Untouchables, Elliot Ness Was One Of Them, But Are Ministers Suppose To Be?

Is Criticism Always Wrong? Are The Messages From 'God's Anointed' Beyond Critique? (Facebook Friends Click Here) 

What do you think and say to that? I say the answer to those questions is: No! The Bible teaches all of us to be humble fruit inspectors and carefully weigh the messages we hear—in and outside the church house—against the Word of God. It commands: 

"Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thess. 5:21). 

We are all to be warned, because a hypocritical teacher who mixes in error has God on his tongue and the world ..along with your wallet on his heart.

My wife, Liney, and I happened to be watching a movie last night, about a local church just filled with rank hypocrites. It would have been funny too if it wasn't so sad! We've actually seen a few churches that were like that one. Keep in mind that we've also seen many healthy growing ones led by spiritual Christians who consistently live the life.

But man, I just hate hypocrisy don't you? I know God certainly does! There are way too many posers and frauds in many areas of our society today, but they certainly shouldn't be in church …remaining that way. Actually, Christ-centered churches are great places for fake people to run to… and to be permanently changed in ..as the Word is uncompromisingly preached and taught. But some religious folk (many alleged Christians) stubbornly refuse to let go of their ongoing hypocritical lifestyles and this always exacerbates things down here and confuses watching cynical unbelievers …just exactly how the devil (not merely a skinny powerless rock star looking dweeb in stretchy red microfiber spandex with a rubber tail)... likes it to happen.

Bosch said, "Hypocrisy is a common sin that grieves the Lord above; He longs for those who'll worship Him in faith and truth and genuine love." If you think about it, every time a Christian sins, they are acting the hypocrite and that type of ugly creepiness could potentially become a long-term deadly lifestyle for any one of us …if it's left un-confessed and un-forsaken. Do you have a problem with this? Bail on that wierdness today! It seriously bugs the Holy Spirit! It's way disgusting! Those who would effectively fish for men and women must learn to hate hypocrisy and all mere lip service that sounds so pious ..I mean really.. choose to hate it to the same degree that God hates it! It's totally up to you if you will be an authentic doer of the Word!

Of course there are countless non-Christians out there who also act the hypocrite when they go against their own ethical standards ..that they've set for themselves in their minds, and for some—who still have a not-yet-seared-conscience—it's hard for them to live with themselves.

I personally don't feel I can ever hear enough messages that strongly slam hypocrisy, pride, spiritual compromise, and duplicity—especially when someone is speaking of such sins in the context of the Church or in preacher's lives. Character matters. It's I want Christ's love to have it's way in and through me. It's because I don't trust in my fleshly nature inside, that unendingly wars against the Spirit. It's true, Christians have a sort of civil war going on inside of them that the Lord will lead them to victory in .. if they really want to depend upon Him and win.

Whenever I've been tempted to do anything wrong (which would make me a hypocrite if I were to give in), my fleshly nature has always been right there telling me to: Go for it! Gotta die to—rather than feed—that nature.. to what I often feel like thinking, doing or saying.. that is clearly wrong! There's too much at stake for people around me.

I have walked in Your truth. I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked. —Psalm 26:3-5

Those false teachers who are so anxious to win your favor are not doing it for your good. —Galatians 4:17

Maybe you've seen a cheap loaner movie about Christian hypocrites and false teachers before? Of course the failing people of the world, the preacher-haters, and the bitter people who have been hurt or let down by Christian leaders ..often love to mock and point a finger of accusation at the failings of the righteous and of the Church in general… even though many have no message to help anyone ..anywhere ..very long.

And of course all that doesn't lessen or excuse such hypocrisy in the least ..or the severity of this wide spread problem of people who claim to have the only holy Solution inside along with the viable answers in how to live life (from the Bible). Sometimes we so called saints, need to listen up and be teachable even if it's an unclean bird delivering us the goods. More importantly, we need to take heed to what God has said...

There were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. —2 Peter 2:1

Liney and I don't see many of these low budget movies, but the preaching pastor in that B-flick was like a lot of American pastors of this decade who never crack the Bible open for a second, or believe it for a minute, or actually depend upon it's Author's empowering grace to live it ..for one moment.

