The I-61 Project Blog

Gaze into God's Mirror

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 10:47:44 PST

It was 6:45 am and my eyes weren't quite awake yet. Getting ready to shave, I gazed in the mirror and realized that my scalp was much more noticeable than my hair. Maybe it was my sleepy eyes. So, I closed my eyes, rubbed them and reopened them hoping that it was just an optical illusion. Nope, it was true. I was loosing my hair. The mirror doesn't lie. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. But what does this have to do with faith?

Mirrors. They reveal what we look like on the outside. Important? Not really but we all care, at least a little, about our outward appearance. God, on the other hand, cares about what we look like on the inside. Jesus was chastising the Pharisees when he called them "whitewashed tombs" beautiful on the outside but on the inside were full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. We can look at the Pharisees and say, "Yeah! You guys are hypocrites!" But, we better be careful not to throw stones in glass houses.

First I'd like to remind us that our spiritual mirror isn't made of glass but God's Word. All of the make-up, hairspray, neatly pressed shirts, plastic surgery, and hour in the gym can't hide our true selves. God sees right through them. He knows us. Comforting and convicting at the same time. When we look into God's Word what do we see about ourselves? Do we look like Jesus or do we look like the World? I venture to say that most of us look a lot more like the World than like Jesus.

So, we run to the spiritual cosmetic shop and do a little cover up; couple nice things here, a church service there, tune into the local Christian station, and say "Amen!" when someone says something we agree with. Bad things? Heck no but maybe only window dressing. Trust me. I've deck myself out with Christian garments only to look into the mirror of God's Word to see a little Pharisee. So, if you're like me you might want to gaze for a second in the light of the Word and see what God sees. Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount is a good place to start:

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment." Matthew 5:21-22

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:43-45

Wow, that's some tough teaching. Do we honestly live lives devoted to God or do we live like the world, doing religious things on Sunday and Wednesday evenings? Do we read the same novels, watch the same vile TV shows, and listen to the same music? Do we get a little buzzed on the weekends with our friends and laugh at the same off-color jokes? Do we speak the name of Jesus to anyone outside of the Church building? Do we praise God on Sunday and curse those made in his image on Monday? If we look in the spiritual mirror, do we look a little like I did that awful morning in the glass mirror - lacking something?

I pray that you look closely at yourself today reevaluate your spiritual reflection. We all need to do that time and again so that we don't get to content with were we are in our walk with Christ.

Peace in Jesus,

David

False Gospels and Golden Calves

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:23:40 PDT

I don't know a whole lot about sheep but from what I can tell they are pretty fickle and are followers not leaders. Although you can cast some blame on a sheep that wanders from it's pasture, getting lost in the wilderness, you can surely be justified in blaming the shepherd who willing leads them there. With that in mind I want to share something God revealed to me this week.

I have been spending time digging through Rob Bell's book "Love Wins" and as I've begun to share some of my thoughts with others I am finding that people are very unsettled when they hear anything about God that is not soft, coddling, accepting, peaceful, or "tolerant". The funny thing is that they don't become angry with God but with me. That's cool. I tend to "shoot the messenger" at times as well. So if you are one of those people who only like to hear the easy messages, the comforting messages, or the ones that don't make you uneasy please stick with me for a moment because I think this might give you some fresh insight into the true character of God, of leaders, and of followers (i.e. sheep). By the way, the hard parts of the Bible make me uneasy as well but they've also helped me to appreciate much more the love and grace of God.

In the later chapters of Exodus God called Moses up the mountain to give him the Law. He called only Moses into the cloud that covered the top of the mountain and left Aaron in charge of the Israelites. Remember that the Israelites had recently witnessed God's wrath against the Egyptians in the form of plagues (blood, frogs, gnats, flies, dead livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and finally the taking of the Egyptian's first born sons). Uncomfortable yet? They saw God part the Red Sea and manna come from heaven. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and nights and during that time the people (the sheep) became uneasy. They gathered around Aaron and said "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” So we would expect the leader to say something like this, "Hold on folks! Don't you remember the awesome works of our God? Have you so quickly forgotten how he rescued you from captivity and provided for your needs in the empty desert? Hold fast!! Our God is the only God who can save!" But instead the Bible tells us that Aaron (the shepherd in charge) responded to the people like this:

Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”
When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the LORD.” So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

Here is the revelation: It is the responsibility of the shepherd to lead the sheep where they need to go not where they want to go. Sheep like to be comfortable. They won't easily walk dangerous trails unless the shepherd is using his staff to prod them along. Some of the journey is beside still waters and other times it take us into the storm. The people were uneasy. They cried out for Aaron to make them a god of their own liking, one that had no power, one that had no wrath, but at the same time, one that had no love. It was a useless god. Aaron listened not to the truth of God but the to will of the people and in doing so made a false God. He gave them nothing. God was angered. The people were guilty. The calf couldn't feed them, protect them, forgive them, or love them. Sure, it was shiny and attractive but it was not really God at all.

The question for us is this, "Do we want the one true God in all of his glory (love, holiness, justice, wrath against sin) or do we want to fashion one to our liking and to our comfort level? In reality, the only God that really fits with the Gospel story of a Jesus who had do die on the cross for the sins of the people, is a God who loves but has a righteous wrath against sin. Stay tuned.. more to come.

Peace,

David

A Beginning Commentary on Rob Bell's "Love Wins"

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 07:32:01 PDT

I want to take the next few weeks and look at Rob Bell's book "Love Wins". If you haven't read it you might want to. Not because it holds truth but because you need to examine it as well as your own faith to see if they stand against the light of the Scriptures, particularly the words of Jesus. Rob questions the Christian beliefs of judgement, eternal hell, and the possibility that one group will be "saved" and another "lost".

I want to be brief today and will start where Rob starts, in his Preface:

Rob: "First, I believe that Jesus' story is first and foremost about the love of God for every single one of us. It is a stunning, beautiful, expansive love, and is for everybody, everywhere. That's the story. 'For God so loved the world . . .' That's why Jesus came. That's his message. That's where life is found."

But is that really the message? I mean is that the whole message? Because half a truth is not really the truth. Is it? I do believe the whole bible is God's love story toward mankind but it isn't so neat and tidy. Rob quotes the first six words of John 3:16 but leaves off the rest of the sentence as well as the next 30 verses.

What if I said, "That's a beautiful road and it leads to a sweet scenic overlook . . ." You'll notice that the sentence didn't end in a period but ended in three little dots. That means we've left off the rest of the story. Maybe important maybe irrelevant but we won't know unless we are privy to the rest of the statement. In this case it might have been,

". . . but you need to have four wheel drive, chains on your tires, a can of bear repellent, and an extra tank of gas because the road is steep, slippery, very long, and there are 1200 foot cliffs on each side. By the way, there are hungry grizzly bears at the second rest stop." Isn't that info you would have liked to know at the beginning before you packed the sandwiches, your disposable camera, and your three little kids into the VW bug for the day trip?

With that intro, I want you to read the rest of John Chapter 3. The highlights are mine. We will carry on in the next post.

John 3:16-36 (NIV)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

John Testifies Again About Jesus

After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them."

Not easy teaching but these aren't my words but the words of Jesus and his Apostle John. We aren't at liberty to pick only the words that bring us smiles. It is indeed a stunningly beautiful message because while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. He took our condemnation and death. But there appears to be a qualifier: Belief. We'll talk about what that means later because Rob questions that as well.

Peace in Christ, David

Sin - Like Weeds Need to be Plucked out Root and All

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 09:46:39 PDT

I spoke with a good friend today who told me that he was getting ready to mow his law when he spotted a weed. He thought he should pluck it out instead of just mowing over the top because the later would allow it to grow back. When he bent down to grab the weed he noticed there wasn't just one but many other weeds amidst the blades of grass. We immediately saw the hand of God in the one square foot plot of dirt.

