Lost Shepherds

The Big Red Machine

 We must create out of the younger generation a generation of Communists. We must turn children, who can be shaped like wax, into real, good Communists.... We must remove the children from the crude influence of their families. We must take them over and, to speak frankly, nationalize them. From the first days of their lives they will be under the healthy influence of Communist children's nurseries and schools. There they will grow up to be real Communists
~Speech before the communist party of the Soviet Union~

Growing up in Minnesota I was a huge hockey fan.  Of course, given the climate this isn't too hard to understand.  I remember spending countless days in below freezing weather skating around some frozen ice rink.  We really didn't care about the weather all that much, the game was what mattered.  To this day, many people are amazed at my non aversion to colder weather.  Hey, I've seen that movie already bro.  Growing up I also had my favorite hocket teams.  One of them was not one which too many hockey fans would respect.  However, I grew up with a great respect for the Central Red Army team of the former Soviet Union.  Yes, these guys could play.  It's no secret that todays NHL is chock full of Russian born players, and there's a reason for that.  I remember reading a article written about the Soviet team around the time of the Rende-vous 87' series in 1987 which pitted the NHL's best against the "Big red machine" of the Soviets.  The Russians were described as...stoic, quiet and apprehensive around Americans.  Most people would see this as arrogance, but I didn't.  This behavior by the Soviet athletes was contributed to how they were taught.  In addition to training 10 months out of each year, each Soviet hockey playing soldier was expected to never question the authority of the Soviet system.  Not only that, but they truly believed, correctly in most cases, that they were superior to any opponent.  This belief was instilled in these men from a early age.  The Soviet system was one where individualism was not something that was highly respected.  Each and every shift, shot and play was designed with the team in mind.  That was the Soviet system not only in sports but in everyday Russian life as well.  American citizens at the time rightly summarized that the tightly controlled Russian system was but a classroom on communism.  While not a fan of communism, I came to admire the style of play of these Russian players.  Who ever thought that the former Soviet Union could serve as a lesson on modern christianity, but there is no doubt that it can.  For as the former Central Red Army players followed a strict system of life, so do we today. 

1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4: 1 NKJV

I never really thought I could live in such a tightly controlled system as communism, until I began to reconsider my life in the church.  Now, I am by NO means comparing the institutional church to a communist system, only that I myself began to question it as I grew in my faith.  There was a point in my own walk where I began to question what I saw as systems within the church.  Be it communion, tithing or other man made traditions, something inside of me made me question just how the church was relating to the rest of us.  See, I did not see the church building as the one and only dwelling place of God.  I mean, if God is our all in all, isn't it possible that He is everywhere?  These aren't the thoughts of a heretic, just someone who questioned how the church I walked into each week was relating our heavenly Father to those who truly needed Him the most.  I fully believe that I could walk into almost any church service this morning and predict just how it would unfold.  I've been there too many times.  What is it that made me question the church?  For the most part it was my own relationship with my heavenly Father.  The system taught me from a young age that Christ Jesus sat at the right hand of the Father in heaven.  Of course, I took this to mean that I was seperated from God.  How could a God who had promised to never leave me nor forsake me be so far away?  Why wasn't the church telling me of my true relationship with God?  The relationship where Jesus is closer to me than I ever imagined {Galations 2:20}.  Like communism, this man made system of thought was teaching people exactly what they wanted them to believe.  I've forgotten how many times the call from the pupit urged me to come clean and ask Gods forgiveness for my own sins.  This I did over, never questioning as to why I needed to if the finished work of Jesus on the cross had removed that responsibility from me.  Not only that, but He ensured that I, Scott, am now dead to that sin I was being told still existed {Romans 6:11}.  My relationship with Christ is not one dictated by christian doctrine or church policy.  No, my relationship with Christ Jesus today is one born from my heart.  So, I guess I've defected from the system. 

