Project Resurrected

Project Resurrected

How many times do we hear about a building project that is full of potential only to learn later that it is dead in its tracks, a shell of what it could be? Then a new owner comes along who resurrects the project; who injects new life into it. All of the beauty and magnificence originally hoped for is realized. Many lives are positively impacted as a result.

I attend a Sunday School class called Finding our Place in God’s Story. This past Sunday we examined Jesus’ death and resurrection and were asked by our instructor, Pastor Beau Stanley, to write a one paragraph summary of what this means to us. As I reflected on the lesson and what Jesus’ death and resurrection mean to me, I thought of the illustration above.

You see, before I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I was like that building project, full of potential but dead in my tracks, a shell of what I could be. There was nothing I could do pay the debt of my sin. Jesus came along and took upon himself on the cross the punishment that was meant for me (Rom 3:23, Rom 6:23, John 3:16.) Through Jesus’ death & resurrection, I too was resurrected.  I have been injected with new life (John 10:10.) I have been redeemed and restored to the beauty and magnificence that God originally intended for me.

 

Jesus Christ can do the same for you!!

 

Blessings

 BDE  

Opposites Attract

Our society has become fixated on name calling, labels, and political correctness. The very things people accuse others of, they often are themselves. For example, if someone calls another homophobic, could it be that that someone is heterophobic ? What about the person who labels another intolerant.  Isn’t it highly likely that they themselves are being intolerant? The same goes for being a hate monger! What about the folks who play the race card at every opportunity? Aren’t they actually the ones who are being racist?

 In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus challenges us to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Our neighbor isn’t just the guy next door or the family down the street. Our “neighbor” could be anybody that we come across that needs our assistance even if that person is our enemy. Yes, Jesus commands us to love our enemy’s (Matthew 5:44.). It could be the person who calls you homophobic; who labels you as intolerant or a hate monger; who accuses you of being a racist.

 How do we do this? The Samaritans were looked down upon, even scorned by the Jewish people. The Samaritan had every reason to keep right on walking. Why would he want to help someone who was intolerant and a racist? Yet that is exactly what he did. What moved him to give of his time & resources? He extended his grace & mercy on the Jew. God has extended His grace (giving us something we don’t deserve or not giving us something we do deserve) and mercy (showing forgiveness and compassion) to us through his son Jesus Christ.  In Jesus’ death on the cross, he took our place. What was meant for us, Jesus paid our punishment in full. This was God’s ultimate expression of love and sacrifice.

Opposites attract when we look at our neighbor and our enemy through the lens of God’s grace and mercy towards us. We look to the cross and recognize that as Jesus unselfishly gave of himself, we are called to unselfishly give of ourselves.

 Let us be about the business of attracting opposites!!

 Blessings,

 BDE

WHY I DO NOT BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION

 

As human beings, we are blessed with the ability to not only appreciate the beauty of a well constructed home, building, car, watch etc., but to also admire the creator of such fine work.

When it comes to considering arguments for and against evolution, I think at times we try to overcomplicate things. We get bogged down and easily intimidated by the rhetoric, spin and intellectual presentation made by folks with DR and PHD after their names.

 We often hear that if science cannot prove it, it’s not truth. Is that actually true though? Science deals in the natural realm only. It doesn’t allow room for the supernatural.  Science is limited by man’s ability to interpret what can only be observed, tested and repeated. Science cannot prove that science is the only way to know truth.

 If I use science’s own standards of measuring truth then the process of evolution cannot explain nor prove the following questions:

 1). How did life begin?

2). Where did our ability to experience emotions come from?

3). Where did our sense of right and wrong (morality) come from?

4). How come there is no fossil record showing one specie evolving into another specie?

5). Why do unnatural phenomenon’s still occur.

 Unless these questions can be “scientifically” proven, then evolution is nothing more than a theory.  It’s a theory that I find takes far more faith to believe than it does for me to admire the creator of such fine work.

 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

Blessings

BDE  

MY TOP TEN

Have you ever wondered why we are so captivated by "Top Ten" lists? It seems like there is one of these lists for just about anything we can think of. These lists can be fun. They can be obnoxious. They can solict emotions of happiness, pride, dissappointment, and anger. They can provide valuable information useful in making decisions.They can provide guidance & direction.They can predict behaviors.They can predict outcomes.

