Funkyjimmer's Blog

Monday, December 29, 2003

MY "BLOG" LIFE RESUMES!

This is my first day back at work after my surgery December 3rd. Perhaps it is a good day to also return to my Blog Spot!There will be nothing profound today! (As if there ever is!) This seems like a LONG day, being my first venture back to work after nearly 4 weeks! But there will be future, more frequent postings. Maybe that can be a New Year's Resolution. Except I don't make "New Years Resolutions". They just make a liar and a hypocrite out of me.

My affected arm is in a padded sling--6 to 8 weeks total after surgery. So 2 to 4 more weeks to go! At least I'll be out before the Indiana Student Leadership Forum! Then I go to formal therapy. Right now I am doing boring exercises at home. Boring but oh, so beneficial! They DO work!

We'll that's it for this time. I've so much I want to say--but that will come in due season. For right now, to those who prayed for me (and I know some of you did!) your prayers have been appreciated and effective. While this was the most painful of the 3 surgeries, all is going well. I have been able (with God's help) to prevail. Thank you.

Jim

posted by jim 3:15 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, November 26, 2003

MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS/RELATIONSHIPS

I am sad that it has been three weeks since I have posted a Blog. Let’s see---which excuse should I use? Well, I’ve been busy, traveling a lot for my company this month. Yes, that’s true. I have had a medical procedure that went somewhat wrong and distracted me with a lot of unwanted attention, pain, misery and medication. That, too, is fact. My church has been participating in the “40 Days of Purpose Campaign” which sort of concluded last Sunday. There has been a “ton” of preparation weekly for that. Well, that is also true. But what does all that have to do with my not posting a Blog? I haven’t a clue. But I guess it sounds good to me!

It isn’t that I have had nothing to Blog about. So many things have captured my attention. A partial problem is which issue shall I blog about? The homosexual issue in America and Canada has me very agitated. So much is written or said about the subject but so little is Biblically accurate and so much ignores Biblical teaching. But I haven’t been able to collect my thoughts well enough to put them in a Blog so they are more than just a “rant”. There have been enough “rants” on the subject already. In addition, our national scene is more than a little disturbing. Yes, there are so many issues.

Next week, Wednesday, December 3rd, I am having my left shoulder rotator cuff repaired—again! I had both shoulder rotator cuffs repaired in 2001. Now I have torn the left one again. How? Who knows? Probably a combination of things. The doctor thinks I did it shoveling snow. I may have done it falling backward with the push lawnmower on top of me when I was mowing a bank along the side of our house. However I did it, it is torn and due to the pain and inability to use it to full capacity, I suppose I should have it repaired again.

I hate missing work. I hate even more not being able to preach for two Sundays at my wonderful church, Countryside Christian Fellowship. But at the same time, I am glad the people at Countryside will have opportunity to hear Joel, my prayer and accountability partner, present the Word again. They love his preaching. They have been asking for him to preach for quite awhile. He is so gifted in the pulpit. So I am happy for him to have the opportunity and I am happy for the Countryside people to hear him.

I guess rotator cuff repair surgery is classified among the most painful of surgeries. For Believers reading this, I would ask for your prayers. I did well the last two times. May it be so yet one more time! May the pain be at least tolerable. May the surgeon do a good job. He is an excellent surgeon and a great guy. I have every confidence in him. I’ll have to go to a different therapist this time due to insurance issues. I hate that. My previous physical therapist was the best.

But due to the surgery and the subsequent series of therapy, it will be a little while before I am able to use the left arm/hand for typing. I’m going to push it to get back the ability to type soon because my friends are so important to me and I want to keep in touch with them by email and perhaps this Blog.

Which segues into what I intended to be the main theme of this Blog. A few days ago my friend, who has a great Internet Journal, wrote a couple of entries about the inability to maintain friendships and relationships when people move away or when one gets so busy with school, work, a significant other, or whatever the circumstance might be. What he wrote was very true, albeit very sad. It made me extremely sad to think another friendship might be lost. It seems whenever God brings a special person into my life (which has only happened rarely—maybe twice before), something happens to take it away, usually marriage. They say, “Oh, just because I’m married, it won’t make any difference in our friendship.” But it does. And when I read my friend’s journal entries regarding this subject, I was really scared God was going to allow my friendship with Tubbs to be taken away. Not because of marriage, right now, but because of his lack of time to keep up the relationship. He has since assured me not to worry about our friendship because it is secure--and I believe him because he has proven trustworthy time and again.

But now the “funny” part. I have A.O.L Instant Messenger. The day after the Journal Discussion referred to above appeared, when I brought up my computer I received this message from A.O.L.: “We are sorry but all your buddies have disappeared. They are not lost, they have just disappeared from your Buddy list. We are sorry for this occurrence. Please try again later. Perhaps they will re-appear.” (Well, they finally did but it took awhile.)

Now you have it. Coincidence? Sure. But what a funny one. At the time I become concerned (o.k. so I was actually quite upset!) about the possibility of losing one of the best friends I’ve ever had right after apparently losing absolutely the best friend I’ve ever had, due to his marriage—My entire I.M. Buddy list disappears. Is somebody trying to tell me something? Probably not, but, coming right at the time of the discussion regarding losing relationships/friendships, it sure has made me think!

Close friends are so important to me. The loss, or even the threat of losing a friend, is enough to plunge me into a dark and sad emotional state. When you have had what you thought was a great relationship with someone you dearly love and it no longer seems to exist, well, it hurts a lot. It upsets me.

Enough whining.

Jim

posted by jim 7:41 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, November 04, 2003

VOICES AND PREJUDICES

I don’t intend this to be a rant about prejudices. We all have them. We are either prejudiced for or against whatever. Anyone who claims not to be prejudice either doesn’t understand what prejudices are or they don’t understand themselves. The real issue is how we deal with our prejudices. Most of the time we don’t deal with them at all or we indulge them.

Maturity is discovering that about which we are prejudiced and then dealing with it appropriately.

I say all that because I faced a prejudice recently that I didn’t realize (or wasn’t willing to admit) that I had. Over many years I have been able to deal with prejudice regarding race, nationalities, philosophies, beliefs, etc. It is something to be constantly faced and dealt with. I try to do that. I can’t say how successfully.

Last week I was in a room with many other vendors. I was representing the Company for whom I have worked for many years. It was an employee benefit fair. We were at tables which lined the not-too-large room. Early in the day I became aware of the most nauseating, irritating speaking voice I have heard in quite awhile. It was coming from another vendor at the other end of the room.

Immediately my prejudice against certain voice sounds surfaced and I found myself thinking, “I don’t like that person.” Throughout the day, the more I heard that irritating voice, the more I disliked the person.

This was pure prejudice. I didn’t know a single fact about that person other than the Company he represented. But I didn’t like him. How much more prejudiced can you be? I knew nothing about him; I had made no effort to get acquainted with him. I just didn’t like him because of the sound of his voice.

Now I’m not proud of this. I have confessed it to God, hopefully have repented and I have asked forgiveness. And before the day was over, although I didn’t have opportunity to learn much about the gentleman with the irritating voice because of the busyness of the day, I had worked through my initial prejudice and no longer felt negative toward the individual.

But this whole incident has gotten me to pondering about prejudices and voices. I want to write about voices here. Prejudice has been the subject of many an essay and discourse throughout the years already.

But voices—that’s something else. There are some voices that are recognizable wherever you hear them—on the telephone, audio tape or video. The electronic media doesn’t seem to change or distort them at all. Other voices seem to be more easily distorted or at least changed by the electronic instrument.

Some voices bring pleasure the moment you hear them. It may be because of the actual sound quality of the voice. I suspect that more often it is because of the personality associated with the voice. When a loved one leaves a message I like to keep the recording because hearing that voice brings pleasure because of the love I have for that person.

Other voices are enjoyable to hear because they are so pleasantly distinctive. There are radio and T. V. personalities whose unusual voice quality has made them a lot of money—especially in the days of radio. One such is William Conrad, the original Matt Dillon of the radio version of GUNSMOKE. James Arness became famous as the T.V. Matt Dillon. But I always enjoyed hearing William Conrad on the radio. Another such personality was Brace Beemer, the original radio LONE RANGER. Again, Clayton Moore became famous as the T. V. Lone Ranger. But Brace Beemer was the original radio version. I loved to hear his voice. There are many more famous personalities whom I could name. Most reading this don’t know the above people and wouldn’t know the others were I to mention them.

Also, because I travel, I listen to book tapes a lot. I have learned to enjoy certain readers more than others. Men’s voices seem to be more pleasant than women’s voices over-all. (Some of you are going to say that is just prejudice, too. But I think there is empirical evidence to support that statement.)

On a more personal level, I recognize my wife’s voice in any crowd and at a great distance. (I am not implying that she is particularly loud. I am just tuned to her voice.) The voice of my best friend and Prayer Partner brings comfort, joy and much encouragement just hearing it. I suppose this is because of my love for these people.

But there are distinctive voice qualities that bring a feeling of confidence, security and well-being. Then there are those voice qualities that immediately arouse feelings of either apprehension, anger, irritation or uneasiness. I really don’t know why this is. I know that to some extent the affect a voice has on a person is tied to what we know or think or feel about the person to whom the voice belongs.

But that’s not always the case. (Refer to my example of the gentleman above whose voice irritated me and I didn’t even know him.)

Many years ago I was well acquainted with a wonderful, dedicated Christian gentleman. He had his “voice box” removed because of cancer. He “talked” with the aid of some device implanted in his throat. He put his finger over the hole in his throat and “talked” with a very robotic, mechanical monotone. When I first heard his mechanical “voice” it was very irritating. But as I came to know and eventually love him in the Lord, his “voice’ was no longer irritating. But I have known others whose voices always irritated, no matter how well acquainted I became with them.

