Paradise

I have lived in several places in my life - Tennessee, Indiana, and Germany while visited others - Japan, Caribbean, Austria, Mexico, France, Alaska, California, Florida, New York, Massachusetts and Washington - among many others.

What I have concluded is that there is no paradise on earth. In Florida you have beautiful weather and hurricanes. In California you have beautiful weather and mud-slides, fires and traffic. In Massachusetts you have history and mild summers, but horrific winters. You see, no matter where you go, it is not perfect. Because we live in a fallen world, paradise is reserved for eternity.
I long for paradise - not too hot, not too cold, no mosquitoes, a slight breeze and God. Okay, forget the other things and let me have God. That is where true paradise lies. I want to hear the words, "today, you will be with me in paradise."

Sid

Abilene Lectureship #2

I am still in Abilene and having a great time. I am being spiritually feed by some of the great teachers of our brotherhood and fellowship. Today, I was listening to Randy Harris, a professor at Abilene Christian. His emphasis was on how we as humans deal with sin. One great observation that he made was that "how we understand sin determines how we will deal with sin." He observed that the first sin was motivated by the same things that motivate sin today - when we try not to be human. It is when we try to be like the animals - fulfill our desires without any regard to consequences or even obedience. The other is when we try to be our own god.

I believe he is right on target. We try to get back in the garden (paradise) by taking control, handling it ourselves, making a plan. And that very effort is what got the first couple kicked out of the garden. It is because God is calling us to be human - rely on him, trust him, love him above all else. We have tried the course of reason (last five hundred years). We have tried technology (last two hundred years). We have tried a therapeutic culture (last one hundred years). But the question is - are we more human today? God is calling us to be human - surrender ourselves to Him.

Sid

Abilene Lectureship #1

I am in Abilene, Texas attending the lectures. I'm not only experiencing great weather (70 +), but a great lectureship - great speakers, great worship, and great fellowship. One speaker that I really enjoy and have for several years is Billy Wilson from Scotland. His unique style and passion gives biblical stories and concepts new light. In talking about weakness, he said that in many churches (spiritual hospitals) we all come, yet no one is willing to admit that they are sick. What a convicting statement. We all walk around like we aren't sick, yet many of us have a terminal disease (spiritually).

The Great Physician has given his diagnosis of the sickness of mankind - sin! Whether we admit it or not - which for many of us, denial is one thing we have really do well - we are infected.

But the Great Physician has the cure. A blood transfusion - his blood on our sin. See, the good news is that God is not finished with us yet. Thank God! I need to remember that when I deal with people and with myself. Denial of my disease is not the answer, but denial of myself is.

Sid

Prayer - Witnessing Real Faith

Charles Swindol in his book, "Simple Faith," gives a story I want to share:

Back in 1958 as a young Marine stationed on Okinawa, I was drawn to the refreshing unpretentiousness of Bob Newkirk, a man ministering to military personnel with The Navigators."
I dropped by his home late one evening to pay an unexpected visit. His wife met me at the door and said he wasn't home. "He's been under some stress lately," she said. "I think he may be down at his office. He told me he just wanted to get alone."
Deciding to try the office, I caught the mini-bus in to Naha, the island's capital. I made my way down a street and across an alley to his modest office. As I approached, I could hear singing,"Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace."
It was Bob's voice. I stood outside for a few moments, listening, as the simple hymn continued. I peeked in the window and saw a candle on a table, my friend on his knees, and not another soul around. He was spending time with the Lord, all alone.
Bob never knew I came by that evening. But I got a glimpse of authentic Christianity that night, not piety on parade, but a man "in the shelter of the Most High."

