R-E-A-D!

“It seems odd that certain who talk so much of what the Holy Spirit reveals to themselves, should think so little of what He has revealed to others.”  Charles Spurgeon

  To many (including me), the thought of curling up by the fire with a good book sounds like an ideal way to while away an evening or a rainy day. Yet, according to recent studies, about one-quarter of American adults would sooner throw a book — or themselves — in the flames than ever crack the cover.

  The words of Pastor Brad Bigney of the Grace Fellowship Church are very insightful. Oftentimes when Pastor Brad is counseling someone, he will encourage them to read some book which he believes will help them with the issue they are having difficulty with and came to see him about. Many times though the counselee will respond, “But I don’t read.” To which Pastor Bigney responds, “You do now. You’re a Christian!”

  It is nearly impossible to grow spiritually and not read. Being a Christian non-reader typically results in one of two extremes. You end up succumbing to worldliness because you have no idea what the Bible and other good Christian books teach, so you’re stuck in spiritual infancy with minimal growth. Unfortunately, much of what you ingest mentally is from a godless worldview. A key part of spiritual growth and maturity is thinking, being stretched. It’s difficult for that to happen to a non-reader.

  Or, you succumb to Legalism. One of the attractions of Islam is rules. Someone tells you the rules, you do them and you’re a good Muslim. It’s no accident that some 40% of Muslims are illiterate. A large percentage of Muslims are dependent on others to do their thinking for them. Yet, a Christian who will not read might as well be illiterate. What is really the difference between not being able to read and refusing to read?

  Sadly, our educational system is the often the source of a distaste of reading by so many. As students in school, they were forced to read many books which were irrelevant and boring. To add to the repugnance, it was often labeled with that four letter word, home “work.” Pleasure, fun and satisfaction was associated with recess and sports, not reading or academia.

  Just an important side note for parents. If you want to help your children be readers, encourage them to read books which are enjoyable to them, not necessarily educational. The same is true for adults who have fallen off the reading wagon. If they would begin reading again by reading something they truly enjoyed, it would help them grow in their love for reading.

  It’s a bit like eating vegetables. At one point in my life, I despised asparagus. Now that I’ve had asparagus cooked tastefully, I actually enjoy it (I’m still working on cauliflower J). We develop a taste for reading. And reading quality Christian books helps us grow more Christlike.

  Yet, many of us feel we are far too busy to read. What can we do to improve our own reading practices and encourage a culture of reading in our church and family?

  Make time for it. If we’re honest with ourselves, we know we always make time to do what we like. If we begin to cultivate a love of reading, we’ll find each day contains some time to read. If you start with easier books and start by reading during times ordinarily spent watching television or “vegging,” you’ll have an easier time making reading a habit.

  Begin with books which are interesting to YOU. Most non-readers are avid TV or movie watchers. There are certain sports, shows or movies they prefer. Consider reading Christian books which fall into categories which already interest you. For example, if you love chick flicks, consider reading something like Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Is your TV stuck on ESPN? Read a book by Christian coach, Tony Dungy. Do you love documentaries? Read a good Christian biography. Are you starting out in marriage or childrearing? Read a quality book on those concerns. I’d suggest ones by Leslie Vernick or Gary Thomas. Even if you love hunting and fishing, there are interesting Christian books written by committed believers about their own experiences of hunting and fishing. Is there an area where you’d like to grow spiritually? Find a quality book in that area.

  Read good books. All of us have watched a movie and wondered as the end credits roll, “Why did I even watch that? What a waste of my time!” I believe I learned this from famed movie critic, Roger Ebert. If a movie doesn’t catch my attention in the first 15 minutes or so, I walk out or turn it off. The same is true with a book. If you read a chapter or two, and it’s not clicking, find another one. Now I find I rarely go to a movie that turns out to be a “turkey.” Do you know why? I rarely will watch a movie without first reading a review on the movie. And I do the same with books.

  For most books, Amazon.com has reviews of the book. They also let you take a look inside of the book at the table of contents and the first few pages. Because books are expensive, I often request a book from our local library, have them secure it for me on library loan. When it comes in, I peruse it to determine if it’s a book I actually want to read or own. In other words, I often “test drive” a book before I buy it.

  I look for books my friends are reading and recommend. In fact, the book we’re reading for our summer reading, The Gospel by J.D. Greear was first recommended to me by a friend

  Make reading your default setting. Unfortunately, smart phones have become our default setting today. If someone is waiting at the doctor’s office or in a restaurant, they immediately look at their phone. Get disconnected. Always keep a book on hand. I don’t go anywhere without a book. If I’m stuck with a train or waiting for an appointment, I have something to read and stretch my soul.