~Scott~

The Forgotten Sex

27So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1: 27 NKJV

I ran across something on the news the other day which made me laugh.  It seems that two hard charging U.S. Air Force pilots were moaning over their missed opportunity at making the cut for the Thunderbirds demonsration team.  Well, almost everyone knows that the "T Birds" circle the globe demonstrating the capabilities of our fighter aircraft and the pilots who fly them.  I always enjoy their shows.  Anyway, these two fighter jocks were understandably upset over not being chosen to fly with the air forces best.  I guess I could have forgiven them their dissapointment had they simply acknowledged that they themselves missed their opportunity...but no.  These two yahoos were complaining over the fact that a (gasp!) WOMAN was chosen over them.  From listening to these two you might have thought there was no such thing as womens rights.  Women shouldn't be in the military...in combat...blah blah blah.  This isn't the first time I have come across this attitude.  Every day I have the opportunity to see just how far we've come as far as a society.  Not only that, how far we've come when it comes to realizing how we ourselves were created in our heavenly Fathers image.  It's not just myself who the Lord created, but each and every person who ever walked Gods creation.  Yet, we all too often forget this truth.  This might shock more than a few people, including those who know me well.  See, there is nothing special about me besides the fact of who I am in Christ Jesus.  See, it is Christ who lives through us today {Galations 2:20}.  Of course, that means that He lives through EVERYONE today.  Black, white male and female, it is in Christ where we all share common ground.  Now, as two butt hurt air force pilots found out, some of us have a few more skills than others.  I have a good friend who is a whiz at working on cars, great.  As for me, I'm not that guy.  I have another friend who excells at hunting.  Again, I'm not that guy.  So, does that make me somehow lesser than my friends?  Absolutely not!  As my mother used to say, "He puts his clothes on the same way you do!" 

10Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 11The heart of her husband safely trusts her;So he will have no lack of gain.
Proverbs 31:  10 - 11 NKJV

I have another friend who is fond of saying that we have more in common with each other than we have differences.  Amen to that.  I grew up in a generation where it was commonplace to relegate ones wife to a lower status.  My own father had more than a few arguments with my mom when it came to my mother working.  My dads response was typical of men of his day.  No wife of his was going to go out and find a job!  See, the more that he resisted her efforts to be her own person, the more control he placed over her.  I guess that's what it's all about after all, how much we can place others beneath ourselves.  If only we would take a look through the filter of our heavenly Father before we make up our minds on how we see those around us.  If God viewed us the same way we view others what would He see?  Would He see a self righteous person more intent on placing others below him?  Perhaps.  I'll tell you one thing, that is NOT how I want God to see me.  Of course, it's not how God ultimately sees me.  See, God sees me for who I am in Christ Jesus.  I'm no longer that sinner in filthy rags who constantly needs to remind God for forgiveness.  No, for I'm assured that Jesus Himself became sin on my behalf {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  Not only me, but all who have come to know Him as well.  That means men and women...everyone.  The gospel of Christ is not gender based.  It goes deeper than that.  Yes, we were created by God with certain characteristics and features, but all in all we are one in Christ who lives through us.  This might not ring true to that diehard christian who still believes that his wife should be remain beneath him and be the "good wife."  This is far from the plans God has for our marriage institution.  For as we are now one with Him, so are we one with our spouse.

21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.”24Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and bek joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2: 21 - 24 NKJV

~Scott~

In Gods House

2“But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4“And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5“Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
John 10: 2 - 5 NKJV