*Sigh*

Then I got to thinking about Biblical references to voices. Now I’m really pondering! What did the Voice of God sound like? Adam and Eve and many of the Patriarchs heard the Voice of God. When God spoke from heaven at the baptism and the Transfiguration of Jesus that Voice from Heaven severely frightened Peter, James and John. Jesus said that the dead would hear a voice that would wake them from the dead. Revelation talks about hearing a voice from heaven that sounded like thunder and the rush of water.

So I ponder—what does the voice of God sound like? Is it pleasant? Frightening? Soothing. Maybe it depends on my relationship with God. At times the voice of my father or mother was very pleasant, inviting and soothing. But if I had done something to sever the right relationship with them, their voices were anything but pleasant! I just don’t know.

Jesus said that His “sheep” hear his voice and know Him. What does that voice sound like?

What did the voice of the Angel Gabriel, who made several announcements, sound like? Or the voice of the angels announcing the birth of Jesus to the shepherds?

Then, there is the “other side of the coin”. What does the voice of Satan sound like?

You know, I’ve never liked the sound of my own voice, especially on tape or CD. I have been told that no one likes the sound of their own voice. I don’t know if that is true or not. I have also heard that we don’t hear our own voices the way other people hear them.

Too much to ponder. Too much writing here! You’re tired of reading; I’m tired of writing.

But I don’t want to miss the voice of my Lord calling me, whatever it sounds like.

Jim

posted by jim 9:54 AM 0 comments

Sunday, October 26, 2003

THE WEDDING

A week ago yesterday, Saturday, October 18th, my Prayer and Accountability Partner got married. He is not just my Prayer and Accountability Partner. He is my best friend. He is the only best friend I have ever had so far. He’s the only Prayer Partner and best friend I’ve ever wanted. Probably the only one I’ll ever have or want. He’s “The Best”. God brought him into my life in a very unexpected way and at an unexpected time. He made the connection between us. God put the love in my heart slowly for this best friend. God has cultivated that love, grown it and sustained it. It is there to stay!

My Prayer Partner/Accountability Partner/Best friend is also my hero. I want to be like him in so many ways. I try to be like him, to do things like he does. His opinions and approval mean a lot to me. His prayers and his accountability toward me have sustained me in life. I owe this man so much. And he is so much younger than I. Yet that doesn’t seem to matter to him. I know it doesn’t to me.

Sadly, I’ve hurt him, too. He’s forgiven me, I know. But I am having difficulty forgiving myself. I know I can’t forget it. I live with the awful memory of it. I hate that I thoughtlessly said and did what I did. But I can’t undo it.

He is my alter ego. He is the quintessential friend and Christian. This great guy has let me bare my heart and soul to him. I’ve let him see way inside me, inside my heart, my “guts”, where only one other (my dear Internet friend) has ever been allowed. Because of this, he has helped me grow to a holiness and a purity I’ve never before achieved – and never would have achieved if he hadn’t invested his life in me.

I had never loved or trusted a friend like this guy until God put him in my life.

I write all this with a heart full of emotion; with tears in my eyes, crying in my heart. I’ve been crying for a long time.

Why am I writing this? I don’t know. I have wanted to tell my best friend all these things. I’ve tried, but I get all emotional and can’t say what’s in my heart. Yet he’ll possibly never read this. I don’t know.

I’m also writing this because I’m grieving. I still want him to be my best friend. But now he’s married. I feel like I’ve lost him. I love him so and I’m hurting so. Oh, I’m so happy for him. He has married a wonderful girl. I have to fight to not be jealous of her because she gets to some of the time with him I used to get to spend. Yep, I’m jealous. I know its wrong, but I am. I’ll work on letting God help me overcome that.

The most frustrating thing is that no one seems to understand my feelings or why I would even feel the way I do. I feel so alone because my friend is married and because no one seems to understand how I feel or why I would feel this way. So I’m hurting. And no one seems to care. (Well, my faith says God cares. And I’m relying on my faith to get me through this time. But I am so weak right now.)

It was a beautiful wedding. My friend gave me the extreme privilege and honor of having a part in the ceremony. He will never know that just allowing me to do that is what let me get through the day. I cried a lot before the wedding ceremony, a little during the ceremony and a lot again afterward.

It was the most Christian wedding I have ever been privileged to be a part of. It was so godly and Christ-centered from start to finish, and everything in between. The wedding party was absolutely a terrific witness. It is a positive reflection on both the Bride and Groom that they had such great Christian friends in their party. Every action, every word, every toast—just everything said and done by their friends in the wedding party was so Christian. Christ was so much at home at that event.

I am praying my friend and I will continue to have a strong friendship and relationship now that he is married. I pray that he and his wife will have a great relationship with my wife and me. I am praying so hard that he will want to continue to be my Prayer and Accountability Partner. I want to continue to be His. But will we? I just don’t know. I pray so.

Right now I feel such a loss. I feel so alone. I am hurting. I am grieving. I hope for comfort and relief soon. But maybe this feeling of loss and hurt will never go away. I just don’t know.

But I am so happy for my friend. I am praying that they have a safe and enjoyable Honeymoon trip. Oh, gosh, how I love him!

I don’t think I can write any more without really bursting out crying. And I don’t want to have to explain why I am crying to people around me.

Sorry this is such a stinkin’ post!

Jim

posted by jim 6:11 PM 0 comments

Monday, October 20, 2003

LACK OF POSTS

I know, I know -- I haven’t blogged as regularly as I promised! I have wanted to post a couple of times a week. Or at the very least, weekly. Now it has been almost two weeks. I also realize that I have stated that I don’t want to blog so much about myself. This isn’t a journal is it? No, I guess it isn’t.

I apologize and here are my excuses. These past couple of weeks have been difficult and unpleasant. My focus has been too much on myself. I have missed absorbing some significant, world-shaking events. Canada’s Supreme Court rejected a request by religious and family groups to appeal the Ontario court ruling allowing gay marriage, effectively letting it stand as the law of the land. At least 1,000 gay and lesbian couples have married in Ontario and British Columbia since lower courts ruled in June that existing marriage laws were discriminatory. Ottawa is preparing a draft bill with a new definition of marriage for the Supreme Court to examine in the Spring. Also, the Anglican church is being ripped apart by this issue, as are other church groups. It is very much an issue in America as well. I have some opinions on these issues which I’d wanted to rant about in my blog. ‘Cause I can’t agree Biblically with much of what I’m reading.

But I’m dealing with some physical issues in my life that have necessitated that I undergo what to me was a very scary and unpleasant series of biopsies. I alluded to that fear two blogs back. I want to say for those who read my blogs, that thanks to the prayers of the one friend with whom I felt secure enough at this time to confess these fears, God has answered his prayers and the fear left me the day before the procedure was scheduled. He prayed for me throughout the day of the biopsies, too. And although the experience of having the 8 biopsies was unpleasant and somewhat painful (no anesthetic—UGH!) I endured and actually was calm and had no fear up to and including the procedure. And I’ve done well since. Now I await the scary results. But my calm and lack of fear are prevailing. This dear friend of mine is a really effective prayer warrior! I absolutely know his prayers are responsible for my calmness. I am so thankful to have a friend like that who loves me enough to let me be open and honest with him so that I can have the benefit of his love, prayers and encouragement! I love him so much—and I haven’t yet had the pleasure of actually meeting him! *Sigh* Maybe some day!

But as traumatic as was this procedure and the fearful days leading to it, and now these days of awaiting the results, that wasn’t the most difficult thing about these past couple of weeks. I want to explain more in detail the most difficult occurrence in my life in the past week. But I don’t have time now so I’m going to post this for now. Look for another Post very soon for further explanation. I promise!

Jim

posted by jim 2:24 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, October 08, 2003

RANT ABOUT ATROCITY – MAN’S INHUMANITY TO MAN

I feel a rant coming on! I want this to be more than just a rant against something. But I’m afraid that’s what it’s going to be. I feel so strongly passionate about this I’m afraid I won’t be very organized.

I have a Christian Brother in another country that I have come to love more than I probably would love a “flesh-and-blood” brother. (I never had one so I don’t really know.) A recent email from him has served to crystallize thoughts I have had for quite some time.

My friend has been reading articles on how his country took land and rights from the First Nations people. It is no different in America. Our history is as sordid, if not more so, than the history of my friend’s country. What we did to our First Nations people is absolutely unconscionable. We brutally inflicted starvation without compassion and meted out violence without provocation. Then we wondered why the First Nations people reacted so violently. Duh! Who was violent first? Who was uncompassionate first! Who brought atrocity upon atrocity upon these first nations people?

We brutally forced them into smaller and smaller land areas. Land areas for the most part that were the least desirable. Finally we “corralled” them like animals on “Reservations”, thinking that was all that was necessary. Usually these “Reservations” were not in the most desirable locations nor were they the most desirable or productive property.

Then add to this what was done for so many years to the Black community in America. And none of this has really ceased – either to the First Nations people or the Black community.

And we like to proclaim that we are a “Christian Nation”! Ha! I have been reading again the history of Israel and Judah. They WERE God’s chosen. Yet their behavior was so erratic. Like a yo-yo they alternated between obedience and disobedience; between faithfulness and unfaithfulness. God’s punishment was delivered over and over.

Why do we, or any other nation, think we should escape God’s wrath and punishment? We Americans seem so pious; so self-righteous. I’m talking about the Christian community in American, not our hell-bent brother in the world! Why, in God’s name, do we think we should escape punishment? Why should God treat us any differently than He did his disobedient children, Israel and Judah? Just this morning I was reading the prophet Jeremiah. I was struck by chapter 12, verse 17: “But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it,” declares the Lord.

