Hand rails are put up for a purpose. Safety. To keep us from falling over the edge of something. It could be the edge of a stair well or it could be the edge of the Grand Canyon.
Yet, there is something in us that does not like hand rails. We witness this, especially in young boys, who feel restricted by any barriers meant for safety and which also keep them from "fun".
God has placed hand rails in our lives such as parents when we are little, spouses in adult life, the Community of the Faithful and so on. But let me back up and state that again--"God has placed them as such in our lives."
I wonder how subconscious our dislike of hand rails really is. None of us like having someone or something deter our "freedom". The word of the Lord was a hand rail to our first parents, Adam and Eve. Eve was deceived and Adam made a choice to ignore God's hand rail and to lean out over the Grand Canyon of Sin. As you know, THEY FELL! What if we saw a young child fall from a great height. That is our tragedy in Genesis 3. We have been struggling on the bottom of that canyon ever since!
Maybe it is time to dredge up from our subconscious the truth that we hate our hand rails. We hate anything and anyone who keeps us from what we want to do, that try to prevent us from independence from God.
Once we have realized the list of those who have been God's gift to us as hand rails, we realize that our anger is ultimately towards God. He has lovingly put protections in our lives and we, like petulant children, have despised the One who is actually keeping us safe.
Let God show you who and what those hand rails are. We may need to forgive them and then also ask forgiveness for not appreciating them or the One Who sent them to keep us from horrible falls in our lives.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Worm and the Claw
God speaks in various ways. One of the most fascinating way He speaks to us is through sign and symbol. He speaks to us using sign and symbol because they act as parables--pictures that we seldom forget.
Friday, a week ago, the Men's Group asked the Lord for a Word for one of its members. As we waited on the Lord, one of the men shared an unusual picture he had just been given. The picture was that of the end of an earth worm that wiggled back and forth. The worm began to change, however, into a very sharp claw with a point that could tear through anything.
It was if the Lord was saying that this was what He was doing in this person's life. It was an unusual symbol and sometimes, unusual symbols create doubt where we wonder if we have actually heard from the Lord or just made this up. Two hours later, however, the Lord confirmed that this was His picture and His word.
At noon that same day, I was in the church. I noticed something that looked like a twig up by the sanctuary. As I got closer I realized that it was alive! Possibly a baby snake! As I drew closer I found that it was neither. It was an earth worm! We have been in our present building since 2003 and never has there been an earth worm in it to my knowledge until that day.
The following evening (Saturday night), one of the men from the Men's Group called me about the Scripture that I had sent out via the internet for Sunday. The Scripture was Isaiah 41:10, 13-14. This fellow was so excited because Isaiah 41:14 says, "Do not be afaid, O worm, Jacob....."
He then said, read Isaiah 41:15. "See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth."
What are the odds of finding a worm on the same day of that vision? What are the odds that Sunday's scriptures would include a worm that turns into sharp threshing teeth? God speaks through sign and symbol. Everytime I see a worm or a sharp piece of metal from now on, guess what will now come to mind?
Friday, a week ago, the Men's Group asked the Lord for a Word for one of its members. As we waited on the Lord, one of the men shared an unusual picture he had just been given. The picture was that of the end of an earth worm that wiggled back and forth. The worm began to change, however, into a very sharp claw with a point that could tear through anything.
It was if the Lord was saying that this was what He was doing in this person's life. It was an unusual symbol and sometimes, unusual symbols create doubt where we wonder if we have actually heard from the Lord or just made this up. Two hours later, however, the Lord confirmed that this was His picture and His word.
At noon that same day, I was in the church. I noticed something that looked like a twig up by the sanctuary. As I got closer I realized that it was alive! Possibly a baby snake! As I drew closer I found that it was neither. It was an earth worm! We have been in our present building since 2003 and never has there been an earth worm in it to my knowledge until that day.
The following evening (Saturday night), one of the men from the Men's Group called me about the Scripture that I had sent out via the internet for Sunday. The Scripture was Isaiah 41:10, 13-14. This fellow was so excited because Isaiah 41:14 says, "Do not be afaid, O worm, Jacob....."
He then said, read Isaiah 41:15. "See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth."
What are the odds of finding a worm on the same day of that vision? What are the odds that Sunday's scriptures would include a worm that turns into sharp threshing teeth? God speaks through sign and symbol. Everytime I see a worm or a sharp piece of metal from now on, guess what will now come to mind?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
The Scorpion and the Turtle
There once was a turtle and a scorpion. They were on a small island in the midst of a river that was on the rise due to spring rains. They needed to swim to land for safety.
As the turtle prepared to get in the water, the scorpion asked if he might ride him on the turtle's back. The turtle quickly replied, "No." The scorpion asked, "Why?"
