What If ..Empty Question

I recall back in the day , Marvel put out a comic book called What If. The basic premise it would take a super hero and put them in scenarios within their universe that would be different than what comic fans would know in the time line they lived. One story featured Spider-Man and instead of Gwen Stacy dying she lived and then it took the timeline in a different direction. It was fun to read .

But who of us haven't thought about what if . We all have done or made decisions that we regret . Some worse than others . Typically we wonder what if we had of changed a decision or two. Would our lives have been better or not. Most times we think we would be better off . But perhaps things would be worse.

As a Christian we know God orchestrates all things for His purpose and glory. There are no what ifs or why did this happen . We may not understand the whole magnitude of  why certain things happen or even the reason we made sinful choices but ultimately God uses them . For some to draw sinners to Himself through a calamity , a sickness or  bringing to light a believers sin to call him or her back  , to repent and grow in grace.

The comfort to know that God is in full control gives us the freedom to have hope and peace. There are no accidents in the Lord's economy . No flukes,no cells out of place , no random atoms. Sometimes that is hard to grasp and at times hard to actually let it sink in , but the scriptures confirm it over and over.

Even the death of Jesus was not a cosmic accident . God the |Son , came to give His life as a ransom for many . His birth was foretold, His life predicted and His death and resurrection God ordained . All to bring about the glory of the Lord by saving a people for His purpose and delight.

So when life throws you a curve ball or worse and you face a life and death situation the grand truth is God has not abandoned you but is right there . It may still be fearful and confusing but this truth can bring about peace that surpasses all understanding amid the fire .

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’” (Isaiah 46:9-10)                                                                                                                                         


“Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. . . . We will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalm 115:3, 18)

That Surprising Book

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You know the first time I really spent time in the Bible , it was all good till I got to one book that left my jaw drop open. As I read through this book , I was amazed at the language and the intensity of the language of love. It seemed at of place almost but at the same time now I realize it makes perfect sense.

The Song of Solomon has been the dissected through out the ages . Many so uncomfortable about its clear erotic inferences they adopted a allegorical interpretation , making it a refer to God and Israel or Jesus and the Church . But when I read it for the first time , the plan reading seemed to me clear. It was a bride and her bridegroom declaring their love and affection for each other.

There is an intensity in the language. Take this passage for example .
 71How beautiful are your feet in sandals,O noble daughter!Your rounded thighs are like jewels,the work of a master hand.

or how about this :
 I say I will climb the palm treeand lay hold of its fruit.Oh may your breasts be likeclusters of the vine,and the scent of your breath like apples,and your mouth like the best wine. Pretty intense stuff. I mean perhaps you can make it allegorical  but why do that ? In most cases the best way to deal with scripture is to let the word speak for itself. Yes there are different types of literature in the Bible. But the natural flow of this book is the expressions of love and desire happening between a man and women . The bride and the bridegroom showing love,desire and devotion . s of 
Contrary to so many God is not against sex , nor the enjoyment of it within the covenant of marriage.Sex is one of God's many gifts within marriage .In Hebrews the writer tells us , Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled.....
God is no kill joy and this letter is in holy script I think , to show that a husband andwife can delight in each other without guilt . One of the best ways that Satan wants to destroy all good gifts from God is to create deception or a wrong understanding of any of God's gift. One way is to have the world think the Bible is against sexualenjoyment but that is far from the truth. God created sex for intimacy and for the gift of children. 
The delight we see in this exchange between the bride and the bridegroom is a sweet exchange of the freedom and delight Christians can have within the bonds marriage.If you have been blessed with an incredible wife like I have been , take the time to lether know you delight in her . If you are a woman may you say the same thing the bride
calls out to her bridegroom.
14Make haste, my beloved,and be like a gazelleor a young stag             on the mountains of spices.
It is a beautiful book and one that still leaves my  jaw drop in a good way . 

Tearing Down

In so many circles it is so easy to enter into gossip and tear another person down. Focusing on there bad habits or issues they are struggling with . No one has been immune from it. The work place has to be one of the worse. Back stabbing and tearing down another usually goes hand and hand with inflating our own ego. In reality it is violence to the soul.I'm just as guilty to my shame of doing the same thing .

