Hammer on Anvil '

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

I missed my blog last week. Actually, to be more accurate, I didn't miss it at all-until Sunday evening. A feeling that is all too familiar hits me in the middle of my stomach..."I can't believe I forgot something so important!" Guilt seeps in to the point that I begin to believe I can't do anything right.

I've written in the past about trying to 'have it all'. In today's culture, there's another myth that is just as insidious-trying to 'do it all'. We read the verse above and take it to mean we can do everything. All at once. But that's not what this verse is about at all. Listen to Paul's words just prior to this verse: "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Phil 4:11b-12.

"I can do all things" isn't about trying to fit in every possible activity. It's about being content with what you have because of Christ's work in your life.

As a mother of a teenage daughter, I see the beginning of the cycle. Sports, social activities, clubs, music lessons, homework, boyfriends...they all add up to zero time for the Lord. Even in the midst of church activities, you can get so caught up in the task at hand that you miss experiencing God. As my teenager's mother, I see that it only gets worse. Job, family, household chores, husband, social activities, chauffeur; and then add to that the items in my children's lists in order to be a successful parent. No wonder I can't keep track of all my appointments!

Why do we do it? For fun? That's a lie we tell ourselves. This roller coaster is not fun; it's exhausting. To keep up with our neighbors and friends? That's so old it's almost a proverb. :P Perhaps we do it to fill our lives with meaning. Unfortunately, that doesn't work either, because by the end of the day, we are too tired to care whether or not we've done anything profound. The truth is that none of it can really give us purpose. That's God's role in our lives, and if we insist on filling every minute of every day with meaningless chaff, we push Him out.

It's time we start being content with less in our lives. Whether that means less money, less comfort, or just less activities, the Lord wants us to examine our lives and remove the things that aren't part of His plan for us. The beautiful thing about this concept that we miss so often is that it doesn't mean we give away everything that pleases us. God does not want to take away our happiness, he wants to increase it.

I love how God reminds me to slow down; to be content with less. I especially love how many times he reminds me; because I need constant vigilance in this area. Satan uses popular culture to tell us we're not good enough or we're not doing enough, and without the Lord's guidance in our lives, we can buy into that.

"Be still and know that I am God"-Psalm 46:10
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope."-Jeremiah 29:11
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”-Matthew 11:28-30
"And He said, 'My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest."-Exodus 33:14
"Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you."-Psalm 116:7

What things in your life are competing for your time with God?
Are you stubbornly holding onto control of something because you don't want to give it up?
When was the last time you evaluated your activities from God's perspective?
Will your happiness be reduced if you drop some of the balls you are juggling?

Let go; give God control. (I know it's easier said than done-believe me.) He's so much smarter than us, He cares for us more than we can ever comprehend, and He can guide us safely through the time between so that we can truly look forward to Heaven with joy and look back at our lives without regret.

Last night we hosted a county wide See You at the Pole Rally.

Students from several towns around joined us in worship, student testimony and a challenging message.

It's a good thing to gather as people of God. I think it makes him smile when so many people from so many different places join together as a body to focus on Him.

We are told in Hebrews to not forsake gathering together... and to see how we may spur one another on.

I am encouraged today by seeing His people gather together.

Your local body needs you - do not forsake the gathering.

In high school, I ran cross country all four years. So from August to November, I was running almost every day. The courses we ran on for meets were difficult at times, but overall cross country was enjoyable. What was not so enjoyable is the training. I didn't have an Ipod, so the miles could become tedious. Even worse were the speed workouts, especially one called a fartlek (more fun to say than do). We complained about these the most, because there did not seem to be any immediate benefit.


On a blog I like to read called The Art of Manliness, a recent post was called The Gains of Drudgery. He defines drudgery as: "work that in itself is not pleasant, that has no immediate effect in stimulating our best powers, and that only remotely serves the purpose of our general advancement." For undergrad students, these are GenEds. For those in high school it is homework and that time between 8 & 3 M-F, (just kidding).

We complain about these tedious tasks, the mundane work, and much more. Yet, as I look back to those days in cross country, I remember that if not for all that hard work I put in to training, I would not have been able to compete well when it counted. Remember Jesus' words in the parable of the talents:
"You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things."

