Overwhelmed . . .

I was watching the news from Japan last night where these workers were standing in front of mountains of rubbish. This "rubbish", of course, was people's homes, cars, lives, and belongings that were all standing and in order just a couple of weeks ago. They were devastated by an earthquake and then a tsunami that literally washed their lives away and turned their whole world upside down.

In the news story there was a group of workers in high visibility vests and safety hats standing in front of one of these piles of debris, and a couple of the workers had their hands on their hips. And it looked to me as if they were saying to each other, where do we start?

What a wonderful thing to witness the compassion and help that comes to us sometimes when tragedy strikes. Every now and then we see humanity at it's best when governments, friends, family, and neighbours rally to help us rebuild after our lives are messed up tragically.

These workers in Japan no doubt had a plan in mind to tackle the task ahead, but I couldn't help but think about how overwhelming it must be to look at hundreds of these piles of debris, and miles and miles of devastation. And then factor in the thousands of dead whose bodies are in amongst the debris and you have an overwhelming task in front of you.

Many of us have experienced this kind of helplessness at a personal level. We stand numb, devastated, unable to even begin to start to put the pieces back together. Our lives don't resemble what they did just a short time ago, and we think, where do I even start?

If this is you, the Scriptures record a prayer that seems to be very fitting. It's found in Psalm 61, and starts like this: O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies can't reach me (NLT).

We can't be certain what was going on in this man's life when he wrote the prayer, but it was probably one of these two events: The first was when he was serving in the palace as a musician for the king. The king was jealous of him and began to look for ways to have him killed. He was forced to not only leave his family and home, but to leave the country and live in caves and the forest for years until the king died. The other event that may have been happening was when, later in life when he himself was king, his own son turned the army and the people against him and once again forced him to leave his home, and the capital, and find shelter among a few faithful friends.

I like the first few words, O God, listen to my cry! It's like there aren't even any words to pray - just a cry for help. I don't think that our heavenly father is tied down to only answer certain words or sentences. I don't believe that God only responds to carefully spoken prayers that are all neat and tidy. Sometimes our lives get all messy, and our prayers (spoken or unspoken) resemble our circumstances.

Verse 2 says, . . . when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety. How good is that?? It's difficult for me to describe to someone else the personal connection I have with Jesus, but it's real! He's not a figment of my imagination (though some will insist that he is). I have never had my house leveled by a tsunami, but I have experienced depression, helplessness, and debilitating weariness; and I've also felt the towering rock of safety respond to me with invisible hands of comfort and support. His help may come in a number of different ways - through unexpected people, places, and events - but I have known that he is there. Money can't buy it; being clever won't help. Getting all religious won't help a scrap either, because God isn't religious. He loves people, and gets involved in their messes. He's not a formula, but a person. Just because you can't see him doesn't mean he isn't there. That's a silly assumption!

But it may cost you your pride; you may have to humble yourself in your heart to admit that you need help. The man who wrote this prayer, above, is the same man who killed a 9 foot giant earlier in his life. How much had his situation changed?

But he did humble himself, and cried out to God for help. The help you receive may not come exactly as you want it to, but that may not be a bad thing. Life is full of changes, and maybe a change of heart and attitude is a change for the better.

Talk soon . . . dmd

Is Sex Love . . . ?

The other morning at 6.00am, while in the city, I drove past a huge billboard sign for a night club. It read, "Get more love in one night". Then, about 20 metres away sitting on the gutter with her arms wrapped around her knees, was a young lady with tears streaming down her face and crying in anguish. Now, clearly I have no idea what was wrong with the young lady; she may have been upset for any number of reasons. But I thought about the old saying that says, A picture paints a thousand words. This woman's story of weariness could be repeated 1,000's of times over every day in any city, couldn't it?

As far as the nightclub sign goes, I am continually amazed at what we're told is good for us, and more specifically what LOVE is! To make the assumption that sex is love is preposterous and a crime against a vulnerable generation of young people.

I can personally vouch for the fact that sex is wonderful after 25 odd years of marriage; but it breaks my heart to think that some people are convinced that sex does in fact equal love.

Don Fransisco wrote,

It hurts to see you struggle

And try so hard to win

But trade your precious birthright

For candy-coated sin

It's a bit like fool's gold - might look like gold, might feel like gold, but it isn't gold. The chances are it's just some candy coated stuff that's gonna leave you disillusioned and hurt.

