Everything I need to know...

One of our ladies brought me a framed picture with this photo and list. I liked it, thought you might too.

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Everything I Need To Know I Learned From Noah's Ark
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One- Don't miss the boat.

Two- Remember that we are all in the same boat.

Three- Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

Four- Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

Five- Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

Six- Build your future on high ground.

Seven- For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

Eight- Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

Nine- When you're stressed, float a while.

Ten- Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

Eleven- No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Happy Anniversary!

Some things should never happen, but they do. Spongebob SquarePants has been on television for 10 years! Being a grandfather I have watched EVERY episode of Spongebob OVER AND OVER AGAIN!!!

Just writing about it is making me nervous. Mr. Crabs, Patrick, Plankton, and Squidward have become part of our lives. It's the price we pay to be parents and grandparents- stinky diapers and Spongebob!

In fact, on our recent trip to Iowa, I listened to the Spongebob movie at least 4 times!

So, my point? There are some things in life that make others happy and us miserable. It's true. My grandchildren can sit for hours watching Spongebob and as I sit with them I feel my brain turning to mush. But I watch it because they love it, I love them and I love being with them. It's one of the sacrifices of life. It's something we do because we love those around us. Love bears all things according to Paul in 1 Corinthians. I never imagined that would include Spongebob SquarePants!

Observation for the day

I'm reading in Leviticus right now and it suddenly struck me....

God is not now, nor has he ever been, politically correct.

And for that I'm eternally grateful!

A question from the bleachers

Here's a good question for discussion from the bleachers. Let me throw it out for your thoughts. I have a lot to say on this topic, but will wait for your thoughts. Here's my friend's question-

Mike,

As a Christian that loves to argue the fine and unimportant issues of Christian life I came to a question that I have no good answer for. On the question of 'faith versus works' I am strongly on the faith side. The real issue then becomes "how much understanding of the true God makes my faith valid?". I am not looking for a one-on-one explanation of this question, but I am putting it out as a question for your blog, or possibly a sermon topic. God tells us that we can never fully understand Him while we are still in the flesh, so is the knowledge of God through His work in creation, with faith that He will provide for my eternal needs enough?

Always questioning and never fully knowledgeable Mike McM

Ok, readers, have at it and have fun....

A funny moment...

Last night, as we were coming home from dinner with friends, Joye and I both broke out laughing at the same time when, in front of us, we saw a pickup truck with a dog in back. The dog turned to look at us and to our surprise the dog was wearing bright green goggles. It's funny when moments like this happen. Unexpected moments. It's great to have moments to laugh. Life gets far too serious at times, so a dog with bright green goggles was just what we needed at the moment and it was completely unexpected. I'm glad to have funny moments to celebrate.

Top 10 reasons

There is something very interesting about the top 10 reasons young adults drop out of church....the reasons haven't changed much since I was in my 20's. Some may disagree with me, but I don't see a lot of difference from the reasons I heard nearly 40 years ago. So I wonder...is it ultimately just a heart issue? I know there are things about the church that we must change and work on, but even if we had the music just right. Even if the pastor was the best teacher, best guy in the world. Even if all things were perfect I don't think these reasons would change that much. I wonder...is it ultimately a heart issue?

Monday's cartoon

Quote of the day

“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past …
Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.”

-Harry A. Ironside, from the sermon: What Is The Gospel?

Home

What a great word "home" is. It speaks of a place to rest, to be yourself, to come back to. We are finally home. The drive back was an ordeal. Nearly 15 hours in all, but we finally made it back home.....to a hot house that needs some air conditioner work, but we are home. It's great. The time with my parents to celebrate their 60th anniversary was wonderful. I'm so glad we went. It won't happen in many generations after theirs, but to be married 60 years is an amazing thing to me. We really enjoyed our time in Iowa and the short visit with family. But there's nothing like home. So, time for a little rest, an air conditioner guy to visit and then back to work. Here's a photo of the "mob" of great-grand children as we celebrated with my parents.

God's plan

Imagine being part of God's plan and the unveiling of his son to the world. Imagine that until your part is revealed you think your life and situation is a curse from God. How different things look when God shows up to tell us what he's up to. How different things look when you know what God's plan is. Here's a story about a man who lived most of his life thinking he was cursed by God only to discover he was part of God's amazing plan to reveal his son.

