Just As I Am!

June 28, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Realizing that you probably think I am stuck on de Mello’s books, I am, nevertheless, going to offer another quote from “The Song of the Bird” (p. 67-68): “I was a neurotic for years. I was anxious and depressed and selfish. Everyone kept telling me to change. I resented them, and I agreed with them, and I wanted to change, but simply couldn’t, no matter how hard I tried. What hurt the most was that, like the others, my best friend kept insisting that I change. So I felt powerless and trapped. Then, one day, he said to me, ‘Don’t change. I love you just as you are.’ Those words were music to my ears: ‘Don’t change. Don’t change. Don’t change. . . I love you as you are.’ I relaxed. I came alive. And suddenly I changed! Now, I know that I couldn’t really change until I found someone who would love me whether I changed or not.”
If I am not mistaken (and in this instance, I am not!), this is the way God loves us! Thankfully, we do not have to change in order to gain His love; He loves us because He is love and that is what love does.
Anyone who takes ownership of this incredible truth, anyone who believes that God is not requiring him/her to change in order to gain His love, does, indeed, change, so much so, as to come alive and really live.
Stop trying to be someone you are not. Stop trying to change to accommodate someone’s desires, to earn their love and acceptance. Accept the fact that those who really love you, love you as you are—whether you change or not.
God does and you can count on it!
That is good news—really good news!

The Fox & the Tiger

June 26, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
This quote is also from de Mello’s book, “The Song of the Bird” (p. 79): “A man walking through the forest saw a fox that had lost its legs and wondered how it lived. Then he saw a tiger come in with game in its mouth. The tiger had its fill and left the rest of the meat for the fox. The next day God fed the fox by means of the same tiger. The man began to wonder at God’s greatness and said to himself, ‘I too shall just rest in a corner with full trust in the Lord and He will provide me with all I need.’ He did this for many days but nothing happened, and he was almost at death’s door when he heard a voice say, ‘O you who are in the path of error, open your eyes to the truth! Follow the example of the tiger and stop imitating the disabled fox.’”
Recognizing that this is merely my not-so-humble opinion, I am offering it, nonetheless: From what I can see, we are living in a society that has been (for the most part) well-trained to imitate the disabled fox, not the tiger, and, I might add, it has been and continues to be a path of error.
Yes, I do know what Jesus said about “looking at the birds of the sky,” and about “not being anxious about our provisions,” and about “observing the lilies of the field,” but I also know what He said about our “seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness” and how this is a prerequisite to these “things” being added to us.
It is very difficult for me to imagine how anyone could have, as his priority, the seeking of God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, while imitating this disabled fox.
Which are you imitating, the tiger or the fox?

A Handful of Wheat

June 20, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
This quote is also from de Mello’s book, “The Song of the Bird” (p. 47): A handful of wheat, five thousand years old, was found in the tomb of one of the kings of ancient Egypt. Someone planted the grains and, to the amazement of all, the grains came to life.”
This is his comment: “I used to think the words of Scripture were dead and dry. I know now that they are full of energy and life. But it was my heart that was stony and dead, so how could anything grow there?”
This is my thought: there have been many times in the life of every believer, when the Scriptures seemed to be void of life, but inevitably He would plant them into our hearts and, lo and behold, they would come to life within us and for us.
Things really are not what they seem! Regardless of how they might appear on any given day, or in any given circumstance, His words are always full of energy and life—His life!
You think about that-

An Illusion

June 18, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
This is another quote from de Mello’s book, “Awareness” (p. 51): “Anytime you have a negative feeling toward anyone, you’re living in an illusion. There’s something seriously wrong with you. You’re not seeing reality. Something inside of you has to change. But what do we generally do when we have a negative feeling? ‘He is to blame, she is to blame. She’s got to change.’ No! The world’s all right. The one who has to change is you.”
de Mello went on to point out that he was not suggesting that we should do nothing when an obvious wrong has been committed; instead, he was suggesting that we should act, but with objectivity, which negative emotions prevent.
Again, whether or not you agree with de Mello is not my concern, but I do trust that you will take a moment to evaluate how your own negative emotions cloud your objectivity, and in the end, cause negative reactions, rather than positive responses.
I do think it is time for us to stop blaming others for the things that produce negative feelings, and I, certainly, think it is time for us to realize that the only person we can change is, well, I think you know. If you do not, look into the mirror.
Of this I am convinced: neither God nor man is too concerned about my or your happiness, so it would behoove each of us to get over ourselves. God is not concerned about our happiness because He has a much higher dream for us; namely, that we find ultimate fulfillment in His Son. Man is not concerned about our happiness because he is too busy trying to adjust his own circumstances, so he will be happy.
May we get past the illusion-

