September 24, 2007
1:17 p.m.
By: Joshuah Ellis
In many instances, we, as individual members of humanity, can be found exercising extremes in our lives more than we can be found in a perfect balance. It is the ''all or nothing'' mentality, and I think it certainly applies to how we think we are perceived. For the most part, I feel that we like to think that either everyone on the planet is watching us or that nobody whatsoever is. Let me offer an example. If we are playing sports or any game for that matter and we do something that is difficult to do, or something that is rather extraordinary, we immediately look all around us like we are acknowledging our attentive audience. However, when we walk of the bathroom and walk fifty feet with a piece of toilet paper stuck to the bottom of our shoe, we immediately tear it off and keep walking as if nothing happened, choosing to believe that nobody saw our moment of embarrassment. Though I am not sure that these examples are always accurate as far as who is watching us, I am confident in saying that there is always someone who is.
Consider the relationship between a parent and a child. It is almost inevitable that little boys aspire to be just like their dads. In the same manner, daughters look up to their mothers. What does this mean? It means that parents are a great influence on their children. As Christians this carries even more weight as it is the parents' responsibility to raise their children in the ''training and admonition of the Lord'' (Ephesians 6:4). This means that on Sunday afternoon when the kids see dad turn off the baseball game and mom put down her book so that they can get ready for evening services, they are showing their children what is important. On the other hand, when parents schedule activities at times when the church assembles, this teaches their children that spiritual matters are only important as long as nothing better comes up. That is not what Jesus taught (Mark 12:30). This certainly does not apply only to the public assembly but to other spiritual matters as well. Parents, your children will only know to put God first if that is what you are teaching them. Are you aware that your children are watching you?
The fact that we need to be mindful of those who are watching us does not only apply to parents and their children. Think of the people with whom you are in regular contact on a daily basis. Do you consider the fact that they might have questions of a spiritual nature and don't know who they can ask? Do you realize that when you leave your spirituality at the church building you could be squandering an opportunity to share the gospel? When you think about that, someone's opportunity to escape spiritual death might be right in front of you. When we are at work or school and among our peers, it is easy to think that what we do doesn't matter or that it wouldn't make a difference any way. This, however, is not the attitude that God wants us to have. If it were, He would not have commanded us, ''let your light so shine before men, that they may see your works and glorify your Father in heaven'' (Matthew 5:16). Are you aware of who is watching you at work/school?
Thankfully, when we come home and are no longer under the pressure of trying to be an example to others, we can relax as there is no longer anyone watching us, right? Wrong! Let us not forget that even in the darkest solitude, we are still seen by God. I have often heard the scenario which asks if a person comes to a red light in the middle of the night with no one around, is he OK to run the light? Granted, the authorities may never know of this infraction, but God knows that you broke the law. We may think that in the secret corners of our lives, our private sins are of no consequence, but let us make sure that we know that these sins will not remain private forever. Jesus, as he prepares His disciples for persecution, tells them ''there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known'' (Matthew 10:26). Are you aware of who’s watching you when you are alone?
I seriously doubt there are many instances when everyone is watching you, and there are probably fewer when nobody is watching you. However, know that there is always somebody who is. It could be a child who is looking specifically to you for spiritual guidance. It could be a coworker or class mate who is looking for truth. Regardless of that, God is always watching you, hoping you that you will follow the path He has designed for you (Matthew 7:14).
Questions or Comments? Visit the Forum.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Are We Forgetful?
September 13, 2007
2:16 p.m.
By: Joshuah Ellis
This past week, many Americans and people all over the world were reminded of the horrific tragedy which occurred on September 11, 2001. We revisited the sights of the incidents and watched as those present remembered through various ceremonies. While watching this, I could not help but revisit my own feelings the day it all happened and in the following months. I remember a great sadness which fell on our country, but I also remembered the great sense of pride and patriotism which followed. It occurred to me that our new found pride occurred only because of the attack. I realize now, as we have all gone on with our lives, that the sense of patriotism, for the most part, is now gone and we choose to remember only on anniversaries and few other times.
This got me thinking about an application to our spiritual lives. It seems that the times when Christians are the strongest are when they are met with adversity head on. We know this to be true because we have seen the church thrive through periods of severe persecution. I doubt there are many Christians who, if they were asked to choose between their lives and God, would not choose the latter. It seems that when there is a clear distinction between right and wrong, the right will usually prevail among God's people. It is rather the gray area that can prove to be the most dangerous. In the same manner that there is nothing like an attack on our country to boost our sense of national pride, there is nothing like clear persecution to bring out the zeal in most Christians.
What about the rest of the time? Should we only be proud of our country when it is suffering? Should we only be faithful and zealous Christians when the church is being persecuted? Though I cannot answer the question regarding our patriotism, I do know that God does not only call us to faithfulness when times are tough, or even only when times are good for that matter. The inspired writer of the book of Hebrews writes that ''we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end'' (Hebrews 3:14). The same writer also speaks of our ''need of endurance'' so that after we have done the will of God, we may receive the promise (Hebrews 10:36). The idea of being ''steadfast to the end'' or in ''need of endurance'' is not one which suggests that there are designated times in which our zeal should be strong. We should not sit around and wait for persecution to find us before we decide to serve God with all we have. It should be a constant effort. Are we forgetful of our calling?