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Here's part of his story-

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John 9:1-3 As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him."

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I'm sure this man heard the discussion between Jesus and his disciples. I'm sure it's a discussion he had heard many times. To be born blind was considered a curse from God because of sin. Since he was born this way there was the question of who sinned- he, before he was born or his parents. This kind of thing was seen as a curse, a punishment. He lived his life with the belief that he was being punished by God, but had no idea why. Then he hears these word- "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him." What a revelation! It wasn't sin, it was God's plan! He's part of God's plan. Suddenly his view of his life and purpose completely changes. Suddenly hope begins to grow. And shortly he will see for the first time. He's part of God's plan to reveal the Messiah to the world. Now the question- Would you say "yes" to this plan if given the choice? Would you say, "Yes, Lord, give me blindness for 40 years so you can reveal your son to the world and be glorified by it."

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Do you realize you are part of God's amazing plan for the world. Your problems, your life, your situation are all things that God can and will use to bring him glory. He has a plan. He plans to be glorified in the world. Will you say "yes" to your part in his amazing plan? You may not know today what God is doing, it may be years before it's all made clear....before you really see what he's doing, but while the darkness exists will you trust him? Will you put your 'yes' on the table and allow him to work in your life?

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This man's story is an amazing one. It's in the 9th chapter of John. If you have time read his entire story. He does say yes to God's plan for him and is wonderfully saved. Some day you will see him in heaven. Make sure you sit down with him and talk to him about his life and his part in God's plan. I think you will find he was thrilled to be blind for those years so Jesus could be revealed to the world as Messiah. Will you put your 'yes' on the table for God to work out his amazing plan in your life?

Thoughts from the gospel of John

I'm reading through the gospel of John and came to the end of chapter 7 and beginning of chapter 8 and I find these two contrasting verses-

7:53 Everyone went to his home.

Then, beginning chapter 8 is this contrast-

8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

This contrast is so obvious I am always caught by it as I read through these verses. Clearly, the Jewish leaders go home to a warm bed and roof over their heads, but what a contrast....Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. The implication is clear. He slept on the mount, possibly in the garden, without a bed, without a roof.

The reason this catches my attention is the dramatic contrast of these two verses. The very creator of the universe, the Lord of heaven and earth is sleeping in a garden while his opponents are home asleep in bed, warm and dry. I cannot escape the amazing contrast of these two verses and the people involved. I cannot escape how much Jesus gave up to come and save us. I cannot imagine how humble Jesus was to do all of this, to sleep in a garden, to lay aside his throne to become a human being and ultimately die to save us. It's an amazing contrast.

Personally, I'm most grateful that Jesus humbled himself in this way. It's such an amazing example to me. To humble himself and serve me in this way leaves me grateful and challenged to follow his example as a servant.

Just a few thoughts from two short verses.

Time passes so quickly

I couldn't believe it. As we drove by the city square of the town I grew up in music was coming from the gazebo in the center of the square. It's Thursday night, summer music in the park night. What a flashback! I was in this same gazebo playing music on Thursday nights more than 40 years ago. We stopped, sat on a park bench, and listened to music. 40 years passses so quickly. What an experience.

Balancing truth and arrogance

I saw this cartoon a few days ago and immediately understood the message. It's far too easy to find truth and then, without even realizing it, become arrogant about the truth we have found. This is a problem in any arena, but I've seen it far too often in Christian circles. I pray that I will be able to humbly share the truth of what I have found in God's word without an attitude of arrogance. It's a natural trap for the faith and one we must intentionally avoid.

While I've been gone...

It's the end of a long day of driving and I'm exhausted! This morning, at 3:30am, Joye and I hoped in the van, picked up the kids at 4am and headed for Iowa. 800 miles later, with more stops for bathrooms than I can count, we are finally here. Traveling with four small children will make a long trip into a series of short trips with numerous visits to all the best restrooms along the way.