Brett

A couple of weeks ago, I started looking at a few of today’s myths and the truth behind them. I’m continuing that this week by looking at the last myth:

4) If I believe in God, I will go to Heaven.

This is a difficult myth to touch on, because the Bible is very clear that we are saved by faith alone and in Christ alone. Just take a look at Galatians to see verses galore to that effect. In no way do I want to suggest anything different. Rather, I want to look at belief and what it means to really believe. Today’s society is full of people who “believe” in God, but how deep does that belief go? Does it affect their actions in any way? Probably not. The book of James is particularly blunt to these people.

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.” - James 2:19

Clearly, demons will not be invited into Heaven, so we know that it takes more than belief to get into Heaven.

At first glance, the Bible contradicts itself on this point. Consider Titus 3:5, which I shared on my first week of looking at myths, “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Now compare that with another blunt verse from James. “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” – James 2:26

Wait, what? These two verses seem to say completely opposite things. In reality, though, they aren’t saying different things, but rather they are emphasizing different parts of the same thing. The verse from Titus is saying that there is nothing we can DO to earn salvation; it is a free gift from God (see my first myth, The Myth of the Basically Good).

The verse from James doesn’t disagree with this point, but instead is saying that there is more to faith than belief. True faith demands action. Even though you can’t DO anything to earn salvation, true faith means that you will DO things differently. You will back up your words of belief with your actions of faith.

A common explanation for this is to imagine an airplane. You can look at an airplane and believe with all of your heart that it will take you to your destination, but until you actually step onto the airplane and let them shut the door and take off with you onboard, it’s not going to take you anywhere.

So now is the time for each of us to “examine [our]selves to see whether [we] are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Are you living a life of belief or a life of faith? Jesus is very clear when he says, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30). You may believe in Christ, but are you gathering with him? Be honest with yourself, because you are the one with the greatest to lose or the most to gain.

In summary, true faith (and so true salvation) is expressed through action.

There are seasons when a Christian determines by faith to submit to God in order to find victory and relief from the effects of debilitating sin that causes guilt, frustration, depression, emotional turmoil, and bitterness. I've watched it happen from 1st, 2nd, and 3rd hand perspectives that having experienced true repentance, renewal and freedom, soaring to spiritual heights, if there is a fall, it is always more painful, and more difficult to get back up.
I found this little prayer a few years ago, and just found it again today. This is a recount of one man’s struggle with sin, and God's response. I hope it is encouraging to you.

- Jerrod

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"My Sin"
Michele Coyst

I have fallen, Lord, once more. I can’t go on and I’ll never succeed. I’m ashamed and I don’t dare look at you. And yet I’ve struggled Lord, for I knew you were right near me bending over me, watching. But temptation blew in like a hurricane and, instead of looking at you, I turned my head away and stepped aside while you stood silent and sorrowful, like the squirmed fiancée who sees his loved one carried off by his rival.

When the wind had died down as suddenly as it had arisen, when the lightening ceased after proudly streaking the darkness, all of a sudden I found myself alone, ashamed, disgusted with my sin in my hands. This sin that I selected, as a customer selects his purchase. This sin that I paid for but cannot return, for the store keeper is no longer there. This tasteless sin, this odious sin, this sin that now sickens me, which I once wanted, but I want no more. That I imagined, sought, played with, fondled for a long time, that I finally embraced by passing you.

My arms outstretched, my eyes and heart irresistibly drawn, this sin that I’ve grasped and consumed with a gluttony. It’s mine now, Lord, but it possesses me as a spider web holds captive the fly. It’s mine and sticks to me. It flows in my veins and fills my heart. It has slipped in everywhere, as darkness slips into the forest at dusk and fills all the patches of light. Lord, I can’t seem to get rid of it. I run from it like the master of an unwanted and mangy dog. But it catches up with me and rubs joyfully against my legs. Everyone must notice it. I’m so ashamed that I feel like crawling to avoid being seen. I’m ashamed of being seen by my friends, Lord. I’m ashamed of being seen by you, for you loved me and I forgot you. I forgot you because I was thinking only of myself, and one can’t think of several persons at once; one must choose and I chose.

