The sign outside of my office door usually makes people smile. It reads, “I ain’t from the South, but I got here as quick as I could!”
Humor diverts attention from the fact that I’m from the North. North Jersey to be exact.
When I head back for a visit, as I did recently, I tell people I don’t miss the traffic. What I miss are the places and the faces. And I saw both during a recent 40th High School Reunion.
The summer of 1969 was the end of an era--several, to be truthful. Not only were the 60’s ending, but it was also the exciting culmination of man’s amazing effort to reach the moon.
For me, though, it was more personal. 1969 was the bittersweet end of my High School days. Bittersweet because in mid-senior year, my father took a position that moved our family to South Jersey. And I went from a small town school to a large regional high school. I felt lost.
Instead of graduating with my hometown friends, I ended the year with new acquaintances. Bummer. At their 20th reunion, classmates from the new school didn’t even remember me.
For years I wished I could go back and change that decision to move so I could have graduated with my friends in my hometown. But, as they say, “There’s no going back.”
However, as I learned at this reunion in my hometown, my old classmates are still my friends. True friends. Some seem almost like family!
What’s odd about that is, for the most part, I haven’t seen some of them for 40 years. Sure, there’s been the occasional reunion, but the last one was ten years ago.
“Well, hold on just a minute. How can you feel close to people you hardly ever see?”
The Bible says, “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” True friends are like that.
You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Friends are family you choose for yourself.” And I guess that’s true. Plus, there’s something about living through adolescence together that forges bonds deeper than we know.
Most of us have aged a little. No surprise there. Some looked very much like they did in High School. Others have changed. But the saddest thing to see was the memory board listing names of classmates who have passed away. At every reunion the list grows longer.
Sadly, the reunion was over before we knew it and it was time to leave. It was hard to say “Good-bye” because I don’t know when or if I’ll see my friends again. Tomorrow has no guarantee. And that made me think about the only friend who guaranteed he wouldn’t leave us.
Jesus told his friends, “Never will I leave you.” And if you are a friend of Jesus, if your faith is in him as your Lord and Savior—there is nowhere you can go without him. In fact he is the only friend who can walk with you through the “valley of the shadow of death.”
When a friend or loved one passes away, we still have their memory with us. But Jesus gives us more than that. Jesus said he would not abandon his followers. He said, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
How can Jesus be with us? When he returned to Heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. The King James Bible calls him the “Comforter.” Other versions refer to him as the “Counselor” or “Helper.” And part of his ministry today is to bring us peace and joy.
Throughout life, friends come and go. True friends stick with us no matter what happens. But Jesus Christ is a true friend forever. He is the only one who says, “I will never leave you” and is able to keep his promise.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peace. Show all posts
Monday, July 6, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Inner Beast
Every week the news gets more grim. What’s going on in America?
“Sunday School Teacher Abducts, Abuses and Murders Daughter’s Friend.” “Medical Student Robs and Kills Women.” “Murder-Suicide Discovered in Maryland Hotel.”
Troubling headlines like these make us doubt the goodness of humankind. Until these events, the alleged perpetrators seemed normal to many of their friends. What’s wrong with people?
What’s wrong is human nature! If we’re honest with ourselves, we must all admit that we have an “inner beast” whose bent is evil and not good.
“Now hold on for just a minute! Aren’t most people basically good at heart?”
Many people think so, but the evidence is quite to the contrary. And if we ignore the obvious we do ourselves a disservice. As author Joel C. Rosenberg observes, “To misunderstand the nature and threat of evil is to risk being blindsided by it.”
In “The Heavy Bear Who Goes With Me,” poet Delmore Schwartz implies that being human has a beastly side to it. The poem shows us a violent and unflattering picture of humanity.
The “Heavy Bear” represents both our bodies and the uncivilized primitive core of the human personality. It is the “id” of Freud, the “unconscious mind” of psychologists and the hard-to-control brute within each one of us. And it is always with us.
Saints and poets through the ages have chronicled the endless struggle between the flesh and the spirit. And nowhere in modern verse has this struggle been portrayed with greater power than it is in “The Heavy Bear.”