There was only one kid in the entire movie who was a real Christian (you know it's never going to be a parent who "gets it" in movies these days). But that preacher never quoted one verse ..in or out of context and wouldn't have known the difference if he did. His words and life missed it—didn't square with the Scriptures, even though he was kind of idolized by his flock that would indeed rock in a contempory way. He had somehow customized his own flashy style of moralizing sermonettes for the Christianettes, yet he was one thing on the pulpit and another thing off the church campus.

That sicko-church was so messed up, all the way down from the pastor to the pew ..and to the kids in their "small" church school. Yup, those kids were attending simply because they wanted to avoid their own parents and a home-schooling experience away from their rebellious friends. Have you been a part of something like that and now wonder where you stand spiritually? Do you need a healthy Christ exalting church with a humble ..but bold pastor who is the real deal?

Once in a while, it's kind of interesting to see how secular movie makers in the world tend to view the Church of this decade, huh. Of course there are lots of mockers out there, but sometimes secular thinkers are intellectually not far off ..and spot-on. If only Christians and churches would police themselves biblically, they wouldn't ever need the lost to blow the whistle on ..or address their behavior and attitudes. I personally am still so glad to be in Christ (who is more than wonderful—never fake or false!) and I feel radically privileged to be a part of the only Organization (Organism) ..imperfect as it is.. that Christ left behind when He ascended and even promised to build.

Read More…

LEADERSHIP 101?

Real Leadership Principles Aren't Given For Pleasing Or Paying Men, But Are Rather For Glorifying God.

Leadership, what is it for and what are real leaders like? Godly leaders are real! They're born again (see John 3:3), spiritual, and shaped by the Word (studying all of the Bible, and practicing it with prudence) for Christ... and for the benefit of winning and training others well, rather than for merely benefiting themselves well. People, don’t simply start out in life as good leaders; they must put their own wishes aside to serve others and learn to follow right and then learn to lead in righteousness. Godly leaders love to worship, pray, fellowship, witness and kindly reap a harvest as they learn from thee Leader (Jesus Christ) and from other soul-winning leaders. They're not self-confident, but they depend on the Lord constantly and they consistently set a good example. They won't follow a corrupt example.

I've talked about how we are basically living in a day when many people want to become specialists in the leadership arena—even in Church leadership. And I don't think there is anything bogus about that if Jesus is sought, followed and glorified. But on the horizontal level, how well do you know who you are learning to lead from? Do you pay and listen to popular Mormon (or other cultic) motivational leadership speakers? Have you checked?

Rather than becoming a jack of all trades ..so to speak (one who might lack expertise in a certain area because they are too busy with many areas), many people today want to become masters of one ..for Jesus; training leaders to build big. Hey, I can understand that. I feel that every Christian church needs to be growing 1) Spiritually (in the Word with lots of small Bible study prayer groups) and 2) Numerically (by proper evangelism inside and outside the building, and then with discipleship so new Christians can also win people). Yes indeed, if there are any lost people living within say a hundred miles of that local church, it should have a heart to reach out and grow!

Here in Dallas I keep running into well-meaning life-coach and quality of life trainers who seem to outwardly embody the “American Dream” as they go into churches and use Bible principles together with non-biblical Eastern concepts to try and help people. I've been running into some high and low profile Christian leadership gurus too (not all are doing bad work), multilevel marketing motivational speakers, and some self-help/self esteem consultants that pastors are inviting in (for the financial wellbeing of their constituents as they all invest in gold coins etc). And these guys are charging hefty entrance fees for their "seminars of truth" (nothing like putting the cookies on the lower shelf for the children to be able to reach, right [Inject laughter here]). Yup, even with exorbitant prices for all their slick looking product decked with excellent cutting-edge graphics, the pastors feel their polished events will be "a draw" that will bring in some new tithe-ers.