The turtle responded that the scorpion would sting him once they were safe on dry ground. The scorpion reassured the turtle that would never happen.
The turtle finally gave in and off they went into the water. Just as they were reaching shore, the scorpion stung the turtle. As the turtle lay dying he asked the scorpion why he had broken his word? The scorpion replied, "I could not help it. I am a scorpion."
The nature of evil does not change regardless of how convincing its words. I am not saying that people cannot change. I am saying, however, that this is a time for us to put on our discernment re people and situations. What people say and what they do can be very different. Jesus said that you will know them by their fruit. Regardless of what a scorpion tells you, it will always be a scorpion and will do what scorpions always do. So put on the whole armor of God and stand firm. Don't be duped by evil. Instead, expose it and return evil with good.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
As the turtle prepared to get in the water, the scorpion asked if he might ride him on the turtle's back. The turtle quickly replied, "No." The scorpion asked, "Why?"
The turtle responded that the scorpion would sting him once they were safe on dry ground. The scorpion reassured the turtle that would never happen.
The turtle finally gave in and off they went into the water. Just as they were reaching shore, the scorpion stung the turtle. As the turtle lay dying he asked the scorpion why he had broken his word? The scorpion replied, "I could not help it. I am a scorpion."
The nature of evil does not change regardless of how convincing its words. I am not saying that people cannot change. I am saying, however, that this is a time for us to put on our discernment re people and situations. What people say and what they do can be very different. Jesus said that you will know them by their fruit. Regardless of what a scorpion tells you, it will always be a scorpion and will do what scorpions always do. So put on the whole armor of God and stand firm. Don't be duped by evil. Instead, expose it and return evil with good.
Blessings,
Father Scott +
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Witnessing without the Gimmicks-Part 3
I want to conclude this story and the series on Witnessing without the Gimmicks. To read parts one and two clicks on each link for the correct section, Part 1 / Part 2
I tell you this because this story does not have a fairy tale ending. It has a real life ending. I shared the Lord with this guy over the following weeks. I watched him wrestle with the concept of Jesus running his ruined life rather than himself. He had made such a mess of it yet still wanted to maintain control of it. We met several times more and as he wrestled with the Master and my job was to love him, empathize with him and continue to impress on him the wonder of a life that only Christ could offer.
My new friend came to church once and Bible Study once, but he was choosing not to give in—Hell, he had lost everything! There is nothing logical about evangelism. Why would anyone in their right mind not choose The Way, The Truth and the Life?!
But that is Evangelism Lesson #5: Evangelism is not rational. It is spiritual and some choose to receive while many more choose to walk away. The rich young ruler walked away. The cost was too high to become a disciple.
This man to date has done the same thing. So was I a successful witness? I believe so. I tried to listen to what Jesus was saying. I tried to be as genuine as possible rather than fabricated. I became a friend first. I love this guy to this day and am praying for him because there is a fairy tale person inside me who somehow, someway believes that this guy will one day come to Christ and that those visits were seeds for the Kingdom.
Evangelism Lesson #6– Every encounter is a seed for the Kingdom. Paul wrote that some plant, others water, but it is God who gives the growth.
Lastly, Evangelism Lesson #7-Wherever God shows up, so does the devil.
Jesus shared this truth in parable form. A farmer went out to plant wheat. His enemy came at night and sowed weeds that looked like wheat in his field. This is what happened during my eight or nine weeks of witnessing to my friend. The devil sent people and situations, and bitterness to work against this man coming to Christ. I am convinced, however, that the seeds Jesus planted will have a longer term effect on this man than the enemy’s. But know that the enemy is out to sabotage all that the Holy Spirit is doing. So pray! Pray for yourself and pray for those whom you are sharing the Gospel with.
Evangelism In A Nut Shell-Final Recap
I tell you this because this story does not have a fairy tale ending. It has a real life ending. I shared the Lord with this guy over the following weeks. I watched him wrestle with the concept of Jesus running his ruined life rather than himself. He had made such a mess of it yet still wanted to maintain control of it. We met several times more and as he wrestled with the Master and my job was to love him, empathize with him and continue to impress on him the wonder of a life that only Christ could offer.
My new friend came to church once and Bible Study once, but he was choosing not to give in—Hell, he had lost everything! There is nothing logical about evangelism. Why would anyone in their right mind not choose The Way, The Truth and the Life?!
But that is Evangelism Lesson #5: Evangelism is not rational. It is spiritual and some choose to receive while many more choose to walk away. The rich young ruler walked away. The cost was too high to become a disciple.
This man to date has done the same thing. So was I a successful witness? I believe so. I tried to listen to what Jesus was saying. I tried to be as genuine as possible rather than fabricated. I became a friend first. I love this guy to this day and am praying for him because there is a fairy tale person inside me who somehow, someway believes that this guy will one day come to Christ and that those visits were seeds for the Kingdom.
