As a follower of Jesus I need to take care of the earth. God commands us as humans to take care of the earth as caretakers of His creation. Today is earth day. I will not celebrate earth day. I chose to celebrate Creator Day.
I don't want ot be guilty of as Paul says in Romans 1:25 exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiping and serving created things rather than the Creator.
I will worship today not the earth but the Maker of Heaven and Earth - JESUS!
I will as a follower of Jesus take care of His creation. I will begin by taking care of the most important part of creation - People. I will also take care of the rest of creation because it glories the Creator.
I wish you a Happy Creator Day.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
Monday, April 22, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Washing Feet
I was reading John 13 about Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. I was feeling pretty good about what I was leading our faith family do it. We were reaching out to the homeless, the hungry, and hurting. We were sharing Jesus' story (the gospel) with people in very creative ways. But God gave me a wake up call in what really washing people feet meant.
You see when Jesus washed the disciples feet they were dirty, I mean really dirty. They were feet of men who walked dusty and dirty roads wearing at the most sandals. Their dirty feet had dirt and other interesting things on them. The act of washing other people's feet was a very unpleasant thing to do. So as I patted myself on the back for all my faith family was doing God showed me what really washing feet was all about.
Sunday, April 7 we had a lady in our worship, Sylvia, who is homeless. She lives on the street and sleeps behind where my wife works. I spoted her at the beggining of our worship time and instead of rejoicing that God had brought her there I just prayed that God would help just behave. When I offered the invitation at the end of the service who came forward - Sylvia. She came up to me and I thought I'll deal with her quickly and she can go back and sit down. I ask her what she wanted and she said with tears in her eyes she wanted me to pray for her. I ask what she wanted me to pray for and she pointed to her head and then her heart and said they don't work right. As I began to pray she grabbed my arm and held on tight. When I had finsihed she looked at me and said thank you and gave me a hug and held on. I found myself hugging her back. As I hugged this homeless, smelly, dirty, street person God very directly said that now had a small interesting of what it meant to wash someone's feet.
Following Jesus means washing people's feet and feet are dirty.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
You see when Jesus washed the disciples feet they were dirty, I mean really dirty. They were feet of men who walked dusty and dirty roads wearing at the most sandals. Their dirty feet had dirt and other interesting things on them. The act of washing other people's feet was a very unpleasant thing to do. So as I patted myself on the back for all my faith family was doing God showed me what really washing feet was all about.
Sunday, April 7 we had a lady in our worship, Sylvia, who is homeless. She lives on the street and sleeps behind where my wife works. I spoted her at the beggining of our worship time and instead of rejoicing that God had brought her there I just prayed that God would help just behave. When I offered the invitation at the end of the service who came forward - Sylvia. She came up to me and I thought I'll deal with her quickly and she can go back and sit down. I ask her what she wanted and she said with tears in her eyes she wanted me to pray for her. I ask what she wanted me to pray for and she pointed to her head and then her heart and said they don't work right. As I began to pray she grabbed my arm and held on tight. When I had finsihed she looked at me and said thank you and gave me a hug and held on. I found myself hugging her back. As I hugged this homeless, smelly, dirty, street person God very directly said that now had a small interesting of what it meant to wash someone's feet.
Following Jesus means washing people's feet and feet are dirty.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
Monday, February 4, 2013
People of a Second Chance
I wear a shirt that says People of a Second Chance. I love the reaction I get when I wear it. I have many people ask me what it means. I tell them that I believe in grace. I believe that becasue Jesus has shown me grace by not only not giving me what I deserve, but giving me much, much more then I dserve or could ever deserve. He died for my sin, He loves me, He accepts me, and He gives me awesome grace gifts.
The problem is I don't always show grace to others. I many times judge others and that is the very opposite of grace. God is teaching me that I don't have to judge others. I don't have to label others. I don't have to be fearful of others. I don't have mold others into who I want them or think they should be.
God is showing me that I can love others even if I don't approve of their actions. I can accept others even if they don't like me or accept me. I am not bound by others actions or reactions, I can be transformed by God's grace so that I treat others and react to others as Jesus does. I can be controlled by His Spirit and not my own natural spirit.
The key for that happening in my life is to allow God to constantly remind me that I am a work in progress. You see, some sins are more visible than others, but we all do it. We all sin. In Romans 3:23 Paul says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We all "miss the mark". That is what the word sin means. And we all truly miss the mark. I have no right to judge anyone, because I am just like them!