The amazing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that God can tame your “inner beast.” But not everyone wants to be tamed. Why? Because there is a frightening, intoxicating exhilaration to venting our rage and indulging our evil side.
Now go back and read the headlines above. Ponder the damage and destruction wrought by human wrath. Think of the lives and property ruined every year.
The inner beast needs taming. But how?
Lasting inner peace is the solution. And that peace has only one source--God.
The Apostle Paul writes in the Bible, “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” And once you have peace WITH God he adds, “The peace OF God…will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Paul knew whereof he spoke. He was a former religious zealot and a murderer of Christians (by his own admission). But then he became a compassionate evangelist following a personal encounter with the risen Christ. And he was not alone.
After warning Christians, “the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God,” Paul adds, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified [made holy], you were justified [made righteous], in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
God alone has an amazing track record of taking angry, violent, evil, hopeless people and turning them into saints. The Bible is full of such success stories. Read it sometime.
While we can’t personally do much about the grim headlines we hear, we can do something about our own “inner beasts.” God offers the only solution that works every time it’s tried.
God says “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Saved from sin and saved from your “beast.”
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
“Sunday School Teacher Abducts, Abuses and Murders Daughter’s Friend.” “Medical Student Robs and Kills Women.” “Murder-Suicide Discovered in Maryland Hotel.”
Troubling headlines like these make us doubt the goodness of humankind. Until these events, the alleged perpetrators seemed normal to many of their friends. What’s wrong with people?
What’s wrong is human nature! If we’re honest with ourselves, we must all admit that we have an “inner beast” whose bent is evil and not good.
“Now hold on for just a minute! Aren’t most people basically good at heart?”
Many people think so, but the evidence is quite to the contrary. And if we ignore the obvious we do ourselves a disservice. As author Joel C. Rosenberg observes, “To misunderstand the nature and threat of evil is to risk being blindsided by it.”
In “The Heavy Bear Who Goes With Me,” poet Delmore Schwartz implies that being human has a beastly side to it. The poem shows us a violent and unflattering picture of humanity.
The “Heavy Bear” represents both our bodies and the uncivilized primitive core of the human personality. It is the “id” of Freud, the “unconscious mind” of psychologists and the hard-to-control brute within each one of us. And it is always with us.
Saints and poets through the ages have chronicled the endless struggle between the flesh and the spirit. And nowhere in modern verse has this struggle been portrayed with greater power than it is in “The Heavy Bear.”
The amazing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that God can tame your “inner beast.” But not everyone wants to be tamed. Why? Because there is a frightening, intoxicating exhilaration to venting our rage and indulging our evil side.
Now go back and read the headlines above. Ponder the damage and destruction wrought by human wrath. Think of the lives and property ruined every year.
The inner beast needs taming. But how?
Lasting inner peace is the solution. And that peace has only one source--God.
The Apostle Paul writes in the Bible, “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” And once you have peace WITH God he adds, “The peace OF God…will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Paul knew whereof he spoke. He was a former religious zealot and a murderer of Christians (by his own admission). But then he became a compassionate evangelist following a personal encounter with the risen Christ. And he was not alone.
After warning Christians, “the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God,” Paul adds, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified [made holy], you were justified [made righteous], in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
God alone has an amazing track record of taking angry, violent, evil, hopeless people and turning them into saints. The Bible is full of such success stories. Read it sometime.
While we can’t personally do much about the grim headlines we hear, we can do something about our own “inner beasts.” God offers the only solution that works every time it’s tried.
God says “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Saved from sin and saved from your “beast.”
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sweet Poison
Revenge is a poison we drink believing it will destroy our enemy. It ends up destroying us.
Why we do it is hard to say. Maybe human beings are hardwired to get revenge. Perhaps getting even is our automatic response to a personal injustice.
One thing is certain. When someone else hurts us deeply, vengeance—evening the score—is our first thought. It’s what comes naturally
History is full of conflicts started by vengeance. The very first one involved Cain and Abel. You can read about it in the first book of the Bible, Genesis chapter four. It ended with murder.
In America, the Hatfields and the McCoys come to mind. On the international scene, Arabs and Israelis may have the longest running feud. And they are by no means the only ones feuding.
