What did Paul see? (updated)

I was dog-walking last week for a friend and one night, instead of leading me toward the grassy areas near the parking lot, my canine companion turned the opposite direction and led me to the furthermost dock ... the one with wide, unimpeded views of both the bay and the city's skyline.

I unhooked the dog's leash to let her run around and sniff new places for a few minutes and then turned around to enjoy the quiet and look out over the bay.

It's always been easy imagining the tall wood ships from other centuries raising their sails, the wind whispering through the shrouds as their heavy hulls plowed through waves and headed out to sea ... just like it's been easy imagining what ports and exotic destinations they visited almost 200 years ago.

But that night was different and I started thinking about the Apostle Paul ... and what was on his mind two thousand years ago when he stood for the first time at the rail of the ship that carried him away on his first missionary journey.

Did he feel scared? Was Paul wondering how the whole thing, including his life, would eventually turn out? Was his stomach churning with doubts, reluctance and uncertainty?

Was the Apostle Paul wondering if he'd turned off the stove, emptied the trash or left any lights on before leaving his house? Was he checking his iPad to make sure he had all his friends' addresses, or was he calling the post office to make sure they had the correct forwarding address?

Or was he jotting down notes about his ministry's projected budget or the perks he expected to receive within the year ... like travel, housing, food and clothing allowances, gold-plated health and retirement plans ... and a new model chariot every other year until he retired?

Did Paul think about all the people he needed to impress? Was Paul concerned with making outlines of the books he'd write or thinking about the royalties he'd receive ... or about how famous he'd become by preaching the gospel?

Or did Paul look around at the crew's faces ... and start worrying whether they were experienced enough to safely navigate the Mediterranean and deliver him back home safely? Did Paul glance down at the cluttered deck, listen for creaks in the hull and wonder how anyone could possibly know if the seams started leaking until it was too late?

Or did he think about pirates, shipwrecks and storms ... or glance up at the ship's feeble mast and start shaking his head, "Oh boy, does God really have his hand in this?"

Did Paul ever grasp what the journey ahead of him would require and what it might eventually cost, and think about changing his mind?


(9th century Mediterranean cargo ship. - source here)

Those are the kinds of things I'd have on my mind, but I'm not like Paul. I'm certain Paul was as focused, as unafraid and as certain as it's possible for a man to be.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized how I wished I could be like Paul ... until at last it was time to leash up the dog and call it a night. So I dropped off the dog, walked back to my boat, and spent the next three days wondering what made Paul so different from me and from thee.

--

After re-reading the gospel account of Christ's appearance to Saul on the road to Damascus lots of believers would likely agree, "Well if Jesus himself ever appeared to me exactly the same way he appeared to Paul, then I'd have Paul's kind of confidence and calling, too."

No sir sorry, I don't think so. Not for a minute.

The gospels are filled with accounts of people who saw Christ in the flesh, saw him perform miracles, spent years either in his presence or following his movements from town to town ... in other words, there were literally hundreds, if not thousands, of people who's seen for themselves and knew firsthand, beyond any possible doubt that Christ's word was true ... yet they still did not believe.

Judas was one of them. The Pharisees were many of them.

--

Why did Christ choose Paul to appear to that day on the road to Damascus? Was there something special in Saul, the infamous persecutor of believers, that made him different from every other person alive on the planet? If we believe in free will, how did Jesus know that his appearance would irrevocably and permanently convict Saul's heart ... and transform him to become Christ's greatest evangelist?

We have no way of knowing, but what if Christ had first called another man, or a dozen men, who heard what the Savior wanted ... but who then thought of a reasonable-sounding excuse and told Jesus "No thanks"?

What if Saul had shaken his head and said, "Lord I hear you, but my answer is No"?

But he didn't: Saul the Persecutor heard Christ's calling and repented. Saul surrendered, totally, completely and permanently ... and became Paul the Apostle.

Could be that's why Paul was different. You and I have professed faith in Christ as Lord and Savior, yet every day of our lives we look Christ in the face and tell him "Maybe, I dunno. Could be. Are you sure that's what you want? I'm not sure I want to. Right now I'm pressed for time. I'm not sure that's a good idea ... are you sure that's gonna work? Remind me to do something about that later. Lord, I don't see how I can help. Well ok, I might try."

And sometimes we'll even tell the Creator 'That's just not what I believe ... because your will and what you expect of me sounds kinda sketchy. And besides, what you want is inconsistent with what I want.'"

--

We keep those excuses handy and tell God those things because they make it easy to convince ourselves that somehow Paul was different ... while ignoring how Paul was able to accomplish so much more for God's kingdom.