OK, so there are many Christian ministers who are into doing things in a shoddy non-excellent way, using outdated frumpy, ugly art and packaging—in order to save a buck. Hey, I've been guilty of that before. lately I've adopted a watchword that my pastor says, "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right ..which doesn't always have to cost an arm and a leg." Yeah, let's face it; we live in a culture that is so obsessed with youth, beauty, stardom, pleasure and SUCCESS—yes, for the financial benefit of SELF. You know that. And let me make it very clear, that there is nothing wrong with enjoying financial prosperity and success if you have your priorities in order and have Christ leading as your Lord (that's true). God wants all of us King's kids in BMWs and Porsches right (that statement is false, it was just a bad joke.. sorry). But listen, there is really no reason at all ..ever.. for you to receive tainted teachings about how to lead or how to live ..precepts coming from cultists who deny Essential Christian Doctrine. You wouldn't allow your kids to drink from a polluted or poisoned stream would you? I like what Chuck Smith said, "Most of what false teachers teach is true."

Listen, I personally like going sailing with my friends on big Texas lakes. And when the water stays outside the hull, things go great, but when the boat takes on water into the hull, that boat will eventually go down! It'll sink. You know that it's the same way with the Church in relation to the world. There's no room for worldly compromise! We're to be in the world but not of it. That's how Christ lived with full commitment and some got ticked at Him, but when the world gets into the Church, it will go down. Are we Christians to be so gung ho for "success" and "building" that we compromise by quickly sucking in the teachings of every so called high profile Christian preacher, without first checking out the veracity of what they are affirming ..by searching the Scriptures ourselves? No go, Joe! What's real leadership even for? Are we out to please men primarily ..or God?

More On Cultists And So Called Christians Who Miss Feed...

Apolo What?

Here This summer we've had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with some wonderful Christians and also with some interesting unbelievers of different religious preferences. Lots of fun. What an excellent joy!

Throughout the history of the Church, Christians of various backgrounds have been called upon to explain why we believe what we believe. Paul the apostle described his ministry as "the defense and confirmation of the Gospel." The apostle Peter felt strongly that you need to "Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Pet. 3:15). Yes, this activity of believers has come to be known as apologetics which means "defense."

O that my life may useful be.. as I serve Jesus faithfully; and may the world see Christ in me—this is my earnest plea! ~ Hess

Have you been involved in any apologetics activity lately? It is often very enjoyable building friendships with people of other belief systems and win them.

Jesus really wants the doubt out—yours first and then theirs. He "said to them, 'Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?'" (Lk. 24:38). Sometimes your holy life can be your best argument; your best defense!

When Jesus Christ walked down the dusty paths on this little planet some 2000 years ago, He was so glad to encounter many different kinds of people who put their trust in various places, things or people. And He was very concerned for those in need too. I like how Christ never showed preferential treatment to anyone as He reach out and touched people to heal them, to literally save them in the grandest sense of that term, and to restore them.

You remember how without any doubts Jesus was good at witnessng for the Father. Repentant Zacchaeus, a juicy sinner (like I was in the '70s), believed and wanted to make restitution, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house… For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Lk. 19:8-10).

God still meets needs today. He meets all mine and can yours as well. He LOVES us all the same and still deeply CARES about each one of us (I'll tell you more about God's agape love in an upcoming posting).

Are you in Jesus? Today, you too can enjoy God's love in Christ as you worship, as you fish for souls following His lead, as you help others do that kind of stuff too. You and I are to be His serving hands, His feet on the go or waiting. We're His spokes-persons who don't want to play fast and loose type of games with what's real…with the truth, with other's lives, with eternity! Hey, too much is at stake for those around us.

But what else is involved in a legitimate form of apologetics ministry that Christians can and should take part in?

Well, it involves refuting those who contradict (Tit. 1:9, 13); reproving the worldly deeds of darkness (Eph. 5:11); shunning false teachers (2 Jn. 10–11); casting down false arguments (2 Cor. 10:5); exposing the doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4:1, 6); calling sinful dissenters to repentance (2 Tim. 2:25; Tit. 3:10); and warning apostates of the certain and terrible judgment that awaits them if they don't repent (Matt. 23; Heb. 6:4–8; Jude 8–13).

Such fearless ministry was not only modeled by Jesus, but it was by every Old Testament prophet and every New Testament writer. That takes straightforward speech that contends earnestly for the faith (Jude 3–4), and as a result denounces every form of deception. Who can complain about that?

