Doing the Most Good - 1 Peter 4:12-19

These are the study notes for tonight's Men's Bible Study at the Oak Creek Salvation Army at 6:00 p.m.  Join us for this last study of the year!

What kind of anesthesia do you use at the dentist?

What were your first reactions to the Army’s brand, "Doing the Most Good?"

Rejoicing in Suffering
Read 1 Peter 4:12-19.
In what sense is the suffering of the Christian part of Christ’s suffering?  What are we asked to do in verse 13 when we suffer?  What is the promise for those who rejoice?

What would you tell a new believer about what to expect from the Christian life?  In what ways were you surprised?  What would you have done differently?

Judgment
Where does Peter think judgment should begin?  What do you think this will be like?  How do you think those outside the "family" will react?

What is the answer to Peter’s questions in verses 18 + 19?

Do you agree with him (and the writer of Proverbs 11:31) that it is hard for the righteous to be saved?  In what way is this true?

What does it mean to commit ourselves to our faithful Creator (v 19)?

What is my part in continuing to do good?  What is God’s part?

"Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can."
    John Wesley

Application
What will be hard for you about the judgment?  What part of your life needs "saving?"

Homework:
Read 1 Peter 5:1-13.

Trading One Set of Friends For Another - 1 Peter 4:1-11

These are the study notes for the Men's Bible Study at The Salvation Army in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 1, 2010.  Join us if you can!

Opener:
What was one of the worst things you did as a child?  Did you confess, or were you caught?  How did others react to you?

Perspective on Change
Read 1 Peter 4:1-6.
How did your life change when you turned it over to Christ?  How did those around you react?  Was it similar to what he describes in verse 4?

What kind of abuse have you experienced for your faith?

Others
Read 1 Peter 4:7-11.
What keys for effective prayer does Peter suggest?  Why is there urgency to these steps?

What habits help you in your prayer time?

What is the focus on our behavior in verses 8-10?  Is this service to others easy or difficult?  Why?  (Compare with Hebrews 10:24-25)

How would serving suffering people give them strength?  What does it do for us?

Application
What part of verses 8-11 is most difficult for you?  What can we do today to serve suffering people better?

Homework:
Read 1 Peter 4:12-19.

Three Radical Ideas to Make Thanksgiving More Meaningful

Yes, it's that time of year.  For a brief respite before the Christmas rush, we pause, take a day or two off work, stuff ourselves and watch parades and football.

And it's a great time to take a few minutes and count our blessings: Family, friends, job, house, etc.

But let me suggest to you a few things to make this Thanksgiving more memorable.

1.  Invite someone who might otherwise be alone this Thanksgiving.  If you're like us, there's more than enough food, and it will make someone's holiday.  You might work with or go to church with someone who is away from family, lost a loved one recently or for any other reason might be alone.  They probably won't seek you out - but they might be wondering if anyone cares.  Make them part of your family tradition.

2.  Call someone with whom you have had a split or misunderstanding.  Maybe this is a family member that you have struggled with, a neighbor whose tree grew over the fence.  Call just to say you are grateful for what our relationship means, and that you want to take steps to make amends.  Make the first move to mending a broken relationship.

3.  Give someone in your family the gift of tradition.  In other words, find a younger person - maybe your own child, a niece or nephew - and impress on them the value of pausing and being thankful.  Draw a picture, make a list or shoot a video talking about what you all are grateful for.

I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving this year.  Let me know what comes of these challenges in your Thanksgiving this year.

One for the Other and Baptism - 1 Peter 3:18-22

Who did you look up to growing up?  What qualities did that person have that you wanted to live out yourself?  How did that person help you?  How did your perception of that person change over time?

One for the Other:
Read 1 Peter 3:18-22
What was Jesus’ purpose in dying (v 18)?  What was his purpose in preaching to the spirits in prison (v 19)?

Read Genesis 6:1-13.  What did God have against men?  Who were the eight people saved from the flood (Gen 7:13)?

Baptism that Saves:
Were you ever baptized?  Do you remember it?  What was it supposed to do for you? For your parents? 

What kind of baptism was Peter talking about?  What result was promised from it? For us? For Jesus?

Read Colossians 2:9-15.  What else does baptism remind us of?

In what ways do we go through the burial and resurrection process with Jesus?

In what way did you go through a tough time only to come out stronger on the other side?

Application:
In what ways do you need to have God’s baptism in your life? Does the baptism process change how you look at difficult times in your life?

Homework:
Read 1 Peter 4:1-11.

These are the discussion questions for tonight's Men's Bible Study.  Join us at the corps at 6:00 p.m. or participate on your own.  Please join the discussion in Facebook!

Tim McGraw - Right Motive, Wrong Method

Tim McGraw, Country/Western music star, has found a lot of support and well-deserved recognition for his efforts to stand up for abused women. This is an important issue that needs more public visibility in order to navigate closer to a solution.  Women should not live in fear in their own homes, least of all at the hands of their own husbands.

But Mr. McGraw proposes a solution that he uses with his friends.  His solution is that when he finds out a friend has been abusing his wife, he tells the friend that he just can't be his friend any more.  He also makes it clear to his friends that the moment he hears about domestic violence, they will be cut off from his friendship.

The problem with that approach is that someone who is having that kind of difficulty needs friends more than anything else.  The need a friend who will lovingly confront them rather than merely abandon them at the hour of deepest need.

Now I am not pretending that I am an expert in the mind of the abuser, although I have met a few over the years.  The sense I get is that an abusive husband is striving for isolation, perhaps out of shame or insecurity.  Leaving such a man without friends only compounds the difficulty, and perhaps presents more danger to his wife and children, once the "secret" is out.

One man in a Bible study I lead recently suggested that since Mr. McGraw is a celebrity, perhaps losing his friendship would be a big blow to someone.  Although if what I am looking for out of a friendship is to rub elbows with a star or to ride along on his wealth, perhaps what I had with the famous person wasn't really friendship to begin with.

Jesus carried the label, "Friend of Sinners."  The people Jesus hung around with were people who didn't earn or deserve the friendship of the celebrities of that day.  Among Jesus' friends were tax collectors, harlots, the lame and adulterous.  Perhaps they weren't rich, or weren't popular, or maybe they were known to beat their wives.   If I follow Jesus' example, maybe I need to seek these people out.  After all, in the words of Jesus, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12)

I hope and pray that I have such friends, that when trouble finds me, even at my own hand, they will love me enough to help me through it.

Top Ten Books I've read in 2010

This is a list of books I've read in 2010 that I would recommend to my friends.  I have added one or two of my perennial favorites.  Granted, I read a few more than this, but these are the titles that make my list.


Let me know what you think of this list and of these books when you get a chance to explore.

I was a little disheartened when I told a group at my church about Prodigal God and offered to loan it to anyone who wanted to read it.  No one took me up on the offer.  Maybe they were waiting for me to give it away?


I tend to read what is given to me or recommended to me by others.  If you end up writing your own "Top Ten," put a link to it as a comment below.  I'd love to hear what moves you.

Thanks for taking a look!