Why are we here you ask? My parents are celebrating their 60th anniversary this week and we came up to be with them for this wonderful celebration. My dad is 83 and mom is 78. We didn't want to miss this time with them and so we are here. We saw my parents for a bit tonight and then to the motel for some rest. I'm really excited to be here with them and I consider myself very blessed to have my parents still living and married to each other after all these years. I know this is most rare these days.

While I've been gone I also noticed I have missed a number of good discussions on a previous post. Thanks, Brandon, for doing all my work for me. I appreciate you, brother. Thanks for your sweet spirit and for doing such a wonderful job defending the faith.

Ok, exhaustion has set in. Some rest tonight, a flat tire to fix in the morning and then off to the celebration with my wonderful parents.

What is Christian Apologetics? Defending "THE" Faith - BibleOrTraditions

Here's a great introduction to apologetics. I really like the way Dr. Morey introduces the topic.

What questions about the Christian faith have you heard or had to answer recently?

You won't believe this....

The marketing of Christianity has finally reached its peak (or should I say its valley). Now you can purchase a PERSONALIZED bible. Here's an example of what it looks like-

John 5:24
Mike has passed from death to life in Christ. Most assuredly I tell you, if Mike hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, Mike has eternal life, and doesn't come into judgment, but he has passed out of death into life.

Rom. 3:24
Mike has been justified through grace. Mike is justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Rom. 5:1
Mike has been justified, completely forgiven, made righteous, and has peace. Being therefore justified by faith, Mike has peace with God through his Lord, Jesus Christ.

I'm not sure who thought of this idea, but it takes marketing Christianity to a whole new level. The problem for me is that God's word is not all about me, it's all about HIM.

For someone to put my name in the text like this is just plain wrong! I am amazed that someone would think this is a good idea and market it, but they have.....just thought you would want to know.

Thanks, Dave

Our anniversary was a few months ago, but we waited until our recent mission trip to get a photo taken for our 35th anniversary. Our friend, Dave, took this photo of Joye and I while we were in Kenya. It's hard to believe we have been married for 35 years, but it's been great to spend my years with such a wonderful friend and partner. So, thanks Dave for taking such a great photo of an old guy and his pretty wife.

Monday's cartoon

I wonder....how often do miracles happen in our lives and we don't even notice, we don't even stop to see how amazing God's work is in our lives. I wonder...how many miracles God has done in my life that I have completely missed. I know there will be a day when our eyes will be opened to see all that God has done. I think we will be amazed.

Thought for the day

The race begins...

It's the 4th of July for us in the US, but in Monaco this morning the Tour de France begins. It's my favorite sporting event. I look forward to July and the beginning of the tour. For the next three weeks 180 amazing athletes will bicycle across France to try to win an impossible race. And, for a little more excitement, Lance Armstrong is back to race this year. It should be an interesting race!

Have a great 4th!

Today we celebrate the birth of our country. What an amazing place this is! What a great freedom we have to worship God and follow him as we wish. That may change in the days ahead, but what a wonderful heritage we have. I'm grateful to God that he placed us in this time, in this place and saved us as well to be part of his amazing plan for the ages. So, as you relax and celebrate this best of American holidays do take a moment and thank God for the freedoms we enjoy and often take for granted.

Spice and life

I'm so glad that God did not make life boring! I'm so glad he made problems for us to deal with, challenges to overcome, struggles to wrestle with, issues to face. I'm glad he made life rich with flavor.

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Can you imagine life without spices in it? Eggs without salt? Ice tea without sugar? Indian food without curry? Mexican food without HOT? Imagine food without onion. Garlic. Cinnamon. Pepper. Sage and a hundred other spices and flavors that add so much to our lives. How boring it would be to live without salt. How sad to eat Mexican food without HOT. Indian food just wouldn't be the same without curry. Spice in our lives is taken for granted, but let me change the spice a little and then ask these same questions.

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How boring would life be without needs to seek satisfaction, questions to ask God, problems to resolve, challenges to work on together, things in our lives that demand we trust God. Imagine how boring life would be if we had no spice, no problems or issues to deal with. Imagine if there was no need to pray, to ask for God's help. Imagine if we had all we needed and everything went well....where's the opportunity to trust God...to see him work in our lives? Where's the challenge to overcome? Where's the spice to flavor our lives? All of these things- needs, problems, challenges, health issues, questions, financial crisis, struggles and a hundred other things are spices that flavor our lives and drive us to God for his help, his care and his provision. They flavor us.