There is one thing I have noticed about christians.  Well, it applies to most everyone actually.  That is, as christians we tend to follow one person or ideology with which we feel most comfortable.  I look at many of the splintered christian churches around the world and I see this practice in action.  In fact, I've been involved in more than a few churches which have split apart due to internal disagreements.  One pastor leaves the church and takes those who agree with him along with him.  The other pastor(s) remain with the church and retain their own group of...sheep.  There is a common joke out there that christian churches are becoming about as common as Starbucks coffee shops...one on every street corner.  Now, I remember a time when my family went off to church on sunday morning to the church.  When I say "The" church...I mean the only church in town.  One thing I don't remember about growing up is hearing about disagreements which tear at the fabric of every congregation.  In fact, I really didn't began to experience the politics of church administration until I was into my thirties and working with sunday school classes.  It was here where I learned of the other side of the church.  That side of the church where disagreements and arguments are the order of the day.  Sure, you might think that politics isn't prevelant in our modern churches, but I would disagree.  In fact, any time you get more than a few humans together in a large group there are bound to be the usual power struggles, egos and hurt feelings.  Unfortunately, this is the revelation of our own human flesh coming into the forefront.  See, most people attend a congregation where they feel most comfortable, that's a fact.  When we began to feel uncomfortable, our feelings get hurt and we just might feel slighted in some way by others in the congregation.  If enough people in the congregation end up having their feelings hurt, they just might follow their favorite pastor out the door to start their own, more comfortable church.  I get it. 

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25“Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27“so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us."
Acts 17: 23 - 27 NKJV

I must admit, that I have all too often made the mistake of equating God with whatever church building I happened to be in at the time.  How many of us have been invited into "Gods house" on a sunday morning?  I once knew a lukewarm christian man who would playfully ask me each monday morning "did you go to Gods house yesterday?"  It's as if there were one building which God had chosen to infiltrate with His Spirit, and I just happened to be fortunate enough to be in it.  I was surprised one sunday morning when the head pastor of the church I was attending stood in front of the congregation to anounce that he was being led to the Lords new "dwelling place" to start a new church.  Dwelling place?  The apostle Paul made it clear as he preached in Athens that God does not dwell "In temples made with hands" {Acts 17:24}.  Are we to believe that our heavenly Father is confined to whatever building we worship in?  I'd say no, for one very important reason.  God has never been confined to a single building, area or region.  In fact, we no longer need to enter a church building to be in His presence.  We are assured that it is the Spirit of Christ Jesus who lives through us today {Galations 2:20}.  We don't need to go to the "right" church or to follow the most influential pastor in order to experience the presence of Christ.  He's already here.  In fact, if there were to be a pastor who would try to convince me that I could not experience Jesus without following him...I would run as fast as I could in the opposite direction!  If only I knew back then what I know now, I could have avoided a lot of church politics along the way.  These days, my comfort zone in in Christ Jesus, not in in the building someone claims He occupies.

~Scott~

The God I Didn't Know

8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,”says the LORD. 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55: 8-9 NKJV

I don't confess to know all there is to know about christianity.  I'm more of a follower than anything.  My own faith and trust in God have assured me that He is indeed real.  I realize that God is more than just writing on the pages of some dusty book.  Yes, God is a very real part of my everyday life {Galations 2:20}.  Yes, God is real to me.  However, there are those out there who refuse to accept that such a loving and merciful God could rule over such a broken world as ours.  I recently became upset with a friend who at one time had promised to do something, yet when the time came he was nowhere to be seen.  Now, I know that I was mad aat my friend, and I let him know it.  I exhibited all of the classic behaviors of one who had been slighted.  I didn't speak to him for awhile and just refused to deal with him...all because of a petty disagreement.  The thing is, I trusted him to do what he said he would do, and when that didn't happen I got upset.  Well, it turns out that my friend had a good reason for not following through on what he said he would do.  In hindsight, if he had done what he said he would it would have brought trouble for the both of us.  I had become upset, not knowing the whole story of the situation.  I thought to myself this week, isn't this just what we do with God at times in our own lives?  Sure it is.  We trust God to provide for us.  We place our own, fragile faith in Him to heal us when we're sick or hurting.  What happens when what we've asked from God doesn't come to pass?  Don't we blame and question Gods motives?  I know that I have.  In my darkest point after my mother passed away, I remember screaming at God that I would never trust Him again.  I know that's a frightening statement, but that's how I felt.  After all, I had lifted my mom in prayer for her healing for a long time.  I had asked others to lift up prayers for her healing as well.  Didn't God care?  Well, from my me centered perspective He didn't.  However, in the big scheme of things He was gently doing what He has always done.  From my own perspective, my mothers healing was something that consumed me.  On the other hand, God was intent upon relieving her pain and suffering which she was feeling.  Yes, I knew she was hurting, but all I wanted was my mom to stay with us.  My own selfishness blinded me to what my loving God was accomplishing.

