Thoughts on Heaven

Posted on April 25, 2012 by

Recently I got into a discussion with a brother who got into another discussion with somebody who asked him the question: “Where is Heaven?

I’m not any kind of theologian, but these were my thoughts on the subject, to which I thought I would repost it here, only because it really made me think and it strengthened my faith. Maybe it will strengthen yours as well.

The Bible speaks of at least three different references to Heaven… And the future place Jesus Himself has been working on for the last 2000 years as well.

One reference is to the Earth’s atmospheric envelope – The Bible calls this heaven “the firmament.” It is the sky.

In Genesis 1:6

And God said, “Let there be an expanse* in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” Expanse can also be known as a canopy.

In Genesis 1:20

And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.”

A second reference to Heaven is known as the Celestial Heavens – The second heaven is what we call “space – the final frontier” where God placed the stars and planets.

In Genesis 1:16

”Then God made two great lights: the greater light (sun) to rule the day, and the lesser light (moon) to rule the night. He made the stars also.”

Probably the Heaven we reference the most when we apeak of Heaven is known as the “Third Heaven.” This is the “Abode of God.” Paul speaks of this place in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.

All of this being said — It doesn’t answer your question, because this is something we are not told. I have a feeling we are NOT told because:

1) I don’t think we can comprehend it.
2) We as humans, being of a sin nature would probably try to go there in our own power, similar to the people of Babel talked about in Genesis 11.

My friend had made reference in his discussion to how Jesus spoke of “going to prepare a place…” I thought he was spot on in his reference of John 14:1-4

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

I always remember Keith Green’s comment on this:

“You know, I look around at the world and I see all the beauty that God made. I see the forest and the trees and all the things. And it says in the Bible that He made them is six days and I don’t know if they’re a literal six days or not. Scientists would say no, some theologians would say yes. But I know that Jesus Christ has been preparing a home for me and for some of you, for two thousand years. And if the world took six days and that home two thousand years, hey man, this is like living in a garbage can compared to what’s going on up there.”

After listening to a 12 CD series on Revelation, The Return of Christ, The Rapture and the Millenium by Dr. David Jeremiah — I’ve also put more of a clear timeline to my faith concerning prophecy and the things yet to come — Which also involves the Heaven that is yet to come AFTER the Rapture of the Church, the 7 years we actually WON’T be here (because we are believers in Christ) and the 1000 years you and I will be here WITH Christ on the Earth until its final demise and we all go home — wherever that is… Maybe that will be HERE, where Earth is NOW — or maybe another place. The Bible DOESN’T say exactly.

John’s Revelation of Christ speaks of a place with streets of Gold, and a huge fortress made of jewels so large that the walls are made of a single stone.

So at this point, I’ve not directly answered the question, but as a Christian I’ve built my faith in Christ thinking of all the things yet to come!

But perhaps this verse will be of some comfort for you, lightly touch on the answer to the question, and give you the comfort it does me:

2 Corinthians 5:6-8

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

To be absent from this body — We will be present with the Lord — Wherever that is.

Posted in Ramblings De Russ, Spirit | Leave a comment

The Lord’s Banner

Posted on March 12, 2012 by

Saw this on Facebook this morning:

My banner over you is victory.   If you will look and if you will spiritually connect with Me you will see you are destined to victory.

No matter what the odds, no matter how intense the war, no matter the level of correction that is necessary, no matter what it might be that you are going through at this time, understand that it is a time of war and the enemy is after you.

Your enemy is chaos, and he will create those situations and those things that will be a deterrent to you.  But, make the determination today to win because I am with you, always leading you in triumph, always bringing you through, and watching over you.

You are not alone in this battle.

I encourage you to continue to fight the good fight of faith.   Rise up and declare your victory into the heavenlies.  Write a decree of victory over your life.

Arise and go forth into the battle.   I am with you.

–The Lord

Amen!

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The “State of the Man” Address

Posted on February 25, 2012 by

I haven’t checked in to this blog in quite a while.  It hasn’t been for lack of activity — life has been quite brisk.  I seem to average a post about every 2 months or so — which is hardly ever going to keep much of a reader base.  However, In the words of the great Mister Ed: “Mister Ed never speaks unless he has something to say.”  (Google Mister Ed, kiddies… My age is showing…)

And speaking of age…

On Monday February 27, 2012, I will celebrate my LAST birthday in my “forties.”  My last year to be “Forty-sumthin.”