God has called me to keep an open heart and an open mind. And to extend grace to others just as Jesus extends grace to me.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls
Joe
The problem is I don't always show grace to others. I many times judge others and that is the very opposite of grace. God is teaching me that I don't have to judge others. I don't have to label others. I don't have to be fearful of others. I don't have mold others into who I want them or think they should be.
God is showing me that I can love others even if I don't approve of their actions. I can accept others even if they don't like me or accept me. I am not bound by others actions or reactions, I can be transformed by God's grace so that I treat others and react to others as Jesus does. I can be controlled by His Spirit and not my own natural spirit.
The key for that happening in my life is to allow God to constantly remind me that I am a work in progress. You see, some sins are more visible than others, but we all do it. We all sin. In Romans 3:23 Paul says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We all "miss the mark". That is what the word sin means. And we all truly miss the mark. I have no right to judge anyone, because I am just like them!
God has called me to keep an open heart and an open mind. And to extend grace to others just as Jesus extends grace to me.
Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls
Joe
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Following Jesus
What does it mean follow Jesus? Well, I think that Jesus that tells us in Luke 18:31-34. It says, "Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, 'We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. On the third day he will raise again.'" The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
Following Jesus is not about getting all the stuff we want. It is not just "naming and claiming it."
Following Jesus is not about following religious rituals and traditions.
Following Jesus is not about a list of rules.
Following Jesus is about following a person - Jesus.
Following Jesus is about relaating to a perosn - Jesus.
Following Jesus is about going where Jesus goes.
Following Jesus is about doing what Jesus does.
In the Luke 18 passage Jesus tells that following Him could mean being:
- Mocked
- Insulted
- Spit On
- Flogged
- Killed
Following Jesus is risky.
Following Jesus is getting out of your comfort zone.
Following Jesus is exciting.
Following Jesus is scary.
Following Jesus is surrendering to the will of God.
Following Jesus is not religion it is relationship.
Following Jesus is not about getting all the stuff we want. It is not just "naming and claiming it."
Following Jesus is not about following religious rituals and traditions.
Following Jesus is not about a list of rules.
Following Jesus is about following a person - Jesus.
Following Jesus is about relaating to a perosn - Jesus.
Following Jesus is about going where Jesus goes.
Following Jesus is about doing what Jesus does.
In the Luke 18 passage Jesus tells that following Him could mean being:
- Mocked
- Insulted
- Spit On
- Flogged
- Killed
Following Jesus is risky.
Following Jesus is getting out of your comfort zone.
Following Jesus is exciting.
Following Jesus is scary.
Following Jesus is surrendering to the will of God.
Following Jesus is not religion it is relationship.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Reaction to the Election
My response to the election is I am glad it's over. I was very tired of hearing candidates attack each other and condemn one another. I was also tired of hearing the same old tired and ineffective ideas. I saw nothing from either party that was really going to solve our nation's problems. Poltical parties and government can not solve our nation's problems because all the solutions they give us are man-based and man-powered. What we need to solve our nation's problems has to be supernatural. The only supernatural thing we have is Jesus.
Now some, even many, who read this will see me as another religious nut case. I very well may be crazy, but I am not a nut. I am not a regilious fantanic. I am a disciple and follower of Jesus. I respect the office of President of the United States. I respect, but don't agree with our current president. However, he is not my authority in life. You see, Jesus is my King. He is my supreme authority.
Looking at the present situation and looking at who is best to deal with it, it seems very clear that Jesus has the power and authority to deal with every issue we as a nation and we as a planet are facing.
We have the problem of people being hungry. In Matthew 14 Jesus feeds 5,000 men plus their families. In Matthew 15 Jesus feeds 4,000 men plus their familes. He does this with a very small amont of food. Jesus feeds over 9,000 people with a couple of lunches.
We have the problem of sick and hurting people. Jesus healed people who were lame, paralyzed, blind, mute, deaf, blood disorders, and leprosy. God's Word gives us directions on how to care for our bodies and how to eat to stay healthy.
We have the problem of greed. Jesus gives us principles to live by that direct us to give. The early church pooled their rosources and helped people who needed help. The truth that Jesus taught when live by will result in needy people getting their needs met.
We have many social problems today. Jesus dealt with issuses such as murder, stealing, adultery, divorce, justice, and relating to wicked people. Again when this teachings are followed they will bring reason and rightness to these issues.