I’ve gotten myself in a bit of trouble at church a few times recently by suggesting that America is not a “Christian Nation”! But I stand by my statements. Consider these facts from the George Barna Research Group:
· Nearly half of adults questioned said they formed moral choices based on what gave them pleasure or made them feel good. Only one in four said they relied on religious principles or Bible content for decisions.
· On abortion, homosexuality, and sexual fidelity, six out of ten said co-habitation (that’s “shacking up” without benefit of the marriage commitment) is acceptable.
· The Bible says divorce is allowed (not required) only after adultery or desertion, but nearly two-thirds of adults said divorce is not a sin in any instance.
· Half of all adults said watching a movie with explicit sexual behavior is morally acceptable.

Barna’s researchers concluded that: “the emerging generation of parents is the least likely of any demographic subgroup in the nation to possess and transit Biblical moral values…. Within the next quarter century we will likely see a state of radical moral amnesia in America.”

“Christian Nation!” Ha! I stand by my statement. Regardless of what we may put on our coins or our currency, we are NOT a Christian nation. I personally think it is high time we were at least honest and admitted it.

True, we have been greatly blessed by God. (Why, I’m not sure!) I do have a sense of patriotism. I am thankful I live in this country. I enjoy the blessings and the “creature comfort” that comes from living here. And I am thankful for that.

But I do not consider this an “entitlement” from God. It is simply another demonstration of His Grace. Rather than being smug and self-confident, I (and all citizens) should be grateful. But we’re not! In a little more than a month we will celebrate “Thanksgiving Day”. But we will simply be thankful for a day or two off work. We will miss the point of the day.

I have to quit. You are probably tired of this and I’m getting too worked up. Because I don’t know what I’m going to do about it!

Jim

posted by jim 11:23 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, October 01, 2003

posted by jim 8:02 AM 0 comments

posted by jim 7:58 AM 0 comments

OVERCOMING THE FEAR FACTOR -- FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE – It is harder to practice than to theorize

I spoke at church for 3 Sundays recently on this topic of overcoming fear. I chose to do so because:
A. I know I am a fear-prone person and thought it would be helpful to
me in being able to overcome my fears.
B. I thought the teaching would help a lot of people in my church who
may struggle with this as I do.
C. I thought it would help our church get ready for our “40 Days of
purpose Campaign. It seemed that using these Bible principles would help all of us overcome our fear of something different and get us to be willing to get out of our comfort zones so God can do great things with and through us during and after the 40 Days of Purpose.

Now I know God had another purpose in mind in addition to these. I believe He is saying to me, “Jim, here is a chance to ‘Practice what you preach!’”

I went to a Medical Specialist today and what he told me, following a thorough exam, was scary. Now I am petrified. So what do I do? The choice is up to me. I am praying (and would ask any who read this who know me to pray also) that I will choose to follow Biblical principles and deal with my fear, not continue in it. Now I have to move from the THEORY of how to overcome fear in my life, to the actual practice of the Biblical principles I have been teaching and writing on the subject in these Blogs

In other Blogs I have suggested 2 steps that I believe are Biblical that we should take to overcome fear: STEP 1: BE SURE OF YOUR SALVATION; BE SURE YOU ARE RIGHT WITH GOD. And STEP 2: TAKE TIME TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. Now let me suggest a third principle:

Step 3: PRACTICE SELF-CONTROL, SELF-DISCIPLINE. 2nd Timothy 1:7 says: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity {fear}, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” I guess this means that if I have a spirit of fearfulness in my life I didn’t get it from God. If I didn’t get it from God, I must have gotten it from Satan.

This verse also tells me that self-discipline did come from God. It seems that I evidence for whom I am living by how I live! OUCH! This takes away my “excuses” for allowing myself to continue living a fearful life.

I’d like to clarify something right here: I am not saying that we shouldn’t be afraid of anything. There are things, people, circumstances that we would do well to fear. What I refer to in these Blogs is being in a state of constant fearfulness.
From the 2nd Timothy Scripture it would seem that our phobias – irrational fears (see a previous Blog for a list of phobias) -- result from our lack of self-control or self-discipline.

Scripture seems to teach that God’s love flowing through us to others drives away fear. At least that is what 1st John 4:18 seems to teach me: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

So to help me be able to control my fears, I need to find others upon which to pour out the love of God. That isn’t hard to if I am really willing to do it. So I guess we should ask, “How’s your love life?” Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) His commandments are many. One of the clearer sets of commands regarding doing for others is found in Matthew 25:35-36. I suggest that you read that passage. It tells us that when we’ve done something (or not done something) for others it is the same as having done (or not done) something for Jesus. That passage is a good prescription for showing God’s love.

Most of us don’t do this because of our selfish nature. Fear and selfishness go hand-in-hand. To get rid of fear we need to conquer selfishness in our lives.

I think I’ve written enough on the subject. I need to move from theory to practice. That’s going to be the hard part. But the Medical Specialist has given me a concrete reason to focus on overcoming my fears.

Please pray for me.

Jim

posted by jim 5:18 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, September 30, 2003

OVERCOMING THE FEAR FACTOR -- FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE – It is harder to practice than to theorize

I spoke at church for 3 Sundays recently on this topic of overcoming fear. I chose to do so because:

A. I know I am a fear-prone person and thought it would be helpful to
me in being able to overcome my fears.

B. I thought the teaching would help a lot of people in my church who
may struggle with this as I do.

C. I thought it would help our church get ready for our “40 Days of purpose Campaign. It seemed that using these Bible principles would help us overcome our fear of something different and get us to be willing to get out of our comfort zones so God can do great things with and through us during and after the 40 Days of Purpose.

Now I know God had another purpose in mind in addition to these. I believe He is saying to me, “Jim, here is a chance to ‘Practice what you preach!’”

I went to a Medical Specialist today and what he told me, following a thorough exam, was scary. Now I am petrified. So what do I do? The choice is up to me. I am praying (and would ask any who read this who know me to pray also) that I will choose to follow Biblical principles and deal with my fear, not continue in it. Now I have to move from the THEORY of how to overcome fear in my life, to the actual practice of the Biblical principles I have been teaching and writing on the subject in these Blogs

In other Blogs I have suggested 2 steps that I believe are Biblical that we should take to overcome fear: STEP 1: BE SURE OF YOUR SALVATION; BE SURE YOU ARE RIGHT WITH GOD. And STEP 2: TAKE TIME TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. Now let me suggest a third principle:

Step 3: PRACTICE SELF-CONTROL, SELF-DISCIPLINE. 2nd Timothy 1:7 says: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity {fear}, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” I guess this means that if I have a spirit of fearfulness in my life I didn’t get it from God. If I didn’t get it from God, I must have gotten it from Satan.

This verse also tells me that self-discipline did come from God. It seems that I evidence for whom I am living by how I live! OUCH! This takes away my “excuses” for allowing myself to continue living a fearful life.

I’d like to clarify something right here: I am not saying that we shouldn’t be afraid of anything. There are things, people, circumstances that we would do well to fear. What I refer to in these Blogs is being in a state of constant fearfulness.
From the 2nd Timothy Scripture it would seem that our phobias – irrational fears (see a previous Blog for a list of phobias) -- result from our lack of self-control or self-discipline.

Scripture seems to teach that God’s love flowing through us to others drives away fear. At least that is what 1st John 4:18 seems to teach me: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

So to help me be able to control my fears, I need to find others upon which to pour out the love of God. That isn’t hard to if I am really willing to do it. So I guess we should ask, “How’s your love life?” Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) His commandments are many. One of the clearer sets of commands regarding doing for others is found in Matthew 25:35-36. I suggest that you read that passage. It tells us that when we’ve done something (or not done something) for others it is the same as having done (or not done) something for Jesus. That passage is a good prescription for showing God’s love.

Most of us don’t do this because of our selfish nature. Fear and selfishness go hand-in-hand. To get rid of fear we need to conquer selfishness in our lives.

I think I’ve written enough on the subject. I need to move from theory to practice. That’s going to be the hard part. But the Medical Specialist has given me a concrete reason to focus on overcoming my fears.

Please pray for me.

Jim

posted by jim 11:50 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, September 24, 2003

“LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED; NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID” (John 14:27)

But I am a Christian. I am sure of my salvation. Yet fear plagues my life. What should I do next?

From reading the Bible it seems that a second step to overcoming fear is to TAKE TIME TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD; TAKE THE TIME TO DEVELOP A COMPANIONSHIP WITH HIM. No one needs to go through life alone. Actually, life is too difficult for anyone to try to go through it alone. And there is no need to “go it alone”. God wants to accompany us throughout life. Having accepted Christ as our personal savior and received the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, we are not alone. Jesus is praying for us (Hebrews 7;25); the Holy Spirit indwells us (lives within us) to guide and comfort us. And we have other Christians walking with us.

But we must develop a companionship with God. It is not enough to just be right with God. We must stay right with Him. A lot of the Psalms talk about God being the antidote to our fears. Check them out: Psalm 23:4; 27:1-3; 46:1-3; 56:3, 4, 11; 118:6 to list a few!).

If our relationship with God is right and we are in daily companionship--fellowship with God--then we can conquer our fears.

But the catch is that it takes time to develop a companionship with God. It may well be that the curse of our time is BUSYNESS which causes SHALLOWNESS. We need to take time to be holy. There is an old hymn by that title: “Take Time To Be Holy”. If we don’t take the time, we won’t be holy. A 5-minute “devotional” and 30-second “tip-of-the hat” to God just won’t cut it. It takes time to be holy—and a lot of it!

