How God Judges Sin (Courageous)

Recently, I watched the movie "Courageous."

The story is about four police officers attempt to put their faith in God after a sudden and unexpected tragedy transforms their lives forever.

Courageous is the story of two dedicated cops Adam Mitchell and Nathan Hayes and their partners. They are confident and focused while on the job keeping the streets safe. But when these devoted peacekeepers face the challenge of fatherhood, both their faith and devotion to family are put to the ultimate test. They consistently strive for excellence at being police officers. But as a fathers, they are satisfied with only being "good enough" - not "excellent". It seems that in fatherhood it's OK to aim at a lower mark. But they quickly discovering that their standard is too low.

In the aftermath of a catastrophe (the accidental death of Adam's 9 year-old daughter, Emily), they are faced with a difficult choice that will ultimately help to define their lives. Fortunately, a wise mentor appears to help them understand that man's ambition and God's will aren't always in perfect harmony. They are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, and their faith, and their skill at fathering. They feel a sense of urgency to draw closer to God and to their children.

They begin to study in the Bible that God desires to turn the hearts of fathers toward their children, but their children are beginning to drift further and further away from them. As fathers, how can they find a way to serve and protect those that are most dear to them?

While watching, I found myself (on the inside) crying, laughing, and cheering - sometimes simultaneously - as they are inspired by everyday heroes who long to be fathers that make a lifelong impact on their children.

One of the heroes in the movie, Nathan Hayes, talks to a fellow cop about making mistakes. The younger man tries to justify his current bad behavior by saying that he’s done a lot of good things in his life. The excerpt below is a good illustration of how God judges sin.

(Clip) http://youtu.be/w_ympKXmC6c

[Nathan Hayes ] Suppose your mom was brutally attacked, and murdered in a parking lot. The guy who committed the crime was caught and put on trial. The guy says, "Hey judge, I've committed this crime, but I've done a lot of good in my life, too. If the judge let him go free, would you say he was a good judge or a bad judge? ...because the Bible says that God is a good judge, and He will punish the guilty, not for what they did right, but for what they did wrong. Because He loves us, He sent his son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment that we deserved, and put it on Himself, and that's why He died on the cross. But it only applies, if you accept it. That's why I asked for his forgiveness. I asked Him to save me. And I'm a new man because of Jesus Christ. Do you understand what I'm telling you? If so, then what's holding you back? We cannot assume that God will give us a pass on our bad actions because we have done good in our lives. Sure, people make mistakes, but we have to strive to be better in everything we say and everything we do.

"Предположим, что на вашу маму было совершено жестокое нападение, и её убили на парковке. Парень, который совершил преступление, был пойман и предан суду. Парень говорит:" Эй судья, я совершил это преступление, но я сделал и много добра в моей жизни тоже. Если судья отпускает его, чтобы вы бы сказали, он хороший или плохой судья? ... и Библия говорит, что Бог - хороший судья, и Он накажет виновных не за то, что они сделали правильно, но за то, что они сделали неправильно. Потому что Он любит нас, Он послал своего сына Иисуса Христа принять наказание, которое мы заслужили, и он принял всё на Себя, и именно поэтому Он умер на кресте. Но это только действует, если вы принимаете его как своего Спасителя. Вот почему я попросил у него прощения. Я попросил Его, чтобы Он спас меня. И я теперь новый человек. Ты понимаешь, о чём я тебе говорю? Если так, то что вас сдерживает? Мы не можем предположить, что Бог простит нам наши дурные поступков , потому что мы сделали много хорошего в нашей жизни . Конечно, люди совершают ошибки , но мы должны стремиться быть лучше во всём, что мы говорим и что мы делаем..."

There are 143 million orphans in the world. Learn what YOU can do to fill the most pressing needs of orphans in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Filling the Gap.

