Saturday, June 18, 2005

The Blame Game

Blame never affirms, it assaults.
Blame never restores, it wounds.
Blame never solves, it complicates.
Blame never unites, it seperates.
Blame never smiles, it frowns.
Blame never forgives, it rejects.
Blame never forgets, it remembers.
Blame never builds, it destroys.

"As long as you blame others, you will be a victim all your life."

Chuck Swindoll's "Strengthening Your Grip..."

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Cutting Carnality like Jealousy

Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

This is a great piece of advice but very few exercise this in the world we live in today. We can do just the opposite by weeping when others rejoice and rejoice when others weep. Especially the jealous heart is one that will do this. When good things happen to a neighbor, we can end up feeling very sad! Our ‘get ahead no matter what society’ tells us that we are inadequate when a neighbor gets nicer car or a bigger pay check or just seems to be doing better.

But the Bible offers different advice to cut this impurity from our hearts. It says to truly rejoice when with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. Can you think of a stunning example of this in the Bible? The first example that comes to my head is from John 11:35 which is the shortest verse in the good book, "Jesus Wept." This was when his good friend Lazarus died.

What is even more interesting is that Jesus didn’t offer shallow praise in this sitation. He didn’t say, "Praise the Lord," or "Hallelujah," or "Amen." He wasn’t this heartless. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we should stop giving God praise. It all depends on the appropriateness of the circumstance. To me, it would seem kind of insensitive and maybe even cruel to respond this way to a friends death. He wasn’t unable to sympathize with our weaknesses as Hebrews 4:15 indicates.

Do you know what else would cut jealousy from our hearts? Check out Romans 12:10, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." Would it be great if we truly looked out for the best welfare of our neighbor? Can you imagine the impact. We would offer to help them get ahead at work or find a good vehicle and guide there children. It would be outrageous. They may even ask, ‘Why is this guy doing this? What is he up to? Where did they get so much love?’ And once they realize that we have no ulterior motive but a simple faith in Jesus. BOOM! Before we know it, we find that the Father has drawn another blind, prodigal back to Him! And again we rejoice with the angels in heaven over another sinner who repents.

Oh, but so many inhibitions? We think, ‘What if they take advantage of me?’ or ‘It will take to much of my time.’ Or ‘What if they hurt me.’ Let’s look to Jesus again. He loved anyway. John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." God loved the world and gave himself for it. Sure it hurt. Sure it was hard. Sure it wasn’t easy but remember it is him who does the loving and caring and giving. We just volunteer ourselves as an instrument or tool. 1Peter 1: 3-4, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
It is He, God who does the saving and the drawing and when we focus on Him, our inhibitions fall aside. In fact Jesus felt a joy when he had to give his life to save the world. Didn’t you know? Philippians , "And for the JOY set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame and seated himself at the right hand of the Father."

Wouldn’t it be great to share in that joy? It can only happen when we offer ourselves as that sacrifice and give our all to Him? When we decide to crucify or kill those carnal desires like jealousy the keep us in bondage.

It will actually cost us more if we don’t do this. We may end up seeing our neighbor perish in sin and never know the freedom of Christ. Can you imagine that life without hope and faith and joy? Can you even begin to comprehend a love without ever feeling loved or cared for or wanted? Well God can take that all way but it must start with us. Let’s decide today to be Jesus to our neighbor.

Saturday, June 04, 2005

There She is...

So we won? WOOoo WHOOooo! We made it. Miss Canada won the Miss Universe pageant. High fives all around! I guess she had what it takes, high cheek bones, a colgate smile, symetrical features, good breath...

Isn't it crazzy how we measure beauty? We parade women under a banner of lights, make them put on dresses and high heels and force them to plaster on a 'no matter what' smile. Then they put on the swim suits and oh, don't forget the talent show. It seems like a shallow way to measure beauty doesn't it?

Oh, it doesn't stop there, we also gauge what is called 'inner beauty?' How? By asking questions with obvious ansrews. Questions like, 'If you could change anything in the world, what would you change?" Then they would say obvious things like, "Oh, I'd rid with world of poverty or Aids or hunger..."

And we pretend to be moved and touched by their 'profound' answers. But really, what do you expect them to say? "Oh, I wish there was more homelessness and terrorism mixed with a couple of nuclear wars."

And these contestants, are they really that beautiful? We make them look flawless and perfect and even righteous. Do they have a carnal or sinful nature like you and me? Do they think, "Gosh, look at her hips, I'd kill to look like that?" or "Wow, watch that smile! I'd feel like punching her." or "If I could change anything in the world, I'd want the all people to envy my beauty!"

Well, the closest thing we have to a beauty pageant in the Bible is in the book of Esther. I couldn't tell if the Good book was condemning these pageants or not. Let me know if you find out. (But I must warn you that I don't think that was the point of the book).

One thing the Bible is clear on is defining what real beauty is. There are plenty of verses about what to look for in a wife. Let's look at a couple of verses, shall we?

Proverbs 19:13
a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

Proverbs 27:15
A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day

Proverbs 21:9
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 21:19
Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.

Proverbs 25:24
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Ouch! Poor Solomon... He had many wives and had to learn the HARD way! Well these verses tell us what's not beautiful about a woman and in this case a wife. I wish these beauty pageants were able to measure a woman's character! What is she like at home? No, really! Wouldn't it be great if we had these contestants in a reality show or something? You know, see them trying to maintain a household. Oh, but then this would be a Mrs Beauty Pageant. But I think this is crucial. How beautiful is a woman when the rubber hits the road? You know, when the pay cheque runs thin or when the toilet seat is up or down or which ever way it is? How do they work under pressure? Are they still as squiky clean and beautiful or contentious as poor Solomon experienced? Oh my, who knows...

But anyway, lets look at what a real beauty is. Check out these verses:

Proverbs 31:10-31

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Wooo Weee! Hubba Hubba! A Woo ga! We hit the jackpot ladies and gentlemen. This is it. This is truly a beautiful women! You see the qualities and the beauty! Yeeh HAA!

But you know what! You know what else is true beauty. True beauty is when we practice the virtues we desire for that special some one in our life! When we start with ourselves and decide, "Hey, I want to be that person who is caring and loving and sensitive and etc..." This is a great start! Isn't it? I've met many people who would write down 'the list' of what they want in their ideal mate! Instead we should look at that list and practice those qualities instead! What do you think?

Please comment below.