In this great United States of America, our president gives an annual address called the The State of the Union address.  This is an annual address presented to the United States Congress. The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows the president to outline his legislative agenda (for which he needs the cooperation of Congress) and his national priorities.

So — I got to thinking that perhaps since I am in the transitional stage from being in my last year of my forth decade crossing over next birthday to my fifth decade, I should take a look at the “State of the Man.”

Really — every person should have the opportunity to take a look at one’s life and address the “state of the being.” Honestly — Isn’t this the question we are asked every day?  “How you doin?”  “Fine…”

So let’s take a look, shall we?

A. Fatherhood

In February 2003 I turned 40.  We celebrated by going to visit New Orleans in the first part of March.  We made a stop in Memphis, Tennessee — and I was honored to have my picture taken next to the gates of Graceland.  (I’ve always been a great fan of Elvis Presley.)  Irene was pregnant with our first child, Russell Jr.  Irene discovered her morning sickness while walking on Bourbon Street in NOLA.

I can honestly say that the time of Irene’s pregnancy with Russell was one of the most anticipatory, thrilling, and yet terrifying times of my life.  It ushered me from “Manhood” to prepare the way for “Fatherhood.”

October 2003 brought Russell James Anderson, Jr. into the world.   I can remember this day like it was yesterday — mostly the moment of birth.

In the surgical birthing room lay my wife on one table, and my new son being cleaned up on the other side of the room.  This was probably my first decision I had to make as a new Dad — Who do I attend to?  Should I not be right there holding the hand of my wife?  Should I not go to my new son?  Irene made the decision for me and told me to go make sure our son was fine.   He was crying, he was cold and shaking — and as I reached out my finger, he grabbed it!  Something happened, and I think we made a bond at that moment that I cannot describe.

What is interesting is how the birth of my daughter Allison came at such an extremely different time of my life.  Here’s what I remember about those circumstances:  It was late 2006 and I was off of work with a back injury waiting patiently for disability with $0 savings, a house-payment due, and no idea how to even get food. Irene announced that she was pregnant.  Don’t get me wrong — I was “joyous” — but I was “freaked out of my mind” as well.

And just like that I was going to be a Dad again.  With Russell, we had baby showers.  We had color 3D ultrasounds, we set up the baby’s room.  I assembled the crib.  I installed infrared night time cameras and readied the baby monitor.  He had his own web page.

This is hard to admit, but the entire pregnancy with Allison was a blur.  I can vaguely remember being in the delivery room that July 10, 2007.  I can remember taking a few pictures, but she did not have her own web page, 3D ultrasounds or anything fancy compared to the pomp of the arrival of her brother.  What stands out the most to me was that I was the Dad of a precious baby girl.  How much different was this going to be compared to being the father of a son?

In retrospect — the two different tales of fatherhood are as different as the circumstances of their arrival.  My objective remains the same for both children:  Fatherhood is my highest calling.  It is my purpose to be the Spiritual catalyst in my household, to love and provide for my wife and children.

How has all of this changed the relationship between Irene and myself?

When Irene and I first met and spent that first year together, Irene once told me a story that her mother once told her — A simple definition of love: “Love is like eating a bag of cookies together. When reaching the last cookie, one looks at the other and offers it to the other.  The would be recipient refuses, knowing that the other really wants the cookie — but they instead take that cookie and divide it in two, each sharing the cookie.”   I remember the day she shared this story with me.

With the addition of children, I can best sum up our relationship by changing the story: “You got cookies?”  “Yeah.”  We both take the bag and find the children and offer the cookies to them.  After making sure they are satisfied and have had enough cookies, we then share the crumbs.

It took eight years to arrive at that change of heart.  Sacrifices have been made.  Things that were crucial, must do, must have items/events and choices that have faded into the backdrop of life.