See More About It…

www.fish4souls.org

I Wonder What My Father Felt When His Son Returned Home

Have you returned home to be with your Father? My oldest son, Stephan John, is on a plane right now with his mandolin in hand and is flying here to see us and to play music for us (he will be landing in a couple hours). It will be a good day for hugging, music, feasting and laughing in our home – the Lord makes all things beautiful in His time.

Stephan has been serving in Iraq (with the Air Force), and in Germany, Korea and North Dakota …of all places. We have not seen him in over five years – the time when he started with the Air Force. Many tears have been shed as you can imagine. He has recently recommitted his life to the Lord and is very excited to see us again. He unfortunately won't be seeing his brother Nathan this time, because Nathan is still serving in Iraq. But Nathaniel (as his wife Holly affectionately calls him) will also be home in the States in a few months.

It's good that Stephan is still around to visit us – we're grateful, because some dads no longer have their oldest sons around. Have you lost a son in war ..or in some other way? Our hearts really go out to you. My former pastor sadly doesn't have an oldest son who will be returning to see him (Check out the video and please do remember Greg and Cathie in your prayers).

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” (Psalm 27:1-8, nlt)

Click here for a higher quality video..

Would You Like To Return To Your Father (God)?

Are You Focused On Leadership Or On Thee Leader?

Ever run into any so called "leadership experts" before? Perhaps like me, you've run into both decent and whacked leadership trainers. And I personally have a lot of room to grow in this. Yup, I could certainly gain from decent Bible teachers who have expertise in this area 'cause then I could finally get my willful Jack Russell Terror, named Roxy, to follow. But my wife would inject... "as if!"

But is "leadership" merely meant for the purpose of getting followers ..or for building something mega ..or bigger? I tend to like lots of things "mega," but no!

Leadership Principles Are Given To Us So That We Can Glorify Christ, knowing His ways. They Are Not Merely There For People To Have Bigger Smooth Running Organizations.

"Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day" (Ps. 25:5).

"The Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night” (Ex. 13:21).

"Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight" (Ex. 33:13).

"O Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; make Your way straight before me" (Ps. 5:8).

Right now, “Leadership” is kind of a hot topic too with the elections only seven weeks away. Have you noticed how people of the world seem a bit frightened about the idea of possibly having a “born again Christian woman” in leadership? It was interesting yesterday to hear Lindsay Lohan’s comments about Alaska’s leadership as she branded US vice presidential hopeful, Sarah Palin a “narrow minded, media obsessed homophobe”. Did Lindsay have grounds for all she said? No, but she went on to ask: “Is it a sin to be gay?” “Should it be a sin to be straight? Or to use birth control? Or to have sex before marriage? Or even to have a child out of wedlock?” 

Mrs. Palin seems like a fairly hated leader in America right now, but I bet she could easily answer all of Lohan’s questions. In a world that’s gone astray, what is leadership even for? How do you define true leadership? Why does God give people teaching about it? Lots of would-be motivational speakers would really like to know. But neither a lofty degree of intelligence, nor a good imagination, nor having a so called heightened phneumatology, or even a good imagination is really mandatory for becoming a skilled leader… nor is combining all of these aspects together necessary for the making of a biblical leader. Love, love, love… on it's knees first, speaking the truth with compassion, living the life with discernment, conviction, enthusiasm, gifting, and consistent application—that's what it'll take. Are you a leader?—are you a Christian leader who is growing with a heart towards the Lord and ministry? 

You can be! Are you focused on the subject of leadership development more than on the person of Jesus Christ? Some people seem to be, but please don't be! Whenever God gives blessings or teaching even in this area, He often has others in mind... yes, there are responsibilities that come with that. His principles, expertise, and blessings are for people He will use. And these things are not ends in themselves; they’re not supposed to self-terminate in the life of the recipient. But we are living in a day when many people want to become "specialists" in a specific area; even in the area of church leadership. Hey, nothing wrong with that if the Lord is being glorified. What is God calling you to do? Allow Him do the lead you. Go Ahead And Read More…

How Does Logic Play Into It?

If it's truly illogical, does that mean that God is "in it" wanting you to step out in the so called venture of faith? It would seem that some Christians unfortunately believe that's how to confirm something is right for them—they prefer to go by their "feelings."