And now, Lord, your voice, your look, and your love hurt me. They weigh me down more than my sin. Lord, please don’t look at me like that, I’m naked and dirty, down and shattered with no strength left, and I dare not make any more promises. I can only stand bowed before you, Lord.

[Says God…]
Come on, son, look up. Isn’t it mainly your vanity that has ruined it? If you loved me you would grieve, but you would trust. Do you think there’s a limit to God’s love? Do you think for a moment I have stopped loving you? But you still rely on yourself, son, you must rely on me. Ask my pardon and get up quickly. You see, it’s not falling that is the worst, but staying on the ground.

My wife recently read a book called Already Gone by Ken Ham. It is subtitled "why your kids quit church and what you can do to stop it." While I have not read it, we had many conversations about it and one of the points he makes is that they are gone way before the teenage years when they lose interest. It is a book about world-view and parenting and much more.

We cannot avoid the staggering statistics that say anywhere between 70 and 90% of students that graduate from youth ministry will not be active within 2 years of graduation. It is a stat that hurts me and that is incredibly discouraging to people that work with students. I have found, from many years of ministry, that the students we have engaged have a much better retention rate. Heck, I graduate kids every year and recognize them in our graduates service... and that morning is the first time I have ever met them. Did we lose them? Did we ever have them?

What hurts even more is when we are engaging students, and doing all we can to do something and there is no response. There are so many students who come to church but are not engaged at all. There are as many who we contact regularly, but are simply not interested in God. What is the chance of them walking with Jesus for a lifetime. In my opinion, very little, since they have never started walking with Him.

The call of Jesus is not simply a decision, or an event... it is a lifetime process.

God, give me words to say to students to engage them in worship and in Your Word, and in relationship with the Lord of the universe.

Last week's post contained Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken." I asked a coworker what came to her mind with the poem. Her answer was 'choices' and I agree. I think about the poem most often when I am faced with a decision. Unfortunately, it is rare that it is a simple and clear choice between two paths.


I've been playing "Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" on my XBox and just recently finished the main storyline. The open world allows you to travel at will and complete quests as and when you please. What I like about the main storyline is that it is clear what you must do next, you really just play along. Here's the trouble I have in my own life, making those decisions.

Sure, I struggle with the everyday decisions of what am I going to eat for dinner? It's 8:00 right now and I haven't decided yet. But the bigger decisions, ones that are not the choice between this and that (further education, dating/marriage, career, etc.), I struggle with.

So, how do you cope with these decisions?

...the counsel you take and the sources you take it from. Make sure you aren't acting on your insecurities, but instead on what you know to be true. Do not proceed in haste, the situation is rare that there is cause for you to rush in. Apply wisdom to choosing those that you allow to speak into your life and weigh out how their words line up with the truth of the word. There is too much at stake to be careless with our words or actions. Search out the depth of a thing and draw out understanding before you answer. I'm not calling you to neurotic behavior, but to sound and well weighed out action and speech.

1st Pete 3:15 states, - Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Remember these things and it will be well with you. People are still going to misread and misunderstand your actions, but when you have acted prudently your mind and your heart will be at rest.

3) There are several ways for a person to make it to Heaven.

I just finished eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and I’m now licking the jelly off my fingers before I start typing. I’ve got to finish the church bulletin and get it to the church tonight to print it for distribution tomorrow morning. On the way back, I’ll pick up the church van, so I can pick up kids in the morning. After that, if I still have energy, I’ll put the finishing touches on the power point slides for Sunday Children’s worship. But if not, it’s ok… I’ll do it first thing in the morning. But before I could do any of that, today was a big work day at the Tune house: it’s fall cleaning day! OK, so maybe it’s not quite as exciting as spring cleaning, but it had to be done. And to be honest, it’s not finished yet. It’s been a long time since we’ve had the chance to clean like this, and it will take it more than one Saturday afternoon to finish the job.

But one thing is for certain: I now have the satisfaction of knowing that there is now a room filled with junk that will be transported to another house for a yard sale next Saturday. My wife and I stood and admired that room this evening, knowing that in less than a week, it would be empty of all that junk, and ready to start to put in order again. Yes, once in a while, some good house cleaning is just what the doctor ordered to free up space, and help us live a bit more efficiently.

