Everyone from preachers to politicans have challenged us to “Change the world”, usually giving us examples of how past heroes have made a difference. Now I’m sure these folks mean well and the world certainly needs to be changed, but I’ve got a problem with these appeals.

In the first place, we can’t change the world. True–we can change our little corner of the world to an extent, but “the world”?, no way. This wicked world won’t be changed until King Jesus sits on His throne and rules over it. That will be a blessed day!

But I’ve got another problem with these appeals to change the world. Besides the fact that we can’t do it and have not been commanded to do it, these appeals put people under un-do pressure. They leave the impression that unless you become famous and highly influencial you are, at least somewhat, a failure. To be labelled a success you have to get your name in the headlines and control something. The average oridinary “Joe” is looked upon as being inferior to these “superstars”. That’s sad!

We need to re-define the word “success”, it’s not what most people think. Success is simply this—discovering the will of God and doing it. It’s the housewife who faithfully labors to take care of her family, as the Bible commands. It is the the farmer who works hard to provide food for the table. You get the picture–the list could go on and on. Success is simply and seriously doing the will of God from the heart. That’s something we can all do–regardless of our circumstances. You can be a success. You don’t need to feel inferior to anyone.

Get out from under the pressure. Don’t let these people put you on a guilt trip. If God is pleased with your life that is all that matters. To please Him, all you have to do is live a consistent godly life, faithfully discharging your God given duties with the right attitude. And God will give you the power to do it!

So, get up and get going. Forget about trying to “change the world” and focus on being the person God wants you to be. No one is better or more important than you are. Stop beating yourself up and start doing exactly what God wants you to do. That will make you a success. Think about it!

As some of you know—my wife left me! Don’t faint. It’s not what you might think. She is on vacation–an all expense paid, two week cruise. Having never been on a cruise or out of the country, this is a once in a life-time treat for her. I thank God that He has given her this wonderful opportunity. God sure is good!

So, here I sit–home alone. Well, I’m not actually alone. I’m sharing the house with Narco, my son’s dog (a three pound Pomp-Chi, that loves to sleep). I gotta tell ya–it ain’t the same without my bride. I miss her like crazy! When you’ve been married almost 49 years it’s not easy being seperated for any great length of time.

Sitting here day after day has caused me to think about those who have, through divorce or death, suffered the loss of a spouse. It’s hard to imagine how difficult it would be to live the rest of my life without the one I love so dearly. Yet that is exactly what a lot of folks are forced to do. God forbid that we ignore them.

As Christians we need to remember those who are going through such hardships. We need to pray for them and minister to them. There are hurting people all around us. The Bible tells us that,”Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction–“(James 1:27). So, instead of sitting around feeling sorry for yourself, get busy being a blessing to someone who needs you. That’s the best cure for depression. Seek to be a blessing to someone else and you will be blessed. Remember–when you’re good to others you are best to yourself. Do yourself a favor and help someone today. Think about it!

One of the blogs I enjoy reading is “Whirled Views with Dan Burrell”. I enjoy it because it makes me think–not because I always agree with him. In the case of the following article, I do agree with him and I hope it makes you think:

Here’s a Way for the Government to Save Money

February 5, 2009 at 1:57 pm · Filed under Links, Misc. Musings, Politics

This one is going to surprise some of my friends, but here goes….

Today’s headlines are reporting that President Obama is going to “strengthen” the Faith-Based Office and programs that funnel government funds to religious organizations for social and humanitarian projects.  Story HERE.

I have a suggestion…Close the whole program down.  Defund it.  Shutter the doors.  End it.

What?  “But you are in the ministry!”  How could this be?

There are two big lies in the world.  (Well, not just two, but these are big ones.) “The check is in the mail” and “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.”

The government has no business being involved in faith-based initiatives or in partnerships with churches and religious organizations.  I opposed this when Bush was in office and I feel no less strongly about it with Obama.  It’s a bad, BAD idea.

With the power to tax comes the power to control.  That’s why I’m against taxing religious charities and churches.

Conversely, when religious charities and churches take government money, they become entangled with the government.  Not smart.  They will become dependent upon it.  Strings will come.  Independence will be ceded in exchange for resources.  It’s just not a good idea.

