The Meaning of Life

"Man, made in the image of God, has a purpose - to be in relationship to God, who is there. Man forgets his purpose and thus he forgets who he is and what life means."

-- Francis Schaeffer

It's Not About You

This past week as we travelled around in the metroplex, I kept seeing billboards with the phrase, "I am second." My father-in-law also mentioned the same to me. I found out that this is an online campaign promoting for putting God first in our life. The website is cool, and I found that I actually know some of these "famous" folks in the campaign videos, check it out! http://iamsecond.com/

After having found this website, I read in the Word this morning, something that caused me to think. I don't know about you, but I get barraged daily with the idea that life is all about me and my comfort. I see it in the media, and I see it in people's lives (especially driving on the freeway!) I must admit it is a daily struggle to keep that mindset at bay in my own life.

In the book of Acts, I was reading through Peter's sermon to the religious leaders, and something stood out to me in light of the "I am second" website. Look at chapters 3-4. When Peter speaks, notice what he says to the onlookers and to the leaders when he uses the word "YOU." "You disowned..."; "...asked that a murderer be released to you..."; "You killed the author of life..."; "...you crucified...". If it is all about "YOU" this shows what we would do if given the chance to encounter God himself. And yet, God is different.

Now, re-read the same passage, and note what he says God does: "...God raised him from the dead..."; "...God fulfilled what he had foretold..."; "...God to restore everything..." When I put my hands on anything, I just goof things up. But God, on the other hand, sets right everything we messed up and completes everything He begins.

Lord, give me the strength to keep You in the driver's seat of my life.

Knowing God Quote...

Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord.

-- J. I. Packer

Pet Peeve Alert...

I am sorry, but I just gotta gripe about something in the grand scheme of life is pretty silly. Doesn't anyone cook anymore????? I just returned from grocery shopping and it is just annoying that stores are slowly replacing foods that you have to cook with foods that some factory prepared. Grrr.... Okay, I'm done. I am off for a few days, I will write something more of substance later.

Crazy Kind of Love

Love has been described over the centuries in many different ways. One of the most recent I have heard and I think it really fits is "Love is crazy." Steven Curtis Chapman recorded a song called "Something Crazy" on his This Moment project. You can click here to hear this song (and CD). Below are the lyrics of the chorus:

"And it's crazy when love gets a hold of you

And it's crazy things that love will make you do

And it's crazy but it's true

You really don't know love at all'

Til it's making you do

Something crazy"

This morning as I finished my reading through the book of Ezra, I was reminded of this crazy kind of love. Ezra was one of the key people who led the Jews back to Israel having spent 70 years in exile under Babylonian and Persian rule. His primary task was to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed in the siege of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Through nothing less than the providence and the promise of God, the people begin the process of returning to Israel.

In chapter 10, I read something that to the average reader may seem extreme, or rather, crazy. Ezra makes this statement to the general populace in verses 10-11: "Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, 'You have been unfaithful and have married foreign wives adding to the guilt of Israel. 'Now therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers and do His will; and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives.'" How did the people respond? The answer is found in verse 19: "They pledged to put away their wives, and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their offense." I stopped and at that verse and chewed on it a moment. Ezra told them they needed send their wives (and children) away, and they complied willingly. That seems crazy!

Keep in mind, God had specifically told them on numerous occasions to not intermarry with the locals. They disobeyed God, and the result was being led down a path of idolatry that eventually got them stuck in exile to begin with. (Please note this had NOTHING to do with God hating interracial marriages, it was all about getting involved in the pagan religious practices of those indigenous people i.e child sacrifice etc.) So, here Ezra reminds them of what God had told them, and they took the measures to align themselves with God's instruction.

hunderds of years later Jesus says multiple times that demonstration of our love is epitomized in obedience to God's word... even when it seems crazy. Our love for God makes us do crazy things. If you want a concise list of what I am talking about visit Hebrews 11. Okay, those are cool Sunday School stories, but really that is what God calls me to live. The same crazy love-filled life.

1 Corinthians 13 — Christmas Style

My wife came onto this, and I hadn't heard of it before and thought it was too good not to share. I wish I could tell you who wrote it, but was unable to locate the author. Enjoy!

"If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure."