In Isaiah five we’re presented with six woes. First To covetous land owners who buy up all the land until there is a shortage of houses and land. They live in splendor while others, their own country men, have no place to live.
Secondly is to alcoholics who wake early in the morning to drink, and continue to drink late into the night. Isaiah says “they do not pay attention to the deeds of the Lord, nor do they consider the work of His hands”. He also adds “My people will go into exile for their lack of knowledge”.
The third woe is given to people who challenge, or dare, God to bring on His judgement through their “chords of falsehood” or lies.
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.”
Isaiah’s fifth woe is to the people who are wise in their own eyes. These people think they know it all, and they can’t be told anything.
The last woe is to people in authority who take bribes. These people justify evil through their bribes and take away the rights of the righteous.
When I first read through these woes I realized there are some parallels which can be drawn between Judah in Isaiah’s time and the world we live in today. What do you think? Does Judah sound a little like North America?
I think the more significant part of chapter five though is found in the first few verses. “Now let me sing to my Well-beloved a song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard on a very fruitful hill. He dug it up and cleared out its stones, and planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, and also made a winepress in it; so He expected it to bring forth good grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes. "And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard. What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?”
Think for a second about the life of the Christian. Can I draw some more parallels?
First off God chose the best location for His vineyard (on a very fertile hill). Guess what, God chose you! Ephesians 1:4 says “just as He chose us in Him [Christ] before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love”. We were chosen by God. God has a reason for choosing us, it’s not random, or by chance He has a purpose for us.
To plant the vineyard God would have had to cultivate the land (He dug it up and cleared out it’s stones). God cultivates the Christian by giving him a new nature, or a “new heart” as we often say.
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anyone compare the sin nature to stones, but this is kind of what it’s like. The farmer removes the stones from his field every year (I’m not sure this would happen in a vineyard). Through out the process of planting and plowing more stones are brought up to the surface, which the farmer removes before planting again. I think this is a picture of the believers maturity process. We are saved the moment we believe, but the rest of our time on earth God will be picking the stones of sin and self from our life. We call this sanctification.
God chose the best vines for His vineyard (planted it with the choicest vines). In John 15 Jesus says “I am the true vine, and My Father is The Vinedresser.” Later on He says “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” What else can be said? Jesus Christ is THE VINE! God’s choice vine is the best!
God protected the vineyard (He built a tower in its midst). What better protection can there be then to be “in Christ”? Romans 8:31 says “What then shall we say to these things then? If God is for us who can be against us?” And later on in verse 38 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created things, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We have protection in Christ. This is just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to be said about the believer’s protection in Christ.
Expecting a good harvest the vinedresser prepares a winepress. However He never gets the fruit He expected, instead He gets sour grapes. I think, unfortunately, this is a parallel to many believers. I have to be honest, this is a parallel to my life too. God is waiting for us to produce fruit, to yield a good harvest. All to often He's given sour grapes.
God has given us so much. We should yield for Him lives of commitment, faith, obedience, and service. Instead, like the children of Israel we tend to be disobedient, rebellious, and given to idolatry.
Sigh!
God asks “What more was there to do for My Vineyard that I have not done with it?” The answer... nothing! What more could God do for us... nothing! Our response to The Vinedresser should be lives of commitment, obedience, thanksgiving, love, worship, and service.
Let’s consider our lives. What’s your response to the vinedresser?
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
How Do You Measure Success?
How do we measure success?
SCENT youth has grown in the last year or two. We have three church youth groups mixed into one. We have around fifty people showing up on a Friday night. Are we now successful?
I say "not necessarily".
What then is the measure of success? What's the plumb line we use to gauge the success of a ministry or a life?
I think commitment is the barometer by which we measure success.
First there needs to be commitment to Christ. When people's hearts are changing and they're turning to Christ, now there's success. When the lukewarm Christian gets a fire lit under them and begins to boil, that's success.
When a group or a person become committed to the Word of God, that's success. When we're willing to follow His Word, regardless of consequences. When we put off the things of the world because they don't line up with Scripture. When we pass every decision through the pages of scripture, we're committed to God's word. Success is sure to follow.
Thirdly is prayer. I can't say this is my strong point. When God's people are committed to prayer, regardless of any outcome, this is a mark of success.
How committed are you to the lost? Do you care? What are you doing about it? I consider it a success to see a group that's committed to seeking out the lost in order to build the kingdom of God.
Lastly when a person or a group is committed to the Body of Christ, that's success. Look around your church or your group. Is there twenty percent doing eighty percent of the work? Sorry that's not success. When a person is committed to the Body they're using their gifts. If a group of fifty people are just there and not getting "plugged in" to the body there's little success. If you find yourself on the side lines watching the action, that's not success. The amount of participation in a congregation is a measuring tool of where they're at.
Don't be fooled. Things like givings, attendance, and being on the "cutting edge" of the times are not bad. But don't allow those things to be your gauge of success. Look at the commitment of yourself and those around you, then ask are we successful?
One last thought...
It's been said (I don't know by who) "the appropriate goal is not success, but excellence." I agree with this one hundred percent. Let's set a goal of achieving excellence, and not merely settling for success!
SCENT youth has grown in the last year or two. We have three church youth groups mixed into one. We have around fifty people showing up on a Friday night. Are we now successful?
I say "not necessarily".
What then is the measure of success? What's the plumb line we use to gauge the success of a ministry or a life?
I think commitment is the barometer by which we measure success.
First there needs to be commitment to Christ. When people's hearts are changing and they're turning to Christ, now there's success. When the lukewarm Christian gets a fire lit under them and begins to boil, that's success.