Pray with a real faith,

Sid

Jose Can You See

Why does Jose Canseco all of a sudden have a conscience? In his new book, "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'roids, Smash Hits, And How Baseball Got Big", he tells all about himself and others of illegal drug use while in baseball. Whether it is the case or not, it appears that this is just a ploy for more money. Why didn't he have a conscience while he played? Is it not like he suddenly got religion and he needed to repent (even thought that is a good idea). Another question is, why not just confess what he did and leave everyone else out? Again, it looks like a diversion - I'll confess my sins, but you really need to look at these other guys. With this tactic, no one is dealing with his "sin", but everyone is trying to find out if he is telling the truth about everyone else and that is a good tactic to divert attention and to sell books.

The good book says that confession is good for humans. Jose would have been wise to just confess his sins. God wants confession, but not a finger pointer.

Sid

Being Human #1

People want the front row at a ball game, the back row of the church, and the center of attention.

Church Lessons From Basketball #3

As we move toward March Madness, I wanted to keep the theme of basketball. I have learned teamwork and defense - refer to earlier blogs - but I also learned about the importance of training. Weeks before the season began and weeks before the TSSAA (Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association) would allow us to "really" practice, we did conditioning. We did pushups, weights, 30 second suicides (a drill where you would run from one end of the gym and back, then to the far foul line then back and then to midcourt and back, then the close foul line and back), and ran.

I did not really buy into the idea that this would make me a better ball player, but the coach insisted, but I complied.

That is the way it should be with us as Christians. We need to get into spiritual shape. Many try to "play" the game of life with just a Sunday morning effort. It didn't work in basketball and one day a week won't work with God. Sure, Sunday is important, but what about really getting into shape? We need to learn from the coach - get into shape (pray, study, fast, disciple, and love) and you can perform at a higher level for God.

Sid

Church Lessons From Basketball #2

Another lesson I learned from basketball that I can apply to my walk with God is defense. Defense is built on technique and desire. It takes a lot of effort to play defense. Defense in basketball is sometimes more important than actually scoring. What good is it if you score 50 points, but give up 60? A good defense is essential to having a championship team.

Christianity is just like that. So many spend their time trying to score for God. They only do what is easy, public or accommodating. Defense requires work. Prayer, discipline, sacrifice, service are all ways of defense. Defense against the evil one. Defense against being of the world, not just in the world. Defense against being selfish, prideful or lustful.

Play defense. God wants defensive-minded players.

Sid

Church Lessons From Basketball #1

I was an average high school basketball player. Now some decades removed from playing, I still love the game. The game taught me some things and as I preach, many times, I draw parallels to doing church and basketball.

Basketball taught me teamwork. I don't care how good you are or how bad you are, you still need the other players. You cannot - it is impossible - to play the game by yourself. You can practice, condition, dribble, shot, work on defensive positions, but you cannot play the game by yourself.

Too many have tried to do church that way. Maybe better said, they try to live the Christian life without others. They don't want accountability, relationships, or expectations. Yes, salvation is an individual thing, but how can one be saved and not be a part of the family of God?

Being a Christian is a team sport. Work with others to build the kingdom and build your walk with God and one day you'll win a championship according the the apostle Paul. And I trust his words.

Sid

Ministry

Ministry is tough. I'm not one to complain, but it is hard to get everything done. All the way from unrealistic expectations of the members and community to the reality of sermons, classes, visits, prayer time, emails, writing, phone calls, and meetings. There are people who deserve your compassion and others seem to have to earn it. I wish I was more like Jesus. What a statement. He had time, never complained, loved the unlovable and kept his priorities in line. What an example.

May we all try to be more like him, especially in ministry.

Sid

Justice

Today I watched our Police Chief give a ticket near our office. The car was parked in front of the Fire Department's auxiliary door. It was clearly marked, no questions. But then I realized who the car belonged to. The car belonged to a friend's daughter. She was clearly in the wrong, but did she deserve justice?

That is always a tough call. We cry for justice when we have been wronged. We cry for justice if someone else has done wrong. But what about when we do wrong? The friend is trying to teach her 16 year old daughter responsibility. I wonder what lesson the daughter will learn from the reaction of her mother?

We need to cry for mercy, not justice. I want mercy.

Sid