Be the Neighbor they Talk About

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"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."  - Hebrews 10:23

  I look around and ask myself where is the greatness that has been promised. The world seems so drawn around problems today. People seem so caught up in living their dream without concerns for those that are losing their dreams. When we see the viral nature of media with an absolute biasness towards a political agenda, where are we to look to find the truth?

  Generations that have come and gone before us, held onto moral values, integrity, and justice as lynch pins in the fabric of the world. Today, the simple definition of these words have become so blurred there is no resemblance of what brought us to this point. The pain and suffering in this world today is more visible and known to the masses. Yet, we are no closer to eradicating hunger, disease and famine. I know the complexity of solving these problems is rich with political strife and war that has been going on for centuries. It is my contention that the very problems that we are facing in this world today have been created by the very people that are trying to solve them.

   Greed, selfishness, tolerance rather than truth, carefree and instant pleasure drive the world today. I'm more guilty than most, we all are. If you're reading this you are blessed. Some don't even consider it though. The thought of having a computer with access to the internet seems so much like an expectation rather than a luxury. How did the world operate 20 years ago? Oh my gosh, you mean we actually wrote letters to people and used pay-phones. Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-technology. I work for a Fortune 50 technology company and I'm addicted to it, believe me. I'm just making the point that we have created the problems that we are also trying to eradicate.

  We say we don't have time - yet we spend hours on Facebook, e-mail and other social media.

  We say we're broke all the time - yet we spend money we don't have on things we don't need to impress people we don't really like.

  We say we need more family time - yet we continue to work 60-70 hours a week and late into the night in front of the television or X-Box/WII/Playstation.

  We say we need to do more for others - yet less than 3% of us will actually take the time to stop and help someone in need.

  Who have we become and why? What is at the core of the decisions we make in life and who are the resulting actions going to benefit?

Today’s scripture lesson states

"...hold unswervingly to the hope we profess."-staying straight on the narrow pathway that leads to God. When you are riding a bicycle or driving a car, if you are not looking in front of you it is very easy to swerve unintentionally. As I have taught my children to ride their bikes - they all started out swerving their handle bars back and forth (left to right) as they learn to control the steering. Now, even David (age 7) rides his bike perfectly straight at high speeds. In just a short period of time, his confidence is overwhelming and he no longer fears losing control. Because, he has learned from his mistakes and remains focused on what is in front of him.  This summer I will teach Emma (5) and she too will excel at it.

"... he who promised is faithful." We are now in times where relying on God is all that can get us through each day. We are called by God, yeah - remember Him - the creator of the world; to serve, to help our neighbors, love others as yourself and to share His gospel. He promises throughout the scriptures that He will hear us and answer our prayers. The circumstances that you are not a surprise to God, nor are they too large for Him to handle. We must remain constant in our faith though, faith in His love for us, His sovereignty and His justice. I have found this hard to do. How many times I have sat and asked God why don't you just solve this problem or that problem and so on. Most the time I don't receive a Halleluiah moment with angels singing, but I do often feel convicted and comforted to know that God is the creator and CEO of the universe. Nothing exists that He can't handle, if He so chooses. Why He doesn't solve all of our problems is beyond my knowledge, but I'm sure in His infinite wisdom there is a very logical answer.

 My friends I come before you this day, asking you to take a stand. Take a stand for God's way on this earth. Put away your self preservation and experience His love and grace by giving to others. Give of your time, your talents and yes even some of your treasure. The world is in need of people to take action and stop looking at their neighbor to do it. Be that person, won't you?