When a group or a person become committed to the Word of God, that's success. When we're willing to follow His Word, regardless of consequences. When we put off the things of the world because they don't line up with Scripture. When we pass every decision through the pages of scripture, we're committed to God's word. Success is sure to follow.
Thirdly is prayer. I can't say this is my strong point. When God's people are committed to prayer, regardless of any outcome, this is a mark of success.
How committed are you to the lost? Do you care? What are you doing about it? I consider it a success to see a group that's committed to seeking out the lost in order to build the kingdom of God.
Lastly when a person or a group is committed to the Body of Christ, that's success. Look around your church or your group. Is there twenty percent doing eighty percent of the work? Sorry that's not success. When a person is committed to the Body they're using their gifts. If a group of fifty people are just there and not getting "plugged in" to the body there's little success. If you find yourself on the side lines watching the action, that's not success. The amount of participation in a congregation is a measuring tool of where they're at.
Don't be fooled. Things like givings, attendance, and being on the "cutting edge" of the times are not bad. But don't allow those things to be your gauge of success. Look at the commitment of yourself and those around you, then ask are we successful?
One last thought...
It's been said (I don't know by who) "the appropriate goal is not success, but excellence." I agree with this one hundred percent. Let's set a goal of achieving excellence, and not merely settling for success!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Pastor Urges Christian Parents to Avoid 'Fortress Mentality'
By Kenneth Chan
Christian Post Correspondent
Mon, Mar. 23 2009
Throughout the world, there are believers spreading the light of Christ in the darkest areas.
And as Jesus had done, many are going out and reaching to those labeled by society as the worst of sinners.
No doubt, there are often risks involved – risks that missionaries, pastors, chaplains, evangelists, and even everyday Christians choose to take for the proclamation of the gospel.
But are they risks that their parents would be willing to allow them to take if the decision was up to them?
That will likely depend on what their age is and what types of risks are being discussed here.
At a recent gathering of more than 3,000 children’s ministry workers, Pastor Larry Shallenberger encountered some unexpected resistance when leading a workshop on cultural trends that affect children’s ministry.
“We talked about the risks of raising children who were serious about bringing Jesus to all the children in their classrooms,” Shallenberger reported on Friday, recalling the events from the day before.
“The concern was that if we teach our children to have concern for ‘bad kids’ and to befriend them that their character would suffer,” he recalled in his personal blog.
While Shallenberger, pastor of Next Generations Ministries at Grace Church in Erie, Penn., said he is aware that a verse in the book of Proverbs says bad company corrupts good character, he also notes that “the savior of our children dined with famous sinners.”
“If our children are to imitate Jesus they are going to need to learn how to enjoy the rough kids in their class without being changed by them,” he says.
The idea of allowing or even encouraging their children to befriend “bad kids,” however, will not likely sit well with many parents, especially parents of teenagers.
When asked to identify the most significant or challenging issues facing their teenagers, most parents participating in a 2007 Barna survey listed peer pressure (42 percent), followed by performance in school (16 percent) and substance abuse (16 percent). Among parents of younger children, peer pressure was the second most significant or challenging issue mentioned (24 percent). Topping the list for parents of children was school performance (26 percent).
Parents of teens especially have reason to worry considering that young adults under 25 were found by a Barna poll late last year to be more than twice as likely as all other adults to engage in behaviors considered morally inappropriate by traditional standards.
Furthermore, the percentage of young people plagued by peer pressure issues more than doubles once a child reaches high school, George Barna of the Barna Group noted in his analysis of the 2007 study.
When asked by one participant of last week’s workshop if parents could teach their children to love their classmates without being friends with them, Shallenberger said the answer, in one word, is “no.”
“I’m convinced that children’s pastors need to cast a vision to families to raise children willing to serve and love lost people,” says Shallenberger.
And for parents who are concerned that their children will pick up sins while engaging “moral misfits,” Shallenberger says the only safeguard parents can offer their children is love.
“If our children are passionate about loving God and loving their neighbor (all of them) they will less likely to contaminate themselves,” he argues.
Furthermore, there may be greater risks in keeping children inside a protective “fortress” rather than properly equipping them for life in the world.
“We ... build these walls in a sincere but misguided effort to protect our children,” Shallenberger says.
However, Shallenberger says life “inside the fortress” creates an “Us-Them game” and builds boredom, cynicism, and legalism in children.
“God has given us children to develop. We are to multiply their talents and passions,” he says, referring to the parable of talents told by Jesus to his disciples.
“We are to give them a passion for lost people. If we bury these young ‘talents’ in an effort to not lose them, even for the most noble of reasons, we become the evil and lazy servant,” Shallenberger adds.
In mulling the tension between protecting children and raising Christ followers, Shallenberger came up with seven initial thoughts.
• There are no guarantees in parenting. There are no formulas.
• God loves our children. He is not asking us to discard our own children to reach the lost.
• If we raise children to hide behind our “fortress” they will grow up living behind the fortress.
• If our children watch us repairing our walls by being judgmental and hypocritical, they will grow up to do the same thing.
• There is no way to eliminate risk in the parenting process. (I’m the father of three sons).
• We need to challenge our children at age appropriate levels. I’m NOT advocating tossing our kids to the wolves.
• We still don’t believe that the two Great Loves are among the “Fundamentals.”
Shallenberger’s workshop was one of 60 that were presented during the course of last week’s “Conspire” conference, hosted by the Willow Creek Association in South Barrington, Ill.
Children’s ministry leaders representing 1,000 churches of varying styles, sizes, and locations gathered for the Mar. 18-20 event, which has been held annually under different names since 2003.
This year’s conference was held just a week after a study released by The Barna Group revealed that less than one percent of the youngest adult generation in America, those between ages 18 and 23, has a biblical worldview.
Furthermore, a study last month by LifeWay Research found that the majority of parents (60 percent) heavily rely on their own experiences growing up for parenting guidance but only one-fifth say they receive a lot of guidance from sacred text such as the Bible or Koran.
“We believe that when the church and home are working together in partnership, a child will be spiritually formed for a lifetime,” organizers of “Conspire” say.
The conference’s name, “Conspire,” is the combination of the words “connect” and “inspire.”
Christian Post Correspondent
Mon, Mar. 23 2009
Throughout the world, there are believers spreading the light of Christ in the darkest areas.
And as Jesus had done, many are going out and reaching to those labeled by society as the worst of sinners.
No doubt, there are often risks involved – risks that missionaries, pastors, chaplains, evangelists, and even everyday Christians choose to take for the proclamation of the gospel.
But are they risks that their parents would be willing to allow them to take if the decision was up to them?
That will likely depend on what their age is and what types of risks are being discussed here.
At a recent gathering of more than 3,000 children’s ministry workers, Pastor Larry Shallenberger encountered some unexpected resistance when leading a workshop on cultural trends that affect children’s ministry.
“We talked about the risks of raising children who were serious about bringing Jesus to all the children in their classrooms,” Shallenberger reported on Friday, recalling the events from the day before.
“The concern was that if we teach our children to have concern for ‘bad kids’ and to befriend them that their character would suffer,” he recalled in his personal blog.
While Shallenberger, pastor of Next Generations Ministries at Grace Church in Erie, Penn., said he is aware that a verse in the book of Proverbs says bad company corrupts good character, he also notes that “the savior of our children dined with famous sinners.”
“If our children are to imitate Jesus they are going to need to learn how to enjoy the rough kids in their class without being changed by them,” he says.
The idea of allowing or even encouraging their children to befriend “bad kids,” however, will not likely sit well with many parents, especially parents of teenagers.
When asked to identify the most significant or challenging issues facing their teenagers, most parents participating in a 2007 Barna survey listed peer pressure (42 percent), followed by performance in school (16 percent) and substance abuse (16 percent). Among parents of younger children, peer pressure was the second most significant or challenging issue mentioned (24 percent). Topping the list for parents of children was school performance (26 percent).
Parents of teens especially have reason to worry considering that young adults under 25 were found by a Barna poll late last year to be more than twice as likely as all other adults to engage in behaviors considered morally inappropriate by traditional standards.
Furthermore, the percentage of young people plagued by peer pressure issues more than doubles once a child reaches high school, George Barna of the Barna Group noted in his analysis of the 2007 study.
When asked by one participant of last week’s workshop if parents could teach their children to love their classmates without being friends with them, Shallenberger said the answer, in one word, is “no.”
“I’m convinced that children’s pastors need to cast a vision to families to raise children willing to serve and love lost people,” says Shallenberger.
And for parents who are concerned that their children will pick up sins while engaging “moral misfits,” Shallenberger says the only safeguard parents can offer their children is love.
“If our children are passionate about loving God and loving their neighbor (all of them) they will less likely to contaminate themselves,” he argues.
Furthermore, there may be greater risks in keeping children inside a protective “fortress” rather than properly equipping them for life in the world.
“We ... build these walls in a sincere but misguided effort to protect our children,” Shallenberger says.
However, Shallenberger says life “inside the fortress” creates an “Us-Them game” and builds boredom, cynicism, and legalism in children.
“God has given us children to develop. We are to multiply their talents and passions,” he says, referring to the parable of talents told by Jesus to his disciples.
“We are to give them a passion for lost people. If we bury these young ‘talents’ in an effort to not lose them, even for the most noble of reasons, we become the evil and lazy servant,” Shallenberger adds.
In mulling the tension between protecting children and raising Christ followers, Shallenberger came up with seven initial thoughts.
• There are no guarantees in parenting. There are no formulas.
• God loves our children. He is not asking us to discard our own children to reach the lost.
• If we raise children to hide behind our “fortress” they will grow up living behind the fortress.
• If our children watch us repairing our walls by being judgmental and hypocritical, they will grow up to do the same thing.
• There is no way to eliminate risk in the parenting process. (I’m the father of three sons).
• We need to challenge our children at age appropriate levels. I’m NOT advocating tossing our kids to the wolves.
• We still don’t believe that the two Great Loves are among the “Fundamentals.”
Shallenberger’s workshop was one of 60 that were presented during the course of last week’s “Conspire” conference, hosted by the Willow Creek Association in South Barrington, Ill.
Children’s ministry leaders representing 1,000 churches of varying styles, sizes, and locations gathered for the Mar. 18-20 event, which has been held annually under different names since 2003.
This year’s conference was held just a week after a study released by The Barna Group revealed that less than one percent of the youngest adult generation in America, those between ages 18 and 23, has a biblical worldview.
Furthermore, a study last month by LifeWay Research found that the majority of parents (60 percent) heavily rely on their own experiences growing up for parenting guidance but only one-fifth say they receive a lot of guidance from sacred text such as the Bible or Koran.
“We believe that when the church and home are working together in partnership, a child will be spiritually formed for a lifetime,” organizers of “Conspire” say.
The conference’s name, “Conspire,” is the combination of the words “connect” and “inspire.”
