2012: Put up or shut up

At the close of every year, I take some time to reflect on the preceding 12 months of my life with an eye toward making changes in the coming year. This annual ritual of introspection helps me determine my "life theme" for the new year. This year, I have chosen "Put up or shut up" as my life theme because of my tendency to procrastinate. No doubt you've heard this expression before, perhaps, even said it yourself. Put up or shut up is a no nonsense expression, which denotes that some action is needed to resolve the issue at hand. In essence, Put up or shut up means either do what you've been talking about or stop talking about it; either take steps to change a situation or stop complaining about it.  I like the intent behind Put up or shut up because it leaves no room for procrastination.

How many of us have fallen into the trap of procrastination? Procrastination is one of those temptations common to man and woman (1Cor10:13). It first starts as a tendency to put off everyday things like cleaning, paying off debts, making household repairs, exercising, or losing weight. But it doesn't stop there. At work or school, putting off becomes a habit resulting in missed deadlines, failure to complete projects on time and sub par performance. When fully ingrained, procrastination can attack the spiritual dimension causing a putting off or neglect of spiritual things like daily personal devotions, prayer, bible study, witnessing, and in the case of the unbeliever, even salvation (Heb 2:3). Procrastinators buy the lie that there will always be time to do it later ("I'll get back to it at SOME point."). But it never happens or when it does happen, it is often too late.

The Bible warns that procrastination in all forms has deadly consequences in eternity. It refers to procrastinators as "slothful and sluggards." A slothful person is "a loose, undisciplined person"; while a sluggard is just plain "lazy". Consider this illustration based on Eccl 10:18:

"A little slothfulness evolves into much slothfulness. It is habit-forming. When there is much slothfulness, things remain undone and the house itself starts to fall apart, decaying for lack of care while the sloth is out having fun or sleeping. If nobody steps forward to fix things in the moment, the house of the sloth decays. His responsibilities fall on everybody but him."

Like a decaying building, our spiritual house suffers decay when we put off and neglect those spiritual disciplines (i.e. personal devotions, prayer, bible study, witnessing) that are necessary in order to grow and to remain strong in the faith. I hear people say all the time, "I wish I knew the Bible better" or "I wish I could quote it" or "I wish I could pray like so and so" or "I've been thinking about joining a ministry but..." [What's stopping you?] Then there is the unsaved procrastinator who hears the gospel and says, "Sounds like me, but I'm not ready yet. Besides, I've got plenty of time." Sooner or later,  procrastinators run out of time. Someone once said, "Ain't nothing to it but to do it." So if this sounds like you, or is you, don't procrastinate. Confess it. With God's help make the choice to "Put up or shut up in 2012.

Come out of your comfort zone

If there's one thing I hate more than anything it's moving. Packing up years of accumulated stuff and  moving it across town, across country, to another state or as in this most recent case, to another cubicle at my workplace just doesn't appeal to me. In the short time I've been on my job, I've been asked to move five times within the same large, open floor plan. Needless to say, I took this latest uprooting hard mostly because I was comfortable where I was.

I had got use to being there. I was friendly with my cubicle mate, liked the limited view from the nearby window and it was close to the bathroom. Then somebody got the bright idea to move us around...AGAIN! Reluctantly, I arrived at my newly assigned digs loaded down with boxes and determined not to like it. At this point I couldn't see any positives. And to make matters worse, I was thrown in with a new group of co-workers who I pegged as "younger, louder and most unfriendly." There was no way I had anything in common with this bunch, nor did I ever think I would. Right now, you're probably thinking that I'm a real SNOB without the "N." But wait, before you judge me prematurely, read on. It gets better.

As I sat there stewing in my own stubborn juices, the Holy Spirit spoke these words to my heart: "Jesus wasn't comfortable either when he hung on that cross for you. He wasn't comfortable when his accusers spit in His face...wasn't comfortable when the soldiers beat him with cords...wasn't comfortable when they forced Him to carry a heavy cross...wasn't comfortable when the people mocked him as He was dying... wasn't comfortable when the soldiers stabbed Him in his side...wasn't comfortable when his tongue swelled in his mouth from thirst...wasn't comfortable as he struggled to breathe his last breath for you and me." Wow, that really got my attention.

Suddenly, I was overwhelmed by guilt and shame realizing now that my present discomfort couldn't even compare to what Jesus had suffered not only for me, but for the whole world. The words of Isaiah 53:5 came back to me: "But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received (GNV)."  Leave it to God to put things in their proper perspective, and us in our proper place...at the foot of the uncomfortable Cross of Calvary. Followers of Christ are not called to a life of ease but to a life of service, even if it means giving up some creature comforts.

SOMETIMES...

Sometimes you can't see the future

When you're stuck in the past...

Sometimes you have to lose everything

To understand the value of having nothing...