Do you want to know what’s really important?  Seeing the 100% on the paper my son got back from school because he learned how to subtract.  The look on his face when describing to me the relationship of the Star Wars characters.  (Like I wasn’t in High School when Star Wars first came out…)  It’s watching my daughter dance around the living room like a whirling dervish and giggle like little girls giggle.  It’s picking her up and dancing with my princess — and she IS my princess, because I am the king.  Monetarily, we haven’t much — certainly a very meager king, but the blessings we share are blessings beyond description.

 

B. Health

By now I am sure you see what my last nine years of my life have really been about.  I entered the decade in 2003 on the tale end of a fantastic time of feeling healthy.  I had lost over 100 lbs, I was rollerblading and walking with my treadmill being a daily regimen.

Circumstances and changes have a way of effecting your daily habits, and it is with shame that I admit to losing that priority of health.  One pound led into another with 2005 finding me at 444 lbs.  Yeah, I know — That was my heaviest.  In September of 2005 I found myself having Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery because of the alarming state of my health with complications of my Type II diabetes.  I lost almost 150 lbs and stopped.  I’m sure my surgeon considered me one of his greatest “failures” because I didn’t get down to 150 lbs like some of his other successes.  Honestly, I WOULDN’T WANT to be 150 lbs… It’s just not me.

The last four or five years have just been a train wreck of bad health choices, PAIN, runaway diabetes, PAIN, making less than perfect food choices and PAIN.   Did I mention PAIN?  Oh — AND STRESS.  PAIN and STRESS.

Look — here’s the deal:  My first priorities of life (God and Family) cannot be met if I can’t hardly get out of bed.  It’s time to make some changes.

This “State of the Man” view can realistically realize that the prognosis is grim without changes in the projected trajectory.  In more specific words: Change or Death.

C-C-C-Changes…

God in His infinite guidance has again orchestrated a series of events that has led to my awakening.

The movie Courageous.
http://courageousthemovie.com/themovie

The amount of time we are here on this Earth is limited.  Every moment is a gift.  Even at perfect health, my children are growing up — and FAST.  I need to be on my game to offer them my best, and I don’t want to miss a minute of the time I have with them.  Nobody has ever said they wished they spent more time at work.  My son needs his Dad to be there to help guide him into the man that God intends him to be.  If there is anything I have learned in the past 8.5 years, the relationship a man has with his father is characteristic of the relationship that the father has with God.


As in the movie, the relationship I have with my daughter is PARAMOUNT to how she will look at men in general.  I am to respect her, love her and make sure that she demands that respect and love from her suitors.

Bottom line:  I take my job as Dad seriously.  This movie re-instilled and reiterated my duties as a Dad.

The Power Juicer
http://www.powerjuicer.com

This was one of those things that Irene mentioned that she wanted, and circumstances made it available.  Didn’t think much of it, really until I saw the movie…

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead
http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/

Here was a guy who quite literally drank nothing but vegetable juice for 60 days.  In the process, he went from being FAT, SICK and NEARLY DEAD to having all of his numbers fall into  place.

 

So… I tried it.  Well — I’m diabetic, so going from massive caloric amounts to 1000 calories of just vegetable juice is just not a good plan of attack.  I did however substitute my breakfast for fresh juice, and I have one for an afternoon snack.   I found the recipes for these at…

Reboot Your Life
http://www.jointhereboot.com

My favorites are the movie inspired “Mean Green” juice (Calories: 310, Protein: 10 gm, Fiber: 2 gm, Total Fat: 1.5 gm, Carbs: 57 gm) and the “Gazpacho Juice.” (Calories: 215 kcal, Protein: 11 g, Fiber: 0 gm, Total Fat: 2 gm, Carbs: 31 gm)

Yeah — I know what all those number represent, too.  I learned it the first time I undertook this endeavor back in 1999.  Back then I calculated out EVERY LITTLE CALORIE, CARB and FAT gram.   I quit my logging when somebody messed around with the website.  (Remember how I said circumstances can change and next thing you know you get away from things…)

Through another orchestration of God — I was presented with the opportunity to become a member of…

MyFitnessPal
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

This website reminds me of the website I was a part of way back in 1999.  Here is a place to plug in all those nutritional numbers and get a decent idea of what your really eating.  Actually, I THRIVE on scientific things and get some kind of a weird boost out of figuring and calculating out that if I consume XXXX numbers of calories taking into consideration my present body weight, the caloric burn my body already burns just being alive, and taking into account for additional exercise will create a loss of say 1.5 lbs. a week.  (I know, techy-guy — but it works for me…)  Life is all about cause and effect.  If you eat fat, greasy food — you become a fat greasy person.