1. The Town Cats and Other Tales by Lloyd Alexander (This is probably my favorite bedtime story book)
   
2. The Rabbit and the Elephant: Why Small Is the New Big for Today's Church by Tony Dale, Felicity Dale and George Barna
3. The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives by Dallas Willard
4. Softly and Tenderly: The Altar - A Place to Encounter God by Leslie Parrott
5. Prodigal God by Timothy Keller
6. The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity by William Paul Young
7. The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God by Dallas Willard
8. Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God by Dallas Willard
9. Samuel Logan Brengle: Portrait of a Prophet by Clarence W. Hall
10. How Your Corps Can Grow by John Larsson

1 Peter 3:1-8 - Win Your Spouse - Study Notes

 To what sport would you compare your marriage?  Why?

Who was a role model for you as a married couple?  What qualities made set that couple apart?

Win Your Spouse:
Read 1 Peter 3:1-7
We have been asked to submit to authorities and our bosses.  Now, who are we being asked to submit to?  Why?

What makes a person beautiful to their spouse?  What is the hardest part for you?  Do you respond more to outward beauty or inward beauty?  Why?  What does that communicate to your wife?

In what ways does your wife make you a better man?  How are you helping her become a better woman?

The Weaker Partner:
Tim McGraw promotes a plan to discourage domestic abuse by refusing to be a friend to men who abuse their wives.  What do you think about that plan?

What can we do to discourage or eliminate spousal abuse?  As individuals?  As a Bible Study?  As a church?

What does Peter mean, “nothing will hinder your prayers?”

ApplicationWhat will you do to encourage your wife in her faith this week?

Homework:
Read 1 Peter 3:8-12.

Sometimes, good preaching makes bad theology - Guest post by Josh Hunt

Good preaching and bad theology

Sometimes, good preaching makes bad theology. We say it because it sounds so good and we can get a house full of people to say AMEN, but, when we really take it apart, it doesn’t make good theology. Here is an example:

God is more interested in your holiness
than your happiness.

I have heard that in a number of sermons and books and bible study groups and everyone always nods and says amen. My question: is it really true? Is God more interested in our holiness than our happiness? Is God interested in our happiness at all? Does our happiness matter at all to God? Or is he only interested in our holiness? How does God feel about our happiness? Does he care whether we are happy?

Here are a few examples where this sentiment is touted:

·         I am a fan of Tozer, but I disagree with him here:  “There [in the New Testament] the emphasis is not upon happiness but upon holiness.” —Renewed Day by Day: Volume 1. And again, “He calls them to holiness; we call them to . . . happiness.” — Gems from Tozer.

·         I am a fan of Gary Thomas, but I disagree with him here. He says the purpose of marriage “may not be happiness as much as holiness.” Sacred Marriage page 22.

·         “When we come to God at first, we love him out of spiritual interest, for ease and comfort, and the benefit we gain by ... they love holiness above happiness or spiritual interest.” Thomas Manton, Exposition of Jude, page 84

·         “People are more interested in happiness than in holiness.” Hugh Morgan, Holy God, Holy People, page 17

·         “God isn't as interested in our happiness as much as he's interested in our holiness.” Chuck Borsellino, Pinocchio Parenting, page 163

·         “God is much more interested in our holiness than our happiness!” Cindy Lasiter, Diamonds in the Rough page 168

Here are a few blogs where this idea was expressed:

·         God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness. He’s more interested in your faithfulness than your finances. More interested in your purity than your power. More interested in your good than your desire. http://prettylittlewilderness.wordpress.com/2010/04/17/growing-pains/
 
·         "God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness." http://www.johnbunn.net/2007/09/sundays-scuds-september-9-2007.html
 
·         It’s not true, sometimes God blesses, but God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness. http://cccsermons.blogspot.com/2008/10/sanctified.html
 

I heard it in a Bible Study group not too long ago. We had one lady in the group that did not speak too often, but when she did, she could get really fired up. One day, she got really, really fired up. “Well, I think there is doing what is right and there is doing what feels good. Somewhere along the line we need to gain the maturity to do what is right.” A group full of people nodded and said, “Amen.” It just sounds so spiritual. Question: is it true?

It is an important question because, well, I hate to admit this, but I am very interested in my happiness. I have always felt that way. I remember in Junior High being consciously aware that I wanted to  be happy. I even worked out a rudimentary plan for finding happiness:

1.       Bring into my life all the things that made me happy.

2.       Minimize the things in my life that distracted from my happiness. (To my way of thinking, my sister!)

Whether or not they are consciously aware of it, I think most people want to be happy. They may not be as forthright about the desire I was, but I think most people really want to be happy.

For a long time I thought this desire was either irrelevant to God, or something far worse: the deep, dark, sinister part of me that needed to be repented of and turned from. Preaching like the line above fed into that. I ask again: is it true?

If it is not true, it is certainly important. Preaching that is not true is always important. It is always an important thing that we preach and teach the truth. If we are preaching and teaching something that is not true, there are no doubt consequences. We must never take the attitude that it is not true but it doesn’t matter much.

I think it matters a lot. I think this kind of thinking lies at the heart of what is wrong with much preaching and teaching, and, consequently, what is wrong with most churches. A lofty claim, I know. I ask again: is it true? Is God more interested in our holiness than our happiness?

Wesley didn’t think so. He didn’t fill huge outdoor fields with of people and start one of the great movements of God with that message. Here is Wesley from the sermon, The Way to the Kingdom: “But true religion, or a heart right toward God and man, implies happiness as well as holiness.” One more: “The loving knowledge of God, producing uniform, uninterrupted holiness and happiness, shall cover the earth; shall fill every soul of man.” — A Treasury of Great Preaching.

Whitefield didn’t preach that message. Let me say it seems to be a modern invention. Here is Whitefield’s take on the matter: “This consideration made a pious author say, that holiness, happiness, and heaven, were only three different words for one and the self-same thing." And one more: “Let me therefore, to conclude, exhort you, my brethren, to have always before you the unspeakable happiness of enjoying God. And think withal, that every degree of holiness you neglect, every act of piety you omit, is a jewel taken out of your crown, a degree of blessedness lost in the vision of God. O! do but always think and act thus, and you will no longer be laboring to compound matters between God and the world; but, on the contrary, be daily endeavoring to give up yourselves more and more unto him; you will be always watching, always praying, always aspiring after farther degrees of purity and love, and consequently always preparing yourselves for a fuller sight and enjoyment of that God, in whose presence there is fullness of joy, and at whose right-hand there are pleasures for ever more. — A Treasury of Great Preaching.

Adam Clark put it this way: “Every wicked man is a miserable man. God has wedded sin and misery as strongly as he has holiness and happiness. God hath joined them together; none can put them asunder.” — A Commentary and Critical Notes. And one more: “Our Lord prohibits that only which, from its nature, is opposed to man's happiness.” — A Commentary and Critical Notes.

Finney spoke of holiness as a means of happiness, not as a choice to be made that is outside of and distinct from happiness. I don’t think he would have asked us to choose holiness over happiness so much as he would say holiness as a means to happiness.

John Piper certainly doesn’t see it as a choice between holiness and happiness. One of his key message is  called, “Let your passion be single.” It is one passion that seeks holiness and happiness.
 

The great commentator Ironside said it this way. Holiness and happiness go together.” — H. A. Ironside

Commentary – Colossians. And, “Holiness and happiness are intimately linked” — H. A. Ironside

Commentary – Philippians. One more: “Holiness and happiness are inseparable.”  H. A. Ironside

Commentary – Nehemiah.