Dependence

June 17, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
When we finally come to the place where we no longer see others as a means of satisfying our addictions, we are, then and only then, able to love. Prior to this, we see others through the lenses of fear—the paralyzing fear that they will fail to provide us with what we believe we desperately need—their love and acceptance and approval. When you no longer give others the power to make you happy (or miserable, for that matter), you are finally free to love.
Anthony de Mello, in his book, “Awareness” (p. 172-173), asked this question: “Can you imagine a life in which you refuse to enjoy or take pleasure in a single word of appreciation or to rest your head on anyone’s shoulder for support?” He went on to add this: “Think of a life in which you depend on no one emotionally, so that no one has the power to make you happy or miserable anymore. You refuse to need any particular person or to be special to anyone or to call anyone your own.”
Please take a few minutes and consider what de Mello has said, and whether or not you agree, I do hope it will remind you of just how much our unhealthy need for others, causes us to sap the life out of them, to sabotage relationships with them, and to leave us in a perpetual state of dependence.
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1; NASB).

Alexis & Allison

June 16, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
In my church bulletin for yesterday, I wrote an article (with a particular motive in mind), telling my congregants that later in the evening I would be officiating at the wedding of Alexis and Allison. I emphasized the fact, that although I have married many couples over the past 30 years, this was my first time for an “Alexis & Allison” couple. I took the time to be sure that everyone had read the article, and, then, I asked if there were any comments. The looks on their faces and the whispers from their mouths were a dead giveaway—they minds were in gear and they were (for the most part) all thinking the same thing.
Have you noticed how quick we are to jump to conclusions? Have you noticed how easily our minds can be manipulated? Have you noticed how quick we are to make judgments based upon our perceptions, rather than on facts? Have you noticed how often what seems to be true is not true at all? Have you ever stopped to think about the number of rumors, false rumors, that you have initiated, as the result of your jumping to conclusions be-fore getting the facts? Have you ever considered the number of lives you have trashed be-cause of your making judgments based upon your perception of truth, rather than on actual truth? Have you ever stopped to consider the fact that much of what you perceive to be truth is not truth at all?
Of this I am confident: Had I not taken the time to clarify their perceptions of truth, the news would have somehow leaked out that I had married a gay couple, and, to be sure, the rumors would have been flying (Just for the record, that would not have bothered me in the least; in fact, I would have probably enjoyed it, even though I am quite convinced that God has made His position on the subject of gay marriage quite clear—He is against it. Yes, I am aware that my perception of God’s opinion on this subject could be very erroneous).
For this article, however, the subject is not about gay marriage; instead, it is about our tendency to jump to conclusions before we have the facts; it is about our tendency to believe that our perceptions of truth are actually truth; it is about our tendency to trash others based upon our perceptions of who they are, rather than who they really are.
Just for the record (in case you haven’t already figured it out), Alexis is a full-blooded, able-bodied male, and Allison is a beautiful female. The wedding was beautiful and it presented me with an incredible opportunity to love others because He loves me.

Some Thoughts from a book . . .

June 11, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Last night I finished a book that might be of interest to some of you (it is not for everyone!)—“Awareness” by Anthony de Mello. One of the many things that intrigued me about the book is the way he makes the reader (in this case, yours truly) rethink things he believes. I know this turns some people off, but I actually enjoy it. Anyway, I thought I would share with you a few quotes from the book. I would love to read your comments.
1. “Your beliefs give you a lot of security, but faith is insecurity” (p.18).
2. “We see people and things not as they are, but as we are” (p.88).
3. “No one has the power to put pressure on you” (p89).
4. “You are responsible for the negative feeling, not the other person” (p.90).
5. “I have no right to make any demands on you” (p.90).
6. “The selfish thing is to demand that someone else live their life as YOU see fit” (p. 93).
7. “It is not selfish to life your life as you see fit” (p-.93).
8. “You can’t imitate Christ by imitating His external behavior” (p. 96).
9. “Nobody was mean to you. Somebody was mean to what he or she thought was you, but not to you” (p. 97).
10. “Nobody ever rejects you; they’re only rejecting what they think you are” (p. 97).
11. “The final barrier to the vision of God is your God concept” (p. 102).
12. “. . . most people spend all their energies trying to rearrange their exterior world to suit their tastes” (p. 110).
13. “Not even the greatest guru in the world can take a single step for you” (p. 112).
14. “Life is something that happens to us while we are busy making other plans” (p.114).
15. “We always hate what we fear” (p. 117).
16. “We think we know, that is our tragedy; so we never discover” (p. 129).
17. “You always empower the demons you fight” (p. 147).
18. “You don’t chase darkness out of the room with a broom, you turn on a light” (p. 147)
19. “Loneliness is when you are missing people, aloneness is when you’re enjoying your-self” (p. 149).
20. “Dying is wonderful; it’s only horrible to people who have never understood life” (p.150).
21. “Wisdom occurs when you drop barriers you have erected through your concepts and conditioning” (p. 160).
22. “One cannot make a slave of a free person, for a free person is free even in prison” (p. 161).
23. “You were given a taste of the drug called approval, appreciation, attention” (p. 162).
24. “Learn to enjoy the solid food of life. Good food, good wine, good water. Taste them. Lose your mind and come to your senses” (p. 164).
25. “Unfortunately, people have gone crazy, and they’re getting more and more addicted because they do not know how to enjoy the lovely things of life” (p. 165).