Sin is like that weed. It is insidious, deep rooted, destructive, and often well hidden. We, like the lazy grounds keeper, either ignore the weeds of sin or we just trim off the top. We allow a few weedy sins because our lawns looks better than the neighbor's lawn. But beware friend because we only fool ourselves. That little weed will grow and spread and destroy the beautiful lives that God has planned for us. Not only ours but the lives of those close to us! Have you ever driven by and seen a lawn full of dandelions and the nice lawn next door with a few dandelions growing along the common edge? Sin is contagious.

When God sent Israel into lands inhabited by idolaters He had them leave no one alive. Brutal? Cruel? Inhumane? Maybe in the worldly sense but God knew that one weed would destroy the whole lot. One cell of yeast would infiltrate the whole bowl of dough.

Examine your life. Look for weeds. Get on your spiritual knees, pull out the magnifying glass, and look really closely for the little weeds. When you find one don't just cut off the top. "Oh, I'll just look at the Swimsuit Edition and throw out the hardcore stuff." NO! Pluck it out root and all! Not just that. Put the carcass in the fire.

Before you get the cart before the horse remember that it's the Holy Spirit in believers that gives them power over temptation and sin. It's not brute force or will power. If you don't know Christ call on his name. As a matter of fact, if you know Christ, call on his name. We can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength! Visit our main site @ www.i61project.org

Peace in Him, David

The Wonder of Adoption

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 07:57:45 PDT

"He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." (John 1:12-13)

Adoption is a wonderful thing! A child who was once without a family and without hope suddenly has both. Contrary to popular belief we are not all God's children at birth. We are indeed God's creation, fearfully and wonderfully made. We are known and loved by him before one cell came together in our mother's womb. But, we are separated from God and without the rights and privileges of members of his family. Adoption can take a number of years and cost thousands of dollars but becoming a child of God takes only faith. If you are walking outside of God's family it's time to come home. Jesus paid the price so believe in his name and receive him today.

For the full Blog Post, Click on the link below.

Heirs to the Promise - The Wonder of Adoption

If you have been adopted into the family of God praise him today! If you are alone and separated from Him by sin then pray like this:

Lord, I know I'm lost and in need of forgiveness. I want to be accepted and brought into your family. I trust that Jesus died in my place and rose from the dead so that my relationship with you don't end in the grave. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice. In your name I pray, Amen.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:20:44 PDT

My son's baseball coach use to yell out during the games, "Boys, what's the most important thing in baseball?" The kids would yell back, "Keep your eyes on the ball!" In baseball, archery, and in life you need to keep your eyes on the target. As Peter walked on the water he briefly took his eyes off of Jesus and nearly sank to the bottom of the Sea of Galilee.

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:28-30)

Peter "saw the wind, and was afraid." So today remember that whatever the circumstance, keep your eyes on Jesus, and he will keep your head above water.

Prayer: Father help me today to look not at the wind or the waves of life but instead to keep my eyes focused on Jesus and his faithfulness. In Jesus' name, amen.

For the full Blog Post click on the link:

Keep Your Eyes on the Ball

Qualifiers - Can't Throw Them Out

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sun, 15 May 2011 05:45:19 PDT

Do you remember Paul Harvey? His long running radio show always ended with these words, "Now you know.... the rest of the story." It's important to know the whole story and not just bits and pieces. No one wants to read every other chapter of a novel or watch every third scene of a movie. You just can't know the truth if you don't see the whole picture. God's Word is truth but it is only knowable if you don't leave out the parts you don't like or those that are uncomfortable.

Leaving out parts is common these days and one of the easiest ways to do this and still sound like a knowledgeable teacher or preacher is to leave out the qualifiers. What is a qualifier? Let's say my son asks me if he can have desert. I could just say "yes" which would give him free access to the cupcakes without condition or I could say, "Yes, if you finish your dinner." This, on the other hand, would place a qualifier as a condition to the privilege of eating the sweets.

I want to put forth a couple of teachings many false teachers put forth using half truths which when examined in light of the whole truth, are nothing but lies:

1) We are all God's children. (True or False?)

   This is a teaching that sure sounds true and certainly sounds pleasant but what does the Word say?

Truth - All people are God's creation. We are all loved by him but we are not all his children, part of his family, or heirs to the promise. We are adopted and enter into his family not by our first birth but our second. We become children of God though salvation which comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

John 1:11-13

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Luke 20:34-36

Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.

2) All people will go to heaven because God said "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son." and "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (True or False?)

   There are a growing number of "Christian" teachers who are teaching universalism (the belief that all people will eventually be saved). Many use parts of verses or use verses out of context to mold scripture to their liking and to the liking of their hearers.

Truth - There are qualifiers to our eternal salvation. In the end, some will enter the Kingdom of Heaven and some will spend eternity in Hell. Let's look at the whole statement that Jesus made in John chapter 3.

^{John 3:14-18}
¹⁴ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Notice that in the false teaching, only verses 16a and 17 are used but all of the qualifying verses are left out. The emphasis with bold letters is for your benefit and obviously not in the original text.

This is by no means the only place in Scripture that Jesus or his Apostles spoke clearly of the division of those who will be saved and those who will be condemned. Feel free to read Matthew chapter 25 for more of the rest of the story.

Here is the point: When you hear someone putting forth what they say is the "Word of God" please do what the Apostle Paul urged us to do,
"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1)

That goes for what you read here. I don't want you to believe me. I want you to pray and seek the truth. If your heart is humbled and open, I believe God will lead you to the truth.

Peace, in Christ.

David

The Good, The Bad, and The Perfect

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:20:17 PDT

I live in the country and our front yard covers about three acres of open field, mostly tall grasses, milkweed, and goldenrod. One gorgeous summer day about five years ago my (then) six year old son Collin and I had a great idea. "Let's mow down a big area of the front yard and turn it into a soccer field." We grabbed the mower, set the blade way up high and off we went. One big rectangle down, I began to mow back and forth the length of the field with Collin right behind me. He was having a ball, running, jumping, and laughing at the top of his lungs. He was laughing so loudly that I could hear him over the sound of the engine. Then the thought hit me, "That doesn't sound like laughter at all but screams!" I turned to see him surrounded by hornets. They were everywhere and I could see them on his face and his arms as he screamed and flailed his arms wildly. His terrified eyes met mine and and in an instant I ran into the swarm, scooped him into my arms, and ran. I was brushing hornets off of him as I ran and I kept telling him that he would be OK. He got stung. I got stung. We both survived. Collin and I both learned some things that day. Aside from the nastiness of angry hornets, we both had a real sense of the love a father has for his son and what we are willing to do for them.

The immediate connection between this real life drama and God's love for mankind may be readily apparent but I want to stretch you a bit. I want to start with the less obvious and what will likely not feel so comfortable then I'll finish with the part that will bring you a bit more peace.

Let me ask you a question? If you knew that there was a hive of very dangerous hornets in the middle of your proposed soccer field would you drive your lawn mower over them, your little child it tow? Unless you are deeply disturbed, the answer will probably be, "No!" Well, I'm not all knowing and I'm trapped in the confines of linear time and I don't know the beginning from the end. I had no way of knowing the danger I was getting us into. If I did, I wouldn't have done it. I would have protected my child (and myself) from pain. Here is the difficult part. God knew the hornets were there. He knew my plans and he saw the consequences before they happened. Yet, he didn't step in and prevent it. Is it that he was unaware? The Bible says God is sovereign over his creation and he reminds us concerning a sparrow that "not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father." Jesus knew Peter would deny him before hand. Is it that he is unable? A God who is unable to no god at all. The Bible says that he controls the winds, the waves, the creatures of the sea, and can move mountains. I think a little hive of hornets is well within his control.