Adam and Eve walked with God. How long has it been since we have even walked, let alone “walked with God”? Walking, in a safe place outdoors or on an indoor track or treadmill, can be useful prayer and meditation time. But we are so busy. We live life by the time clock.

Our church is gearing up to join over 4,000 other churches in the “40 Days Of Purpose” Campaign October 5 through November 23rd. The dilemma is this: Our lives are already way too over crowded. Now with the “40 Days of Purpose” Campaign we are going to be asked to add three new habits to our schedule. There is a daily devotional reading of about 15 minutes a day; a weekly meeting in a small group for six weeks and a weekly verse to memorize that will probably take less than 5 minutes.

But most of us need to decide first what we are going to cut out of our schedules before we begin 40 Days of Purpose. We can only have so many “irons in the fire”. We are so busy. We must be warned not to associate LIFE with ACTIVITY. Not everything in our lives is of equal value. From time to time we just need to ask, “What am I going to stop doing?” in order to have time to develop holiness, a companionship with God.

Someone one time quipped, “We should live in such a way that when they carry us into the church for our funeral, God won’t have to ask, ‘Who is it?’”

So a second step to overcoming our fear is to develop a companionship with God.

I’ll talk about the next step probably in my next Blog.

Jim

posted by jim 10:30 PM 0 comments

Monday, September 22, 2003

ON A PERSONAL NOTE:

I have quit Blogging about personal stuff as often as I once did. But I make an exception now because what I’m going to write about might affect my ability to post Blogs for awhile. First a bit of background:

For you who don't know (not that you really care!) two years ago I had rotator cuff repair surgery in both shoulders. (Not at the same time thank goodness!) Both rotator cuffs were equally torn badly enough to warrant repair (5+ centimeters torn.) I did well in recovery and therapy.

Now, it seems, I have re-torn the rotator cuff in my left shoulder. The doctor says probably from shoveling snow, or a combination of some other dumb things I shouldn't have been doing. Who knows? I probably re-tore the left shoulder because I am left handed and that side gets the most frequent and hardest use.

At any rate, the tear is now at 3+ centimeters torn. It hurts. The surgeon says it needs to be repaired--again. If I don't it will just tear more.

When I have the surgery it will be awhile before I will be able to type. Thus my inability to post Blogs for awhile when that occurs.

I am going to try to postpone the surgery unit after Joel's wedding and after our church finishes the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign. Right now I am thinking about the first part of December--maybe the 8th. When I finally decide I'll post the date on the Blogspot.

Now you know. Later I'll post another Blog on the subject of "Overcoming Fear".

Jim

posted by jim 10:00 PM 0 comments

Thursday, September 18, 2003

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT MY FEARS?

I Blogged awhile back about fear. We have been studying this at church on Sundays. I have tried to share specific steps from God’s Word that we can take toward overcoming our fears.

I believe that Step Number One is to be sure you’re right with God. As I have studied the Bible on this subject, I have observed that fear and sin go hand in hand. As I stated in a previous Blog on this subject, when Adam and Eve sinned they became afraid. (Genesis 3:10) When we sin, we should be afraid, too. Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a dreadful (fearful) thing to fall into the hands of the Living God.”

Sin makes cowards of us all. “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1)

Speaking of the wicked, Psalm 53:5 says, “There they were, overwhelmed with dread (fear) when there was nothing to dread (fear).”

Yet Christ came to set us free from fear.

When the Angel came to Zechariah to tell him of the birth of John the Baptist, he said, “Do not be afraid…..”

When Gabriel came to Mary to tell her she was going to give birth to the Son of God, he said, “Do not be afraid……”

When the Angel talked about the coming birth of Jesus to Joseph, he said, “Don’t be afraid…”

When the angels announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds on the Judean hillside, their first words were, “Do not be afraid…..”

Hebrews 2:15 tells us that there are a lot of people who all their lives are held in bondage (slavery) to the fear of death.

Paul said, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (1Timothy 1:7—KJV)

Yep! The starting point to overcoming fear is to know that you’re saved and that within you is the One who can take out of you the spirit of fear.

If a person doesn’t know Jesus as their personal Savior, then I don’t know how to help that person overcome fear. Jesus plainly taught us to not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. He said we should rather fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell. (Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:4)

So, I’m saved. I’m still fearful. What’s the next step? That will be the subject for a future Blog.

Jim

posted by jim 9:04 PM 0 comments

Friday, September 12, 2003

HOW PROTECTED AM I?

Last month my computer at home was “hit” with the LOVSan, or “Blaster” worm that knocked out so many computers around the world. It seems it hit governmental agencies especially hard. A friend of mine eventually fixed my computer. He works in the Indiana Attorney General’s office with their computers. He worked about three days and 2 nights to get their computers corrected. Then he got to mine.

He “patched the hole”; re-set my McAfee to update daily, scan weekly (oftener if I tell it to) for new viruses and to protect my computer from foreign invasion constantly. He also installed Ad-aware (which is a spy-ware system to protect my computer from unwanted, objectionable advertising that could tempt me to buy something or look at something I should not see!) Oh yes, and a Firewall was installed . I should be well-protected but I don’t fell entirely safe any more.

All of this (that you readers could care less about) got me thinking about my spiritual protection. I pray daily for God to place a hedge of protection physically, spiritually and morally around my wife, my family and a number of young people whom I care about and a couple of them whom I love very much. (There’s more to my prayer for protection for these ones who mean so much to me, but you get the idea.)

Anyway, all this got me thinking, “How well protected am I spiritually and morally? What have I done to install a “McAfee anti-satanic attack detector” in my spiritual life? Have I installed a “spiritual Ad-aware” to keep me from looking at Porn or fantasizing about immoral things? Do I have a “firewall” installed to protect me against the unwanted attacks of Satan?

Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately. I would say that I have “installed” some protection systems. I worship daily in some form or other and I participate in Corporate Worship each Sunday. I have a regular plan of Bible reading and study, besides what I study to prepare messages for Sunday. I have an active and regular prayer life. It is mostly for others. As I have analyzed my prayer life I have become aware that I don’t pray much about myself. Maybe that’s all right, I don’t know.

But I have to admit that I don’t have all the protection in place that God has provided for me. One of the “systems” God has given is the Armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-19.) I know I don’t have all the armor in place all the time. I must be more diligent about that. If I thought about it I know there are other things God has provided that I could use to be more protected from “…the wiles of the devil…” (Ephesians 6:11, King James Version). Paul told the Corinthians to not be ignorant of the way the devil works. Because when we are, we leave ourselves open to His devious attacks.

But neither am I totally unprotected. I know people pray for me. I have a good friend with whom I correspond via email almost daily who prays specifically for me to maintain moral purity. This friend encourages me to purity of thought and action and holiness by his prayers and emails. I am so thankful for him. God has used him to protect me from much sinfulness and impurity of thoughts and actions. I am so grateful.

I have noticed with my computer at home that in spite of all the protection I now have in place, “stuff” still happens. Hackers, viruses, worms, trojans, whatever, still occasionally get through to my computer and mess things up and corrupt it.

And I see that in my own life. No matter how much spiritual and moral protection I may have in place, Satan is allowed to slip in and corrupt and I sin. Oh how I hate it but it happens all too frequently. Porn is a terrific temptation, mostly via the computer internet, but there are other ways, too. I have to watch my eyes in daily activities, too, or Satan slips in and I began to have immoral fantasies because of what I have allowed my eyes to see.

Yep! It’s a constant battle and I don’t always win all the battles. But because of God’ grace and forgiveness, He has already won the war for me.

Paul said it best: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Maybe I’ll have more to say about this later. Or maybe I won’t!

Jim

posted by jim 10:24 PM 0 comments

Thursday, September 04, 2003

LIST OF FEARS:

For you who read this Blog (and for you "first-timers", if there are any!) you know that my last post (below) was about fear. I mentioned the list of 57 fears. I am posting them here. There is one that is duplicated, in my opinion. I think it should only be 56 fears. But I see how they come up with 57. Anyway, here they are. How many of these do YOU have?

Air: Aerophobia
Animals: Zoophobia
Bees: Apiphobia
Being dirty: Automysophobia
Blushing: Ereuthophobia
Books: Bibliophobia
Cats: Ailurophobia
Change: Neophobia
Climbing: Climacophobia
Cold: Psychrophobia
Colors: Chromatophobia
Dampness: Hygrophobia
Darkness: Nyctophobia
Daylight: Phengophobia
Deep Places: Bathophobia
Dirt: Mysophobia
Dogs: Cynophobia
Dolls: Pediophobia
Error: Harmatophobia
Fire: Phrophobia
Fish: Ichthyophobia
Frogs: Batrachophobia
Fur: Doraphobia
Germs: Microphobia
Ghosts: Phasmophobia
Glass: Crystallophobia
Hair: Trichophobia
Heat: Thermpophobia
Heights: Acrophobia
Ideas: Ideophobia
insects: Entomophobia
Light: Photophobia
Many Things: Polyphobia
Mirrors: Spectrophobia
Missiles: Ballistrophobia
Night: Nyctophobia
Odors: Osmophobia
Rain: Ombrophobia
Right (side): Dextrophobia
Rivers: Potamophobia
Robbers: Harpaxophobia
Sleep: Hypnophobia
Snakes: Ophidiophobia
Spiders: Arachnephobia
Stairs: Climacophobia
Sun: Heliophobia
Teeth: Odontophobia
Thirteen: Triskaidekaphobia
Thunder: Keraunophobia
Time: Chronophobia
Trains: Siderodromophobia
Vehicles: Amaxophobia
Walking: Basiphobia
Water: Aquaphobia
Wind: Anemophobia
Work: Ergasiophobia
Writing: Graphophobia

Can you believe we were born with just 2 fears: falling and loud noises. “Fear will prove to be a snare” – Proverbs 29:25

Jim

posted by jim 7:53 PM 0 comments

Friday, August 29, 2003

“OVERCOMING THE FEAR FACTOR”

You may have seen the T. V. program, “FEAR FACTOR”. This is the program where people are doing the most awful things -- escapades that would strike fear in the heart of most people. These people risk doing these things for a large sum of money. It is nearly unbelievable what some people will attempt to endure for money.