Finally, we have the concern about death. Jesus raised three people (Jairus' daugther, widow of Nain's son, Lazarus) from the dead. He also raised Himself from the dead. Jesus' love, grace, and power are unmatched.
No political party, no government, and no other being can do for us as individuals, as a nation, or as a world what Jesus has done and can do. He even did the ultimate - He died for each one of us. His death paid for our sin. No president, senator, congressman, governor or mayor has ever done that.
So when it comes to who I will follow, who I will serve, and who I will worship; it will be Jesus and Jesus only!
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
Now some, even many, who read this will see me as another religious nut case. I very well may be crazy, but I am not a nut. I am not a regilious fantanic. I am a disciple and follower of Jesus. I respect the office of President of the United States. I respect, but don't agree with our current president. However, he is not my authority in life. You see, Jesus is my King. He is my supreme authority.
Looking at the present situation and looking at who is best to deal with it, it seems very clear that Jesus has the power and authority to deal with every issue we as a nation and we as a planet are facing.
We have the problem of people being hungry. In Matthew 14 Jesus feeds 5,000 men plus their families. In Matthew 15 Jesus feeds 4,000 men plus their familes. He does this with a very small amont of food. Jesus feeds over 9,000 people with a couple of lunches.
We have the problem of sick and hurting people. Jesus healed people who were lame, paralyzed, blind, mute, deaf, blood disorders, and leprosy. God's Word gives us directions on how to care for our bodies and how to eat to stay healthy.
We have the problem of greed. Jesus gives us principles to live by that direct us to give. The early church pooled their rosources and helped people who needed help. The truth that Jesus taught when live by will result in needy people getting their needs met.
We have many social problems today. Jesus dealt with issuses such as murder, stealing, adultery, divorce, justice, and relating to wicked people. Again when this teachings are followed they will bring reason and rightness to these issues.
Finally, we have the concern about death. Jesus raised three people (Jairus' daugther, widow of Nain's son, Lazarus) from the dead. He also raised Himself from the dead. Jesus' love, grace, and power are unmatched.
No political party, no government, and no other being can do for us as individuals, as a nation, or as a world what Jesus has done and can do. He even did the ultimate - He died for each one of us. His death paid for our sin. No president, senator, congressman, governor or mayor has ever done that.
So when it comes to who I will follow, who I will serve, and who I will worship; it will be Jesus and Jesus only!
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Waiting on God
I don't like to wait. I'm not sure very many people like to wait. Yet David in Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." In Proverbs 20:22 Solomon says, "Do not say, 'I'll pay you back for this wrong!' Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you." And then in Isaiah 30:18 Isaiah says, "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he raises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait on him!"
I believe the message is pretty clear - Wait On The Lord!
So what does it mean to wait on God. It doesn't mean to just stop doing anything. Waiting is not passive it is active. Waiting is continuing to do the last thing God told you to do and waiting for more directions. Waiting is not inactivity.
I had a great experience on waiting on God. We have been praying about bringing in an team to do outreach in our community. We wanted to get them into our schools. I had planned to go and ask the schools about the possiblity of this. I have been praying about this for over nine months. Then one day recently I got a phone call from the schools asking me if we could help arrannge this team to come into the schools. I had for nine months been praying and talking to people about it. It was one of this people that I shared the vision with that brought it to the school authorities.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls is waiting on God. It is letting God lead and following His direction. I is not getting a head of God or lag behind Him but step by step staying with Him.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
I believe the message is pretty clear - Wait On The Lord!
So what does it mean to wait on God. It doesn't mean to just stop doing anything. Waiting is not passive it is active. Waiting is continuing to do the last thing God told you to do and waiting for more directions. Waiting is not inactivity.
I had a great experience on waiting on God. We have been praying about bringing in an team to do outreach in our community. We wanted to get them into our schools. I had planned to go and ask the schools about the possiblity of this. I have been praying about this for over nine months. Then one day recently I got a phone call from the schools asking me if we could help arrannge this team to come into the schools. I had for nine months been praying and talking to people about it. It was one of this people that I shared the vision with that brought it to the school authorities.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls is waiting on God. It is letting God lead and following His direction. I is not getting a head of God or lag behind Him but step by step staying with Him.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls
Joe
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The Problem of Hypocrisy
It seems the church has a PR problem. When people are asked their perception of the church one of the most frequently mentioned traits is hypocrisy.
There seems to be three reasons for this response.
One, people want an excuse to not be involved in the church.
Two, people misunderstand the church and what the church teaches.