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com

Washing It Away

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“And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” – Mark 1:3-5

Pride is something that I continue to work on.  It’s definitely one of my weaknesses in life and if left unchecked is something that can come between God and me.  One thing I am never going to be ashamed of though is the pride that wells up inside of me watching my children do amazing things, and mature into amazing individuals.  I have had the joy of watching my oldest walk down the aisle and become an incredible wife and mother of 2 beautiful little girls.  I’ve watched my second child travel to Germany on a mission trip to take the joy and love of Christ to teenagers there.  I’ll watch both of these girls graduate college in the next 3 weeks as they move on to the next stage of their walk with Christ.  My third girl is a miracle from God and has overcome spinal surgery as a three year old and now at the age of 9 is trying to become a pitcher on her softball team.  I see the joy, laughter and love from above expressed in my youngest child, who at 5 years old amazes her mother and I each and every day as her curiosity expands her scope on the world.   Then there is my boy, David, who at 7 years old gave his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized this past weekend. 

There will never be a more important decision in his life than this one.  He will one day choose a college, he will decide to marry, and he will choose a career.  He’ll choose a house to live in and what investments to make.   He will face difficult challenges and choices throughout his life, but nothing will compare or have more impact on his life than choosing to follow Jesus Christ.  As I stood at the top of the stairs in the church looking down upon the baptismal pool, tears filled my eyes as he stepped into the water.  His small frame next to Pastor Dale was so telling of just how young he is.  I watch as the words echo through the sanctuary – “David, on your public profession that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost.”  He is lowered under the water, and is raised once again and Pastor Dale gives him a hug.  

In those three seconds (or so) while David was under water did any miracles take place?  Did David change physically other than have dry blond hair to having wet blond hair?  No.  David decided months ago that he loved Jesus and wanted to follow Him.  For years David has demonstrated a love for God and a desire to learn more and more about Jesus.  Frequently, over the last few years, he would remind his mother and I about God’s love for us and His ability to help us in any situation we were in.  This boy genuinely loves and wants to serve God.  His baptism this weekend is a public demonstration of this faith that he has carried for some time.  It is a profession of his belief in Jesus Christ and a washing away of his sins and a rebirth, as a new creation dedicated to following Jesus rather than following mankind. 

So why do I stand at the top of the stairs in this sanctuary crying?  As his father, it is the realization that my child is now on a path set in place by the Creator of all things.  This is not a path I have established, nor his mother; but a path that God and the Holy Spirit within David have now begun.  I stand amazed at my own child and realize that he is going to be used by the Almighty and I am forever grateful to be here at the onset.  Pride within me wells up once again as I think about the possibilities of what this boy will do for God throughout his life.  And once again, I have to check myself and my pride, because it isn’t any of my doing, it is God at work right before my eyes and I am humbled to see it progress.

Congratulations, David Richard Palmer, for the most important decision you will make in your life.  I am proud of you son.

             
© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com

Truth not Tolerance

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“...Jesus answered...I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. Pilate said to Him, 'What is truth?'...” - John 18:37-38

People have asked for years if there is or is not an absolute moral truth in life. I for one believe there is and I believe it stems from the very word of God. I laugh when I hear people say that the Bible was true back in those days, but it's not true in today's world. In it's basic logic this argument does not hold water. If these individuals, as Christians, actually believe in the Almighty Father than believing that the bible is no longer relevant is idiocy.

God is perfect. In this we must agree.
God is timeless, He was the Alpha and will be the Omega. He is not held by any time standards for He holds eternity in His palm.
God is immutable, unchangeable and sovereign.
The Word is God (John 1:1)

These are all truths that come directly from the scriptures. So if we are to claim that the Word (Bible) is the Lord and the Lord is unchangeable, timeless and perfect; then logic will lead us to realize that the Word is also unchangeable, timeless and perfect. If we believe that we are unique in the cosmos of time and that our issues are far more complex than those of the past, than we also must believe that the future holds problems that are even more complex then we are facing today. What is the single thread of truth through all of that? If the Word of God is not that truthful thread through all of time, than what is? What can ground mankind in an immutable truth regardless of the eternal surroundings, cultural differences, physical, time and space differences?