Do I know why God allowed this to happen? Nope. But I do know that love was made evident through it. Courage and altruism was made known. My son and I grew closer in one minute than we could have in a year. This also reveals a God who's ways are beyond ours and one who's character has aspects of love and also of wrath. I'm not saying I was being punished or that my son was but I'm also not certain that I wasn't. I know I deserve it at times. Collin (God bless his soul) is no angel either.

Lastly I want to tie in the beauty of this scene to the truth of Christ. In the moment we were getting ourselves into trouble and were surrounded by the threat of death (physical and spiritual) Jesus Christ stepped into the swarm and swept up his children, taking the pain and suffering on our behalf. His love was that great. Jesus gave his life for us. But here is a mind stretcher.... The Bible says it was the Lord's will to crush him. God willingly allowed his son to die. Evil? No amazingly loving. But hard to fathom. The Bible is full of things that are easy and things that are hard to hear. Let's not shy away from either but soak all of it up knowing that all things together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

As I have seen God's character being put forth either as one who is standing above us wanting to crush us for our mistakes or, conversely as a God who is all love and wants us just to be happy and comfortable, I am urging you to see God as one who's love is beyond our comprehension but who's holiness and justice is equally perfect. Read the Word, seek his face, and Jesus said the truth will set you free.

Peace,

David

Like it or not.... I'm back :)

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:06:09 PST

It's been a while since I last posted. Had a good streak going (about 100 weeks out of the last 106 or so) but I think God led me out into the desert for a few weeks to be tested and tried. The desert is a little dusty and the road not well paved but a few things really stand out there. First, you get hungry and you find out quickly were the food and water come from. Second, you drop a lot of excess weight because it's silly to carry a bunch of lead around in the desert. You carry what you need and leave the rest for the buzzards.

So what specifically have I learned during my little hiatus? Well, I'm not a spiritual giant but a needy little child of the Most High God. Not that I thought I was CS Lewis or the Apostle Paul but God reminded me that I rely on him for every nanosecond of my being, for every red blood cell that courses through my veins, and for every breath that passes my nostrils. He reminded me that the world is racing away from him at an increasing pace, Jesus is being stripped of his divinity, and the world's definition of Christianity is beginning to blur. He showed me that when I opened up the local paper to find a Sunday service there were "Christian" churches offering me psychic readings, interfaith prayer services, and yoga. He showed me that when I speak the name of Jesus it brought division if I wandered away from a few of the most pleasing and comforting verses. He reminded me that if we had read his prophetic word we wouldn't be surprised.

But then he showed me people who's hearts were hungry for him. Some who had seen their brokenness and sin then fallen with repentance at the feet of Christ and some who had a sense of God but just needed someone to give them some light. He showed me people who would hurt others for financial gain or for self satisfaction but then he reminded me how far I had fallen and how far he had raised me up. Then he told me to love. Not just when it was easy but especially when it was hard. He showed me how to pray for those who my fleshly man wanted to vilify. He faced me in the mirror to show me the plank in my eye then showed me that I needed to be very gentle at helping others remove the sawdust from theirs.

This past week has been especially difficult. I sat in a couple different nice hotels and opened up the travel guides on the coffee tables. I was told where to find the best strip joints. I'm sorry. They weren't strip joints but "Gentlemen's Clubs". I was told that if I was a guy who like guys then this was the city for me. I put down the city travel planner and flipped on the TV and was told that I could by an "Adult Film" and no one at the front desk would know. It didn't say whether or not my wife would know but I guess they didn't care. I had many options depending on my mood I guess and I could read a description of what I would be able to enjoy. I didn't think that that some of that was legal in most states. My heart was broken for what God must feel. I tuned off the TV and God showed me my past. Some very distant and some less distant then he reminded me of his grace. But I also had a very strong feeling that we weren't far from the end. Of course I won't be prophesying a date or hour because that would of course be blasphemous. But I saw the leaves change color and I felt the air cool so fall must not be too far away.

All this wind to say that God has given me new energy and a little fresh perspective. This weekend I look forward to some quality time with a few brothers and sisters who I know will join me in a little "Church". All that God has shown me hasn't caused me to feel defeated but fired up. Not an angry sort of fire but a fire filled with anticipation. God is in control now just as much as when Billy Graham filled stadiums with people hungry to hear the truth of his word.

Thanks for listening to me ramble tonight :)

Peace in Christ,

David

A Dead Brother, a Sad Dad, and a Betrayed Savior. Pride and Greed Trump Relationship.

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 11:22:03 PST

Today my heart is heavy and I am personally reminded again of the brokenness of the human heart. I am sadly experiencing first hand how sin has clouded our vision and leads us to harm our brothers, our friends, our neighbors. It started in the Garden of Eden when Cain took the life of his brother because he was jealous. We haven't changed much but then again if we had, I guess Jesus would've been able to stay home.

This post is going to ruffle some feathers but I'm going to let the chips fall where they may and leave you to examine my words in light of God's Word and then examine your own hearts. I promise to do the same.

We live in a society that is increasingly feeling "entitled." We think we deserve this and we deserve that. It doesn't really matter where the "this" and "that" come from as long as we get it and regardless of who gets hurt. Even our own Declaration of Independence tells us that we deserve "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Watch the news, read the paper, and if you have a lot of spare time on your hands read the budget of the United States. I won't go into all of the specific "entitlements" but each one necessitates the receiver receiving and some anonymous person or persons giving (either willingly or unwillingly). Here is a good example from God's Word:

In Luke Chapter 15 Jesus tells a parable of a young man who asked his father for his share of the inheritance. What he was saying was "Dad, I kind of wish you were dead now so I could have the money I'm entitled to but since you aren't dead yet, may I have it now?" WOW! How painful for the dad who gave so much of himself over so many years and when it came right down to it money trumped relationship.

Do you know what the bible tells us we're entitled to? Nothing. No, I take that back. The bible does say we deserve something - death. How unconstitutional. How revolting. How true. The bible says that we've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the wages of sin is death. That is the very reason Jesus did leave home and come to die. God doesn't owe us a thing. But because of his love he chooses to love us.

Oh yeah, another story just popped into my head. There was this man named Judas who Jesus chose to be one of his closest followers. Jesus had come from the perfection and majesty of the throne room of heaven to live, suffer, and die for mankind. While he was alive he loved Judas and broke bread with him but Judas felt he could do a little better that just the beauty of the relationship. "How much better?" you ask. Thirty pieces of silver better. I'm sure Judas hugged Jesus, told him he loved him, and acted like he cared but when the opportunity came for a little cash, Judas cashed in their relationship. He kissed Jesus on the cheek about ten seconds before he betrayed him. He sacrificed the love of Jesus for a little cash and when he finally looked upon his measly gain he was repulsed at what he saw in the proverbial mirror. He then took his own life. Sad. He had love and eternal life and tossed it away for a few coins.

So how are we supposed to live? I guess the answer is that we need to live a life that brings glory to God with what we have and trust in him for our provision. We should remember that relationships are an amazing gift and money, sex, material things will come and go. Make your choices carefully. There are a couple lives that shine and I want you to have the ability to see them first hand. They would appear to have been short changed and unable to function effectively for God or even for there own sustenance but with God all things are possible.

Meet Joni Erickson Tada who was paralyzed from the neck down in a swimming accident.

Watch Video of Joni

Meet Nick Vujicic who was born without arms or legs

Watch Video of Nick

Examine your heart and I'll examine mine today. What is most valuable to you? The things of this world or love, specifically God's love but also the love and relationships of brothers and sisters in Christ? Do we speak love with our lips when our actions reveal the coldness of our hearts? Actions speak louder than words. Families divided, friends divided, and a people separated from their Savior. What do I deserve and to what am I entitled? Hmmmm. I thank God that he didn't give me what I deserve but had mercy on me instead.

peace,

David

Worship - It's a Heart Thing

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:56:32 PST

Worship?

What is worship really? I think we've contorted its meaning in many ways and I am equally guilty at times, so I'd like to address the idea of worship.

