Life Lessons from Skiing--Overcome Your Fears

Two years ago I learned to ski (@ age 53).  It was one of the most extraordinary adventures of my life!  As with anything new (especially later in life), it took a lot of effort to reach success.  But my instructor was wise and patient with me as he watched me progress (albeit, at times slowly)!

He noticed I was making some improvement, but saw also I was at a temporary impasse.  So he asked me-'Are you afraid?'  I said, 'Yes!'  So he made a bold challenge--'Get angry at the mountain!'  I wondered initially what he meant.  

I have since come to understand that he meant, 'Let go of your fear and don't let it (i.e., the mountain) control you.'  I followed his advice, overcame my fear was conquered the hill. You too can overcome your fears.


Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (Jn. 14:1)  Is there some fear you need to let go of today?  Don't let it become a mountain in your way--overcome your fears and your life will change!

Do You Believe in Angels?

Years ago, while I was working in the insurance business with John Hancock, I decided to take a break (this was at a large shopping mall called Lloyd Center, in Portland, Oregon) and watch the skaters.  Insurance can be a very demanding business and taxing on the mind.

While I was watching the skaters, someone came up to me and said these words, "Jesus Christ is Lord!!"  I, being somewhat shocked, halting said, "Amen!!"  Now I wasn't hesitant because of my beliefs, I wholeheartedly agreed with the statement.  The shock was that you don't hear this declaration everyday and it took me totally off guard!!

Now, before you think I'm crazy and have lost my mind, consider this quote from St. Francis de Sales: "Make yourself familiar with angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you."  It's now been over 30 years since that encounter happened and I truly believe I saw an angel.  I looked for that person immediately after that statement and couldn't find them anywhere!!

Is this a ludicrous thought?  No, I don't believe so--consider Heb. 1:14:  "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation." (NASB)  Besides, I believe I'm in good company--the disciples didn't believe either (when Peter was rescued from prison in Acts 12 and the angel of God caused his chains to fall off, Acts 12:7).  This is a story made popular by the Christian singer, Amy Grant some years ago in her song, "Angels." 

Remember the story?  Peter even was disbelieving before he saw the angel (vs. 11).  The disciples were dumbfounded too, and thought that Rhoda (a servant girl) was crazy!  See vs. 15 (Acts 12):  "You are out of your mind!"  But it truly was an angel sent from God... and it rescued Peter from prison.

My friend, are you in a prison today that you need to be set free from?  Oh, it's not a literal one, but perhaps the prison of a difficult relationship, a financial set-back, an addiction that has held its grip on you for years that won't let you go.  May I encourage you today--believe in angels...better yet, believe in God!!  He is for you, if you'll turn to Him.

Worship Involves the Will

When we come to worship, it must involve my will to be truly real. This, I believe was one of the core issues that Christ was attempting to make the Samaritan woman realize (John 4). Now, it's true that He was trying to get her to realize that worship is not tied to a location (Mt. Gerizim, where the Samaritans had built a temple) but to a person, the Lord Jesus Christ. If my will is not involved, worship essentially doesn't happen. When I worship by myself (or lead worship in a church) I need to be engaged first before it ever impacts the pew. My question for myself (and you today) is, are you worshipping God? And is He pleased with our worship? Jesus wants us to drink from holy cisterns (I must confess sometimes I drink from the cisterns of the world and again and again find out they never satisfy)! One man said, "Jesus is the satisfaction of all of life's cravings." How true!

So worship, to be truly genuine, meaningful and transforming must involve at least these three: wonder, worth (the word, 'worship' comes from the Anglo-Saxon word, 'worthship') and the will. Am I truly allowing all three to be present in my life? As Steve Brown (on his radio program, "Key Life" says, 'you think about that. Amen').

Blessings!

Worship and Wonder (Ps. 8:1 and Ps. 145:1-7)

Worship involves wonder. Notice what King David wrote in Ps. 8:1, 9: "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!" (NASB) Why does worship involve wonder? See how David was wrapped up in the wonder of who God was, His name, reputation, character? That's what happens when we worship God in music, at church, when in His presence, seeing the miracle of the stars, the ocean, etc. We marvel at who God is when we worship Him. But it's not limited to a solitary experience--worship occurs when we're alone and moved by a Divine encounter, but also it happens in a corporate setting (at church or a similar gathering). I love what Ps. 34:1 says: "O magnify the Lord, and let us exalt his name together (emphasis added)!" (NASB) Something special happens when we exalt God together. Years ago, Dietrich Bonhoeffer said this: "Christ is present in the church." And He is. I often remember this whenever I have the privilege of serving the Lord.

