What did you See?

As we approached the intersection with a green light I noticed a car approaching as well. It was approaching from my right on the street crossing the line of traffic we were in. From my angle I could see that the driver's view of the traffic light for his road was clearly red. Fortunately this driver had his window down as he slowed down preparing to make a right turn-

but looking right through my two partners and myself

as we made our way on our bicycles through the intersection and into his path. As he began to pull on out into what seemed like inevitable disaster for us- I was able to catch his attention with a loud Hey-Hey-Hey. In the nick of time (Thank You Lord) he saw us and was able to quickly stop. It was classic-

He couldn't see us because we were not what he was looking for!

Over the years, this has become one of my favorite tendencies to point out to my students.

It is a tendency that has several variations-

People usually only see what they are looking for-

If you know what you are looking for at the outset you have a much better chance of finding it, but maybe really missing some other pretty cool stuff-

How you see something will many times determine what you do with it- that is how you process what you are looking at.

I don't think this has a greater effect anywhere than when we approach Scripture.

It is very difficult to approach Scripture without our preconceived notions-

our upbringing-

our personal experiences-

previous teachings-

our cultural biases-

our........... you name it coming into the mix.

The great determination as we approach God's Word must be to intentionally and wholeheartedly go into the process looking for the Truth.

What I find myself and many others doing is going to the scripture looking for justification- Looking for those things that will show that my own views are right.

So many times we look right through or past those things that don't seem to help our position.

Like all the rest of our Great Faith- Bible Study Requires Humility. I must come to the Scriptures willing to be shown wrong- willing to give up my position- Dedicated to finding Truth above all else. If we come to the Scriptures seeing only what we want to see there is a severe danger that we might just run right over someone.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-Breathed.........so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is Living and Active.......It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit........It judges thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Holy Spirit of the Living God- move in me for a relentless pursuit of the Truth. Give me a willingness to give up my own way and see what is real. Lord Jesus, Thank You for living out all these things for me to see. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear You alone. Amen

Prayer- Just some Thoughts

My work place has very interesting- strange- thermostsats. I say this because sometimes they work perfectly- responding almost immediately upon adjustment, but other times.......... Well, like today when my buddy Dave came into the break room (which really was a bit warm) and went immediately to work in great earnestness trying to reset the temperature. The first thought that went through my mind and the immediate words out of my mouth were,

"You're working on that thing like you really expect to get some results."

My words oozed sarcasm.

James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

John 15:7-8 Jesus said,"If you remain in Me and My words remain in you- ask whatever you wish and it will be given you-

This is to My Father's Glory."

How many times do I approach prayer like I do those thermostats at work? You know- it works sometimes- if I hold my mouth just right- Or if I punch the buttons in just the right way- Maybe it will work this time. Maybe it will give me what I want. It can't hurt to try. Maybe the great air conditioner gods will have mercy on me this time. I suppose this is better than denying the possibility the thermostat may work...........or is it? I wonder what God must think of my prayers- Is He pleased when I come to Him looking for a little comfort- You know- like when the room is a little warm and playing with the thermostat looks like the best alternative.

Where is the Power of God in that?

How is the Father Glorified in those pissy little prayers?

Oh now, don't get me wrong- I am not one of those who believes if I pray with more fervor and tag Jesus name on the end.......... God is somehow obligated to give me what I want- No, I am more inclined to believe the Power of Prayer is not so much to manipulate God into more favorable circumstances for myself as it is about connecting with God in such a way that He changes me. Chambers calls it "Forming the Mind of Christ".

Can God change my circumstances? Absolutely Yes!

But many times He offers so much more-

He offers to give me a part in expressing His Glory-

He offers that I may become United to His Heart-

United with Him in His Purposes-

Even in all the things that are making me uncomfortable.

Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, Jesus fell with His face to the ground and prayed,"My Father if it is possible may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not My Will, but Thy Will be done."

Great Father in Heaven- I do not pretend to know all that You have in mind and so this one thing I pray- Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit - bring me into Your Great purposes. Work out Your Power in my life in such a way that somehow I may have a part in expressing Your Glory- Your Character- Your Goodness- Your Love- to all those around me. Amen

Following Dad can be Dangerous!