Spurgeon didn’t think so. He did fill the Metropolitan Tabernacle with that message.  “The greatest happiness of a Christian is to be holy. It is no slavery to him. Put him where you will, he will not sin, Expose him to any temptation, if it were not for that evil heart still remaining, you would never find him sinning. Holiness is his pleasure; sin is his slavery.” “Thus there will three effects of nearness to Jesus, all beginning with the letter h-humility, happiness, and holiness.” “So you see our happiness in many ways promotes our holiness.” “Holiness produces happiness.” Spurgeon's Collected Sermons (Met. Tabern. Pul.) - – Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit.

From these examples you see that the notion that holiness and happiness are or can be separate is a modern one. It is also a false one, as well as a damaging one.

This is the real problem with the “God is more interested in your holiness than your happiness.” It makes good preaching but bad theology. The theology suggest we have a choice:

Door #1	Door #2
Holiness	Happiness

If we choose door #1 God is happy but we are miserable.

If we choose door #2 we are happy but God is grieved.

Let’s make this very practical.

I have talked to a number of people over the years who were in various stages of having an affair. They were thinking about it, flirting with the idea, in the big middle of it, trying to pull out, or married to the new person. I have talked to people at every stage of the process.

If you talk to someone who is the in the big middle of an affair they will always see it this way. As they see it, they have two choices:

Door #1	Door #2
Holiness I could cut off the relationship which I know is the right thing to do and the thing I ought to do, but, I just don’t know if I can do it. They are just so yummy and I am so in love with them and they make me so happy. . . [here it comes] God wants me to be happy, doesn’t he?	Happiness I know I shouldn’t and all that, but I could have life with him!  We could be together all the time. He makes me feel so alive and special and I have never felt this way before and it is just incredible and I know I shouldn’t but I just want to be happy. God wants me to be happy, doesn’t he?

Indeed he does. That is why he gave us the rule: one man, one woman together for life. We are getting ahead of ourselves here, but there has been a lot of research on this. And people who pursue the relationship started in the affair are no happier than they were before. In most cases they are less happy. In the long run, happiness and holiness go together.

It may be a little hard for you to relate to, but let me use the example of Ted Haggard. Ted was the pastor of a huge mega church in Colorado Springs as well as the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, an organization of 45,000 churches in 40 different denominations. Ted had a problem. He was attracted to men. And, without going through the whole story, he lived out his fantasy. Until the whole thing came crashing down. In a statement he had read to his congregation on the Sunday he resigned, Ted lamented:

I am so sorry. I am sorry for the disappointment, the betrayal, and the hurt. I am sorry for
the horrible example I have set for you. I have an overwhelming, all-consuming sadness in my heart for the pain that you and I and my family have experienced over the past few days. I am so sorry for the circumstances that have caused shame and embarrassment to all of you.

And God looks down from the balcony of heaven and says, “Ted, my beloved child, I wanted to spare you that pain.” Sin was not the pleasure that gave Ted life, it only promised to be that. It was the thing that cost him much of his life. It cost him unspeakable happiness and caused him unspeakable pain. The pain was not only his but his families, his churches, the greater Christian community’s. Sin always does that in the end.

It is an important point because we are irrevocably hard wired to do what we believe to be in our best interest. Eventually we will do what we believe will be good for us. I will do, in the long run, what I believe will be good for me.

If I think I should eat grilled chicken and broccoli but I think greasy burgers and greasy fries are the cats meow, in the long run I will eat greasy burgers. I must come to love grilled chicken and broccoli or I don’t eat grilled chicken and broccoli.

If I think living within my means and not living on credit cards and creating a life that allows me to be generous is a good thing that I should do, and not a life-giving thing that I want to do because I believe it is in my best interest, in the long run, you will see it on my credit card bills.  

Stated a different way, self-control is over rated. Over-rated. Not to say we don’t need some from time to time. But, it is like the spare tire on the car. You need a spare tire because eventually you will have a flat. But, if you try to drive you whole life on the spare of self-control you will be in trouble.

Some teaching suggests the opposite: like you get brownie points for not doing what you want to do and you shouldn’t do and you don’t do it and you get extra credit for that. Like if you don’t want to have your quiet time and you read your Bible anyway, well, aren’t you special. Or maybe you don’t want to give but you do it anyway, you are among the really spiritual people.

The bible doesn’t see it that way. The Bible says, “I rejoiced with those who said unto me let us go to the house of the Lord.” The Bible says God loves a cheerful giver.

The wise old hymn writers didn’t see it that way either. They spoke of “sweet hour or prayer, sweet hour of prayer.” And, here is the thing. It either becomes a sweet hour of prayer, or I will bet you didn’t pray this morning. You either come to love the Christian life, of you will never come to live the Christian life. You either come to love prayer, or you don’t pray much. You love to give, or you don’t give much. You love reading the Bible, or you don’t read the Bible much. You either love to serve or you don’t serve much. You must come to love the Christian life, or you will never come to live the Christian life.

Happiness is and holiness necessarily come together. God is not more interested in one than the other because they cannot be separated. You cannot be holy and grumpy. Do you know what you call someone who tries to be holy and grumpy? A deacon!

In this book, I would like to show you in category after category after category that this is true. I want to show you that people who pray more really are happier. People who are sexually pure are happier. People who serve are happier. Here are the categories we will explore;

1.       The reward of sexual purity

2.       The reward of generosity

3.       The reward of forgiving others

4.       The reward of service

5.       The reward of total commitment

6.       The reward prayer

7.       The reward of gratitude

8.       The reward of the Word

9.       The reward of worship

10.   The reward of evangelism

11.   The reward of missions

This documentation comes from three sources. First, the Bible. We will look at relevant biblical passages that speak to each of these categories. Then, we will look at some social science that corroborates biblical teaching. About fifteen years ago psychology made a turn. Before about 1995, psychology was largely concerned with psychological illness: how to cure depression and schizophrenia and the like. Recently, there has been an enormous amount of psychological research seeking to understand what makes people happy. The short answer: do what the Bible says. The third source is a survey I did of some of my friends—1000+ of them. In this survey we can demonstrate the that the ones who read the Bible more, prayed, witnessed, served, etc, were substantially happier than the ones that didn’t.

But, the real goal of this book is not to study about happiness, the real goal is that when you get finished reading, you will be a lot happier than you are now.

Let’s get started.

Pictures of the Wedding Ceremony in Scripture

Here are a few items of the modern marriage ceremony that are reminiscent of Scripture, especially representing our relationship with God and His efforts to reach out to us.  How many more can you come up with?

The Veil, signifying the protection of a relationship which is special and only available after a solemn commitment: 2 Corinthians 3:15

The White Dress, signifying one who has kept herself pure for the one she is promised to: Revelation 19:7-8

The Wedding Reception, a meal to celebrate the commitment and new relationship: Revelation 19:9

The guests' Wedding Clothes, meant to support the serious commitment and love to be shared, Matthew 22:11-12

Walking down the aisle, signifying the serious nature of the commitment: "May this happen to me if I break this covenant:"  Genesis 15:9-19

The courtship, representing how God seeks us when we are far from Him: Hosea 2:14-20

1 Peter Bible Study 05 - Submission and Serving

Who was the worst boss you ever had?  How did it end?  What did you get out of that experience?

Submit?
Read 1 Peter 2:13-17.  What do you think Peter meant when he said “Submit?”  Why are we being asked to submit?

What is the difference between a “king” and a “governor?” What would be equivalents today in government? At work?

Is there ever a good reason not to submit?  What can happen if we choose not to submit? 

What effect can our submission have on those around us (verse 15)?  Compare to Matthew 5:16.