Sight to the Blind!

Mac's Perspective on the Intricacies of God’s Amazing Grace

June 5, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
This is Jesus’ response to the two blind men, who were crying out to Him to have mercy on them: “Do you believe that I am able to do this” (Matthew 9:28)? This is their response: “Yes, Lord” (vs. 28). Sounds simple enough to me.
These two men were blind—physically blind! Obviously, they really wanted Jesus to give them sight. The incident went off without a single hitch. A beautiful story! An incredibly beautiful story! Dramatic and undeniable proof that Jesus is able to do the impossible. For the life of me, I cannot imagine why every blind person in Israel didn’t run to Him and ask for the same thing. In any case, I am confident that these two men served as very effective advertising agents.
Did you notice, however, that Jesus told them (very emphatically, I might add) not to let anyone know what had happened. These are His words: “See here, let no one know about this” (vs. 30)! Talking about being a “party pooper!” How in the wide-world did Jesus expect them to obey His directive? They were blind, but now they could see! How would they hide that? Did He expect them to continue walking around with a black and white cane, wearing shades and tapping the pavement? Did He really expect them to hide their excitement? Did He really expect them to remain calm the first time they saw the sunset? Did He really expect them to remain unaffected the first time they saw the rain? Whatever He expected, this is what happened: “But they went out, and spread the news about Him in all the land” (vs. 31).
This is the truth: When anyone, who is blind to the truth, experiences the freedom that comes from having been given sight, the kind of sight that allows him to see truth, there is no putting that light under a bushel!
Do you believe that He is able to open your eyes to truth? Good! Now, do you believe that He will? Hmmmm . . . that’s what I thought you would say. Go figure-

The Nuts & Bolts of the Matter

June 4, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
This Sunday, my sermon topic is this: “The Nuts & Bolts of the Gospel.” I am afraid there will be more “nuts” than “bolts” but that will not hinder my pursuing the subject in the least. For some reason, I have the feeling that, when we all of us who teach the Scriptures get to Heaven, we will have to face the fact that we were all “nuts”! I am certain that none of us are as knowledgeable about the Scriptures, as we would like for others to think. Actually, our biggest hindrance to knowing God is our concept of God. Our perceptions of Him determine what we believe about Him, and the truth be known, our perceptions of Him are all probably way off the mark of truth.
I know of no other subject where it is advantageous for the teacher to know that he/she knows little, if anything, about the subject matter. A mathematics teacher must have an excellent working knowledge of mathematics; otherwise, he will fail as a teacher. In the same way, a language teacher must have a excellent working knowledge of the language he is teaching; otherwise, he will fail as a teacher. Interestingly, however, the opposite is true for the teacher of theology; the more he realizes just how little he knows, the more effective he is as a teacher. Don’t panic, as God’s ways never have been our ways, nor will they ever be, at least not this side of Heaven. You see, knowing God has little, if anything, to do with facts and figures, with principles and formulas, with permutations and combinations; instead, knowing God has to do with love, and, well, I think you know what I was about to say about that.
Anyway, nuts & bolts have a neat function; they hold things together! I will never forget the Christmas that Santa brought Amy her first swing set. When I opened the box to put the set together, and realized how many nuts & bolts were necessary for the proper function of the swing set, I nearly fainted. I counted them! There were exactly 4,219 bolts and exactly 4,218 nuts! It was that one missing bolt that kept me up all night, as without it, the set simply would not hold together. I think it was the king pin! (I really didn’t count them, but I didn’t have to, because it became obvious toward the end that a major nut was missing!) Anyway, I finally found it, neatly tucked away in one of the corners of the box.
Just for the record, there are several “nuts & bolts” that actually hold the gospel to-gether, without which the “good news” becomes “very bad news.” Sadly, they have been long-since lost, or so it seems, as is evidenced by the many perversions of the gospel that run rampant throughout the church.
Gosh, I wish all of you could be present this Sunday, as I really would like for you to get your “nuts & bolts” together! (-:

Blessings,
Mac

Enough faith?

