It's About Time

(From my friend, John P. Cwynar.)

Graced Time After Time

For the first time and the last time
For the best time and the worst time
For the fast times and the "when will it ever end" time

For the time in and the time out
For the 'time was' and the 'time will be'
For the timely and the not so timely times

For wasted times and memorable times
For quality time and time that never was
For these times and those other times

For when you're running outa time or just in time
When you're behind the times... or way ahead of your time
Or when time is up... and you're not

I will be with you time and time and time again
Even for a lifetime of times

And then in no time at all
I will be with you... for the Time of your Life...
Our Time... after time
Your Permanent Time Out... with Me.

God's Biggest Problem

One of the biggest and most common stumbling blocks of faith is that we do not believe that God can overcome us.  Ourselves!  We’re it, God’s biggest problem child.   If you think you’re THE ONE, God’s biggest problem, raise your hand with me.  It’s actually me, however—I win.  I know that I’m a bigger problem for God than you are.  We can argue about it later, but in our minds, evidently, we sometimes entertain this thinking.

Frankly, we believe that our sovereign will cancels His.  Ours is bigger!  Stubborn and stupid creatures that we are, we’ll never get past our ability to screw things up, and, wringing His hands in heaven, God is the loser for it.  Follow that thinking, and we make Him out to be the biggest loser.  Poor, sub-sovereign God. 

Well, today I’m not buying it.  Our will, your will, my will is never beyond the influence of His, and I think He’s got the ultimate edge.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with (and here comes our big contribution, for which God is depending upon us) fear and trembling (We’ve got plenty of that, right?), 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.  (Italics mine.)

Evidently, will bows down to purpose, and to the One whose purpose is perfect.  He will not fail to bring about His purpose!  Consider that you are His—on purpose.  Your great contribution of fear and trembling not withstanding, you’ll enjoy great moments, maybe even whole days of secure rest as He “works in you” to want and to behave in order that His purpose will come to pass. 

You’re not God’s biggest problem, and He’s not the biggest loser.  It’s win-win for you both.

(This is a transcript from yesterday’s video, “God’s Biggest Problem,” and is for those who might rather read than watch.  To see the video, click http://youtu.be/Vw7z1w4zP1w, or scroll down this page.)

The Work of God

You are not your own workmanship. That’s not easy to accept, particularly when we’re not certain what God will produce in us, nor what we will look like. It’s common that we get awfully nervous when pressed to accept our role of work-ee, rather than work-er. The truth is, however, we’ve been made for Him. He is the only thing that works, and it seems to me that what we get is the best prize I have ever found: knowing God Himself. Not just knowing about Him, but knowing Him. And that’s way better.

God's Biggest Problem

Got 3 minutes?  Here's the question: What is God's BIGGEST problem? What do you think?

How To Help People Breathe

Christian, you were raised with Christ. That’s a big deal! I don’t know why we pray, “Oh, Lord, be with me now,” since not only is He with us, we’re with Him—forever and always. We’re in Him, united with Him, and everyone in heaven knows it. This is one reason why you and I need regular revivals, great awakenings to who we are and where we’re from. Think of it as getting desperately needed oxygen, not because you’re so high up and there is no air, but because your earthly experience is so low down and the air is awful—and foreign.

Our interaction with Christians often has a lot to do with giving them the air from home, the oxygen of heaven. Picture a scuba diver many feet deep in the ocean of this world, and you’ve pretty much got the idea of a Christian’s experience in this lifetime. I bet you’ve felt it.

There have been many times where, burdened by the things and situations of this world, I began feeling like I couldn’t breathe. Have you ever had that? With the pressure getting to me, never once have I felt better by simply working harder. That has often, however, been the temptation. What always saved me and what saves me today is the air of my homeland—the gospel, the truth about God and the truth about me with Him, which the Holy Spirit uses to sort of oxygenate my blood. I’m revived, I feel much better because I’m breathing fresh air again, the air of heaven. That’s my air. I bet it’s yours, too.

That’s why I love the Bible—It’s pure oxygen, baby!—and why I’m always on the lookout for great Christian books and music that fill me with the pure air of heaven. Get all you can—you can’t live without breathing. (See my recommended book list at http://lifecourse.org/Recommends.html.)

These days are a foreign missionary experience in the depths of this world, where dangers abound and breathing is at times difficult. But I look forward to the day when I’ll pop up on the surface of heaven, mask, tanks and wetsuit removed—not needed—and take my first big breath. I know I’ll recognize the air.

(This is a transcript of yesterday’s video, “How To Help People Breathe,” and is for those who might rather read than watch. To see the video, click http://youtu.be/_mja076v0XU.)

How To Help People Breathe

Got 3 minutes?  If you’ve ever had difficulty breathing because of stress or fear, here’s some help with the oxygen you need.

The God Who Is

Frankly, most of us believe in "The God Who Is Not."  Much of what He does for us, then, is to uncover and disabuse us of the lunacy that injures us by replacing it with truth and Himself.  It’s His pleasure to save us so we may know Him — “The God Who Is.”  That's a pretty good deal, don’t you think?  We really are His workmanship, and that's what He thinks our days are all about.