  A charge made by a lost world of Christians is we’re bunch of ignoramuses. Sadly, sometimes it’s true. We haven’t invested the time to read and think through the issues. If we look at the great world shapers of the past couple of centuries, each of them were readers: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Gandhi, William Wilberforce, etc. It was said that Theodore Roosevelt read a book a day while serving as president! Of course, if we want to look at the history of Christian thought and influence the list is endless: Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, or C.S. Lewis. They read the Bible but they went beyond Scripture to read some of the greatest books of history, both fiction and nonfiction. They were avid readers and God used them to impact the Church because of that! Do you want to make a significant difference? You must be a reader! So book it…start today! 

Looking for quality used Christian books and other types of books at prices lower than even Amazon. Check out our family's online used bookstore at resurrectedreads.com or visit our store at the Waterford Unique Antique Market at 209 North Milwaukee Street in Waterford, WI --  262.534.3500. 

Christianity and a Social Revolution for Women

“Earth has nothing more tender than a woman’s heart when it is the abode of piety.”  Martin Luther

  If you say something loud enough and often enough, people will accept it as true. A cultural myth continually made against the Bible, the Church and Christianity is that they are all anti-female and even oppressive to women. It’s the false notion that Jesus and the Bible endorse misogyny. Or, worse, God hates women. It’s not true. History clearly demonstrates Jesus and biblical Christianity revolutionized the role of women in society. 

  Because too often we are ignorant of history, we’re unaware of how horrible life was for many groups prior to Christ’s coming. Jesus’ coming changed everything. Do you want to know what the status of women would be today if Jesus had not come? You don’t need to go back in time, you just need to go across the world. Look at the status of women in most present-day Islamic countries and it will give you a snapshot of what it was like to be a woman before the Incarnation.

  In large segments of our world, women are treated little better than livestock. They are denied most rights. When they go out in public, they must be veiled, and often chaperoned. In many countries, women are not allowed to even drive a car.

  As noted psychoanalyst, Dr. Joan Lachkar, states: “In this ever changing world of multiculturalism, we are continually faced with contrasting dynamics. What is considered abuse in our country is considered ‘normal’ in another. You cannot beat your wife. That is considered abuse in the West and you would get arrested for domestic violence, but in Islamic societies wife beating is permitted when they are disobedient!” Not only does a man have the right to beat his wife, he can desert her, all with the full support of the Quran.

  It’s because of Christianity those of us in Western Civilization value equality for all. Most people do not realize women were among the disciples and traveled with Jesus throughout His ministry. Luke 8:1-3: “Soon afterward [Jesus] went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”

  These verses continue a common theme in the New Testament – women whose lives are revolutionized by Jesus. Some had previously been demonized. They’re now filled with gratitude and love, giving of themselves for the cause of Christ. Throughout His ministry, it was women who faithfully followed Jesus to the end from the Cross to the tomb. In a culture that dehumanized women, Jesus gave them significance.

  Our Lord loved women and treated them with great respect and dignity. The remainder of the New Testament’s teaching on women further developed His perspective. The value of women permeating the New Testament isn’t found in Greco-Roman culture or cultures of other societies. Even in Israel, prior to Christ’s coming Jewish women were barred from public speaking or from reading the Torah out loud. Synagogue worship was segregated with women never allowed to be heard.

  Jesus literally revolutionized the role of women in society, overthrowing centuries of Jewish law and custom. He consistently treated women and men as equals. He violated numerous Old Testament regulations which specified gender inequality and refused to follow the behavioral rules established by the three main Jewish religious groups of the day: the Essenes, Pharisees and Sadducees. For example…

  Jesus talked to foreign women. John 4:7-30 describes His conversation with a Samaritan woman. She was doubly ritually unclean since she was both a foreigner and a woman. Men weren’t allowed to talk to women, except within their own families. Jesus also helped a Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:22-28. Although He described non-Jews as “dogs,” He was willing to talk to her and cured her daughter of demon-possession.

  Jesus taught women students. Jewish tradition didn’t allow women to be educated. Rabbi Eliezer wrote in the 1^st century, “Rather should the words of the Torah be burned than entrusted to a woman…Whoever teaches his daughter the Torah is like one who teaches her obscenity.” Jesus overthrew centuries of tradition. In Luke 10:38-42 we find Him teaching Mary, the sister of Martha.

  Jesus accepted women into His inner circle. Luke 8:1-3 describes the inner circle of Jesus' followers, 12 male disciples and an unspecified number female supporters. It appears that about half of His closest followers were women.