June 2, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Yes, I took a month’s Sabbatical from writing my perspectives; sometimes, one needs to regroup, to clear his mind, to refocus, to rid himself of the cobwebs, to rethink his perspective. Since several of you have contacted me, wondering why you weren’t receiving my ramblings, I am back, at least for a while. Hopefully, this “season” of my ramblings will be meaningful to you.
Anyway, this is what Jesus said to the woman with the “issue of blood”: “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well” (Matthew 9:22). This is what the woman was thinking before Jesus said those words: “If I only touch His garment, I shall get well” (Mat-thew 9:21).
Have you noticed how often we place the emphasis on faith, rather than of Jesus? For some reason, the message has been, “If you have enough faith, you can get anything you want.” In other words, the more faith one has, the greater the possibility of his receiving want he wants from God. Ironically, however, Jesus said this in response to the disciples asking Him why they could not cast the demon out of the young boy (see Matthew 17:14-19): “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you.’ But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).
Notice that Jesus made it clear that faith is necessary. The “littleness of their faith” was apparently the problem, but His following comment indicates that their “littleness of faith” was no faith at all! If faith as a mustard would have been sufficient, then obviously, their “littleness of faith” was really no faith (the last time I checked, a mustard seed is SMALL!). In other words, Jesus was not diminishing the importance of faith; instead, He was making it very clear that apart from faith, we are in heaps of trouble. Keep in mind that the though a mustard seed is SMALL, it is powerful—very powerful—as is evidenced by its fruit.
From my perspective, if faith as a mustard seed is sufficient to move mountains, then quantity is not the issue; the issue is the object of one’s faith. For example, you might have faith the size of a mountain in Allah’s ability to heal the sick, but you can rest assured that the sick will remain sick. However, you can have faith the size of a mustard seed in Jesus’ ability to raise the dead, and, if He desires to raise the dead—up they will come!
In my opinion, this was the secret of the woman’s healing—her mind was centered on Jesus, not on how much faith she had or didn’t have. The truth is this: she was tired and weary from having done everything she knew to do, even spent all of her money on doctors, and all to no avail. In other words, her faith was definitely of the “mustard seed” variety. It was sufficient, however, because her focus was on Jesus, not on her faith, or the lack thereof.
This should be quite a relief for those of us who have been convinced that Jesus’ response to our requests is directly related to our having much faith. Actually, much faith is only the size of a mustard seed, and even that is His gift to us! Why, if He should give us faith the size of a golf ball, there is no telling the chaos we would produce.
Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Blessings,
Mac

New Wineskins

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
This is what Jesus said: “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. And no one, after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, ‘The old is good enough’” (Luke 5:37-39 NASB). Wonder why? Let me explain.
As the new wine continues to ferment, the gasses that are released will burst the al-ready-stretched, pre-used old wineskins and, obviously, both the wine and the wineskin will be lost. If you know anything about drinking wine, then you know that, with rare exception, older vintages are much better than newer ones. Of course, the vintage year has lots to do with this, but the principle is true, nonetheless. Yes, some wines age much better than others, but, again, the principle remains true. Should you ever get to enjoy an older (good vintage year!) Bordeaux, for example, you will, well you try it and see for yourself.
Those of you who know me (many of you do not!), know that I am rather opinio-nated, when it comes to theology, especially the gospel. What would one expect from someone who has spent the better part of his lifetime not only studying the Scriptures, but also teaching them? I simply cannot imagine teaching from a position of uncertainty, nor can I imagine anyone wanting to learn something, as important as the gospel, from someone who isn’t sure about the subject.
Having said that, I must hasten to tell you that it is my confidence in the gospel that allows me and encourages me to continue in a teachable mode. To be sure, I would not want to sit under the tutelage of a teacher, who isn’t teachable, regardless of his/her expertise, nor would I expect anyone else to do so.
To say that another way, I am very desirous of being a fresh wineskin, and I am be-cause I want Him to be willing to pour new wine into my life, into a life that can withstand the process of “fermentation.” I might add this: there is nothing quite like the power of the spiritual gasses that are released, as new (fresh) truth ferments within our lives; old wine-skins simply cannot withstand the pressure.
These old wineskins come in several forms: tradition; religion; denominations; fear; idolatry; to mention a few. A new wineskin, however, comes in only one form—an empty, willing vessel, that has never been stretched by any of the aforementioned. Maybe, just maybe, this is one of the reasons that old man has been crucified and buried—done away with. The new creations are, well, you consider yourself one of them and see what happens.
Blessings with much grace,
Mac

So Easily Deceived!