May The Words Of My Mouth
by Tim Hughes
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
Bless Your name, bless Your name, Jesus
And the deeds of the day and the truth in my ways
Speak of You, speak of You, Jesus
Lord, will You be my vision, Lord, will You be my guide
Be my hope, be my light and the way
And I'll look not for riches, nor praises on earth
Only You'll be the first of my heart
For this is what I'm glad to do
It's time to live a life of love that pleases You
And I will give my all to You
Surrender everything I have and follow You
I'll follow You
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
Bless Your name, bless Your name, Jesus
And the deeds of the day and the truth in my ways
Speak of You, speak of You, Jesus
Lord, will You be my vision, Lord, will You be my guide
Be my hope, be my light and the way
And I'll look not for riches, nor praises on earth
Only You'll be the first of my heart
For this is what I'm glad to do
It's time to live a life of love that pleases You
And I will give my all to You
Surrender everything I have and follow You
I'll follow You
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Isaiah Three
Chaos!
Isaiah 3 & 4 is foretelling a time of complete anarchy for the nation of Judah. Food and water will be in short supply. Leaders will be chosen at random. Children will rule over adults. The young men will die in war. Women will want so bad to have a family they will take hold of a man and agree to support themselves.
God is a God of order. He’s in control. His ways are the best ways. Possibly the worst judgment God can hand out it to back off, and let things go their own way. Isaiah chapter 3 is a picture of what happens when God does just that.
The opposite of chaos is peace.
This is a no brainer. Obedience to God = peace. Disobedience to God = chaos.
Had Judah submitted to God things would have been as they were supposed to be. However they continued to choose their own way, rejecting God. Isaiah is warning them. Continue in your sin and this is what will happen.
If we continue is sin we will experience chaos. The chaos I’m thinking of is the internal struggle and striving that goes on inside of us. The kind that sticks in our mind. The kind that seems to have no relief.
If we submit to God we’ll experience peace. The peace I’m thinking of is the inner peace (because live is still busy!). The peace which somehow keeps us as we go through the storms of life.
God is a God of order. This is just as true for me the individual, as it is for the universe.
Let’s get, and keep, our lives in order. Submit to God, and let Him keep us from chaos. Let Him order our lives.
Isaiah 3 & 4 is foretelling a time of complete anarchy for the nation of Judah. Food and water will be in short supply. Leaders will be chosen at random. Children will rule over adults. The young men will die in war. Women will want so bad to have a family they will take hold of a man and agree to support themselves.
God is a God of order. He’s in control. His ways are the best ways. Possibly the worst judgment God can hand out it to back off, and let things go their own way. Isaiah chapter 3 is a picture of what happens when God does just that.
The opposite of chaos is peace.
This is a no brainer. Obedience to God = peace. Disobedience to God = chaos.
Had Judah submitted to God things would have been as they were supposed to be. However they continued to choose their own way, rejecting God. Isaiah is warning them. Continue in your sin and this is what will happen.
If we continue is sin we will experience chaos. The chaos I’m thinking of is the internal struggle and striving that goes on inside of us. The kind that sticks in our mind. The kind that seems to have no relief.
If we submit to God we’ll experience peace. The peace I’m thinking of is the inner peace (because live is still busy!). The peace which somehow keeps us as we go through the storms of life.
God is a God of order. This is just as true for me the individual, as it is for the universe.
Let’s get, and keep, our lives in order. Submit to God, and let Him keep us from chaos. Let Him order our lives.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Christ Is My Joy
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8
This is a verse I’ve been thinking of a lot the last few weeks.
What I find interesting about this passage is it’s in the context of Paul talking about Joy.
I guess I’ve always thought of this passage in regards to transforming my mind. Just like the Romans twelve passage. This makes sense with the rest of the passage too. In verse seven Paul is talking about guarding their hearts and minds. However I think Paul is saying more in this passage.
We need to make a connection between Joy, and what we meditate on. It makes sense! If Christ is my Joy, and my heart and mind is only half on Him, does it not stand to reason the best I’ll ever have is half Joy?
If all I have is half Joy, can I ever learn to be really content?
If I’m never really content, what is there in this life worth living for?
If I let the things of the world, the things which don’t fit Paul’s description from verse eight, into my heart and mind I will be a man who is divided. My soul won’t experience Joy, instead it will be torn and confused. Some of me to Christ, and some of me to the world.
Our though life will enable us or keep us from experiencing Joy in life. I want to live my life in the Joy of Christ, letting my “gentleness be known to all men.” To do so I have to get my though life in line with Him.
Look at the promise from verse nine “... these do, and the God of peace [the peace which surpasses all understanding v.7] will be with you.”
It’s time to get our minds lined up with Christ’s. Let’s live in true Joy.
This is a verse I’ve been thinking of a lot the last few weeks.
What I find interesting about this passage is it’s in the context of Paul talking about Joy.
I guess I’ve always thought of this passage in regards to transforming my mind. Just like the Romans twelve passage. This makes sense with the rest of the passage too. In verse seven Paul is talking about guarding their hearts and minds. However I think Paul is saying more in this passage.
We need to make a connection between Joy, and what we meditate on. It makes sense! If Christ is my Joy, and my heart and mind is only half on Him, does it not stand to reason the best I’ll ever have is half Joy?
If all I have is half Joy, can I ever learn to be really content?
If I’m never really content, what is there in this life worth living for?
If I let the things of the world, the things which don’t fit Paul’s description from verse eight, into my heart and mind I will be a man who is divided. My soul won’t experience Joy, instead it will be torn and confused. Some of me to Christ, and some of me to the world.