The same has always been true for me, spiritually. It’s true for you, too. We are called to “clean house”, to keep the crud from building up. This is especially true for those who are in positions of leadership. Before you can stand up to serve others on Sunday, there has to be some cleaning done in your own heart on Saturday. From time to time, we need to sit still and search our own hearts, and see where some idols have begun to creep in; some spiritually unhealthy habits and behaviors; some impure attitudes and motives. It can get discouraging at times, when we recognize the vastness of our own sin, and just how far we have to go… For me, that discouraging recognition of my own inadequacy gets coupled with the weight of doubt and fear. The temptation is to just let it all pile up over time and ignore it. To lead and serve with a heart that is cluttered with some sinful attitudes and affections.

This may sound odd, but John (the Beloved) reminds us that there is joy in housekeeping through confession. We usually think of confession of something coming from sorrow and a broken heart. Well it is. But its ultimate product is the joy of renewed fellowship with God. “We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete… If we confess your sins, [God] is faithful and just forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned (pretend the house doesn’t need cleaning) we make him a liar, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:4, 9-10 John is giving us the remedy for renewing fellowship with God: honesty over our sin. It takes some work. It takes some rolling up our sleeves, digging deep and seeing the idols we harbor in our hearts that produce sinful behaviors and attitudes, and come between us and God.

In spite of his position as a spiritual leader, David didn’t make this subject taboo even in his own life. He prayed “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalms 139:23-24) We can't do this on our own, because we can deceive ourselves. In our home, my standard for clean dishes is not the same standard as my wife's standard. And what I may see as a pure heart may reveal something ugly and sinful to God. Who has better eyes for seeing what is truly in our hearts? So when you begin cleaning house, you MUST seek God's help to open your eyes to things you may not have seen before about your own heart.

This can be some dirty, discouraging work, just like cleaning a house that hasn't been cleaned in ages. So we need some encouragement in this. We must constantly talk to ourselves, preach to ourselves, remind ourselves of the fact that there is forgiveness to be had. Our work is not offering up a new sacrifice… our work is that of confession – of honestly, openly baring our sins before God, in all its shame, trusting that He will not let us dwell in shame and judgment, but that He will “give grace to the humble.” John tells us "if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."(1 John 2:1)

When we are faithful to confess and be honest about our sin, godly repentance will give way to godly obedience. This is a constant thing in the life of the believer. Confession is a way of life for the follower of Christ. He doesn’t clean us up over night, but little by little, over time, so that we do not grow proud, and to teach us to rely upon His grace to cover our sin, and His strength to overcome it.

Let's clean...

What attitudes or behaviors have you noticed beginning to creep up in your own life that you have hesitated to deal with? In what ways are you procrastinating? When you worship, do you do so with a clean conscience, or with a sense of guilt because of sin you have yet to deal with? When will you set aside time to sit with God this week and confess the sinful inadequacies of your heart? What other person will you share that with, so they can pray with you about it?

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16)

James 4:10: Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

Are you proud? Think back to the last time you felt pride in something you did or someone you know. It's a great self-esteem booster, to achieve or accomplish something; we store our accomplishments in our memories for recall when we are down or not feeling so great about ourselves.

As Christians in America, we are in constant battle with the positive and negative connotations of the word 'pride'. The word boast appears in the New Testament 44 times, and 19 of those are in a negative context. That's less than half of the references; let's take a look at some of the positive references to boasting:

2 Corinthians 10:17
But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.

Romans 15:17
Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.

2 Corinthians 12:9
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Hebrews 3:6
but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house— whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

Followers of Christ are instructed to give God the glory for everything good, and with excellent reason. God is responsible for all the good things in our lives! We do have reason to be proud-we are children of the living God! That pride should not extend to our relationship with him, however.

When was the last time you prayed on your knees? When you were in a desperate situation, at the end of your rope? Maybe you've never done it. Maybe it seems like a cliche to ACTUALLY get on your knees. Well, whether you physically kneel down or not isn't really the issue. The issue is the condition of our hearts when we pray to our God. An emotional and intellectual posture of humility shows God our love and our gratitude for all He has done. It also opens our hearts and our minds to hear what He has to say to us. We are not served by bringing the chip on our shoulder into our conversations with God. We might as well put cotton in our ears and a gag in our mouths. We can't pray effectively, and we can't listen for the answers.

