Balancing Act

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Oh how can it be, that someone can exhibit power, love and self-discipline? Surely, when people look in the mirror and reflect, what do they see? Is it some balance of the three? Is it a healthy balance or is it out of kilter. Are you emphasizing power? Not the fire balls from the hands or the razor sharp titanium claws of Wolverine or executive power of a politician - but something stronger, more mysterious. What about love? love of self, conditional love? or self-discipline - of course I have master that last attribute...I have only 4 credit cards which I use sparringly...I have not acted out road rage in months...I don't get drunk.....so do you allow God's spirit to lead the day? Do you start your day by spending time with Him? I hope these devotionals help you.

Had Enough?

The unofficial start of summer brings about a flurry of activity. School ends, students leave New York, new people come into New York for the summer to play, study, or begin a new chapter of their lives. With the moving comes much baggage. Physical and mental baggage. A friend of mine who is on her way out of the city is using this occasion to "winnow" down her baggage - her possessions - a new way to live. I admire her goal of wrestling with the difficulty of saying, 'no, I have enough', in this consumption world. It is also a spiritual wrestling, to say, you are sufficient for me in my circumstances. Yes, it would be nice to adorn myself with jewelry, new clothes and accessories, but I choose not to do so to reflect the stewardship we ought to have. So, don't wait for a big move to be obedient to the Lord in stewardship.

2 Corinthians 8:15 As it is written, "The person who had much did not have too much, and the person who had little did not have too little."

Guilty as Charged

I am guilty. Of almost every sin under the sun. Well, not technically, so u try to guess which ones. Well, if you knew would you think of me differently? Would you avoid me and not show me grace and love? If God, in His wisdom, counts me or others in the Kingdom, would you not also embrace people automatically -- even if they have unique or distinctly different personalities, opinions, and interests from you? So, we may not claim Paul's specific claim to be "chief among all sinners" but we are sinners, whether we recognize it or not.

1 Timothy 1:15 "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief ."

Begining the week

We wake up with many things to accomplish or try to imagine what is in store. God gives us that drive as part of His plan to be in fellowship with Him and His people. I know God was not lonely when he created us. I know that he knew we needed a helper, family, neighbors, and a community. So, on this new day of the work week, what is on your mind? How about someone other than yourself? How about someone outside your regular circle? I say, how about _____________? Fill in the blank and pray for those people.

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Alot Going On

What do you make of all the news that we are bombarded with at almost every turn? Is it the proliferation of media that has over-saturated us with content. Is it really newsworthy to us in NYC if a small commercial warehouse in Tallahassee goes up in flames? Why is that breaking news? It is very relevant to those in that part of Tallahassee but anywhere else, is it really newsworthy. So, it goes, we have many outlets and need content. Content that sometimes is not relevant. In all the news reporting, it seems a truism that "disasters, bad news, and salacious items" sell. So how bad is it out there? Do you despair? Do you want to do something about it but feel helpless? What is your cry to the Lord to be?

Habakkuk 1:3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?

Your Public Profile

The train wreck or sabotage that is unraveling in California reminds me of how hard it is to stand your ground as a Christian while maintaining a highly public profile. I am not talking about Rick Warren how he had to back down from his stand on proposition 8 on Larry King show or his muted prayer on inauguration day. I am talking about someone more culturally relevant but under a more coordinated and insidious attack. It is "Miss California". After she gave her opinion on same-sex marriage, those "progressives" on the other side of the issue vowed to uncover every last fiber of dirt on this young lady. And yes, like many of us, we have things in our past that we conveniently forget or rather forget. So often as is the case, it is rarely the act itself that is vile or illegal, but the lying or posturing on technicalities that is the problem. So, it appears there is more "unsavory' stuff that makes Miss California seem like a "normal" young 20 something year old - she made bad choices to achieve her crown, earn income, further her dreams, then blogged about her personal life on her MySpace website -- don't you?

Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place

Sleep is overrated

I am very tired this AM. It comes with the territory when someone in your household wakes up frequently each night. And she cannot articulate why this is happening (e.g., bad dreams, temperature, other needs)...so while I wish for more sleep...an old saying came to me. "I will sleep when I am dead." Theologically, is that correct? I think we may sleep if we die before Christ comes back but that we will not sleep in God's presence. Won't we worship Him forever? What will our roles be if we are not musically gifted or have some pleasing vox? I suppose that is why you have a chorus, to integrate all voices. We are to live our lives on earth to please our Heavenly father rather than wait to do so when we pass on to some undiscovered place.

Revelation 4:8 b ... Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is to come."

I Don't Like You

Racism is not what it used to be. People think racism is a few words in a heated exchange or someone looks at them "funny". We have progressed. Racism still exists but not to even a scintilla of what it was in my generation or my father's generation. While at University in western NY state during the late 80's, I recall being called racist names. In fact, the hate was so vile that one of my own fraternity brothers made it clear to me, after I was initiated, that he did not "like" me. He did so with the bravery of a gun at his side and after a few drinks. He is a dinosaur in a world of progress? Not sure. I feel that we cast aside people who have not progressed. In fact, we don't think the devil exists anymore...but the devil lives in us, if you read the papers and follow the movies. No, the devil is more powerful and real than that. If we don't believe that, we are delusional. We need to be on guard. The devil knows we don't like him when we take a stand on the cross of Christ. So rest on our savior's power.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

A Recovery on the Horizon

So, the stock market indices are up about 20% from their lows and some financial stocks are up 50% year-to-date. Some housing markets that fell first are starting to bottom out. Home foreclosures did not cascade into the millions people were predicting. The world did not come to an end. But wait, have people been chastened? did they learn anything other than to tighten their belts a little in the last 18 months? did they learn lessons about bad habits and practices they should do away with? Hmmmm. Elder brother speaking but maybe such a quick recovery would not be in everyone's interest. No, I certainly don't like the "pain" people are going through but let's look at the facts - most Americans don't save; spend 110% of their earnings; buy things they don't need - like 3.2 television sets per household, 2 cars per household, 2 computers per household and those shoes how many pairs of shoes do you need when u have two feet? So, can we refocus and become better stewards? Solomon asked for wisdom, we should do likewise. Wisdom in love. By denying yourself of consumption, you are in a better position to love your neighbor by being able to have reserve resources to tithe and give.

Philippians 1:9-10 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until that day of Christ...

Hey Jude

Yes, the Beatles song, written by Paul McCartney to soothe young Julian Lennon's spirits after his parents, John and Cynthia, split. But the Jude I am referring to is the little letter before Revelation that warns and encourages believers. The letter reminds us to be cautious of people who distort the Word or try to distract and discourage us. We can see the times are a-changing (to quote another 60's songwriter) and with it, many Biblical based truths are being diluted. But we are to engage those who are our neighbors even if they embrace activities and opinions that are counter to the Word of God. How so and why so? Because Jesus was given to those who believe on Him.

Jude 1:22 Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear - hating even the clothing stained by corripted flesh.

Hard to Find

A good person is hard to find, let alone one who is humble. Tim Keller said that because of our human nature when we have some measure of success that we think it is all "us". Success is complex. Success is not all because you worked really really hard or had a good pedigree. What is the source of the success? It is part of a bigger plan that our Creator sets forth. While we may not understand why some are chosen to be "successful", it is really how we live our lives. Out of gratitude. What does that look like? A live of stewardship.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before teh days of trouble come...