Who cannot remember learning about someone tearing you down behind your back and how deep it hurt. Then of course you have those who use innuendo in front of you to tear you down and the more bold , will do it to your face. They say it takes numerous positive comments to undo a negative. I can still recall vividly a teacher calling me out in front of my class . Granted looking back I needed a kick in the pants but humiliating me in front of my friends deeply hurt .

Sadder still is that this type of thing happens within the body of Christ. Gossip can become a nasty and toxic element . It robs the Church of witness, it creates mistrust and destroys like a unseen snake in the grass. Then you have those Christians who will come to you and say before they begin to tear you down , I'm only speaking the truth in love and the begin to criticize any numerous behaviors. Now I believe in Church discipline and we do need honest brothers and sisters in Christ to confront us in mercy but most of the time it really has nothing to do with that.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
In this statement the Apostle Paul tells the saints at in Thessalonia to encourage one another , to build each other up in the faith .  Christians should be marked separate from the world . If we have a real love for Christ and others , the use of the tongue to gossip , tear down have no place. Even if one needs to talk to another about a real sin issue , it should be done with discretion and grace. Following the biblical mandate , seeking repentance and reconciliation first.

Tearing others down or even taking some type of glee even when another falls has no place in the heart of a believer.  Jesus said that one way the world would know us is the way we love one another(John 13:35 ) .  The world has enough gossip and joy when one falls , let us not be marked by it nor take part in it . 

Ok , So What !!

Recently I read a story about a climber on Mount Everest who after making the summit had  to be left behind to die because of his failing health.  Apparently he went blind and do to extreme fatigue could not help the other climbers make his decent. If they had have tried to bring him down , it would have risked other lives.

Now this is a sad story . A tragic loss for his family and friends . But my question is why? What purpose does climbing this mountain or any other   that has no scientific purpose make any sense . Really it boils to the ability to say I did it , it was me . I'm sorry but life is too precious to be wasted on a big mound of earth and rock  other than to have to have bragging rights or to push human endurance to yell, see how great I'am.

When I read of people losing their lives in some pursuit of vain glory , I get mad . Risking life to get a thrill or to master something means nothing . If you are a scientist or explorer mapping new uncharted territory that could benefit humanity and lose your life , I can live with that. But not like this.

Laying down your life for a worthy cause is a noble thing. Police, Military,Firefighters and many more do so in the service of humanity. Even when someone loses their life at work in an accident , it is not in vain in the same way someone willingly putting life at risk for no purpose.

The greatest of course is when someone lays down their life to save another .John 15:13 

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. . This is what Jesus did for us . A sinner like me , Jesus laid down his life willingly that I might be forgiven and reconciled to God.  

But sorry , all risk takers seeking a thrill just to say I did it , no way. If you want a thrill with purpose , become a missionary , donate your time in a part of the world that need help like Africa or Haiti . Loose your life with purpose not fro some van glory . 

In and Through the Idol Factory

Exodus 20 :3 “You shall have no other gods before  me."

In today's world athletes  are almost  "gods". We flock to see these modern day gladiators perform in arenas around the world. No culture is immune . We look up to them  , we follow them , we cheer for them and many live vicariously through their love for the team or athlete they follow.In many ways they are the modern day Golden Calf . It is not just athletes of course but the whole entertainment field.

Now sports and following a team is in itself not a bad thing but if it becomes an obsession does it not become an idol in ones heart. When God told the Israelites not to have any gods before Him , it meant anything that would replace worship and devotion to Him . We make sports an idol , the athletes many "gods" . Watch the crazy devotion and religious fanaticism when a team wins a championship or loses. John Calvin said the heart is an idol factory . In rebellion we will replace God with anything . In our sin , in our hatred we want nothing more to replace Him . Many do it with sex,drugs etc... we see these idols as wrong but the most dangerous ones are those that seem right. Family ,your spouse,children and even sports . They all seem decent but these are the ones that Satan would use to blind our eyes.