Our though life will enable us or keep us from experiencing Joy in life. I want to live my life in the Joy of Christ, letting my “gentleness be known to all men.” To do so I have to get my though life in line with Him.
Look at the promise from verse nine “... these do, and the God of peace [the peace which surpasses all understanding v.7] will be with you.”
It’s time to get our minds lined up with Christ’s. Let’s live in true Joy.
My Rebuttal To Joey Martin On 94.5 The Bull
Hey Joey
I don't often listen to your show “Get In The Ring”. I work nights and only get the opportunity if I'm close to a radio at work. I'm a unionized employee at Wescast so your show this past Monday night held special interest to me.
There was one thing that really ticked me off about your show last night. Why are people so down on our youth?
I wasn't able to catch all of your show, so please forgive me if I'm taking what I heard out of context.
It absolutely infuriates me when people talk down to our youth, saying they don't work, or are lazy. I think people who make these statements have no facts to base them on, and they reek of self-righteousness and intolerance.
Why is it when an adult goes out with his or her friends and spends their cash at the bar getting drunk we call it a good time. However if a youth spends his or her time and money with friends playing PlayStation it's a waste. Does that really make sense to you?
Things like work ethic aren't taught. Rather they are caught. Meaning those are the things we "pick up" from our parents, mentors, or older co-workers. If (underlined) our young people are lazy it's only because they have learned it from us. It's not them, it's us who have dropped the ball. We need to stop pointing our fingers, and look at ourselves. Change, if indeed that’s what’s needed, will not come through us standing in judgment over our youth.
At Wescast I had the opportunity to work with some really great students. To be honest I would say the percentage of students who "didn't want to work" is equal to the adults in the exact same category. A few adult workers had such a bad attitude towards the students no matter what they did they were in the wrong. I worry people in the community adopt the same negative attitude, and to them a youth has failed before they've had the chance to prove themselves either way.
My wife and I have been working as volunteer youth leaders since 2001. Our current group is made up of 40 to 50 youth, most of who are industrious, hard working, and most importantly are concerned with the community they live in. They wish to be involved in making a difference, and aren't afraid to "roll up their sleeves" and get a little dirty to do it. I dare you to come out with me on a Friday night and meet a group of youth who will blow the perceived stereotype out of the water!
Last June the Maitland River Commiunity Church in Wingham held an event called H2O. They gathered youth from various churches and groups through out the Wingham area and they committed random acts of kindness. These young people worked their rears off! They did tasks from sweeping the sidewalks of down town Wingham to painting houses and small carpentry work. All for free, to be servants and to have fun! I don't remember the number of jobs completed, but I think people would have been blown away by what was accomplished by this group of teens.
I believe the issue is most adults don't understand our youth. Worst yet, they don't try to. Why is this? When I hear people talk about how "bad" the youth are, too often they have no names to associate to their criticisms. How can we make a call on the state of young people when our closest encounter is looking at them through the windows of our cars as we pass through town?
Times have changed. In fact paradigm shift in our culture are happening at an alarming rate these days (every 3 to 5 years versus every 20 not too long ago). Rather than bucking change we, as adults, need to be ready and willing to change with the times.
A very wise man once penned these words. "Come mothers and fathers throughout the land and don't criticize what you can't understand. Your sons and your daughters have yond your command your old road is rapidly agin'. Please get out of the new one if you can't lend your hand for the times they are a-changin'." I think the words of Bob Dylan are more pertinent today then they were in the 60's.
We need to get involved in the lives of our young people, on their turf, before we slam them. Our youth are going to change the world, and if we don’t get off our high horses and work together, we’ll be left behind.
Good show last night.
I don't often listen to your show “Get In The Ring”. I work nights and only get the opportunity if I'm close to a radio at work. I'm a unionized employee at Wescast so your show this past Monday night held special interest to me.
There was one thing that really ticked me off about your show last night. Why are people so down on our youth?
I wasn't able to catch all of your show, so please forgive me if I'm taking what I heard out of context.
It absolutely infuriates me when people talk down to our youth, saying they don't work, or are lazy. I think people who make these statements have no facts to base them on, and they reek of self-righteousness and intolerance.
Why is it when an adult goes out with his or her friends and spends their cash at the bar getting drunk we call it a good time. However if a youth spends his or her time and money with friends playing PlayStation it's a waste. Does that really make sense to you?
Things like work ethic aren't taught. Rather they are caught. Meaning those are the things we "pick up" from our parents, mentors, or older co-workers. If (underlined) our young people are lazy it's only because they have learned it from us. It's not them, it's us who have dropped the ball. We need to stop pointing our fingers, and look at ourselves. Change, if indeed that’s what’s needed, will not come through us standing in judgment over our youth.
At Wescast I had the opportunity to work with some really great students. To be honest I would say the percentage of students who "didn't want to work" is equal to the adults in the exact same category. A few adult workers had such a bad attitude towards the students no matter what they did they were in the wrong. I worry people in the community adopt the same negative attitude, and to them a youth has failed before they've had the chance to prove themselves either way.
My wife and I have been working as volunteer youth leaders since 2001. Our current group is made up of 40 to 50 youth, most of who are industrious, hard working, and most importantly are concerned with the community they live in. They wish to be involved in making a difference, and aren't afraid to "roll up their sleeves" and get a little dirty to do it. I dare you to come out with me on a Friday night and meet a group of youth who will blow the perceived stereotype out of the water!