1) I think it would be good to start with it's definition.

noun

- the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity

2) I want to focus not on the "feeling" but the "expression" of reverence and adoration for a deity. Not just any deity but the one true God. Feelings come and go but expression is a choice. How do we express our reverence and adoration toward God?

It's interesting that when we speak of worship in the church we often mean the musical portion of the Sunday service. There is worship, communion, the sermon, prayer time, etc.

"Wow, worship was great today. I loved that song by Third Day"

Worship may happen during the "praise" or during the delivery of the message but it's also possible that worship doesn't occur at either time because worship is a thing of the heart.

3) It's also important to see the direction of worship. It's up. From us to HIM. It's not about how a song made us feel, which instruments were played, or even exclusively about music at all. It's about pouring out our love, appreciation, adoration, and hearts to God.

Let me give an example:

Imagine that your spouse, or child, best friend, or parent has been shipped overseas and you haven't seen or heard from them in 3 years. Out of the blue a call comes in telling you to head to the airport because there is a surprise waiting. When you get to the airport you walk to the baggage claim. Off in the distance an unmistakable smile reaches your eyes. Your heart pounds and when the person is within your reach you run and wrap your arms around them. You cry tears of joy and squeeze them, not wanting to let go ever again. You pour out words of love.

"I love you so much! I missed you! Please don't leave again. You have no idea how much you mean to me!"

You lavish them with your love. Now worship is that on steroids.

4) You might ask, "How can it be more than that?" The answer is in the recognition of position, that God is high and lifted up. He is holy and awesome. With your friend or relative the position is theoretically equal. But worship acknowledges that it is not equal with God. He is God and we are not. He does indeed love us but he will not bow down to us.

5) Worship is also about posture, not our physical posture (although it can certainly lead us to fall prostrate before him or to our knees in prayer). It is more of a reflection of our heart's posture. It comes out of a humble heart. It's impossible to be prideful and boastful before God and truly worship.

Worship is what we do at work, in our kitchens as we prepare to feed our families, in our heads as we fall asleep, in our church gathering as we sing songs of praise. I know as a member of a praise band that if someone is out of tune, if there is nasty feedback, or if someone forgets which key we are in it can be annoying and distracting but it does not affect true worship. Satan may try really hard to get our attention and attempt to turn our focus from God to ourselves. Let's not let him. I have a friend who loves the Lord. His voice is mediocre at best from a worldly standpoint but when he pours out his admiration to God in song or praise I know God smiles. By the way, I usually don't get a microphone during worship but I know God smiles when he hears my voice even if I am flat, sharp, or two beats behind.

As we move into this next week let's remember the definition, the expression, the direction, our position, and our posture before the Lord.

Worship Him friend!!!

Love you all,

David

Humble Pie

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 07:58:48 PST

Have you ever had to eat humble pie? Maybe that phrase is foreign to you so let me say it this way:

Have you ever been forced to apologize abjectly or admit you faults in humiliating circumstances?

The old saying is derived from an actual pie that was called "numble" or "umble" pie. It was a pie that was made from the edible entrails of a deer. Sure they were mixed with apples and sugar and spices but as far as I can tell it was still deer gut pie. My guess is that if you wanted your kids to eat a slice there was a fair amount of persuasion or force involved.

So it is often with humility. We are a prideful people and we often display humility as willingly as we put down a slice of "umble pie". Its no wonder the term evolved into "humble pie". But God's word reminds us that if we carry pride it will eventually destroy us. It is much better to willingly be humble of heart than to carry pride and be forced to eat "humble pie."

Proverbs 16:18 puts it this way:

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Haughty is defined as: having or showing great pride in oneself and disdain, contempt, or scorn for others; proud

God warns us that a spirit filled with pride is destined to fall. Sometimes it is in this life and worse it may be paid for in the afterlife. I think that pride is the basis for nearly all other sin. It is was says, "I deserve this!", "I can do what I want!", "I am my own boss!", etc. Pride is what keeps us from repentance and from receiving the loving grace of God. "I don't need that! I'm a good person! I'm better than the guy next door."

Psalm 10:4 says, "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God."

Pride keeps us from seeking God and from seeking life though his son Jesus Christ.

On the other hand, Jesus said, "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" and Psalm 149 says, "He crowns the humble with victory."

Take advice from a man who was filled with pride and refused to humble himself before God. Save yourself the pain of a fall and seek God while he may be found. There is such freedom and forgiveness in humbly coming to the cross. Jesus said he came to save sinners. We're all broken and have nothing to be haughty about so look truthfully at yourself, find any speck of pride and ask God to rid you of it. I still fight with pride but the moments of humility that I find are sweet like honey because that is when I most clearly see the hand of God.

Besides, I don't think I want to eat one lousy slice of deer gut pie!

Peace friend,

David

Christmas - The Rest of the Story

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 03:02:13 PST

A baby in a manger, a small group of wisemen, and a shepherd boy. . . decorated trees, presents, and a large bearded man in a strange red suit. What's it all about? I've heard people say it's about spending time with people you love and about "holiday cheer." I've heard people say it's about hope and love and counting our blessings. OK, I can accept that, kind of.

As our worship team gathered at church last week to discuss our Christmas eve. service I had an unsettled feeling. What if Christmas was just about the baby Jesus. I mean it's an amazing thing, God coming out of heaven in the form of a poor baby. This alone is almost beyond comprehension but what does it mean? I mean how does God being born in the flesh bring us hope? What if that was the end of the story? The wisemen pack up their camels and head back East. The shepherd boy goes back to the hills to tend his sheep. The bright star fades away. Mary and Joseph load up the donkey and take their baby boy back to Nazareth. Life goes on as usual. The first Christmas was a beautiful thing but without the rest of the story it makes little sense. Why was I unsettled? Why? Because I think many people and certainly many Christmas celebrations make no connection between the manger and the cross. As a matter of fact, many Christmas celebrations leave Christ out all together. But that is a different issue, one that I will likely address before Dec. 25th.

How was this this little baby in the manger hope for the world? What was the problem with the world anyway? Famine? Disease? Discrimination? War? Sure, all these things were going on and people were in need of help. But what could a baby do? As the baby grew, he did feed the hungry (5000 at one time with a couple fish and a few loaves of bread), healed the sick (He even brought a few dead people back to life), and brought dignity to the outcast (a prostitute, a tax collector, and a group of lepers) but as far as I can tell we still have the same problems today. Maybe it was just a short term fix. Maybe he was just to be just an example. Was the baby born to show us the right way to live so that we could have a better world? Maybe. I think that was part of it but we must have missed it somehow because we're clearly no better off than we we were 2000 years ago. At least as far as the eyes can see.

There must have been something more. There must be more to the story. If the baby was to really bring hope and peace to the world then there must be something that we're missing. We have to hear the rest of the story. That was it! That was why I was unsettled. I needed to make sure that when we tell the story of the baby in the manger we CAN'T leave out the part about the grown man and the cross. It was why he came (at least a major part of the reason). Without the rest of the story, we could lump Jesus in with the rest of the people who brought us hope (Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa, Gandhi, and the like).

Here's my point: Jesus (Emanuel "God with us") came to save us from something WAY worse than famine, WAY worse than disease, WAY worse than war. He came to save us from ourselves. He came to save us from the power and the penalty of sin. He did that not as a baby in a manger but as a man on a cross. Three days after he was placed in the grave he rose bodily and was seen by hundreds of people then ascended into heaven. This is the rest of the story which makes that amazing day in Bethlehem so amazing, even more amazing (if that is possible) than God being born in human flesh.

Jesus Christ came to save sinners. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came as a sinless man to become sin for us. He came to give his life as a ransom for many. He came to conquer the grave and to give us the hope of eternal life. That's the rest of the story! When you see Christmas lights, hear carols, buy gifts, and bring cookies to the office party please don't forget the baby Jesus and when you remember him don't forget the rest of the story, Calvary. If you are a follower of the Savior than don't forget to tell others the rest of the story. Someone you know just might need to hear some good news!