I have said before I am a “fear-prone” person. I could never even approach doing any of the things they have done on that T. V. program. In fact, I have never watched more than just the opening few seconds of the program a couple of times. That was enough to gross me out.

But God doesn’t want us to go through life under the cloud of fear. God wants to release us from the fears that haunt and bind us. The Bible says, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

It isn’t only the non-Christian in the world that is fearful. Research shows that many active, church-going, born-again Christians are as fearful as the people in the world.

Extreme fear can be an awful thing. Though sometimes ridiculous and childish. I have always had “acrophobia” an extreme fear of heights. I remember one time I was on the roof of my one-story house and completely froze with fear. I’m still not sure how they got me off that roof. I’m not sure why or how I got up there in the first place! But I know I lost all sense of rationality and screamed like a mad-man!

Fear often keeps us from the spiritual service and effectiveness that God has for us. It also blocks us from receiving the peace that Jesus said He gives. I have a list of 57 things that people are afraid of—literally from “A” to “Z”. I’ll post the list sometime soon.

There is a fear that ignores the voice of reason and of the Holy Spirit. And there is that mellow, gray, soothing fear that delays and fogs the issues, that fosters indecision, that finds it easy to settle down for a while.

The Greek New Testament defines fear as “being scared, dread, terror cowardice and timidity.”

God is not the source of any of these common characteristics of mankind. The problem is our sin nature.

It is significant that when Adam and Eve sinned they became AFRAID of God. (Genesis 3:10) We are no different today. Many are afraid of God and His Will. If I follow Him then there might be sickness, loneliness, poverty, failure and maybe even death.

There is a reverential fear, a good kind of fear. There is that wholesome dread of displeasing God. Hebrews 12:28 says, “….Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” I am not concerned about godly fear. I am concerned that so many of God’s people are experiencing the kind of fear that Satan uses to bind us.

Fear is the signal to refocus our affections on things above rather than on things of this earth. (Colossians 3:2)

Fear will keep people from leaving their “comfort zone”, the “old way” of thinking, of doing things. It will keep people from finding and fulfilling God’s purposes for their lives.

I’m thinking and studying my way through this subject, trying to understand what God says in the Bible we who are fear-prone can do to overcome that. In future Blogs I’ll try to let you know what I come up with!

Jim

posted by jim 1:02 AM 0 comments

Saturday, August 23, 2003

I AM SO HONORED

I recently learned that my Blogspot has been added as a link to a Journal. Jenn Ho has added me. I don't think I've ever veen added as a link to a Journal or Blog before. I am so honored and humbled, too. Thanks, Jenn!


UNCOMPROMISING LOYALTY

I think what I am really talking about here is being able to sustain a relationship.

I like what Proverbs 27:9 & 10 says: “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one friend springs from his earnest counsel. Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father………”

1Corinthians 13:7, says, “If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.”

I have always considered the friendship of David and Jonathan one of the best examples of a sustained relationship. As I read about their friendship I see exemplified a lot of what I have been writing in these Blogs. This was a friendship where one was willing to die for the other.

To be a sustaining friendship it seems that it must also be a stimulating relationship. That seems to be the message behind that familiar verse in Proverbs: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (27:17)

There are a few people whom I can’t be around without coming away a better person. My Prayer and Accountability partner is one of those. He is my hero. He blesses me every time I am privileged to associate with him. I want to be like him; to do things like him. I stop short of making him my idol because that is against the Biblical teaching and no one or no thing is worthy of being idolized. I worship God only. But my Prayer/Accountability partner is my hero. I am better because of him.

I don’t know if anyone can say that of me but that would be my goal in my friendships.

Throughout these Blogs I have continued to ask, “How many friends do I have?”
As usual, I have been asking the wrong question. If we are so concerned with finding the kind of friend I have been discussing in these Blogs, then we’ve got it all backward.

It doesn’t really matter how many friends I have or don’t have. What really
matters is, “Am I willing to be this kind of friend to others?” If the answer is “Yes,” then I don’t really have to wonder or worry about how many friends I have.
It is pointless. God wants me to concern myself with being a Biblical friend to as many people as possible.

So I’ve got to stop looking and start praying that God will help me be that kind of friend. And my model for this is Jesus. The Bible says, “…..but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24b) Of course that friend is Jesus. He is my ultimate model for friendship. He shows me unconditional love. (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8). He gives me uncompromising loyalty. (John 6:37; Hebrews 13:5-6)

Real friendship begins when we know the FRIEND of all FRIENDS. Then we can let Him help us be the kind of friend we want someone to be to us.

Lord, help me to be a true, Biblical friend.

Jim

posted by jim 11:38 AM 0 comments

Thursday, August 14, 2003

TRANSPARENCY, OPENNESS

so, how many friends do I have? Still trying to decide!

As I read Scripture, it seems that transparency or an openness between people is another important but difficult-to-achieve ingredient of true, Biblical friendship.

Jesus said (John 15:15), “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

When I honestly ask myself, “Why don’t I have more friends, I know part of the answer. (Ouch! This hurts. But my sense of honesty demands I go ahead and express it here.)

They say every person is either anger-prone or fear-prone. I, of course, am fear-prone. This has led to multiple problems for me over the years. I suppose I could say that in some ways I have improved. I am not nearly as fearful of heights as I was in my younger years. But my fear-prone nature still causes me a lot of misery and grief, and probably a lot of misery for others, too. But it explains one of the reasons why many people, myself included, don’t have more true, Biblical friendships.

It is because of my innate fear of rejection. I don’t want to be open with you because I fear that if you really knew what I was like, you’d never want to be my friend. And my fear-prone nature says I can’t afford that risk. That fear keeps a lot of people from coming to Christ. They just don’t believe that God could love and accept them if He knew what they were really like. And they fool themselves into thinking God doesn’t really know what they are like! I spent a lot of years thinking I could fool God like this.

That same fear is one reason why a husband doesn’t have a closer relationship with his wife. Why does it take us so long to become open and transparent in a marriage or a friendship? Sooner or later, given enough time and opportunity, reality breaks through. We drop the “whole ball of wax”. When that happens, that friend or that lovely lady looks us straight in the face and says, “That’s o.k.. I love you.” When that happens the façade we present disappears.

John’s comment about Jesus is fascinating when I think about my fear of transparency before my friends or before God. He said, “Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the last.” (John 13:1-Alternate reading)

Why did He love them? It was not because he had no basis for repudiating them. They had dropped the ball on many occasions. In fact, in the most critical hours they were “out to lunch” – no where to be found. They let Him down so many times.

But He loved them because His friendship with them didn’t depend on them or any good thing they may have done. It depended on Himself. That’s where Biblical friendships begin – when we (with God’s help) concern ourselves more with being a friend and not worry so much about having a friend.

A fairly new friend whom I am growing to love so much wrote me regarding this subject recently. He understands me thoroughly as far as my fears of rejection and that sort of thing because he put me at ease and I have come to trust him with knowledge about myself that I’ve told no one else. He really had words of wisdom for me. This is what he wrote:

“….you also need to give your friends room to love you!
It seems as if you pour and pour and pour and you don’t let
people return their love with similar ease. …You’ve got
to give people room to love you!”

Words of wisdom, indeed. But how do I do that? I just don’t know. But I know I must try.

So how many friends do I have? I don’t know. I’m not sure that I will ever know!

I guess I’ll leave this entry at that. I’ve got some more thoughts on this complicated matter of friendship that I’ll save for my next Blog. My computer has had the virus and the worm that has affected so many computers around the world this week, so I haven’t been able to post as often as I would like. Hopefully it is restored now.

Jim

posted by jim 10:32 PM 0 comments

Thursday, August 07, 2003

CONFRONTATION

It may seem strange that I would consider confrontation a part of Unconditional Love necessary to a Biblical friendship. Remember I said these two, Commitment and Confrontation, must be kept in proper balance.

Again, much of my thinking about Biblical friendship comes from my study of the Book of Proverbs. Here is what chapter 27, verses 5 & 6 say: “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”

It says wounds from a friend are to be trusted, not enjoyed! I have experienced this. One whom I consider my best friend openly rebuked me. It hurt but it was truthful. It has taken time for those wounds to heal. But they were like the wounds of the surgeon’s knife—meant to cure, not destroy. And I believe they did. They caused me to re-examine my life in critical areas regarding the friendship. I am trying to re-vamp my attitudes and actions. I like to think I am succeeding and am slowly becoming a better person and I hope a better friend because I have a faithful friend who was willing to confront me when I needed correcting.

In our generation there is a softness that is a weakness rather than a strength. This weakness often masquerades as compassion. It is not compassionate to let anyone or any relationship head for certain disaster and destruction without doing what you can to stop them.

I must have such a strong commitment to my friend and our relationship that I am willing to confront. I thank God that I have such a friend. A weakness of my personality is that I avoid confrontation. I need to be willing to set that characteristic aside and Biblically confront if necessary.

I am not advocating arbitrary confrontation. I’m stressing a friendship that has already been developed. In the New Testament, rebuke is always on the basis of relationship. The moment I begin to build a relationship I am compelled to develop also a relationship of confrontation. I must always follow Biblical principles when I confront. Such things as, “Speak the truth in love,” and others. I must do it in the spirit of Galatians 6:1. (I’ll let you look that one up!) This is part of being an Accountability Partner—asking those hard questions and being willing to answer those hard questions truthfully and completely myself.