Freedom
What is the responsibility of freedom?  How can someone use their freedom as a cover-up for evil?  Where does our responsibility ultimately lie?

Are being a “servant” and “submitting” the same thing?  What are some ways that we serve God that we would not submit to an earthly ruler?

Respect
Compare and contrast the three kinds of respect we give and to whom we give it.  Why are there these distinctions?

Application
What is the area of submission that you need the most growth?

Homework for Next Week:
Read 1 Peter 2:18-25.

Stones and a Temple - 1 Peter 2:1-12

This is the discussion guide used at our Bible study and intended for those who couldn't make it tonight.

Opener:
What have you built that you are most proud of?  What makes a project like that easier?

Pure Milk:
Read 1 Peter 2:1-3.  What are we asked to put aside (or “rid yourselves” NIV)?  What do these sins have in common?

What are we supposed to crave?  Why?  What is the word of God compared to?  Read Isaiah 55:1-2.  Who is providing the milk?  Why do you think He does this?

Chip off the Old Block
Read 1 Peter 2:4-5.  Who is the living Stone?  What are the two reactions to this Stone?  Why are they so different from each other?

Read 1 Peter 2:6-8.  What do we learn about Jesus in these verses?  What do we learn about how we can (or should) approach Him?

Read 1 Peter 2:9-12.  What are we called?  What purpose does God give us by giving us these names?

Does being put together as stones in the temple make it easier or harder to build?

What is the first thing Peter asks us to do in verse 11?  Why do you think this command is by itself right here?  What does it mean for us to do this?

In verse 12, Peter gives us a purpose for good behavior.  What is it?  How will the Gentiles respond at first?  What will be their response eventually?

Homework:
Read 1 Peter 2:13-25.

Deeply, From the Heart

These are the Bible study notes for Wednesday, September 22, 2010, covering 1 Peter 2:13-25.

What piece of practical advice would you give to the next generation?

Review:
We learned something about Peter and who he is writing to.  What do we know so far about his audience?

Peter’s Advice:
Read 1 Peter 1:13-16.  What instructions does Peter give these scattered aliens?  What reason does he give to follow these instructions?

Does the situation the audience is in make it easier or more difficult to follow the instructions? 

What about your life makes it easy to follow the instructions?  More difficult?

Read Leviticus 11:44-45.  Who is speaking in these verses?  What reason does he give for being holy?

The Author of Hope:
Read 1 Peter 1:17-21.  What do we learn about Jesus in these verses?

What do you need to know about Jesus that will help you face life’s challenges?

Living and Enduring:
Read 1 Peter 1:22-25.  How do we purify ourselves?  Why do we purify ourselves?

What words does Peter use to qualify his command, “love one another?”  What do you think he means?  Do we need those qualifications?  Why?

Is loving one another deeply, from the heart, easy or difficult?  Why?

What lasting item can we now add to last week’s list?  What responsibilities do we have concerning the word of God?  How can we live that out?

Homework:
Read 1 Peter 2:1-12.

Hope through Suffering - 1 Peter 1:3-12

This accompanies the Bible Study to be held Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at The Salvation Army Oak Creek.

Opener:
Tell us your name and something you would have done differently this week if you had only known what was going to happen ahead of time.

Scripture Introduction:
Read 1 Peter 1:3-9.  Make two lists – one for things that last and one for things that are temporary.  Which list do people today hold onto?  Which ones do the typical Christian hold onto?  Why?

What does holding onto the second list cause us to do (verses 6, 8)?  How do we act?

Read Mark 8:27-37.  What list do you think Peter was holding onto?

Putting Myself in the Scriptures:
What does holding onto the first list cause us to do?  How do we act?

What is Peter saying about suffering?  What does he mean by saying that?  Can you picture giving the same advice Peter gives?  Why or why not?

Ministry through the ages:
Read 1 Peter 1:10-12.  What were the prophets trying to do?  According to the scriptures, what does the Holy Spirit do?  What is the goal of the Holy Spirit?

What do we learn about Jesus and his sufferings?  What can we learn from what Jesus experienced?

What does God give us in verse 3 that helps us endure suffering?

Call to Action:
What do you feel the Holy Spirit is inspiring you to do?  Who will benefit from your obedience?

Why do you think Peter added this statement about the angels?  (See 1 Timothy 3:16 - By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.)

Homework for Next Week:
Read 1 Peter 1:13-25. Look for ways that the Holy Spirit wants to use you.  Bring back your reports of obedience through the week.

1 Peter Bible Study 01 - Elected and Chosen

Opener:
Tell us your name and what people you work with or live with think about Christians.

Scripture Introduction:
Read 1 Peter 1:1-2.  Who is writing?  What do we know about him from these verses?

Bonus:  What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle?  Fact: Peter was both.

Try to come up with 3-5 adjectives that describe what you know about Peter that you don’t see in these verses.

Read Matthew 14:22-32. What do we discover about Peter from this passage?

Target Audience:
Who is he writing to? What do we know about them from these first two verses?

What makes them different from the people they work with? Their next-door neighbors? Make a list of these qualities. Then, next to the list, put a “C” for those things that are a result of a human choice, and “W” for those things that are a result of the will of God. What do you notice about this list?

Which parts of this list do you think the average Christian has a hard time living out?  Why?

Putting Myself in the Scriptures:
Circle two or three attributes that you are struggling with in your life.  It might be something that makes you uncomfortable because it’s true, or something that should be your choice, but it isn’t an easy choice to make.

Call to Action:
Peter ends his greeting by saying, “May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.”

What do you think he means by grace and peace?  Where do these come from?  What can we do to spread grace and peace where we go?

How would your life be different if you received and gave grace and peace “in the fullest measure?”

What one thing can you do this week to receive a “fuller measure” of grace and peace?

Homework for Next Week:
Read 1 Peter 1:3-12 and Mark 8:27-37.

Come next week ready to talk about how you have been receiving and giving grace and peace this week.

Invite someone to come along with you or to the Facebook group next week.

The CMI Chaplain - After the final Sealed Order

What a terrific ten days we shared at Wonderland Camp.  And now, CMI 2010 is one for the books.  I hope you will remember the Consecration Hymn and how we broke it apart day after day.

Maybe there will be a worship meeting years from now when that song will be sung, and you will be instantly transported to the Sharp Center in your mind.

Take my life and let it be

Consecrated, Lord, to thee.

But I hope (and have been praying since before CMI started) that you will internalize the things we learned together and that you will live them.

Will you be different because you went to CMI 2010?  And I'm not talking about musical ability.  My desire as chaplain, perhaps the best real test of whether I was truly consecrated as a chaplain, is that you in turn would hand your lives over to God day by day and make a difference in your corner of the Kingdom.

Now many of you are back to school and work, and life has returned to a familiar pattern of daily and weekly events.

Remember, you are the only one who goes where you go and has the gifts and talents you have.  You might be the only person on the earth who has the same friends, family, schoolmates and fellow employees that you have.

Maybe your new assignment will be to take 20 quiet minutes, sit down with a piece of paper and list out some things that you know need to change in your new, consecrated life.  Make a list of things you need to let go of, and another list of things that you need to pursue.

This might be a life-transforming moment for you - perhaps the first time you are writing spiritual goals for your life.

If you need some scripture to inspire you, go to Psalm 146 (Commissioner Carol Seiler preached from this on Sunday morning), Colossians 3:1-17, Romans 12 or Psalm 1.  If you find other scripture passages that are helpful, please let me know.