 9Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Job 1: 9 - 10 NKJV

How many times have we questioned Gods intentions?  I have plenty of times.  Why not, haven't we trusted God to do what it is He claimed He would do?  Aren't we justified in our feelings that God has somehow forgotten our requests?  I used to think so.  However, in the midst of these thoughts I was usually lost in my own situation.  Through my own emotions, I wasn't seeing the thoughts and intentions of my Lord all that clearly.  Yet, I'm sure that He understood.  After all, He created me in His own image {Genesis 2:7}.  Therefore, I can confidently say that all that God is...I am as well.  This isn't some bible story, but the truth of Christ Jesus in us.  We are His cherished and loved creation.  Do we feel even for a minute that God would turn His back on us?  Our heavenly Father who has promised to never leave nor forsake us.  Are we to believe that He would go back on His word?  Well, I don't believe that for a second.  A good friend of mine reminded me of the truth some time ago as I was going through a tough time.  As I asked Him why God would allow me to endure such tough times, he asked me a better question.  What is it that God was doing through me?  It's not hard to lose our perspective when the troubles of life come knocking on our door.  One thing was can always bank on is that God will never lose His.  His main love and concern will always be His most loved creation.  When we take time to see through the fog of our own emotions we will most certainly hear His loving voice in our heart.

~Scott~

Our Higher Calling

14“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15“Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5: 14 - 16 NKJV

A friend of mine has a description of the two different types of people.  Not just christians, mind you, but everyday people.  These two types of people he classifies into those he calls "self for self" and "self for others."  Now, I'm sure that most people can differentiate the characteristics of these people without knowing what he is refering to.  We've all seen them in our own lives.  The self for self person who labors each day on those things which are best for him, sometimes at the cost of others around him.  Contrast this with the self for others who always seems to have the needs of others in mind.  Again, I've seen examples of both of these in my own life.  I often recognized my mother as a definate self for others personality.  She was always thinking of others.  On the other hand, there are a few coworkers and friends who I swear have that self for self personality.  Does this make them a bad christian?  Is there such thing as a bad christian?  Well, I have definately seen believers behave badly.  I myself have been down that road once or twice as those who know me will tell it.  However, that doesn't make me a bad christian, only a believer.  So, what would I consider myself?  Off the bat I'd say that I was a self for others type of person.  I'm not blind to the fact that there are others around me.  My friend David is a classic example of a self for others person.  So, what type of person is it that God desires us to be?  I would assume that most people would say God desires the self for others type, but I'm not so sure.  What about the apostle Paul?  What of king David?  Indeed, there are many examples of those self for self personalities whom God has used to further His kingdom.  That's what He does.  So, to put limits on God to claim that He only deals with self for others types I believe would be a mistake on our part. 

30Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31“Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32“Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34“So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35“On the next day, jwhen he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’36“So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”37And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10: 30 - 37 NKJV