You know the ol’ cliche’ about the “Golden Rule”?  “He who has the gold gets to make the rules.”  Well, (and I don’t blame them for trying) when the government give money away, they almost always try to get some control with it.  (Wouldn’t you?) Already, there are those who want to require certain hiring practices among those who are faith-based and take federal money.  In California, that means not being able to discriminate in hiring Gay/Lesbian/Bi-sexual/Transgender folks even if your faith considers that wrong.  The policy is now under review at the federal level.  (See the article above.)

Churches and the government can work in tandem.  On some things like humanitarian crises, they can even work in partnership.  But if we don’t want government intrusion on our religious faith, we need to stay out of the money.  I don’t want my tax dollars supporting Islamic charities or Mormon building projects.  My liberal non-religious friends don’t want their tax dollars building evangelical day schools and supporting Baptist rescue missions either.  That’s fine.

What about my article from yesterday decrying the effort to stop funding for schools that have religious organizations using their facilities?  Different issue.  There is rent involved.  If the Muslims want to rent a school auditorium, I don’t have a problem with that as long as they have to pay the same rate as the Athiests, the Baptists and the Cub Scouts.  You shouldn’t be excluded or given a different rate simply because you are religious.

But we need to be consistent.  The government needs to keep their money and smart faith-based organizations should refuse it.  Our Father owns it all anyway – or so we say.  If we really believe that, then He’ll meet our needs.  We don’t need a Sugar Daddy in Washington helping us out.  Maybe we need to be a lot more like George Mueller and simply pray it in.  Better yet, when the offering plate comes by, put something in it.  What was it James told us about “True Religion”?  We should put our money where our mouth is and where we say our heart is.

I’ve been tempted to start a new column called “Shocking News” or something to that affect. Had I done so, here’s something that would have made the headlines. A recent Gallup poll revealed that 34 percent of Americans “didn’t know who Darwin was or what scientific theory he was known for.” Another 10 percent said they did, but they gave incorrect answers. Only 55 percent correctly associated Darwin with the theory of evolution!

To me, that is mind boggling! Nearly half of the people in America don’t know what Charles Darwin is known for. Although the public schools bear part of the blame the problem goes deeper than that. Most people today have no desire to be well informed, unless it has to do with the lastest flick, video game, or gadget,etc. We are seeing the “Dumbing down” of America.

Not only are most people ignorant of the Bible (our biggest problem), they are ignorant of many other important issues as well, such as our American heritage, etc. It’s no wonder that we are in such a mess! And if you think a bunch of unregenerate politicans are going to solve our problems you are wrong. The only hope for America lies in the two institutions that God founded–the family and the church. Considering the present condition of these, the future doesn’t look very bright.

The good news is that we can still do the most important things. We can tell the world about our wonderful Savior and through our witness others can come to know Him as Lord and Savior. You can be ignorant regarding who Charles Darwin is and still go to heaven, but if you don’t know Jesus you don’t have a chance.

Today is my wife’s birthday. I’ve finished writing a “mushy” note, which was placed inside her card, and I plan to spend the day with her, celebrating this special day. Birthdays ought to be celebrated.

 

Life is a precious gift from God. We each owe our very existence to Him. Every breath we breathe is because of His grace. Without Him we could do nothing—we wouldn’t even be here were it not for Him.

 

Life is precious because it is filled with opportunities. At the very top of the list is the opportunity to know and commune with God. Were there nothing else, that is enough to make life worth living. It is a shame that so many people do not avail themselves of this wonderful opportunity. They miss the best thing in life!

 

But, there are other things that make life worth living. In addition to the gift of life there are the gifts of life for which we should be thankful. The best of these gifts are people, not things; relationships, not riches. Thank God for those people who are a part of our life. There is no way to measure the worth of our family and friends.

 

But there is something else about living that should give us cause for rejoicing. Not only should we be thankful for the blessings of life we should be thrilled because of the opportunity to be a blessing. Like Abraham of old, we have been blessed to bless. Regardless of who you are, you can find purpose and satisfaction in life by being a blessing to others. That alone makes life worth living. The most important thing is not that you are loved, but that you love. Don’t spend your life bemoaning the fact that others don’t love you as they should. The greater blessing comes from you loving them as you should. Life gives you that opportunity. That is cause for celebration. Think about it!