Anyway, allow God to speak to you and to lead you not only to set reasonable goals, but also to start living them out.  Today.

Thanks for being there at CMI and for allowing me to relay a little of God's wisdom into your lives.  Hope to see you next year, and I hope to hear great consecration and victory reports in the meantime.

Myself - Real Consecration - Sealed Orders Part 9

This is one in a series of posts, sharing the Sealed Orders devotions, day by day, from CMI 2010.  They are based on the "Consecration Hymn," Salvation Army Songbook #525

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Simon was complaining to the fishermen standing next to him.  It had been a difficult evening.  Since he and his crew cast out last night, every time they brought the nets up, they felt too light – disappointingly light. 

A heavy net meant a full net, and a full net meant a productive night for a fisherman.  A light net meant no fish, and no fish meant effort wasted, and wasted effort meant frustration.

With each empty net, hope dissolved a little more until the morning, when all Simon wanted was to go home and rest.  But he still had to wash the nets.  After all, tomorrow had to be a better night for fishing.

The other fishermen – his friends – had the same heavy hearts and long, tired faces that Simon did.  They probably would have complained to each other, but there was something else to do.  Something unusual.

Someone was preaching and a large crowd gathered at the beach.  So Simon’s crew worked silently, getting the nets ready to be stored for tomorrow’s fishing.  And then the preacher – Jesus was his name – got into Simon’s boat (Luke 5:3). Simon had heard Jesus before and knew his reputation.

But this time, Jesus asked Simon to put his boat out in the water a little.  With the crowd intent on learning, the bench Simon normally worked from became the rabbi’s seat, and great wisdom was shared.

When the lesson was over, Jesus told Simon to “put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

"Look who knows so much about fishing,” Simon must have thought.  But with a little sarcasm said, “Because you say so, I will let down the nets."

Soon, there were so many fish in the net that they needed help from another boat to pull them all in. 

Now Jesus had Simon’s attention!  Simon knew he was in the presence of greatness.  "Go away from me, Lord,” declared Simon, with a changed attitude.  “I am a sinful man!"

Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."

The response of James, John and Simon was the same:  They pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Has Jesus been trying to get your attention this week?  What will it take for you to consecrate yourself to him today?  Was something said, sung or played this week that melted your skepticism about Jesus?  Does he have your attention now?

Pray that you respond like the first disciples – leave everything and follow him.

Intellect - Real Consecration - Sealed Orders Part 8

This is one in a series of posts, sharing the Sealed Orders devotions, day by day, from CMI 2010.  They are based on the "Consecration Hymn," Salvation Army Songbook #525

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Psalm 139 is often read at baby dedications.  It is David’s praise poem about God and his care over us; his knowledge of us when man cannot see us is encouraging, but also mind-boggling.

O LORD, you have searched me 

and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue 

you know it completely, O LORD.

It is incredible that God knows so much about us.

But if we remember that God is the one who designed us, knit us together before we were born, and sees us and knows our thoughts when and where no one else can, it boggles the mind.

King David says, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

As you continue to learn about the world through school and life experiences, remember that God not only designed your mind, but he also created the structure for whatever subject you are studying – from English literature to molecular biology – and everything in between.

When we consecrate our intellect, it isn’t putting our brain on ice or checking out mentally.  It really is an opportunity to let Him inspire us to greatness using our minds.  We will be better equipped to serve, theorize and organize.  God will help us create, communicate and innovate.

Ask God in this moment to take your mind and sanctify it for His purposes.  And as you make plans to use your mind in school and at work, remember that God is the one who created your intellect and even knows your thoughts.  He designed your brain and inspires you to think.

All so that He can glorify himself through you.

Pray that you will offer your whole mind to Jesus.

Lips - Real Consecration - Sealed Orders Part 7

This is one in a series of posts, sharing the Sealed Orders devotions, day by day, from CMI 2010.  They are based on the "Consecration Hymn," Salvation Army Songbook #525

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One part of the body reflects the condition of the soul more readily than any other.  It is the mouth. 

James says, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.” (James 3:9-10)

Perhaps the hurtful words of someone in your life still ring in your ears – they cut down your joy, your confidence or your faith.  At the same time, you can remember the words of another for how they lifted you up – words of encouragement, of comfort, of inspiration.

Jesus understands the power of words.  But he also knows that our mouths are a window into the condition of our soul.  He said, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) 

Can you recall a time when your words caused pain?  Each of us remembers words that we said that we wish we could take back.  There may even be words that have destroyed trust, hurt feelings and crushed relationships. 

But with God’s help, our words can build up where they might have torn down before.

What messages come from your mouth?  What do your words say about the condition of your heart?  What influence do you have with the words you say? 

Take a moment and ask God to take your lips.  Ask Him to sanctify them along with your heart – that He will cleanse them and use your mouth for His praise.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
     be pleasing in your sight,
     O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
               Psalm 19:14

Voice - Real Consecration - Sealed Orders Part 6

This is one in a series of posts, sharing the Sealed Orders devotions, day by day, from CMI 2010.  They are based on the "Consecration Hymn," Salvation Army Songbook #525

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At CMI, we hear and participate in worship with the best talents around.  We are so grateful for the way God has gifted each of us – and it’s wonderful that those gifts come in so many different ways for each of us.

Perhaps you have heard music this week that has been technically perfect – all the notes, articulations and phrasing are correct, but it seems to fall flat.  Then there have been moments when you hear a solo from an untrained voice – maybe the tone isn’t quite right or the notes sound a little flat – and yet our souls and hearts were moved.

Perhaps that is how God transforms a consecrated voice.

While practice and accuracy are important to everything we do for God, without giving him the voice itself, our voice will make no impact on its own.  Refined notes without a refined heart are empty.

Now, before you use that as an excuse to miss practice time, remember that everything starts with a consecrated heart.  Consecrating our voices means that we will give more effort – not less, because we want to do our best for God as we worship Him.

Matt Redman wrote a song to reintroduce music to his congregation.  He thought that music and the “mechanics” of worship seemed to have a higher priority than the worship itself.  So he removed music from services at his church for several months.  When he felt the priorities were in the right order, he brought the music back with this song:

When the music fades
All is stripped away, and I simply come
Longing just to bring something that's of worth
That will bless Your heart

I'll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You, all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You, all about You, Jesus

Take a moment to think about your music.  Is music the focus, or is it really all about Jesus?

Think through a favorite worship song (use the Consecration Hymn or Matt Redman’s song above if you want).   As you think through the song, pray that God will help you consecrate your efforts in worship.

Let Him have more than the song.  Let Him have more than your voice. 

Let Him have your heart.

Hands and Feet - Real Consecration - Sealed Orders Part 5

This is one in a series of posts, sharing the Sealed Orders devotions, day by day, from CMI 2010.  They are based on the "Consecration Hymn," Salvation Army Songbook #525

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After forty years in Pharaoh’s palace and forty years in the wilderness, Moses saw a burning bush and heard the voice of God.  God heard the prayers of the Hebrews and was going to use Moses to set them free.

When God called him, Moses came up with excuse after excuse, telling God why He chose the wrong person.

Moses asked God, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?" (Exodus 4:1)

God had extraordinary things He wanted to do through Moses.  But Moses didn’t think there was any reason why God would use him.

Then the LORD said to Moses, "What is that in your hand?"

“A staff," he replied.

The LORD said, "Throw it on the ground."  Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it.