So in addition to being willing to lay one’s life down for a friend, I think Unconditional Love is another mark of Biblical friendship. Unconditional love that includes commitment and confrontation.

In my next Blog I want to write about another mark of Biblical friendship that is hard to practice—at least for me. Are there no easy ones?

Jim

posted by jim 7:59 PM 0 comments

Saturday, August 02, 2003

SO, HOW MANY “FRIENDS” DO I HAVE?

Well, how would I know?

I must examine the Biblical marks of friendship. I discussed one of them in the previous Blog – an intentional decision to give one’s life for a friend if necessary. There are others.

As I read about this in the Bible, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE surfaces quickly as another mark of true, Biblical friendship. This is a hard concept and may be nearly as defining as being willing to give one’s physical life for another person. I often ask myself, “Can I love unconditionally?” Then I follow that with another question, “What is “unconditional” love?” I think this is hard to comprehend, let alone practice. We are told that to be Christian we are to love unconditionally as God does. I know I am not able to do this very often or very thoroughly. I KNOW I can’t do anything perfectly, as God does.

It seems to me that there are 2 parts to Unconditional Love that have to be kept in proper balance, or you won’t be practicing Biblical unconditional love. It will just be a hollow facsimile of unconditional love. And that is worse than no love or friendship at all. The 2 parts are COMMITMENT and CONFRONTATION. I’d like to write about COMMITMENT in this Blog entry. The next Post will be about CONFRONTATION.

This subject of friendship has caused me to spend some time in Proverbs. This book of Wisdom Literature deals a lot with the subject of friendships I hope this Blog doesn’t get “preachy” but my base for everything is the Bible standards, as I understand them. I don’t mean to say I always follow those standards, because I don’t. But that’s the “base line” for my thinking.

There is a neat verse in Proverbs, 17:17, which says, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” This verse is remarkable to me because of the context of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs deals a lot with the danger in false friendships. This verse tells me that not all “friendships” meet the tests of true friendship. They aren’t even good acquaintances! A lot of people have been swindled out of money, physical property and maybe even more devastating, they have been swindled out of their trust and faith in humanity and even in God. This happens because people use others for their own advantage rather than making a commitment to the person.

This verse from Proverbs teaches me that true friendship GIVES more than it RECEIVES. Sure there are reciprocal blessings in true friendship, but it must begin with the person who is willing to take the initiative.

It reminds me of “SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION”, which is not really so “spontaneous”. It is the act of a substance bursting into flame without anyone setting it on fire. The heat produced by chemical action within a substance itself causes it to catch fire. But this takes time to happen. That’s true of Biblical friendships, too. They take time and commitment to develop.

I have wondered lately if practicing unconditional love would be easier for a blind person. Perhaps they wouldn’t be subjected to the usual prejudices that sighted people have to overcome. Friendships developed through the Internet might be the same. Cyberspace provides the same “advantage” that a blind person realizes.

But I don’t think being unable to see another person either because of blindness or cyberspace is the answer to being able to make a commitment to a friendship. It may result in a quicker beginning to what develops into a friendship. But it doesn’t take long for a person without eyesight or a person communicating through cyberspace to realize what the other person is really like. And friendships—like marriages—must be based on more than physical qualities. Neither should friendships be avoided because of physical attributes (or the lack of them). Lasting, Biblical friendships depend more on the inner qualities than the outer ones.

So to express unconditional love I must be willing to make a commitment to friendship with a person. And the truth is we all only have so much time, physical and emotional energy to make the kind of commitment required to be and have a true, Biblical friendship.

So, commitment is one component of being able to love unconditionally. The other component is “Confrontation.” I’ll try to discuss this in my next Blog.

Jim

posted by jim 9:21 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, July 29, 2003

posted by jim 4:43 PM 0 comments

Monday, July 28, 2003

ACQUAINTANCES; FRIENDSHIPS; RELATIONSHIPS

I have been thinking a lot lately about the above words. I think I use the word “friend” carelessly. I think most people do. When I really think and study about the word “friend” it has a much deeper, more significant meaning that the way most of us casually toss it around.

If someone were to ask, ”How many friends do you have,” most of us would say something like, “A lot; quite a few.” But what we would really be saying in most cases (without knowing it usually) is that we have a lot of acquaintances but very few friends. At least in the context of what the word “friend” has come to mean to me and what it seems to mean in the Biblical sense.

As I consider my life, I have really very few “friends”, but a whole lot of very good acquaintances. That doesn’t mean there is something wrong with the relationship I have with these many “acquaintances”. Really, they are very excellent and satisfying relationships. It just means that these “acquaintances” don’t meet what I consider to be the test of “friendship”.

As I think of Jesus’ time on earth, He had a lot of “acquaintances” but few “friends”. He chose 12 that they might be with Him and carry on His work. From these 12 he chose 3 who occasionally shared special experiences with Him—like the Transfiguration and the night of prayer in Gethsemane. And one of those 3, John, unashamedly and consistently referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” And that title was never challenged.

We know, too, that there were 3 others who were very special to Jesus, in whose home He was always welcome and where He frequently went for some “R & R”. That was the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus in the town of Bethany. Jesus must have been incredibly comfortable in the presence of these 3 because He frequently sought their company and their home as a sanctuary and retreat on many occasions. I think these 3 qualify as “friends of Jesus”, as do the Apostles, especially the 3 in the “inner circle”. He one time told the Apostles, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Then a bit later He said, “…I have called you friends,” and He defines another of His criteria of friendship – openness, honesty and transparency. (John’s Gospel, chapter 15)

In the last year or so, especially in this last month, I have come to realize how really important true friends are. And I believe that any of us will have only a very few in a lifetime—probably not even as many as Jesus had.

So I’ve had to ask myself some questions in thinking about this subject. Questions like, “How many friends do I really have?” Who are they? What is it that makes them friends?” And then I realize in trying to answer this question that there are people whom I would call friends who possibly (maybe even likely) would not call me “friend”. WOW! That also makes for some disturbing thoughts.

I’ll tackle some of these questions in this and future Blogs. Today I’ll tackle the first. “Who are my friends?” I have heard preachers say, and I have read, that your wife is supposed to be your best friend. I’ve thought a lot about that one over the years. As controversial as this is going to be, I don’t think I agree with that. Now that doesn’t mean I don’t like or love my wife—I do. And some of the characteristics I have come up with regarding friends certainly do apply to the “husband-and-wife” relationship. But I think there are enough differences between husband and wife relationship and the relationship between friends that these 2 relationships are quite different in many respects.

So, I come back to it, “Who are my friends?” Well, not my children either. I firmly believe that God never called us to be “friends” with or to our children. He called us to be parents. Here again, there is a vast difference as I have experienced it, having raised 3 wonderful daughters. I never had any sons. Maybe it is different with a Dad and his boys—but I seriously doubt it. The parent-child relationship is not the same as the “friend-to-friend” relationship; though again, there are similarities.

In trying to address this subject, I began by using Jesus’ criteria, “For whom would I willingly give my life?” (John 15:13) This isn’t the same as the soldier in war or the person who in the heat and emotion of a crisis situation would jump in and do something heroic without thinking in order to save a life or lives. I am talking about a calculated decision to give up one’s life willingly for another. I think everyone should think this question through and come up with an answer for himself.

I identified 5, now maybe 6; but only two of them I would classify as my “friend”. They are: my wife and 3 kids; definitely my prayer and accountability partner, whom I love dearly. And now there is one other person whom I believe is rapidly coming into this category of a “friend”, for whom I would willingly and gladly lay down my life and consider it a privilege to do so. That is my friend whom God gave me recently through an unlikely “connection”. The first 4 are family and that, to me makes them in a different category from the latter 2, whom I consider my “friends”.

So, is that the only criteria to be able to classify someone as a “friend”? To be willing to intentionally give my life for that person? No. That may be the highest test of an ultimate friendship. (I may have started at the end and am working backward. That would be so like me!) But Jesus gives some other criterion as well. I will “think out loud” about some of these in a later Blog.

So if I had a Biblical friendship, what would it look like? That’s what I want to write about in future Blogs. This isn’t anything like a “final authority” on this subject. I’m still trying to think my way through this and come to some godly understanding. I really need to do this because “friend” and “friendship” have come to mean a lot more to me in the last few months. That is because of a connection God made a month or so ago between me and another person in a very unlikely venue, which I referred to above. Also, because in the last few months, through my own emotional stupidity, I “blew” and nearly lost the most precious and meaningful friendship I have ever had. It has devastated me. I’m praying that God will reconcile us and restore the relationship. (I think this is beginning to take place!)

I am still thinking through the question, “How many friends do I really have?”

But I’ve thought enough for one entry! I have a headache again. (Ouch!) I always like to make that seem like I’ve over-exerted my brain—which you and I both know is not true!”

Jim

posted by jim 10:02 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, July 23, 2003

“GRACIOUS GOODNESS”
The kind of “goodness” I wrote about in my last Blog is something very different from the idea of the “good” or the “righteous” as a class of people who claim to belong to an ethical elite. What I hear Jesus saying is, “Don’t divide the human family into the good and the bad, and don’t ever ‘congratulate’ yourself that you are one of the ‘good’.” The Bible says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray.” (Isaiah 53:6) But God is good and the more we trust God the more of His goodness will be reflected in us.

So many people have a warped notion of “God’s goodness”. To reflect the goodness of God is not like being put in a “strait jacket”. It is more like an adventure. Maybe even like a roller coaster. The grace of God doesn’t lead us into a narrow pattern of behavior dictated by those who claim to know just what goodness consists of. Rather it leads us into freedom and unexpected joy.