Conflicts started by revenge can go on for years and generations. Eventually those getting even forget the reasons and simply react with a primal instinct: Get revenge no matter the cost. Make sure the perceived enemy “gets what’s coming to them.”
But no matter how sweet revenge tastes, the result is as bad for us as our enemy.
“Now hold on just a minute! How can something that feels so good be so wrong?”
Well just think about it. Can you name one example where revenge ultimately solved the problem? Neither can I.
“But what about justice?”
What about it? Justice is not about getting even but about punishing wrongdoers in a fair and impartial way. And if you want justice, be careful because justice is a sword that cuts both ways.
Imagine that there is an impartial, all-powerful judge who could dispense justice for all wrongdoers. Where would that leave us? We have all hurt another person at some point.
To be honest, what we really want is mercy for us and justice for our enemies. Is that fair?
The truth is that we are all self-centered and self-serving with little concern for others. If we do what comes naturally and avenge ourselves, we destroy any hope for peace and harmony.
Vengeance only leads to prolonged conflicts. War. What our hearts truly yearn for is peace. And if we really want peace we must turn to the Prince of Peace.
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you: Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Then he said, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Later the Bible adds, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord…. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Impossible? Yes, but as Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Peace with man starts by making peace with God. And the Bible says, “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
If you would like to know how to have peace with God, go online and type stepstopeace.org in an Internet browser address window. Then follow the steps and pray with America’s spiritual counselor, Billy Graham. You’ll be glad you did.
Man’s solution to conflict is revenge. God’s solution is peace and forgiveness through Christ.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” not the revenge seekers. So if you want peace and God’s blessing in your life, it’s time to stop drinking the poison of revenge and trust Christ.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Why we do it is hard to say. Maybe human beings are hardwired to get revenge. Perhaps getting even is our automatic response to a personal injustice.
One thing is certain. When someone else hurts us deeply, vengeance—evening the score—is our first thought. It’s what comes naturally
History is full of conflicts started by vengeance. The very first one involved Cain and Abel. You can read about it in the first book of the Bible, Genesis chapter four. It ended with murder.
In America, the Hatfields and the McCoys come to mind. On the international scene, Arabs and Israelis may have the longest running feud. And they are by no means the only ones feuding.
Conflicts started by revenge can go on for years and generations. Eventually those getting even forget the reasons and simply react with a primal instinct: Get revenge no matter the cost. Make sure the perceived enemy “gets what’s coming to them.”
But no matter how sweet revenge tastes, the result is as bad for us as our enemy.
“Now hold on just a minute! How can something that feels so good be so wrong?”
Well just think about it. Can you name one example where revenge ultimately solved the problem? Neither can I.
“But what about justice?”
What about it? Justice is not about getting even but about punishing wrongdoers in a fair and impartial way. And if you want justice, be careful because justice is a sword that cuts both ways.
Imagine that there is an impartial, all-powerful judge who could dispense justice for all wrongdoers. Where would that leave us? We have all hurt another person at some point.
To be honest, what we really want is mercy for us and justice for our enemies. Is that fair?
The truth is that we are all self-centered and self-serving with little concern for others. If we do what comes naturally and avenge ourselves, we destroy any hope for peace and harmony.
Vengeance only leads to prolonged conflicts. War. What our hearts truly yearn for is peace. And if we really want peace we must turn to the Prince of Peace.
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you: Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Then he said, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Later the Bible adds, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord…. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Impossible? Yes, but as Jesus said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
Peace with man starts by making peace with God. And the Bible says, “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
If you would like to know how to have peace with God, go online and type stepstopeace.org in an Internet browser address window. Then follow the steps and pray with America’s spiritual counselor, Billy Graham. You’ll be glad you did.
Man’s solution to conflict is revenge. God’s solution is peace and forgiveness through Christ.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” not the revenge seekers. So if you want peace and God’s blessing in your life, it’s time to stop drinking the poison of revenge and trust Christ.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Underground Behavior
Just about everyone in my town knows who Phillies’ manager Charlie Manuel is. He’s a hometown boy that grew up locally and made it to the big leagues. A real hero.
So when Philadelphia won baseball’s World Series on October 29, it was fun for me to be nearby on vacation. Phillies fans were very excited over the big win!