James 1:17 - He never changes

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. ~James 1:17

My friend Igor in Ukraine and I have been studying this verse from James this week. As I meditated on these verses, I came to this conclusion: God is good! He doesn't just act or behave in a good way. He is made of goodness, mercy, and love. It is his nature to give of Himself (goodness and perfection) to us. We don’t deserve his goodness and mercy. However, He continues to give and give and give.

God created the universe and everything in it - all of the stars, planets, and our sun and created life here on earth. He gave us life. However, life in this universe is limited. Our lives are limited. We are born and one day our physical bodies die. The same is true for the stars - they don’t live forever.

On a cold, clear winter night, go outside and look up at the stars. You will see even the brightest stars become dim just for a moment and return to full brightness. These heavenly bodies have lasted for billions of years. I can’t imagine how long that is. But the stars in the heavens, even our sun, will eventually burn out and fade.

However God’s very being lasts forever. His personality is the same always. His love and goodness, and mercy never shift or fade.

Prayer: Thank you God for a love that never fades or changes. Thank you for the gift of eternal life for those who believe and follow your only son, Jesus. May your goodness and mercy shine through us to a world that needs you so desperately. Amen.

 

Якова 1 :17 – Он никогда не меняется.

Все добрые и совершенные дары – свыше, потому что исходят от Создателя Небесных светил, который не изменяется, как меняется тень.

Мой друг Игорь и я, изучали этот стих из Якова всю неделю. В своих размышлениях на этот стих я пришел к заключению: «Бог всемогущ, Он не просто творит или делает что-то хорошее, Он создатель добра,  милости и любви. Это в Его природе отдавать нам Себя в добродетели и неизменной праведности. Мы не заслуживаем Его доброты и милости, однако Он продолжает давать и давать нам их».

Бог создал вселенную и все в ней – звезды, планеты, наше солнце и жизнь на земле. Он подарил нам жизнь. Однако жизнь во вселенной ограничена. Мы родились и однажды наши физические тела умрут. Тоже самое происходит и со звездами – они не существуют вечно.

Холодным, зимним вечером, когда небо чистое, выйди на улицу и посмотри на звезды. Ты заметишь, что даже самые яркие звезды теряют свою яркость на мгновение, а потом снова светя во всю силу. Эти космические тела, возможно, существуют миллиарды лет. Я не могу представить как это долго, но, на самом деле, все звезды и даже наше солнце были рождены светить и погаснуть.

Только Бог –ВЕЧЕН. Он всегда неизменен. Его доброта, милость никогда не станут меньше или погаснут, как свет звезд.

Молитва: Спасибо Господь за любовь, которая никогда не перестанет и не изменится. Спасибо за дар вечной жизни для тех, кто верит и следует за Твоим единственным Сыном – Христом. Пусть твоя доброта и милость светит ярко через нас этому миру, который так нуждается в Тебе. Аминь!

When Facing Disappointment.

 "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31) 

Because sometimes when you're
expecting something, it just doesn't happen.

I like to do nice things for people. It brings me joy. I don't expect anything in return. Most of the time I do those nice things in secret. I love to stand back and watch secretly from a distance to see the expression on the recipients face when they discover what's been done for them. 

However, sometimes, I get the opposite reaction. People have actually gotten angry! Or worse...there is no reaction, no response whatsoever! Then I start to doubt and I think, "Oh what's the use? Why bother?" In that moment I start to become disappointed.

But in the instant just before that moment, God reminds me, "Did you not know? Have you not heard? Remember? My strength never runs out! I understand ALL that you are going through! But, if you'll just wait and be patient, I won't let your effort go unnoticed. Wait! Just see what I'm going to do with it!" 

Life comes with many disappointments. We lose jobs, we fail tests, our relationships fall apart or they never become the reality we dreamed they would be, we lose loved ones to disease and death, life doesn't work out like we planned. Through it all, God with his everlasting strength, wisdom, and knowledge will renew our spirit so that we can sore like eagles.

Wait and see!