But God is the business of breaking down idols and replacing them with the truth . The truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ . The one who deserves our devotion,our love and adoration. He gives life , an idol destroys by keeping our eyes and hearts distracted.

I love hockey and the Leafs , don't laugh. At one time they were not the only idol in my life , I followed the rock band Kiss in almost religious fashion . But God has broken those idols and replaced them  in my life with Him but it is still a struggle at times not to fall back into old ways. I still love my leafs but I try to keep it in perspective . So  do you have idols that need to be broken down? Pray that God will reveal them to you . 

The Darkness Speaks From within .....

Today was not a good day . Today was a day that one realizes how utterly sinful and dark the heart is . Its funny how close the line is with the sin that still lurks within. I still recall after becoming a believer there was a euphoria , a feeling of love and completeness . But then I soon realized two things , how much sin was in my heart and how easy it can be to slip into it. My weakness I confess , is when life is going to hell and hand-basket ( I know strange saying but my Grandfather used ) I let my sinful nature begin to root , which allows the world to entice and the Devil wins. Instead of turning to God and following the example of Jesus when he was tempted in the wilderness by the Devil and using God's word to subdue my old nature , cut down the world , I give in and relish in it to forget .This does not happen all the time , but today I was weak. The problem is , once you give in it only leads to shame ,guilt and defeat.

 You are in a battle . That although you have been given a new nature , that the Holy Spirit in dwells and seals you , the old man still lingers. Read through Romans 7 which speaks of this struggle.  1 john reads ," 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. " So sin is a ever present reality even in a believer. As Martin Luther coined it we are "simul iustus et peccator", justified and a sinner all in the same package. 


So today was a bad day , what then? I need to run to Jesus , repent and be cleansed . Trusting in the words of John  that if we confess , he will cleanse us from all unrighteousnesses. The gospel is not just for unbelievers but Christians as well. We will never stray away from the cross . So pray for me that I will run to Christ because it is a battle and we need to be ever ready when the old man comes calling .


I like the  idea of a warrior getting ready for battle . He would put on his armor , maybe some war paint and then with his other soldiers , typically they would do some  chant or just holler to get them ready . May we all realize we do have enemies outside the camp (the world and the devil) but a even more insidious one is camped inside and the most dangerous . 

Why Ask at All

Recently in the UK , a taxi driver went on a shooting spree that killed 12 at last count and left a swath of grief across the land. Now I'm sure many who do not believe in  God will thunder , see I could never believe in a God that would allow that to happen. Of course they could raise other major events but the question is always the same. But I think they are asking the wrong question . In fact why are they so adamant at all. If  they believe in no God then what is perceived an evil act is nothing more than just random acts that  have no moral depth. So if someone kills 12 people , that is all it is . The person who did this just happened to have "bad" wiring . If we are nothing more than walking evolved cells , having no more value then any other organism , why is it different when a insect eats its own .

You have heard it said , I think you do protest too much . That is why I have a problem with all who cry , how can you believe in your God if He allows this to happen. At the heart of the cry is a deep truth that these things are wrong . We are made in God's image , even though we haved sinned and in open rebellion against God , we still have the image of right and wrong. It is totally fractured but intact enough to know certain acts are evil. The first few chapters of Romans give us a solid starting point to enter into a dialog.

When someone comes at you with these arguments we can have solid answers . That is the beauty of the  Bible. It is no naive book. We would have a problem if it was full of stories of flowers and perfect lives . However it reveals the real human condition. It doesn't explain it all but in its narrative of creation,fall. reconciliation and consummation , God in His wisdom gives us the tools to defend and take the offensive. As Peter tells us 1 Peter 3:15
"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect"
Finally ,the one great truth that differs Christianity from all religions is that God entered into this sinful,fallen ,evil age to redeem man . When Jesus came , God in the flesh , He came to undo what we were responsible for. The fact of the cross stands as a answer to the evil we see . God is no spectator but an active participant. That for me answers so many of the questions .