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So, when the trials of life become part of your days welcome then as fine spices to flavor and season you. Invite them in as friends who give you opportunity to trust God and make you depend on him more. Take the trials and challenges of your life and allow them to season who you are and make you even more dependent on God who provides us with all things richly. Welcome the spices of life and say boldly, "How wonderful, another opportunity to trust God and see him work in my life!" A well seasoned life is not an easy one, but it's never boring. And when it's all done you will be wonderfully flavored and rich with the spices of God's work flowing through your veins.

Water in dry places

I find myself a little dry once more. Inspiration is elusive, thoughts are scattered, and the body is tired. I find that, once more, I'm reading the bible and not getting much from my time in the word. This is something I experience in my walk with God at different times. It's quite common. I feel that I'm in a desolate place wishing for water, spiritual water. I know this is a common thing. I know this will only last for a short time, so I continue to read God's word, pray and walk with God. Whether I am really experiencing a dry time or simply tired I know I need to keep going. This is no place to stop. And so, as I have done many times before, I press on, I continue to walk with God, read his word and pray. Keep going, don't stop here....rain will come soon, refreshment is near. God will not leave me thirsty for long.

Every man

Since our trip to Africa I've been thinking often of one person. He was a homeless man who "lived" on a spot of dirt near our hotel. His spot of dirt was beside the dump where he foraged each morning.

Each morning, on our way to meetings, I would look out toward the field and see this picture....this homeless man sitting on his spot of dirt after a long night sleeping in that same spot.

I've thought about him often because he is burned into my mind as an image of the hopelessness of the human race without God.....living in rags, claiming a spot of dirt to rest on, eating garbage, with no hope and no future, but only more of the same mind-numbing routine.

We do dress nicer, our spot of dirt is a little more comfortable, we do eat better, but this man is, in my mind, the poster child for the human race.....holding onto rags, living for nothing, looking forward to the same thing day after day, without hope.

Using this man as a picture of us in the west, with our clean clothes, nice homes and good food may be repulsed by some, but if you think about it for a moment the only difference is circumstance. Everything else is the same. Without God the only difference is the packaging and the place. Without God the only future is despair and depression. Without God there is no purpose or plan. So, let me introduce you to "every man". He lives in Kilifi, Kenya, but he may be your neighbor next door as well. Without God there's no reason to do anything more than just exist.

The foolishness of the message

I read a lot of books, web pages, news articles, other views of the world....secular writers, atheists, angry people, thoughtful people...but one thing I'm noticing is a rising hostility to the message of the cross. Those of us who embrace the gospel find salvation, grace, forgiveness, love and God, but those who reject the cross consider it foolish, ignorant or worse.

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What a message this is- God providing a way to a relationship with him that requires only my faith in his solution. I can't work for it, I can't earn it, I don't have to understand it, I may not think it makes sense, but in the wisdom of God it's the perfect solution for the sin problem each of us face.

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God's solution is HIS power demonstrated through ultimate weakness on a cross. Through that horrible cross God provided the only solution to my problem of sin. I believe that message. I believe I'm forgiven because of what Jesus did for me, but as I read....as I see how others view this amazing gift of God...I'm really amazed at how vile this message is to the world. It's irrational, foolish for sure and ridiculed by those who will not accept God's gift. They sneer at God's plan, God's love and they curse God's judgment on them for not receiving his free gift. The world, sadly, is missing God's amazing love because they consider his solution foolish.

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But what other solution would satisfy them? What would they want God to do? If his perfect solution to our problem is thought to be foolish to the world they have raised their fists to the heavens and declared, "We will not trust you! We want to be forgiven on our own terms!" But God will not be negotiated with. It's his solution to our problem...take it or leave it. And, honestly, it's God's single, simple solution of a crucified savior that drives the world crazy. But for those who will trust, those who will believe, they find forgiveness, love and the wisdom of God.