  Mostly women were present at Jesus’ execution. Matthew 27:55-56 and Mark 15:40-41 describe many women who followed Jesus from Galilee and were present at His crucifixion. The men had fled from the scene. Only His disciple John stayed with Him to the end.

  Jesus appeared first to women after His resurrection. Matthew 28:9-10 describes how Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” were the first followers to meet Him after His resurrection.

  Jesus equalized the place of women in marriage. The biblical view of husbands and wives as equal partners brought about dramatic change in marriage. Christian women started marrying later and married men of their own choosing. It eroded the ancient practice of men marrying child brides against their will. Today a Western woman isn’t forced to marry someone she does not want, nor can she legally be married off as a child bride, though the practice continues where Christianity has little or no presence. 

  As a result of Jesus Christ’s coming and His teachings, women in much of the world today, particularly in the West, enjoy more privileges and rights than at any other time in human history. It takes only a cursory trip to an Arab nation or the 3^rd World to see how little freedom women have in cultures where Christianity has little or no presence. Jesus Christ and the birth of Christianity is the best thing that has ever happened to women.

Looking for quality used Christian books and other types of books at prices lower than even Amazon. Check out our family's online used bookstore at resurrectedreads.com or visit our store at the Waterford Unique Antique Market at 209 North Milwaukee Street in Waterford, WI --  262.534.3500. 

If you can read this safely, thank a cop!!

“A cop has a calling. It’s not about making money. Being a cop making communities safe, caring for children, and doing what it takes to stop someone from hurting another person.”

  My earliest experiences with law enforcement were ones of mercy, very undeserved mercy. I think I was about eleven. My family lived on the south side of Atlanta. At the back of our home we had a screened in back porch.

  Somehow we had secured some firecrackers and had probably a hundred of them left over. Young boys alone without supervision is not usually a wise thing. Somehow I had the bright idea it would be fun to light off all of those firecrackers. So I started lighting them one after another and throwing them across the porch. I have no idea how many I had set off, probably fifty or so. Between blasts it sounded like a helicopter was hovering nearby so I stepped outside to check it out. There was. It was a police helicopter and one of Atlanta’s finest was walking down my driveway with his gun half drawn. I stepped out where he could see me and he asked me if someone was shooting off guns. Things hadn’t quite clicked yet in my young mind. Then, he asked if I knew what the banging noise was from, so I confessed I’d been shooting off a “few” firecrackers. He got on his radio to give an all clear. Then, he asked if I have any more firecrackers. I handed them over. He briefly lectures me about not doing it again – and then he’s gone. He didn’t ask where my parents were or chew me out. He simply told me not to do it again and gave me a look of “boys will be boys.” His presence really got my attention. I never did that again. He could have made it a big deal but didn’t. He showed mercy to a young boy who never considered what he was doing might be a problem.

  There were a few other run-ins with law enforcement before I became an adult. I’ll spare you more gory details of adolescent stupidity. One occasion they could have arrested me but again – I was shown mercy.

  For the past fifteen years, I’ve had the privilege of being the Chaplain for the Burlington Police Department. I’ve also worked with Racine County Sheriff’s Department on a few occasions. While officers must arrest those who are breaking serious laws, or putting themselves or others in danger, what I have seen over and over again are very committed individuals who are very concerned with public safety and welfare. These dedicated men and women put their lives at risk each time they put on the uniform. Even in a small town like Burlington, they don’t know if the next traffic stop could be their last one.  

  They are often the peacemakers bringing common sense when others are lacking it. I still remember my first ride-along as chaplain. It was a major crime scene of…a barking dog. A man who was irate (and a tad intoxicated) was coming unglued because his neighbor’s dog was barking. Of course, he’d never talked to the neighbor about his concern. So the officer had to go talk to the neighbor. He kindly urged him to please restrain the dog – no muss, no fuss.

  When a small child locked himself in a running car, I was there with the officer on a brutally cold day. The toddler was screaming hysterically on the inside of the car as the officer patiently worked to trip the lock to rescue him. Cops are usually the first on the scene with a suicide or drug overdose. I’ve been there when they’ve had to tell a parent or spouse their loved one has taken his or her own life.

  Though these men and women may seem like they’re made of steel, they’re not. When a child dies or is injured, they’re the ones who must control their emotions, even if inside they’re hurting. They just can’t show it. They’re the ones who search for the Alzheimer’s patient who wandered away from home. They’re the ones called to a volatile domestic disturbance. They’re the ones who must wade into those charged emotions, trying to make certain no one gets hurt and that they also are not hurt themselves in the process.