 

I just logged my 18th day, and overall I have lost 8 lbs so far.  More importantly, I FEEL amazing, much less PAIN, increased ENERGY and have that feeling of accomplishment that my science experiment was a success.  It’s all about the DATA.   And speaking of DATA…

Fitbit, Inc.
http://www.fitbit.com

MyFitnesspal has partnered with this little company that makes the FITBIT.   Basically, it’s a sensor.  It clips on your belt or pocket and happily monitors your progress.  It tracks how many STEPS, your CALORIES, How many MILES you’ve walked, how many FLOORS you have climbed… And then you fit the thing into a little  cuff and the device tracks your SLEEP PATTERNS.  Really!  This thing is amazing, and for a DATA junkie like myself, it’s an awesome way to motivate yourself into submission.

Take yesterday for instance.  I watched every calorie I consumed, logged in on MyFitnessPal and logged my dinner.  I was OVER by 200 calories.  You lose your little motivational badges, your friends can see you went over your limit — I mean, your not grounded or anything — but you want to do your best.   Irene suggested we go for a walk as a family, and instead of my usual groaning I think I shocked her:  “Let’s go…”  We went almost 2 miles, and guess what?  Fitbit took the activity and subtracted the caloric burn from MyFitnessPal.  I was now UNDER my goal, burning 220 calories for that little walk.

I realize that perhaps this is not for everybody — but there are little games we play everyday to motivate ourselves into doing all kind of things, and this one works for me.

C. Body, Mind and Spirit

Well — Yes, as I mentioned above, you are what you eat.   That not only includes what you actually EAT but what you consume via your MEDIA OPTIONS.   I’ve been an advocate for folks to pay attention to what your watching on TV and the music your listening to for years.

As a good brother used to say: “Somebody is messing with your head!”  If you consume media (movies, music, TV, video games) that is contrary to your belief system, then don’t be surprised when you get caught off guard by your actions and reactions to it!

I am a Christian.  It’s not a system of “rules” as some would have you believe — but a real life relationship with Jesus Christ.  I’m not perfect in my conduct, but I try to do my best to honor that relationship.  My rule of thumb is this:  If Jesus was sitting right next to me, would I watch it/listen to it?  Jesus is, of course sitting right next to me because He is God and He sees everything.

Ephesians 5:19-20 says: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I found an awesome way to do this…

K-LOVE
http://www.klove.com/

Fortunately I’m around Internet sources enough that I can pull this “mostly Internet” radio station in on the computer, on my iPod iTouch and on my Android smartphone.  (Although my friends in Wadsworth/Medina can pull it in on 91.7 FM and the folks in the Youngstown/Warren area can hear it on 107.1 FM.)  This station has been a real inspiration to me.  It’s billed as “Positive and Encouraging” — and that it is.  You owe it to yourself to check it out!

 


D. Summary

So that’s it.  Long post, I know — But you only turn 49 once.  Next year everyone will be too preoccupied with getting me black balloons, gifts of Geritol and cans of prunes to take me serious.  If I can stay consistent to my plans and stay the course, God willing I will still be around to celebrate with you — Stronger, more focused, healthier and hopefully a little thinner

 

Posted in Family, Ramblings De Russ, Spirit | Leave a comment

Another Old Lang Syne

Posted on January 2, 2012 by

I’m going to be very cliche’ and just get it out of the way: Happy New Year.   (Notice… there isn’t any exclamation point.)  Welcome to another new year.  Welcome to the passing of another “Old Lang Syne.”  I am not excited.

The dullness in excitement of the new year is directly proportional the the WONDERFULNESS of the Christmas season that has just passed.  What goes up, must come down.

It was just different this year.  In the past years I have found myself loathing that time between Thanksgiving and New Years day.   I’m guessing that having young children helps one remember the magic of the Christmas season — but this year was different.

