True or Not True...Is That The Question?

Truth as defined by the dictionary is a verified or indisputable fact. But truth is no longer just that, right? Seriously, truth is more or less left up to the individual these days. We seem to be at a time in history where tolerance of other people's opinions and positions is considered extremely valuable. As a matter of fact, it seems that personal positions are so valuable, that to contradict one is the act of an intolerant person or people group. So for the sake of tolerance, we are blurring truth, agreed? If not, that's cool...and you might just say that it is not true for you (you might want to stop reading now then).

Truth has become individual and personalized. When did this happen? What is at the root of this? Is this a surprise or a shock to you? It shouldn't be. You want to see examples of subjective truth at its finest? Kids. Ever been to a lunch recess at a elementary or middle or high school? Their truth is theirs: just ask them they will swear to it! This is not surprising, as a matter of fact Paul wrote about this over 1500 years ago:

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3, 4.

Sounds like Paul is saying in his letter to Timothy, there will come a day where truth will become subjective, and people will believe what they want to believe. This subjective truth is just people wanting to believe what best fits them in their personal life positions. Does not seem unreasonable, does it? When we curb truth to adjust to situations or avoid the appearance of intolerance, we blur truth. Seems like to me, we are in those days, and truth is now what each person wants it to be.

Want to know the biggest problem with this? We are blurring truth so regularly and often, that absolute truth is no longer relevant. And we are trapped by subjective truth, afraid to offend others with our position or challenge theirs. What would happen if we looked for, and at truth?

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32.

By the way, there is a way to see if something is true...try it out, test it. Jesus taught truth, and to all those who listened, followed, and obeyed, they were blessed beyond measure by their response to His truth. I say if we are tired of the way we think things are, and would like a change, maybe we ought to consider the truth Jesus offers.

...just sayin'

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

UNDECIDED?

Hate missing out on things? Do you get caught between choices because of fear that one choice will somehow be better? Maybe you are afraid to miss out on something so you deliberate over some choices for extended periods of time. Sometimes we even do the unthinkable: we choose not to choose at all.

If we are not prepared when we are stuck trying to make a choice, we can just let whatever seems most favorable at the time win us over – “Seems best for now”. Is that the best decision making process? Of course not. When it comes to things that really matter we need input, facts, figures, and information in order to make the best decision possible. Then what about your faith? What about what you believe?

We either want to argue what we have is the best or try to make everyone get along by taking the attitude of, “To each his own”. Why not decide on truth now. Decide what and why you believe what you do now, so that when the time comes and your beliefs are tested (and they will be), you will already have made up your mind.

There is nothing wrong with knowing what you like, or believe. My youngest daughter knows what she likes, and one time I tried to talk her into trying something new (sushi) by telling her it tasted like something she loved (chicken). Result: 20 minutes of cleaning up vomit; well done dad (and a little funny looking back). But you know what? We need to be the same way about what we believe. We should be so sure of our faith and what we believe that when someone offers us something false to swallow,  it would come right back up and be vomited out of us. And then yes, they should have to clean up the mess.

…just sayin’

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

Hurt and Healing

Hurt hurts...sounds simple, but we know this to be true. If you are anything like me when it comes to hurt I use an "avoid-at-all-cost" approach. But it happens, and when it does I find myself trying to figure it out, how I can fix it quickly or blame it away. This is how we deal with hurt for the most part, right? Either try to figure out why it happened, fix it, or blame someone else. Because if we have a reason for the hurt, it's somehow better? It hurts less or goes away?

I just returned from a family funeral I performed on Monday, my older brother's wife had recently lost her battle with metastasized lung cancer that had spread to her bones. I used the term "lost" because it is a term that I often hear used when people become seriously ill and "battle" a disease, and by outward appearance the disease "won". Really? A disease is a living thing that destroys health. Its goal is to live as a disease, and it has as it's bi-product, destruction and death. But whose loss is it? "We" lose a loved one, a family member, a friend...and the disease loses being the disease any more in that person too.