  The law enforcement profession has always been a tough business. Over the course of a career, an officer will see the best and worst in humanity…and as culture continues to devolve, more of the worst. One moment, they may be thanked for what they do and then be spit upon and called a list of vile names less than an hour later.

  Is it any wonder cops become cynical and confused as to what to expect and how the public they serve feels about them—and consequently, how they feel about the public? Most officers wear Kevlar vests to protect themselves from a criminal’s bullets. Over the years, officers develop an emotional “Kevlar exterior” to protect themselves from the horrible things they see and feel. They work hard to not take it home to their spouses and children, who probably wouldn’t understand anyway. Yet, in spite of well-developed emotional armor, it’s sometimes impossible not to let some of this negativity slip inside and begin to take its toll.

  They are frequently, demeaned, ridiculed and lied to. In more recent times, there’s been a national questioning of their integrity. Yet, still each day, they put the uniform back on. They’re the ones you call if your pet or your child or your grandparent wanders off...and they always come. 

  It’s a privilege for us as the Grace Family to honor them today and to say “Thank you!” I hope our gratitude and support echoes in their ears and minds for days, even months to come. Hopefully because we have put some faces with their badges, when we see them out in public, we’ll whisper a prayer for their welfare and safety. And when we can, at the very least give them a friendly wave or a thumbs up. As opportunities present themselves, tell them “thank you” and you’re glad they’re there and for all they do. It will embarrass them a little and they will probably give you a sheepish look but it’s good for them! They need to be reminded again and again, they’re important, supported and appreciated!  

Asperger Syndrome changed my life...for the better!

“Compassion is the deep feeling of sharing in the suffering of another and the desire to relieve that suffering.”   Jerry Bridges

  I have some friends in the Chicago area. They’re more like acquaintances and they’re two of the classiest individuals I’ve ever met. Sometimes we meet at events…and while I’m often dressed very casually (which means I’m attired just a step above a homeless person). But it doesn’t matter if the occasion is going to be sweaty and include work, they always look like they just posed for a department store catalog. They’re two of the friendliest and most gracious individuals I know.

  While we don’t know each other well, we run into each fairly regularly at social occasions. A few months back I ran into them and for the first time, they had their son with them. He stood out just a little bit – he’s a special needs child. For the briefest moment, I saw a questioning look in his Dad’s eyes on how I’d respond. I tried to immediately set his mind at ease – you see, as most of you know, I, too, am the parent of a special needs child.

  Our son, Ben, was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was a baby. As Ben, grew older we discovered Ben looked at the world differently – particularly for me. We knew there was some type of learning issue, we just didn’t know what it was. It’s one of the primary reasons we decided to home school. As Jane had a degree in elementary education and had taught second grade, we wanted Ben to receive the extra time he might need to process educational information. So we pulled all three of our children out of traditional schools (we didn’t want Ben to stick out). As they approached high school, we enrolled them as freshmen. While we wanted to lay a strong foundation for them, we knew they’d need to learn to function in the real world. With Ben, because we knew there were special needs, though we didn’t know what they were, we requested an IEP. It was then Ben was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and a program was specifically designed by Burlington High School to assist him.  

  And God wonderfully blessed! Ben was assigned to Bob Patzwald, to help him with his educational hurdles. In our minds, Bob was nearly an angel. He is one of the kindest and most patient individuals I’ve ever met. Bob didn’t just do his job, he and Ben became friends and are still friends to this day. He will always be a hero to us! Jane and I feel we owe an unpayable debt to Bob because of the great investment he made in our son.

  Ben is one of God’s special gifts to me. He is truly nearly everything I am not. While God in His goodness has used all of our children in my life to grow me and prune away dead branches in my soul, God particularly used Ben to do that. Personally, I agree with Gary Thomas, as he unpacks in his phenomenal book, Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls. As we raise our children, our Heavenly Father in love uses them to grow us and transform us into being more Christlike.

  For example, Ben is a processor. As an adult child of an alcoholic, I make decisions rather quickly. In my home growing up, it kept you safe. Ben is very outgoing. I tend to be reserved. Ben is very trusting (sometimes I’m not sure he believes in depravity), I tend to be a bit suspicious. Ben loves sports (that one I’m blaming on Jane and his grandfather, Ed Quick). I’m still baby-stepping. Ben is kind to those who are unkind to him. It’s only by God’s grace as I realize I am forgiven of so much, I must be a forgiver. God has wonderfully used Ben in my life to help me be more like Jesus.