In fully embracing the season,  I downloaded and listened to some classic Christmas music that transported me right back to being a child waiting and anticipating the awesomeness of Christmas!  As a Christ follower I also remembered the “reason for the season” and focused on the gift of God in dwelling with us in flesh.

Christmas Eve found me in the best spirits watching the DVD’s Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Ghosts of Christmas Eve”  and “The Polar Express.”  Pure magic!

Christmas was fantastic!

Instead of the usual relief  that Christmas was now over… I found that something had transformed my heart.  It wasn’t about gifts — It was about “The gift.”   God’s absolute love manifested in Christ, and even for a brief time manifested in the “love” of the Christmas season by His people.   If only everyday could be Christmas!

New Years Eve arrived with all the anticipation of a dental appointment.   A Facebook friend must have been feeling very similar with his thoughts about all of the hoopla of New Years Eve expressed simply as: “I don’t get it…” My thoughts?

Thats quite the contrast between the two “Eves.”

Well, yesterday was New Years  Day.  Irene took down the Christmas tree.   (Note: It is not that she wanted to take down the Christmas tree … Irene truly carries a little Christmas in her heart and home decor all year long!)  My thoughts?

“I’m bummed!  I’m just not ready to let go of Christmas yet…  I want to put on another TSO CD on!”   I think I am mourning Christmas!

So — here we are.   Where do we go from here?

Christmas is just an arbitrary date someone long ago chose to focus on the birth of Jesus.  Most historians would tell you that most likely, Jesus was NOT born on December 25.   So it isn’t the day or date that makes Christmas so special.  So what then?

Christmas is synonymous with God’s LOVE… That God would LOVE mankind so much — that despite man’s rejection and disobedience of God,  God’s KINDNESS would not leave man in that separated state.  It is in PEACE that God came to dwell in the GENTLENESS of a baby, born to an almost “homeless” teenage mother…  The JOY of Heaven had come down to this Earth with great celebration and JOY.

During the Christmas celebration,  we wait for the day of Christmas PATIENTLY with great anticipation and SELF-CONTROL.

In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul expresses that these are manifestations of God’s Holy Spirit.  We call them  ”The Fruits of the Spirit.”


“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… “

My “resolution” (for lack of a better word) is to try and carry these things forward from my Christmas experience. In doing so, perhaps I can keep “The Spirit of Christmas” going  just a little longer…

If the start of a new year is really a time to focus on what we learned in the past with a resolve to carry the good and change the not-so-good into the future, then 2011 can be summed up as this:

My behavior may look fine in comparison to some.  It may fall short in comparison to others… But compared to God’s perfection, I fall tremendously short of what God expects from me.  No mater how hard I try, there is NOTHING I can do in my own power to make up for that difference.   That “Christmas Baby” that came to dwell amongst sinful man did so in perfection.  Because of His love, He died in place of all of those who have fallen short.  People like me.

I found the following compact, concise statement of grace that I will try to commit to memory for 2012:

“My sin is so bad that nothing short of the death of the son of God could pay for it, and that is exactly what I have.”

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Black Friday

Posted on November 25, 2011 by

Here in the United States we have a tradition.  On the forth Thursday in November, we set aside a day of Thanksgiving.   Nationally, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed this day as a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise” on October 3, 1863.

Sometime late in the twentieth century as families gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving they realized that Christmas was just about a month away.  With most gifts now more often being purchased instead of homemade, this seemed to be a really good time to start Christmas shopping.  As many businesses gave their employees the Friday following the holiday off to enjoy an extended weekend, this was a natural time to get that gift shopping started.

Retail stores, having ran their businesses in the “red” all year seemingly seemed to be able to finally make it into a profit or “black” condition due to what used to be known as “the busiest shopping day of the year.”   Hence the birth of “Black Friday.”

Retailers have now turned this “frenzy” into a day of mass pandemonium as shoppers fight each other over inferior half price products the retailer couldn’t seem to get rid of at full price the past eleven months of the year.  People have been trampled and have even died in the race to acquire such treasures.  It’s madness.

But long before this “Black Friday” came to be there was another “Black Friday.”