But God wants you and me to prayerfully use logic all through the day without enthroning our brains!

Christian, have you prayed about it? Do you have a peace about it being the will of God? Would it be sin for you to do it when it might not be for another person… or is it a non-negotiable that would be sin for anyone to do (according to what the Bible says)?

Have you or others worked out the circumstances in such a way that you could afford to do it …or is there something else circumstantially blocking your way? Is it legal, does it wisely edify people... or could it potentially create a stumbling block for a weaker believer who has their eye on you as their example?

What is your inner motive? Does it protect people from all different kinds of danger? Would it serve your own personal interests or those of another ..thus honoring God? Is the inner witness of the Holy Spirit telling you to go for it? How do proven Christian counselors advise you to proceed? Do they point you to the Scriptures?

When you run into a cultist or some irreligious party animal out there in the world …who is temporarily sober… or maybe into someone really into Buddhism, how do you tactfully approach them? Segway'n our way in and through a witnessing situation does take some logic and reasoning capabilities …unless you really want to flub it. Do they throw up smoke-screen topics or excuses?—do they take you on rabbit trails?—are they closed minded?—what diagnostic questions do you ask them? What if they've been burned by a so called Christian or Christian leader before?

Is there common ground to be found? Are they an open-sinner or a closed sinner …ya know, with the palm of their big hand up in your face as they tell you where to go? If they claim to be born again, what temperature are they?--red hot, cold, or lukewarm? Are they merely into dead religion? Are they a defeated saint living in sin, but wanting assurance of salvation? Are they saved but lacking an assurance, but really should be experiencing that? Are they married to an unbeliever? These thoughts are not bad to be thinking about, unless we possess some self righteous superiority complex?

God expects us to love Him with our whole heart and mind. I wish I could give you a foolproof method for discovering the will of God in every situation. Discovering it can be tricky at times, but God sure isn't trying to keep that from you. He wants all of us to know His will. Sometimes we just get too busy to inquire or wait on Him.

I ran into a Buddhist not too long ago who told me "Kurt, you have your truth and I have mine and my truth is as good as your truth. Both are true and valid." He was sincere, but sincerely wrong and I basically needed to silently talk to his Maker ..in a non-strange way. He who would talk to men about God, would do well to first listen and talk to God about men.

Buddhists just don't believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to get into Heaven to live eternally with the Father …as Christ claimed to be.

It's so amazing what the many different world religions make Jesus out to be—a plain old prophet, a spirit brother of Lucifer, a mere teacher, the Archangel Michael …so many things other than the one and only Savior of the World ..who solely deserves our worship and full obedience. God's anointed logic, rather than human logic does need to come into play, but it's no game. We are dealing with life and death matters.

Sure we need to be a friend and blessing to be around, speaking the truth in love. I don't consider myself a good witness, but I know God can help me in this area. Personally want to be a more focused, better listener. I want to be a logical servant and live the life (which is easier said that done). I want to maintain a right spirit, to care, to use facts, use the Bible and allow the Lord to use me to scripturally refute the lies that my friends have swallowed …and do so without hurting them …even if they say they don't believe in the Word. There certainly is enough evidence to be had in advance.

Oh to wisely witness using the Scriptures with grace, authority, salt and logic as Jesus did…

"...so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it" (Isa. 55:11, nkjv).

Perhaps you have some questions about logic in a general sense or in regards to apologetics.

Read More…

http://www.fish4souls.org/FArtiApolo/Logical_reasoning.pdf

Remember Bob Dylan Singin Serve Somebody?

“You might be a rock 'n' roll addict prancing on the stage…

” Do you remember hearing those lyrics back in the day, when Dylan sang "Serve somebody" (see the vid)? I heard that Keith Green and friends who lived in Lindale at the time (now Garden Valley, east of Dallas) helped him with it and Slow Train some.  

"You may be an ambassador to England or France, You may like to gamble, you might like to dance, You may be the heavyweight champion of the world, You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed You're gonna have to serve somebody, Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord But you're gonna have to serve somebody..." ~ Bob Dylan 

I loved hearing them sing it! Dylan’s girlfriend, Mary Alice Artes, had recently “re-dedicated her life to Christ” and was very concerned about his eternal welfare, about Dylan's influence, and their relationship together. And she should have been! She was a fun-loving young attractive African American sister who was pretty rambunctious and humorous. 