Prayer this week: Lord, when we become disappointed (and we all do sometimes) may you gently remind us to be patient as we wait to see what you will do next for us. May you increase our strength so that we may run this race we call life...and not grow weary.

If My People Would Humble Themselves

"Yes, I’ll bring them all back to this place and let them live here in peace. They will be my people, I will be their God. I’ll make them of one mind and heart, always honoring me, so that they can live good and whole lives, they and their children after them. What’s more, I’ll make a covenant with them that will last forever, a covenant to stick with them no matter what, and work for their good. I’ll fill their hearts with a deep respect for me so they’ll not even think of turning away from me." -Jeremiah 32:37-40 The Message

I read a comic strip this morning that made me think for a minute about the phrase "God bless America". That phrase is embedded in our culture. One of those things that I never really gave much thought to. I understand the intent of the phrase is "MAY God bless America!" as in, 'there is a chance that he won't'. Which is a distinct possibility given our current course in history. However, grammatically it's a statement. "God bless America!" (Exclamation) Only Americans could be so bold as to TELL God to bless them. I think from now on, I'll say it this way, "Merciful God, would you please bless America?"  What Father when asked by his child would give him something hurtful? (Matthew 7:9-11) Our problem is our arrogance, pride, and forgetfulness. See, God wants to bless us. He only wants us to humble ourselves, remember what he has ALREADY DONE FOR US and ask. (Matthew 7:7-8).

Merciful God, would you please bless America?

Everything else is just bragging.

James 4:13-17 NLT
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

On the eve of our departure from Simferopol I am reflecting back on the last two weeks. When we met with Yelena Nabiyevna, director at Simferopol Detski Dom, we were facing a week with on 13 of the expected 45. She was worried we would not want to stay and work with the kids.

Arthur and I reassurred her that it was no problem and that it only meant 13 kids would get the extra attention. All the while in my mind I was thinking all of our planning had gone for naught.

My long-time friend and our lead mentor, Nastya Skovorodnykova reminded me to see God'a plan first. She reminded me that because we didn't have so many kids we were able to focus on those we had and we were able to go deeper with them. We were able to discuss things we normally don't get an opportunity to.

Because there were fewer distractions we got to know some special girls better. We got feedback and participation we didn't expect.

She's right. We plan, prepare and think it's all going to come down to how well we pull off those plans and preparations. All the while we forget to let God go first. Anything else is just bragging and boasting.

[Thank you Lord for going out in front of us in this work despite my focusing on my giants. Forgive me for worrying needlessly and for not keeping my gaze fixed on you. May I always remember to let you go first.]

(Apologies for mistakes and type-o's. My eyes burn with weariness. Tomorrow we begin our ling hornet home.)

The Return on God's Investment

Apologies. It's been awhile since my last entry. But I just haven't been inspired. Until now that is. I've gotta  share this story. It's mysterious and yet it's obvious. It's confirming and inspiring. I hope I do it justice here.

Whenever, I assemble a mission team to go to Ukraine I tell the team that raising the funds needed is the hardest part but at the same time it's the most humbling and brings the greatest blessing. Asking for provision is hard, awkward, and humbling. But it's necessary. Otherwise our team could not continue to connect orphaned and abandoned children with life-giving relationship.

Before I tell the story I have to start by reminding you of another story of provision, thanks, and return.

It starts in Matthew 14 with the beheading of John the Baptist. Herod ordered that John the Baptist be executed as the result of a prideful promise made to his daughter...

“Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him,  so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted.  At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!”  Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.  So John was beheaded in the prison,  and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. ”

Afterward, John's disciples recover the body in order to bury it properly then they go to find Jesus in order to share the dreadful news. After receiving the news,  Jesus is grieving for the loss of his cousin and he wants to be alone. He withdraws in a boat to remote place. However, a crowd finds him and begins to assemble.

You know the rest...

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.  (Jesus is grieving yet he is overcome with compassion.)