Mac's Perspective on the Intricacies of God’s Amazing Grace

Monday, April 27, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
If Paul is correct (and he is!) and there is but one gospel—the one he preached—and if the gospel is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16), then, as I said earlier, it would behoove each of us to be certain that we understand and believe the gospel, exactly as Paul preached it. There is very good reason for this: any other “gospel” is a perversion of this one, true gospel and is, therefore, no gospel at all.
As you might imagine, I am tempted to point out all the obvious fallacies that are proclaimed as true gospel, but I have lived long enough to know that that would serve no useful purpose. The truth is this: if you really want to be able to recognize the one, true gospel, you will never reach your goal by studying the perversions of it; instead, you must become familiar with the one, true gospel—the one Paul preached.
As you remember, Paul left no room for error—none whatsoever. In fact, he felt so strongly about the accurate preaching of the gospel, that he believed that anyone (including Paul, himself, even an angel from heaven) who preached a perversion of the gospel that he preached should be eternally separated from God. At first glance, that sounds rather harsh; however, once you realize the significance of heretical preaching, it doesn’t sound quite so harsh. What we believe is much more important than most of us realize.
Oh, I am very familiar with the popular mindset that says what we believe really doesn’t matter, as long as we believe in Jesus. HINT: Satan believes in Jesus, probably more strongly than most of us. Listen up: It is not enough to say, “I believe in Jesus!” The Judaizers, who came to Galatia believed in Jesus, but they also believed that circumcision was essential for pleasing God. As you well-know, most church-goers today would tell you that they believe in Jesus, but they would also tell you that you must “remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy,” and they would be just as fervent in their efforts to influence you, as were the Judaizers, who tried to influence the members of the church at Galatia. In case you missed it, their heretical attempts infuriated Paul, so much so that he wrote the letter we are presently studying, the one in which he clearly defines the one, true gospel.
Just for the record: the Galatians were much more easily influenced than even Paul imagined, and there is good reason for this: the one, true gospel is unbelievable! It is so much easier to believe something that includes our participation, even if that “something” is circumcision!

Accursed?

Mac's Perspective on the Intricacies of God’s Amazing Grace

Friday April 24, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
As I review Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia, there can be no mistaking his mission and purpose—to establish for both Jews and Gentiles, that there is but one, true gospel; that any “gospel” that is not in full agreement with the gospel he preached, is in fact no gospel at all. Listen to his own words: “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; on-ly there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even though we or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1: 6-9). By the way, his use of the word “accursed” means “eternal separation from God.”
There are several conclusions we can draw from these verses; however, in my opinion, this one stands out among all the rest: it would behoove each of us to be certain that we clearly understand and believe the gospel that Paul preached. If his words are true, then any addition or subtraction to the gospel he preached, creates nothing more or less than a distortion of the gospel of Christ, aka, heresy. Paul felt so strongly about this that he warned his readers with this very stern admonition: But even though we or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed (vs. 8).
Sadly, most modern-day church-goers are easily deceived, just as were the church-goers of the region of Galatia, during Paul’s time. Even more sad, is the fact that most modern-day church-goers simply receive whatever is “preached” to them, without ever at-tempting to validate its truth by holding it against the plumb line of the gospel Paul preached. Unfortunately, most modern-day church goers have very little knowledge of the one, true gospel, or so it seems.
All I know is this: Paul was rather adamant regarding the fact that there is but one, true gospel, and those believers, be they Jew or Gentile, who would choose to attempt to add anything to it—circumcision, observance of holy days, eating “clean” foods, et al—were in fact falling from grace and making Christ of no benefit to them (see chapter 5).
You really should give this some serious thought, at least that is Paul’s opinion--

Appetizers

Thursday April 23, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Over the next several months, I will be devoting my Sunday morning messages to a study of Paul’s letter to the church in the region know in his days as Galatia—Asia Minor. That means that you might expect to see some of the results of that study here in my perspective, today being no exception. Although the members of my congregation already have this, I felt impressed to pass it on to you. I am calling it “Appetizers” and I must admit that I gleaned most of it from John Stott’s book, “The Message of Galatians.” Hopefully, these “appetizers” will whet your appetite for some of soul food!

1. Satan would have us prove ourselves holy by the law, which God gave to us to prove us sinners.

2. Everybody is living either living in the Old Testament or the New, and derives his “religion” either from Moses or from Jesus. He is either “under law” or “in Christ.”

3. People cannot see the beauty of the pearl because they have no concept of the filth of the pigstye.

4. God still speaks through what He has spoken, and nothing is more necessary for the life, health, and growth of Christians that that they should hear what the Spirit is saying to them through His ancient—yet ever modern—Word.

5. The death of Jesus was primarily neither a display of love, nor an example of heroism, but a sacrifice for sin.

6. The gospel is a rescue, an emancipation from a state of bondage.

7. The gospel doesn’t teach me what I ought to do (for that is the proper office of the Law), but what Jesus Christ the Son of God has done for me; to wit, that He suffered and died to deliver me from sin and death.