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.  The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. — Luke 23:44-48

The sun stopped shining.  Darkness came over the whole land.   It was Friday.   I would say that this was indeed a “Black Friday.”

What was happening here?  They were killing a man — an innocent man — for a crimes He did not commit.  In fact, he never committed any crime or infraction.  He was more than a man, however — He was also God, Himself.   It was only God Himself who was perfect and righteous enough to pay the price for crimes He did not commit.

That crime was committed years before in a garden paradise.  An innocent man and woman were convinced to turn against God.   Because of that “crime” against God, The man and woman became imperfect.  God could no longer have a close relationship with imperfection.  The penalty for that crime was death.  Spiritual death — a separation from God.

Despite the separation, God still loved the man, woman and all of their offspring who were all under the curse of that crime.    How could man again be released from the separation from God?

God had a plan.

If someone who was not under that curse were to come and pay for that crime, all crimes would be pardoned and paid in full…

So He became a man — a decedent of a fallen man — But yet maintained His deity and innocence… Fully man and fully God.

And so on that original “Black Friday” God went shopping.   He waited for that day, that time, that hour to make His purchase.   He paid full price with His innocent blood, and He died in place of the people He loved so much.  The people He created in His image.   He offered up His sacrifice as a gift.  You might even call it a “Christmas Gift” — because ironically we celebrate His birth in the tradition of giving gifts.

Gifts sometimes purchased on “Black Friday.”

For us the recipients –  I’d call that a bargain… The best I ever had.

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Catching Up

Posted on October 29, 2011 by

Where have I been?

In not so many words, I’ve been too preoccupied with life to update much.   Sometimes when the Christian life seems to be going counter-opposite what WE think GOD should be doing, maybe we aren’t as vocal as when everything is sailing smoothly.  In my over a month of silence however has been growth.

“I walked a mile with Pleasure;
She chatted all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow
And ne’er a word said she;
But, oh! The things I learned from her,
When sorrow walked with me.”

– Robert Browning Hamilton

It’s been a rough few months. Car frame busted. (Unrepairable. Reduced us to using our “backup” vehicle as our “main” vehicle.)  Then that vehicle had it’s window shot out. Then the rack and pinion had to be replaced. Then the brakes and idler pulley.  Then our furnace needed a motor.  Then the washing machine died. (Fixed that one…) Last week my eyeglasses broke, and I had to get THOSE replaced.  Throw in some constant pain and health issues… And today, the CLOTHES DRYER has died. At least we had a really great weekend and a few days without struggles.

 

Providence: If your truck has to take a bullet, better this window then the one your arm is leaning out of!

But — I’m gonna call it “pure joy” — And try to stay focused.  God will provide somehow.  We are blessed.

James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Harvest Weekend

Here we are at the end of October.   Harvest weekend is upon us.   I call it “Harvest” weekend because traditionally the rest of the world is celebrating Halloween.   I don’t even like to SAY that word.    To me the entire event is becoming much too large scale.

I did find an awesome explanation of a very controversial subject, with a very neutral presentation.   It explains the history, the churches recognition, the preservation of pagan ritual — and the various stances we as Christians can take in the observance of “Halloween.”

 


Should Christians Participate In Halloween?

 

Here in the Anderson household, our participation is very minimal.   Let’s just say we really don’t embrace most of what the event portrays.  Somehow each year I manage to do “Harvest Pumpkins” for the kids.  I spend a little extra time trying to be a little different to try to add emphasis to the few things of the season we do participate in.

Russell got a kick out of getting his hands into the pumpkin pulp, and I allowed him to get the feel of the little pumpkin saw. Ally was trying to scoop things out too. Dad’s mantra: Save the seeds! I honestly think my biggest reward is those seeds!