Of course I personally never met him, but Mary had taken him to a home Bible study in Cali in ’78 ...as she helped her boy friend Dylan – a Jew – explore the West Coast Jesus Movement and Christianity. She so wanted Him to know and to minister the Word …and basically to go the distance with Christ. I remember how he later came out to visiting Mary in Dallas. She went by "Mary Alice" and had been attending the Bible school where Liney and I got together. She studied there for four semesters in 1980 and 1981. Yup, it sounds kinda like a strange urban legend, but a great worship dude friend of mine named, 

Bob Mason, had been counseling her and Mason also talked with Dylan some when the rock legend showed up to see Mary. But what a message Dylan gave! In or out, Heaven or Hell... no inbetween. Dylan left the ball in your court (you can be saved and serve Jesus all your days if you want) ..and in his own court. It's totally up to you if you want to be fruitful. Jesus said, “The person who isn't with me is against me, and the person who isn't gathering with me is scattering” (Matt. 12:30, niv). Now what about you? Will you be good soil--sold out for Christ? He is so much greater! Will you prove to be faithful ...the kind of soil that is right for the seed of the Word (with that needed openness to the working of His Spirit), or just have some kind of “spiritual experience” for a time? You choose, and time will tell for each of us. Anyways, your're gunna have to serve Somebody ...and you only have two options!

Was Asked to Hold Some Shades Tonight for Huey Lewis and the News

The Grammy-winning and Academy Award-nominated American rock band based in San Francisco is here and singing some "Shake, rattle, and roll" and "That's all right" songs ..right now. They sound pretty good too--no high girly-boy-voices that's for sure.

Yeah, it went like this.. a middle aged greying man came by and asked me to hold onto some sun glasses for an entertainer who would be arriving soon to claim them. He said, "I won't give you his alias name. No need for that... It's Huey Lewis."

He really didn't need to give me an alias.. because I really don't know anything about Huey Lewis and the News. Dunno, probably should know. I'm old enough to know and he is kinda from my era.

It was sorta like that... a kind-of-out-of-the-blue thang.

Anyways, sure enough about a half hour later, Mr. Lewis walked up to me (not that I recognized anybody..) and asked for Kurt. "Hi... Got my glasses? I was told.."

"Yup, here you go..."

(He was out golfing and accidently left them with a friend).

"Thanks a lot! I appricate it. Good to meet cha, Kurt."

And from there he simply walked in ...and up on the stage at this huge dinner and kicked off his first song high octane. Yes, they DO rock!

So there you have it... I'm the guy with the shades.

And I'll hold your sun glasses too, if you need me to.

http://www.fish4souls.org

Come Home!

Come Home! Ever wonder how it must be for Him? This must be only a pinch of what it's like--yup, only a smidg' of what the Lord experiences up above when someone returns to Him. When it’s been a long time…wow! 

Have you ever imagined what it’s like for your caring heavenly Father as far as what He must feel inside? 

No wonder the angels throw a huge righteous bash.

Fish With Joyous Laughter

Many people unfortunately don’t drive so good in Texas. In fact, my beautiful wife has been through a lot lately due to that fact. Liney, got rear-ended while driving home from a glorious wedding (with Eric and Chris Betts) that I performed in Mckinney with the Firth family the other day. Ouch!—more than her neck has been hurting too, so she’s been going to the chiropractor everyday and today after taking some x-rays the doctor discovered that she had actually fractured her wrist. And you really wouldn’t have known it this past week as she went about her normal routine joking on occasion, except that she’s been taking a little Tylenol when she almost never wants any pain killers. I have not been able to protect her from everything that pains or harms her ..and that really bugs me a lot, because I feel zealous about that. She’s the greatest Christian I know. She's daily in the Word each morning and constantly applying it selflessly. 

