Archive for April, 2008

{Sometimes in life I see things that just don’t make sense to me at all.  The past 2 days I have seen something that again just does not make sense.  I think that I am somewhat intelligent however I just can’t figure it out, so I am going to tell you about what I saw and then let you explain it to me. }

My wife rarely gets attached to the television but one show that she has followed “religiously” is American Idol.  We have watched every season since the first one started and have always had opinions on who should win and who should get voted off.  Well this past week the show was revolving around Idol giving something back.  It was a show where they raised money for a third world country (forgive me I didn’t watch the whole thing so I don’t know where they were) and talked about how much people were starving and needed America’s help.  And although I don’t disagree with that I was amazed at how on this secular TV show they showed us all of these things and then ended the show with a performance of “Shout to the Lord” written by Darlene Zschech.  Now they did change the song lyrics in that in the original song it begins “My Jesus” and they changed it to “My Shepherd” but still.  I was blow away in disbelief as I watched them sing on live national TV this praise song.  I, to be honest had to check my attitude because I began to look for a way that they were making fun of it or how they were going to disrespect God in some way but they didn’t.

So after seeing that take place the night before, I go to an event last night for my children and I am just absolutely blown away at what I see.  And this is really the point of my blog.  My wife and I decided several years that God was telling us to home school our children, so we are.  However, we send them to a Christian school (designed for homeschoolers) one day at week to take art, drama, and Spanish.  Well it is the end of the semester and the drama department is putting on their play that they have been working on.  When the girls got into the class they were told that they would be performing “The Jungle Book” and I guess that I am just not to bright because although I know the story I assumed that they would put some sort of theme pointing to Christ or something in it that would reinforce a value that we as Christians uphold.  Well here is where I just am amazed as I sat through dress rehearsal last night it was just the original story.  And although they did it beautifully and my girls look great and they are so excited about it, I was truly disappointed in the school.  As a pastor I tell people to make everything in their life reflect Christ.  As a father I tell my children to make sure their every action reflects Christ because they never know who is watching.  So as a Christian School wouldn’t you assume that people who are not saved might come to see their family in this play and that you might have a short window of opportunity to witness to them?  I mean this maybe the only time that someone steps into church and we are going to miss that window.

So I end with a question and I hope that whoever reads this will provide their thoughts. 

Does it make anyone sad that American Idol (wolf in sheep’s clothing) is more of a witness than some of our Christian organizations, schools, and even churches?  Does this not exhibit some end times qualities in that a secular medium is “acting” like a believer and watering down Christ and his message? 

Just my thoughts…

God Bless ~ Tyler

I dont normally do this, I would rather use my own words that someone else’s but these are to good to pass up.  I wish more kids had a “drug” problem, of course that would require…well nevermind now I am starting to meddle.

You can draw your own conclusion…ha ha ha

God Bless ~ Tyler

 As I am preparing for this week’s sermon I am just really struck by how bad “our” faith and “our” walk is sometimes.  I am preaching on Paul this Sunday night and I am just amazed at his life and his example.  The really fascinating thing (without giving away too much of my sermon) is that when things were the absolute worst in his life Paul was the most faithful.  As you read through the text about his some of his journeys and the trials that he found along the way, he generally always ended up getting beaten or thrown in prison or both.  But the one that really stuck out to me was:

 Acts 16:22-25
 22 The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods.
 23 When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely;
 24 and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
 25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

How amazing is that in that here is Paul and Silas who have been basically falsely accused of wrong doing because they affected some individuals income, they were taken and beaten with rods and then placed in prison with stockades around their feet.  Now I am sure that their backs were bleeding and that they were in severe pain and discomfort, but instead of complaining and being angry they began to live their faith and pray and sing hymns to God.  What an amazing example they were for the other prisoners.  And I am sure that the other prisoners were just blown away that they could have such hope and such a joyful spirit at a time like this.  So what is the moral of this blog (So to speak)?  We need to remember as Paul did that there is nothing that is bigger or greater than Jesus.  No matter what our daily situation is He did, can, and will overcome all things.  And as we are going through these valleys in life, remember to continue to give praise and honor to God in spite of all things and let your hope, wisdom, and love for Christ be an example for others to see.

As I began preparing for my sermon last night one of the things that I really liked about Peter’s story is the fact that he represents all of us that are Christians that are serving Christ in any capacity whether it be as a Pastor, Sunday school teacher, or even as a usher.  We all try to do the best that we can and with the most diligence that we can, yet we all fail at times.  We all have times where we end up doing the very things that we hate even though we know what the right thing to do is.But for all of us that are exactly like Peter we can feel assured that through Christ everything can be overcome.  As you read the scripture below look at the way that Jesus restores Peter after Peter has denied Christ 3 times.  By Jesus asking Peter if he loved Him and then answering with the command to tend and shepherd His sheep, Jesus is restoring Peter’s ministry.  Basically saying that the past is the past and you are forgiven; now continue on and take care of my sheep.
 
John 21:15-25 (New American Standard Bible) 
15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You ” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You ” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 

The other very cool part of this story is that Jesus was providing us an example of scripture in that He demonstrated in His actions the command that He gave us in Matthew 18:15: 

15″ If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.

Jesus went to Peter to heal him, to restore and renew him, to forgive him.  If Peter was to grow and become the rock that Jesus said he was to be, Jesus had to re-commission him. Call him again. So Jesus asks Peter if he loves him. His responses empower Peter’s return to ministry. Tend my lambs. Shepherd My sheep. Tend My sheep. Jesus is telling Peter that he is to continue with the calling that he has received from Him. Peter is to minister to the flock, to those that have heard Jesus’ voice, to the ones who are willing to listen to it.

But remember, we all have been where Peter was…we all have failed Christ.  But the good news is the Christ wants to renew and restore us right where we are.  Thats right Christ comes to us where we are!

Now just to make you think…Why would Jesus ask his question three times?

The three questions might relate to the three denials… thus the undoing of them. Or they might refer to the making of a contract. At this time in history a threefold of questions and answers was done to enact a contract. Maybe it’s both.  While you’re here give me your thoughts by answering the poll with what you think is the reason.

God Bless ~ Tyler