Well, I have a Top Ten list of my own. This list consist of ten life principles I shared with my son in a letter I wrote him this past summer. I developed this list as I reflected back over the years and thought about the successes that I experienced; the mistakes I've made; the trials and difficulites I've faced; and the lessons I have learned learned. Here they are:

Principle No. 1 - Do not abandon your faith (John 16:33, Eph 3:17)
Principle No. 2 - Choose wisely (Proverbs 14:12 & 19:21)
Principle No. 3 - Keep good company (Proverbs 13:20 & 1 Cor 15:33)
Principle No. 4 - Work hard; give great effort (Col 3:23-24)
Principle No. 5 - Take the initiative (Proverbs 12:34)
Principle No. 6 - Accept responsibility (2 Cor 5:10)
Principle No. 7 - Keep your focus (Phil 3:14)
Principle No. 8 - Be a good steward (Luke 12:48 & Psalm 24:1-2)
Principle No. 9 - Seek Godly Council (Proverbs 19:20-21, 2 Tim 3:16, & Psalm 119:105)
Principle No. 10 - Have a joyful heart (Proverbs 17:22)

The challenge we face with a list like this is to implement them into our daily lives. It's not easy and we have other "Top Ten" list competing for our time and attention. I have found that when I do follow them, I am better able to navigate the twists and turns and the ups and downs that this journey called life has to offer. I trust they will do the same for you!

Blessings,

BDE. 

Created in His Image

Wow, my last entry was 12/20/2011! Where has the time gone? Well, I am glad to be back!!

Take a moment to think about a building or structure you've seen that just made you marvel at its magnificents. For me, it was the Cathederal of Notre Dame in Paris, France. I remember being in awe of it's size, beauty, and architecture. Upon entering the Cathederal, you could feel the sense of respect and reverence it commanded. I was amazed that man could create something so wonderful.

This got me to be thinking that if we are created in God's Image, do we feel the same sense of awe and magnificents toward God. There are of course those who believe that we are nothing more than just some cosmic accident; that it's only by random chance that we are here; that we are nothing more than the result of some evolutionary process. I do not believe that to be the case. The Bible says in Genesis 1:26 "and God said let us make man in our image, after our likeness ... Think about this for a moment. The God of the Universe would create us in His image, in His likeness. Now that blows me away. It's almost unfathomable. It stands to reason then that if we our created in His image; his likeness, we would be blessed with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to create things of beauty and wonder. We see His imprint all around us but especially on ourselves. The Psalmist writes I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

Let us be ever mindfull that in the good times and the bad, the mountain top highs and the valley lows, our successes and failures, health or sickness, life or death, we are CREATED IN HIS IMAGE. God loves us. In Him, we have purpose and value. He will provide for us. He will be present for us. He will protect us. He will empower us. Will we marvel enough at His magnificents to place all of our trust in Him?

Blessings,

Brian

Extreme Makeover - the Heart Edition

Have you ever noticed how many “Extreme Makeover” shows are on TV these days? We see makeovers for everything from homes, cars, & hair to dress, weight, restaurants & schools. On the surface, these makeovers appear to be a good thing. Needs are met. Hope is given. Happiness is received. The shows tug at our heart strings. We feel good about the “gift” being provided to make someone’s life better. But what happens when the lights go down; when the cameras are put away; when the TV personalities move on to the next person? Far too often, we hear that the mortgage on the new home can’t be met, the weight is put back on, and the restaurant goes out of business. These gifts, no matter how well intentioned, are only temporary.

This Christmas let us reflect upon, acknowledge, and accept the gift that keeps on giving; the gift that will last an eternity. Isaiah 7:14 speaks of a virgin who will give birth to a son who will be called Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Consider that the God of the universe loves us so much and desires to have a personal relationship with each of us that He would be willing to be with us through the gift of His son Jesus. If we embrace this gift our hearts will be transformed. If we believe in this gift we will have everlasting life (John 3:16). In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the season, take the time to give yourself an Extreme Makeover – the Heart Edition.

Merry Christmas!!

Experience the Journey

Whether a project is small or large, it always begins with a vision. Plans are developed with the end in mind. In some cases, the only one who can see the vision clearly is the creator or designer. To those on the outside, the vision is blurred and the process of going from point A to B makes no sense. They are unable to see the big picture. They want to get to the destination without experiencing the journey.

This is often the case as God works in our own lives. He has a vision for each one of us that we don't always see clearly. God reinforced this to me through the journey my son and his high school soccer team just completed. It was a journey that resulted in winning a state championship.

A little over a month ago as I was praying, I ask the Lord to grant Brett and his team the opportunity to make it to the state championship one last time. While God didn't speak to me audibly, I did feel a sense of peace that He would allow this to happen. I felt Him telling me that the destination was all ready determined but to trust Him during the journey. This was difficult to do because I had no control over the outcomes. Injuries, mid season losses, & a lack of leadership had me wondering whether this was all wishful thinking on my part. What I experienced was nothing short of remarkable. I saw God do an incredible work in these young peoples lives and in my own. Hearts were transformed and valuable life lessens were learned.

God calls us to trust Him and not rely on our own understanding. He wants us to experience the journey on our way to the destination (Proverbs 3:5-6). It's through these experiences that we gain wisdom and grow in our faith. Our relationship with God is strengthened.