That phrase has stuck with me for a couple of days now and I have wondered a bit about why I am so apt to feel that following Jesus is dangerous. Is it that I am not sure of the way He is taking me- Maybe I think I see a better way- Is it that I have never been where He is taking me- Is it that I have my own destinations in mind- Maybe it's because I am not certain He can he really get me where I want to go- Maybe it's because it doesn't feel like He's making the path easier- Maybe it's because I have crashed so many times before- Maybe it's because I am looking at where the rest of the Peloton is going. John 21:21-22 "What about him Lord?" Peter asked. Jesus answered," What is his life to you- You must follow Me." John 14:5-6 Lord we don't know where You are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, " I am the way" John 10:4 The Shepherd's sheep follow Him because they know His voice. Matthew 8:18-22 A teacher of the Law said, " I will follow You wherever You go." Jesus answered, "Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His Head." Another said, "Let me go bury my father." Jesus answered, "Let the dead bury their own dead- you follow Me." John 11: 16 Thomas said, " Let us also go (follow him to Judea) that we may die with Him." In the end following means giving up control- which is fine as long as I am in agreement with the way He is leading- Ah, but that is not really giving up control is it? The central question in Discipleship (following) comes down to this- Do I believe so strongly in the one I am following that I will go after Him forsaking all others- including my self? That is the rub- I often think I know a better way. Luke 9:23 Jesus said, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." The call is to set my way aside- to commit to Jesus as the Way of Life- Daily- minute by minute staying fixed on Him. Indeed a dangerous thing in this world where happiness is measured in security and bank accounts. Lord Jesus, I do believe- I will follow You- help me overcome my unbelief. Become so real in my life- as my Way of Life- that I only see you. Like You did for Peter, Lord- when he took his eyes off You and began to sink in the waves- Reach down and take hold of me when I begin to drown in my own doubts. Have mercy on me Jesus. Holy Spirit fill me with Your strength to follow My Lord Jesus. Increase my Faith in this dangerous discipleship. Amen

Listening

My wife gave me a hard poke in the leg and a glare that said it all. "You have gone over the edge again Charles- in your passion to make your point- you have been hard and condemning". Mind you now, this was in Sunday School - and I later told her I thought I had been reserved as I had really only said about a third of what was on my mind. Thank you Lord for small mercies like hard pokes in the leg!

James 1:19 "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

Sometimes I do a good job listening- hearing what others have to say. Sometimes I genuinely want to understand someone else's thoughts and feelings- but I have a long way to go with this.

Proverbs 18:2 "A fool (me) does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions"

One of Jesus most common sayings after offering up difficult teaching was, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear".

Lord God, give me ears to hear and a heart intent on listening.

As a teacher I make my living with words- I can be pretty good at helping others understand difficult concepts by guiding them with my words. There is a great sense of satisfaction when someone gets something I have been trying to get across. Words are a way of life for me. Add to that- that there are certain things I am passionate about or I have pondered over and reached a conclusion about and watch out- I can easily become overbearing and hard with my words, scarcely listening at all. Now I realize there are times when strong words need to be delivered with Passion, but like so many things in Christian life there are few hard fast rules- except maybe becoming aware of the Holy Spirit's presence and listening for His lead in it all. Maybe that is what listening to others will teach me in my day by day face to face interactions- the habit of quieting down and intentionally listening for God's lead- To become that way in my prayers. Father forgive me. Move in me to become a good listener. Move in me to serve others- to become truly empathetic by listening- and really hearing their hearts. Help me to know when my words are more about defending my position than really offering help in Love. Amen

Indecision and God's Leading

Just now- Today- and over these last few days I am at a point of indecision. I have done everything I know to do to resolve the situation- to help me make a good, sound, smart decision and yet things are no clearer. There is angst. There is a sense of unsettledness about my spirit. Should I do this or that- and if I do this will I miss on the possibility of that. I would love to have a burning bush to command me. I would love to hear the voice of God clearly say, "Charles you should........" but it has not come and the angst continues. If only I could know how this or that would turn out- If only I had more information. Phillipians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God and the Peace of God which transcends understanding will gaurd your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

I can not look for the Peace in the granting of the request- but from Trusting in the Goodness and Love and Power of the Grantor.

This morning God has led me to the answer to end my angst. Prayer Oswald Chambers- May 26- "Pray without Ceasing." God always answers prayer. But I have prayed and yet still there is no clear- "Do this Charles"- answer. Ah, but there has been something. Something I can only describe as the rumbling of the Holy Spirit through my mind and heart - A sensation like hearing or feeling a hard wind blow. One of my favorite verses comes to mind-a message from God Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. The rumblings of the Holy Spirit tell me God is with me. Phillipians 4:5 "The Lord is near" I hear Him say, " Seek Me Charles and stop worrying about how this or that will turn out. Trust Me Charles- Delight in Me Charles and see where I lead you. Be thankful in all things- Even in where you are right now- it is no mistake. Let go of your regrets over past decisions. Desire Me above all the rest and be Thankful - Rejoice in all things- Knowing- really knowing- I am with you and am working all this for your heart to become even more united to My Own Heart. Father in Heaven, I will trust You- I will seek You as my great desire- above all the other things that want a hold on me- Lead me in Your way for me- show me what You want me to do and show me in such a clear way that I can not even begin to deceive myself - nor can the enemy deceive me- to go any other way. Bring on me the Peace that transcends understanding- Grow me in my trusting You. All praise be to You my Lord Jesus, my Heavenly Father, Spirit of the Living God for how all of this will turn out. Thy Kingdom come- Thy Will be done. Amen