God Pleaser

A couple of years ago I saw this sign on a pole in a small town in Alabama (I can't remember where exactly). I'm not sure what message the creator of the sign was trying to get across, but I know what the truth is.




John 6: 28-29
Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"
Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

Don't Believe the Hype!

I believe that Satan is in the business of identity theft.

For those of us who have chosen to follow Jesus, we have a new identity. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul says "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" However, we are daily inundated with lies that tell us otherwise. You don't deserve God's love, You can't approach him in prayer, You're dirty, You're an addict, You're blah blah blah. It's the same old crap all the time. The truth is that as a follower of Jesus, you have been adopted into the family of God. You are a son or daughter of the King and nothing can change that.

My oldest son is adopted. When we went through the process of legally adopting him, his new identity was made official (although I believe it was official from the beginning of time). There is nothing that can take his identity away from him. I am his Papa and he is my son and I love him more than I ever thought possible.

There is a ton of scripture to verify the truth of your identity in Christ. Looky here . . .

I'm a child of God - He is my Father - 1 Jn 3:1,2
I am Christ's friend - Jn 15:15
I am born of God - 1 Jn 4:7
I have been adopted by God - Rom 8:15
I am an heir of God - Rom 8:17
I am a joint heir with Christ - Rom 8:17; Gal 4:7
I'm redeemed and forgiven - Eph 1:6-8
I've been justified - made righteous - Rom 5:1
I am free from condemnation - Rom 8:1
I have received the Spirit of God -1 Cor 2:12
I have been given the mind of Christ - 1 Cor 2:16
I am a new creation - 2 Cor 5:17
I am God's workmanship - Eph 2:10
I am a temple of God - 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19
I am a member of Christ's body - 1 Cor 12:27
I am a saint - Eph 1:1; 1 Cor 1:2; Phil 1:1
I am a fellow citizen in God's kingdom - Eph 2:19
I am a citizen of heaven - Phil 3:20
I am chosen of God - holy, beloved - Col 3:12
I am a child of light, not darkness - 1 Thess 5:5
I'm a member of a royal priesthood - 1 Pet 2:9
I'm an enemy of the devil - 1 Pet 5:8

The verses go on and on. So, if you believe the Bible is the word of God, then you believe this to be true. Don't buy into the lies. Satan wants you to believe that none of this is true, but he knows the truth. Remind him and yourself as often as he tries to tell you otherwise.

In the words of Flavor Flav (or was it Chuck D?) "Don't believe the Hype!"

Do you remember Mr. Wendal?


Do you remember the Arrested Development song "Mr. Wendal". It was released in 1992 and I used to love it. I heard it again last week and I was like "wow! that's a good song". Take a look at the words.

Here, have a dollar,in fact no brotherman here, have two Two dollars means a snack for me,but it means a big deal to you Be strong, serve God only,know that if you do, beautiful heaven awaits That's the poem I wrote for the first time I saw a man with no clothes, no money, no plate Mr.Wendal, that's his name,no one ever knew his name cause he's a no-one Never thought twice about spending on a ol' bum,until I had the chance to really get to know one Now that I know him, to give him money isn't charity He gives me some knowledge, I buy him some shoes And to think blacks spend all that money on big colleges,still most of y'all come out confused

[CHORUS:] Go ahead, Mr.Wendal (2x)

Mr.Wendal has freedom,a free that you and I think is dumb Free to be without the worries of a quick to diss society for Mr.Wendal's a bum His only worries are sickness and an occasional harassment by the police and their chase Uncivilized we call him,but I just saw him eat off the food we waste Civilization, are we really civilized, yes or no ?Who are we to judge ?When thousands of innocent men could be brutally enslaved and killed over a racist grudge Mr.Wendal has tried to warn us about our ways but we don't hear him talk Is it his fault when we've gone too far,and we got too far, cause on him we walk Mr.Wendal, a man, a human in flesh,but not by law I feed you dignity to stand with pride,realize that all in all you stand tall


Mr.Wendal, yeah yeah yeah, Lord, Mr.Wendal 



and now the video . . .

It just doesn't get any better!

This weekend Cole and I took a four day trip to Pisgah National Forest for our annual backpacking trip in the Shining Rock Wilderness. I couldn't imagine it any better. Even the rain didn't put a damper on things (well our things got damp, but not our spirits). I can't wait til Pisgah 2011!

Love and Respect - Key ingredients in the Great Commission

Jesus calls us to go and make disciples of all nations, not converts.

Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

It seems that we are more eager to make converts (say this prayer, sign this card, walk to the front of the church, etc). Disciple making requires relationship. Relationships require time. Why should someone want to know what I believe and why I believe it if they don't know me. Why should I expect them to care if they don't know and respect me. Respect is something that is earned through showing respect.


Peter said "in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" 1 Peter 3:15

Notice, gentleness and respect.

John says "let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18

We can say that we love, but if there is no action to it, then it doesn't count.

It's my hope that I can love and respect people in such a way that they would see Jesus in me and want to know more about The Way, The Truth and The Life.