As a person who enjoys watching sports, I’ve met several fare weather fans in life. When the local team is winning, there isn’t enough room on the bandwagon. However, as the years pass without a Superbowl win, Stanley Cup, NBA championship or World Series title, a mass exodus occurs. This trend causes individuals to adopt other teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Heat or New York Yankees to raise their self esteem. Time will distinguish the casual fan from the avid follower, living and dying with their team despite the anguish or pain.
Jesus used another method to disclose fans from genuine followers. One day, a first century doctor, watched in awe as Jesus began to ask a few people some questions, Luke 9:57-63. Like a coach pushing his players to see who will rise to the top or quit, Jesus’ words pierce the hearts of these lukewarm fans. Despite their good intentions, one by one, each fell by the wayside, unable to meet the conditions Jesus was searching for in a follower.
Whether I’m shaking my head at another Phillies loss, Eagles meltdown, Flyers defensive breakdown or 76er’s losing streak, being a fan in the greater Philadelphia area isn’t easy. On the other hand, being a followers of Jesus is even harder, Matthew 10:32-39. Sometimes I find myself in the shoes of the ruler in Matthew 19:16-25, wondering if I have the moxie to endure life’s trials. Unfortunately, my actions don’t always express what I believe. In the end, I’m at the mercy of God, relying on Him to make the impossible a possibility, Matthew 19:26.
Where do you find yourself on the spectrum of fan or follower?
One of the most intriguing jobs to me is being a tour guide. Whether you’re on a college campus, in a historical area or museum, you are an ambassador for this institution, pointing out key attractions like a walking encyclopedia. The overall impression of visitors lies in your hands, based upon the knowledge you communicate and entertainment you provide, engaging your group.
Outside of vocations, life is filled with individuals who lead you in the right direction. Coaches introduce important skills to help young people master a sport. Mentors demonstrate character, integrity and wisdom, blazing a path for others to follow. Meanwhile, teachers often mold future leaders, inspiring curious souls to chase after their dreams.
The Psalmist takes this one step further, suggesting one guide will be with you to the end, Psalm 48:14. The apostle Paul encourages his audience to look toward an altar in Athens, dedicated to an unknown God, Acts 17:22-23. Jesus discloses the identity of this eternal guide in John 16:7-13 as the Holy Spirit. As Moses once said in his farewell address, the choice is yours, Deuteronomy 30:15. Who will be your eternal guide through life? May Jesus lead you to life everlasting, 1 Timothy 2:5.
Depending upon what church, temple or mosque you attend, an increasing number of people are reserved, afraid of letting others know what’s inside of them. Meanwhile, Pharisees still exist in most places of worship, putting on a show for others to see, Matthew 6:5. Therefore, when you enter a house of praise where emotions are on display as a genuine act of worship, outsiders struggle to accept or embrace this movement.
Music causes unique styles of expression like individuals moved to toe tap, gradually turning their bodies into human tambourines. Others begin to snap their fingers and clap their hands. Those with rhythm may follow the beat, dancing and swaying side to side. When touched by the lyrics, one might lift their hands high, closing their eyes to heighten their focus on God. Tears often fall as you reach this stage of worship, moving some to fall to their knees or bow at the altar.
While numerous churches are spiritually dead today, void of these emotions of praise, a remnant remains alive and well. The sons of Korah highlight acts of praise in Psalm 47 including clapping hands, shouts of praise and cries of joy. The moment the human soul approaches the throne of grace, Hebrews 4:16, with a humble heart, the emotions of praise break out. This act of worship is what you offer up to God on the Sabbath. You may bring a tithe or appreciate the biblical message, yet the emotions of praise is where you meet and experience the presence of God.
Have you ever been moved by the Holy Spirit to let your guard down? Please share a story of your own emotions of praise.
Like any student, college introduces you to many interesting people. Although, some may be bizarre, strange or flat out weird, appearances can be misleading. If you allow yourself to approach each individual with an open mind, you might be surprised by what you discover as you peal away stereotypes, one layer at a time.
During my final semester, I met a missionary with an unusual testimony. According to her story, she claimed God got her up every day at 6am in the morning without using an alarm clock. As a person who enjoyed sleeping in til noon or later, I was skeptical, doubting her claim. Perhaps out of spite or sheer curiosity, I challenged God to see if I could have a similar experience during my last two months of college.
To my surprise, the first morning I arose, sunlight shined directly through my bedroom window right on my face. When I rolled over to check out the clock on my night stand, it was 6:00 am. Immediately, I jump out of bed, causing goosebumps to appear. I spent the next 15 minutes, praying and reading the Bible, wondering if this was real or merely a dream. Like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, I got out each morning at the same time for the next 60 days, an unusual answer to prayer!
For the first time in his professional golf career, Tiger Woods will be missing the first major of the season, ending a 19 year streak which began in 1995. Forced to choose back surgery rather than rehab an ailing back, Tiger’s absence will likely cause the casual fan to find something else to do this weekend. Despite this diminished interested, the Master’s without Tiger opens the door for a new star to be born.
