Hard Drive Crash - April Fool!

They got me! It was pre-planned, prepared days in advance, and a nine year old kept a secret for several days.

My son and husband downloaded a screensaver that makes it appear the hard drive has crashed. One glitch, April Fools day fell on a Sunday this year and I try not to look at my laptop on Sunday. Well, this created an unacceptable situation for my son. So he decided to pretend that he had used my laptop for something and discovered the error message. His “mom, your computer isn’t working” drew my calm and suspicious response – “my computer doesn’t work on Sunday.”

His award winning performance got me to my office to see the error message. Having just experienced the hard drive crash scenario in December, I will admit my heart trembled slightly. But I chose to assume he was celebrating his favorite holiday – April Fools.

As I reflected on the “fun” joke, God reminded me that Satan enjoys pulling Fools pranks everyday with much higher stakes.

Are you seeing error messages in life that make your heart pause? Smile, you’re on Satan’s candid camera. Although it is no joking matter for him – he desires to destroy you and humiliate you forever. God, however, has provided the truth. Regardless of your circumstances you can laugh. Jesus is Risen and therefore we have hope in all things.

Cartoon used with Permission of Bonnie Fraser

Visit www.BibleAlive.org for Bonnie's
April Fool Story/Poem, Scriptures and Greeting Card

On Calvary

“On Calvary, Jesus seals his election as Messiah, holds firm to it despite the loneliness and desolation that are exerting tremendous pressure against his self-awareness as Son-Servant-Beloved.” Brennan Manning, The Importance of Being Foolish

The quote above reminded me of an experience I blogged about in May 2005, The Power of Love. Words escape me as I think of that experience and the additional words of Brennan Manning.

“The Cross confronts us with the cost of discipleship, reminds us that there is no cheap Pentecost, and carries within it the living power to enable us to endure the inevitable humiliations, rejections, sacrifices, and loneliness that the journey to higher Christian consciousness imposes.” Brennan Manning, The Importance of Being Foolish pg 170

Do you know the Power of Love? Can you hold firm to your commitment, your devotion, your passion for the purpose of Christ and the purpose of your life despite all circumstances?

My dear friend, wherever you are in your relationship with the all-knowing, all-loving God, know this: the power of love is greater than anything you can imagine. The power of love will hold you to a cross and raise you up out of the stench of death. The power of love will give you a sense of indescribable peace and passion for everyone around you – friend or foe. The power of love will give you a perspective like nothing you can reason on your own understanding.

This Easter, look at the cross and ask this question until you experience the answer from the all-powerful God. Why would a man - who, if he were God, could have called on 10,000 angels; if he were only human, could have denied the accusations to avoid suffering - allow mere mortals to pound stakes into his flesh?

Praying Against the Enemy

Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies. Psalm 108:12-13

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:11-12

The Old Testament without the understanding of the New Testament (and vice versa) can make us think we are all there is to creation.

I’ve found there is nothing more powerful than praying in agreement with others. I’ve also found there is only one way to truly pray in agreement and that is by allowing the Holy Spirit to voice our prayers. In my experience, this happens most often when there is more silence than talking in the group praying.

When we voice our prayers from what is only on our minds, we tend to see the enemy as the people around us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to word our prayers, the power of God and the love of God reveal the true enemy. The love of God causes us to pray for that person who is persecuting us.

That enemy is not flesh and blood. That enemy cannot be seen or experienced through our physical senses. The enemy is often manifested through people which is why we end up praying for God to remove individuals from the influence of those we love. But the heart of God is to separate the enemy from those people who are being used as weapons by the enemy. The power of God’s love in our innocent children may be the very ones who trample down the enemy.

The Old Testament provides example after example of the insignificance of the strength of man. If our enemy is another person, then outnumbering that person would be all we need for victory. Gideon discovered this truth. Sometimes we can outnumber the people but if we really want lasting victory we need to listen to God. (Read Judges 7) Otherwise, we will constantly be in battle.

What battles are you fighting?

Is your prayer against a physical instrument or the spiritual enemy?

What battles do you see in our country, in the world, that are focused on people rather than the true enemy?

How can you pray and encourage others to recognize that even our political battles are not against flesh and blood?

Pray against the real enemy.

Purpose in Unity

“I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.” Psalm 89:1

I’ve been asking myself why I spend time trying to write – or anything that requires so much time, effort, and rejection. In God’s faithfulness he answered my questions with the verse above and the wise counsel of friends.

A friend challenged me with questions that helped me to understand my passion more clearly. In the past I have stated my passion as a desire to inspire others into intimacy with Christ. Her questions revealed my deeper desire. I don’t really want to influence people. My influence is limited and short lived. My desire is to find others who are in an intimate relationship with Christ.

Three verses that have stood out to me for some time are:

John 17:23 “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Ephesians 4:10-13 “He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

2 Peter 1:3-4 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

Yes, we are called to make disciples. But no one can be a disciple unless God the Father has enabled him. John 6 is full of clarity of the fact that we cannot draw people to Christ. Only God can draw people to himself. I am convinced that we make disciples – not only of others but of ourselves – by uniting with others who have been drawn by God.

Then, when those who have been drawn and are growing and united, those who God is drawing will see and know God’s love through Christ. They will then unite with those who are already united. It’s pretty simple really.

Jesus says his yoke is easy and burden is light. We complicate things by putting pressure on ourselves to draw people to Christ. The pressure is off of me. I don’t have to build my speaking, writing and consulting business to save the world. God has given me this opportunity to unite with others.