As plans unfolded on television for the victory parade, I never thought of going to watch it. I was there to visit relatives and that took priority. Parades are nice but family comes first.
Now if my grandchildren were with me, I might have reconsidered. Good thing I was alone.
Bob, an old friend of mine, took his grandson to the parade. He did what city officials recommended and used public transportation. And things went well until after the parade.
As they descended from the street into the subway there was a very long line. While waiting, they noticed people coming down another stairway across the street. However, the other entrance put people closer to the front of the line. And that seemed a little unfair…
When folks in Bob’s line realized what was happening, the mood changed dramatically. Instead of the happiness of the parade, there was anger. Instead of cheers there was cursing. It was underground ugliness. Bob wanted to cover his grandson’s ears!
What changed? The Phillies were still World Champions weren’t they?
Yes, but even an emotional high like winning the World Series didn’t take away the anger in peoples’ hearts. Happiness doesn’t automatically bring peace or joy. You need more than that.
Now hold it for just a minute! Say what?
If your team wins the World Series, it can change your day but it doesn’t change your heart. You’re still who you were. If you were an angry grumpy person before, that’s who you still are.
Jesus Christ said that out of the heart the mouth speaks. So what you are inside affects your speech and behavior more that what happens on the outside.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,” said Jesus. “I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Later he added, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
There is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness depends on what happens in your life. That’s why it’s called “happiness.”
Joy grows out of a hopeful, trusting, and peaceful confidence that everything is OK because God is in control. As a result, even when bad things happen, a Christian can have joy.
So what about Bob? He said it took an hour and a half to get on the subway train. Frustrating? Yes. Worth getting angry or losing one’s temper over? No.
A Christ follower, a child of God through faith in Christ, can behave the same way in a long underground subway line as he does above ground at a parade. Why? Because faith in Jesus Christ changes your heart. God replaces self-centered anger with God-centered peace.
The Bible confirms this when it says, “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come!” If that’s not you, then check out your relationship with God.
Now don’t get me wrong. Christians aren’t perfect people. They’re still “under construction.” Like a lapel button I once saw said: “Please be patient with me because God isn’t finished yet!”
Speaking of God the Bible says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” And that’s a promise Christians count on.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
So when Philadelphia won baseball’s World Series on October 29, it was fun for me to be nearby on vacation. Phillies fans were very excited over the big win!
As plans unfolded on television for the victory parade, I never thought of going to watch it. I was there to visit relatives and that took priority. Parades are nice but family comes first.
Now if my grandchildren were with me, I might have reconsidered. Good thing I was alone.
Bob, an old friend of mine, took his grandson to the parade. He did what city officials recommended and used public transportation. And things went well until after the parade.
As they descended from the street into the subway there was a very long line. While waiting, they noticed people coming down another stairway across the street. However, the other entrance put people closer to the front of the line. And that seemed a little unfair…
When folks in Bob’s line realized what was happening, the mood changed dramatically. Instead of the happiness of the parade, there was anger. Instead of cheers there was cursing. It was underground ugliness. Bob wanted to cover his grandson’s ears!
What changed? The Phillies were still World Champions weren’t they?
Yes, but even an emotional high like winning the World Series didn’t take away the anger in peoples’ hearts. Happiness doesn’t automatically bring peace or joy. You need more than that.
Now hold it for just a minute! Say what?
If your team wins the World Series, it can change your day but it doesn’t change your heart. You’re still who you were. If you were an angry grumpy person before, that’s who you still are.
Jesus Christ said that out of the heart the mouth speaks. So what you are inside affects your speech and behavior more that what happens on the outside.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you,” said Jesus. “I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Later he added, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
There is a difference between happiness and joy. Happiness depends on what happens in your life. That’s why it’s called “happiness.”
Joy grows out of a hopeful, trusting, and peaceful confidence that everything is OK because God is in control. As a result, even when bad things happen, a Christian can have joy.
So what about Bob? He said it took an hour and a half to get on the subway train. Frustrating? Yes. Worth getting angry or losing one’s temper over? No.