Peace in Christ (both the Christ child and the risen Savior)

David

Seeing With Your Spiritual Eyes . . . Seeing Past The Problem

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 05:52:15 PST

I had a pretty cool grandfather who lived in Raleigh, NC. I only saw him once a year or so and since he passed away when I was young, I have very few memories of him. But, the one thing I can still see like a well preserved movie clip was him leaning over, showing me his thumb and then with a tug, pulling his thumb in half. I could see right through it like it had been sawed neatly in two. Then, just like that, he pushed the two parts back together, put up his hand, and wiggled his now one-piece thumb. He would smile, wink, then walk away as I sat there with my mouth gapping open. Cool trick but it wasn't long before I figured it out and the illusion lost its power.

Read these words from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

This truth is HUGE! What we see is not all there is! Actually, what we don't see is more real and longer lasting. It's like the silly thumb trick. Sure it looks scary and unfixable but it's not. Paul is telling us (those who have trusted Christ) that we are not to lose heart because even though things may seem impossible or hopeless on the outside, we are growing closer and closer to God and to a time when all the troubles will fade away. He tells us to "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen." How in the world do we fix our eyes on something that is unseen?

When I understood that my grandfather's finger wasn't really coming apart, when I just knew in my heart and head the truth, it didn't matter how well he pulled off the trick. I just didn't buy it anymore. I could see right though the illusion even though my eyes still saw the finger separate and come back together. My mind's eye took power over my eyeballs!

When we begin to grab hold of the truth of the Word and the character of God our spiritual eyes begin to see beyond what our eye balls see and what our remaining four senses discern. When we lose our job and our eyes see our financial statements looking dim we trust in the Lord of all provision to carry us, not because our eyes see a solution but because our spirit knows there is one.

Today, our worship leader pulled out this verse in Matthew Chapter 7. In it Jesus told his disciples about the faithfulness of God:

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

I've lived long enough in the grace of God to know that even though I sometimes see a stone or a snake as an answer to my pray, it can't be true because God doesn't lie. That snake is like the thumb trick. If I am a born again child of God it is certainly a fish. My temporary suffering will ALWAYS work for the good for me, for someone else, and for the Glory of God. Always!

Our job is to begin to consciously make the effort to "FIX OUR EYES" on what is unseen so that we can indeed be "renewed day by day" and attain a FOREVER future that is beyond anything we can hope for or imagine.

Ultimately it's a choice. Where we fix our eyes is up to us. Don't be fooled by Satan's lies and tricks. His tricks are no more truth than my grandfather's thumb trick. They certainly seem much bigger and scarier but God is ALWAYS in control of the outcome.

As always, please write us a note or comment if you need prayer or have a question.

Peace!

David

Don't Give Up!

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:16:27 PST

Are you tired? Is your hope dwindling or even gone? Has joy left you or maybe it never seemed to be part of your life? Please know this: Your are not alone!! You are loved beyond measure!! You are valuable in God's sight!!

I know that these words alone may seem powerless to provide the hope and power to change the way you feel and even more powerless to change your circumstances but they are none-the-less TRUTH and Jesus promised that the truth would set your free.

I want to share with you some things today that you may need to read over and over before they sink in and take root but you have to start somewhere. As far as I know no one ever got from here to there without moving ahead so please hold on and take a few steps with me.

1) God made you with purpose

   "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5

   God spoke these words to Jeremiah but understand that you too were created by God and known by him before one cell ever came to be.

2) God loves you

   "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

   You see, God's love came to you before you cleaned up your act. Not only did he love you when you were making mistakes he gave up his son for you. If you have children you can ponder that for a moment to see the magnitude of the gift.

3) You are not alone in the midst of your trials and temptations nor are they without a greater purpose

   "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

   "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:1-4

   You've never learned, grown, or been strengthened without struggle. Courage doesn't come without danger, compassion doesn't come without people in need, and faith doesn't come without a circumstance for which we see no resolution.

4) If you turn to God he will give you hope and that hope will give you strength!

   "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." Psalm 62:5

   "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

   Not only does God provide for you the hope but he also will turn that hope into real power!

5) This life and it's struggles are not the final word for those who trust in Christ.

   "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

I have known hopelessness and despair and have seen the power of Christ to restore hope and life. I know that in the pit of loneliness, addiction, fear, and depression these words may not immediately bring you healing but you will be lifted up if you put your hope in God alone. You may not feel it today or tomorrow but do not give up! Our emotions are fickle. They come and go. Read and pray over these five truths today, maybe ten times today! If you need help please talk to someone. If you have no one to talk to feel free to drop us a note. If your are contemplating ending your life STOP! There are people who are there to help. Click the link below and contact them, your parents, your pastor, or a friend.

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

God loves you and so do we.

Peace,

David and the I-61 Project

Leftovers - Giving God Our Table Scraps

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 16:44:14 PDT

So here is the scene: You're on the brink of winning a huge contract for your company. It's potentially the biggest contract the company has ever seen and you're in the running for the raise of a lifetime. Your boss tells you he'd like you to invite the CEO of the potential customer company to dinner at your home and of course you smile and say, "I'd love to."

You send the invitation and receive an RSVP for both the CEO and his lovely wife. You clean the house, set the table, and then you look into the fridge and grab that stuff in the Tupperware at the back corner of the second shelf, the half eaten tuna sandwich wrapped in cellophane, and the left over burrito you couldn't finish last Friday. Hmmm? Dessert? Ah ha! Apple Jacks! I love Apple Jacks! So you put out a couple cereal bowls and check the date on the milk. Just a 2 weeks past the "best used by" date so you open the top and take a whiff. A little stiff but certainly not enough to make anyone sick. You set the table put out the leftovers and the doorbell rings. It's going to be a good night! NOT!

I know the example is a bit over the top but maybe not so far off when we compare it to our relationship with God. It's interesting how little of our good stuff we really give to God. Many of us spend our money all week long on frivolous things and then put a few bucks in the collection basket on Sunday. We talk to our friends, watch TV, chat on Facebook, then give God a 2 minute prayer at bedtime. We use our talents at work, on the golf course, and in our hobbies but volunteer our time a couple times a year. Now I know that many of you are giving God your best stuff so keep it up but the rest of us need some help.

Giving God your best stuff has an origin from the very beginning of man. In Genesis the story of Cain and Able revealed that God wasn't please with the leftovers. In Malachi God reminds us that everything we have comes from him and when we withhold our best stuff from him we are "robbing" him. There is a concept of "First Fruits" that I'd like to share as well. The first crops that God's people would collect from their fields and give to God were called the first fruits. This was a sign that everything the land produced belong to God (Deuteronomy 26:1-15)

Now this is not a guilt trip but a wake up call. You see God doesn't need our stuff but he does desire us and our hearts. He knows what is best for us and when we short change God with our time and our stuff we are really hurting ourselves. But there is something else that is equally important. When we give God our "first fruits"others benefit. People may benefit from our financial giving, our talents, our love, and maybe just our time. I won't belabor the point but take a few minutes and survey a normal week of your life and see how you're spending your money, your time, and your gifts. How you spend things reveals a lot about your priorities. If you are desiring an evening with the God of all creation you might want to leave the old tuna sandwich in the fridge.

Peace, David

Llama feet - What do your spiritual feet look like?

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:09:13 PDT

OK, you're probably tired of references to my trip to SW Colorado but I was talking with a friend the other day and something hit us that was fairly germane to the Christian walk so I have to share it today. He was telling me about an internet piece he had received about how amazingly well designed the camel was and I told him that the llamas we had for our mountain trip were equally well suited for what they do. So, I want to share with you a little about llamas and then see how you fit into the story.