8. The Law requires works of human achievement; the gospel requires faith in Christ’s achievement.

9. The Law makes demands and bids us obey; the gospel brings promises and bids us believe.

10. The gospel offers blessings; what must we do to receive them? The proper answer is “nothing.”

11. Obeying is an attempt to do the work of salvation ourselves, whereas believing is to let Christ be our Savior and to rest in His finished work.

12. The gospel is not good advice to men, but good news about Christ; not an invitation to us to do anything, but a declaration of what God has done; not a reward, but an offer.

13. If we are “in Christ” our “religion” is characterized by promises rather than by law.

14. God intended the Law to reveal sin, and to drive men to Christ. Satan uses it to reveal sin, and drive men to despair.

15. You shall remember that you were a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you.


You think on these things—
Mac

Proven a Weenie!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Over the past four weeks, my belief that I am a “weenie” has been strengthened, times several, and most of that “strengthening” has come from my weakness—I do not suffer well. For some reason, I much prefer being well, over being sick, and I doubt that this will change, at least not in my lifetime on this earth, and probably not even in Heaven. Truth is I don’t even mind if you call me “weenie,” as truth is truth and that is that.
Thankfully, today my doctor prescribed cortisone, and for that I am very thankful, as I believe it will cure this monster of an illness. Hopefully, it will “kick-in” and “kick-butt” quickly and set my feet to dancing, as I am tired of “weenie-ing” around, trying to do life on one cylinder, and it with a bad spark plug. Hopefully, tomorrow will bring a new day, and I’m betting it will!
Having said all of that, I do want you to know that I am aware that God never said that life would be a smooth journey—not potholes, no gnats, no frogs, no snakes, no speed bumps, no alligators, no bats, no pains in the neck, no spoiled picnics, no mad mama bears, no bad preachers, no sweat, no broken finger nails, no flat tires, no disobedient children, no disappointments, no runny noses, no IBS, and no mad hatters.
He did, however, tell us (actually, He promised us) that He would never leave us or forsake us—PERIOD; that He would complete the good work that He started in us; that He would meet ALL of our NEEDS according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus; that light and darkness are alike to Him; that His strength is made perfect in our weakness; and that His grace is sufficient for us!
I can only speak for myself, so I will: thus far, His promises have proven true; His Word has proven faithful; and He has proven trustworthy.
Amen! You think about this—

Grace lavished,
Mac

Tax Day 2009

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Well, it is here once again—Tax Day! Actually, every day is Tax Day, here in America, and from what I can see, it is only going to get worse! I once knew a man, who kept up with every penny (literally) that he spent. He carried a small notebook with him, in which he kept a record of everything he purchased. At any moment, he could tell you exactly how much he had spent for everything from toilet paper to filet mignon (which he didn’t purchase very often); he could even tell you how much he had spent for sales tax, ad valorem tax, gasoline tax, alcohol tax, et al! If he were alive today, he would definitely need a computer, along with an excel worksheet, just to keep up with the various kinds of taxes he would be paying, not to mention, a bottle to Xanax to calm his nerves.
Anyway, I tell you that story, to remind you that should you decide to actually keep up with the total amount of taxes you will pay this year, you would need a special assistant, who devotes all of his/her time to that project, and, I might add, you would need more than one bottle of Xanax to calm your nerves, more like a case of Jack Daniels!
There is a piece of me that wants to say that I really don’t mind paying taxes, but that “piece” of me is a liar—a bald faced liar! If I had a choice, I would much prefer taking whatever amount of money I will have paid in taxes for 2008 and burning it in my front yard; at least, I would be in agreement with what was happening to it.
The way I see it, it will not be much longer before the amount of taxes we are paying will prevent most of us from being able to maintain our standards of living. In other words, it will be very difficult for anyone to pay his/her present mortgage and car payment, purchase clothes, groceries, and gasoline, tithe, AND pay the amount of taxes that will be levied. I really do not believe that any of us really realize the level of deceit that is being carried out by both our state and federal governments. The fact is this: I do mind paying taxes, and contrary to what you are probably thinking, I do because I love America—the America in which I grew up, the America that provided me the opportunity to pursue my dreams, the America that treasured family, the America that valued Christianity, the America that believed hard work was a thing of honor, the America that thrived on “mom and pop” businesses, the America that did not believe that everyone is entitled to a certain standard of living, the America that did not believe that everyone is entitled to health insurance, and the America that did not believe that laziness, slothfulness, and lawlessness should be rewarded.
Yes, it is Tax Day 2009—HALLELUJAH!!