 A couple nights ago Liney insisted upon making a cake for a friend one handed... that collapsed due to so many raspberries she put in it, so without a break after her day at the office, she had to do it all over again. I can't stop her. Anyways, she has a great attitude and really cares about people. She makes me laugh and senses the Lord’s joy in everything she does. I'm telling you, it takes a whole lot to stop her ..or slow her down. The last time someone crashed into her a couple years ago, the car came at her from the front side. And she was driving real slow in a left hand turn lane, but the other lady swerved right into her. Nothing seems to move Liney or shake her loose of the joy she has in a relationship with the Lord. 

She never gets bitter and never stops praying for people. I’m grateful she’s there. In some ways her devotion reminds me of Paul’s. He said, "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy…” (Act. 20:24). I ran into another Christian this week that was very depressed and angry at people. He’s sadly been like that quite awhile—I keep running into him in that condition. I wanted to tell him to stop listening to a certain Word-faith TV preacher that he adores, but the timing wasn’t quite right. Christian, why be all caught up in your circumstances and in this world system, when you could be focused on Him? 

We have something in the Lord that people don’t understand, but cannot be beat ..ever! But if you and I are not genuinely exited inside or joy-filled, why should we expect anyone to want what we have? If you were an unbeliever and you came across a real believer who acted just like you do, would you want that believer to talk with your or pray with you so that you could get to know the Lord? 

 In the book of Acts we read the story of a handful of men and women who were filled with joy and power. They lived victoriously in spite of fierce persecution and trials; in fact, they did not leave their world the same as they found it. They turned it upside down. They were just ordinary folk like you and me—people whom God invaded and enabled to do extraordinary things as they went everywhere spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Here's a devo I did last night that might help you.

Do you still hear yourself laugh?

There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven... A time to cry and a time to laugh. —Eccl. 3:1-4

Too many Christians take themselves way too seriously. I know there's no time for the laughter of compromise. Coarse jesting, crude joking—that stuffs out! We want to be creative, but we don't win people to Christ with smut or being like the world (see Eph. 5:4).

It's ok to poke fun at yourself, and be self-abasing ..minus the foolish self-deprecation on occasion. Sure some Christians are silly and goofy all the time and that kind of stuff wears on people's nerves. But too many Christians are mostly sullen, inverted, and morose these days. They're against too much—yup, all up in arms against stuff that's not even sin or error. The world sees them as prudishly negative sour bigots who look down on others. But we need to joyously communicate what we're for …not in some condemning hateful way.

Maybe it's time for a break to go look in the mirror! I do that and I'm convinced that God's not uptight. I think He has a huge sense of humor.

God has even blessed me with a couple friends like that, who role with the blows that life deals out... and they role-model Christ's joy for me consistently. They take life as it comes in an upbeat winsome fashion. They stay sweet when things go rancid. Sometimes I cause them some small blows too when things get too mundane. Not too bad, but they seem to like it when I pick on them… and they also pick on me right back.

None of my friends enjoy how I sing though ..like a skilled, animated, agile rock-star that's movin' about is how I can see it—yep, got it going on and they quickly get movin' on away from me. My cat even left the room. Of course I would never want to say their names here, but.. hey guys; cheer up Russ, Bill, and Dave.. we all can't dance so serious like a pro or be all buff, handsome and gifted. They only try to hurt my feelings.(1)

But Christians can get down too, and we certainly don't need to fake it during times like that (that's when we really need intercede to lift them up). I have more than one dear friend who has lost their love one lately and man, does that hurt. Please pray for the Laurie family and their ministry; they just recently lost a son.

But it seems like other saints won't let go of their valued depression session even though they've really lost nothing of value. Do they equate "holy" to being some poor-old-me pitiful beat-down?

Sure, we've got to be sensitive around some who are weak and weeping. We need to be cryin' real crocodile tears with those who are crying. But sometimes I talk straight with those who cry too much ..ya know, for ooos and awws and a show.

Jesus was R-E-A-L as could be--still is--and I can't see where He ever flt sorry for Himself or recruited sympathy. Things weren't always peachy, but Christ was and is the perfect man—a man's man. He was described as "a man of sorrows," intimately acquainted with grief (read Isaiah 53:3).

Wanna chuckle, smile and snicker more and know that its right? Know Christ and live full-bore for Him!

http://www.fish4souls.org