  Do you know another wonderful gift God gave us when Ben was growing up? YOU! God blessed us with you – you are such a kind and patient church family. Some pastors are verbally assaulted week after week because their children are simply “children.” Some people foolishly, not to mention, unbiblically, believe a pastor’s children are to be a bit more holy than other children. Not you, instead, you just loved our children and let them be children, and later teenagers. Many of Ben’s best friends are in this church. He’s blessed with extra grandparents and Dads, Moms and brothers and sisters – and that’s the way it’s supposed to be!

  All of this is on my heart right now because it’s National Autism Month. Wouldn’t it be a tragedy if a family felt they couldn’t come to our church because of their child’s special needs? Life is messy. The Christian life is messy. The Church is messy. Jesus came because He knew we were messy and apart from Him, we had no hope of ever getting past messy.

  Oftentimes, I see parents with a sense of embarrassment in their eyes if their child misbehaves in front of the “Pastor.” I frequently reassure them, “If your child does something I’ve never seen before, I’ll give you money.”

  Parents are parents. Children are children. None of us are perfect. While it doesn’t mean we settle for mediocrity, it does mean we extend love, grace and patience as it’s already been extended to us by the Lord Jesus. It requires something wonderfully biblical and is rarely found in a pagan world – humility. It means we don’t know everything, or have our act totally together, and we dare not be judgmental because we all need God’s grace and help.

  If you haven’t noticed, a constant theme of the book of Luke, unique to his Gospel, is Jesus’ compassion for the disenfranchised. Jesus has a special love for the sick, blind, demon-possessed, leprous, poor, wicked, social outcasts and countless others. You and I are to be Jesus in this world.

  A lost world values success, symbolism and perfection with little time for those who don’t measure up. In the Church, we already know none of us measure up. And we extend love, grace, patience and kindness just as Jesus has extended it to us.

  Most of us know someone with a special needs child. Maybe it’s autism or Down Syndrome. Maybe it’s learning difficulties, behavioral or even emotional issues. It could be a rebellious teen. How can you help? 

  Pray for them. Be an encouragement. You may not have a clue on what they’re going through. Most of us don’t, but if you know Jesus, you know Someone who does. As Hebrews 4:16 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Be Jesus in their lives and continually point them to Jesus!

Looking for quality used Christian books and other types of books at prices lower than even Amazon. Check out our family's online used bookstore at resurrectedreads.com or visit our store at the Waterford Unique Antique Market at 209 North Milwaukee Street in Waterford, WI --  262.534.3500. 

The Happiest Place on earth...it's not Disneyland

“They say the happiest place on earth is Disneyland. They’re wrong, it’s camp.”

  As difficult as it is to believe, summer is a few weeks away. Summer break will be here soon. So what are your children doing this summer?

  Hopefully, you have some vacation time planned with the whole family. As the nice weather arrives, I hope you’re trimming the schedule to the essentials, making room and planning quality and quantity family time.

  If you’re a grandparent, I hope you use this time while school is out to spend chunks of time with your grandchildren. It’s an excuse to give their parents a break and a great opportunity for you to invest in their lives. Some of my fondest memories from childhood are of staying with my grandparents in South Georgia. So have you considered Christian camp this coming summer? A week at a Christian camp can be life changing for a young person. I hope you’ll seriously consider sending your child off to a good one for a week or two.

  After graduating from high school, I worked at a Christian camp as a counselor and lifeguard in upstate New York. It was a great opportunity to invest in the lives of young people, most of them from the sin-saturated world around New York City. Some of them made decisions for Christ that week, whether for salvation or committing their life to Him. When I get Home, I hope to meet a few of those campers and learn that the summer of 1977 at Camp Robin Hood was when they came to know Jesus.

  For most parents, there are more options than funds. Yet, investing in a week of Christian camp can help set the trajectory of your child’s life for a godly outcome which can carry them through adulthood. It can be one of the best investments you’ll ever make in the lives of your children. Why?

  Long time friendships. Your children are going to have friends. The key question is: What kind of friends? Will they be Christian friends with a biblical worldview? Christian camps are staffed by college age young people committed to Christ who love the Lord. Your child is going to have someone besides you sharing a biblical worldview. Your child will potentially ask questions, share fears and hopes with these godly leaders they might never share with you. They’re going to be given responses which line up with what Scripture teaches. With technology they potentially will remain friends with these leaders and other campers for years to come. They’ll hear Bible teaching from someone who knows how to relate to them. They’re going to have the same biblical truth we teach at Grace affirmed. It will give it more credibility in their skeptical world.  