Last June the Maitland River Commiunity Church in Wingham held an event called H2O. They gathered youth from various churches and groups through out the Wingham area and they committed random acts of kindness. These young people worked their rears off! They did tasks from sweeping the sidewalks of down town Wingham to painting houses and small carpentry work. All for free, to be servants and to have fun! I don't remember the number of jobs completed, but I think people would have been blown away by what was accomplished by this group of teens.
I believe the issue is most adults don't understand our youth. Worst yet, they don't try to. Why is this? When I hear people talk about how "bad" the youth are, too often they have no names to associate to their criticisms. How can we make a call on the state of young people when our closest encounter is looking at them through the windows of our cars as we pass through town?
Times have changed. In fact paradigm shift in our culture are happening at an alarming rate these days (every 3 to 5 years versus every 20 not too long ago). Rather than bucking change we, as adults, need to be ready and willing to change with the times.
A very wise man once penned these words. "Come mothers and fathers throughout the land and don't criticize what you can't understand. Your sons and your daughters have yond your command your old road is rapidly agin'. Please get out of the new one if you can't lend your hand for the times they are a-changin'." I think the words of Bob Dylan are more pertinent today then they were in the 60's.
We need to get involved in the lives of our young people, on their turf, before we slam them. Our youth are going to change the world, and if we don’t get off our high horses and work together, we’ll be left behind.
Good show last night.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Isaiah Two
“O house of Jacob, come and let us walk In the light of the Lord. For You have forsaken Your people, the house of Jacob, Because they are filled with eastern ways; They are soothsayers like the Philistines, And they are pleased with the children of foreigners. Their land is also full of silver and gold, And there is no end to their treasures; Their land is also full of horses, And there is no end to their chariots. Their land is also full of idols; They worship the work of their own hands, That which their own fingers have made.”
The above passage strikes me.
Isaiah tells Judah, the Lord’s people, God has forsaken them because they are filled with eastern ways, they are soothsayers, and they’re pleased with the children of foreigners.
Now when Isaiah writes "forsaken" he’s not saying that God will forget about them, or turn away from them forever more. Think of it as God hiding His face. Like He’s covering His eyes with His hand. There is a similar idea in Deuteronomy 31:17.
I wonder if God ever looks at the church in North America and sees the same thing. Maybe God looks at us and sees the same thing?
What struck me from this passage was Judah had allowed the other nations to influence them, turning them away from God. They bought into their systems, and left God behind.
Could this be said of you or I?
Have we bought into the world’s system(s) and left God behind? Is it possible the world’s philosophy has snuck into the church? I think we have to admit, this is a real possibility.
We can’t underestimate the effect the world wants, and does, have on us. I think this is why Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 to renew our minds.
After my Mac has been running for a few days, it starts to get slow. The simple tasks I need it to do take way too long. I have to shut it down or restart it, then it’s back to normal.
As Christians we need to shutdown and restart, or (as Paul put it) renew our minds. Renewing our minds is the first step in stopping the influences of the world from effecting us. As we fill our heads with truth the lies are exposed giving us the opportunity to change and live lives under the influence of God.
We need to ask God to expose how we’ve allowed the world to influence us, replace any lies with truth, and live lives that glorify Him.
Do you need to shutdown and restart?
The above passage strikes me.
Isaiah tells Judah, the Lord’s people, God has forsaken them because they are filled with eastern ways, they are soothsayers, and they’re pleased with the children of foreigners.
Now when Isaiah writes "forsaken" he’s not saying that God will forget about them, or turn away from them forever more. Think of it as God hiding His face. Like He’s covering His eyes with His hand. There is a similar idea in Deuteronomy 31:17.
I wonder if God ever looks at the church in North America and sees the same thing. Maybe God looks at us and sees the same thing?
What struck me from this passage was Judah had allowed the other nations to influence them, turning them away from God. They bought into their systems, and left God behind.
Could this be said of you or I?
Have we bought into the world’s system(s) and left God behind? Is it possible the world’s philosophy has snuck into the church? I think we have to admit, this is a real possibility.
We can’t underestimate the effect the world wants, and does, have on us. I think this is why Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 to renew our minds.
After my Mac has been running for a few days, it starts to get slow. The simple tasks I need it to do take way too long. I have to shut it down or restart it, then it’s back to normal.
As Christians we need to shutdown and restart, or (as Paul put it) renew our minds. Renewing our minds is the first step in stopping the influences of the world from effecting us. As we fill our heads with truth the lies are exposed giving us the opportunity to change and live lives under the influence of God.
We need to ask God to expose how we’ve allowed the world to influence us, replace any lies with truth, and live lives that glorify Him.
Do you need to shutdown and restart?
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Isaiah One
"The ox knows it's owner and the donkey its master's crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not consider" Isaiah 1:3
I have a friend who is making some really dumb choices right now. It's frustrating because I know the things he's doing now are going to effect his entire life.
The worst is, he knows what he's doing is wrong. He justifies his choices by looking at other people who have walked down the same path, but got back on track. He says "they had their fun, and they turned out all right. Now it's my turn".
This is so dangerous.
Every choice I make has an effect on tomorrow. I wish I understood... or maybe I should say I wish I listened to those older and wiser than I as I made stupid choices. I realize now the choices I made at 16, 17, 18 are effecting me now. They're also affecting Kelly, Ethan, and Madisyn too.
I wish I had been more aware.
More important than the consequences of our choices, is the choice to wilfully walk away from God. To break fellowship with Him and move along in life, without giving Him the place He should have in our life.
You see the nation of Judah was in the same position. They had God's law, but they chose to ignore it. They still put on a show for God (1:11-14), but they were no where near to God. Going through the motions of religion, without their heart in it. Living a lie.