As if it's OK to blame Christ because we can't find it in our hearts to trust and surrender ... totally, completely ... without questioning, second-guessing or trying to bend his will to conform to and accommodate our schedules and our wishes.

"But I like it here!"

I have a favorite hymn. It's so much my favorite that sometimes I think I could listen to it every day of the week.

Here's the point: Focusing on what I like overlooks and dismisses what Jesus wants.

--

Reading through the gospel accounts of Christ's ministry, I started wondering if upon hearing where they'd be traveling next, Jesus's disciples didn't sometimes start grumbling and protesting a little bit. (see John 11:16)

"Why do we keep going to places we've never been before?

"When we go to new places, we never know how people will react or even if we'll be welcomed once we get there. And if we keep traveling to new places all the time it's entirely possible things might start getting dangerous or even downright uncomfortable.

"Jesus look, I got an idea. Remember how we had such a good response with Lazarus in Bethany? Let's go there again, and stay in Bethany as long as we can."

But Jesus had other ideas, and knew exactly where his ministry ... and his Father ... would take him.

Not to an encore in Bethany. Not back to the village his disciples liked best. Not to the town that his disciples agreed had the best food, not to the places with the most comfortable accommodations ... and not to the populations promising the most receptive and enthusiastic audiences.

A Well-balanced Believer

In Space Science, the term Lagrange Point refers to "locations in space where gravitational forces and the orbital motion of a body balance each other." In other words, the Lagrange Point between the earth and the moon would be the spot exactly in the gravitational middle, where an orbiting satellite neither falls back to earth, nor is pulled off course by the moon.

Generally, an object in position at a Lagrange Point is indefinitely motionless and at equilibrium, because its two opposing gravitational fields offset each other.

Not much happens, or will ever happen, once an object reaches a Lagrange Point.

--

We've been taught that balance is a good thing: not too much, not too little; just the right amount in all things. Our culture emphasizes the concept of "Balance" with terms like "Tolerance," staying "Open Minded" and with being "Non-judgmental" ... with some philosophers, psychologists and social theorists going so far as to say that evil exists purely in the mind of the beholder.

According to their paradigm, no deed in itself is inherently evil, immoral or sinful outside of its context.

As believers there's another adjective we can use instead of well-balanced: it's Lukewarm.

---

A believer who considers him- or herself "well-balanced" ... happy and successful within the world and neither overtly embracing sin nor making "too big a deal about their faith in public" ... is orbiting in a spiritual Lagrange Point.

They're caught in the middle between two extremes.

A "well balanced believer" might feel as if he or she is avoiding evil but at the same time, being balanced in between means they're also avoiding complete repentance and surrender ... and lacking a full-time commitment to Christ.


I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
- Revelation 3:15-16

World Malaria Day in Tanzania is April 25 2010

malaria NO MORE

'World Malaria Day is a big day for us and for malaria awareness and advocacy around the world.

In Tanzania, our staff and partners are gearing up for the April 25th event as the East African country hosts World Malaria Day 2010 for all of Africa.'

- source and full story here

"His name is Flexible, His Word is Optional"

I live on a 28-foot fiberglass boat manufactured almost 30 years ago. I have no idea how many boats like mine were produced or how long the model was in production, but because I've never seen another boat like mine up close I enjoy running across the same models listed for sale online.

Not because I intend to buy another boat just like mine. I simply like looking at the pictures and finding out what choices each owner made for their vessel. I like seeing differences like upholstery, cabin layout, engines, plumbing and electronics. I've seen dozens of Model 2807s without ever finding one identical to mine and guess what? I like mine the best.




That's not to say my 2807 is any better than anyone else's. It only means that the differences my boat and all the others reflect choices, decisions and personal preferences ... and represent the flexibility to move, place and replace accessories according to each owners' wishes.

I like knowing the choices are mine about how to set up, equip, adjust and modify my boat until it's just the way I want it. It makes my little white tub feel 100% personal and 100% mine.

--

As believers, we sometimes treat scripture as though God's word is either a fairy tale filled with outdated suggestions, or as a multi-purpose Spiritual Army Knife God thoughtfully provided to help us to pry open the other guy's faults and measure his shortcomings.

Sometimes we enjoy applying stern warnings from scripture to the guy whose life seems like it's falling apart, or to the friend who can't get her act together ... and especially to the guy whose life is chock full of sin (and who seems to be having more lots more fun and has more ... more money, more toys, more girlfriends ... more of everything we secretly crave).

What's much harder is realizing that every word of scripture is meant not only for thee but for me, too. Every single word. No matter what society says or what our culture teaches, God did not give us the option of believing the parts of scripture we like while ignoring those passages we don't.