Evangelism Lesson #6– Every encounter is a seed for the Kingdom. Paul wrote that some plant, others water, but it is God who gives the growth.
Lastly, Evangelism Lesson #7-Wherever God shows up, so does the devil.
Jesus shared this truth in parable form. A farmer went out to plant wheat. His enemy came at night and sowed weeds that looked like wheat in his field. This is what happened during my eight or nine weeks of witnessing to my friend. The devil sent people and situations, and bitterness to work against this man coming to Christ. I am convinced, however, that the seeds Jesus planted will have a longer term effect on this man than the enemy’s. But know that the enemy is out to sabotage all that the Holy Spirit is doing. So pray! Pray for yourself and pray for those whom you are sharing the Gospel with.
Evangelism In A Nut Shell-Final Recap
- Don’t be fooled by appearances.
- SHOULD-OUGHT. Pharisee words.
- Follow the Holy Spirit over "Sunday School" answers. He is ALWAYS right!
- A successful witness is one who has followed the Holy Spirit and shared the Faith with another whether they receive Christ or not.
- Evangelism is not rational. It is spiritual and some choose to receive while others walk away.
- Every encounter is a seed for the Kingdom.
- Wherever God shows up, so does the devil.
Blessing,
Fr. Scott +
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Witnessing without the Gimmicks-Part 2
Earlier in Part 1, I spoke about a man who had visited me and my story of witnessing to him or "lack of witnessing as most Christians know it". You can read first part of the story in the previous post by clicking on the link, Witnessing without the Gimmicks-Part 1.
....This went on for five or six visits. After a while I began looking forward to seeing my new friend. He would stop by for forty five minutes each week and we would drink coffee and talk about his life and the broken parts of it. On the fifth or sixth visit, the Holy Spirit whispered in my heart that I could mention "the Lord" TWICE during the conversation. I got excited and waited and waited until finally the green light came and said, "Well, the Lord was taking good care of you on that…" or something like that! (The Pharisee immediately condemned me saying, "Big witness!")
By the seventh visit, the Holy Spirit said that I could now share with him the full enchilada! I was not to share "The Four Spiritual Laws" , however, I was to share how Jesus had saved me during broken times in my past when everything was falling apart in my life. I shared this with him and told him that the solution to his disaster was to surrender to Jesus as Lord. I told him that he could do this by simply crying out to the Lord. He would hear.
Evangelism Lesson #4: A successful witness is one who has followed the Holy Spirit and shared the Faith with another.
Whether that person receives Christ or not, does not determine if you have succeeded or failed in your evangelism of that person. Jesus calls us to present the gospel when He gives us His green light. A person’s response has nothing to do with our obedience. Our obedience and our sharing is evangelism. Their choice is between them and the Lord–that’s salvation.
I tell you this because this story does not have a fairy tale ending. It has a real life ending. I shared the Lord with this guy over the following weeks. I watched him wrestle with the concept of Jesus running his ruined life rather than himself. He had made such a mess of it yet still wanted to maintain control of it. We met several times more and as he wrestled with the Master. My job was to love him, empathize with him, and continue to impress on him the wonder of a life that only Christ could offer.
This is still not the end of the story, I'll finish it in the next blog. But, it is important to remember as you witness Lesson #4-A successful witness is one who has followed the Holy Spirit and shared the Faith with another whether they receive Christ or not.
Blessings,
Fr. Scott+
....This went on for five or six visits. After a while I began looking forward to seeing my new friend. He would stop by for forty five minutes each week and we would drink coffee and talk about his life and the broken parts of it. On the fifth or sixth visit, the Holy Spirit whispered in my heart that I could mention "the Lord" TWICE during the conversation. I got excited and waited and waited until finally the green light came and said, "Well, the Lord was taking good care of you on that…" or something like that! (The Pharisee immediately condemned me saying, "Big witness!")
By the seventh visit, the Holy Spirit said that I could now share with him the full enchilada! I was not to share "The Four Spiritual Laws" , however, I was to share how Jesus had saved me during broken times in my past when everything was falling apart in my life. I shared this with him and told him that the solution to his disaster was to surrender to Jesus as Lord. I told him that he could do this by simply crying out to the Lord. He would hear.
Evangelism Lesson #4: A successful witness is one who has followed the Holy Spirit and shared the Faith with another.
Whether that person receives Christ or not, does not determine if you have succeeded or failed in your evangelism of that person. Jesus calls us to present the gospel when He gives us His green light. A person’s response has nothing to do with our obedience. Our obedience and our sharing is evangelism. Their choice is between them and the Lord–that’s salvation.