You see, I want to unite with those who have experienced the power and presence of an intimate relationship with Christ. Not for protection but for the purpose of letting the world see God’s love. I find them when I share my thoughts in writing and they respond. I find them when I ask questions that only a consultant is allowed to ask. I find them when I speak and someone looks into my eyes with the “that’s happened to me too” look.

When I unite, others will see and unite also. Now that is powerful purpose!

“I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.” Psalm 89:2

Crisis - Why Do We Care?

“Local people that don’t even know us…have bought our kids shoes, clothes, food, drink. It’s amazing.” – Robert Moore, father of Bluffton University baseball player (March 05, 2007 www.dispatch.com)

"We stand together tonight not as Democrats or Republicans but as citizens of the world, as Americans, as brothers and sisters with pain and with hurt," said Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia. "We are a circle of trust that cannot be broken. We are one people. We are one family. We are one nation." (September 11, 2001 http://www.cnn.com/)

Crisis always heightens our awareness of others… at least for some period of time.

Turn on the news or pick up a newspaper. You will see stories of people in crisis. Some major. Some seem minor to those not involved. Why do we care?

I am convinced that the Bible is not about do’s and don’ts but about relationship. The relationship between people and mankind’s relationship to God.

Some may ask – as I have – why would a loving God allow such horrible things to happen. I’m not going to attempt to say I understand the answer but I have discovered something about crisis in my personal life. Crisis brings people into relationship. Strangers give of their time, money and possessions. They risk their own safety for people they’ve never seen before. Friends take extra steps to share themselves and to cry with those they’ve only laughed with. We discover others are just like us.

Satan has successfully deceived this culture into believing individualism, self-sufficiency and independence are things to achieve. Those are the very things that pull us apart. We blame others for our struggles and we view God only as a rule maker.

Sad to say, but crisis seems to be the only thing that makes our nation Christ-like anymore.

I think there is something in all of us that wants to be in relationship with others. It’s called love. It comes from God alone. The greatest commandments, Jesus said, are to love God and love your neighbors. Maybe Jesus wasn’t saying “this is what you must do or else.” Maybe he was saying “the most fabulous component of your human programming is to love. The success of everything else in your life depends on this element functioning properly.”

So why do we care when there is a crisis? It is part of our natural design. We are created and programmed to care.

I keep saying I’m going to invite neighbors over for dinner. Have other families over just to visit, play cards, and laugh. Lord, may I do it before a crisis hits.

Time Out

I read two articles recently on children. The first, by a pastor, referred to Mark 10:13-16. Jesus says "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

I always picture happy children running and playing in this Jesus scene. It’s easy to imagine these children being examples of those who will enter the kingdom of God, right?

The reality of my own experience was described in the second article where a mom speaks of a snow day with her kids.

“Children are gifts from God and I know we are all thankful for them, but sometimes they can push us to the limits of our patience! There is nothing that breaks my heart more, than to deal with sibling rivalry. I would rather clean up ten milk spills (or broken eggs and coffee pots) than hear my children quarrelling with each other, and the black and white striped referee shirt that I seem to be forced to wear all the time is not a flattering fashion statement!”

What did Jesus mean when he said we are to receive the kingdom of God like a little child?

One thing that has always amazed me about children - I’ve seen this with difficult children in daycare centers as well as with my own strong willed children – the wildest of children will sit in a time out chair. They can be running around throwing a whopper of a fit but when the adult in charge disciplines them to sit, they sit (yes, I know there are a few exceptions but very few if the authority is respected).

All of us are like children to God. Think of the good traits you see in children. Now think of the children you would rather not be around. Ever have the desire to place one of those in the second category on your lap and let you teach them something – let you bless them with what you have learned about life?

Whatever your current circumstances, wild or cheerful, Jesus says “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29 NLT)

If Jesus is Lord of your life, run to him and let him bless you. If he is not Lord of your life, I suggest you take a time out and think about who knows best. When you are ready to listen and learn, Jesus is ready to accept your apology and show you how to really live.

Recommended Reading:

Making Children Our Priority by Rich Nathan (Vineyard Columbus March 2007 Congregational Letter)

Brothers and Sisters by Tracie Miles (Proverbs 31 Ministries)

Only Human

Have you ever said these words? – “I’m only human.” Most of us offer that phrase as an excuse for mistakes or poor behavior. As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to be more than human. “For he himself has said, ‘You must be holy because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:16 NLT)

To say that being “only human” allows us to behave in selfish or less than excellent ways indicates that Jesus was not human like us. True, the fullness of God lived in his human body (Colossians 2:9). But did he not come to restore us to God so that we may truly live as he lives?

We are made in the image of God – body, mind, and spirit. John 6:63 says “the spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing.” It is a decision of the mind whether we will focus on the body or focus on the spirit.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:25,33

Like a plant fed through its invisible roots, our body is fed through our spirit. To say “I’m only human” is not an excuse. It should be a confession - a confession that our mind is set on earthly things, earthly abilities, earthly appearances, and earthly expectations.

Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above--where Christ holds the highest position. Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things. You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Christ is your life. When he appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory. Let every detail in your lives - words, actions, whatever - be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. Colossians 3:1-4,17 MSG

I confess, I am only human more often than I want to be. But “because of the Lord’s great love [I am] not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” Lamentations 3:22

Additional scripture:
1 Peter 1:13-21; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:19,40; John 14:1-21