A Christ follower, a child of God through faith in Christ, can behave the same way in a long underground subway line as he does above ground at a parade. Why? Because faith in Jesus Christ changes your heart. God replaces self-centered anger with God-centered peace.
The Bible confirms this when it says, “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come!” If that’s not you, then check out your relationship with God.
Now don’t get me wrong. Christians aren’t perfect people. They’re still “under construction.” Like a lapel button I once saw said: “Please be patient with me because God isn’t finished yet!”
Speaking of God the Bible says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” And that’s a promise Christians count on.
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Believable Hope
Is the USA “the hope of the world”? If so, we’re in big trouble.
Now don’t get me wrong. I love my country. It has a lot going for it.
But to say this country is “the hope of the world”—as a politician did several weeks ago at a national convention—is a little over the top.
Talking about hope is all the rage this election cycle. And hope is a good thing. But if our hope is in the wrong thing it will be a sad thing. A disappointed hope.
In his book “The Audacity of Hope,” Presidential candidate Barack Obama sees a future that involves repairing a “political process that is broken” and restoring a government that has fallen out of touch with people.
Amazon.com asked Obama to summarize the main idea of his book in a follow up interview. He said it was, “Get involved in an issue that you’re passionate about.”
Passion is good but, unfortunately, passion by itself doesn’t save the day. We live in a day of political polarization. The right and the left are full of passion. But they seem more intent on destroying each other than on governing effectively.
Now hold it right there for just a minute. If that’s the case, where can we find hope?
What people desperately need is the true Man of Hope. And according to the Bible, Jesus Christ and his church are the hope of the world. Jesus is the real deal.
The hope offered in Christ is a peace that Jesus said is “not of this world.” It involves a complete reconciliation that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet—reconciliation with God and with our fellow man.
The hope offered by politicians and governments is the absence of conflict. “Peace” treaties don’t actually bring peace. All they bring is the cessation of war. Ending hostilities doesn’t automatically end conflict. Anyone that’s been in a schoolyard fight knows that.
To end conflict requires changing the human heart. And the only hope of changing the human heart is the gospel or good news of Jesus Christ.
The good news is that, even though we can’t meet God’s standard of goodness (the Ten Commandments), God provided a way for us to be forgiven. And what a plan!
Jesus Christ met God’s standard perfectly. But on the cross he took sin’s punishment as our substitute. God accepts that and forgives us when we repent and turn from our sin.
Then the Bible says, “If any man be in Christ he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.” And if you have ever met someone who is truly converted, the change is remarkable.
What about the church? In the New Testament book of Acts we see a church focused on serving God and serving others. They proclaimed the simple gospel of Jesus Christ: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Lives were changed. Needs were met.
What the church does that’s unique is offer Jesus Christ to the world. And when people turn to Christ they find hope where they were hopeless.
In the church people find a community that accepts, loves and encourages them to be all that God made them to be. When a church is working right it’s an amazing place!
No church is perfect. But we have a perfect Savior, Jesus Christ. Through faith in him we have peace with God and man, joy in our hearts and the forgiveness of sin.
All of that plus God’s promise of eternal life--now that’s a hope you can believe in!
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Now don’t get me wrong. I love my country. It has a lot going for it.
But to say this country is “the hope of the world”—as a politician did several weeks ago at a national convention—is a little over the top.
Talking about hope is all the rage this election cycle. And hope is a good thing. But if our hope is in the wrong thing it will be a sad thing. A disappointed hope.
In his book “The Audacity of Hope,” Presidential candidate Barack Obama sees a future that involves repairing a “political process that is broken” and restoring a government that has fallen out of touch with people.
Amazon.com asked Obama to summarize the main idea of his book in a follow up interview. He said it was, “Get involved in an issue that you’re passionate about.”
Passion is good but, unfortunately, passion by itself doesn’t save the day. We live in a day of political polarization. The right and the left are full of passion. But they seem more intent on destroying each other than on governing effectively.
Now hold it right there for just a minute. If that’s the case, where can we find hope?
What people desperately need is the true Man of Hope. And according to the Bible, Jesus Christ and his church are the hope of the world. Jesus is the real deal.
The hope offered in Christ is a peace that Jesus said is “not of this world.” It involves a complete reconciliation that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet—reconciliation with God and with our fellow man.