Have you been hearing God calling you, but you don’t think there is anything about you that God could use? 

During this quiet moment, you might hear him ask you, “What is that in your hand?”  There could be something in your hand that God can use for His glory and serving others.  And it’s more than the paper this sealed order is written on.

There is a talent that you have, or a passion that makes you unique.  You have a certain set of friends and family, or people that you work with.  Chances are, you are the only one who goes all the places you go, with your gifts and abilities.

As you sing this stanza, think about how God wants to use you; what you have, where you go and who you know; to make a difference in His kingdom and the world around you:

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for thee.

Make this your prayer, asking God to use you in a powerful way.

Moments and Days - Real Consecration - Sealed Orders Part 4

This is one in a series of posts, sharing the Sealed Orders devotions, day by day, from CMI 2010.  They are based on the "Consecration Hymn," Salvation Army Songbook #525

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Think about your biggest temptation:  your weakest area – the one thing that will most likely be your downfall.

What day of the week are you most likely to fall to this temptation?

Now, what time of day are you weakest to this temptation?

Where are you when the temptation is strongest?

Who are you with when temptation comes?  Are you alone?

Paul gives us some advice:  “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)

If we know when, where and with whom the attack is most likely to come, we will be better prepared to defend against that attack.

Every moment we have is a gift from God – an opportunity for growth or failure.

If you are really serious about overcoming temptation, you can make a concerted effort to avoid one or more factors that make temptation so powerful in your life.  For instance, if you know you are especially vulnerable on a certain day, time or location, you can make a point to be in a different place at that time. 

If temptation hits when you are alone, make sure you are with a friend or a family member at that time.  If attack comes when or because you are with someone, you need to either change who you are with or invite a spiritual mentor to be with you during that time of weakness.

Challenge yourself to talk with someone you trust this week about a strategy to overcome your temptation.  Some advance planning can set you up for spiritual success.

Will and Heart - Real Consecration - Sealed Orders Part 3

This is one in a series of posts, sharing the Sealed Orders devotions, day by day, from CMI 2010.  They are based on the "Consecration Hymn," Salvation Army Songbook #525

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In the epic movie “The Wizard of Oz,” Dorothy and her three friends are escorted into the presence of the Wizard.  The sight of his bodiless head terrifies the group, with eerie smoke and geysers of flame shooting out in front of it.

[Spoiler Alert] On a later trip to the Wizard, they discover a man behind a curtain who is controlling the “Wizard,” which amounts to no more than a projected image of a head and mechanical tricks meant to scare and intimidate.

Then, the real Wizard is discovered.  They find that the smoke, flames and head really don’t move on their own.  They are controlled by the man behind the curtain.

Many believe that our will and our spiritual heart are the same thing – they are the center of who we are as people.  The will is the center of decision-making, and the heart is the throne on which the one who controls it sits.

Until my heart is consecrated to God, I am the one sitting on the throne of my heart.  I call the shots, and every decision I make centers around me.  While we might send some smoke to distract from this fact, the reality is that we are in it for ourselves.
   
When we sing, “Take my will, . . . It shall be no longer mine,” we invite God himself to sit on our heart’s throne.  We are no longer calling the shots, but God is.

When we sing, “Take my heart, . . . It shall be thy royal throne,” we ask God to extend His kingdom into our lives.

It doesn’t mean that we no longer make choices – we still have a day-to-day, moment-by-moment decision to do what God wants us to do.  But now we make our choices with God’s help.

Today is Sunday and we are about to enter worship.  Use this time to consider who is on the throne of your heart.  Is it you or Jesus? 

The song’s fifth verse talks about consecrating your will and heart.  Make it your prayer during these quiet moments as you prepare for worship.

Taking and Keeping - Real Consecration - Sealed Orders Part 2

This is one in a series of posts, sharing the Sealed Orders devotions, day by day, from CMI 2010.  They are based on the "Consecration Hymn," Salvation Army Songbook #525
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Soren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher, once told a story about a flock of barnyard geese in Denmark. Every Sunday the geese would gather in the barnyard near the feeding trough.

One of their group, a "preaching goose," would struggle up on the top rail of the fence and exhort the geese about the glories of goosedom. He would describe how wonderful it was to be a goose, rather than a chicken or a turkey. He would remind them of their great heritage and tell them of the marvelous possibilities in the future.

Occasionally while he was preaching, a flock of wild geese, winging their way south from Sweden across the Baltic Sea on their way to sunny France, would fly overhead in a marvelous V formation . . . thousands of feet in the air. When they saw this, all the geese would excitedly look and say to one another. "That's who we really are. We are not destined to spend our lives in this stinking barnyard. Our destiny is to fly."

But then the wild geese would disappear from sight, their honking echoing across the horizon. The barnyard geese would look around at their comfortable surroundings, sigh, and return to the mud and filth of the barn. They never did fly.

Our destiny is for growth.  As we come to faith in Christ, some simply remain just as they are.  They could put bumper stickers on their cars which read, “Not Perfect, Just Forgiven.”  The only thing they allowed God to do in their lives was to forgive them.

But God wants so much more for us.

Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

There is a difference between asking God to take us and asking him to keep us. 

The word take implies a one-time event.  Once it’s done, it’s done.  Of course, if I took your slice of key lime pie, I had it at one point.  But just because I took it doesn’t necessarily mean I still have it.  No matter how many times you ask me to take your pie, if you keep taking it back, it never really belonged to me.

The word keep says something about who still has me (or the pie).  If I ask God in my prayer, “Keep my life,” that means I am asking God to maintain possession of my life. 

It’s a difficult prayer, but if you determine to have God keep you, your life will be transformed.

If geese are destined to fly, you and I are destined to remain in God’s hands.

Let Him have you and keep you today.

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Keep my life, that it may be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Keep my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Keep my hands, that they may move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Keep my feet, that they may be
Swift and "beautiful" for Thee.

Keep my voice, that I may sing
Always, only, for my King.
Keep my lips, that they may be
Filled with messages from Thee.

Keep my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Keep my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Keep my will, oh, keep it Thine!
For it is no longer mine.
Keep my heart; it is Thine own ;
It is now Thy royal throne.

Keep my love my Lord, I pour;
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Keep myself, that I may be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

 -Frances Ridley Havergal

Consecration - Real Consecration - Sealed Orders Part 1

This is one in a series of posts, sharing the Sealed Orders devotions, day by day, from CMI 2010.  They are based on the "Consecration Hymn," Salvation Army Songbook #525
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When Queen Victoria of England reigned as Empress of India, the Maharajah of Punjab was a little boy. To show his allegiance, he sent her a magnificent diamond. It became one of the crown jewels and was safely kept in the Tower of London. When he became a man, he went to London to pay his respects to the Queen. The young man asked the Queen if he could see the diamond. The precious jewel was brought in and presented before the Indian prince. Then, taking the diamond and kneeling before the Queen, he said with deep emotion, "Madam, I gave you this jewel when I was too young to know what I was doing.  I want to give it again, in the fullness of my strength, with all my heart, and affection, and gratitude, now and forever, fully realizing all that I do."

Perhaps you gave your heart to God as a child.  But now you understand more fully what it means to consecrate yourself to God.  And five years from now, you will understand even more.

Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, said that the most dangerous prayer is only two words: “Use Me.”

The danger in that little prayer is the thought of taking our hands off the steering wheel of life and letting God decide our path.  Although it is dangerous, the only time I am afraid of is when I don’t trust God to do what really is best for me.