Going by Jesus' parable of the good samaritan, what type of personality would you describe this Levite as?  How about the priest?  Both thought nothing of crossing to the other side of that road and ignoring the wounded man.  They didn't want to get involved.  I get it.  Does that mean that they were poor examples of believers?  I wouldn't say that.  What I would say is that in that moment each chose to pass by a man in need.  Not a personality trait...but a choice made in the moment.  That, my friends is not a good example of a self for self person.  If that were the case then each of us would be in that catagory as well.  What we can see in this example is how God used each man in His plan.  Now, I believe that it is Gods desire that all of His children would display a self for others, but He more than anyone knows our own hearts.  After all, He created us.  So, would you say that God Himself has displayed a self for self or a self for others?  Without a doubt, I'm sure that most people would say that God is a self for others.  But wait, isn't He a jealous God?  Could it be that God is both self for self AND self for others?  I don't think that this is too far fetched at all.  After all, don't we see the two sides of God in the scriptures?  As my friend is so apt at reminding us, how would we even know the good side of God if He had not also displayed His self for self side?  If we, as His children, were created in our Fathers image do we not share His characteristics as well?  I'd think so.  So, when we're assured that Christ Jesus lives through us, we display His traits as well {Galations 2:20}.  There is no doubt others around us would never see the love of God if not through those He dwells in.

~Scott~

With God On Our Side

19Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 6: 19 - 20 NKJV

Listening to a radio pastor the other day I believe I came across what I believe is wrong with christianity.  Well, in my opinion anyway.  In his sermon, this pulpit pounder made it very clear that there was a definate us versus them struggle out there in the world.  Not to worry, if we're good christian soldiers, then we indeed have God on our side.  However, if we don't, then God can and often does use all of the might which is at His disposal to reign in the unbeliever.  How many of you have sat through a sermon like that?  I know I have.  In fact, it was a few sermons such as this which convinced me that maybe I didn't belong in church period.  I mean, what good would it do me to sit in a pew every Sunday if God were just going to find fault with something I had done and punish me?  That didn't sound like a good deal to me.  Why?  For the simple reason that I had been living my christian life based on fear and not on the Lords forgiveness.  I didn't have God on my side.  Not only that, without God on my side there was a seperation between myself and God.  This didn't do well for my own view of God.  I wondered just how many christians have lived their own christian lives in the mistaken belief of what God might do if they messed up somehow.  In the words of an old country singer, that ain't no way to live.  First of all, as I've found out, we can spend our entire lives living the struggle of being "like" Christ Jesus only to realize that we will always fall short of such a high expectaion.  Well, I'll tell ya, if we live our lives from the belief that we somehow need to "become" like Christ...then we've lost that race before we even began.

In a many dark hour
I've been thinkin' about this
That Jesus Christ
Was betrayed by a kiss
But I can't think for you
You'll have to decide
Whether Judas Iscariot
Had God on his side.
~With God On Our Side~
Bob Dylan

It's hard to comprehend, but what if that struggle we have endured to be more like Jesus was in vain?  By that I mean, what if that man we've been striving to become had always been there?  Well, obviously any christian worth their salt knows that Jesus has been there from the begining.  I would suggest that Jesus Himself has always been with us from the start.  Call me misguided, uninformed or a heretic, but this is just what I believe in my heart.  After all, the apostle Paul tells us in Galations that it is Christ who lives through us {Galations 2:20}.  So, if Christ is in us, why do we need to keep chasing that dream to be more like Him?  I'll tell you why...because the church tells us we need to.  Don't get me wrong, someone told that pulpit pounder that this was the message he needed to give to make others understand how to be a good christian.  Were we created to live our lives in the pursuit to be like Christ?  No, we were created in our Lords image {Genesis 1:27}.  It is God who took the dust from the ground and breathed into it the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}.  When He did this, we no longer needed to be like Him...we WERE Him.  I know that this might fly in the face of all we have heard about who God is, and this is why I continue to tell others about the God whom they might not even know.  I don't live a life in fear of what God will do.  I live my life in that freedom of my union with Him.