The hope offered by politicians and governments is the absence of conflict. “Peace” treaties don’t actually bring peace. All they bring is the cessation of war. Ending hostilities doesn’t automatically end conflict. Anyone that’s been in a schoolyard fight knows that.
To end conflict requires changing the human heart. And the only hope of changing the human heart is the gospel or good news of Jesus Christ.
The good news is that, even though we can’t meet God’s standard of goodness (the Ten Commandments), God provided a way for us to be forgiven. And what a plan!
Jesus Christ met God’s standard perfectly. But on the cross he took sin’s punishment as our substitute. God accepts that and forgives us when we repent and turn from our sin.
Then the Bible says, “If any man be in Christ he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.” And if you have ever met someone who is truly converted, the change is remarkable.
What about the church? In the New Testament book of Acts we see a church focused on serving God and serving others. They proclaimed the simple gospel of Jesus Christ: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Lives were changed. Needs were met.
What the church does that’s unique is offer Jesus Christ to the world. And when people turn to Christ they find hope where they were hopeless.
In the church people find a community that accepts, loves and encourages them to be all that God made them to be. When a church is working right it’s an amazing place!
No church is perfect. But we have a perfect Savior, Jesus Christ. Through faith in him we have peace with God and man, joy in our hearts and the forgiveness of sin.
All of that plus God’s promise of eternal life--now that’s a hope you can believe in!
Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!
Monday, June 4, 2007
People Problems
Are you a “People Person?”
Of course it helps to like people. In one of my favorite “Peanuts” comic strips, Linus wants to be a doctor. His sister Lucy ridicules him, “How can you be a doctor? You have to love mankind.” Linus replies: “I love mankind--it's people I can't stand!"
Let’s face it--our biggest problems in life are people problems. There’s a little bit of Linus in us all.
People problems begin when we’re born. Then it goes downhill from there. We discover early on that others won’t always do what we want. So life becomes a quest to discover how to manipulate them so they will. But they’re trying to do the same to us. At some point our frustration kicks in and an emotional meltdown follows (also known as a “temper tantrum”).
The sad part is that we all have the condition and few know the solution. We’re experts at conflict (“He sure knows how to push my buttons.” “Look at what you made me do!” “She makes me so angry!”). Unfortunately human nature doesn’t come with a peacemaking program.
The result for many is a 3-D nightmare: Disappointment, Despair and Depression.
Some, like Seung-Hui Cho at Virginia Tech, turn violent. Others end up like James Thurber’s Walter Mitty: outwardly meek but living an inner life of fantasy adventures. But most become part of the “mass of men” who Henry David Thoreau said “lead lives of quiet desperation.” Thoreau observed, “What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.”
There are some bright spots. Babies are wonderful. But they turn into two-year-olds and then teenagers--and the disappointments begin all over. Even romance fades with time.
Whoa! Hold it right there for just a minute. Can I change the channel, please?
Actually, that’s a good idea. As long as we stay stuck on channel WMEE (all me all the time), things won’t change much. But be careful which channel you pick. Like they say, “Garbage in; garbage out.”
What we need is something proven to work with people problems. Something effective. And since you can’t change others, there’s only one solution: A New You. I’m not talking about turning over a “New Leaf” but getting a new heart. Lasting change happens from the inside out.
God diagnosed our problem a long time ago. When people kept disappointing him, he said through his prophet, Ezekiel, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.”
But good advice (even God’s) only works if you follow it. And the Bible is full of good advice about life. For instance it says, “Don’t show favoritism” to others. In other words, get rid of your prejudices. Now that’s easier said than done. What you need is a heart to obey.
That’s why Christians talk about being “Born Again.” When a person comes to Jesus Christ and accepts him as their Lord and Savior, a change happens. God forgives their sin and gives them a new “heart”—a new mind. It’s a new way of looking at life. For the first time, they are at peace with God and actually want to obey him.
After receiving unconditional forgiveness in our lives, we become peacemakers by offering that same forgiveness to others. That has helped solve people problems for 2,000 years.