King David reminds us, “He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”  (Psalm 23:3) 

But we still have a choice as to whether we follow Him or not.

Consecration means two things: to be set apart from something, and to be set apart for something.  Is there something that you are reluctant to let go of so that God can have all of you? 

At this stage of your life, are you ready, once again, to give yourself fully to God?

During this week, we will discover what it means to be consecrated to God.

Pray that you will feel God’s love and encouragement as you consider once again giving yourself to God so that He can sanctify you.

Need your CMI "Sealed Orders" Fix?

Starting tomorrow, I will be posting my daily "sealed orders" devotionals, timed at about the time the real sealed orders are distributed at Wonderland Camp.

With CMI a little later this year, and many schools starting before it is over, there are many CMI "regulars" who won't be at Wonderland.  This is a little virtual way of getting in on the action.

Just to let you know, this year's devotionals will be based around The Consecration Hymn, 525 in The Songbook of The Salvation Army.  This is better known as "Take my Life and Let it Be"

I have also based some of my devotional thoughts around a book written by Frances Ridley Havergal, who wrote the original hymn.  The book is called "Kept for the Master's Use," available for free online in Google Books.  It was written by Havergal before her death on June 3, 1879, and published later that year by her sister, Maria.

You can keep up with these posts through Facebook, Twitter, or at Blogspot.  Please let me know what you think as the week progresses.

Have a great week!

Guest Post: Watch out for Traps (Life Lessons from Chess) by Paul Fleeman

 

This is a guest post by Major Paul Fleeman, Principal of The Salvation Army's College for Officer Training in Chicago.  It is part of a series that he has agreed to have posted on my blog.

WATCH OUT FOR TRAPS
Major Paul Fleeman

Key Bible Verses: Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. (Matthew 22:15) In one of my early chess games I fell into a trap that is known as the “scholars mate”. It is a fascinating opening that takes advantage of a weak pawn. The end result was that I lost the game in no less than the first four moves. (If you know chess notation, the game went like this: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Qh5 d6 4. Qxf7##) This is a fun game to be on the giving side, but, not so much on the receiving side. The truth of the matter is, there are several ways to avoid this trap, however, you have to know what is coming and how to react. How do you get this information? You study. One of the key ways to avoid traps that people may pose as you present God’s message is to first, immerse yourself in the Word of God. Study it with all your heart. An additional way is to rely on the Holy Spirit to be your guide. My response: Lord, give me the desire and the discipline to understand your Word. Thought to Apply: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15)

Like what you are reading? Consider the following: 1. Subscribe to my blog (there is a link for that on this page). 2. "Follow" me on twitter. It's a free account, and a great way to meet like-minded friends. My link is: http://twitter.com/tommccomb. 3. Leave a comment (I love your candid feedback and might use your ideas in future posts) 4. Tell someone else about this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon.

Six Warning Signs from Tiger Woods' Relationships

Tiger Woods held his press conference in Augusta, Georgia yesterday in anticipation of participating in the Masters Golf Tournament this week.  I took a closer look because I heard some hints at relationship breakdowns in his life that were related to his recent scandal.  I didn't look in order to condemn him, but in order to analyze what happened in order to identify any potential warning signs in my life.  I also determined that it was important as I lead others to encourage them to scrutinize their relationships and so avoid potential catastrophe.

Here are six areas of breakdowns in relationships that I believe either led to Tiger's downfall or were symptomatic of a deeper problem.

1. He led a secret life.  In other words, he behaved in a way that was different from how he presented himself to others.  Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with him having a separation between private and professional life.  But when there is a third area in which habitual sins are hidden, there is a lack of integrity.  Someone defined integrity as "You are who you say you are."  Another said, "Character is who you are in the dark."  In Genesis 16:13, Hagar said, "You are the God who sees me," which is true, whether we want to or not.  God sees us all, which means that nothing we do, say or think is completely secret.
2. He lied to himself.  I guess this means that he justified his behavior, or he convinced himself that he wouldn't get caught.  This is one of the first steps toward a life of destruction.
3. He lied to others.  My wife is my very best friend.  She knows all of me - the good, the bad and the ugly.  She knows me at my best and my worst.  If I start lying to her, everything breaks down in my most important earthly relationship.  John Maxwell once defined success as, "When those closest to me love and respect me the most."  One breakthrough for me was discovering that my family didn't expect me to be perfect.  They love me for who I am, and not who I am striving (or pretending) to be.  I also learned that I can trust them to help me through my struggles.  The want my honesty, but they also want the best for me.  So I have learned to trust them with guidance they give me, because I can trust their motives.  Unfortunately for Tiger, the trust his wife and children had in him for that very same support is gone.  To whom will they turn when they have questions or problems growing up? 
4. He failed to acknowledge his fans.  Obviously Tiger has talent.  He had incredible support from his father and others along the way.  However, without fans, there is no profession.  Unless a sport has spectators who are willing to pay to see it, companies that endorse it, and sponsors who hold tournaments, Tiger needs to find another job to support his family and pay the bills.  While some commended Tiger on his "focus" during play, I feel his distance from those who support him is indicative of a deeper arrogance, which leads to more serious problems.
5. He had negative outbursts.  While some believe that his intensity was a strength, I feel his lack of sportsmanship belied a deeper problem.  During yesterday's press conference, Tiger committed to toning down his negative outbursts, which he predicted would also diminish his positive ones.  While the sport world temporarily rewards those who perform well, the lifetime honors are given to those who were true sportsmen, like Ernie Banks or Walter Payton.
6. He failed to acknowledge the success of others.  He admitted to this yesterday, and he was pledging to make a more determined effort to encourage others on the course.  Paul says in Romans 12:15: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."  The biggest difficulty in the heart of a selfish man is understanding the feelings of others, especially if their experience is different from his own.

Believe me, I wish the best for Tiger, both professionally and personally.  Hopefully some healing can happen in his life; not only in his heart and mind, but also in his relationships with others.  While lots of damage has been done, I believe in the power of God to heal.

Let's pray for him, but in addition, let's heed the warning signs that led to Tiger's downfall.  Take a few moments for your own relationship inventory today.

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Guest Post: Lean on a Friend (Life Lessons from Chess) by Paul Fleeman

 

This is a guest post by Major Paul Fleeman, Principal of The Salvation Army's College for Officer Training in Chicago.  It is part of a series that he has agreed to have posted on my blog.

LEAN ON A FRIEND
Major Paul Fleeman

Key Bible Verses: Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two. (Mark 6:6-7)

A good rule of thumb in the game of chess is, whenever possible connect your rooks by putting them on the same line without the obstruction of other pieces. Their strength is greater than the sum of their parts. Jesus emphasized the importance of working with a partner as we “build His kingdom.” Someone you can count on. Communication is the key word here. When each member of your team knows what is going on, a lot can be accomplished. When there are obstacles in the way and communication breaks down, major trouble is imminent. Make sure the two of you are on the same “wave length.” My response: Lord, help me stay connected with my partner. Remove any obstacles that may get in the way of living your message. Thought to Apply: “Lean on me when you’re not strong and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on.” (Bill Withers)

White obviously has more material; however, it is Blacks move. Do you see the checkmate sequence? After you figure it out, what would you do if it was White’s move?

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Happy National Atheists Day!

Photo credit: anitapatterson from morguefile.com

Well, today is the day!  The good news for all you atheists out there is that the Bible talks about you, and about your day today.  Psalm 14:1 says,

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."