7And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Genesis 2: 7 NKJV

~Scott~

An Inconveniant Union

22Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5: 22 - 27 NKJV

In recent months it seems that I have fallen into a conversation about the institution of marriage.  The conversation has not only been with others, but with myself as well.  So I asked myself, what is this thing we call marriage?  Well, if you would ask the common christian you would get the common answer.  That is, a man and a woman together in union for life.  That seems like a pretty fair representation of how I've always viewed marriage.  That is, until my own parents got divorced.  So, what happened?  How were two people who stood before family and friends and professed their devotion to each other so suddenly torn apart?  Well, I'll venture to guess that it had very little to do with what God had planned and everything about ourselves as individuals.  While my mother chose to hold to the belief that her union was to one man only, it seems that my father had other ideas on the subject.  For my dad, marriage was akin to having a cook, caretaker and babysitter at his disposal.  Sure, my dad worked and provided to a point, but his view of the marriage relationship was a bit one sided.  So much so that he allowed other women to be involved in his relationship as well.  Of course, this did not sit very well with my mom.  As I said, the relationship has very little to do with what God desires and all about what we want from it.  Back in the days of phone books, I used to be amazed at how many attorneys would advertise "Divorce for only $99."  Of course, the real cost of a divorce is much, much higher.  How do you put a cost to a child growing up without a parent?  How do you place a cost on the breakup of a family?  I'll tell you how, by offering it for $99!  When the rubber of life hits the road, many well meaning people will succumb to their own desires and the false belief that divorce is their only way out.  Now, there are definately situations where divorce is the only option, but I refuse to believe that 50% of marriages deserve that fate as we saw in the 1970's. 

 28So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
Ephesians 5: 28 - 31 NKJV

I remember a conversation I had with a friend of mine some time ago on the occassion of his 50th wedding aniversery.  I asked him, why was it that he and his wife had been able to endure in marriage for so many years?  His answer surprised me...for he and his wife divorce was never an option.  Genius!  That, in a nutshell, was the solution to a good number of rocky marriages we all too often face.  See, my friend did not see his own marriage as a union of two seperate individuals but of two whom God had brought together and had become one flesh.  Far too often we see our own lives through the filter of our own independence.  My friend like to call this the independent self.  The independent self proclaims that he and he alone is in charge of his own life.  Sure, he believes in God, but God is in heaven and we're here on earth living our own independent lives.  Has anyone ever seen the independent self in the marriage relationship?  I have.  I've not only lived it, but I've witnessed others suffer its consequences.  It's how my own father saw his marriage relationship.  It's how so many people in our society see their relationships with their spouse.  Tell me, how easy is it to divorce someone if you see your relationship as seperate from yourself?  Well, if you've got $99 you can find out pretty damn quick.  I have seen time and again the results of the independent self thinking in marriage.  One person comes in with expectations of how things will go and the other has their own ideas.  Tell me how long this type of relationship will last.  I wouldn't call this a marriage but a relationship of convenience.  It is a marriage for as long as it serves our own purposes.  When it stops serving our own needs we fork out the $99 and call it good.  Not too often do we see our own marriage, and our mate, as an extension of ourselves.  That just wouldn't fit in our independent self world. 
I mentioned that in recent months I've had this conversation of our own views of marriage with myself.  Far from being the ramblings of a disturbed person, this conversation comes from the heart.  For I know that my own life has never been a life lived seperated from God.  No, my life is one lived in union with Him {Galations 2:20}. 

 3The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”4And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’5“and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6“So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Matthew 19: 3 - 6 NKJV

~Scott~

Someone Elses Mess

Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person's throat.”
― Wm. Paul Young, The Shack

I know a man who lives a daily struggle with his youngest son for the respect he feels a father deserves from his own son.  The trouble is, this mans own behaviors are, at times, indicative of just why his son would feel the way that he does.  This brought me to a interesting question, how far will we allow others to control our own thoughts and emotions?  There is a saying out there about not letting others rent space in your head.  If we're to believe this to be true, then there are plenty of us who should walk around each and every day with a big "For Rent" sign on our own forheads.  I'm not saying that most people are gullible...but.  In those moments where I have allowed the thoughts and emotions of those around me to dictate how it is that I felt, I lost out on much of the happiness which God had intended for me to enjoy.  Yes, that's how I look at it.  Of course, if I spend all of my time worrying about how others feel, how is it that I can focus on what it is that is really important?  What is it that God is working in me through this person?  From my own experience, when I'm occupied with how someone else is reacting to any given situation, then I might just be missing what God is working through me FOR that persons benefit.  Perhaps God is exemplifying Himself through me so that others will see Him.  Who am I to keep His Spirit in me under wraps?  Remember, if Jesus had not come in the form of man, we never would have seen God. 