Sometimes you have to take risks
In risking lies the greater reward...

Sometimes you have to give up some things

To make room for what's important...

Sometimes you have to move from where you are

To get to where He wants you to be...

Sometimes you have to yield your will to His

Let go and let God...

He will heal and restore your broken places.

Jesus and The Electric Slide

"To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."  Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 9:22-23


If Jesus were still alive today, do you think he would do the Electric Slide if it meant saving another soul?  From what I've read about Jesus, I think he would and here's why. First of all, Jesus was very relational. He cared more about people than he did tradition. In fact, he often broke with the traditions of the religious leaders of his day to reach out those persons he wanted to heal and set free. Sinners were not welcome in the religious institutions of that day. They were often found outside the temple gate begging for alms. 

But Jesus changed all that by taking the Gospel to them. Jesus earned "street cred" by eating with sinners and associating with men and women whose reputations were considered unwholesome. In fact, Jesus made his reputation by doing some of his best known miracles among social outcasts, namely lepers, cripples, thieves and demon-possessed. I believe if the Electric Slide had been around in Jesus' day, he would have found a way to re-purpose it and use it to attract people to the Gospel. 1 Samuel 16:7 says that " the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 

Those who criticize others for dancing in church are looking on the outward appearance. They lack the spiritual discernment to see beyond the physical realm. Dancing in church is not an evil as long as the purpose is to glorify God. 2 Samuel 6:14 says King David, a man after God's heart, "danced before the Lord with all his might." And as David danced, God was looking at his heart, and was so pleased by David's worship that he made mention of it in the Bible. If the Bible were still being written today, I wonder how many Sunday church services would be worthy of mention? 

Jesus set the example for the Church. To be relevant today, the Church must relate to where people are --- spiritually as well as physically. Jesus did not sit in the temple and wait for sinners to come to him; he went after them, often undertaking exhaustive, cross country trips in the process. Some religious folk have a hard time with this concept because they think there's something sacred about stained glass windows and polished pews. Far from it. All that it means is that the world can't see in and the Church can't see out. Far too many "Church folk" are reluctant to leave their pew to "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them [sinners] to come in, that my [God's] house may be filled" Luke 14:22-24.

What would happen if the Church broke with tradition every now and again, and fired up a bar-be-cue pit on the back lot, blasted some uptempo praise tunes from the church speakers and just had a good ole time in the Lord? I say, turn up the volume and let's dance. Who knows, it just might shake up the neighborhood and attract some lost soul passing by to Christ. 

The Big Lie

I told a lie. It slipped out my mouth so fast, I didn't have time to shut it. It was shocking. Can you believe it? Me, a born again Christian, telling a lie? God forbid. The instant that lie left my lips, two things happened—Satan cheered and heaven   groaned. Immediately, the Holy Spirit convicted me. There I was caught between that lie and what I knew would be its consequences.     The battle for my soul was just beginning to heat up.

I had Satan, in one ear telling me, “Oh come on now, it wasn’t even a big lie. Besides, it didn’t hurt anyone now did it? And the Holy Spirit in the other ear softly pleading, “The lie you just told wounded the heart of God, your Father. You must confess it.” I was crushed under the weight of my guilt at the very thought that my actions could possibly have hurt God.

This was major and not something I could easily dismiss, as Satan had tempted me to do. I knew that if I listened to Satan and just let it go, he would dig in even deeper, and establish a stronghold in my mind from which he could manipulate my thoughts. This little lie, as unintended as it was, was now beginning to take on huge proportions as the battle for my soul continued. Satan fired another shot, this time a direct hit at my pride: “You don’t want people to know that you, of all people, tell lies do you?

There goes your witness and your testimony. What will people think of you? You better keep it under wraps. It’ll just be our little secret,” Satan said with a wink. The thought was a tempting for a minute. But I knew that it was a lie straight from the pit of Hell. Imagine the father of lies trying to convince me that he could keep a secret.

The Holy Spirit countered Satan’s onslaught by bringing to this battle for my mind every scripture from the word of God that I'd ever memorized. I remembered that God hates liars. Revelation 21:8 says that liars will be judged and tossed into the lake of fire—a place especially prepared for them. Also in this fiery lake will be the cowards who have turned away from God, unbelievers, murderers, and persons who are corrupt, sexually immoral, who practice witchcraft and worship idols. Talk about being in bad company.

I was beginning to realize the enormity of what I had done. There was only one way to get Satan off my back and God back on my side—I had to confess. Without further delay, I dropped to my knees and prayed, “Father, forgive me, the lie I told was a sin. It was wrong and I am truly sorry.” Well, that was just the beginning of my restoration. Later, I went back to the one I told the lie to and confessed.