After all, we have evidence of God and His creation everywhere we look.  Psalm 19 says,

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

I have heard others say, and I believe as well, that it takes more faith to believe that all life and everything we see came about as a result of a chemical accident, Big Bang or other theory. 

I have also heard a preacher (I think it was Rick McKinley of Imago Dei Church in Portland) that few things offend God more than to attribute His Creation to other means.

So, to the unbelievers out there, I wish you a pleasant day.  But do me a favor and (especially with the wonderful weather we are having today) take a walk.  Take a moment to ponder the beauty and intricacies of nature and the world around you.  And open your mind to another possibility.

Like what you are reading? Consider the following: 1. Subscribe to my blog (there is a link for that on this page). 2. "Follow" me on twitter. It's a free account, and a great way to meet like-minded friends. My link is: http://twitter.com/tommccomb. 3. Leave a comment (I love your candid feedback and might use your ideas in future posts) 4. Tell someone else about this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon.

Guest Post: Piano Keys by Summer Koehler

Summer is a student at Bolingbrook High School near Chicago, IL.  As you can see, she has a talent for writing and for getting at the heart of the issue.  I am posting this on my blog with her permission.  Enjoy!

As I sit here in piano keyboarding class, I realize that people are like piano keys. We each are different and unique in our own ways. Then when you play that note, each time you press down that key, it is like a stressor or conflict hitting that person in their life.

For example, Yiruma's "River Flows in You" (-love that song :)), all those notes, keys you need to press down in order to play the song correctly. Walking in the hallways in high school, all of those keys, the different variations of students each being pressed down like a key on a piano: She just found out she is pregnant; his brother just got sent to the slammer; baseball tryouts are tomorrow; my mom has cancer; my best friend is moving; I got to ace this test or I fail; do I breakup with her or not.. but then everyone always turns to drugs and alcohol which leads to attempts of suicide and so on.. but very rarely do they find the real true way out.

The exit sign hanging above that door (thanks Taylor!!). Exit: God is your way out. God is the way out. He is always with you, through everything no matter what the situation. For a lot of people in this world He is your best friend for life, but gets pushed out of the picture by you. If you were to die today, where would you go? Up, or down? Be honest to yourself. When was the last time you truly turned to him to turn your life around? He is the way out of everything.

He is the tuner to the piano. When a key goes flat, He tunes it. He makes all the problems go away. Tune your key. Exit: God IS the way out. He is the tuner to the piano, and you are the key.

Like what you are reading? Consider the following: 1. Subscribe to my blog (there is a link for that on this page). 2. "Follow" me on twitter. It's a free account, and a great way to meet like-minded friends. My link is: http://twitter.com/tommccomb. 3. Leave a comment (I love your candid feedback and might use your ideas in future posts) 4. Tell someone else about this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon.

More War, Less Cry - Part 2 - Goliath's Stand

Photo credit: kconnors from morguefile.com

Going through the motions.  That gets tiring doesn't it?  Do you ever ask, "When are we ever going to stop practicing and to start doing?"

Don't get me wrong.  I believe in preparation and practice.  I am a musician and have taught musicians.  I know the value of rehearsal and practice. 

But there is a time to stop going through the motions and to start doing.

Unfortunately, King Saul's army was stuck in a rut.  Now bear with me as I jump around 1 Samuel 17.  It's a famous story.  Every child who has gone to Sunday School know the end.  But I want to dwell on some of the preliminary details, and especially as they relate to the difference between being prepared for battle and actually going into battle.

The whole idea was an economy of lives.  If a battle could be decided by pitting the best soldier from each of the two armies, a lot of lives and blood could be spared.  Sounds like a good idea, but the Philistines had a secret weapon.  His name was Goliath, which literally means "the giant from Gath."  With Goliath taking his stand, no one from the Israelite army dared meet him on the field of battle alone.

And yet hope and determination (and preparation) reigned supreme.  Verse 20 says that the Israelite army responded to Goliath's challenge by "going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry."  But verse 16 tells us that "For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand." 

If my math is right, that means that the Israelites ran their drills eighty times without actually engaging the enemy.  In fact, verse 24 says, "When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear." 

I don't mean to be critical, but I'm wondering what kind of value was gained in taking battle positions and shouting the War Cry only to give up each time.  I want to reach through history and like Dr. Phil, ask, "Well, how is that working for you?"

Another question - do you think the Israelites had more or less courage on their 80th drill than their first time shouting the War Cry? 

Many people who claim to follow Jesus are leading defeated lives.  We go through the motions, put on our uniforms, take our battle positions and even shout the War Cry.  But who is going to step forward and face the enemy?  Who is going to go into battle - not merely to march around, but to fight and defeat the challenging giant?

Please realize that I am asking myself the same questions - I have my fair share of "shaking in the boots" moments, and even "running in fear" moments.

All I am saying is that it's time to do more than just shouting the War Cry.  Maybe it's even time to dispense with the cry altogether.  After all, as I examine 1 Samuel 17, I don't hear David shouting at Goliath, only talking to him (vv 45-47), describing in detail what he was planning on doing to the one who defied God.

Something or someone is defying the God of your life today.  Will you just shout the War Cry, or run up to face your adversary in battle?

Then you can declare, just like David did in verse 47:

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands.

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More War, Less Cry - Part 1

[Photographer: Ian Kahn]

Several years ago, my daughters took karate classes.  So cute - about 20 elementary school kids taking their defensive stance on the mat.  I learned a lot by watching the Sensei in action.  Many of the things I use while teaching young bands I learned by watching my kids in karate class. 

One of the things I heard the Sensei (now Shihan Gary Hellman) teach about using a "Kiai," which can be loosely translated from Japanese to be a battle cry.  Here's what wikipedia.org says about "Kiai":  

The term commonly refers to a short yell before or during a strike or technique.

The kiai can be used to:

• prime oneself for combat, by "amping up."
• protect the upper body from a strike by providing an escape route for exhaled air.
• protect the lower body by rapidly contracting the transverse abdominals and other core muscles, shielding the internal organs.
• provide solid abdominal support for striking techniques.
• startle and demoralize actual or potential adversaries -- especially at close quarters, or if previously unobserved.

A quick search for "War Cry" or "Battle Cry" in the Bible (NIV) brings up a total of twelve results. It seems like the ancient Israelites used it in a similar way.  As a militant people, they used many techniques to give them an advantage in battle, some inspired from the Lord himself.

The question that I ask you (and me) today, and I will explore through the scripture this week, is about your use of the war cry.  Are you using the battle cry without the follow-through?  Are you engaging in more crying or more war?

From my perspective, there is a battle to be fought; a war to be won in our spiritual walks.  Is it possible that we could be going through the motions without having any effect on our personal victory or the world around us?  Do we put on our uniforms and go to church; even serve others without power in our lives?  Is it all about the show, the drill and not about the real victory?  Do we talk about the death blow to sin without actually dealing it?

Stick with me this week, and I will do my best to explore this topic from the Old Testament.  See you tomorrow!

Like what you are reading? Consider the following: 1. Subscribe to my blog (there is a link for that on this page). 2. "Follow" me on twitter. It's a free account, and a great way to meet like-minded friends. My link is: http://twitter.com/tommccomb. 3. Leave a comment (I love your candid feedback and might use your ideas in future posts) 4. Tell someone else about this blog. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you soon.