As people we are so precious and costly; but we settle for fool's gold when the real stuff is on offer elsewhere.

I won't say too much more now about this. I just wanted to put that picture that I saw into words before I forget about it. I will say this, though; that there is only one way I know to measure real love - How much is it prepared to sacrifice?

The song title for the above verse is, Give your heart a home. That's what we all need - a home for our feelings, emotions, struggles, fears, weaknesses, inadequacies, and weariness. Somewhere we can be honest, and get angry about some of the junk we've been told and sold.

Again, let me ask, How much is the one who loves you prepared to sacrifice for you?

In my last blog I said I would list some things that I've stumbled upon that may be some help to you in your journey to healing and wholeness. When I say 'stumbled', I really do mean it. Sometimes I feel like the guy with a broken leg learning to walk with crutches, desperately trying to keep his balance. He slips over, and gets angry with himself, until he sees a beautiful big diamond on the ground right in front of his nose. If he hadn't fell over he wouldn't have seen it!

Some of the most precious revelations about our Heavenly Dad have come from other peoples' gutter experiences. You'll probably have your own contributions to add, but here are some of mine:

In your journey with Jesus,

1. Say you're sorry for the wrongs you've done. Read thru Psalms 51. Here is a song (or prayer) that was written by a guy who completely stuffed things up for himself, and a few other people! Verse 1 says, "Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins". Remember this: God doesn't just forgive our sins so we'll be continually indebted to him; He forgives us because he loves us and wants to forgive us. He removes the stain of sin so there will be no more record of it, and there will be no barrier between him and us.

2. Stop trying to be happy. Happiness isn't the goal - peace with God is the goal; the knowledge that Jesus never leaves you is the goal. If you're pursuit is happiness then you need to mature some more. Happiness is defined by feelings and events. Peace with God, and contentment is the real goal. Remember this from Paul, in the Bible?

Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. (Philippians 4:11-13 The Message)

Notice who the central figure is in this verse?: It's Jesus, "The One"

If you want to further challenge yourself in this read 2 Corinthians 11. But be prepared to have some of your ideas turned on their heads. God's idea of abundant life may be very different to yours!

3. Don't trust your own understanding. You would think this would go without saying, wouldn't you? Take the time to read Proverbs 3: 5 - 8 again.

Don't make the assumption that you're lost just because you feel lost! Don't fall into the trap of presuming you're on your own just because you feel like you're on your own. And don't assume that just because you can't see where you're going, that you're off the track and away from God's plan.

4. When Jesus knocks, open the door.

I have to confess that this is something that I can't teach you how to do. Throughout the Bible we see God turned up in people's lives in a whole bunch of ways. At times he came as an angel; he spoke from the middle of a bush; he spoke thru a donkey, and a prostitute; he appeared as a bright light, and a voice; told people what he wanted thru some strange rocks; thru lightning and thunder; a gentle whisper; he used the voices of ordinary men and women, little boys and girls; and the list goes on and on.

Jesus makes a big statement in John's Gospel chapter 10 verses 1-5. In short, he says, "My sheep will hear my voice". Go ahead and read it. Jesus seems to be fairly certain and confident that his sheep will hear his voice when he calls them (more confident than me, at times).

Unfortunately we are bombarded with doubts most of the time when it comes to this.

I don't know how he will speak to you, but I know that if you are his sheep then you will know. (Perhaps the doubt we experience is a sign that he's not speaking??).

In 1 Samuel 3, the boy Samuel hears God calling to him, but he thinks it's Eli his master and asks him what he wants. After this happens 3 times Eli gives Samuel the best advice ever; and it's something you and I can do every time we need to make a decision, or we're not sure the Lord is actually talking to us. Eli says, The next time you hear the voice, say, 'Speak to me, Lord; you're servant is listening'.

When he knocks, open the door. It may be the most rewarding thing you do; and every time you do you will get to know your Saviour a little better.