Beside defending champion Adam Scott, story lines abound. How will the kid, the 20 year old Jordan Spieth do in his Masters? Will the brash Augusta State boy, Patrick Reed win on a course he practiced on in college? Can Freddie Couples pull a Jack Nicklaus, becoming the oldest major champion ever on the PGA tour? Or will the Stadler father and son duo each make the cut? What will Phil do next? When the final round reaches Amen Corner on Sunday afternoon, history will become much clearer.
Unless you play golf, its hard to illustrate how much different golf is compared to other sports. Practice, dedication and time well spent doesn’t always equate into success. The game of golf is one of the greatest mental challenges in sports, keeping the most talented of golfers out of the winner’s circle. In his prime, Tiger’s mind was supreme, years ahead of his competitors. However, as father time has caught up with Tiger, Master’s Sunday 2014 will be a life changing day for one golfer who will be crowned with a green jacket on Sunday evening. Although he will be missed, the Masters without Tiger you do just fine as millions will tune in for the final 9 on Sunday.
Record players, eight tracks and cassette tapes were just the beginning to the revolution called music. Today, MP3 players, iTunes and computers able to download thousands of song, enable the soothing sound of music to be just one click away. Life without cell phones, electronic devices and voice activated technology is now unthinkable as silence has been replaced by your favorite play list.
Yoga and meditation rely on music as an alternative to healing and relaxation. Serving as a substitute for God, retreat centers, seminars and private classes are exploding in popularity, ushering in a New Age. The angel of song, Lucifer, uses all kinds of music to entice individuals like Eve in the garden, replacing an apple with a catchy beat, void of any true meaning. Meanwhile, whispers penetrate your soul, “I don’t listen to the lyrics,” planting seeds for compromise to commence.
To battle this movement, churches are introducing Soaking in the Spirit, turning prayer rooms into a comfortable place to relax while listening to worship music. Based upon the principles within Romans 12:1-2, minds are being transformed by words inspired by the Bible, Romans 10:17. Considered a skilled musician, 1 Samuel 16:14-23, David understood the gladness, joy and peace one experiences while listening to music, Psalm 45:8.
For me, the choice of my music often dictates my mood and or behavior. Whether you prefer hip hop, rap or classic rock and roll, pieces of the songs you listen to stay with you for hours, days or weeks. If you’re skeptical, take the Music Challenge.
Spend one day listening to secular music, journal at the end of the day how this music influenced you. Then, take a day listening to Christian/Gospel/Worship music, using Pandora if you don’t have a large selection. Compare your language, thoughts and overall mindset. If you don’t see a definite difference, consider a longer time span, like the challenge found in Daniel 1:8-16.
Feel free to share any findings you discover or interesting insights on the soothing sound of music.
How many times in life do you seek an emotional high? One that never ends; giving you a sensation like a drug, 24 hours a day. Many go through their entire lives searching, but never find the real thing.
Do you recall your first day of school? As formal education begins, innocence gives way to curiosity and terror. Fears over finding friends and earning acceptance by your peers takes precedence. However, the thought of being away from your parents provides a sense of freedom temporarily. This freedom entices you to try new things, experimenting with fruit, forbidden by parents and teachers.
By the time junior high arrives, eyes start to wander… BABES, STUDS, ALCOHOL and DRUGS! Perhaps you might not be as distracted as some, yet juicy stories spread fast through the grape vine peeking your interest. The closer you look, the mind takes on an alter ego, longing for items on the other side of the fence. Fleshly desires, peer pressure and the unknown leads you to the verge of sin thinking, “Oh baby this sure does feel good.”
A junior high experiment often leads to a senior high life style. Marijuana, pranks and sex are just a few of the choice behaviors one indulges in to obtain the real thing. Sure, there are risks, even consequences; but what will my friends think if I go straight? “Everybody is doing it, why can’t I,” says the follower. As high school drifts by, the next hurdle to jump is college. Hobbies you once did for a buzz no longer provide satisfaction. Call it what you may: a habit, obsession, way of life or obliterating time, something inside can’t let go. This quest for real life has turned into an addiction.
Have you ever stopped to wonder why you do what you do? Has it occurred to you that you’ve missed something along the way? Is there something else out there beside living for the weekend? I don’t believe you and I were placed on this earth by accident. Growing up, working for a living 9 to 5, have fun for a while then repeat this cycle over and over again til you die? This doesn’t make sense! There must be a greater purpose or meaning in life, but what is it?
Jesus Christ, the son of God the Father is your answer. God sent His one and only son, Jesus, down to earth, to die for blemishes on earth, John 3:16-17. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father according to the Apostle’s Creed. Jesus didn’t just die on a cross and rise from the dead for His own glory, Romans 5:8. Rather, Jesus became sin for us: for you, me and everyone ever born on planet earth. Jesus did all of this so that all of us might be seen as righteousness before God, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
This may sound crazy, yet there is no other HIGH greater than entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ, Romans 10:9-10. Nothing else compares to dedicating your life to God in your living years, John 10:10. Thus, peace is found in no other place, Galatians 5:22-23. This isn’t about High’s and Low’s. This is about life and death, living and dying, Deuteronomy 30:11-16. The only way to Jesus is through denying yourself, Matthew 16:25. You may think I’m odd, strange or simply old-fashion, yet God has placed the words of this blog on my heart.