  They are going to experience God’s glorious creation. A week at camp will give them a much needed break from technology so they can experience God’s handiwork and really listen to the Lord. Camp will keep them so busy having fun and building relationships, that after a few hours they’ll forget they don’t have their phone, aren’t watching TV or playing video games. They won’t care about texting because they’re talking to real people. A technology fast helps them learn technology isn’t crucial and they can actually survive without it. They’ll learn how to build relationships and how much fun, not to mention, how fulfilling life is without it. Most importantly, they have an easier time focusing on what really matters – eternal matters, because they’re not so distracted.

  Quality spiritual nourishment. For a week, they have the opportunity to saturate their minds and hearts with God’s Word. Many young people come back from camp on a “spiritual high” because they’ve actually tasted the greatness of God and His Word. Spending time each day studying God’s word, hearing Bible lessons, praying together and singing praises to God will do that to you! Afterwards, it’s an opportunity for your home to take some new spiritual directions because your child is on your team, rather than opposing what you want to do as a family spiritually.

  But Christian camp isn’t only for kids. All of us, even sophisticated adults, need times like this too. Most of us would do well to take a page from the Christian camp handbook. We can make our homes a place where our kids hang out with Christian friends, have limited technological distractions, spend time studying the Bible, singing praises to God and enjoying His creation. This summer why not determine to make your home a place where your kids are spiritually charged up all year long?

  At Grace Church we are a family…and family takes care of family! A constant theme of Scripture is of those in the family with more financial resources helping those who don’t have them. With our commitment to a new building, we rarely challenge you with other financial needs. Our new building is merely a tool to help us see lives changed. We are committed to investing generationally! Young people are our greatest hope to impact our world in the years to come.

  We have some families at Grace who can’t afford to send their child to camp. Or, they have several children and can’t afford to send all of them. We have families where going out to eat is big treat. For a few, they may need help with all of the costs. For most, they just need a little help.

  Because we believe this is so important, we’re asking those who can to please give to a Christian camp scholarship fund, along with their regular giving. We’ll then use this fund to assist families who wouldn’t be able to send their child to camp. Please understand, too, we’ll only be collecting these funds for scholarships this week and next Sunday. 

  Perhaps your own children are grown or you just feel passionate about investing in the next generation. Please pray about it and if the Lord lays it on your heart to help a child go to a Christian camp, then give accordingly. 

Looking for quality used Christian books and other types of books at prices lower than even Amazon. Check out our family's online used bookstore at resurrectedreads.com or visit our store at the Waterford Unique Antique Market at 209 North Milwaukee Street in Waterford, WI --  262.534.3500. 

The Eeyore Syndrome

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”  Frances Hodgson Burnett

  Eeyore, (from Winnie the Pooh) the old grey donkey, stood by the stream, and looked at himself in the water. “Pathetic,” Eeyore said. “That’s what it is, pathetic.” He turned and walked slowly down the stream for twenty yards, splashed across it, and walked slowly back to the other side. Then he looked at himself in the water again. “As I thought,” he said. “No better from this side…Pathetic, that’s what it is.”

  This world is filled with Eeyores. Those who are chronically pessimistic, gloomy, depressed, the glass is half empty people. Churches are filled with Eeyores. Chronically negative individuals infected with The Eeyore Syndrome. Someone with The Eeyore Syndrome is: habitually critical, petty, sad, melancholy, gloomy etc., for more days than not. They’re over concerned with their problems, no matter how small and have a round the clock “poor me” attitude. They can find a little black rain cloud on a sun-drenched day. They find joy in being miserable or being the emissaries of bad news. Often those with Eeyore Syndrome claim they’re only realists. And they might be, if this world was all there is…but it’s not!

  While God has not called us to have our heads in the clouds or to park our brains and common sense at the door, it’s a sin to be a pessimist. We’re also not called to be a Winnie the Pooh where life is simple and the next honey jar is just around the corner. What God has called us as Christians to be are Sanctified Optimists!

  A pessimist believes Satan is in charge, that this is his world and he’s in control. There is nothing good because Satan is so bad. Then, a realist believes only in what they can see. They’re facts and figures individuals. Life for them is limited to the world of the empirical.

  Yet, God has called us, as those who live by faith, to be Sanctified Optimists. Why? Because Satan is a trespasser. This really is my Father’s world. While it may not appear to be the case, Jesus is King, though He’s not yet taken back His throne. We must be Sanctified Optimists to obey Scripture and have the “mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:5). Sadly, we’ve succumbed to Satan’s reign, domain and worldview when…

  We continually think and expect the worst. We’re so negative we can even take a positive situation and turn it into a negative. We talk ourselves into misery, gloom and doom. Basically, if we want to bad enough, we can find something negative about anything and everything…and many do.  