James makes a powerful statement about being humble, but it's so much easier said than done. We need to practice humility in our daily lives; with friends and family, in our workplaces and schools, in our cars on the roads. Most importantly, we need to be open to God's guiding hand on our lives. He will show us how, if we will respond in obedience.

In Mark 2:1-11 we read of four friends who carried their paralytic friend to Jesus.
This is an incredible look at determination, empathy, and concern for a friend. Imagine that... carrying a grown man to Jesus. It's not easy to carry a grown man. They get to the spot where Jesus is teaching and they cannot get in... so they do what any logical thinking friend would. They climb to the roof, and break it open so they can lower thier friend down.
What were some of the obstacles that the men faced?
Some that I think of are: it’s not easy to carry a grown man, it could have been a long walk, there was a great crowd, its not easy carrying anyone up steps, and there was a roof! These obstacles were not a deterrent for the friends.

A person who is developing the heart of God has the same attitude. They are willing to do what it takes to bring their friends to Jesus.
Who are you sharing the good news with today?
What are you willing to do to get them to Jesus?

Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" is an often quoted and referenced poem. Today it will serve as a preview of what I want to discuss the next couple weeks.
Enjoy,
Brett

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth;Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claim,Because it was grassy and wanted wear;Though as for that the passing thereHad worn them really about the same,And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black.Oh, I kept the first for another day!Yet knowing how way leads on to way,I doubted if I should ever come back.I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference.

I really don't have anything today so I'll share one chapter from one of my favorite books of the Bible. I dig it because it reminds me just how big God is and that his authority is over all things large and small. I also feel like God's got a bit of almost sarcastic humor planted in there too for a couple of the questions that he's posed to Job and that cracks me up.

Job 38
1.The the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
2.Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3.Gird up now your loins like a man, and I will demand of you, and you declare to Me.
4.Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Declare to Me, if you have and know understanding.
5.Who determined the measures of the earth, if you know? Or who stretched the measuring line upon it.?
6.Upon what were the foundations of if fastened, or who laid its cornerstone,
7.When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8.Or who shut up the sea with doors when it broke forth and issued out of the womb? -
9. When I made the clouds the garment of it, and thick darknetss a swaddling band for it,
10.And marked for it My appointed boundary and set bars and doors,
11.And said, Thus far shall you come and no farther; and here shall your proud waves be stayed?
12.Have you commanded the morning since your days began and caused the dawn to know its place,
13.So that light may get hold of the corners of the earth and shake the wickedness of night out of t?
14.It is changed like clay into which a seal is pressed and things stand out like a many-colored garment.
15.From the wicked their light is withheld and their uplifted arm is broken.
16.Have you explored the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep?
17.Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of deep darkness?
18.Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me if you know it all?
19.Where is the way where light dwells? And as for darkness, where is its abode,
20.That you may conduct it to its home, and may know the paths to its house?
21.You must know, since you were born then! Or because you are so extremely old!
22.Have you entered into the treasuries of snow, or have you seen the treasuries of the hail,
23.Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?
24.By what way is the light distributed, or the east wind spread ofver the earth?
25.Who has prepared a channel for the torrents of rain, or a path for the thunderbolt,
26.To cause it to rain on the uninhabited land and on the desert where no man lives,
27.To satisfy the waste and desolate ground and to cause the tender grass to spring forth?
28.Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew?
29. Out of whose womb came the ice? And the hoary frost of heaven, who has give it birth?
30.The waters are congealed like stone and the face of the deep is frozen.
31.Can you bind the chains of the stars Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?
32.Can you lead forth the signs of the zodiac in their season? Or can you guide the stars of the Bear with her young?
33. Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you establish their rulle upon the earth?
34.Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that an abbundance of waters may cover you?
35.Can you send lightnings, that they may go and say to you, Here we are?
36.Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind?
37.Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the waters of the heavens
38.When heat has caused the dust to run into a mass and the clods to cleave fast together?
39.Can you Job hunt the prey for the lion? Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions
40.When they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their hiding place?
41.Who provides for the raven its prey when the young ones cry to God and wander about for lack of food?