Three, the church is hypocritical.
It is on the third one I want to focus because there in nothing the church can do about the first one. And if we deal with this third one it will help solve the second one.
So is the church hypocritical? The answer to that question is - Yes!
The church is the people. The question then really is are Christians hypocritical? The answer is of course we are. All people are hypocritical at times. Hypocrisy is simply saying one thing and doing another and we all at times do that. Hypocrisy is also not living out what you say you believe which is more serous, but again something we are all guility of at times. Is it more crictical for Christians to not be hypocritical and live out what we say we believe? Yes, it is. It also critical that we live out what God teaches us in His Word.
You may be asking why? Why is it more critical for Christians to live out their beliefs? It is simple. What we believe as Christians and how we live it out affects a person now and for eternity. If I say I am a Republican but vote for a Democrat it might affection an election but little else. If I say I believe that will go to watch someone play a baseball game and don't I might hurt their feelings but little else. If I say I believe in God but live like I don't than I could affect many people' s perception of God and thus their eternal existence.
It is very important for Christians to live out what they say they believe. How do we do that? I believe that there are three anidotes to hypocrisy.
One anidote is integerity. We live with integerity by living out what the Bible teaches and thus what we say we believe. You can't be a Christian without believe that the Bible is God's Word and the authority in telling us how to live. If we as Christians would live out the truth of God's Word and thus reflect the truth of God to the world we would not be guility of hypocrisy.
The second anidote is purity. Purity means the desire to live holy and with integrity. We will never live with integrity unless we desire to. Purity allows us not only to live out the truth of God's Word but to also have a godly motivation in doing it. Purity allows us to really see not only that we care about them but that God loves them.
The third atidote is transparency. Transparency means that when I blow it and am guility of hypocrisy (and I will be) I will admit it. When a person sins the first thing God tells us to do is confess it and repent of it. Transparency means that I don't have to try and pretend that I have it all together. I can admit my struggles, my failures, even my sins. Transparency means I am Real not fake. People aren't looking for perfect. They are looking for real.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls helps deal with the problem of hypocrisy because integrity, purity and transparency are components of Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls.
Without Hypocrisy Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls.
Joe
There seems to be three reasons for this response.
One, people want an excuse to not be involved in the church.
Two, people misunderstand the church and what the church teaches.
Three, the church is hypocritical.
It is on the third one I want to focus because there in nothing the church can do about the first one. And if we deal with this third one it will help solve the second one.
So is the church hypocritical? The answer to that question is - Yes!
The church is the people. The question then really is are Christians hypocritical? The answer is of course we are. All people are hypocritical at times. Hypocrisy is simply saying one thing and doing another and we all at times do that. Hypocrisy is also not living out what you say you believe which is more serous, but again something we are all guility of at times. Is it more crictical for Christians to not be hypocritical and live out what we say we believe? Yes, it is. It also critical that we live out what God teaches us in His Word.
You may be asking why? Why is it more critical for Christians to live out their beliefs? It is simple. What we believe as Christians and how we live it out affects a person now and for eternity. If I say I am a Republican but vote for a Democrat it might affection an election but little else. If I say I believe that will go to watch someone play a baseball game and don't I might hurt their feelings but little else. If I say I believe in God but live like I don't than I could affect many people' s perception of God and thus their eternal existence.
It is very important for Christians to live out what they say they believe. How do we do that? I believe that there are three anidotes to hypocrisy.
One anidote is integerity. We live with integerity by living out what the Bible teaches and thus what we say we believe. You can't be a Christian without believe that the Bible is God's Word and the authority in telling us how to live. If we as Christians would live out the truth of God's Word and thus reflect the truth of God to the world we would not be guility of hypocrisy.
The second anidote is purity. Purity means the desire to live holy and with integrity. We will never live with integrity unless we desire to. Purity allows us not only to live out the truth of God's Word but to also have a godly motivation in doing it. Purity allows us to really see not only that we care about them but that God loves them.
The third atidote is transparency. Transparency means that when I blow it and am guility of hypocrisy (and I will be) I will admit it. When a person sins the first thing God tells us to do is confess it and repent of it. Transparency means that I don't have to try and pretend that I have it all together. I can admit my struggles, my failures, even my sins. Transparency means I am Real not fake. People aren't looking for perfect. They are looking for real.
Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls helps deal with the problem of hypocrisy because integrity, purity and transparency are components of Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls.
Without Hypocrisy Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls.
Joe
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