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How to Discover a Real Relationship with the Real God

June 25, 2015 by

I think a lot of organized religion is really a mess. Now in case you’re wanting to shoot think about it.

Surveys show most people in the U.S. believe in God and a majority attend services at least occasionally.

Yet, our society is pretty screwy.

 

Photo Credit: Neil Moralle

Photo Credit: Neil Moralle

 

Facebook, I’ve heard, now has over 50 gender selections to choose from for your profile. Yikes, and I always thought there were only two. Talk about being behind the times.

Then look at the divorce rate, crime rate, number of children raised by single parents and it’s not a stretch to say something’s seriously whacked out.

 

Yet, I look at so much organized religion and in my most theological words say, “What are they thinking?”

 

I mean we have what we could label “Mr. Potato Head” theology.

Do you remember the children’s game?  The one you play with a raw potato.  Yes, I know I am seriously dating myself here.  Anyway, as you play the game you pick out the parts you want your potato head to look like.  A nose here, ears there, eyes over here.  You create him into your masterpiece.

Well too many people apply that same process to their view of God.  Add on the parts you like.  Forget the parts you don’t.  Only problem is it doesn’t do much for your confidence when you need it most because you created God to look like you want not like he truly is.

Or we have “Super-Size Me” theology.

Americans love super-size anything.  Triple burgers, jumbo fries, 64 oz. Mega Gulp soft drinks, mammoth SUV’s.  You know the bigger the better.

So we drag that over into church.  Concert perfect productions. Jumbo screens. Slick videos. Model pastor couple. Short entertaining messages.  Move the crowd in.  Move the crowd out.

Yet when we leave often we feel somehow empty don’t we?

Now I’m not saying you can’t find a relationship with God or some elements of truth through those churches. Frankly though, I’m surprised often by the places God pops up.

 

But I also see way too often people enter into that relationship with God but grow stale quickly.

 

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Discovering Intimacy with God Apart from Religion

June 9, 2015 by

Religion can’t give us an intimate relationship with God. It just isn’t wired that way.

I know you’re probably wondering, “But I thought that’s what religion is for?”

Or you may be thinking, “I think this guy’s lost it.” Which would not be the first time someone’s said that.

But religion is simply incapable of much more than introducing us to God.

 

Photo Credit: Max Boschini

Photo Credit: Max Boschini

 

Now I’m not saying a person can’t have a saving relationship with God through religion. But I am saying a person dedicated to religion often won’t have the intimacy with God we may desire.

Because when you think about it, religion is dedicated to finding our way to God through strict observance of rituals and stringent belief in doctrines.

Even many evangelical churches I’ve attended, who would claim they’re not that way, have their own set of rituals and doctrines that are just as sacrosanct as orthodox churches.

 

And let’s face it, we simply can’t follow all the rules perfectly enough to qualify for an intimate relationship with God.

 

As well as intimacy just doesn’t work that way in human relationships either.

Can you imagine a marriage built on following rules and rituals? Yeah, you may be married and function but it’s going to feel a little icy. Intimacy is emotional connection not obedience.

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Finding Peace When You Feel Rejected by a Loved One

May 26, 2015 by

One of the hardest issues when we enter into a relationship with God is the rejection we’ll be surprised by. Especially sometimes from people we feel closest to.

 

Photo Credit: Edd Sowden

Photo Credit: Edd Sowden

 

I’ve seen it and experienced it several times. Of course it might be my personality that’s less than stellar on occasion also.

Yet, often it comes from ones we think will rejoice in the change that’s taken place.

But think about a wife who suddenly changes and her husband feels excluded.

Or a son and his parents feel somehow like they weren’t good enough.

Or a friend who now doesn’t enjoy some of the previous partying so she feels excluded.

What’s frustrating is when we’re trapped in that position we can’t go back because, well, we’ve changed. And we feel hurt going forward.

Now I’ll be the first to say some Christians can be really obnoxious. I’ve met more than a couple. And I don’t like hanging out with them either.

 

But I’m talking here about those who’ve been positively transformed yet find themselves feeling rejected.

 

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Filed Under: Happiness, Love Tagged With: , ,

When Friends Turn Against You Because of Your Faith

April 28, 2015 by

Number 50 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” The miracles and promises of Jesus that show us the awesome blessings we can experience each day. I hope it encourages you!

 

When I entered into my relationship with Jesus it was an incredible experience. I found a happiness and love I simply had never known.

So naturally I wanted to share my great news. Particularly with those closest to me.

Didn’t exactly turn out the way I expected.

 

Photo Credit: Lyylyn Ylyal

Photo Credit: Lyylyn Ylyal

 

My dad first responded, though later recanted , “Well a little religion is a good thing but don’t overdo it.”

My closest friend said later that his mom, who was like my second mom, told him to be careful. From that day on there was a distance in my relationship with both of them.

A former girl friend, who remarkably I’d stayed friends, said, “Yeah, I heard you’d become a Jesus freak. I couldn’t believe it.” Actually her remark was well earned. But she had no interest in continuing our friendship.

 

I’ve got to be honest. The splintering of those relationships and some others really hurt.

 

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The Power to Overcome Our Everyday Battles

April 21, 2015 by

Number 48 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” The miracles and promises of Jesus that show us the awesome blessings we can experience each day. I hope it encourages you!

 

When I went to the church I pastored I came with the understanding we were going to change things big time. The church had dwindled to a place it was either change or die.