The Llama is a camelid (same family as the camel) that was raised mainly in the Andes of South America. They, like the camel, can go for days without drinking water and the eat almost anything. They can carry 25-30% of their body weight for miles, up and down steep hills.

But here is the part that got us thinking: They have the weirdest feet! They have two big toes with large thick toenails. Their feet are soft and not hooved and they walk on rocky terrain without a thought. As we walked a narrow and often rocky trail at high elevation, the llamas travelled effortlessly and seemed not to be concerned with the occasional dangerous slope. They would stop and eat the dried grass as if they were walking on flat ground. Their weird feet were made for this and they llamas were comfortable there. But, when we got down near the trailhead, the path leveled out and there was little slope. This part of the trail was in the dark timber and since we had had some recent thunderstorms the path was muddy and a bit slippery. No big deal. But when the llamas feet hit the mud they immediately became uneasy. They slipped and slid and looked like they were afraid of falling over. WHAT? They weren't afraid of falling nine hundred feet on a narrow rocky trail but are afraid of tipping over on level ground. The thing is that their feet were made for one terrain and not the other. Perfect. We brought them because we were going to hike in the mountains and for the most part, not in the mud.

So, what are your feet made for? I mean this more globally actually. What are you made for? We are the body of Christ and we are all made differently, with different gifts. Paul tells us in Ephesians Chapter four that,

"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

Maybe you are an out front person who shares the Gospel with whoever will listen. Maybe you have the gift of compassion and are more comfortable sharing a quiet hug. Maybe you are a hands on person who would rather fix a neighbor's roof than talk about your "feelings". The point is that God made the llama's feet different than he did a cat's, a dog's, or your feet. But each can do something different.

Here is my challenge for you today. Reflect on your feet. No, not your literal feet but your gifts. How has God built you? What is your role in the Body of Christ? What is your role in the family, in your workplace, in your church? Spend some time in prayer and asked God to help you discern your place in his family here during your time on earth. If your work was done, he'd have called you home!!

Peace,

David

Deserts and Storms - God is Still with You

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 08:31:53 PDT

I was watching "Man vs. Wild" the other day and there was Bear Grylls walking through a seemingly endless desert and salt flat. The sun was intense and the heat brutal. Bear was tired, dehydrated, and he resorted to drinking his own urine which he had saved in a snake skin. His eyes were nearly swollen shut as he made his way toward the coast. Then, just like that, it appeared; the ocean. He ran and dove in. It was cold and refreshing and led him to rescue.

I know that this doesn't sound much like the makings of a prim and proper Christian blog but then again Christianity doesn't exist in a world of clean, neat, and perfect. It exists in a fallen and often brutal world where scenes like I just described pale in comparison to some much worse. A week ago I was hunkered down in a tent high in the San Juan Mountains of SW Colorado as a nasty thunderstorm battered the landscape, lightening struck close to our camp, and fifty mile per hour winds nearly flattened our tent. In the morning there was snow on the ground and thick fog limited our vision to about fifty yards. Then just like that the fog lifted, the clouds moved on, and the bright sun shone in the blue sky. The storm was over. It was awesome.

Cancer, bankruptcy, infidelity, depression, fear. . . . I don't know what your desert or storm might be. Maybe you're in a time of bright blue skies and the storms have already blown by. Either way we need to see the sovereignty of God in both times. The Bible is packed with examples of God's presence during the desert times and in the midst of raging storms. Sometimes it was punitive. He, like a good parent, was chastising his children to lead them back home. Sometimes it was to reveal the character of those involved and sometimes his plan was completely hidden from man. But never was God caught off guard or impudent in the situation.

Moses lead the Israelites through the desert for forty years on the way to the Promised Land. Joseph spent time at the bottom of a well, was sold into slavery, and spent time in prison before he became Pharaoh's right hand man. Jonah took a detour into the depths of the ocean and spent a few days in the belly of a great fish before he found his way to the safety of the beach. The Apostles trembled in fear as the waves battered their boat before the Lord Jesus commanded the wind and the waves to cease their fury.

I know that my storms don't come close to storms that others have weathered and your storms my be bigger or smaller than mine. I think that it doesn't really matter how our storms compare to other's because it never really seems to bring us comfort to know others have had more intense storms. Like if you just went through a divorce and someone says, "Well, you should be thankful because there are children in Africa who haven't eaten in weeks." There is little comfort in that.

So here are the two points I want you to take with you today:

1) God is in control as much during your desert times and storms as he is in your Promised Land. His desire is always to draw you nearer to him because there is no better place to be. I know it can be intensely difficult to cling to faith but call on him and he will be faithful. Don't be afraid to reach out to brothers and sisters in Christ as well. I don't know what I would do without those of you who have lent me a shoulder or and ear (you know who you are). If you are in Christ, God promises that one day there will be a reward that "no eye has seen and no ear has heard" In other words, nothing we have experienced here on earth can compare to what the Lord has prepared for those that love him.

2) If you are in the position to comfort someone in a storm, remember the words of Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Love you all,

David

A Withered Vine and a Dying Cowboy

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 06:12:32 PDT

Do you remember the old western movies where a cowboy who was wounded by an Indian arrow is found by a group of settlers? The cowboy is at the edge of death and later we see him bandaged and lying in a bed with a woman sitting next to him holding a spoon full of mush. She touches it to his lips and urges him, "You MUST eat to regain your strength." A while later we see the cowboy healed and heading off into the sunset. Hold that thought.

A thunderstorm hits and the winds howl. A few days later you walk out into your garden to see your prized climbing rose with a number of broken and bent stems and branches. There are branches on the ground that are dead, dried, and shriveled. There are others that are bent and look withered but are still alive.

The dictionary defines "wither" as:

- to shrivel or dry up as part of the process of dying, or making something, especially a plant or part of a plant

- fade away; to fade or lose freshness or vitality

Jesus gave us a number of images that help us to see how much we need to be in communion with him. He called himself the bread of life and living water and reminded his followers that if they remained in him they would never die. He gave them a parable about the vine and the branches and warned that those branches that didn't remain attached to the vine and thus failed to produce fruit would be thrown into the fire.

I don't know about you but when I go off on my own for a while and fail to remain in the Word, fall away from my prayer time with God, and fail to stay in CLOSE fellowship with like-minded, bible believing brothers and sisters in Christ, I begin to wither. I lose a little of my spiritual strength. I struggle with sin. I fail to produce good fruit. It can feel a little like being a cowboy crawling through the desert with an arrow in your backside.

If you feel a little weak in your spiritual life or if you are sensing a little more distance between you and the Father then I urge you to eat of the bread of life and to examine your spot of attachment to the vine. I know it's easier to say than to do but start by asking the Father for help. Tell him you don't want to be apart from him. He will draw you near. Feed on the Word. Pray, Pray, Pray. Don't forsake gathering for worship and don't be afraid to tell a brother or sister how you feel. Their prayers and encouragement are so valuable.

Take it from someone who goes through seasons of spiritual drought. There are times of refreshing that will follow if you stay the course. God has used those times to humble me but also to grow me. He has reminded me of my utter dependence on Christ. Feel free to contact us if you need some prayer or encouragement.

Peace,

David

Justice, Mercy, and Humility

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 07:50:48 PDT

Last Thursday I went to my son’s elementary school dedication. It’s a brand new school and on the outside wall of the building is a verse of scripture that seems like a motto for life. It comes from the book of Micah Chapter 6:

And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Seems simple enough but I think, as I really reflect on the verse, it is not quite that easy. Let’s look at the three requirements with a little more light.