Today, in your busy world, try to remember 'the wonder of it all!' Remember it in the face of a smiling child, your spouse's (if married) embrace and love. In the grace of Christ, the Sovereignty of an awesome God. Wonder is all around us. Embrace it, live it, share it with the world!

"We Bow Down..."

Last nite in Portland, OR Twila Paris delighted us in leading in classic worship songs that have blessed the body of Christ over the decades. What a humble, gracious person she is and what a blessing to have her lead us in worship!! As she was singing, "He is exalted, the King is exalted on high, I will praise Him..." I was meditating on the great King of the universe. What a joy it was to focus on Christ in worship. Her classic song, "We Bow Down" is an example of what true worship is all about. In the Hebrew, the word, "Shaqah" ('bow down') demonstrates an attitude of worship. I like what the gifted scholar and Pastor, Earl Palmer told us once in a Pastor's conference at Mount Hermon Christian that the word 'bow down' has a twofold meaning: for the Christian, we bend the knee in prayer; for the Lord, He 'stoops down' (in Jesus Christ) to mankind. This is true worship! We 'bow down' before the Lord in worship and He 'stoops down' to us in the person of Christ.

Now, with the Holy Spirit in us He 'draws near' to us because the HS is the 'Spirit of Christ.' We thank God for Twila Paris and blessing us with the wonderful songs God has given her to encourage and bless the body of Christ. Thank the Lord too for His indescribable Gift to us in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Who will you worship?

In the Gospel of John, chapter 4, Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman. The Samaritans were avoided by the Jews ("The relation between Jew and Samaritan was one of hostility...they rejected all the OT except the Pentateuch...."(Unger's Bible Dictionary, p. 959) It's clear that the Jews avoided the Samaritans (Jn. 4:9: "For Jews do not associate with Samaritans," NIV) Some feel that the Jews considered the Samaritans 'half breeds!' So, when the text says, "Now He (Jesus) had to go through Samaria," it's a surprise to us (and to His disciples as well). Fast forward in the story to verse 19--the Samaritan woman had misplaced her affections (she had five husbands and was living with the man in her life at the time) and misunderstood what true worship is. She thought that worship was tied to a location--Christ redirected her focus and showed her that worship is not tied to a place, but a person, the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, the question begs to be asked, "who will YOU worship?" Today, people worship all sorts of things: Ipods, Iphones MP3 players, celebrities, people, cars, money, sex, drugs, alcohol, power, etc., etc. The question God wants to ask us (myself included) is, "who will YOU worship?" We were created for worship. In one of my favorite books in my library (and I believe destined to become a Christian classic), "Desiring God," by John Piper (Multnomah Press, 1986) John writes this: "Worship is a way of gladly reflecting back to God the radiance of His worth. This cannot be done by mere acts of duty. It can be done only when spontaneous affections arise in the heart (p. 72)." Why worship? Because we were created for worship and Jesus said, "God is a spirit and His worshippers must worship in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:24, NIV) What does it mean to worship in 'spirit and truth?' To worship 'in truth' means to do it in congruence with God's understanding of reality; to do so 'in spirit' is to do it guided by the Holy Spirit. So, let's get practical: when you and I worship I believe we need to do it informed by our head and our heart. I believe that's the spirit of the passage. Where can we worship? Anywhere!! By a stream, at a mountain, skiing, in your home, underneath the stars on a clear, summer night, in the arms of our beloved one...the possibilities are endless!! The key is...worship is not tied to a place, but a person. I thank Willie Gunnels (one of our Singles Pastors at Hinson Memorial for this original thought, and I've never forgotten it). When we worship, we are truly at peace and whole (the Hebrew concept of Shalom (Heb.) is operative here--wholeness, without division). When we 'worship' we are truly one with God (of course, assuming we know Him personally).

So, may I invite you to worship today? It will be worth the time you and I spend. It will give you a glimpse of eternity and the Infinite One. Blessings!

A Life of Worship

For years I have been intrigued by the Westminster Cathechism answer to the question, "What is the chief end of man," and its answer, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." I am beginning a blog under the Title, "WorshipNow!" That is our central task on earth is to worship God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us 'worship now!'