The path to inner peace and peace with others goes past the foot of Jesus’ cross and his empty tomb. Faith in the Christ who died for our sins and rose from the dead is the only way to a new heart and new relationships with other people.
Listen to the Bible; it’s good for your soul!
Of course it helps to like people. In one of my favorite “Peanuts” comic strips, Linus wants to be a doctor. His sister Lucy ridicules him, “How can you be a doctor? You have to love mankind.” Linus replies: “I love mankind--it's people I can't stand!"
Let’s face it--our biggest problems in life are people problems. There’s a little bit of Linus in us all.
People problems begin when we’re born. Then it goes downhill from there. We discover early on that others won’t always do what we want. So life becomes a quest to discover how to manipulate them so they will. But they’re trying to do the same to us. At some point our frustration kicks in and an emotional meltdown follows (also known as a “temper tantrum”).
The sad part is that we all have the condition and few know the solution. We’re experts at conflict (“He sure knows how to push my buttons.” “Look at what you made me do!” “She makes me so angry!”). Unfortunately human nature doesn’t come with a peacemaking program.
The result for many is a 3-D nightmare: Disappointment, Despair and Depression.
Some, like Seung-Hui Cho at Virginia Tech, turn violent. Others end up like James Thurber’s Walter Mitty: outwardly meek but living an inner life of fantasy adventures. But most become part of the “mass of men” who Henry David Thoreau said “lead lives of quiet desperation.” Thoreau observed, “What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.”
There are some bright spots. Babies are wonderful. But they turn into two-year-olds and then teenagers--and the disappointments begin all over. Even romance fades with time.
Whoa! Hold it right there for just a minute. Can I change the channel, please?
Actually, that’s a good idea. As long as we stay stuck on channel WMEE (all me all the time), things won’t change much. But be careful which channel you pick. Like they say, “Garbage in; garbage out.”
What we need is something proven to work with people problems. Something effective. And since you can’t change others, there’s only one solution: A New You. I’m not talking about turning over a “New Leaf” but getting a new heart. Lasting change happens from the inside out.
God diagnosed our problem a long time ago. When people kept disappointing him, he said through his prophet, Ezekiel, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.”
But good advice (even God’s) only works if you follow it. And the Bible is full of good advice about life. For instance it says, “Don’t show favoritism” to others. In other words, get rid of your prejudices. Now that’s easier said than done. What you need is a heart to obey.
That’s why Christians talk about being “Born Again.” When a person comes to Jesus Christ and accepts him as their Lord and Savior, a change happens. God forgives their sin and gives them a new “heart”—a new mind. It’s a new way of looking at life. For the first time, they are at peace with God and actually want to obey him.
After receiving unconditional forgiveness in our lives, we become peacemakers by offering that same forgiveness to others. That has helped solve people problems for 2,000 years.
The path to inner peace and peace with others goes past the foot of Jesus’ cross and his empty tomb. Faith in the Christ who died for our sins and rose from the dead is the only way to a new heart and new relationships with other people.
Listen to the Bible; it’s good for your soul!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Routine Panic
Is your life hectic? Welcome to the 21st Century.
Modern Americans routinely talk about “Multi-tasking” at work and in their personal lives. If you’re a leader and want to just keep up in the business world, one expert says you must become a “Frantic Learner.”
With corporate “downsizing,” two-career marriages and children who have more dates in their calendar than a CEO—the modern family lives on the edge of insanity. Dr. James Dobson from Focus on the Family describes family life today as “Routine Panic.”
If being busier means life is better, Americans should be the happiest people on earth! But such is not the case. We’re working harder to buy more things but have less time to enjoy them. Surveys show that instead of satisfaction with life, Americans are headed into depression.
Med Yones, President of the International Institute of Management recently wrote a White Paper titled “The American Pursuit of Unhappiness.” In it he reports that depression rates in the United States actually rose during a recent 10-year period. Major depression rose from 3.33 percent of adults to 7.06 percent. In other words, it more than doubled! There are no available studies for 2006, but it seems to be getting worse. Doctors are prescribing antidepressants to adolescents, children and even toddlers.
Perhaps we are headed toward what author Elizabeth Wurtzel called a “Prozac Nation.” Americans seem to think that even normal problems can be solved with pills. As the Rolling Stones sang, we go “running for the shelter of a ‘mother’s little helper.’” Peace in a pill.
Well, hold it right there for just a minute. Is there another way to peace and happiness? The Bible says there is.
The Psalmist, David, writes, “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Jesus called his followers to not be troubled or anxious about life. He said that God is in control, loves us and cares for us. Beyond just existing, those who follow Jesus Christ can have an “Abundant Life.” He said that those who serve God would be blessed.
Real life seems to bear this out. A survey by the Barna Group showed that 99 percent of Evangelical Christians report being happier and more satisfied than other Americans.
Happiness and satisfaction? Give me some of that!
So what is a “Christian?” A sincere lady once told me what she thought: “I believe in God, I go to church and I pray; I’m a Christian.” Is that a Christian? Well, not exactly.
Jesus said that at the Judgment, many will call him, “Lord” and claim to have served him. But he will tell them, “I never knew you. Away from me!” In fact he said that genuine believers and some false professors of faith would appear identical to the casual observer.
The key to genuine Christianity is to stop comparing ourselves to others and personally obey God’s Word. If you do you will find that God doesn’t play mind games. He says that “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Not “might be” but “will be saved.” Eternal salvation is free to all who come to God through Christ. A Christian is someone who personally trusts in Christ.
Follow Jesus. Read the Bible. Stay close to God and obey him. Then, instead of “routine panic,” the Bible says you can enjoy an amazing peace and the blessing of God.
Listen to the Bible; it’s good for your soul!
Modern Americans routinely talk about “Multi-tasking” at work and in their personal lives. If you’re a leader and want to just keep up in the business world, one expert says you must become a “Frantic Learner.”
With corporate “downsizing,” two-career marriages and children who have more dates in their calendar than a CEO—the modern family lives on the edge of insanity. Dr. James Dobson from Focus on the Family describes family life today as “Routine Panic.”
If being busier means life is better, Americans should be the happiest people on earth! But such is not the case. We’re working harder to buy more things but have less time to enjoy them. Surveys show that instead of satisfaction with life, Americans are headed into depression.
Med Yones, President of the International Institute of Management recently wrote a White Paper titled “The American Pursuit of Unhappiness.” In it he reports that depression rates in the United States actually rose during a recent 10-year period. Major depression rose from 3.33 percent of adults to 7.06 percent. In other words, it more than doubled! There are no available studies for 2006, but it seems to be getting worse. Doctors are prescribing antidepressants to adolescents, children and even toddlers.
Perhaps we are headed toward what author Elizabeth Wurtzel called a “Prozac Nation.” Americans seem to think that even normal problems can be solved with pills. As the Rolling Stones sang, we go “running for the shelter of a ‘mother’s little helper.’” Peace in a pill.
Well, hold it right there for just a minute. Is there another way to peace and happiness? The Bible says there is.
The Psalmist, David, writes, “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Jesus called his followers to not be troubled or anxious about life. He said that God is in control, loves us and cares for us. Beyond just existing, those who follow Jesus Christ can have an “Abundant Life.” He said that those who serve God would be blessed.
Real life seems to bear this out. A survey by the Barna Group showed that 99 percent of Evangelical Christians report being happier and more satisfied than other Americans.
Happiness and satisfaction? Give me some of that!
So what is a “Christian?” A sincere lady once told me what she thought: “I believe in God, I go to church and I pray; I’m a Christian.” Is that a Christian? Well, not exactly.
Jesus said that at the Judgment, many will call him, “Lord” and claim to have served him. But he will tell them, “I never knew you. Away from me!” In fact he said that genuine believers and some false professors of faith would appear identical to the casual observer.
The key to genuine Christianity is to stop comparing ourselves to others and personally obey God’s Word. If you do you will find that God doesn’t play mind games. He says that “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Not “might be” but “will be saved.” Eternal salvation is free to all who come to God through Christ. A Christian is someone who personally trusts in Christ.
Follow Jesus. Read the Bible. Stay close to God and obey him. Then, instead of “routine panic,” the Bible says you can enjoy an amazing peace and the blessing of God.
Listen to the Bible; it’s good for your soul!
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