Talk soon . . . dmd

A few days ago my wife was out walking and came across a badly injured budgerigar just sitting in the grass beside the road. (They're a colourful, domestic bird that must have escaped it's owner's cage). It seems to have been attacked by a cat, or possibly another bird. So it's just sitting there, too injured and traumatized to fly away or run in fright. She brought it home and we put it in a box with some water and seed, hoping that it might recover. After an hour or so we gave it to a neighbour who keeps birds, and he put it in a separate cage to try and help it to get better.

I couldn't help but think that this bird is a lot like some of us; beaten up by life, injured so badly by circumstances and stuff we don't (or can't) fight back anymore. People pass us in the street, or in our offices, and either don't know how badly we're hurt, or don't really care, or simply don't know what to do with us. Weariness, depression, and loneliness become our constant companions. We hope and wait for the right person to come along to bring healing, support, or the right words, etc.

Jesus said, "If you're weary . . . come to me and I'll give you rest . . . " (Matthew 11:28, 29).

Well, that's great isn't it! Wonderful! But where is he? Is he round here some place where I can see him? Is there something I should be doing to get his attention? How long till he finds me?

These are all good questions, and I don't think Jesus is surprised or annoyed with us for asking.

Look at Psalms 103

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows and we are gone - as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him . . . (13-17 NLT)

For the person who calls themselves a 'Christ-follower', or a Christian, these words can seem contradictory to our feelings. For example, the Lord says he is like a father who is tender and compassionate; but our feelings often tell us we are alone and unloved, lacking the knowledge of his tenderness. And this is a dilemma, because we are not supposed to live life dominated by our feelings.

It's my opinion that positive thinking can only take you so far. Reciting and repeating truths has merit and can help break bad habits in our thinking, but I believe there is another level of 'knowing' the Lord, and his ways, that is the true beginning to finding this promised rest from our weariness and loneliness. And I believe that only the individual who is suffering can grasp this for themselves, and do something about it.

In my next blog I'll take this further and lay out some things that I have stumbled on that may help you in your journey.

For now, let me say this; what a wonderful thought that God knows that I am weak, and that I'm like dust at times - blown away by the wind.

The budgerigar died after a few hours of struggling. When it was on the street, I wonder if it would have held on longer if it knew help was on the way?

I also wonder if we would hang on with more confidence if we knew someone was looking for us and watching over us even if we couldn't see them?

Talk soon . . . . dmd

Foolishness . . .

The New Testament says that the message of the cross, and Jesus' crucifixion, is foolish. Why would the Bible make this claim about it's own central message? In the first letter to the Corinthian church the writer, Paul, says this: I came to you in weakness - timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching (about the crucifixion) were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God (2 verses 3-5 NLT).

He says later that the message of the cross sounds foolish to those who don't understand. And he asks the question in verse 16, Who can know the Lord's thoughts . . Who knows enough to teach him? In other words, What was God thinking of when he came up with this plan? I can tell you with absolute conviction that he was thinking of you and me, and how he could make a way to do away with our sins and anything else that stood between us and eternal life with him.

Question: If you were God, and you had the job of saving the people of the world from their sins, how would you do it?

Would you come to earth as a baby boy, born in a backward town, in an insignificant country? Think about it; his birth was announced not by kings and royalty, but by shepherds! Shepherds were not the romantic picture we often think of. It was one of the lowliest, loneliest, dirtiest, and unwanted jobs you could do. When Jesus was 8 days old and his parents presented him to the priest at the temple, only 2 people amongst hundreds acknowledged who he was! He grew up in an obscure area in Palestine as the son of a carpenter - a very humble profession. Hardly a thing was known of him by the time he was 30 years old.

No, I don't think this would have been part of yours or my plan to save the world.

After 3 years of doing good things, healing people, performing miracles, and setting free all who were tormented by the devil (acts 10:38), Jesus was subjected to a mockery of a trial, beaten beyond recognition, then suffered a humiliating death - naked on a cross - he died and was buried in a common grave.

Again, I don't think this would have been the script for a "world-saving crusade", if you or I would have planned it. (Just for the record, my plan would have involved people like Indiana Jones, The Terminator, and Batman).

Imagine that you are one of Jesus' closest supporters. Put yourself in the shoes of these men and women who did believe that he was the Messiah - the saviour of the whole world. They have spent the last 3 years of their lives on a dead end dream.

As they stood around the cross and watched him slowly die by crucifixion they were devastated!