Although it is a battle when we fight a disease, it truly is not the war. When someone is sick I pray for God to heal, period. I also know the three ways in which I am confident He will: miraculous cure, medical intervention, perfect healing. We all pray for the first two, but perfect can only happen in heaven, and that means God needed to take them to heaven to heal them. This is when the healing is the hurt. Sounds backwards, but I want you to think about this for a minute...

We do not get to know why God does everything He does, but we know He is God and His ways are perfect.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord." Is. 55:8

Maybe the hurt you are feeling right now is God's healing? What if what you are going through is part of God's divine and perfect plan, and He is wanting to use this time as a time of healing in your life? This changes everything. Yes it should, because Jesus changed everything. Jesus raised the dead, healed the sick, made the mute speak, and gave sight to the blind!

Maybe it is not the hurt in our lives that is the problem, but how we "SEE" it? If you are hurting, maybe instead of asking God to take the hurt away, it is time to ask God to heal your blindness so you can see what He wants you to see. Then maybe we can start to find the healing...the healing in the hurt.

...just sayin'

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

Automagically?

Looking for a miracle? Hoping for a miracle? Depending on one? Maybe you are in a situation or relationship that if God does not show up and perform a miracle, then there is going to be a crisis and it will be over for you. Are you praying non-stop for God's miraculous intervention?

When it comes to God and His miracles, there are a few things we need to consider. First, God can and still performs miracles, and it is faulty thinking that God only performed miracles up to Jesus' time and then He stopped. This would mean that God changed, and just an FYI - one of God's attributes is that He is unchangeable...so He didn't. God still performs miracles.

Next, we need to understand that miracles do not just happen auto-magically. They are neither automatic nor magical. God is not sitting around waiting for us to ask so He can deliver, and He is also not some great divine magician performing grand tricks, or grand illusions to you music fans (couldn't resist, sorry). Miracles happen out of obedience (responding to God's Word), not convenience (what we want when we want it). When we are obedient to God's Word and His plan, then we can see and feel Him working. But we can't simply look to obey God to get what you want or think you need. That's like kids only being well behaved when they want something...know what I mean?

Lastly, we don't get to choose the miracle or the timing. For example, if you are in need of a financial miracle or something bad is going to happen, you can't expect God to see to it that you get a miraculous raise at work (or some kind of employment change), get it? We need to trust God's miracle in His timing. Even if it the miracle is simply that you understand and have peace that you are where you are supposed to be, going through what you are supposed to be going through, because that kind of peace truly is miraculous.

God knows you best, heck He did knit you together in your mother's womb (Jer. 1:5). If you believe this to be true, then you also need to believe that He knows what is best for you. This is tough...you may not get the miracle you want or when you thought you needed it, but you will see God answer you miraculously - exactly as He knew you needed, if you are obedient.

...just sayin'

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat

So What's The Point?

Why do you do what you do? Why do you say what you say? Most everything should have a point, right? I don't want to have a semantical or philosophical argument about this, but most things we do or say, we do and say for a reason, agreed? Cool, we can move on. If we do and say things for a reason, then what is it?

To be honest, the point is usually the same. We are nothing, if not creatures of habit. The point then is us. Yep, plain and simple. When we make a point, it is about us - our opinion, understanding, how something is affecting or could affect us, or how we feel something could be better or improved. Regardless, we make points that pertain to us and our environment or world. Why? If we will be honest, it is because we are the center of our worlds, and we are what ultimately matters most.

If you disagree with this statement, you just proved my point. We simply think that our perspective is the best, and therefore the most right one to have. This is our nature, plain and simple. So then that being said, I think there is a question that if asked more often, could change the "point". You interested? Read on...

Instead of asking "What's the point?", ask yourself this question: "What's my life pointing at?" Seriously, what does your life point to? When asked what matters most (especially if I ask someone) the answer is usually faith, God, or Jesus. To which I would respond with the ever so convicting question: "Really?" Because simply saying the name “Jesus" just isn't enough if the object or subject of your life is really yourself.

So what matters most? What's the point?

What we need is for Jesus to be less of the platform on which we stand and more about the Savior to which we point to...just sayin'

In His Grip,

Pastor Pat