Go Crazy, Folks, Go Crazy!

That is, if you're a St. Louis Cardinals fan! 10 1/2 games out of first place on August 25, the Cardinals just completed an improbable run by winning the World Series tonight over the Texas Rangers.  What a run! Having lived in St. Louis for about 14 years, it's easy to become infected with Cardinals fever.  In August I didn't think they had a chance of making the playoffs.  Now, they're world champions! Excuse me now...I'm going to go crazy!

What to do when under stress

1) Take a deep breath

2) Say a prayer

3) Focus on serving someone at that very moment

"The Calling" by Kurt Senske, page 23

Argue or Contend?

A number of years ago the Chicago Tribune ran a story about London, England couple who had more than their fair share of arguments.  One argument turned violent.  The wife got so mad at her husband she got in their car and ran over him.  The husband suffered 45 leg fractures and a skull fracture and spent five months in the hospital.  His wife was thrown in jail for grievous bodily harm.

Then the husband did something that shocked everyone - he forgave his wife and asked the court to set her free.  The man, now wheelchair bound, told the court, "I can't live without her."  In response to her request, the court suspended her sentence and set her free.

Sometime later, a London newspaper did a follow-up story on the couple.  The husband reported, "We are back together and happy.  But my wife is very argumentative."

In this post-Christian world of ours, it seems that everyone has an opinion about religion or Christianity or about God or Jesus.  Maybe you know an opinionated neighbor.  Perhaps your cohort at work holds to some pretty strong views.  You might even have an acquaintance who likes to create controversy by challenging teachings and beliefs that the Christian church has held for centuries.

As Christians, we must contend for the faith.  But we are to avoid those who simply want to argue for the sake of arguing (see 2 Timothy 2:22-26).  Instead, the Christian tries to treat everyone with kindness while looking for opportunities to teach the truth of God's Word to those who seek answers to the important questions of life - Who is God? Where is salvation found? What does God think of me? How can I be sure I am going to heaven?  As we witness and teach God's Word to those who sincerely want to know the truth, we trust the Holy Spirit to lead our hearers to repentance and faith in Christ.  Such gentle instruction is much more effective than running over a person with a car!

Love in Action - tip #1

One person wisely said, "If you cannot speak to a person about God, speak to God about that person."

Robert J. Koester, in his book, "Gospel Motivation," page 132.

God Speaks to Us

That's the good word that the writer to the Hebrews shares with us at the beginning of that New Testament letter.  But what does God have to say? And is there anything we can say in return? Join us this Sunday and find out.  Worship at 8 and 10:45 am with Bible study, Confirmation and Sunday school at 9:20 am.  Come and meet the great people of Life in Christ!

Life. In Christ.

Life is a form of insurance...a type of soap...a magazine.  But is that all it is?

Life is clothes, cars and lots of spending money...good grades, a starting position on the team and the lead role in the play...popularly and friends...things to do and places to go.

And yet, Jesus teaches: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  (Matt. 6:19)

Life is also the teenager who struggles in conflict with parents...the convenience store worker bored with the job...a husband, wife or parent who no longer finds joy in the vocation...the chronically ill who slide into depression and despair.

That's life?

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.  (John 11:25-26)

That's Life.  In Christ.   I am the way and the truth and the life.  (John 14:6)

But what about the things I need? Do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?"  Your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  (Matt. 6:31-33)

But what about loneliness? I will never leave you or forsake you.  (Joshua 1:5)

But what about temptation? Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  (Gal. 5:24)

But what about the things I worry about? Cast all your care on Jesus, for He cares for you.  (1 Peter 5:7)

But what about all the ways I've messed up? If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (1 John 1:9)

But what about death? Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.  (Psalm 23:4)

So, in Christ, we have life? Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.  (John 17:3)

That's life.  LIFE.  IN CHRIST!

See "Courageous!" Be Courageous!

Last night my dear, sweet wife and I went to the movie theater to see the new film, "Courageous."  It was produced by the same fellows, Stephen and Alex Kendrick, who also wrote, directed and performed in "Fireproof," "Facing the Giants," and "Flywheel."  The two brothers are gifted and talented men who do a splendid job of bringing some of the important issues of our culture to the screen while doing so from a Christian perspective.

"Courageous" is a clarion call to fathers to be real fathers.  The story revolves around five fathers who are compelled to take this important life role seriously.  Some of the situations the fathers face are resolved as you would think they would.  However, there are several twists and turns in the plot that I didn't see coming.  There is also plenty of humor, including one scene involving the real identity of "Javier."  It was really funny and well done.

From my perspective, I wish there were more Gospel, more Jesus in the film.  Lots of talk about God.  But very little about Jesus.  It is through faith in Jesus and the encouragement the Lord gives in His Holy Word that truly motivates us to want to be real fathers to the glory and praise of God.  On the other hand, it is clear in the film that the motivation for these men to be courageous fathers came from study in God's Word.  Maybe it was assumed that the love of Jesus for us motivates us to want to be better fathers, mothers, husband, wives, employers, employees and so forth.  Still, I wish that Jesus would have been more front and center in the film.

In spite of that, the Kendrick brothers have done a real service for followers of Christ.  They have produced an exciting, engaging film with a message we need to hear and they did it without excessive violence, gratuitous sex or foul language.  If you are a father, see "Courageous."  If you are a grandfather, take your son or son in law and see "Courageous."  And then, with the help of Jesus and to the glory of God, be a courageous father.