PS: I do have two suggestions: (1) The next time elections roll around, let us clean house—thoroughly; and (2) Sooner, rather than later, let us insist on eliminating the present Tax Code, along with the IRS, and beginning again, with something that is reasonable and understandable for all—fair tax, flat tax, anything but what he have.

Holy Week?

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
If we could rewind the film and take an up close and personal look at the events of Jesus’ life, some 2000 years ago today, I think we would be astonished, to say the very least, to see all that was going on in His life. Even a casual look at the events that led up to His final visit to Jerusalem, His triumphal entry into that city He loved, gives us much insight into what was going on in His mind and heart. Let me encourage you to begin reading in Luke’s gospel, beginning in the 31st verse of chapter 18, and continuing through at least the end of chapter 19, so you can have your own personal look into these particular hours of His life.
As I read these stories, I can’t help but wonder how we can be so uninvolved, so dis-interested, so unengaged. Yes, I know that 2000 years is a long time, per our sense of time, but I also know that the reality of what He accomplished during this week of His life, is as relevant today, as it was then. It is difficult for me to imagine why every believer is not completely absorbed in the wonder of His Person and in the miracles that He accomplished during these days, even though they took place so long ago.
This verse intrigues me, especially in light of what I have just said: “And as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, saying, ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’” (Luke 19:37-38 NASB).
I have no idea how many miracles you have seen, but I do know that, as a believer, you have experienced at least one—The New Birth—and that one miracle should cause you to live in humble adoration of The One who died, in order that you might be free to live and to love. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, should ever distract us from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Him, not even the shenanigans of Easter.
The other day, I heard President Barack Hussein Obama declare that the United States is not a Christian nation, but a nation of citizens. Yes, I reacted and thought, “How can the president of this country make such a statement, especially in view of the fact that this country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles!” After thinking about it for a while, however, I wonder if he did not, inadvertently, speak the truth. Based upon the way we have “pagan-ized” the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, with our pagan appeals to the flesh, with our pagan efforts to attract the masses, and, especially, with our apparent attraction to and love for these pagan efforts, I am afraid that he was correct.
Tomorrow is Thursday of Holy Week—Maundy Thursday—the day that marks His last supper with His disciples, including Judas!, His washing their feet, and, especially, His changing the shadow of Passover into the substance of Holy Communion—the Eucharist. I am looking forward to gathering with my small flock and leading them in thinking about the significance of these events, and, certainly, in sharing with them the bread and the wine of the Eucharist. We will remember Him and we will be astonished and we will stand in humble adoration of His Person and we will thank Him for the gift of life—eternal life.
We will love Him and we will love each other, and we will do so because He first loved us.

Holy Week

Monday, April 6, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
According to the Christian calendar, this is Holy Week, the week that marks the most significant events in all of history. If we could, somehow, rewind the "film" and relive this week, as eyewitnesses to the actual events, I think our concept of "holy" would change; in fact, I know it would. If Jesus wept over Jerusalem (and He did!), as He rode into that Holy City on the back of a borrowed donkey colt, some 2000 years ago, what is His response today, as He observes the church's attempt to "holy-ize" this incredible week?
Folks, we cannot make the profane holy, regardless of how we dress it up, and profane is just what the shenanigans we call Easter really are. In fact, the more we try to dress up the events of this incredible week, the more profane they become, and the more Jesus weeps. It really is true: we will do anything to diminish the offensiveness of the gospel--hide it in colored eggs, paint over it with pastel colors, dress it up with new dresses, suits, and hats, disguise it as an Easter Bunny, even present it masqueraded in musical productions.
Oh, I almost forgot: if we do not promote all of these shenanigans, then we won't reach the masses for Easter Sunday, Sunday School attendance will be less than last year, the church down the street will have the largest crowd, and above all else, the church coffers won't be filled. Sadly, no one will have anything about which to brag, and that would would be terrible!
Maybe we really do need to spend more time around the events of His last supper, His changing the shadow of Passover, into the substance of Holy Communion, and His washing the disciple's feet. Maybe we do need to spend more time trying to enter into the gut-wrenching experience of Jesus' pointing out that Judas would betray Him and his running out into the night to take his own life. Maybe we need to visit the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane (the place of crushing!), just to be reminded of what that "crushing" involved. Maybe we need to feel the sting of the whip and the crown of thorns, just to be reminded that Someone took our place. Maybe we need to be reminded that holy ain't about shenanigans; it is about a Man called Jesus--the Holy One of God!
Maybe we need to be reminded that we are holy, not because of our shenanigans, but because He made it through this terrible week, as victor! The King of Kings and Lord of Lords really is alive, and He does NOT need the help of any of our shenanigans!

Run to Jesus, as He is enough, and then some!

Making Work Pay?