Scripture is profoundly and perfectly clear: Flexibility, Preferences and Options aren't choices when it comes to honoring God and reading his word .... and then living as he intended.



God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
- Numbers 23:19

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
- James 1:17

Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
- Matthew 5:19

"Looking backward on what I like and miss the most"

A handful of years ago an acquaintance shared his experiences about "going to church" when he was a kid ... and how his life had been impacted and was still affected by those long-ago impressions.

He told me he was saddened to see more and more churches dispensing with "the things that were important and really mattered," adornments like steeples, pews and hymnals, the very things that made church feel like church.

To hear his heart-felt and sincere reminisces about the past it sounded as though today, Christ's body is sinking because churches no longer make steeples, multi-manual pipe organs, Dry Clean Only choir robes and stained glass windows a financial priority.

Funny, isn't it, how man-made faiths and denominations, stained glass windows, organ music and choir robes came to define church?

Wonder why we want church to be safe and comforting, there when we need it, traditional and just like we remember it ... when Christ commanded us to pick our crosses daily and follow him ... and to go forth and preach the gospel to all nations?

Who does church belong to, and who's at its center?

Prayer Flow

Ever called a friend on the phone and rattled off,

Hello, how are you?
I am fine.
I hope you're fine, too.
Uh oh, look how time flies
Great talking to you
Let's get caught up again soon.
Bye.

What if you called that same friend five, six or fifteen times each week and always recited those same lines? I'm thinking after about the third time your friend might start wondering if you were merely calling out of a sense of duty or obligation, whether your life is actually that busy and urgent, or why you bothered calling in the first place. Especially if you never give your friend time to get a word in edgewise or give him any chance to answer and say what's on his mind before hanging up the phone.

After a while, your friend might even start wondering how much of a friend you really are.

--

That occurred to me while I was thinking about prayer, and how easily we fall into the habit of using the exact same words and phrases every time we give thanks to or seek communication with the Creator.

As if by definition Prayer's gotta be a drudgery and a chore, like filing tax returns or waiting in line at the DMV. Go ahead and get it over with ... just to be safe ... and not make God feel like he's being ignored or disrespected.

After all, nobody wants to make God mad. Right? So we act as though a quick memorized prayer is enough to keep God happy and sufficient effort on our part to get the job done.

--

In psychology the term Flow describes a state of total mental immersion accompanied by feelings of "energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity." It's the same thing as being "on the ball, in the zone, in the groove, in Hackmode or keeping your head in the game." (-source)

Flow is a concept often applied to competitive athletes, live musicians and winning gamblers (being "on a roll") ... and even to groups working to achieve a common goal.

Wonder why we feel it's too much trouble to become immersed with the Father and why we think it takes too much time to become fully involved in prayer?

Maybe because reciting the same six line prayer every day is so easy and so convenient ... and communication with the Father, hearing what He has to say, just isn't that important.

"Something's wrong with that church - or is something wrong with me?"

- from Clayton King
April 8, 2010


A mature Christian who loves Christ and finds their identity in Jesus is THE FIRST to champion someone else who is honoring Christ. They should be THE FIRST to offer thanks to God on behalf of the goodness of God poured out on others.

It is a sign of my own insecurity, envy, jealousy, or immaturity if I am not willing and eager to rejoice when God moves mightily in some other person, church, or ministry. And perhaps…God will not be able to bless me and my efforts, because of my pride, until I am willing to humble myself, admitting that it is GOD who gives the increase.

Stop what you're doing

I don't know how you got here today ... or whether you're a regular reader, a skeptic or a first-time visitor delivered here via a web search engine. I have no way of knowing whether you describe yourself as a Christian, an atheist, an agnostic or maybe you follow an entirely different faith.

Or maybe you grew up going to church, never miss a single Sunday and feel pretty confident you've got a handle on what Salvation means and know exactly what following Christ is all about. Or it could be that you're here to mock, ridicule, criticize and find fault.

Maybe you're curious about Christianity, and wonder what makes Christianity a world apart from other faiths. The point is, you're here now ... and I don't believe in chance, fate, luck or accidents.



Just watch this message, live today at 11:15am, 4:00pm or 6pm.

http://www.newspring.cc/live/

No obstacle to the gospel

I remember seeing preachers on TV laying out lines about what it means to be a Christian ... specifically meaning, Christians can't drink, can't dance, can't go to movies, can't listen to the radio or watch TV and can't say bad words.

Watch one TV preacher, and he'll say "You can't belong to Christ and also belong to such and such political party." Another TV preacher says, "If you believe in Jesus, this is how you'll vote next November" while another demands, "Church must be done just exactly this same and only way" and still another prescribes what music is appropriate and even what dress codes are permissible.