I guess the lesson in all this is that Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven. As long as we are on this earth, we will be tempted, and we may even succumb in a moment of weakness. Even Jesus was tempted but he handled it God's way. Rather than hide from our sin like Adam did or try to cover it up like King David did, we should confess it directly to God and ask for His forgiveness. He offers this promise in 1 John 1:9 to both Christians who sin and the unsaved sinner alike: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” It sure feels good to be forgiven.

If there is sin in your life that Satan has convinced you is just between you and him, he's lying. Sin is really between you and God. There’s no such thing as a white lie or a little sin. Big or small, it’s all sin. And God hates it. To add to sin's consequences, it blocks your blessings and hinders your prayers so that God will not hear you. Don’t let Satan fool you. For your own good, confess your sins and be set free. Jesus died for my sins and yours so that by believing in him, we can be forgiven and have eternal life. By the way, if you’re wondering if I made this story up, absolutely not. It’s a true story, no lie.

Marshmallow cross: Taking a bite out of Easter

"A symbol of Christianity that sits atop church steeples, dangles from necks and hangs on walls is being worshipped in a new way---in the mouths of the faithful." (Associated Press)

First, there was the Easter bunny, and then Easter eggs and Easter baskets…and now, a chocolate covered marshmallow cross? Like many, I have been guilty of purchasing an Easter egg or two in my lifetime; but I draw the line when it comes to condoning this latest insult to one of Christianity’s most sacred symbols---the cross. And if that weren’t enough, this sacrilegious little candy confection is being sold at Wal-Mart, a company founded on the principles of faith and family.

One would think Christians would be up in arms over this blatant mockery of the cross. But candy manufacturer Russell Stover, who first came up with the idea of the candy cross, didn't seem to think so. In fact, Stover admits that the marshmallow cross was specifically designed to appeal to the Christian market. The success of Stover's candy cross prompted Whitman's Candy et al to cast other Christian icons in chocolate. Also available are praying hands and a “Jesus” fish symbol, both in solid milk chocolate. Apparently, there are enough Christians out there, who see nothing wrong with taking a bite out of the cross and letting it melt in their mouths. What’s next, I ask you? For now, Stover and Whitman have stopped short of offering a replica of a chocolate covered Jesus on the cross because they didn't think it would go over as well.

A sacred symbol of Easter

If all this seems outrageous, it’s because it is. Sadly, the response of the Christian church to this outrage has been far too tepid. Where are the store boycotts, protest marches, and pulpit denunciations of those who demean and mock this sacred symbol of Easter, the holiest day on the Christian calendar? Interestingly enough, I have yet to see candy replicas of the Qur’an or the Torah, or Muhammad or a mezuzah? No self respecting Jew or Muslim would stand for it. Should a candy cross be any less of an insult to Christians? Some may choose to sugar coat the issue; others may say it’s no big deal. But I wonder “WWJD?” As for me, I prefer the bloody, wooden cross of Calvary where Jesus died for the sins of the world, over a marshmallow cross any day. It just makes Christ’s resurrection on Easter morning that much sweeter.

Gay marriage: who's to blame?

A prominent Baptist minister stood in the pulpit of his West Baltimore church recently and told his Sunday morning congregation, “Sooner or later they [gay couples] are going to come to me and ask me to perform a ceremony and the answer is ‘no’.” Like some others who oppose legalizing marriage between homosexuals, Reverend Wright (not his real name) has all but conceded victory to the proponents of the proposed “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (HB175, SB116)” coming up for a vote this week in the Maryland General Assembly. By general consensus, and with the support of nearly all of Baltimore’s elected senators and delegates, it is almost certain to pass. Governor Martin O’Malley, a supporter of the bill during his recent reelection bid, will most likely sign it into law. To challenge, opponents will have to call for a referendum vote on the November ballot. An uphill fight, but not insurmountable as California voters have demonstrated.

How did it come down to this?

But beyond the politics, the question is, how did it all come down to this? How is it that the definition of marriage is in jeopardy of having to expand to include a reprobate variation, which bears no resemblance in spirit or letter to the biblical model originally ordained by God when he created man and gave him a woman to be his wife for the propagation of humankind? How is it that the ordinance of traditional marriage has come under such attack? The answer lies in what I refer to as the “weakest link theory.” Military strategists know that to best an enemy, you attack him at his point of weakness. Consider the state of traditional marriage in America. We have become a nation that turns a blind eye to divorce, to couples living together without marriage, to single women having children without husbands, and now, to persons wanting to “marry” persons of the same sex, even among Christians. All of which are against God’s laws and basic Judeo-Christian principals. And yet, those who cry out the loudest against gay marriage are themselves guilty of at least one of these offenses. If future generations are to value traditional marriage as the norm, this generation must do a better job of preserving its sanctity so that the next generation will see it as a viable choice for themselves. Upholding the standard God has set for marriage puts a unified face on traditional marriage that says unequivocally...what God has joined together no man can pull asunder.