If you have tried most everything else, don’t waste your precious time any longer; embrace the Real Thing, Jesus Christ!
Grace is a dying word in most cultures as bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness harbors in the hearts of hurt people. Instead of experiencing the unmerited favor of God, guilt is preventing individuals from accepting this free gift, Romans 5:8. Meanwhile, the condition of forgiveness introduced by Jesus in Matthew 6:15 isn’t being met by followers, revoking the power of grace upon their lives.
While serving as a youth pastor in Indiana, one student was placed into my life to teach me about grace. Despite my attempts to reach out to this high school junior, I was her enemy, the adult who took the job of the person who led her to faith, Romans 10:9-10. On one occasion, her mother approached me, giving me a hug with tears in her eyes, confessing, “I’m sorry my daughter hates you!” This trial tested me, putting my faith into a spiritual fire, 1 Peter 1:6-7. Without this encounter, I might not understand the power of Grace today.
On Sunday, I attended a friend’s church, needing to be showered in God’s grace. In the middle of singing for 30 minutes, the lyrics struck a cord with my soul. Usually stoic and reserved, especially the older I get, the Holy Spirit moved me to tears. Lifting my hands up toward heaven, I sensed my disappointment, stress and worries being washed away, swept clean by the power of grace.
If you’ve been touched by God, please share your story in the comment section below.
Skeptics will tend to agree with the words of 1 Samuel 3:1, “in those days the word of the Lord was rare.” If these conditions exist today, how can someone discern or know if it is actually God’s voice calling out? History provides 5 examples where God’s calling is clearest.
1. In the Temple of the Lord, 1 Samuel 3:1-18.
Although just a boy, Samuel was raised in the temple. Since his mentor was a priest, Samuel learned how to approach God, yet had never heard his voice. On one ordinary night, Eli the priest introduced Samuel to the voice of the Lord.
2. Reading the Word of the Lord, 2 Kings 22:11-13.
Often, God is the first thing people cut from a busy schedule, allowing their Bible to collect dust on a shelf. Time away from this book slowly reveals a shift in one’s actions, behavior and words. After hidden for several years, Josiah finds a copy of the Old Testament hidden in a closet. Astonished by the words he is reading, the king of Judea is moved by God to repent for the sins of his nation.
3. Retreating to a Remote Location, Mark 1:35-39 & 1 Kings 19:9-13.
To flee distractions and interruptions, Jesus regularly began his day in solitude, talking to God the Father. This enabled the son of God to go where the Lord wanted Him daily. Meanwhile, most retreat destinations are located in mountains or valleys, isolated from the hectic pace of life. This atmosphere opens the door to listen for God’s still small voice.
4. Fasting and Worship, Nehemiah 1:4-11 & Acts 13:1-4.
Fasting is the practice of going without food for a set period to seek God’s will in a specific matter. When you add worship to this equation, the Holy Spirit often opens up doors that were previous locked. During a worship service, Paul and Barnabas each sensed a clear calling to become missionaries, sharing the good news of Jesus to a lost and dying world.
5. Keeping in Step with the Holy Spirit, Acts 8:26-31 & Galatians 5:25.
Whether you are in God’s house, fasting, praying, reading the Bible, retreating to recharge your spiritual batteries or in a state of worship, these environments provide unfiltered access to the Holy Spirit. Essentially, this takes faith to the next level, becoming a doer of the word, Matthew 7:24. Believers should test every voice, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, before accepting God’s calling, Isaiah 6:8. If you think I’ve left any place out, please let me know under the comment section.
I’ve never been known as a quitter, but the mystery of the future is hard to endure when life isn’t playing out as you expected. Influenced by instant success early on, I assumed there wouldn’t be surprises around the next corner, causing you to want to turn around or head off in a different direction. Saturday was one of those days, as impatience brought me to a ledge of despair. Just as I was about to give up, a glimmer of hope appeared in the distance.
Galatians 6:9-10 contains a similar message to those who begin to think, “what’s the point; why should I waste my time doing good when nothing seems to change?” This mindset is like the parable of weeds, Matthew 13:24-30, sowed by the devil, trying to convince souls their short term effort isn’t worth the long term gains. This explains why so many so called Christians fall away from God during their college years, illustrated by the 2014 movie God is Not Dead, with one foot in the world and the other trying to remember what the Bible says. Perhaps, Jesus’ younger brother was right, writing, “nobody knows what’s around the next corner in life,” James 4:14.
As for me, I was frustrated by a lack of progress at work. Like Charles Dutton, the janitor at Irish Stadium in the movie Rudy, I allowed bitterness get the best of me. These negative thoughts prevented me from seeing around the next corner, a compliment and reward for my hard work. Thus, what started off as a bad day in my view, changed in an instance. Therefore, don’t let your mind blind you from the gifts from above waiting for you in the future, James 1:17-18. I look forward to hearing what the Lord is doing in the lives of his children around the next corner.