 

I also stumbled upon an awesome poem about pumpkin carving…

Dear God,
As I carve my pumpkin help me say this prayer:

Open my mind so I can learn about You;
(Cut the top of the pumpkin)
Take away all my sin and forgive me for the wrong things I do.
(Clean out the inside)
Open my eyes so your love I will see;
(Cut the eyes out in heart shapes)
I’m so sorry for turning up my nose to all you’ve given me.
(Cut a nose in the shape of a cross)
Open my ears so your word I will hear.
(Cut the ears shaped like the Bible)
Open my mouth so I can tell others You’re near
(cut the mouth in the shape of a fish)
Let Your light shine in all I say and do! Amen.
(Place a candle inside and light it)

Taking It All In Stride

Despite everything, I try to take each day as it comes.   Yesterday I was able to catch a sunrise while at work.  In between climbing into trucks I was able to catch some breathtaking views of creation — to which my little camera doesn’t even begin to do justice.

At Work: In The Shadow of the Cross

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Mug of the Week for 9/17

Posted on September 17, 2011 by

Found this unique cup with 3 handles… Fire Fighters can handle anything!

Click To Enlarge

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So No Man Gets Left Behind

Posted on August 22, 2011 by

This past weekend was the Promise Keepers men’s conference in Akron Ohio.  I was in attendance with 1600 other men from around the area.

A view from my seat at Promise Keepers 2011 - Akron, Ohio

 

Many a man heard truth in many facets surrounding family, purity, fatherhood and accountability.

Sadly, there was one man missing from the conference.

For whatever reason, his plans got cancelled, a ride fell through…  But later that evening while we were all praising the Lord and listening to Coach McCartney in unity, they had already cut him down from the rafters in his garage.    He couldn’t take it anymore, and he chose to end his life instead of trying to continue on.

They said he was a deacon in his church, he knew the Lord for many years — but whatever it was that lead him to this decision, it made clear to all of us in attendance that it was exactly what and why PK was gathering:  We need each other.   Every man needs other men to hold each other up so that when one is weak, another can help to pick him up — and together they can keep moving forward.

God’s Word has this to say:

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT

There is a line in the movie “Toy Story” where Sheriff Woody addresses all of the other toys about to be forced into moving boxes to move to a new home:

“A moving buddy.  If you don’t have one, get one!”

The logic behind this statement was that if each toy had a moving buddy, no toy would be left behind.

I wish I could claim the uniqueness of realizing this parallel between the real life truth and this movie quote, but I must give credit where credit is due:  Brian Bales, senior pastor of Riverwood Community Chapel came up with this:

“An accountability partner.  If you don’t have one, get one!”



Image of Moving Buddy

The stakes are high.  There is indeed a war going on all around us — It’s a battle for our minds and our hearts.   God is showing us that His way of doing things is right and pure.  The world is telling us different.

Just watch any sporting even on TV (and I’m not coming down on sports, just saying…) and watch the commercials.  What are they saying?  Drink this beverage…  Eat this food… Use this product — In other words “Your life is incomplete without  X.”   And we as men are buying it!

Is it any wonder that we fail as men when we are being inundated with the world’s lie constantly?  Is it any wonder that we “buy the lie” and then feel empty?  And in that emptiness, where do we go?  To whom do we go?  Divided we are easy to conquer — but if we stand together and face the enemy together, we stand in victory!

God’s priorities  are different then what the world is selling us — God is interested in a man’s HEART — And He wants to give us a NEW one.  (Ezekiel 36:26)   He has given us the awesome responsibility of making a priority of SEEKING HIM — and imparting this knowledge of Him to our son’s and daughters.  It’s all about looking beyond the airbrushed fake “size 0″ models in those TV beer commercials and cleaving and growing closer to your wife.

Beyond all the “machismo” they tell us men we should have, God is saying that a REAL man seeks Him, unashamed.   REAL men need other REAL men to help keep those priorities right.

“An accountability partner.  If you don’t have one, get one!”

This should be our battle cry.   Just like the Army,  I’m “looking for a few good men.”  Any takers?

 

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Mug Of The Week: Here’s Looking At You

Posted on August 14, 2011 by

I bet Humphrey Bogart never considered this while stating the famous words: “Here’s Looking At You.”

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Standing At The Crossroads

Posted on August 7, 2011 by

The Infamous Robert Johnson Crossroads

 

I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above “Have mercy, now save poor Bob, if you please”

Yeoo, standin’ at the crossroad, tried to flag a ride
Ooo eeee, I tried to flag a ride
Didn’t nobody seem to know me, babe, everybody pass me by

These were the words penned by the bluesman Robert Johnson.   As the legend goes, Robert Johnson couldn’t play guitar for nothing.  Just didn’t have it in him.   They say he stood at the crossroads one night in Clarksdale, Mississippi and handed his guitar to a tall black man, supposedly Satan himself who tuned his guitar and played a few tunes before handing the guitar back to Johnson in exchange for his soul.