One cannot believe in God as an eternal unchangeable Father, yet question the truth of His word through the test of time. If there is a belief that the Bible has an expiration date? Can the Bible be inspired by the everlasting, almighty God, be limited in it's effectiveness and timeliness? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, than God is not the perfect, unchanging and eternal God of our faith. He is less than these things. By the definition of His sovereignty, omnipotence and omniscience we know that He cannot be less than anything. So a conflict of eternal proportion results in the realization that God and His Word must be everlasting, truthful and perfect.

As Christians we believe in the almighty God of Adam, Abraham, Jacob, David and the Father of our Savior and believe He is bound by nothing, not even the time. His word is eternally focused, truthful and as pertinent today as it was when the scribes ink first pressed upon the papyrus. I ask only that you reflect on this truth for the weekend. Be blessed.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father,

We learn in Your word that You are eternal, that You are unchanging and that You are perfection. We thank You for Your word, that we might draw truth from it until the day of Your Son's return. Pour out Your blessings upon this world, in the freshness of Your love for us. In Your name I pray. Amen    

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com

Trusting God

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"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."   - John 14:1

Most people I know will read this scripture and think about the fear that must have been on the mind and in the heart of the disciples.  We find Jesus instructing His followers not to fear, not to be troubled.  They had spent every day for the previous three years walking, learning and living with Christ Jesus.  As Jesus was telling them of His coming death, He could sense the fear in their hearts.  His response was partially to calm their fears and comfort them.  But, read a little closer …Trust in God; trust also in me.”

 Jesus makes two very distinct points from this statement.

1) I am but a man, your trust must be in God, who sent me.  God is the almighty comforter and helper in times of trouble and need.  Jesus’ Father is accessible to the disciples, just as Jesus himself had been accessible for the last 3 years.  This statement is a bridge building statement that reaches beyond the obvious, physical presence of Jesus Christ himself to the One who deserves all honor and glory.

2) Jesus places himself in the same position of authority as the Almighty.  With his words he is articulating to the disciples – as you trust in God the Father you can also trust in me, for the Father is in me and I am in the Father.

Fear is inevitable and ever present in all of our lives.  Whether it is your 5 year old child afraid of the dark, or your 85 year old Grandmother afraid of dying, it is always with us.  God is that ever present comforter and provider of peace regardless of the circumstances.  In this time of financial stress, time management, political unrest and the complex global issues around energy, oil and environmental turmoil; it is often hard to find comfort and peace.  This is where we need to trust in Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Acknowledging their omnipotence and sovereignty is critical to finding peace.  Often times, fear is the result of a lack of confidence or visible execution in finding a resolution to an everyday occurrence.  It is at this point that we must reach to the One who is greater than all things and rest in knowing that He has it under control, within His perfect plan.  Easier said than done, I know believe me.  It is a learning curve and the sooner you begin down that path, the sooner that life’s complications become manageable.  Just think, if you don’t have to solve the world’s problems and you trust that God in His infinite wisdom will; then they become much more manageable.  Think about this today – What problem are you facing that God has never seen before?  So, if you realize He’s faced it before, why won’t you let Him solve it for you this time?  Silly isn’t it.  What do you want to give to Him today?  Let’s pray about that.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father,

  You have assured us through Your word that You are big enough to handle any problem that we face.  You parted the Red Sea for Moses; You delivered Goliath unto the hands of a child – David; You saved the world from eternal damnation through Your own Son’s death and resurrection; what is there that is too grand for You to resolve?  Nothing at all.  Lord, today we offer up to You our problems.  We acknowledge that they are bigger than we can solve, and we humbly bring them before You.  Specifically I offer up to You; ____________________ (fill in the blank) Take this problem Lord and work it to Your resolution, such that it will lift up Your Kingdom.  Grant me peace from this situation and comfort in knowing that You are in control of the outcome.  Help me to accept Your sovereignty and omnipotence in all things, including my problems.  In the name of Jesus Christ I pray - Amen

 

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com