Their feelings were summed up by Peter, one of Jesus' closest followers: after Jesus was buried he said, I'm going fishing (John 21:3). In other words, I'm going back to what I was doing before I got involved in this!

But Jesus knew exactly where they were. The next morning he met them on the beach, had breakfast prepared, and asked them to join him. It's interesting that Jesus didn't condemn them for their lack of faith, but rather invited them to a meal with him. How good is that?!

(Maybe this a clue for us: when we are down on our luck, or lacking in faith, it's not always best to understand what's going on; but rather to simply sit down with Jesus and enjoy his company).

So . . . . that was God's plan all along: for Jesus to die, and come back to life again. In doing this he beat man's biggest enemy (death), and also provided a sacrifice for sin that would last forever.

Sounds like a good plan if you ask me. (Not that I would have thought of it). And the New Testament goes further and says that if Satan would have understood these things he would never have inspired men to kill Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:8).

Sounds like God had it over the devil all along.

Again from 1 Corinthians 1, The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the power of God . . . . . . This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength (verses 18 & 25).

I wonder if our heavenly father has some other plans going on that seem a bit dopey to us? Maybe at the moment it seems that there is a whole bunch of foolishness about the way your situation looks. It might be good to remember the verse above (25).

Talk soon . . .

What love is . . .

There's a story told of a young teenage girl sitting in her lounge room watching TV when she heard voices in the kitchen. She stood up from the lounge to see what the noise was and saw her mum and dad having a kiss and a cuddle, thinking they were on their own. She just watched them for a while, moved quietly nearer to them, then just stood and watched. When the affectionate couple separated for a moment they spotted their daughter just studying them without saying anything. Dad says to her (a little embarrassed), 'I didn't know you were here. Why are you staring?' She innocently answered with the line from that famous song by the band Foreigner, 'I want to know what love is.'

If she were trying to be funny you could understand the quote. But she wasn't being funny. She revealed what must be a consuming, un-asked question for some; especially our kids - What is Love, really?

If you are a thinking person then there are some things we can rule out:

1. Love isn't sex. By the time a child is out of their teens they must have witnessed hundreds of bedrooms scenes from TV, magazines, Internet, or wherever. They will have put it together that these people are actors or models simply acting a part for profit, or some other reason that was never intended to portray what love really is.

(Sadly, for many young people, Sex has become a currency in our society to barter with; to give and get what you want. And adults are mostly to blame, I believe)

2. Love isn't marriage. Being married doesn't guarantee you're in love with the one you're married to. Again, kids see married people go their separate ways, get divorced, fight like cats and dogs, or live together and not speak to each other for days on end.

3. Love isn't temporary. By this I mean that we are surrounded by a disposable culture. We throw away so many things that once we used to keep for another purpose. Things from cutlery to jewelry to razor blades; from cheap clothing to music to fast food - here one day and gone the next. We read a headline and see some photos of a glamorous couple last week at a holiday resort. Then this week we see another photo and story of them fighting, or accused of being with someone else.

There is a definitive statement in the New Testament that was written in a letter almost 2,000 years ago to Christians throughout the known world. It reads:

This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us . . . " (1 John 4:10 NLT)

In other words, put aside all your ideas about what love is and listen to this! This is the measuring stick! Let's face it, when we think of what love is we look to human love, don't we? We look at how we love and how others love us. The context of this part of the letter describes love as giving, sacrificing, committed, and personal. And the example is Jesus, who willingly and purposefully died so that our sins could be removed, and there would be nothing stopping us from coming to God, pure and forgiven.

What a great opportunity to learn his ways, and teach them to our children.

But to give something away you must first have it yourself.

So how can I 'get' this love? Well, this is where the New Testament breaks it down for us, to help us get a handle on it.

(The first thing we need to do, I believe, is to start being honest with our heavenly father, and connect with him. But I won't go into that here; I've written other blogs to help with that).

In another New Testament letter, written to the church in Corinth, Paul explains how we can start doing love better (1 Cor 13). He writes, Love is patient and kind . .

There you go; when you are patient with someone you are actually showing God's love to them. When you are kind to someone you are showing God's kindness to them.

Can you see how this can be practiced by anyone? Some will make excuses and say, I'm just not a real loving kind of person, it's not one of my strengths. (I don't believe that. If that's you, be careful you don't disobey the greatest commandment of all).