 

Click to watch an expose on the legend of Bluesman Robert Johnson.

 

Johnson died young, a member of the “27 Club.”  He is also dubbed the “Father of Rock & Roll” and the “King of the Delta Blues.”

I’m not going to speculate on the legend’s truth or it’s theological ramifications, but I do know the story speaks of a crossroads in Robert Johnson’s life.  There was a decision to be made, and a life altering decision at that!

I haven’t wrote much in the past several days because I have been edified with good teachings, and some digestion has been necessary.  The words would not have came if I tried, so sometimes it’s just better to let that digestion occur.

One such teaching has been that of James MacDonald in a sermon called: Family First Aid: Wrestling God for Your Family.  My suggestion is to head to MacDonald’s website and take a listen  for yourself!   James tells of another famous crossroad experience.

The teaching of James tells the story of Jacob as told in Genesis 32:22-32.   Years have passed since Jacob stole the birthright of his brother Esau and fled to Laban, and Jacob marries Leah, and then Rachel. (Genesis 29)  This is where we tune into the “Crossroads” experience of Jacob.   Jacob is in trouble.  Esau is still really ticked off, and wants to kill Jacob — So much so that he’s bringing 400 men with him to make sure of it. (Genesis 32:6)   Not a fair fight.  Jacob comes to a river and spends a great deal of time moving his livestock and family across the river:

 

22 The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.

23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had.

24 And Jacob was left alone.  And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.

25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.

26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.”

28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him.

30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip on the sinew of the thigh.

 

This is one of those Bible passages that leaves you kinda standing back scratching your heard asking the question: “What just happened here?”

Jacob gets alone with God.  This is a very good thing to do when you step back and realize that really, there are times and situations in life when you realize “There is nothing I can do in my own power to fix or deal with the present circumstances.”  (Genesis 32:24)  Actually, the quote is my own, because, I been there.  I’ve stood at that crossroad and talked it out with God.

The other thing I might point out is how God will “play the game” and allow you to continue on “wrestling” with Him for a season.   You can spend your time, resources and energy, but there may come a time when God says: “Enough!”  The resulting action may cause you a great deal of pain, as is the case where “The Angel of the Lord.” touches Jacob’s thigh and puts it out of socket.   You ever had anything out of socket?  This was not a light pain. (Genesis 32:25)  I also suggest that there are times when there are issues we need to deal with — maybe something in our life that is “out of socket” or not right with God.   Ultimately, God may allow that to continue for a while, but at some point, that “thing”  or situation needs to be addressed.

And by the way… Who is this “man” who wrestled with Jacob?  Who is this “man” who has the power to wrestle with Jacob, hurt him, heal him, bless him — and rename him?  Who is this “man” who is both a physical “man” and yet has the power of “God?”   This is none other than the preincarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ!

The name of Jacob means “Cheater” or “Deceiver.”  — And 97 year old Jacob had spent his life up to this point living up to that moniker.   God Himself takes a look at Jacob and says: You may have been all of these things in the past, but from this day, and because of my blessing, you will now be known as “Israel.” (Which mean’s God’s Fighter, or “He strives WITH God.”)

Despite the healing, I suspect Jacob/Israel walks with a limp.  This is a reminder of where he has been.

As with most Bible passages, these words can mean different things to different people, to different generations, in different circumstances.

I really think there comes a time in every person’s life when you have to come to the realization that really, we don’t have what it takes.  We fall desperately short in whatever area, and really it’s going to take a miracle to go on.   I suggest that THAT miracle and blessing is there and available at that “crossroads” in the person of Jesus.

Every man, woman and child is DESPERATE and in need of His salvation, as only through the blood of Jesus can sins be placed “as far as the East is from the West.”  But moreover, Jesus says that He “has come to give you life, and life more abundant.”

Have you come to “The Crossroads?”

 

 

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