Category Archives: Christian Theistic Worldview

Pick Your Chocolates Wisely

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Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Colossians 3:1-2

In the 1994 movie Forrest Gump, actor Tom Hanks uttered a now famous line, certainly one that has assumed a place in our cultural lexicon. Hanks, musing about the mysteries of life uttered this gem, “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.”

This line seemed to perfectly capture Gump’s life, characterized by the myriad twists and turns, brushes with famous people and events, and the eventual realization of his heart’s desire in marrying his childhood sweetheart Jenny, only to tragically lose her early in their marriage to a fatal disease.

It is true that life often presents us with surprises, some good and some not so good. The box of chocolates illustration was meant to convey that idea – life is unpredictable. But let’s carry this picture a little farther and try to apply it to the Christian’s life.

Many boxes of chocolates come with a listing of each chocolate. This is usually printed on the inside of the cover. For those boxes of chocolates that do not give a hint as to what each piece is, how do we determine other than trial and error what each piece contains?

Don’t we rely on previous experience? We know what chocolate covered cherries look like. We also know that in almost every case the caramel pieces are square with a light milk chocolate covering. Brazil Nuts are easily identified as are the coconut haystacks.

Let me suggest to you that we use our experience in picking chocolates we like from the box, and this is where we can learn a spiritual truth. Our experience can help us make choices that result in good and thus avoid many results that are negative.

If life can be compared to a box of chocolates, then we can say we are presented with multiple choices every day. We know from experience that some choices lead to bad consequences. How do we avoid choosing chocolates we don’t like? By training our minds and disciplining our hearts to make the choices we know lead to godliness, holiness, and righteousness. In other words learn which chocolates in the box we like and only choose them.

In our focus passage from Paul’s letter to the Colossian believers we are encouraged to stay focused on spiritual things, to strive to live a heavenly life based on God’s principles, and to reject the principles of this world. I encourage you today friends to make your choices count for the Kingdom in the here and now. When you do you will experience a transformation in your life.

Matthew 3:13 – 4:11

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I remember reading a story last year during the annual fires that seem to rage uncontrolled through the forests out west.

One national magazine sent a photographer to take some pictures of the devastation. He was told to go to a certain small airport where a plane would be waiting for him.

When the photographer arrived at the airport he found a plane with engine idling waiting for him on the runway as promised. Hopping into the front seat of the two-seated plane the photographer told the pilot, “Ok, let’s go.”

Once they were airborne the photographer told the pilot, “Now, I want you to fly over the north front of the fire and make 3-4 low-level passes.”

The pilot looked at the photographer and asked “why?”

To which the photographer responded “because I want to get some close-up shots of the fire.”

With a “deer-in-the-headlights look” the man in the pilot’s seat said “you mean you’re not the instructor?”

Assumptions can be very dangerous!

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Mike’s Mix For Your Weekend Reading – April 11-12

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This weekend the weather forecast is for sunshine and temperatures in the 60’s – very nice for Ohio. I hope your weather is as nice. If so, take time to get outside and enjoy it. Don’t forget to feed your spirit and mind this weekend as well.

Some articles I recently read include:

Jared Moore encourages pastors and church leaders to stay the course through self-reflection in When They Won’t Follow Your Leadership

Thom Rainer hits the nail on the head with One Sentence That Pastors and Church Staff Hate to Hear

Praying for other pastors and churches has become such a foreign idea in so many churches that when we do pray for one another as we are commanded to do, people assume something is wrong in that other church. Eric Bancroft candidly leads us to a better understanding of our Kingdom responsibilities toward others in 5 Reasons to Pray for Other Churches

Parents – do you have any idea what the text message you found on your child’s phone means?  Here’s a list of texting abbreviations that will help you decipher the code. Essential texting acronyms every parent must know

Finally, over at The Federalist Sean Davis hits a home run with his piece entitled, Men Without Chests; How C.S. Lewis Predicted Charlie Hebdo Censorship.

Enjoy your weekend friends.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 NASB

*As always, references in my blog do not constitute full and unqualified endorsement of everything you might find on another blog site. Be Bereans folks. Acts 17:11

Our One Inalienable Right

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But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13

Here’s a news flash for our rights-obsessed American culture – rights must be rooted in an objective law that transcends individuals, ethnic groups, nations, and civilizations. Without an objective standard that transcends us all, we are left with roughly 330 million opinions.

The Bible tells us many things, not the least of which is not to think too highly of ourselves. I think a primary reason why we have so many aggrieved people in America today is pride. People do in fact think way too highly of themselves. That’s to be expected though when a theology of self-esteem rules the day.

When we become haughty we can miss out on what God wants to do in us and through us, thinking that a task is below us. How many people have you heard say they wanted to help around the church until they found out that the help needed was cleaning the restrooms or working in the nursery. I actually had a man tell me once that he didn’t want to do something because it wasn’t worth his time. This was a man who aspired to be a “leader.” He didn’t last very long at our church because he had no idea what a servant leader looked like.

The apostle John tells us that the primary right Christians must consider is the right to be called God’s children. When Christians make this right their focus, then pride evaporates and in its place arises a sense of humbleness and eagerness to serve our great God in any way He sees fit.

Friends that is a transforming truth.

Be Offensive In Love (Part 5)

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Thus says the Lord of hosts,“Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the Lord. “They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The Lord has said, “You will have peace”’; And as for everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, They say, ‘Calamity will not come upon you.’ Jeremiah 23:16-17

Friends, we have been discussing the changing cultural norms in America in this five-part series. We started this conversation by observing that tolerance has been redefined to exclude the original idea of freedom of expression to the now sacrosanct notion of celebrating every behavior as normal and right.  This new freedom does not include the freedom to disagree so it is really just freedom to walk in lock-step with the prevailing enlightened ideals of those opposed to historic, biblical Christianity. Clearly this is not freedom in any sane, logical, rational sense but merely Orwellian double-speak.

What does this mean for Christian evangelism?  It means that Christians need to sharpen their minds and focus on exactly what it is we are trying to speak to our neighbors and friends.  Old techniques of evangelism don’t work for the simple reason that people don’t see anything “good” about the Gospel.  For the most part all they hear are do’s and don’ts. This leaves us needing to rethink our approach.  In other words why is the gospel good news to those we want to speak to?

It is precisely at this point that the Gospel is most clearly seen as relevant to every culture, time, and place.  You see, the problems mankind has wrestled with and sought answers to – namely where is hope to be found, can I find acceptance for who I am, who will love me truly and intimately, and even where can I find tolerance for my views – are all wrapped up in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hope is found in our new identity in Christ, an identity that He hand picks for each of us as His special creation. Acceptance is found in the unfathomable grace we experience as God accepts us in Christ and declares us holy and just in His eyes.  Intimacy is found in the midst of an ongoing love that lifts us up in every circumstance. Finally, even tolerance as the present world defines it is turned upside down as Jesus Christ shows us how to love those different from us and yet remain faithful to proclaim the truth that Christ alone saves.

Friends, don’t be dismayed by the current condition of the American culture. See instead great opportunity to share why the Gospel is great news for everyone.  It truly is a transforming truth.