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I'm rambling a little, I'm writing as I think about many of the harsh and hostile words and articles I have read in recent days. It does seem that the anger of the world is rising and I wonder why....why won't they simply trust, simply receive, simply come to God for his free gift, but I know why they don't, I know why they won't and that does grieve me. I can't imagine how it grieves the heart of God to provide all we need for life and godliness and watch as many around us simply say "no!" to his amazing love.

Thank you

Melissa, our director of children's ministries, is leaving us to move to Chicago with her husband. Melissa has been a wonderful blessing and joy to work with for these 10 years. She is such an amazing person and has a great heart. I will miss her dearly. Thank you, Melissa, for all you have done and more importantly HOW you have done it. You have been a wonderful servant, a Godly woman and a good friend. Personally, I will miss you. Thank you.

Praying for each other

This morning I've been thinking about and praying for friends, family and people in our church who are hurting, struggling financially, dealing with health issues, worried about the future, in pain over losses and so many other things. I've been very much occupied this morning with these people on my mind and in prayer for them. There is so much to pray for!

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A friend dealing with cancer, another hurting from a broken heart, others in need of a job, some concerned about having enough money to pay the mortgage....fears here....worries there....all around us things are being shaken and lives are being affected. I think of the words of Jesus, who told us of these days, but when the days come and the concerns for those I love and care about overwhelm me it brings me to the only place I know...it brings me to prayer. I don't have answers for all of these problems. I don't have words enough to salve the worries and hurts. I do have God's word to be sure and it is true and trustworthy and promises God care, provision, love and protection, but I also find myself going to God in prayer....appealing to the only one who can help for those in need. My list is long. There are so many things to pray for. So many hurting. So many tears. I'm not immune to the pain, in fact I think it intensifies my prayers. In these times I'm most comforted by the presence of a sovereign, loving God watching over his children. And yet he invites us to come to him and be part of his work through prayer, so today I'm praying.....There's a lot of us here before the throne appealing for God's help. He hears us all. He knows our needs. He smiles and comforts us. In a fallen world full of hurts and needs I'm so grateful I have a place I can go to find help. I'm so glad we are not on our own. So today I'm praying.....if you have a need add it to my list, it looks like I will be here for a while....

Reflections

Last night we shared with our church family some details of our trip to Africa. It's very hard to put the details of such an amazing week into a few photos and 6 minutes of sharing, but as I am thinking about the week of ministry in Africa this morning I find myself thinking about one person- my amazing wife, Joye. She was a great part of our team in Africa and a wonderful blessing to me.

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When I try to talk about her it's hard, because I am thinking about more than 35 years of life with this wonderful woman and the results of God's work in her life. God's work in her life was evident on our Africa trip. She did a great job ministering to pastors, their wives and to our team. Her input in the small group times was a real blessing and I know many of the wives and pastors were greatly helped by her words.

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What can God do in a life? Find someone who wants to follow God and watch them. It takes time, but you will see them molded into the image of Christ and they will begin to look like him in how they live and care for others. It's the molding process Paul talks about in Romans 12....it takes a lifetime, but if you watch a person over time, you will see the molding taking place. You will see Jesus begin to shine through a life given to him. You will see God glorified in that life.

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I'm very blessed to be able to see that in the life of my sweet wife. I'm grateful to see what God can do with someone who is available for his use, because I must tell you that even 10 years ago a mission trip to Africa would not have been on Joye's list of things to do. So, I'm watching as God works in the life of my sweet wife. It's exciting to see what he's doing. And I'm watching other lives too. I'm watching many who are walking with God and the transformation is obvious, but I also see others who are missing a wonderful transformation because they want to do it their way. They want to set the guidelines for how God will work in their lives. And so they miss God's plan because they have their own. This morning I'm most grateful to be able to watch God work in the life of another person and see them become like Christ. What an exciting adventure!

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Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

It's more than jet lag...

After a great week in Africa and a safe trip back I find myself with a cold! I have done what I need to, but I am sick! I hate being sick....and I feel worse than this guy looks. I'm very grateful for NyQuil!

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Who invented this amazing stuff? I hope to be back at full speed by the first of the week. I don't "do sick" well, so this is really hard for me. Ok, nothing spiritual or inspiring to share here....there's no room in my stuffed up head for inspiring thoughts. I'll share more when I'm over this cold.

Saturday's cartoon