Just like we tend to forget about the 9/11 tragedy except for on certain days, I fear that as Christians we sometimes forget where it is we came from. I am not speaking of our family lineage or the work we have put in to make the life that we have now. I am speaking of where we came from in a spiritual sense. Paul, as he writes to the church at Corinth, lists a number of sinful descriptions, but he is quick to remind them that ''such were some of you'' (1 Corinthians 6:11). He goes on to tell them, however, that they were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord. That is where we came from. We were in the same boat as the Corinthians. We were dirty and filthy. We were sinners, but that has changed for those of us who are Christians, and that is a wonderful incentive to remain zealous in our service to God yet so many are not. Are we forgetful of where we came from?
One thing that we can see to be true in the world around us is that things change. Seasons change along with fashion trends and fads. Even we change our opinions of different issues as we get older. As we have seen from incidents like the 9/11 tragedy, even our emotions change. Jesus, however, said, ''Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away'' (Mark 13:31). We may change but God and His Word do not. Are we forgetful of that? Are you forgetful?
Questions or Comments? Visit the Forum.
2:16 p.m.
By: Joshuah Ellis
This past week, many Americans and people all over the world were reminded of the horrific tragedy which occurred on September 11, 2001. We revisited the sights of the incidents and watched as those present remembered through various ceremonies. While watching this, I could not help but revisit my own feelings the day it all happened and in the following months. I remember a great sadness which fell on our country, but I also remembered the great sense of pride and patriotism which followed. It occurred to me that our new found pride occurred only because of the attack. I realize now, as we have all gone on with our lives, that the sense of patriotism, for the most part, is now gone and we choose to remember only on anniversaries and few other times.
This got me thinking about an application to our spiritual lives. It seems that the times when Christians are the strongest are when they are met with adversity head on. We know this to be true because we have seen the church thrive through periods of severe persecution. I doubt there are many Christians who, if they were asked to choose between their lives and God, would not choose the latter. It seems that when there is a clear distinction between right and wrong, the right will usually prevail among God's people. It is rather the gray area that can prove to be the most dangerous. In the same manner that there is nothing like an attack on our country to boost our sense of national pride, there is nothing like clear persecution to bring out the zeal in most Christians.
What about the rest of the time? Should we only be proud of our country when it is suffering? Should we only be faithful and zealous Christians when the church is being persecuted? Though I cannot answer the question regarding our patriotism, I do know that God does not only call us to faithfulness when times are tough, or even only when times are good for that matter. The inspired writer of the book of Hebrews writes that ''we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end'' (Hebrews 3:14). The same writer also speaks of our ''need of endurance'' so that after we have done the will of God, we may receive the promise (Hebrews 10:36). The idea of being ''steadfast to the end'' or in ''need of endurance'' is not one which suggests that there are designated times in which our zeal should be strong. We should not sit around and wait for persecution to find us before we decide to serve God with all we have. It should be a constant effort. Are we forgetful of our calling?
Just like we tend to forget about the 9/11 tragedy except for on certain days, I fear that as Christians we sometimes forget where it is we came from. I am not speaking of our family lineage or the work we have put in to make the life that we have now. I am speaking of where we came from in a spiritual sense. Paul, as he writes to the church at Corinth, lists a number of sinful descriptions, but he is quick to remind them that ''such were some of you'' (1 Corinthians 6:11). He goes on to tell them, however, that they were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord. That is where we came from. We were in the same boat as the Corinthians. We were dirty and filthy. We were sinners, but that has changed for those of us who are Christians, and that is a wonderful incentive to remain zealous in our service to God yet so many are not. Are we forgetful of where we came from?
One thing that we can see to be true in the world around us is that things change. Seasons change along with fashion trends and fads. Even we change our opinions of different issues as we get older. As we have seen from incidents like the 9/11 tragedy, even our emotions change. Jesus, however, said, ''Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away'' (Mark 13:31). We may change but God and His Word do not. Are we forgetful of that? Are you forgetful?
Questions or Comments? Visit the Forum.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Remembering 9/11
Septemper 11, 2007
11:24 a.m.
By: Unknown
Six years later. Though the temptation to become hardened and distant may be strong, we need to overcome it. We should not remeber for purposes of anger, but because forgetting would be a dishonor to those who were lost. If nothing else remember, and thank God that it was not you or someone close to you. If it was, I am sorry and I will pray for you. (jle)
As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,
We became one color.
As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building,
We became one class.
As we lit candles of waiting and hoping,
We became one generation.
As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno,
We became one gender.
As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength,
We became one faith.
As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,
We spoke one language.
As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.
As we mourned together the great loss,
We became one family.
As we cried tears of grief and loss,
We became one soul.
As we retell with pride the sacrifice of heroes,
We become one people.
Questions or Comments? Visit the Forum.
11:24 a.m.
By: Unknown
Six years later. Though the temptation to become hardened and distant may be strong, we need to overcome it. We should not remeber for purposes of anger, but because forgetting would be a dishonor to those who were lost. If nothing else remember, and thank God that it was not you or someone close to you. If it was, I am sorry and I will pray for you. (jle)
As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,
We became one color.
As we carried each other down the stairs of the burning building,
We became one class.
As we lit candles of waiting and hoping,
We became one generation.
As the firefighters and police officers fought their way into the inferno,
We became one gender.
As we fell to our knees in prayer for strength,
We became one faith.
As we whispered or shouted words of encouragement,
We spoke one language.
As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.
As we mourned together the great loss,
We became one family.
As we cried tears of grief and loss,
We became one soul.
As we retell with pride the sacrifice of heroes,
We become one people.
Questions or Comments? Visit the Forum.
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