Answer true or false to the following statements about Heaven:

1) If the good things I do outweigh the bad things, God will recognize my effort and reward me by allowing me into Heaven.

2) Although there are some people who are bad and should be sent to Hell, most people are basically good and will probably go to Heaven.

3) There are several ways for a person to make it to Heaven.

4) If I just believe in God, I will go to Heaven.

Somewhere along the line, these statements got mixed in with church theology. The general population treats these as though they are the true doctrine. But the reality, the truth that is revealed to us in the Bible, is that each and every one of these statements is false.

Let’s look at each of these individually:

1) If the good things I do outweigh the bad things, God will recognize my effort and reward me by allowing me into Heaven. AND
2) Although there are some people who are bad and should be sent to Hell, most people are basically good and will probably go to Heaven.

God’s judgment isn’t a tally with good items tallied on the right and bad items on the left. Many people seem to think that just as long as there are more good tallies than bad, then they’ll make it to Heaven. In fact, in terms of earning salvation, all of us would have only bad tallies. Consider Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The simple truth is that we are all sinners. It’s all over the Bible for anyone to see. Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear.”

Each of us needs to look no further than the ten commandments to know that we have sinned. Ask yourself honestly, have you ever told a lie? Even a small one? A white lie? I think all of us have, which means we are guilty of breaking one of the ten commandments.

Or have you ever stolen anything, even something that isn’t worth much, like a pen? Even if it was on accident? When I was young, I once pocketed some candy in the grocery store. What can I say? It looked good. But those of us who have stolen something are guilty of breaking another of God’s commandments.

Surely, though, if we’ve only done one or two bad things, the tally is still in our favor though, right? Nope. James 2:10 tells us, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

Well crud. Now our tally is all messed up.

But, you may ask, what about the good things we do? Surely giving to charity and helping people is worth something in God’s eyes, right? Wrong. As Isaiah 64:6 says, “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.”

To put it in perspective, let me pass on a story that was shared in my church a few weeks ago. The man speaking was talking about his dog. One day, the dog seemed very excited and led the man to the backyard where there was a dead squirrel in his bowl. The dog looked at the man as if to say, “Look at this wonderful gift I have brought for you. Aren’t you proud of me?”

That is what our good works are to God: filthy rags and dead squirrels.

Gross.

In the end, there is one and only one thing we can put in the “good” category. Titus 3:5 says, “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” And in Romans, the verse I shared above about everyone falling short of the glory of God is followed up with, “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Our belief in and devotion to Jesus Christ is the only thing we can put in the “good” category. It almost sounds like bad news when I say it that way. But in reality it’s the best news possible, because once that one thing is tallied, all of the bad tallies are erased and never return.

Wow. Examining that issue took up more space than I anticipated. Looks like we’ll examine numbers 3 and 4 in the coming week(s). God Bless!

I walked into a local church at 7:30 this morning for a men’s bible study, before meeting with some teens to caravan to another local church, where they would be participating in a Youth Leadership conference, designed for core student leaders in the local churches, for a day of intensive discipleship training. In fact, as I write this, teens from my church are playing ping pong as one of the event coordinators is announcing that we will be shuttling over to another site in about 10 minutes to participate (as an encouraging wrap up for our long day of training) in a community-wide youth event at another local church for a night of worship and encouragement in the word, including a message from a local high school student. Needless to say, it has been (and will continue to be) a very long day! And I feel like I have been walking with a very elite group of people! Youth Pastors, teenagers who are committed to serving Christ and reaching their campus… and everyone here is pumped!

But the great highlight of the day has been the simple fact that there are students in my youth group who are willing to give up a whole Saturday to participate in some high octane discipleship training, for no other reason than that they are serious about being disciples – followers of Jesus. You how no idea how much that encourages me.

When I was growing up, my mom used to have a picture frame hanging in the living room, with a little plaque that read:

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth”. 3 John 1:4


This is my theme verse today. My heart is swelling with joy in knowing that those students whom God has given me to disciple are so filled with a desire to spread truth that they are sacrificing a Saturday to be equipped for discipleship, trained for godliness. It’s a day of thankfulness.