I remember seeing some of those TV preachers and wondering, "If they can't push themselves away from the dinner plate or preach without first visiting the hair stylist, then how can they pull themselves up on the cross to take Jesus' place?"

They can't: that's why their words are empty, vain, arrogant, self-serving ... and born of men.



Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
- Romans 14:13

The First 48 ... and a bit of arrogance, too

I look forward to watching A&E Channel's real-life crime drama The First 48 any time I can. I like watching how the detectives work, but what often stuns me are the interrogations back at headquarters.

What leaves my mouth hanging open is how many times suspects believe they can fabricate alibis, deny knowledge and involvement, and just generally lie to police ... and think they can get away with it. Do these guys really think they're that smart? They act like they're too smart to even ask for an attorney before the questioning begins.

I mean if they were that smart, why did they become suspects in the first place? Yet you'll see surveillance footage of a guy robbing a convenience store ... caught red-handed in other words ... cross his arms over his chest under interrogation and argue with police "It wasn't me."

What are these guys thinking? If you got picked up by police as a suspect in a homicide case and hauled downtown for interrogation, how comfortable would you feel about lying to and challenging the police ... especially if you knew you were guilty?

Wouldn't you want the best attorney available on your side?

---

I've heard lots of people say how they intend to handle God when they stand before him on Judgment Day, and how they'll demand to know why he lets bad things happen, why he allows evil to exist, etc. etc.

I wonder if they'll have that much bravado and deny everything, or try to start arguing with God when the time comes, because that kind of scenario reminds me a lot of The First 48: the folks alive today who think they can outsmart The Creator of the universe ... and have no need of a counselor standing at their side.



For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.
- 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Paying attention to words

(blog lite)

I'm in no position to criticize anybody's grammar or punctuation, but the rapid spread of email, twitter and txting means folks are paying less attention to what words mean ... and it's getting harder and harder to understand what the author was trying to say.

I saw this online ad just a few minutes ago:

Jan-Pro:
An Executive business! With over 90 regional Master offices and 8,000 unit franchisees, JAN-PRO provides you with all the benefits of a successful bra
http://www.franchise.com/franchise-directory.cfm


Like I said, sometimes I just don't get it.

Repita

( from 23 January, 2009 post)

To mark the half century since the first of January 1959, we Cubans could buy, through the ration system, half a pound of ground beef. The sense of humor that frequently saves us from neurosis did not spare the unexpected delicacy which was baptized as “the picadillo sent by Chavez,” an allusion to the obvious economic shoring-up that comes from Venezuela.

Although it seems a frivolity, for many Cubans the sale of that beef was the most significant event that happened lately. -

Escrito por: yoanisanchez en Generation Y

I try to steer clear of politics here at The Blue Book, to focus instead on the Gospel. So I won't launch into a tirade here about Castro's failures or the tyranny of Communism ... though if I ever started writing about religious oppression in Cuba, there's surely enough material there to fill up my hard drive.

Folks, Cuba's just not that far away: Havana is as far from Atlanta as Atlanta is from New York City ... and the entire American South lies within a thousand miles of the Cuban capital. Which means that for Southerners, Havana is closer than 1/3 of the continental United States ... more than everything west of the Rockies.

Pero una qué diferencia triste ... but what a sad difference.

According to Cuban government estimates, the country has just 3 telephone lines per 100 people (the US has 68). Cuba has 23 automobiles per 1000 people (the US has 478) ... and Cuba has one computer per 100 people. With a population of 11.5 million people, Cuban has just one ISP providing internet access: only 40,000 folks in Cuba can log onto the web.

Compare that to 76 computers per 100 people here in the US and 122 per hundred people in Israel.

But let's get back to the beef: in Cuba, there's practically none available. Ninguno. Can you imagine your family having the luxury of ground beef just two or three times a year?

-- -- --

We've been blessed for so many years in this country that it's easy to forget what day to day life is like for other people, and become inwardly focused upon our own inconvenience.

Perhaps experiencing a little hunger ... the chronic kind ... and realizing how truly pervasive food shortages are beyond our shores, would tone-down some of our griping about the economy and the "hard times" we're enduring.

And help us understand how fortunate we really are.

NCAA Final: the guaranteed winner

No matter what the experts say or predict, the greatest playoff of all time will wind up being a blowout.


Naturally, Christ Annihilates the Antichrist and remains untied ... and undefeated forever.

Amazing Grace

Have a Happy Easter ...

"Easter is the day Christians celebrate and remember Jesus's resurrection"

What are we celebrating and remembering the other 364 days?

Easier said than done

It might be easy admitting, "I believe Jesus died and rose again to save us from our sins."

It's much harder admitting we don't always live like we mean it.