That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”  (Knucklehead disciples)  

He stuns them and tells them, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”  (He's about to reveal once and for all to them the power of the almighty God.)

 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.  (You know what happens next.) 

 “Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. 

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.  About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!

Keep this in the back of your mind.

It all starts with some long-time friends of mine - a retired couple - Ron and Priscilla. They offered to help our orphan outreach mission team by providing some simple craft supplies. This couple is blessed. They're not wealthy be any stretch. Not many retired couples I know are wealthy. They live modestly and humbly. But all the same, they're richly blessed.

Ron has been a mentor for me. He's a man I admire greatly. He showed me the ropes of the print industry when I first arrived in Nashville in 1985. He gave me the leg up that I needed as a freelance designer in a tough industry when the market was glutted with guys like me. He taught me business integrity. He introduced me to my wife, Linda, for which I am immensely grateful.

I'm thankful that there are those whom God leads to give. I'm thankful that he provides the opportunity for friends to participate in blessing orphans by giving. It's humbling. Some don't really "have it" to give in the first place. Yet they give nevertheless.

It blesses them. It blesses others. It blesses me.

Ron has some health issues. He needs a cane sometimes to walk. He has had a rough go of it in the last several years. As time goes on his ability to walk without aid diminishes. It doesn't slow him down at all it seems. He began to tell me a story....

Ron needed a wheelchair - and they aren't cheap. The insurance would pay for most of the cost. But the deductible was close to five hundred dollars. Money they didn't have.

A friend offered to provide the cash for the deductible. I can imagine Ron and Priscilla were feeling the same humility in that offer that I often feel when receiving support for outreach. They thanked them for the offer but humbly refused. You see they knew God would provide.

Think about it though. What a blessing to have people in your life who are ready and willing to share what they have been blessed with. To have... in order to share. God provides so that we can share.

Instead, Ron and Priscilla decided to sell a boat motor that Ron had purchased some time before. They posted on Craig's List and asked $450 for the motor. Within a few hours after posting they received a message from a man in Cleveland, TN. He was a fisherman. He offered full "asking" price if Ron would hold the motor until he could arrive in Nashville.

The fisherman arrived and promptly left the cash in the full amount with no questions. It was the exact amount needed for the deductible to pay for the chair.  

That "gift" allowed them to use their own funds and offer to purchase the craft items for our team. Call it an offering of thanks. Having... in order to give. Provided for in order to share. 

Humbling.

You see, we live in a straight ahead fashion - minute by minute. We can only experience the present and recall the past. But even the past gets hazy. As we move forward in time our memories of what God has done for us along the way become thin.

May we never forget what God has done for us - how he has provided - how he continues
to provide.

The disciples did - and often. They couldn't see past their own bewildered noses - standing before five thousand men (along with women and children) and Jesus says to them,
"You feed 'em!"

So they collect the loaves and the fishes. Only they can't see the future or how Jesus is going to bring about a return on the gift of those loaves and fishes.

Jesus gives the credit to his father for providing. He knows how his father works. If you thank God, he provides. If you give away what he provides, you get back ten-thousand-fold.

But, there's just a little bit more to the story. It gets even better.

Priscilla sent a text to tell me they'd received the items in the mail yesterday. It went like this:

5:48 pm - P: The materials for the bracelets came today. Will bring them Sunday.

5:50pm - J: Great! Thank y'all so much!

5:52pm - P: You are welcome. Glad we could do it.

5:54pm - J: Y'all are awesome.

5:56pm - P: And you will not believe the bus card that was enclosed.

When they opened the shipping carton, out fell a business card. It read:

"Working for Jesus doesn't pay much, but the retirement plan is out of this world"

On the reverse side was printed:

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

God provides. God gives. God gets back that which he loves the most - his one and only son...and us in the bargain. I can't wait to see how God will use these gifts from friends like Ron and Priscilla. 

What kind of return will come back from all this provision?