Let me take a moment to remind anyone reading this that in whatever situation you are in life, you are called to make disciples. That may not mean that you are called to lead a bible study every week or even write a blog. But in time, talent, and treasure spent investing into other people – either unbelievers who do not know Christ, or young believers who are growing in Christ – you can teach by example and through instruction how to follow Christ. At the same time, you are in training yourself. Watch those older, seasoned believers in your life, the ones who have suffered much and born much fruit through the years, and follow their example. Be a disciple, make a disciple. “Each one teach one”. That’s our call. That’s our mission. Ready? Go.

This week of prayer comes at a time when the subject is already on my mind. See You At The Pole is coming up, and it's an event that is close to my heart. It gives us an opportunity to look at the leaders of our schools and government in a different way-the way Jesus sees them.



Lord, we thank You for Your leadership in our lives. Even though we don't always recognize it, we take the time today to remember that You have placed our teachers, principals, and superintendents in positions of power over us. Our president and congressmen have been chosen by Your hand for this time in history. Help us to move past the prejudices of our human eyes and see them from Your perspective--as people whom You love. We pray for strength, courage and wisdom for them to seek the right course of action and move forward into it. We pray for them to seek You in all they do. We ask You to give us the courage to stand up for the truth of Jesus Christ, and to live in Your will. Help us to be humble in our relationship to You and to our leaders. Remind us to submit to their authority; that which You have given to them. Most importantly, give them peace and rest in this time of turmoil. As we remember those who died on September 11, 2001, help us also to remember those who lived, those who made the tough decisions in the days following the tragedy, and who have been making tough choices ever since.



Lead us, Lord, into peace and grace. Even when things seem hopeless, help us to remember Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."

One of the most powerful prayers...

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

-Paul, Eph 3:14-21

May God grow you as you seek Him today.

In the movie "Miss Congeniality" there is a running joke about what is needed: "world peace" answered by every contestant. I always laugh at this, but why? Am I laughing at the desire for world peace? No, I laugh because it seems that those who say this offer no way on how to achieve it.
Below is a prayer by Francis of Assisi. Notice that he does not pray for world peace; rather, he prays to be an instrument of peace. Let this prayer be ours as well.

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console,
not so much to be understood as to understand,
not so much to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we awake to eternal life."

Cheers,
Brett
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

This week I had the chance to offend someone more thoroughly and irreconcilably than I ever thought possible before. Unintentional though was the offense and sincere the apology there was no turning around the situation and the more apologetic the more entrenched was the un-forgiveness and belligerent the attitude. For a person like myself so eager to be on good terms with everyone around me this ends up being a harder thing to deal with than I could have imagined. Everyone who witnessed the event saw that there was no malice in my actions or ill intent in my words, but that could not help them from being received differently than intended and twisted to incur an offense where none should have been. This is an area of attack I had not seen Satan work in in my life, but can tell you it came down harder on my countenance and has been more consistently upon my thoughts and heart than anything of recent memory. There are a few things I'm trying to learn through all of this. First no matter how innocent or obvious you think a joke may come across, that it probably isn't the best lead in for a first meeting with someone's parents. Additionally that assuming someone will be similar to their parents isn't always necessarily the case. That some people are predisposed to be disagreeable and honestly no matter how you try and interact with them it is destined for offense and for rejection. But this brings it all back to how I've had to deal with it. I mean this has really bothered me and kept me awake, no matter how much I try to forget and move on Satan keeps attempting to throw it back in my face. So the idea of constant prayer has been particularly important to me this week. That anytime the thought or situation comes upon my mind that immediately I reach out to God in prayer and pass it on to him to handle. I know it is out of my control, I know it is not something that God is bring conviction about, but is rather satan trying to work in condemnation on me, and I know the only way through this is to consistently and repeatedly release it back to the Lord. I mean if there isn't room for forgiveness from the Lord for the stupid naive words of a thirty something bearded goofball like myself then there is no hope for mankind. Fortunately though there is and these offenses against one another, these ignorant decisions we make can all be washed away and if they're remembered no more by the Lord then eventually through constant renewing of the mind then we'll learn how to do the same and move on with our lives in him and for him. I'm unwilling to sit back and take this deceit and discouragement from the author of lies, but I'm unable at the same time to get past it myself. Fortunately I have an avenue to reach the only person capable of the impossible and that my friend is prayer. Simple, but comprehensive.