Christmas Gift?

For those who’ve been waiting, I just now received a new supply of my book, and I’ll begin shipping past orders tomorrow! Looking for a Christmas gift? While you could order from amazon or barnesandnoble and actually pay more with them if you want to, you can save a few bucks by ordering from me—and I’ll not only sign it but ship it to you for FREE! (Continental USA only.) For more information (reviews, etc.) and to order, go to http://lifecourse.org/Ralphs_Book.html

The Pause For Life

One of my favorite things to do is to pause in my mind and to ask the question, "Holy Spirit, what do you think?  What are you feeling?" Often I get an answer to my question, or at least a fruit, an evidence of the Holy Spirit in me—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control—which is, in fact, an answer. And I follow through on what I receive, even if it’s simply to enjoy what God is doing with me.  That’s enough, isn’t it?  He knows what He’s doing.  He’s been God for a long time now, so I don’t think we need to worry about His ability(!).  And I love the Spirit’s work of making Christ in me obvious, if even just to me. That’s a big deal.  I’ll let Him take care of working outside what He’s working inside.

This is what the apostle Paul wanted for the wavering Galatians—that Christ would be formed in them.  And this is one of the best ways by which I know that’s happening for me.  I love it.  I’ve not found anything better than knowing that God is actually in me.

If my life is indeed in Christ, then I look for it there. Otherwise, I'm just fumbling in the darkness of this world like everyone else.  But that doesn’t fit me—and maybe not you, either. I simply and deeply enjoy being attracted to what I cannot see, rather than confused by what I can.   One look keeps me free and knowing God, while the other binds and frustrates me.  You know how that feels?

Paul wrote to the Corinthians:  “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

We are eternal beings of great glory and are found in the unseen, in the invisible arena, which is what makes “momentary troubles” lighter and perhaps more navigable. 

Pause toward the Holy Spirit today—He’s all about life, yours and His.

(This is a transcript of yesterday's video, "The Pause For Life," and is for those who might rather read than watch.  To see the video, scroll down or click 

http://youtu.be/6OHQ9BI8aH0.)

The Pause For Life

Do you ever grow weary of fumbling and knocking your way through life and wonder, “What the heck?”  Give 3.5 minutes to this and see if you don’t come away with hope and a greater awareness of God’s life for you.

THANKSGIVING-THEMED MOVIES YOU PROBABLY WON'T SEE

THANKSGIVING-THEMED MOVIES YOU PROBABLY WON'T SEE

14. To Kill A Walking Bird

13. My Best Friend's Dressing

12. The Texas Coleslaw Massacre

11. Casserolablanca

10. The Fabulous Baster Boys

9. 12 Hungry Men

8. Silence of the Yams

7. For Love of The Game Hen

6. I Know What You Ate Last Winter

5. All the President's Menu

4. White Meat Can't Jump

3. When Harry Met Salad

2. The Story of U.S.

and the #1 Upcoming Thanksgiving-Themed Movie...

1. The Wing and I

20 Things To Say

By now you know that I like short and meaningful videos, whether my own or not. When you've got 3.5 minutes, check this out -- you'll be glad.  (Click on the link below.)

http://9gag.tv/v/1823

God Is A Trashman

Does a big behemoth of a trash truck thrill you? Around my house, we think they’re wonderful.

For several years whenever any of us, Ellen, Emma, Sarah or I, heard the low rumble of the approaching beast, we would shriek in various keys and styles, and run to the window to glimpse the lumbering removal system. What a spectacle. The big-as-a-house creature would sort of squat down and unfurl one of its alien-like arms. This appendage of deliverance would deftly reach out and grasp our cowering container of garbage, hoist it skyward, and forcefully shake it until it expended every last vestige of foulness.

We cheered.

Our comparatively diminutive container, which, resting in the street had previously looked happy enough, immediately appeared somehow grateful—like it had suddenly realized it was never supposed to be happy when stuffed full, and that its friend was the trash truck. As it rumbled away, we always waved goodbye. “Thank you, Mr. Trash Truck and Mr. Trash Man! Thank you for taking our trash! We love you! See you next week!”

The truth is, we still cheer Mr. Trash Man. Just last night I encouraged my youngest daughter to welcome His work.

For some time now my family and I have likened the Holy Spirit’s effort within us to that of the trash man. Pardon us if you’re offended by our comparison, but consider God’s directive: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). We know by experience what I’ll bet you do, too. God isn’t particularly thrilled just because we set out our trashy anxieties, whether by the confession of sin or by the expression of our fears; He is interested in caring for us.

God’s care for me (and His care for you) doesn’t come only when I’m doing well and loving life, but when I’m doing poorly and full of garbage. Sin, failures and fears often whisper to us that we’ve got to stop them—Stop them right now!—but they never suggest we immediately offer ourselves to God who can do something about them. And sin, failures and fears never bring up Jesus’ ability concerning struggles and temptations, either. Maybe you’ve noticed. Yet He faced every struggle and temptation we’ve had and disposed of them. All of them. He is expert!