  We turn being negative into a positive thing. We justify our negative attitude. “This way I’m not disappointed when something bad happens.” We rationalize it’s self-protection. Actually, it’s negativity disguised as wisdom. No matter how we camouflage it, it’s a lack of faith in God and His goodness. The bottom line is we see and focus on what we’re looking for. We either continually see Satan at work or we see the Savior at work.

  And it’s true, there is a lot of Satan’s work, there is so much evil in this world. Yet, when we focus primarily on Satan’s work, we act as if this is his world and he’s in charge. He’s not! He’s a conquered foe. Jesus crushed his head on the Cross (Genesis 3:15). Yet, most of us, even those of us who are the people of faith, primarily only see and think about Satan’s actions and work. No wonder we’re depressed, melancholic and pessimistic.

  I’m convinced we must by the power of the Spirit in faith proactively look for Jesus and His working in this world. It must be our focus. It needs to be our mental diet. While it is not natural, it is supernatural. And when we do this, it’s so freeing. We’re obedient to Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Our mental diet is not to be on Satan’s work, but God’s work and world.

  When we begin to look for Jesus we’re more attentive to common grace. So when someone is honest or kind or thoughtful, even if they’re a pagan, even if they’re an atheist – is that of Satan or of Jesus? It’s of Jesus, even if they don’t realize it or are opposed to Him. It’s the fulfillment of James 1:17 in everyday life, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” Sanctified Optimism means we begin to notice Jesus is in control and working in this world. It means we acknowledge and thank Him for working in our world, even when a lost world doesn’t have a clue it is doing His bidding.

  When we begin to look for Jesus we’re more attentive to divine grace. It changes our prayer life. We pray in faith, knowing nothing is too hard for God (Luke 1:17). We’re not foolish, yet set aside cynicism. We stop limiting God or putting Him in our box of doubt.

  The Bible is a case history of Sanctified Optimism. It literally overflows with Sanctified Optimism. A favorite of mine is when Jesus met Peter and said to him, “You are Simon son of John. You shall be called Cephas—which translated is Peter [Stone].” Peter went from sand to stone in the hands of Jesus. It’s the Sanctified Optimism of Jesus.

  Many of us were Peters prior to coming to Christ. No one would have ever imagined how God in His grace would revolutionize our lives. Each of us has several Peters or Peterettes in our own lives. It’s frequently the person you think is least likely to ever come to Christ. But are you praying in faith they will? Are you praying for God to work and intervene? You may be praying for the next Paul?

  Those with The Eeyore Syndrome hardly pray, if at all. Why would they? They don’t believe it makes any difference. Yet, people of faith, those with a biblical worldview and Sanctified Optimism are people of prayer. 

  Do you need to change who you see? Does your prayer life need to radically change? Maybe you should start with, “Lord, help me to stop just seeing Satan at work and begin seeing Jesus working in this fallen world. Help me to grow and have more Jesus’ moments.” 

Looking for quality used Christian books and other types of books at prices lower than even Amazon. Check out our family's online used bookstore at resurrectedreads.com or visit our store at the Waterford Unique Antique Market at 209 North Milwaukee Street in Waterford, WI --  262.534.3500. 

Captain and Tennille...and authenticity

“But above all, in order to be, never try to seem.”  Albert Camus

  Was one of the songs you had as part of your wedding, The Wedding Song by Captain and Tennille? Certain love songs are trendy. For a brief period while they’re popular, it seems like they’re part of nearly every wedding.

  That was certainly the case with The Wedding Song for those from that era. Some of the biggest love songs of the early 1970’s were popularized by Captain and Tennille. This famous duo had five albums certified gold or platinum and scored numerous hits on the US singles charts. Some of the most enduring included Love Will Keep Us Together, Lonely Night (Angel Face) and Muskrat Love. From 1976-1977 they even hosted their own television show where they sang their repertoire of songs.

  Captain and Tennille were married for nearly forty years. They wrote songs about love, talked about love, sang about love, acted as if they were madly in love – they were only missing one thing – LOVE, authentic love.

  That came out in her recent book, Toni Tennille: A Memoir, the female half of the famed duo. Toni spills sad secrets from her career and marriage in this new self-titled memoir. In her autobiography, Toni Tenille now seventy-five covers everything from her childhood in the South to her often-troubled marriage to Daryl Dragon, “Captain.” She shares she wrote some of her most popular love songs out of unrequited yearning for her husband. Describing her husband of 39 years as emotionally distant, she says she often tried to reach him through the lyrics to her love songs she wrote. “I felt that he just didn't know what love was,” she says of Captain, from whom she split in 2014. “I thought if I showed him what it was, if I were able to give it to him, that he would open up like a flower. It never happened.”