Having one’s “goodness” on display is not like “show-boating” or “grandstanding” (to use a couple of old expressions!) or like being hypocritical—pretending to be good but actually being everything but “good”. You know the type of individuals I’m talking about. They are the people who go around boasting of their Christianity.

If we keep thinking about our goodness, comparing ourselves with others, always talking about what we think is right, we will become very ungracious and come across as a “prude” (another old fashioned word!) a “stuck-up” Christian.

The people who have the kind of “gracious goodness” the Bible encourages us to have are good people in the sense that their goodness is part of a character that beautifully and naturally reveals them as children of God.

Jesus was like that. His goodness was not thrust at people from on high but unconsciously and graciously conveyed to people as He made no claim for Himself but referred all goodness to God. Read Mark 10:17-18.

What I want to be able to do—but don’t do very well—is to be able to face the wickedness of the world I live in and the deception of my own heart with open eyes and yet to know that God has not abandoned me (or any of His children). But He has offered me such a power of love that I can say with Paul, “Where sin abounds grace abounds even more”. (Romans 5:20)

I want to be able to rejoice in the goodness that meets me every day in unexpected places and in all kinds of people. I want to begin each day with God to be reminded of His forgiveness and goodness as it shines in the face of Christ.

The more I am full of His Spirit the more will His gracious goodness take root in my life through faith. So I hopefully won’t glory in any pseudo-goodness of my own but will acknowledge that any goodness I possess is not mine but God’s.
That’s enough thinking for one day! OUCH! My head hurts!!

Jim

posted by jim 11:11 PM 0 comments

Friday, July 18, 2003

GOODNESS? SIN?

There was for quite some time in the church the theology of “New Reformation”. Usually this means emphasizing only the positive news of the Gospel and restoring or creating in people a sense of self-esteem. This is good to a point. But it seems contrary to the Biblical view that teaches that none of us are totally good; that all have sinned and that “there is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)

Actually, I don’t think these two views are really opposite. As I understand Bible teaching, it is only when we have a realistic view of the depths to which human nature can sink, and the potential for evil in our own hearts, that we can really understand the Good News. The Good News, of course, is that in spite of what is wrong with us, God loves, forgives and accepts us, as illustrated in Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son.

I am reading an excellent book, “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. One of the many things that challenged me is Warren’s statement: “God loves each one of us as though we were the only one on earth.” Boy! That sure raises my self-esteem!

It is fascinating to study history from the perspective of time and see how things change and change back again. It is also interesting to observe different groups exchanging worldviews. There was a time a hundred years or so ago in the popular culture of the western world that the mood was “optimistic”. Human nature was declared to be “good”. “God was in His heaven and all was right with the world.” So no one listened to the outcry of the church about badness and sin.

In recent years the popular mood, reflected in novels, plays, movies, television and the arts of all kinds is of a despairing recognition of the evil in the human heart. At the same time church has more or less stopped talking about sin. Instead they are serving their people an idealistic doctrine of sweetness and light; health-and-wealth gospel and a soul-numbing message of, “Everything is all right with the world and God is in His heaven.” We hear about love and tolerance; not about trust and obedience. I like that old hymn, “Trust and Obey” because it combines two very important components of God’s message.

The church’s message has become so bland that noted psychiatrist Karl Menninger (I think it was Karl. It might have been one of the other Menninger brothers) of the noted Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas, wrote a book, “Whatever Happened To Sin?” The word “sin” left the churches and re-appeared on Broadway and the movies. By way of popular culture it comes into our homes on television, in books and in magazines.

Nobody in the church is asking the real questions: What about hunger in the world? What about the poor and homeless of the world? What about man’s inhumanity to man? What about the killings taking place because of people’s differing religious beliefs? Disturbing questions like these seem to barely be addressed, if at all. I am aware of some very excellent efforts like Franklin Graham's’ “Samaritan’s Purse”, and there are others.

Once this theme of badness and sin appeared in our culture the churches again picked it up. But it took on a new form and in its new form something was forgotten. Yes, I believe the church needs to re-affirm the human potential for goodness. But this time the church needs to clearly communicate that it is a goodness that is made possible for each of us only by the grace of God.

What disturbs me most about the cult of pessimism and cynicism that surrounds us is not the depiction of human cruelty, violence and vice. Those things exist. But I am most disturbed by the absence of the note of grace. The Bible has just as grim a picture of human badness as any modern novel, movie or television program. The difference is that throughout the Bible runs the message of a good God who seeks to communicate his goodness to the human family. It speaks of the God whose Spirit is alive and well, no matter how we may be resisting Him and no matter how messed up the human race may be.

I am still thinking about this idea. This goodness seems to be something very different from the world’s concept of “goodness”. I’m still very dissatisfied with myself. Truth be told, I can’t determine whether I’m dissatisfied because of what I have done or because of the consequences it has brought to me. Maybe I just don’t want to admit the truth.

But I’ll Blog more about all this later. Hang in there, “Vast Reading Audience”!

Jim

posted by jim 3:52 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, July 15, 2003

I’m really unhappy with myself right now! Maybe “dissatisfied” would be a more accurate word. Hardly anyone seems to understand. I think my prayer partner does. I know my new Internet friend completely understands. He has helped me think through, accept and finally be able to express my feelings. That’s what this Blog is all about. But so many with whom I interact on a daily or weekly basis seem to think I should feel “on top of the world” because there are so many “positives” in my life right now. They say (in one form or another) “Count your many blessings!”

I KNOW my blessings. But I also know I am dissatisfied with myself. I am dissatisfied because I disappoint my God; my wife. I am dissatisfied because a couple of months ago I messed up a relationship that, next to my wife and kids, is the most important relationship on earth to me. I hurt someone whom I admire, respect and love dearly. I lost the trust of that person. How much worse can it get?

When I am “down” (sad, melancholy, whatever you want to call it) it is harder to maintain my Quiet Times with God. Yet that is when I need them the most! So I struggle on and what do you know—God speaks to me through His Word. Surprise, surprise, surprise!! (I hope you catch the sarcasm in those words!)

I find that I am in good company when I read the Bible. So many people have the notion that what we call the “Good Book” is full of stories about “good” people. That is nonsense. If people would really read the Bible instead of feeding on little selected snippets they may hear in church, they’d probably be shocked at the human behavior depicted in the Bible. I mean there’s treachery, adultery, fornication, lying, stealing, murder, violence of every kind. If Christians were really consistent, they would be demanding that the Bible be banned from school libraries, as well as other books. (I’m not advocating this, you understand. But that would be consistency to its logical conclusion.)

But as I started to say, when I read the Bible I find there are a lot of folks with reasons to be dissatisfied with themselves, as I am with myself. Instead of a collection of pleasant stories of good people and pictures of an idyllically happy human family there are statements like, “There is none righteous, no not one.” “When I looked for good, then evil came.” “For there is not a just person on earth, that does good and doesn’t sin.”

And if you want to object by saying that these are just quotes from the more angry of the Old Testament writers, what about the plain words of Jesus Himself, “Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.” From one end of the Bible to the other the word “good’ is applied almost exclusively to God. Seldom do we read without qualification of a “good man” or a “good woman”. About the only one I can think of is Barnabas. Acts says, “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith…..” And he was only called good because he was filled with God’s Spirit. Certainly there was no “goodness” of his own.

The Apostle Paul nails it for me when he wrote in Romans, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” He said more but that is the essence. Check it out in Romans 7:14-25.

Lest you think I have “gone over the edge”, I assure you that I have studied the Bible enough to realize that Barnabas isn’t the only character in the Bible who is recognized as good. There are hundreds who are said to have done good in the sight of God. But that goodness isn’t solely of themselves. What is revealed in the Bible is that all of us are infected with the badness the Bible calls sin. Paul said, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

I have a lot more to say about this subject of sin but I guess that’s about all anyone has time to read now (if even this much!) My next Blog will continue on this theme. And I’ll continue to wrestle with myself!!

Jim

posted by jim 8:10 PM 0 comments

Friday, July 11, 2003

The Conclusion of the Matter: (See previous Post)

I don’t know how many of you have seen the movie, “BRAVEHEART”. I love that movie—it really impacted my life. It is among my favorite movies. If you have seen “BRAVEHEART” then you will especially appreciate my conclusion to the message I wrote about in my previous blog. If not and you read on, hopefully you’ll be blessed even so.

When I considered the question I posed in the message, “What does it mean to be a member of a non-denominational church?, I had to ask, “What is a proper answer to that question?” (See prevous Blog.) I was reading some material about churches and Christian Unity (or the lack thereof) when I remembered “Braveheart”. And I had my answer! What does it mean to be a member of a non-denominational church? It means, FREEDOM!! If you have seen the movie, you may experience some of the emotion I felt when this concept occurred to me regarding the answer to the posed-question.

To be a member of a truly non-denominational church (not just in name but a church that is truly functioning as a non-denominational church), means freedom. Freedom from sectarianism, legalism, and obscurantism.

It means freedom to truly embrace the grace of God, and to be joyfully confident of our salvation. It means freedom to exult in the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit—whose mission is to conform us to the likeness of Christ.

Freedom to accept the Spirit’s gift of unity with forbearing love—in spite of all our differences and hang-ups.

Freedom to accept as sisters and brothers all those who are devoted to Jesus Christ as Lord, wherever they may be.

It means freedom to think for ourselves and to question the dogmas handed down by our forbearers. It means freedom from the tyranny of opinionism. (That may not be a word, but is expresses what I mean!) I am talking about making opinions and methods tests of fellowship, the things that determine whether or not we accept some one (or a group of “some ones”) as our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I believe it means freedom from a “herd mentality” and blind conformity, which hinder personal growth in Christ. It means freedom to examine new ideas, and to march by a different drumbeat.