I tell you this because this story does not have a fairy tale ending. It has a real life ending. I shared the Lord with this guy over the following weeks. I watched him wrestle with the concept of Jesus running his ruined life rather than himself. He had made such a mess of it yet still wanted to maintain control of it. We met several times more and as he wrestled with the Master. My job was to love him, empathize with him, and continue to impress on him the wonder of a life that only Christ could offer.
This is still not the end of the story, I'll finish it in the next blog. But, it is important to remember as you witness Lesson #4-A successful witness is one who has followed the Holy Spirit and shared the Faith with another whether they receive Christ or not.
Blessings,
Fr. Scott+
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Witnessing without the Gimmicks-Part 1
I want to share an important aspect to evangelism that is often missed by Christians. I was brought up in an evangelical church and was taught how to share Jesus with those around me. I was given "witnessing" tools to help me do this. One of the tools was called "The Four Spiritual Laws". It came in the form of a small pamphlet that anyone could use to lead non-saved people to Jesus. Somehow, however, I never felt comfortable with those pre-fabricated tools. The tools were fine, yet They did not seem authentic to me, even though I did appreciate aspects of them. I wanted to lead people to Christ in a genuine way and not with "gimmicks". That is the background of this blog series and of an encounter I want to share.
Some years ago, a man stopped by my office on the recommendation of one of the church’s members. Outwardly he looked as if he had it all. He had the outward trappings of a successful American. Yet the reason for the visit was that his life was falling apart-- marriage, family, money, you name it.
So, Evangelism Lesson #1-Don’t be fooled by appearances. As it says in I Samuel, "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart."
This man began to share his story. As I listened, the little Pharisee living in my head told me that I SHOULD witness to him. This man was probably not a believer. He had been raised in an institutional church but it never took. The Pharisee kept yelling that I OUGHT to witness to him and share "The Four Spiritual Laws".
Evangelism Lesson #2: SHOULD and OUGHT are Pharisee words, not Jesus words.
The Lord, however, was whispering in my other ear , "Don’t say a word about Me!" (That was NOT the right "Sunday School" answer!) The Pharisee and the Holy Spirit argued all the way through my conversation with this guy until I dutifully surrendered to the Holy Spirit and just listened.
Evangelism Lesson #3: Follow the Holy Spirit over "Sunday School" answers. He is ALWAYS right!
The man left un-witnessed to. I wondered if I had made a colossal mistake by not sharing the Gospel with him. A week later, however, the man stopped by a second time. Again, the argument in my head began but this time I switched off the volume to the Pharisee side early on. A second time, the Holy Spirit told me to not say a word about church, the Lord, Jesus, etc. I was just to listen and interact with this guy. After forty five minutes he left and I thought that either I was really right or really wrong and that there was no middle ground!
There's more to this story and I'll get to the rest of it next blog. But, remember next time you begin to witness:
Some years ago, a man stopped by my office on the recommendation of one of the church’s members. Outwardly he looked as if he had it all. He had the outward trappings of a successful American. Yet the reason for the visit was that his life was falling apart-- marriage, family, money, you name it.
So, Evangelism Lesson #1-Don’t be fooled by appearances. As it says in I Samuel, "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart."
This man began to share his story. As I listened, the little Pharisee living in my head told me that I SHOULD witness to him. This man was probably not a believer. He had been raised in an institutional church but it never took. The Pharisee kept yelling that I OUGHT to witness to him and share "The Four Spiritual Laws".
Evangelism Lesson #2: SHOULD and OUGHT are Pharisee words, not Jesus words.
The Lord, however, was whispering in my other ear , "Don’t say a word about Me!" (That was NOT the right "Sunday School" answer!) The Pharisee and the Holy Spirit argued all the way through my conversation with this guy until I dutifully surrendered to the Holy Spirit and just listened.
Evangelism Lesson #3: Follow the Holy Spirit over "Sunday School" answers. He is ALWAYS right!
The man left un-witnessed to. I wondered if I had made a colossal mistake by not sharing the Gospel with him. A week later, however, the man stopped by a second time. Again, the argument in my head began but this time I switched off the volume to the Pharisee side early on. A second time, the Holy Spirit told me to not say a word about church, the Lord, Jesus, etc. I was just to listen and interact with this guy. After forty five minutes he left and I thought that either I was really right or really wrong and that there was no middle ground!
There's more to this story and I'll get to the rest of it next blog. But, remember next time you begin to witness:
Evangelism In A Nut Shell Recap-Part 1
- Don’t be fooled by appearances.
- SHOULD-OUGHT. Pharisee words.
- Follow the Holy Spirit over "Sunday School" answers. He is ALWAYS right!
Blessing,
Fr. Scott +
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