1) To act justly

The definition of “just” is:

Based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair

The definition of “Justice” is:

Just behavior or treatment, the quality of being fair and reasonable, the administration of the law

“Behaving” – that’s hard enough right from the start! Behaving morally right and fair presumes that there is a standard to which we are to adhere. Who defines morals? Man? Society? If that is the case, the standards are always moving and quite frankly the standards keep falling to a lower level. The Bible is clear that God alone is the moral lawgiver and the only standard by which are to measure ourselves. To act justly requires us to know the standard and to see that, if we are totally honest, we fall woefully short much of the time. That leads to repentance but also leads us to be able to better fulfill the next requirement of the verse we are examining:

2) To love mercy

The definition of mercy is:

Compassion or forgiveness show toward someone who it is within one’s power to punish or harm

An event to be grateful for

Performed out of a desire to relieve suffering; motivated by compassion

God is asking us not just to display mercy but also to “love” it! We aren’t to say, “Oh, alright, I forgive you, if I must.” We are to be like, “Of course I forgive you. Who am I to withhold forgiveness from you when I have been forgiven SO much?” We are to be grateful and to lend compassion to those who are suffering. Sounds easy but I think we need to examine our hearts and see if we are withholding mercy from anyone or if we are seeking our own desires at the expense of another. Our spouse? A friend? A co-worker? An enemy? Jesus said it’s easy to love those who love us but we are to love our enemies. UGH! OK, Micah didn’t say the Lord suggests. He said the Lord requires.

3) To walk humbly with your God

This implies that we are walking with God in the first place. To walk with him requires us to be made right before him and the only way to be made right before him is to have been born again through faith in the One who gave his life for us. The ultimate act of justice was God pouring his wrath out on Jesus for the sins of those who deserved death for their sin. Justice demanded punishment (death) and in order for God to maintain his justice someone had to pay the penalty. We deserved it but he took it. So, it was also the ultimate act of mercy. What an awesome example of fulfilling the Micah verse. So we begin our walk with God by trusting in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus but there is an adjective in this verse - “Humbly” How hard it is to be humble? How easy to say, “Look at what a good person I am.” Or “See how much better I am than the guy next door.” Paul said, “what a wretch I am.” And, called himself “the worst of all sinners”. Jesus, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, washed the feet of his disciples.

As we live our lives let’s try really hard to keep this verse close to our hearts and seek to do what the Lord requires. We can’t do this on our own but “with God, all things are possible.”

Peace Friend,

David

A Sabbatical

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 09:59:06 PDT

I sat down today to write something and after about half an hour I highlighted the whole thing and hit the delete button. So there I sat staring at a blank screen asking God for a word and what came to me wasn't a word for you but for me. Ivor (my ministry partner) called and we worked though that and now I feel OK about the fact that I am not going to write anything else today but instead pursue my relationship with the God who mad me, loved me, saved me, and is growing me. I have written faithfully for over eighty weeks and last week was the first time I didn't post to this Blog. Today I hope that you to will ask God what he wants for YOU and wants from YOU. Ultimately our salvation and our growth in Christ comes not from what we read or hear but from our own desire for and pursuit of God. God willing, I'll catch you back here next week. This may not sound very manly but I love you all (even if I've never met you).

Peace,

David

Preparation - It's often painful but well worth it!

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 08:56:16 PDT

Do you remember the spoiled girl in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory who wanted the goose that laid the golden eggs? Veruca Salt was her name and I can still hear her yelling, "I want it NOW!" Then there is this obnoxious commercial for a company that pays people a lump sum (much smaller of course than what they are entitled) for a settlement they would have received over time. Person after person yells, "It's my money and I want it NOW!" Cell phones, text messaging, satellite radio, Ipods, and WIFI have bred a generation of Americans who have the desire for immediate gratification. We want it now. The problem is that we don't necessarily want to do the hard work necessary to achieve much of what God really wants for our lives.

I was at breakfast this morning with my ministry partner (doing church) when a really powerful analogy come to us. As many of you know, I am heading to SW Colorado to hunt Elk in September. I am 46, live near sea level, and up until November of 2009 was a wee bit overweight. I hadn't shot my bow in a few years and couldn't keep a group of three arrows within 2 feet of each other at 40 yards to save my life. I got winded when I gave my 50lb eight year old son a piggy back ride up the steps to his room and I wasn't at all prepared to carry a 50 lb. backpack up hill and hunt Elk with a bow at an elevation of 11,000 feet. Sure it would be really great if I could fly out there, strap on the backpack, run up the mountain, chase a big bull elk, shoot with the accuracy of Robin Hood, an all the while feel like I was lying at the poolside in a fine resort. But guess what? This boy was unprepared. So what to do?

I needed to loose about 20 lbs., get in shape cardiovascularly, tune my bow, practice my shooting from different distances and different angles. I needed some new equipment. I filled my pack with 55 lbs. of weights, strapped it on, and walked for miles and trotted up and down the nearby ski hill. It was miserable. I was hot, tired, sore, and stiff. I had to spend time on the treadmill, in the gym, and in the backyard with the bow. I had to break in a new pair of boots walking for miles on humid 90+ degree days while my family swam at the neighbor's pool. You can't just go from ground level to the top of the mountain without preparation. I think you get the idea.

In the same way, I think, we as Christians want to have all the benefits, be fed spiritually, be lifted up emotionally, and find forgiveness but aren't willing to do the hard work, endure the suffering, or sacrifice the time we set aside for fun and pleasure in order to be all and do all the Lord has called us to do. I know this for a fact because I do the same! I want to be spiritually mature, strong in my faith, morally solid, and bold in my proclamation of Christ but I am not always ready to do what it it takes for that to happen. Prayer, time in the Word, gathering with brothers and sisters to worship, enduring ridicule or loss of "friends" because of a boldness to speak the Name of Jesus. Many of us are willing to invest an hour or to a week and maybe a few minutes each day to talk to God but there is no way we will see the summit of what God wants for our lives if we live this kind of Christian life.

We often think that immediately after Paul encountered the risen Christ he was all ready to do the work God set him apart to do. We often see his powerful ministry in a condensed, Reader's Digest way. Sure he was excited and filled with the Spirit and proclaimed Christ from the outset but his ministry did not happen overnight and without pain. Galatians chapters 1 and 2 tell us that he went to Arabia for three years before he met Peter and James then another fourteen years passed before he returned to Jerusalem. Paul was stoned, beaten, flogged, and endured much suffering as I have pointed out in other posts but he also just plain spent time with the Father. He knew the Word. My son reminded me this week of a verse that is SO important and reminds us of our need for preparation, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11) How do I keep myself from sinning? Hiding God's word in my heart. How do I do that without being in God's Word.

The last component of this isn't what we do but what God has to do in us. Sometimes it's just time, plain and simple. We just aren't ready yet. We can't run until we walk. We can't chew meat until we have teeth. We can't write a novel if we haven't learned to read. God sometimes just has to bring us through some stuff, strengthen us, build our faith through suffering, teach us some things about him and about ourselves, and prune of some dead useless things from us before we can climb higher up the mountain.

Peace in Christ,

David

Is Anybody Out There?

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:26:24 PDT

In 1970 Pink Floyd released a song with only four words. They repeated the four words four times. It's hard to believe you can write a song that has only four words but I think these words, in the form of a question, resonate with me and the only thing that might make the song more complete is an answer to the question:

Is anybody out there?

Is anybody out there?

Is anybody out there?

Is anybody out there?

I originally had a different path for this blog in relation to these four words, which I'll share at the end, but I think God is leading be down a different road.

You may remember that a week ago I had a faith testing experience with a Monarch butterfly but that experience (which you can read at your leisure) revealed something else to me. I have a number of people close to me, people I care about, who deny the existence of a creator God. They have answered the question "Is anybody out there?" with a resounding "No!" No God is out there. I have written a couple blogs posts pondering the evolution-creation debate but as I thought about the butterfly I remembered its AMAZING life cycle.

Please read this carefully and let it sink in.