Verse 5 says, Love doesn't demand it's own way. This is another thing anyone can practice. When you are not demanding you are showing God's love.

Again in verse 5, Love keeps no record of being wronged. I think we would all have some stories about this! We know how to keep records, don't we? But the Bible teaches that when you refuse to keep a record you show the love of God.

And so the list goes on in the letter. The last one mentioned is, Love is enduring (verse 7).

Love isn't temporary. That's why the act of committing yourself to love someone thru thick and thin is an act of God's love, and gives them a sense of security that is priceless. It can't be bought for any amount of money! Which is exactly what God did for us, and displayed his love to us in Jesus. He loves us when we are unlovable. His love is enduring. His love is patient with us. He has shown kindness to us. He doesn't keep a record of our wrongs when we come to him and say we're sorry.

All these things can be practiced and fine-tuned by all of us toward each other. At home, at work, at the shopping centre, on the road, etc.

As far as marriage is concerned, when two people are looking out for each other's best interests, and determined to show kindness, and be patient with each other, and don't keep a record of wrongs against each other, then the benefits are simply wonderful. Sex takes on a whole new meaning of togetherness and sharing. And peace in the home can be experienced no matter how much money you have, or how affluent you are.

This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us . . .

Talk soon . . .

Perfection (2) . . .

We've all seen the models on TV and magazines that are presented to us as "perfect". Cosmetics companies, fashion designers, toothpaste adds, and even car sales companies trying to convince us that if we buy their product we'll be beautiful, attractive, and perfect. Apparently if we follow their advice we'll have lots of friends, eat out every night, drive nice cars (unaffected by debt, of course), smile all the time, etc, etc, and life will become a whole lot sweeter for us.

Personally, I believe this sort of crap flies in the face of reality. I mean, you think about it: Do you really want people to like you because of what you wear? Would you like to be accepted in your circle of friends just because your skin is perfect, your hair is shiny, or your butt is just the right size? What happens when you have an accident and your stuck in a hospital bed unable to look after yourself? What about the many, many people who for different reasons can't compete with the flashy television images? Does your worth and value change? Are you less valuable because you don't measure up. I may sound a bit dramatic, but I do feel strongly about this particular subject.

Recently I saw an interview with a young lady named Lizzie Valesquez from Austin, Texas who has an undiagnosed medical condition that only 3 people in the world share. To say she looks very different to your regular glossy magazine bimbo is an understatement! She's in her 20's, and weighs less than 30 kilograms (less than 70 pounds). Apparently she's written a book, and in it she writes,

God made me the way I am for a reason and I would never change that. I lead a normal life as much as possible and deal with the bumps in the road as they come along with my head held high and a smile on my face.

I am not at all sure of her religious leaning, but her book title says it all: 'Lizzie Beautiful'.

As I watched the interview I was amazed at her conviction. It wasn't just some 'positive thinking' facade here. I think she has caught on to something which is rare indeed - she actually confesses, believes, lives, and breathes the idea that true beauty is what you are on the inside.

Judging by the out-pouring of support and encouragement following the TV interview, I think the vast majority of people can relate to her struggle with acceptance, although on different scales. If this is true - that most people believe that true beauty in not what's on the surface - then why do we put up with so much BS from advertising guru's? Would we buy toothpaste based on an advertisement where an "ugly" person with crooked teeth was used?

I also think that Lizzie (and her parents, it seems) has discovered a little-known, life-changing, and mind-blowing truth which has it's origin in the Bible. Around 1000 BC a song of thanks was written to the Lord that says,

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul I am marvelously made. I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. (Psalms 139: 13-15 The message)

Another translation says, "Thankyou for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvellous-how well I know it."

Can you imagine looking in the mirror at yourself and repeating this? Could you see yourself making these statements about yourself in spite of how you, or how you think others feel about you? This is liberating stuff! Free to be myself; free to be just who I am.

30 years ago Amy Grant wrote a song/prayer that said in part, All I ever have to be is what you made me.

We live under a lot of pressure to conform to other peoples ideas about what we should wear, who we should try to look like, how we should smell, what car we should drive, what alcohol we should drink, etc, etc. Don't you ever feel like breaking the mold and just being yourself (and getting away with it)??

Talk again . . .