Steve Harvey

I was looking at the blog of a friend's pastor and I came across this video of Steve Harvey. I really liked it so I thought I would share it with you. I think the passion and enthusiasm of Steve and the crowd is awesome.

Jesus got angry

One of the greatest tragedies in the American church is how we have taken the fierceness out of Christ. Through our songs, sermons, and actions (or lack thereof) we have made Jesus out to simply be either a peaceful little lamb or a the loving shepherd who really never gets upset with things or his sheep (well some times we do mention that He will correct us but we also seem to make a point about how much He really does not like doing it). These things are true about Jesus but they are not a true representation of Him or who He is.

Most church going people know the story of how Jesus cleared out the temple. I think for most people, including myself until today, would really consider this to be the only time i which Jesus is known to have had any type of passionate anger. The fact is that it is not the only time. In Mark 3:5 the bible clearly states that Jesus got angry. The question for in this passage is why did He get angry. While this may not be the entire answer, I do think what angered Him was their unwillingness to accept the simple truths He was laying before them. I think along with this He was angered because those whom He was specifically addressing where the ones who should have been the most supportive of Him and leading people to Him. They were the ones who should have known the Scriptures well enough to have the faith to simply believe Him at His word. I think He was also angered because these religious leaders had lead His sheep away. They had failed to do that which God had placed them here on earth to do. In the end they had hardened the hearts of the people with their own hard hearts.

So what does this mean for me/us? I think it again places emphasis on the responsibility each Christian has to be faithful to that which God has called them. We each have tasks and things we must accomplish for God. He calls each of us to a time and place for a reason. So what is the reason He has called you to this time and place? Why is your schedule the way that it is? What people does God want to cross your path? Who has crossed your path recently that God wanted you to minister to share and/or share the Gospel with?

Something for you and I to think about today.

Hershey waved hello today

We had a great doctor's visit today. We even got to watch Hershey wave at us.

Something Different.... I think

I just wanted those of you who regularly read my blog to know that God loves you beyond reason. He loves us in ways that we cannot even begin to imagine. No matter what is going on in your life God is there and He has not forgotten you or your situation. Seek Him and a relationship with Him and you will find that His peace will come. Troubles will always be a part of our lives but those who have a right relationship with God are better able to find the joy and peace in all of those situations.

Well I hope each of you has a wonderful day today.

Passionate Love

The book Song of Solomon is no doubt a dialogue between two passionate lovers. It is arguable some of the most sexually suggestive language in the bible and as such many Christians have tried to make in to something less than what it is. Many have tried to downplay the language as not between two actual people but between God and His people. There is truth in this belief about this book but it is not the whole truth.

These passages of Scripture give us some of the most intense pictures of humanities capacity to love and be loved. It shows us the pain of separation and the joy of being found. Along with this I believe it begins to give us a clearer picture of God's love for us. From the whole of Scripture we can see how God desires to be in close relationship with us. We also see, particularly in the Old Testament, the pain God feels when we separate ourselves from Him. It is from this pain that we see some of the most graphic language of the bible. In fact, God many times describes the rebelious Israel as a whore and a harlot who has abondoned their first love (Isaiah1 and Isaaiah 57). This how God sees us when we walk away from Him and begin to follow after idols.

Imagine the pain you would feel if you spouse or lover cheated on you and did it on a regular basis. Would you remain with them? Would you still want to be in a relationship with them? Most of us coupld imagine that it is possible to deal with one instance if adultery but I would doubt that any of us could imagine still wanting to be with someone if they were constantly having affairs. Yet God looks past this and desires to be in right relationship with us. No matter how many times we abandon Him and cause Him intense pain. God wants to be in a close relationship with you today. So what are you doing today to make that happen?