The tragedy of Japan...

   Over the last several days we have seen the horrific devastation that has been unleashed in Japan. Starting with one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history, to the tsunami that followed minutes later sweeping thousands out to sea,  to the potential nuclear meltdown that is occurring as I type this blog. Japan is suffering, they are grieving, they are in a state of utter shock and dismay. They need help.
   What can we do to help our fellow residents of this earth? As a Christian man my first suggestion is pray. I know there are some out there who think that prayer is a waste of time and energy, action is needed, only fools pray in a time of crisis. Well call me a fool then, but the greatest thing we can do is lift up the Japanese people in prayer. We don't pray to make God aware of what's going on or needed, He knows these things already. We pray to encourage the people of Japan, to show our commitment both to God and them at an emotional level, that we want to help them by any means necessary.
   After prayer we need to take action. Now that can come in many forms, through donations, organizing relief efforts and actual volunteering of our time to the effort. A great way to donate is through the American Red Cross at www.american.redcross.org.    
   Another great organization is World Vision which strives to help families and children, you can find more info on them at www.worldvision.org. Both are great organizations to look at among the many credible relief organizations out there. Do your research and find an organization that you believe in and give. 
   At the end of the day we all have a moral responsibility as humans to reach out to the suffering in the world and make a difference in their situation. But as a Christian I am obligated, no commanded, to reach out to the widows, the orphans, the homeless and hungry. To feed, shelter clothe and give aid to ALL who are in need. To meet them in the middle of their circumstances and to love them as God loves.
   What are you doing to help? What are you doing to make a difference in someones life? Lets all come together and share what caring and love is all about. Pray and take action, God will lead you in the right direction.

A few words for Westboro Baptist

2 Timothy 2:22-26 ESV

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

   I would suggest this verse to the members of the Westboro Baptist Church. In their efforts to practice/defend their first amendment rights they have lost sight of one thing, what would Jesus do? Would Jesus tell people that are grieving and suffering the loss of a loved one, "praise God for dead soldiers"? I don't think so. Jesus came to show the world how to live and to provide the way to heaven, the way to a personal relationship with God.
   In their misguided effort to share Jesus, they have instead shared their beliefs, their opinions and not the simplicity of the gospel, which is Christ crucified for OUR sins and risen from the dead so that we too may die with Christ in his crucifixion and rise with him to walk in a new life of service with Christ. All we need to do is present God's word to people and then trust in the fact that God will not allow His word to return void, it will accomplish what He has set it forth to do... to change lives.
   It is my opinion that Westboro Baptist is not trusting in God's power to effect change in the world and have decided to take efforts into their own hands. In doing this they are causing more harm for ministries than good. It causes the world to view Christians as a group that is looking to be quarrelsome, and not willing to listen. We should always be willing to listen and then offer a calm and intelligent response based on our faith and what the Bible states.
   In closing I would simply say, kill them with kindness, not with cruel words and actions.

Do you know His voice?

As I was having some quiet time with God this morning, I was reading John chapter 10 where Jesus is describing himself as the good shepherd. He knows his sheep, and they know him just by the sound of his voice. They follow after him alone, they know his voice and trust it with out hesitation. The sheep have a love, a respect and a dedication to him. What an amazing show of trust and love on the part of the sheep, and what an amazing commentary on the character of Christ, that he inspires this level of dedication from those he impacts and touches.
  This got me to thinking, where else in life can you see this level of dedication, this type of response from one person to another. I only needed to look at my son. As soon as I walk in the door and say "I'm home" my son is running to me screaming "Daddy!". Everything I do I have a little shadow following me around, trying to emulate everything that I do! He loves me and wants to be just like me. What an awesome, inspiring and truly humbling situation. That someone would want to be just like me, use me as there example to live by!? It is in this instance that I understand why we must come to Christ as a child, and have child like faith. Only through the eyes of a child can we see the awesome power of God in His son, only through the eyes of a child can we desire to be like Christ and want to emulate his every move and think as he thinks. To often as we grow up and older we become hard hearted and bitter by our experiences in life and are not able to see the wonder that is in our world. It's at these times that I look at my 4yr old son  and see how he views everything around him with wonder and amazement. Lord, I pray that I can see my world like this every day.
   My son knows my voice and runs to my arms when he hears me. He runs to me when he seeks guidance in his life, he has faith in me. Who do you have faith in? Who do you seek guidance from for your life? Do you know the master's voice and run to Him when He calls? If not, stop and listen, He's calling your name right now.