24And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.27So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
Matthew 8: 24 - 27 NKJV

I have a question for everyone who has ever rented out space in their own heads.  What is it that God wanted that other person to see through you?  After all, it is His Spirit who lives through us {Galations 2:20}.  What is it that God is desiring that others see in us?  I'll tell you what...HIM!  That's right, each and every day Gods own desire is that He would be visible through His children.  It's really not that hard considering we are just vessels for His Spirit to live through.  I'll admit that there have been more than a few occassions where I've blocked out whatever it was that God may have been trying to show others through me.  Being in union with Him means that we are His outstretched hands.  Whatever it is that God chooses to do, He can and usually does through us.  How wonderful a world it is when we realize the truth of Christ Jesus in us and that He exemplifies Himself through us...and others.  Of course, all of this is done for our own benefit and joy...and for His glory.  I think back to those men in that boat on the sea of Galilee.  Tossed about by the whims of nature, these men probably felt that Jesus in some way was oblivious to their surroundings.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  For there is never a moment when Jesus is not intimately involved in our own lives.  Not only that, but in the lives of those around us as well.  There may come a time when that person whom we struggle with will proclaim..."Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"  That is the glory of Christ Jesus in us.

~Scott~

The Homecoming

20But you have not so learned Christ, 21if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4: 20 - 24 NKJV

A friend of mine shared a email with me recently then followed up with a simple question.  Are they winning?  See, he had just received a email on the latest and greatest institutional church video for overcoming pornography addiction.  I knew that he was just asking my opinion on this series which claimed to help over a million men overcome their own addictions to porn, so I gave it to him.  "I'll save my money."  Don't get me wrong, it's not that if I were locked in the battle of pornography addiction that I wouldn't want to be free from it, but I've already been there and done all that my brother.  Yes, I once fought the day to day battle with my own desires as I longed to be free from my own sin.  I jumped at every chance the church put out there to guide men, and women, out of the sludge of porn addiction.  I watched countless videos, worked through workbooks and listened to pastor upon pastor promise me that they could set me free from my chains.  Of course, for all of their best intentions, they were all promises that went unfulfilled.  Despite all of my efforts, my struggles continued.  Not only that, each time I fell victim to my desires I felt less and less like a true man of God.  I felt less and less like I was really who God intended me to be.  Instead of a solid christian example of a man...I had turned into nothing more than a example of who NOT to be.  I fully expected the pastor to point me out in church each week and proclaim "Don't be that guy!"  I saw myself as that sinner whom God could never be in the presence of.  As a result, I needed to work that much harder to make myself acceptable to God.  I was on the outside looking in.  I didn't realize it back then, but it was this thinking that was helping to keep me in the chains of addiction. 

1Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man areceives sinners and eats with them.”3So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 4“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5“And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6“And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’7“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15: 1 - 7 NKJV