Thursday, April 2, 2009


Dear Fellow Travelers,

The following advisory was included with my wife's pension check for this month: "The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires the use of new withholding tables that reflect the Making Work Pay credit, as outlined in the Federal stimulus package. These new tables take effect April 1, 2009 and may reduce the amount of income tax withheld from your pension benefit. Please note that pension plan distributions do not currently qualify for the new Making Work Pay credit, thus the new tables could result in under-withholding. You may want to submit a revised W-4P and/or consult with a tax advisor to ensure enough is withheld from your pension benefit."

In my humble opinion, this is an excellent example of the incredible "wisdom" of the stimulus package! Please, go back and reread the first paragraph and tell me how this will stimulate anything other than the ire of the taxpayer! Think about it: As the result of the stimulus package, Annis' payroll tax has been reduced, giving her an increase in her net check; HOWEVER, because this will result in an under-withholding of her tax responsibility, come tax time next year, she will have to scratch around and find whatever amount that might be, and include it with her return. Of course, she could choose not to do that and pay it later, along with interest and penalty! Oh, I forgot: she will have to pay her CPA an added $250 for an hour's work to straighten all of this out. And one more thing: the whole point of this stimulus package is to encourage spending. Gosh! if she spends this gargantuan amount, where will she get the money at next year's tax time? In case you haven't figured it out, the leaders of this good ole USA are deceiving us--big time--by taking money out of our pockets and putting it into theirs (we used to call that "sleight of hand")!

I know you are asking what this has to do with the intricacies of God's amazing grace, so I will tell you: Socialism and Religion have much in common and without God's amazing grace, we will survive neither. Both socialism and religion imprison, control, manipulate, deceive, and destroy. Sadly both are here to stay! Do not be deceived; you will never again know the freedom that capitalism has given to you. The promises your are given by your leaders are hollow and deceptive, not to mention self-serving. A warning: if you should choose to continue living under the umbrella of religious hypocrisy, you will NOT survive the days and months that lie ahead. A suggestion (strong suggestion!): RUN TO JESUS AND TRUST HIM AND HIM ALONE!

You think about this--

The Foolishness of the Message Preached?

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Dear Fellow Travelers,
This is what Paul had to say about the message of the cross: “For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB). He went on to say this: “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (vs.21).
As some of you might know, I am having a great time making people aware of what I believe is the finest health drink around—Zoe Life. It comes packed with the nutrients of some 20 fruits and vegetables, and loaded with antioxidants. There can be no denying the fact that very few, as in very few, of us eat the amounts of fruits and vegetables our bodies require, nor do we even come close to meeting our body’s requirement for antioxidants. One serving per day of Zoe Life can turn that around and make a remarkable difference in one’s life.
Yes, I know that sounds like a sales pitch, but it was not (reread it!), and, yes, I know this is April Fool’s Day, but I am not fooling! Zoe Life is going to prove to be much better than I have described it; however, it will be ONLY for those who drink at least one serving per day. The rest will see it as, well, as foolishness. I would love to be able to change that but I cannot; all I can do is to continue to “preach the foolish message” of Zoe Life. But, there is more!
As a distributor of Zoe Life, I also have the opportunity to earn no small amount of money. Notice that I said the “opportunity to earn” no small amount of money! In spite of popular opinion, money does motivate Christians, even those who declare that it does not. The problem comes when we learn that the money must be earned. When that part of the equation is revealed, the motivation vanishes into thin air! In our society, the notion of having to earn one’s living is as foolish and offensive to the needy (which is oftentimes why they are), as the message of the cross is to the lost.
The other day, I was talking with a young man, whom I have known for several years, and who is more needy than even he realizes. His life is, shall I say falling apart, from the inside out; in fact, I think it is safe to say that it is already in shambles. Interestingly, He came to my door to deliver a shipment of Zoe Life. What a set up! Without getting involved with too many details, let me simply tell you that I told him, that if he would follow my lead, I could offer him an opportunity to help himself—physically, financially, and spiritually. I looked at the package and said to him, “The key is inside this package.” His response was classic! “Oh, are you talking about Zoegetics? I have already heard about that and I don’t have time for it.” I said, “That’s fine; however, before you leave, I do have one question: How many packages from Zoegetics are you delivering on your route?” His answer was astonishing: “It has increased just one of my routes by 60 stops!”
As he ran across my yard to the delivery truck (12 hours per day at minimum wage and no benefits), I thought, “You are working 12 hours per day for minimum wage, grumbling every step of the way, to deliver to others the very product, that someone could be delivering to you, a product that could be changing your life.”
It is strange how we can often look right into the face of the answer to our struggles and see it as, well, as foolishness. I wonder how often Paul had that sense of “strangeness” come over him, as he preached the message of the cross? Often, to be sure.