In fact a little later, in chapter 5 God gives six woes. One of those woes is to people who dare God to bring on His judgement (see 5:18-19). "... let Him make speed, let Him hasten His work, that we may see it." Are you serious? How stupid? Dare God to bring on His judgement?
How stupid is it for us to play around with sin. Do you really think you can escape the consequences? I think God loves you and I too much to allow us to get away with our sin.
When we ignore God, and wilfully live life our way we're in a sense daring God to bring on Judgement.
Even when we get things back on track, a part of us is left behind, and we find ourselves carrying extra baggage. Not worth it.
In verse 16 Isaiah says this "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of you deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil."
Know the who your Master is. Hear Him when He calls you. Wash yourself. Make yourself clean. Cease to do evil.
I have a friend who is making some really dumb choices right now. It's frustrating because I know the things he's doing now are going to effect his entire life.
The worst is, he knows what he's doing is wrong. He justifies his choices by looking at other people who have walked down the same path, but got back on track. He says "they had their fun, and they turned out all right. Now it's my turn".
This is so dangerous.
Every choice I make has an effect on tomorrow. I wish I understood... or maybe I should say I wish I listened to those older and wiser than I as I made stupid choices. I realize now the choices I made at 16, 17, 18 are effecting me now. They're also affecting Kelly, Ethan, and Madisyn too.
I wish I had been more aware.
More important than the consequences of our choices, is the choice to wilfully walk away from God. To break fellowship with Him and move along in life, without giving Him the place He should have in our life.
You see the nation of Judah was in the same position. They had God's law, but they chose to ignore it. They still put on a show for God (1:11-14), but they were no where near to God. Going through the motions of religion, without their heart in it. Living a lie.
In fact a little later, in chapter 5 God gives six woes. One of those woes is to people who dare God to bring on His judgement (see 5:18-19). "... let Him make speed, let Him hasten His work, that we may see it." Are you serious? How stupid? Dare God to bring on His judgement?
How stupid is it for us to play around with sin. Do you really think you can escape the consequences? I think God loves you and I too much to allow us to get away with our sin.
When we ignore God, and wilfully live life our way we're in a sense daring God to bring on Judgement.
Even when we get things back on track, a part of us is left behind, and we find ourselves carrying extra baggage. Not worth it.
In verse 16 Isaiah says this "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of you deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil."
Know the who your Master is. Hear Him when He calls you. Wash yourself. Make yourself clean. Cease to do evil.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Tribute To Grandma
I don’t normally write out my words as I prepare to speak. Instead I choose to make point form notes of my main thoughts, and then wing it! This could be why I have a tendency to be long winded.
However today I’ve chosen to write out the things I wish to share, not because I don’t want to say too much or talk too long, I want to make sure I say all the things that are on my heart, and I don’t want to forget a thing. At times like this I wish I were a poet, a hymnist, or maybe just a guy who paid a little more attention in english class.
I’ve chosen an acrostic for the word “Grandma” to tell you how much you mean to me. I pray simple words, from a simple man can capture the grander of a truly amazing woman.
I think we should always spell Grandma with a capitol “G”. So my capitol “G” is for the word godly. Godly may bring different things to different people’s mind. To me it means a person who displays in their choices, their character, and their life the very nature of God. It’s a glimpse, or a picture of who God is.
I’ll never forget the first time you met my Madisyn. She was only a few days old. I had got a call you were sick and at the hospital and I wanted so badly for you to meet my new little girl. We loaded everyone up into the truck and headed over to New Market. I wish I had taken a picture of the love in your eyes. It was so special for me when you announced to the nurse “this is my sixth great grandchild, but my first great granddaughter.” Thank you for all the love you showed to Cody, Spencer, David, Liam, Ethan, and Madisyn.
Grandma when I was with you I always felt accepted, loved, and protected. These are but a few traits of God. I want you to know your life and your character help shape the person I am, and for this I thank you, and I praise God for the gift you are.
“R” is for repair. Now I know most people would associate the word “repair” to Grandpa, but you can’t be overlooked! Repair reminds me of the woman who tended my wounds after an unsuccessful attempt to swing from the branches of the willow tree while riding my red bike in your driveway.
I remember the wet tea bags on my itchy swollen eyes. I think we went through this ritual on almost all the camping trips we took together.
Repair is also about all the smelly salves you had stashed away. I remember most the salve in the skinny white tube, do you remember? That salve was the one you used to stop my many nose bleeds. Of course we could have avoided that salve if I had just learned to stop picking my nose.
Every young lady becomes somewhat of a nurse the second she becomes a mother. But to be a master repairwoman, or a Grandmother as we call them, takes years of experience, gentleness and practice. Thank you for being there to offer up your skills and advice to keep me running in tip top shape.
“A” is for tough. Sorry, I was never very good at english. Actually “A” is for arthritis. Please don’t misunderstand me, arthritis never defined who you are, but it allowed the people around you to see your strength, resolve, will, and grit. It allowed me to see how tough you really are.
You see Grandma I don’t remember a time when you weren’t fighting with arthritis. I’m sure there were times when you felt down and discouraged, yet you never showed it to me. The truth is, life is hard. Everyone faces adversity, but few people face it as bravely as you.
I hope you know as you struggled with this disease you taught me how to live, and live well. You didn’t complain, you kept a good attitude, you always figured out a way to do things most people take for granted, and most importantly you never gave up.
