The Roller Coaster Christian..Me and David..

February 7th, 2012 1 Comment

My growth chart as a follower of Christ looks like the peaks and valleys of the Great American Scream Machine!

I’ve had mountain top experiences when I’ve felt so close to the Lord that I could sense His calling and direction with great clarity. There have been times when I’ve read the Bible and gleaned great applicable truths that convicted me and pointed me in new directions. I’ve sang with a heart so full of gladness that tears of joy would stream down my face at the realization of my redemption.

Then there have been valley times. Times where it felt like God was silent. When reading the Bible was not only a chore but a bore. I would stumble through passages wondering what in the world I was supposed to get out of it. Many times more confused than when I started reading. I’ve asked questions and found no answers. And I’ve sang words that I didn’t mean, no matter how hard I tried.

I’ve been pure in motive in both the upswings as well as the down..
I’ve been in sin during the upswings as well as the down..

I’ve often tried to figure out the “why” in both places. Why am I experiencing this peak..or why am I experiencing this valley? Because if I could answer that, then I would choose to stay on the mountain top till my dying day.

And here’s where I’m at..and I can’t promise the theological correctness of this..but..I believe God allows me to travel into these dark nights of the soul so that I find Him again. So that I run to Him. So that I learn something new about His grace and His unconditional love. And maybe so that I’ll learn something about me in the process. (Read an excerpt from Richard Foster’s take on John of the Cross’s, Dark Night of the Soul here.)

The beauty of the Bible, whether you believe every word of it or not, is that it isn’t biased toward its heroes. And for whatever reason this consoles me. I take comfort knowing that the giants of the Christian faith had journeys that looked like roller coasters too.

In 1 Samuel 27 we see David visit one of his many faith dips. He flees the promised land BACK into the land of Gath, where he recently showed up and acted the fool. No, literally he acted like a madman (David hits “Rock Bottom” here). Now he’s back but this time with 600 warriors and their families. And now he’s welcomed in. And during a two year span he lives among the pagans raiding nearby villages burning them to the ground. Killing women and children and taking the spoils back with him. All the while lying to the King of Gath about his adventures. He is safe from Saul, but victim to his own discouragement. He is not living in obedience and he doesn’t seem to care. During this time he writes ZERO psalms or songs to God (that are recorded). There is nothing positive in 1 Samuel 27 about David. He has, in a sense, given up.

Can you relate?
Have you had faith valleys where you felt like giving up?

This is one of David’s dark nights..he WILL rebound..just like I will..just like you will..
Take heart..let’s learn in the valley..we’re here for a reason..we just can’t see it yet..

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Broken Promises..

February 6th, 2012 1 Comment

You’ve heard the old adage, “Burn me once, shame on you..burn me twice, shame on me.”
Living in this messed up and jaded world it’s easy to understand why we learn at an early age how to protect ourselves and our emotions. When someone we trust hurts us..we may first blame them..or look inward..or even lash out..but somewhere in that hurt we begin to layer up. We allow our skin to grow a little thicker..all in an effort to keep from feeling that pain again.

But what happens when the perpetrator of the hurt..makes amends?

  • Yeah..what is the appropriate response?
  • Should I let my guard down a little?
  • Should I try and judge their sincerity?
  • Should I forgive and let them right back into the place they occupied in my heart like before?

Ok..ok..ok..

Let’s pretend I could be that strong and forgive to that extent and experience that kind reconciliation (discussed earlier here).

What happens when they break their promise?

We read in 1 Samuel 24 a beautiful story of reconciliation and what appears to be a tear-filled and sincere promise by King Saul to stop chasing David (or at least a pledge of his support.) But two chapters later, Saul is on the hunt again. In 1 Samuel 26 David spares Saul’s life once more..and again offers an opportunity to Saul for reconciliation.

WHY!?!

This is the second time now that Saul has been hunting David. So, David has been burned once already by Saul..forgiven him..and honored him..AND NOW HE’S BACK!

I know what Matthew 18:21-22 says:

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

But my question today is, HOW?
It’s not that easy..
Should this kind of repeated forgiveness be normal?

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Sunday Sermon :: Not A Fan//Defining the Relationship

February 5th, 2012 1 Comment

[my notes from 2/5/12 Lead Pastor Scott Moore @ECC]

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23 NLT)

Are you IN? ALL-IN? Are you a “fan” or a “follower”?


Three questions that have to be answered:


1. Why are you here?

In Jesus’s early ministry he saw many folks following him around and so he analyzed the situation and saw..

  • people were seeing the miracles
  • Folks were getting healed
  • Jesus had fans that wanted to see a good show

Jesus then began teaching the strongest sermon about sacrifice and giving and the people began leaving.

Many of us want something FROM Jesus..but we don’t want JESUS.

At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. (John 6:66 NLT)

So, now we ask ourselves, ”Why am I here?”

 

2. Are you ALL-IN?

It seems like we all have something we hold onto.

We don’t mind giving up 75% of ourselves but we want to hold onto somethings: sexual sins, money, possessions, relationships, anger, etc.

Jesus asks for 100%

 

3. Have you made it your own?

Sometimes just being around church can rub off on you and by being around committed followers of Jesus can make us think we are also committed followers. But have we made it our own?

  • You can be around church and start liking some of the things about it; particularly Jesus. 
  • You come because it’s a nice place to be.
  • You may appreciate the “feeling” of serving others. 
  • You might enjoy the relationships you gain in Growth Groups. 

But what is MY relationship like with Jesus? Is it MY faith? Have I made it my own?

“If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26 NLT)

I missed some great quotes today by Scott. Please add what you got to the comments:: thanks.

You can view the entire message here.

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