I don't really recall that day, but I know my addiction brought me to a point where I asked my self the question.  Is this what God has in mind for me.  My God who had assured me that I, Scott, was worthy of His love and acceptance.  My God who had paid that punishment of my sins with His own blood {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  Was this what He desired for me?  Of course, I already knew the answer to my own question, but change my own thinking I needed to ask.  Was God simply sitting in heaven ready to speak judgement upon me?  My friend and I talk a lot about our "seperation thinking" which all too many christians have unknowingly fallen into.  Instead of following their own hearts for what they know to be true, they follow the teachings of their favorite pastor.  See, in my heart I knew that God had no desire for me to live a life in chains.  Not only had He moved heaven and earth that my own sins would be forgiven, He assured me that I would would always be one with Him {Galations 2:20}.  There is no God and me...we're one in the same.  The danger of our seperation thinking is that we mistakingly see ourselves as seperated from God.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The whole time I was slogging through the mud in my battle with pornography there was not a single moment that God was not there with me.  What's the difference between my life now and my life back then?  Knowing what's true in my heart.  I may not have realized the truth of Christ in me back then, but that doesn't mean that He wasn't there.  Only that I didn't realize who it is that I was.  How many men can look at a pornographic image and know in their own hearts that isn't who they truly are?  This is where our own freedom from addiction is, and it comes from our own knowledge of who we are in Christ. 
I recently received one of the best compliments I could have when my friend revealed that he had personally heard me proclaim the truth of Christ from my heart.  There's no recovery program that can boast results like that.

6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV

~Scott~

Old Habits

19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.
2 Peter 2: 19 NKJV

Old habits die hard.  This is indeed one of the undeniable truths of life.  Those things which we grow accustomed to over time will be that much harder to kick down the road later on.  Think of all of those self help quit smoking, stop drinking and stop eating programs out there which promise change if we will only "stick with it."  Yes, I've been through a few of these so called life changing programs myself.  The honest truth is, unless we are ready to live as if we never had such habits we will continue to live in those habits.  I know, sounds simple, right?  So does quitting smoking.  So does exercising more.  Yet, time and again, many fail miserably in their attempts to change the way they are living.  I mean, that's all it really is right?  We strive, worry and sweat all to change the way we are living.  I tell ya, if I had a dollar for all of the times I told myself that I was going to change something in my life I'd sure as hell be richer than I am now.  I was shocked the day a friend of mine claimed that  we are but slaves to those habits we are constantly seeking to change.  He was right.  They control us, they all too often dominate our thinking and the chains are difficult to break.  The apostle Paul tells us that our old man has died with Christ Jesus that "we should no longer be slaves ot sin." {Romans 6:6}.   Slaves to sin?  Wait, what if it's just a unbroken sin habit?  Habit or not, we were once in full fledged slavery to our sin nature.  Yet, through Christ Jesus, we are slaves no longer.  It didn't take an act of congress or a midnight escape run...only our trust in Jesus that He has accomplished all which He did.  So, what was the payment for our freedom?  Jesus, that's who.  It was Christ who became sin on our behalf that those chains would be broken {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  There is a worship song by Micheal W Smith that I listen to quite often, and it's chorus reminds me of my freedom in Christ.

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me

“I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish it; it's my joy to cure it.”
― William P. Young, The Shack

I can say with all honesty that there are more than a few things I'd love to change about myself.  I'm sure I'm not alone in that crowd either.  However, do I really need to change all of those things I desire to?  Did Jesus need to change anything about the man He was?  No?  Well, we're told that we ourselves are but vessels for the Spirit of Christ who lives through us {Galations 2:20}.  If Jesus needed not change anything about Himself, then why do I?  Why do we?  This is indeed a good question.  How is it that a alchoholic realizes that he needs a drink?  Indeed, there are some physical attributes to alchoholism, but I would venture to guess that could also come to that realization that he no longer needs alchohol.  See, the human mind is a very powerful thing.  How is that we know that Jesus lives through us?  Some twelve step program?  No, it is but by Gods revelation that we come to the realization that we and Christ are indeed one in the same.  By the same token, those who have not yet known Jesus simply do not realize who it is that they are.  I am not a addict, I'm Christ.  My habits no longer define me.  Likewise, alchoholism does not define those who struggle with it.  It is not who they really are.  We do well to realize that which is truly important. 

6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be adone away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV

~Scott~