It gives freedom even to be wrong in the quest for truth. Freedom to pick up the broken pieces and start over – whether from a tragic divorce, drug addiction, a gay lifestyle, or a wavering faith – and to be loved and accepted during the struggle.

It means freedom to take a critical look at our history and admit where we’ve been wrong—and to get back on track. It gives the freedom to bring women into the church as equals in ministry and bring an end to “male domination”.

There is freedom to make use of modern Biblical scholarship and to be honest about the differences one faces in the interpretation of Scriptures – without being called names or having one’s motives impugned.

Freedom to participate in Body Life in the assembly—with Believers sharing their joys, concerns and sorrows, and encouraging each other in the faith. And in the church having so-called “professionals” (like me) serving more as facilitators than as performers.

To me, that’s a summary of what it means to be a member of a truly non-denominational church. One of American’s forefathers, Thomas Jefferson, said, “..no person, church or nation can expect to move from despotism to liberty in a feather bed!!”

How true! Jesus assures us that the truth shall make us free. But truth often calls for change. And change is often painful!!

And the wonderful little church I serve, Countryside, comes as near achieving all this as any church with which I have ever been associated.

Jim

posted by jim 7:43 AM 0 comments

Saturday, July 05, 2003

The late Rich Mullens wrote the great song, “My God is an Awesome God”. I love that song—both the words and the music. That is how I am feeling right now about my God. He is so Awesome!! And I am so thankful to be His child!! I am often a disobedient child, but I love Him nevertheless. But I digress from my original intention for this post.

My God has connected me with a new friend. I know it is God’s connection because it never could have occurred otherwise. God chose the Internet to make this connection. My new Internet friend has been such a blessing to me already. He is highly intelligent, an excellent writer, articulate about his faith and has his head screwed on right when it comes to matters of God, Christ, and the church, and just life in general. I admire him so much already. And perhaps best of all, he writes to me and lets me write to him. He is praying for me (as I am for him) and that’s such a blessing. I am honored, humbled and awed that he would do so. My new friend has reminded me once again of the truth of Scripture (Proverbs 27:17) “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” My friend is unique among people today because he is open and honest. He writes a daily journal for all who wish to read and in his entries articulates so well on so many subjects. Reading his journal entries and exchanging emails with him has just sharpened me so much. Because of him I am encouraged to write more and more relevant “stuff” in my blogs. I feel as though a bubbling bottle has been uncorked! I feel like the floodgates of a dam have been opened and water is pouring forth. That’s how I describe my mind these recent days since my exchanges with my new friend began. I now realize my mind had become somewhat stagnant. I sure don’t want that to happen! So now I have more ideas about which I want to write than time to write. But I have made a commitment to myself. Now I am making it to you who read this Blogspot. (That’s probably an audience of one, if that many! I think I only had 3, maybe 4 to begin with! My prayer partner, but I don’t think he reads blogs much; Josh, but he’s in Thailand and probably has neither time nor access to be reading blogs; my friend, Jennifer who isn’t able to access internet too often or easily; and maybe my new internet friend! He may read my blogs sometimes. Anyway—to my “vast audience of readers” I make this commitment: I am going to post more often about more sensible(?), interesting topics—at least interesting to me!!! (No, I will try to write as though there were readers out there!!)

Of course I still have to balance blogging with my commitments to my wife (whom I love dearly); my children who I also love and to my prayer partner whom I love and admire so much. He’s my spiritual hero! And I have a commitment to my week day employer and to my ministry at my wonderful little church, Countryside Christian Fellowship.

It is about church I am posting now. Not that specific congregation but the church, the Body of Christ. At my church (which shall be referred to as Countryside, or “my church” from now on in these posts) I have begun a series of messages entitled, “A Great Religious Movement”. My first teaching on the subject is what I want to write about now. I taught (preached—whatever you call it. I hope my preaching teaches and motivates.) on the subject, “What Does It Mean To Be A Member of a Non-Denominational Church?” I listed 4 imperatives for a congregation to be a non-denominational church. I’ll list them here without expanding as I did in the message at church.
1. We must be committed to the Word of God as the final authority
2. We must preach and teach the great cardinal doctrines of the faith—and not major
in denominational or secondary doctrines or the traditions of men. (I listed some
of these during the sermon.)
3. We must maintain the unity of the one Body of Christ without compromise
4. We must build our fellowship around individuals—not organizations or programs or denominations.

That was the body of the message. Of course I developed it by “fleshing out” each of the 4 points. Then came the challenge of a proper conclusion. After puzzling over it for some time God gave it to me through some reading I was doing at the time. I am going to share that conclusion with you. But I think this post is long enough for this time. So look for the conclusion in my next post.

Jim

posted by jim 5:29 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, June 17, 2003

Hello, all you unseen faces who may be reading this!!

I am thankful to be able to report that the heart catherization is complete with good results! No clogged arteries; all valves functioning properly and a healthy heart--no damage. I Praise the Lord, for surely "my times are in your (God's) hands" (Psalm 31:15) The procedure was a "piece of cake" -- well, not quite. It took a few hours for the leg to begin to function again. But now all I have to do is praise Him and take it easy for 24 -48 hours to prevent bleeding from the ruptured artery that was invaded by the procedure, and then it's back to normal. I see my family doctor soon and the cardiologist in 4 weeks.

I feel free to go about ministry to my family, my friends and the congregation at Countryside Christian Fellowship. God has given me the blessing of a healthy body and I intend to use it for Him and for His glory and His people as long as he allows me to do so.

Back again soon.

Jim

posted by jim 3:14 PM 0 comments

Friday, June 13, 2003

Hello to whoever reads this! (If, indeed, anyone does!)

Wow! Where does the time go? Over two weeks since I have posted! I have difficulty keeping my Journaling going and the blogging gets put behind that activity! But I enjoy doing it even if no one reads it!! At least I am assured that God does!

The continuing "saga" of my heart symptoms and testing has led to what I hope will be the "Conclusion of the whole matter"! Last Wednesday I saw a Cardiologist. After an EKG and some prodding and probing, he strongly recommended a heart catherization. He said other tests (both the ones I have had and ones he could do) are at best only about 80 to 85 percent accurate in diagnosing any possible problems. The catherization is 100% (or so he claims)! So early next Tuesday morning, June 17th, it will be done. Some risks of stroke or heart attack during the procedure but they do this all the time, several times a day at least 5 days a week at this heart center to which I go. Most people get along fine and I expect to as well. My family are and will be praying for me about this. As soon as I can get ahold of my Prayer and Accountability Partner to tell him I know he'll pray for me. Hopefully he'll also be able to pray WITH me about this matter. If any are reading this, I'd appreciate you praying. I don't know how to set this up to receive comments like most of the Bloggers have done that I read regularly. (Actually I probably can't because I don't have a website, but I don't know that for sure.) But if anyone wants to email me you could use jimewing1@hotmail.com.

God continues to bless my life even though I fall short of His glory far too often. It seems like I can go along fine for a few weeks in a row, keeping myself pure and holy and then--BANG! There is the yielding to the temptations of the Enemy, Satan. Then it is start over again!! UGH!

However, God is also blessing the ministry at Countryside Christian Fellowship. The people seem responsive to the preached Word and to my ministry among them. It sometimes is difficult to balance full-time work, my responsibilities to my wife and family (and to myself) and my friends with ministry at Countryside. But I am doing God's Will and trusting Him to continue to supply my every need. And indeed He does--all the time!!

We have two more Sundays on the current topic of every Christian a minister for God. This coming Sunday we give the people present an opportunity to express what they feel led by God to do in ministry for Him and His church this coming church year. Then we begin a series of teaching about Biblical Christianity.

Better post this and head for bed. Big weekend coming up! My good friend of many, many years, and his wife, are visiting us tomorrow and Sunday. They live in Colorado. It will be a great time of fellowship, I know.

Good night to all,

Jim

posted by jim 10:40 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 28, 2003

After waiting a week and not hearing from my family doctor, I decided to call him. I guess they forgot about me! Easy to do!!

Anyway I'm now battling with the "way-too-large" Cardiology group to get something scheduled. When they get so big they become uncaring and nothing matters--neither the individual nor their schedule--nothing except the Group's "policies". So we'll see what happens. I am supposed to get a test called "DYSPNEA-ON EXERTIA". Sounds exciting, doesn't it? Maybe I can find out something about it before having it. If I can get it scheduled at a time I can be present, that will be a feat in itself. I think they do this so the person will get stressed out and really need a heart doctor!!

I have preached 3 Sundays at Countryside now. God seems to be blessing. I feel so much at peace because I know that in ministering there I am in the center of His Will for my life right now. God is blessing my study, the preparation and delivery of HIs Word. Apparently He is blessing the reception of the presentation of His Word also. I have "mapped out" what I want to teach this summer through the Preached Word. Yesterday I took a day off from my secular job and spent the entire day (accompanied by my wife) in visiting many of the members of Countryside either in their homes or places of business.

Right now on Sunday mornings we are studying the Biblical concept of "every member ministry" and each one using his or her gifts for ministry. At the conclusion of that we will give everyone an opportunity to express where and how they would like to minister this year.

Following this series, we'll be teaching Biblical Christianianity as opposed to any one denomination or sect. We're not going to talk about any other group--either for or against--just teach what the Bible teaches about Christianity. "What Does It Mean To Be A Member of a Non-Denominiational Church?" will be the first message later this summer. An interesting sidelight in preparation will be a survey of a number of people as to how they would answer that question.

Guess I'd better Post and go back to work!

Jim

posted by jim 1:17 PM 0 comments

Someplace to think outloud and maybe someone will think back.

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