In March and April Monarchs lay an egg the size of a pinhead. The egg sits on the leaf of a milkweed plant and four days later it hatches into a tiny caterpillar which eats and grows for two weeks. It attaches itself to the leaf with silk and it's skin peels off as it is transformed into a chrysalis (like the cocoon of a moth). Over the course of 10 days a mysterious process we call metamorphosis (change of form) takes place and out comes a beautiful and graceful adult monarch butterfly. That in itself is amazing but read on!

This butterfly will lay similar eggs just before it dies only 2-6 weeks after being born. The first butterfly is generation number one and the eggs just laid will be generation two. The second generation of monarch butterflies is born in May and June, and then the third generation will be born in July and August. These monarch butterflies will go through exactly the same four stage life cycle as the first and second generations did, dying two to six weeks after it becomes a beautiful monarch butterfly, laying eggs for the fourth generation butterflies. Still with me?

Here is where it gets really crazy. This fourth generation Monarch, born around September doesn't die in a few weeks but instead takes flight, heading to the warm weather of the south. It flies 2500 miles to Mexico or California and will live 6-8 months before migrating 2500 miles back up north where it will lay eggs in March and April for the first generation of new Monarchs.

"Is anybody out there?" Hmmm? I think that as I have shed my Godless view of evolution from the primordial soup of the cooling earth, the Monarch stands as a monument to the creativity of God. If you doubt that God exists or that there is a designer of life please think hard about the Monarch and how it could have come to pass by slow steady changes over time. I think you will have to cling to your atheism only with the strength of your pride. I had the gift of having my pride stripped from me so that my eyes could see clearly the hand of God. It is easier to lay it down rather than having it stripped but whatever works!

Lastly, I was going to use the words, "Is anybody out there?" as a reaction to the lack of response to my last post asking for questions or comments but God let me know today that it is His business who reads this blog, not mine. Whether 0 or 1,000,000 it matters not.... I just need to keep writing. God will take it from there. My pride got in the way. So that's why this is out on Monday and not Saturday. I was pouting....... :)

John 1:2-4

He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

Here is a link to a time lapse video of a Monarch life cycle.. facts above where from monarch-butterfly.com

Monarch Butterfly

Peace in Christ,

David

I'm looking for your questions and comments.

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 06:19:21 PDT

I wanted this week to just share a little information about the I-61 Project Blog and then give you the opportunity to participate both for your benefit and mine. The blog has gone out into Internet world for eighty-three weeks and has reached forty-seven countries and forty-nine states. My hope is that in this someone has drawn closer to God through faith in Jesus Christ and that questions have been answered, hope renewed, doubts relieved, and comfort zones stretched.

The Blog is an off-shoot of our main ministry website THE I-61 PROJECT which contains audio podcasts, videos, and soon christian music videos. The content on the main site will increase as our resources increase but, in the meantime the blog will go out as long as God allows.

I want to give you the opportunity to participate in the content of the blog. I would like you to share any questions you have about life, faith, God, the Bible, or any other questions or thoughts that might be unsettled in your heart. I certainly don't have all the answers but God does. Sometimes he give us the answers but other times we have to settle for the fact that we will never be God so we will never have all the answers. But God in his grace does share much with us through his Word and through revelation by the power of the Holy Spirit.

If you receive this blog through an email subscription there should be a link at the bottom that says, "Email the Author" and if you are reaching us directly via the website then you will see, to the right of this week's post title, a small box with a number circled in red. That is the comment box. Click on the number and it will open up a comment box for you to drop us a note. If you don't have one of the profiles listed you can use "anonymous". If you haven't subscribed to email delivery and you want to get the blog sent directly to your email click the "email subscription" highlighted above and click on the "Get the I-61 Project Blog Delivered by Email" link on the right side of the page.

Please feel free to share or ask anything. No topic is off limits. I may not be able to post all of them but I will answer all of them. If you want to be sure you receive an answer make sure I have your email address. I will not ever publish or share the address but will only use it to respond to your question or comment.

One last thing: If you haven't used the "Search Previous Post" tool on the right side of the page you might want to give it a try. Type in any word or phrase such as "I need more faith" and the search engine will look through all eighty-three posts and list ones that contain that content. It is a good way to see if your question has already been addressed.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Peace in Christ,

David

Yo-Yo's and Roller Coasters - Enduring the Ups and Downs of Life

natwondersphoto@aol.com (natwondersphoto@aol.com) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:47:23 PDT

Yo-Yo's and roller coasters . . . seems like our lives are a lot like them. They go up then down, then up then down again. I was driving in my car today contemplating life. Seems I do that quite a bit these days, most of the time it's not very dramatic or too deep but today was different. My faith is being tried and I guess that's a given, but this week it ramped up a bit.

You probably know by now that I am a Christian and I believe in an all-powerful, sovereign, just, and loving God. I believe God has purpose in all things and is NEVER caught off guard or surprised by events, good or bad. So here I was driving down the road in my SUV when out of the corner of my eye I catch a glimpse of a beautiful Monarch butterfly. No sooner did my mind begin to form the words "Isn't God good!" when, SPLAT! It hit my windshield at 60 miles per hour. In an instant this flying piece of art was turned into a green speck of goo on a piece of glass. OK, so not the usual content of a Christian Blog but there is a connection. I protested out loud to God, "Lord, what was that about?! Why did you go through all the trouble of making this thing if you were just going to let it die like that?" I didn't hear God verbally but I felt pretty convicted that God is God and I am not. The words God spoke to Job in Chapter 38 popped into my head, "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?" Then God went on to remind Job how much he didn't know. He reminded me of the same. So on I went having to trust that God knows and has purpose in all things. He could have stopped the butterfly from hitting the windshield but didn't. Why? Only he knows and I have to trust that.

Don't worry, I'll get around to the Yo-Yo and roller coaster thing soon but a couple more things need to be shared first. A couple weeks ago I was playing the guitar in a worship service that included the baptism of a little baby (a topic for another post). The baby was there with his mother, father, and two toddler siblings. There were four full rows of happy family members and friends. This morning I learned that on Thursday the baby's father was killed when his vehicle hit a tree. I looked up to heaven and didn't have the strength to form the word, "Why?" but as I played and sang songs to God today I couldn't stop thinking about the butterfly. God could have reached his hand down and stopped the man's car but he didn't. Why? Only God knows. Seeing a monarch butterfly in flight - UP. Seeing it hit the windshield - DOWN. Seeing the smile of a father as his child is baptized - UP. Hearing of his sudden death - DOWN. Yo-Yo's and roller coasters.

My daughter came to visit this week and when she was sitting across the table from me at dinner and I could look into her eyes I was on top of the world. UP. When I put her on a plane for Philly, my heart sank. DOWN.

Healthy one day, cancer the next. Successful businessman one day, unemployed the next. Strong in your faith one day, doubting the next. Holy and righteous one day, sinful the next. Yo-Yo's and roller coasters.

So what to do? Paul tells us that he had to endure the highs and the lows and here is what he said in Philippians 4:11-13

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

It's all about Jesus. It's about HIM who gives us strength. In this world everything is temporary and fading. I wrote before about our things being rusty and moth-eaten. Even our lives are described in the bible as a breath, a vapor, and like a cut flower. Jesus warned a man who was storing up riches that "This very night your life will be demanded of you." Jesus was clear that our focus was to be on God through the life Jesus gives us in his sacrifice at Calvary. Our strength comes through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who lifts us to great heights and carries us in the extreme lows. We can do all things through him. Remember that when the Apostles were seeing Jesus perform miracles they were UP and when they saw him die on the cross they were DOWN. But, God didn't leave them there did he? No, he gave them and he gave us probably the most powerful visual to restore our strength: the resurrection. He gave them hope. He gives us hope. One day my friend there will be no more DOWNS, EVER! Only UP, UP, UP. It's a promise for those who have been saved by faith in Jesus. Like Bart from MercyMe sings, "Hold Fast!"

Peace,

David