Your stubbornness to adversity, and the fight inside you are things legends are made of. I hope you know you’re a hero to me. I’ll be forever grateful for the example you are. Thank you for teaching me what it means to be tough.
“N” is for Nobleton. Where’s that you ask? Well it’s kind of outside of Toronto, almost straight north of the airport, on highway 27.
Do you remember all the flowers I use to pick for you when I was there? Today I’ve learned to call those little yellow menaces weeds. It didn’t matter to you, you would accept my gift and put them in a glass with a little bit of water. It wouldn’t be unusual to return to Nobleton to see the same dandelions shriveled and dead in the same glass.
“When you come to our house in the winter you be sure to wear your boots!” You must have told me this once a year, if not more. You would say “there’s always more snow in Nobleton then there is in Bramalea.”
There was always a seemingly bottomless supply of cookies and candy in Nobleton. I know you weren’t there on Sunday, but I took Ethan into the kitchen and told him “there’s always cookies in “G” Grandma’s kitchen.”
Sometimes Mom and Dad would go away and leave Mark and I at your house. Staying at your house was great. There seemed to be no end to adventure waiting to be found in Nobleton. Your back yard seemed so huge when I was a boy.
There was no set bed time when I stayed at your house. I remember staying up way later then I would at home, and just when I figured you would send me to bed out would come the popcorn maker. I remember siting in the kitchen Grandpa in his chair, you siting in yours, Mark sitting across from Grandpa, and I across from you. We would talk and enjoy midnight snacks... at least that’s how I remember it.
Each breakfast took on the same routine. I don’t remember the name of the cereal we had when I was at your house. Was it called muffets? They were little tiny pucks of shredded wheat. The part I liked the best was popping out the center, then crushing them in my hand. You or Grandpa would always offer me some boiling water, but I would say “no thanks. Milk is good enough for me”.
Do you remember the time Mark accidently let some peanut butter fall from his knife into the brown sugar? Of course I scoped it up and dropped it in my bowl of muffets. Ever since then I’ve only put white sugar in my cereal, I still don’t like brown sugar.
As I got older your house became the frequent pit stop. On the way to Wonderland we had to stop in to see you, sometimes even using your spare bed as our hotel. Driving over to Fenlon, Nobleton was practically on the way. Heading home from Toronto, it was just as easy to head up to Nobleton and then go across to home. The coffee may not be the same as Tim Hortons, but the company was way better. I don’t think I ever called, and I don’t think you ever minded.
I’ll always cherish the memories of my time with you and Grandpa in Nobleton. The memories you and I shared together I’ll pass onto Ethan and Madisyn. Thank you for those precious memories.
“D” is for door. Jesus said in scripture “behold I stand at the door and knock.” This could never be said of your house Grandma. The first few times I brought Kelly to your house I would tell her, “don’t knock, just go in”
I guess an unlocked door with an enter at will policy may seem like a small thing to some people, but to me it was huge, it was special. It’s a symbol of the hospitality that only a Grandma can give. A symbol of welcome, and somehow it made me always feel like I was expected.
When we arrived the TV would be shut off, or the radio turned down, but not too low if the Jays were playing. It seemed no matter what was going on you made time for your uninvited guests.
The second part of that same scripture applies to you perfectly “I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” You know, I don’t think I was ever though your house without an offer for lunch or supper.
I know the last little while it was harder and harder for you to be the host you wanted to be. We all understand. Kelly and I would often arrive when we knew you wouldn’t have to worry about putting on a meal for us. I hope you understand it’s not because we didn’t want to be with you, we just didn’t want to add to your work load.
I’m so glad you had an open door policy. Thank you for making me feel welcomed, and special. Thank you for making me feel wanted.
I could choose many words for the letter “M”, but I think the “M” word which best describes you is marriage.
Grandma, it’s hard for I guy my age to find a good example of marriage. But when I look at Warn and Barb, Gail and Terry, and Mom and Dad, I realize they are living a legacy left by you and Grandpa. Your children’s love and loyalty to their spouse is a testament to the example they saw lived out before them in you and Grandpa. It was so crucial for you and Grandpa to be that example for them so in turn, they could be the same to us.
Whether it was said with words or said with action, together you and Grandpa taught Warn, Mom, and Gail that the most important gift a parent can give a child is the gift of a stable loving home. Not only did they learn and apply this lesson, they passed it onto us so we could have the responsibility and the privilege of continuing the legacy of love forged by you and Grandpa.
And Grandma, know this; one day my children, and God willing my grandchildren, will say the same thing about Kelly and I, and for that I owe you and Grandpa my deepest gratitude. Thank you.
The last “A” is for attentiveness. You always listened to what I had to say. I think you remembered my stories better than I did.
Anybody can talk, but there are only a few people who really listen. I’ll always remember talking on the couch, and the kitchen table. But maybe most of all I’ll remember sitting and talking at the camper table while Grandpa drove us to our latest camping destination.
Your attentiveness was proof of the love and patience you had for me. Thank you for living out your love.
Dear Grandma, today we say good bye, and I have to be honest, I’m not as tough as you are, and this really hurts. It hurts because I know this isn’t the way God intended life to be. However, saying good bye is part of living in this fallen, sinful world. So today we let you go, but I can promise you we will miss you dearly.
Grandma, today as we celebrate a truly remarkable woman I want you to know this; my hope, and my joy is resting in the love, grace, and faithfulness of my Lord Jesus Christ and His promises. At this moment I remember these scriptures “Let not your hearts be troubled; in my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also... I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” . Finally from the book of Revelation “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away... behold, I make all things new”.
I love you Grandma.
Jonathan
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