you) to give and to serve. In the Civil War the wealthy paid poor men to go "serve" for them. I remember having such disdain when I read that bit of history. But don't I do the same thing in my Christian journey? I feel really good if I pay a missionary to go reach the world with the message of Jesus. I feel like I am godly if I give to the church so the "professionals" can do ministry. But God is asking me to do both. Give and serve. Maybe not to be a missionary but certainly to reach out to my neighbor and my community. I was not created to live in a safe dome of climate controlled Christianity. Jesus is not safe. Following Him will take you out of the comfort zone and into the messy world of ministry. How did the early church explode against all odds? The Church History Institute makes these points in an article on the early church history.

After the Apostle Paul, we do not run across many "big names" as missionaries in the first few hundred years of Christian history. Instead the faith spread through a multitude of humble, ordinary believers whose names have been long forgotten. Early Christianity was primarily an urban faith, establishing itself in the city centers of the Roman Empire. Most of the people lived close together in crowded tenements. There were few secrets in such a setting. The faith spread as neighbors saw the lives of the believers close-up, on a daily basis.

It is too often a tragic occurrence that careful observation of modern Christians on a close-up, daily basis is a reason to turn away from faith, not toward it. The article goes on...

And what kind of lives did they lead? Justin Martyr, a noted early Christian theologian, wrote to Emperor Antoninus Pius and described the believers: "We formerly rejoiced in uncleanness of life, but now love only chastity; before we used the magic arts, but now dedicate ourselves to the true and unbegotten God; before we loved money and possessions more than anything, but now we share what we have and to everyone who is in need; before we hated one another and killed one another and would not eat with those of another race, but now since the manifestation of Christ, we have come to a common life and pray for our enemies and try to win over those who hate us without just cause."

In another place Justin points out how those opposed to Christianity were sometimes won over as they saw the consistency in the lives of believers, noting their extraordinary forbearance when cheated and their honesty in business dealings.

Perhaps the main reason the early church exploded is contained in the lyric of a simple song we used to sing while we were on staff with Campus Crusade.

They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. They will know we are Christians by our love.

Will they? Those exposed to the early church knew the people called Christians were different. Very different. The article continues.

Christians became known as those who cared for the sick. Many were known for the healings that resulted from their prayers. Christians also started the first "Meals on Wheels." By the year 250, they were feeding more than 1500 of the hungry and destitute in Rome every day.

When Emperor Julian ("the Apostate") wanted to revive pagan religion in the mid-300s, he gave a most helpful insight into how the church spread. This opponent of the faith said that Christianity "has been specially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers and through their care of the burial of the dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar and that the [Christians] care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help we should render them."

Oh that we could adopt a "scandalous" faith that would not overlook a beggar or turn away from those who need care. Those who labor in love serving the AID's victims in Africa are following that tradition. Is it a surprise that Christianity is growing so rapidly in Africa? God bless you. The brave followers of Jesus who carry the gospel to countries where persecution is real are following the example of the early church. God protect you.

For the rest of us the questions are uncomfortable. Are we willing to leave the climate controlled Christianity that is so comfy and fly outside where it is risky and dangerous? That is what we were created to be as followers of Jesus. Do we dare trust Him enough to take the chance?

Finding Joy When Life Isn't Fair
Daniel Darling

Editor's Note: In October 2007, we ran Daniel Darling's article titled, "Is God Fair? Maybe Not, But He's Right." This article is a follow-up to that first one. The author writes: "I was surprised at how much reaction [the first] article generated. Mostly people agreed with my assessment that our expectations for life are wildly out of touch with biblical reality. However, there were a few who commented that perhaps the tone of my article was one of bitterness at life's disappointments. 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,' one person wrote. I agree, so I thought it good to write a follow-up on the unexpected joy Christians find in the midst of trials." Enjoy.

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning"
Psalm 30:5

When you first meet Linda Sullivan, my mother-in-law, you might think she has enjoyed a carefree, easygoing life. You might think she has never endured rejection, disappointment, or betrayal.

But you'd be wrong. As I chronicled in an earlier article, Linda has endured a gut-wrenching series of setbacks in her life, enough to make some Christians consider abandoning their faith.

Linda's not that way, however. Despite her hardship, Linda is full of joy. She has not only kept her faith, she's shared it with countless others. She wears a constant smile and is an encouragement to her family and her network of friends.

I've known Linda for six years and I've never seen her without a pen and a stack of note cards. There is always someone to encourage, someone's burden to help carry, someone to pray over. She has sent innumerable cards, bookmarks, and gifts to those who are hurting. And her cell phone is always dialed up with someone who needs a friend.

Linda's life is a great example of a biblical paradox: joy in the midst of suffering.

The world - and sadly, many in the church - have propagated the myth that happiness is found in prosperity, in promotion, in power. How often have you heard, "If you follow God, all your problems will go away"? Or, "God wants to make you rich"?

That doesn't quite square with Jesus words to his disciples in Matthew 16:24: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Thus, American Christians, having been fed a steady diet of false expectations, are not conditioned for the hard times. When something comes along that threatens the good life, we throw our hands up and scream, "Wait, this isn't fair!"

Now is where real faith enters - faith that God knows what He is doing and has our best interests at heart. Faith that nothing we endure is outside of His will. Faith that looks for happiness, satisfaction, and fulfillment in a relationship with God.

This is also where real joy begins. Joy in trials. Consider the words of James to the early church, which endured bitter persecution. He said, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations" (James 1:2).

Paul experienced that joy. Writing from prison, Paul encouraged the believers of Philippi with a letter whose theme is "Rejoice." He spoke as if joy were optional, a choice. Something you choose to do in spite of your circumstances.

Linda has made this choice throughout her life. And because of her testimony, her life has been a light to bring others into the Kingdom. It's akin to the testimony of Job, who said, "Though he slay me, yet I will trust him" (Job 13:15); the testimony of Joseph, who looked at his brothers, who had betrayed him, and said, "What you meant for evil, God meant for good" (Genesis 50:20); the testimony of the prophet Habakkuk, who surveyed his corrupt and crumbling nation and declared, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (Habakkuk 3:17).

The truth is that life isn't fair. You know it. I know it. Things happen that knock us off of our feet. But we have a God who promises to lead us by the hand, to wrap his arms around us, and to work out our life for His glory.