If there's something of this nature bothering you that is outside of your means to resolve and it keeps eating away at you consider offering it up in prayer. As cheesy as it sounds to say just give it to the Lord that is also the best actual and genuine advice I could give to you. Every moment of every second hand those burdens over to the Lord. For his yoke is easy and his burden is light. It won't necessarily result in instant victory or freedom of thought, but by establishing a clear path to the Lord then you can begin to see him work and redeem your thoughts. He's still working and redeeming mine.

Today starts a week of prayer by the Hammer on Anvil bloggers. Each of us is going to share a prayer about whatever we like and in whatever form we like. My prayer is just a simple prayer with a handful of concerns that have recently been on my heart. I ask that you join me in lifting these up to God.

For this week's guest post, we have a second poem by Melissa Watson of Higginsville, MO. Thanks Melissa!

Gossip is a word all Christians recognize as bad. It is also something many Christians struggle with.

First of all, it's everywhere. Magazines at the counters of every store scream headlines-you can't help but look. Most of the major internet home pages contain links to a website devoted to gossip. (And I have found myself there more times than I'd like to mention). Even our daily news programs on television and radio have gossip segments. (My favorite is called 'celebrity crap')

Another problem is that many times it is disguised as something else in our lives. When we share concerns in our Sunday school class, it is easy and fairly common to offer up more information than our Christian friends need to know in order to pray for the situation. Sometimes, we don't recognize that we are disguising our gossip as a 'prayer request'.

I am no saint when it comes to this topic. As you can read from my comments above, I struggle with this subject even now, years after I made an agreement with the Lord to stay away from gossip. Paul writes to the Ephesians: "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." 4:29. I believe, though I would never presume to change the Bible, that the heart of this issue goes a little something like this: Let no unwholesome thought proceed from your heart.

I have been spending some time recently with Christian friends who embody this concept. Just by looking at them and talking to them, you can tell they harbor no unwholesome thoughts about anyone. On first evaluation of people like this, it can be perceived as naivety. After closer consideration, I have found it refreshing, and quite admirable. With a person like this, there is a level of honesty you don't find anywhere else. There's no guessing if they are thinking something bad about you when they are saying something good. In a friendship with this person, you can relax. Which is how it should be.

I want to challenge all of us to take a good look at our "thought life". The Bible tells us that what comes forth from our mouths is born in our hearts. Whether or not the words are actually spoken, the thoughts are just as poisonous to ourselves as well as our relationships. The basic attitude of Christianity is to see people the way Jesus sees them. That includes ourselves, (self-esteem), our Christian friends (brothers and sisters in Christ), our non-Christian friends (our mission field) and our enemies. We can tame our tongues in public, but unless we allow God to soften our hearts, we will not develop loving relationships, with Him or the people of His creation.

Romans 14:19 - "So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building of one another." The message says "So let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by in finding fault."







Paul is writing about some arguments on what to eat and what not to eat... but the application of this verse is solid. Before I continue, I want to ask you something: Who are you surrounding yourself with that provide words of life, encouragement, and accountability? Life with Christ demands that we love his bride (the church). Worship is not sitting in Starbucks in your v-neck and Toms and discussing the latest Rob Bell book or the latest Mark Driscoll sermon. This life was not intended to be lived out alone. Are you making it a priority to engage the Lord in worship?
We are in a culture that wants to connect so bad, and spends so much time attempting to do so 'virtually." We are continually texting, on facebook, on chat, reading blogs, etc...
BUT WE LACK REAL CONNECTION. That was simply a bonus for you today.






My commentary and application to the verse we started with: We are so good at finding faults in others. it can be so trivial as what people are wearing or what they say or who we spend time with. the truth is this... If we spent half of the energy we use in finding faults and judging - if we spent it TRYING to get along - then we would save ourselves a lot of grief and as a result - be closer to God.

So the challenge is to WORK at getting along. we need to focus on the common ground and invest the energy in doing what God wants us to do. So let's all agree ... Let's invest the energy... Let's not be a astumbling block.