  How sad! To talk, even sing so much about love but know so little about it. Captain and Tennille were part of my teen years. It saddened to me to learn it was all little more than a façade. Stuff for the stage yet missing from life, inauthentic. It was verbiage without reality.

  As I read this, it struck me that sadly their “love life” is a parallel experience for many Christians. Many Christians know “Christianese,” yet know so little about Jesus Christ. They talk, even sing “church talk,” yet like Captain and Tennille, there’s more talk than a deep relationship with Jesus. Sadly, like Captain and Tennille, the price is very high.

  Instead of a fulfilled authentic Christian life overflowing with what Jesus died to give us – a relationship with love, peace and joy – there’s lots of talk. When the heat of life happens, as it always does, who we are quickly bubbles to the surface – anxiety, anger, insecurity, fear, discontent – to name a few.

  Why is that? Why is an authentic Christian so unusual? Why are there so few Christians, when you really get to know them, their life varies little from even an atheist? Why are there so few Christians who are winsome? Who others long to be around, to have what they have, to be like them? Where their life makes others thirsty for the Water of Life?  

  There are many reasons. Yet, I think the most common, the #1 reason so few Christians are like Jesus is simply that they spend so little time with Jesus. There’s an insightful verse in Acts 4:13 which ought to be true of every believer: “And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

  Christian friend, do you want fulfillment? Do you want what Jesus longs to give you? Do you want what Jesus died and saved you for? Then, you must spend time with Jesus! Obviously, unlike Peter and John, we can’t spend physical time with Jesus. We have something much better, we possess Jesus’ Word, the Bible. Jesus is the Living Word; The Bible is God’s Living Word. Even Peter and John couldn’t be with Jesus, 24/7, yet we have God’s Word 24/7, every moment of every day.

  Why aren’t we more like Jesus? Why don’t we spend enough time with Him? There is one primary reason – We’re too hurried. We spend time on good things, yet neglect the best. When we make that choice, even the good things aren’t that good. If you asked the typical Christian why they don’t read their Bible and pray, most would respond, “I don’t have time…I’m just too busy”

  We have foolishly underestimated the immeasurable value of spending time with Jesus. And then we wonder why our spouse so easily irritates us, why our children so quickly get on our nerves, why do we have to work with so many idiots, why are there so many stupid drivers, why are there so many who can’t think and even post such ludicrous things on Facebook? Why we’re never satisfied? Why did does a dream vacation end up feeling more like a nightmare? Why doesn’t a new car, new furniture, remodeling project, new house, new toy, new job, even a new relationship…why do they ultimately fail to bring true and lasting satisfaction?

  Because only Jesus can do that. All the stuff of this world is like cotton candy, sweet at first yet over the long haul, it will never satisfy. Jesus is truly the sweetest Name I know. He’s the only One who can fill your soul. For us to have the fulfilled life He desires and designed us to have, we must regularly spend time with Him. Instead, too many Christians talk about Jesus, yet rarely spend time with Him.

  But we all have the same amount of time. Be honest. Think about all the time you waste on TV, your phone or the Internet. But you don’t have time to spend with Jesus, the One who loves you and died for you? Really?!?

  I’m not talking about spiritual Olympics where you spend hours reading your Bible or praying. Do you truly though not have half an hour or an hour each day? Spending time with Jesus will change your life, more than anything else you do.

  Perhaps make it a breakfast appointment. Don’t let anything but an emergency keep you from meeting with your best Friend. Close your ears to Satan’s lie that “you’re too busy…you just have too much to do.”

  In fact, if you spend time with Him, you’ll be amazed how much He will bless the rest of your day, even make you wiser with you time and more efficient. It’s a lack of faith that we believe what we do is so essential we won’t make time with Him a critical part of our life. Nothing else will so radically change your whole life as spending time with the Lord. Perhaps ask a Christian friend to be an accountability partner to encourage you to faithfully meet with the Savior, at least until it becomes part of your life. 

  Let’s not just talk about Jesus, instead may we because we spend our best moments with Him, truly know Him. Then, others will see Jesus in us! A plastic world is starving for authenticity. May we truly be Jesus to them! 

Looking for quality used Christian books and other types of books at prices lower than even Amazon. Check out our family's online used bookstore at resurrectedreads.com or visit our store at the Waterford Unique Antique Market at 209 North Milwaukee Street in Waterford, WI --  262.534.3500.