Welcome to Adulting

I would have really enjoyed this book in my early 20's.  You've finally moved into adulthood.  If you've been blessed with parents who, through words and actions, taught you what being an adult was all about, good for you.  But, good parents or not, being looked upon as an adult brought with it some pressure, maybe a lot of pressure.

You're supposed to think, act, talk differently.  You suddenly realize the transition is going to be more difficult than you thought it would.  Where do you turn for help?

Johathan Pokluda's new book is a very helpful resource for 20 and 30 something adults.  Designed to be read over a six week period, "Welcome to Adulting" will provide helpful tips for dealing with anger, worry, temptation and, most importantly, growing in faith and love for Jesus.  Each chapter concludes with something to ponder and think about, a practice that will help the reader implement the idea offered, and a prayer of praise, thanksgiving and a petition for help.

This little book is inexpensive and would be a helpful gift for the growing adult you know who needs assistance and encouragement in "adulting!"

Book for review provided by Baker Books

  

Money can't buy me love...or happiness

For the past few weeks I have been working a couple of mornings a week in my new home office. I’ve moved a number of my books from my office at church to home.  I’ve also used this time to weed through files that I hadn't looked at in years.

That’s when I came across an old Sports Illustrated story about former Phillies and Mets outfielder, Lenny Dykstra.  It seems that post-retirement he became an entrepreneur of sorts and was very successful.  It was then that Dykstra got caught up in the lifestyle of the rich and famous and began shelling out enormous amounts of money for homes and cars and the like.  One telling paragraph read: "I said, OK, I know I'll be happy when I buy my own Gulfstream," says Dykstra, reflecting on the plane he purchased in 2007.  "But I got down to the end of the nose, I looked back and I said, OK, happy, come on, come on.  So it's not about the Gulfstream.  But it is about the Gulfstream.  Meaning it just wasn't as good a Gulfstream as I wanted."

Contrast that with the apostle Paul, who in writing to the Philippians had this to say: Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things who gives me strength.

How is it that Paul didn't become depressed when he had little? How did he keep from wanting to have more when he was well off? Paul had found the secret to satisfaction in his relationship with his Savior.  Knowing Christ and being known by the Lord had filled Paul's heart with a contentment and joy that he knew would never be his by having an abundance of earthly things.  Whether Paul had a lot or a little, he could live and worship and pray and serve because he could do all things through Christ who gave Him strength for living.

Satan, the world and our sinful flesh gang up on us at times and lead us to think like Lenny Dykstra.  We seek more stuff because, we are led to believe, that's where happiness and contentment is found.  Don't be fooled.  When we seek happiness in material things, we'll never be happy because there will always be one more thing that we need.  Instead, seek the "one thing needful" (Luke 10:42) - a living, growing relationship with Jesus Christ and find your happiness in the only Savior you'll ever need.

Grace Upon Grace

             Here are some interesting thoughts from Dr. John W. Kleinig in his book, “Grace Upon Grace.”

            When the people who had been miraculously fed by Jesus with five loaves of bread and two small fish asked how they could do the work of God, Jesus gave them a strange answer: He said by believing in God the Father, His work would be done in them and through them (John 6:28-29).  How then do we do the work of God through faith?  How do we become “co-workers with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:2)?  Through faith we are joined with Christ and His mission on earth; we work with Christ by using our faith to pray together with Him to God the Father.  We do not do the work of God on earth in prayer; rather, His work is done in and through us by prayer (Matthew 18:19; 21:21-22).

            In John 14:12-14, Jesus gives these amazing promises: “Truly, truly I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater work than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.  Whatever you ask in My name, this will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

            We continue the divine work of Jesus and perform the greater miracles of the new age where those who were born blind to God receive sight and those who were once dead in sin are raised to eternal life. And we accomplish this by prayer to God the Father in the name of Jesus.

            When we pray for others and ourselves, we continue the work of Jesus.  It is, in fact, the most important work we ever do…When we pray for God’s support and guidance in our work and the people we work with, we live by His grace and rely on Him to do His work through us.

Jesus - the only Bread of LIfe

When Jesus described Himself as the Bread of Life, He had more than just floor, shortening and water in mind.  He meant His perfect life that would fulfill all of God's commands and His precious blood that would be spilt in full payment for all sins.  

The soul, famished because of sin, can feast on Jesus' payment and be filled.  The soul, hungry for a perfect life to present to God in the judgement, can reach for Jesus' righteousness and be satisfied.  For the hungry sinner, Jesus is not just good bread.  He's the only bread.

Richard Lauersdorf, "Together With Jesus," January 15 devotion.

Can God both love and discipline?

Pastor Frank Starr, in his series, "Life for the Way," offers a good answer.

Some Christians maintain that wrath and punishment is inconsistent with a God of love and mercy.  But this view strips God of His holiness, which hates sin and cannot countenance it.  God's grace has made a way for us to escape His wrath by providing Jesus as our substitute.  On our behalf, the Savior on the cross bore the full weight of God's wrath against our sin.

The writer to the Hebrews speaks of the Lord's discipline in chapter 12:4-17.  But the writer offers the greatest reassurance for believers.  We "share in His holiness," that is, God sees us in the righteousness of Christ that we received in our baptism.  But like a loving father, our heavenly Father disciplines us to "struggle against sin."

What is the result of this disciplining work? We "strive for peace" with all those in our circle of friends and with everyone.  In this way others "see the Lord," and God is glorified.

"Nice" by Susan Hodde Miller

Susan Hodde Miller is a prolific writer and speaker.  Her latest book is intriguing.  In it she talks about how their should be limits to being nice.

Don't misunderstand - Miller is not suggestion that we no longer react nicely and with kindness to those around us, whether family, friends or people.  But, Miller contends, sometimes we are nice to people when we should, instead, be courageous, honest and truthful.  Being nice may give permission to a person to exhibit bad behavior or make terrible decisions.  In those situations, speaking the truth in love is much more important that just be nice and letting the person go their own way.

In the second half of the book, Miller masterfully shows the reader how spiritual growth and trust in God can enable anyone of knowing when to be nice and when to be courageous.  It's instructive that in order to be a more authentic people, the work begins with you; then as the Lord grows you faith and love, then you are ready to start producing true kindness, courage and love to others.  It's a book worth spending time with.

Book for review provided by Baker Books

Wise words about worry

I've read numerous books on the subjects of worry and anxiety but this quote from former major league baseball player, Mickey Rivers, may be the best of all:

Ain't no sense worrying about things you got control over, because if you got control over them, ain't no sense worrying.  And there ain't no sense worrying about things you got no control over either, because if you got control over them, ain't no sense worrying,