 

Photo Credit: Ray Chang

Photo Credit: Ray Chang

 

I met early on with the Executive Board, a group of eight core leaders. One evening in our living room I said to them, “We have the opportunity to make a difference. We can change the direction of this church and see lives impacted eternally.”

All of them were excited about being a part of something that would make an eternal difference.

Then I said, “But realize we just declared war on the evil one. And it will be a real war. So you need to put on God’s armor every day. And trust in him to keep you safe and give you wisdom.”

Most took me seriously.

 

But within six months, one had a complete psychological breakdown. And within a year another had resigned.

 

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Filed Under: Love, Significance, Success Tagged With: ,

A Family Transformed

April 14, 2015 by

Number 46 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” The miracles and promises of Jesus that show us the awesome blessings we can experience each day. I hope it encourages you!

 

When I pastored I saw firsthand the devastation of dysfunctional families.

Instead of love and support too often I saw anger and attack. Instead of being a refuge from the world’s pressures it became a war zone to escape.

 

Family Playing

 

Unfortunately, it wasn’t always the neighbors who didn’t go to church though. Sometimes it was some of those who were the most involved. Going to church wasn’t an inoculation against the disease.

And the destruction it left was devastating. Children abused or rejected. Marriages destroyed. Families torn apart.

 

Lives devastated sometimes in ways that couldn’t be seen yet manifested themselves later.

 

After many years of marriage I can say honestly Jennifer and I have gone through our times of struggle too. I mean, realistically who hasn’t?

Marriage is tricky. There have been times when it would be easier to quit. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Happiness, Love Tagged With: ,

When You Just Feel Like Giving Up

March 26, 2015 by

Number 41 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” Stories and promises of Jesus that show us the awesome blessings we can experience each day. I hope it encourages you!

 

A few days ago I was talking on the phone with a friend who’s been through more than her share. Several hip surgeries, two replacements, cancer and recently a knee replacement. Yet, through it all she can laugh and see the bright side.

I said, “So how’s your knee?”

She replied, “Actually I’m walking well. But I was in the kitchen a couple of days ago and didn’t realize my dog was behind me. I fell over him and the doctor thinks I’ve fractured a vertebrae. I just can’t seem to catch a break.”

First time I’d ever heard her down.

 

 

Photo Credit: Reza Vaziri

Photo Credit: Reza Vaziri

 

I imagine we can all relate. We’ve had days when we’re worn out then one more thing hits us. And we think, “Ugh, not something else.”

So maybe we go to church and that Sunday hear, “God is just testing your faith.”

 

I’ve wanted to scream, “Enough already! I’m a spiritual wimp, ok?”

 

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Filed Under: Health, Love, Success Tagged With: ,

Discovering God Apart from Religion

March 3, 2015 by

Number 34 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” Stories and promises of Jesus that show us the awesome blessings we can experience each day. I hope it encourages you!

 

I talk often with people turned off by religion. They view it as trying to following a bunch of oppressive rules to impress a God they’re not sure exists. So they really have little interest in it.

Frankly though I see an opposite and more insidious perspective. Religious people who attend services regularly and follow the rules “at least better than most others.” They’d never admit it but they really don’t see a need for God’s grace.

 

Photo Credit: Mani Babbar

Photo Credit: Mani Babbar

 

Yet, both miss the relationship with God. No, I’m not making judgment calls about who’s saved and who isn’t. I’m just saying they miss out on the intimate relationship they could have with God and the soul peace that comes out of it.

 

And frankly, I don’t speak from a distance. I’ve lived both extremes and experienced the emptiness they bring.

 

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Filed Under: Happiness, Heaven, Love Tagged With: ,

A Tribute to a Good Father I Hardly Knew

January 27, 2015 by

My father-in-law Jack passed away a few days ago at 95. Though we had many conversations we really hardly knew each other.

 

 

Photo Credit: Doug Armey

Photo Credit: Doug Armey

 

 

He was born into a poor family in Oklahoma. As an infant they moved to Missouri where his father spent time in jail for running moonshine. A few years later they moved to California.

After graduating from high school he enlisted in the army and spent four years landing on beaches in the Pacific in World War II. Through it all he earned two Bronze Stars and one Silver Star for valor.

When the war ended he returned home and never spoke about it. He said he couldn’t remember what he won the Bronze Stars for and would only in briefest terms tell the circumstances of the Silver Star.

 

I think there were just too many harsh memories he wanted to forget.

 

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Filed Under: Heaven, Love, Significance Tagged With: ,

Sensing God’s Presence in the Midst of Struggles

January 15, 2015 by

Number 23 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” Stories and promises of the awesome blessings God gives us each day. I hope it encourages you today!

 

We all go through struggles when frankly we feel all alone.

I’ve talked with people who knew they were dying. And no matter how much support they had they walked it alone.

I’ve felt that aloneness too as I’ve gone through struggles. The support of loved ones was tremendous. But in the end I had to walk the path by myself.

 

Photo Credit: Blake Danger Bentley

Photo Credit: Blake Danger Bentley

 

We can surround ourselves with others. Stay busy in our jobs. Work diligently on the problems. All of those things are helpful and good.

Yet, when the busyness stops and we pause we feel the weight of facing the challenge alone. And it can feel overwhelming.

 

We enter into what’s been called “the dark night of the soul.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Heaven, Love Tagged With: ,
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