And where is this Jesus today? He is in you and me. And He is in my wife and daughters. Look, you’re not full of garbage—God lives in you! But sometimes you’ll feel like you are. Don’t believe it; it’s a lie directed at the glory of God in you, the evidence of what He has done for you.

That’s why one of our pet names for God is The Trash Man. When we know that one of us is beleaguered we might say something like, “I wonder what the Trash Man might do for you?” Immediately we know what’s meant: God is good and amazing in the middle of sin, failures and fears, struggle and temptation. He’s good with us, and He’s always about freedom and purity—He’s a sanitation expert! He knows how to make and keep the majesty of His Bride.

You’ll never ever be an offense to Him. He cares for you in anything and everything, no matter what. Talk with Him and call upon Him when the trash is threatening—when you feel like you’re an inside mess of contradiction: “Father, I’m feeling awful and ugly things inside, but I wonder if you might have something you’d like to do with me—the real me that you know even better than I do, since you live in me, the real me that you created. . .”

His care for you will be evident, and you’ll learn more quickly to welcome Mr. Trash Man.

(This is a transcript of yesterday's video, “God Is A Trashman,” and is for those who might rather read than watch. To see the video, click http://youtu.be/qiA0Fi3ikNg.)

God Is A Trashman

Do you ever feel like you’re full of trash?  Does it seem like good feelings and bad feelings collide inside of you, making an awful mess?  Take 6 minutes to see what God likes to do in you when things get messy.

The Worst Lies of Religion

Let’s talk about everybody’s favorite topic, “Religion” — the suggested rules of godliness.  At its worst, religion entraps people by suggesting and encouraging “one day.”

“One day you’ll be holy.”  “One day you’ll have it together.” “One day you’ll be closer to God.”  “One day He will bless you.”  “One day you will be fully surrendered and committed to God.”  “One day you will become what God wants you to be.”  Won’t that be great, one day?

Do you see the trap?  Religion, at its worst, suggests you’re not holy, which means Jesus didn’t make you that way after all.  You’re still dirty and sinful, even though He thinks you are not.  Might that affect your relationship with Him and your approach to Him, and maybe your prayer life? 

Religion motivates you to work and focus on becoming better, because Jesus didn’t make you complete, finished and perfect in Himself.  Sooo, you’ve got work to do, even though He thinks you don’t, because He did it all already. 

Religion promotes the possibility of drawing closer to God, which implies what?  That you’re not now.  Better figure out what’s standing between you and God, even though He thinks there’s nothing between the two of you that’s bad and that’s causing distance. 

Religion induces you to keep striving in faithfulness because there’s a blessing He will give you that He hasn’t yet—a blessing that depends upon your faithfulness, rather than upon HIS faithfulness.  So you’d better keep tithing, keep praying, keep witnessing, and keep being nice because the blessing train is coming (“It’s right around the bend!”), even though He thinks that He has already arrived in you.  If He is the train, then you’re the station.

Religion suggests that you are still against God somehow and stubbornly resistant—that’s how you are—but if you try hard enough, you will eventually become real friends and get along.  Won’t that be great?  And, living the “surrendered life,” you will finally be useful, even though He thinks you’re entirely compatible already.

Religion falsely encourages you that, while you are not now much of anything, one day you will finally give yourself a really good scrubbing and arrive.  You know, “God’s gift to you is life; your gift to God is what you make of it”, even though He thinks His work in you is plenty already.  He actually knew what He was doing.  He’s finished.

The six statements I made at the beginning of this (there are plenty more) suggest the lie that you don’t have everything that God thinks you do and that you’re not actually right now in Christ, who earned it all, who provides it all, and who maintains it all—right now and forever for you.  In fact, you are fantastically wealthy and secure because of Him, and believing it is how you live!   That’s the life of faith—believing that in Christ, you’re safe because He did it and you’ve got it all.   Religion that entraps encourages you to see yourself (and others, such as your kids) as outside of Christ, with a whole lot of stuff to do so that YOU can earn what He hasn’t, so that YOU can provide what He won’t or might not, and so YOU can maintain—keep things together!—what He cannot.  That is not the gospel.  That is anti-Christ.

Fortunately, we’ve already received “the promised eternal inheritance” (see Hebrews 9:15), and we’re becoming more and more convinced about how God is toward us and for us and in us, and we trust and glory in His ability, in Him, “. . . who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.  Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).  That’s the faith!  We believe in Him, that He is perfect and good, and that He is in us, and we’re secure because of it.

So let’s help each other with the truth—big, heaping platefuls, served regularly and at all hours!  That’s how we’re nourished and how we can resist the lies, no matter where they come from.

Because of Jesus, one day has arrived.

(This is a transcript of an earlier video, “The Worst Lies of Religion,” and is for those who might rather read than watch.  To see the video—and more like it—click http://youtu.be/bB5qWV1TKPE.)