Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day approaching, one's thoughts are drawn to love. Love is defined so widely. Love for many people is some squishy bit of goo. Love must be more than a capricious emotion. Our emotions are too unreliable. I believe the band Boston tried to capture this thought in the song-"More Than a Feeling."

I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away

It's more than a feeling
(More than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play
(More than a feeling)
I begin dreaming
(More than a feeling)
'Til I see Marianne walk away
I see my Marianne walkin' away

So many people have come and gone
Their faces fade as the years go by
Yet I still recall as I wander on
As clear as the sun in the summer sky

It's more than a feeling
(More than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play
(More than a feeling)
I begin dreaming
(More than a feeling)
'Til I see Marianne walk away
I see my Marianne walkin' away

When I'm tired and thinking cold
I hide in my music, forget the day
And dream of a girl I used to know
I closed my eyes and she slipped away
She slipped away

It's more than a feeling
(More than a feeling)
When I hear that old song they used to play
(More than a feeling)
I begin dreaming
(More than a feeling)
'Til I see Marianne walk away

 

I have been married to Michelle for 29 years. It's more than a feeling. Yet, the feelings of love are strong. Speaking from experience, there is nothing in life equal to loving a person for a lifetime. Love is defined by actions more than feelings. The feelings of love follow the actions of love. Love is intentionally doing for another something helpful that costs you something. Loving for a lifetime is living always to please the other person more than yourself. Love is not demanding, it is generous.

Happy Valentine's Day,

Stan

Black Hole of Self

Wikipedia defines a black hole as, "a region of space from which nothing, not even light, can escape. It is the result of the deformation of space time caused by a very compact mass. Around a black hole there is an undetectable surface called an event horizon that marks the point of no return. It is called 'black' because it absorbs all the light that hits the horizon, reflecting nothing."

When I think about myself, live for myself, and am irritated when others don't do enough for me, I have just enter the event horizon. Self-interest is blinding. The event horizon is undetectable. I have been sucked down into the black hole before I realize it. I cry out for attention, but no one hears me. I demand respect. "What about me? What about my needs?" No response.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:14) The trouble is that I am like the moon, not the sun. I produce no light by myself. I can only reflect the light of the Son. Jesus is the light of the world. "Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (John 8:12)

Let's follow Jesus and reflect his light to the world. Let's live for others not for ourselves. My purpose is to reflect light so that others may come out from their darkness. My life should point the way to the source of light, God's Son. Avoid by a wide berth the event horizon. Don't be sucked down into the black hole of self. Stay close to the Light of the World.

Peace,
Stan

Better Together

What is the most valuable substance on earth? Plutonium, gold, and diamond are like dirt compared to antimatter, which is valued at $1750 trillion per ounce. While antimatter is obviously valuable, I believe people are more valuable. Value is determined by the price paid. God spent the blood of his only Son to purchase our salvation. People are priceless!

Every person should be part of a small group. At Cornerstone Church we call our small groups LIFE Groups. LIFE is an acronym from Love In Full Evidence. Win Arn said, "Love is intentionally doing something caring or helpful for another person, in Jesus' name, regardless of the cost or consequence to oneself." Love is best expressed from close range.

Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, "Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in one accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others as more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:2-5)

There are many reasons to NOT be part of a LIFE Group. More people means more problems. There is much conflict and disagreement in a group. Being part of a group is too much commitment for some. It requires accountability.

However, Psalm 133 promises that God commands his blessing on the place of unity. Jesus promised authority in the prayer of agreement (Matthew 18:18-20). Close friends have a way of dividing one's griefs and multiplying one's joys. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego successfully stood up to the king's threats and the furnace together. Everything is better together.

Disciple One Ethos

Ethos is the disposition of a community. It is the underlying sentiment that forms the beliefs, customs or practices of a group. There is a certain essence or ethos associated with every church. Disciple One is the ethos of Cornerstone Church in Chillicothe, Missouri. Jesus calls you and me to be his disciple. A disciple is one who is becoming a spiritually mature zealot for Christ. A zealot is one who shows earnest and diligent enthusiasm for a cause. Discipleship is the path we have chosen to follow. Disciple One is a map to guide us and to measure our progress.

Disciple One means that first I am one. We pray first. We put God's word first place in our life. We make fellowship a priority in our lives. We make a commitment to outreach. Disciple One means that I am helping one other person become a disciple also. Helping one other person is as easy as befriending a new person, inviting them to us in activities, then begin including them in the inner circle of our life.

The call to discipleship is a call to die. Jesus said that it is necessary for a seed to fall into the earth and die that is might bear much fruit. The cost of discipleship is death, "take up your cross daily and follow me." A cross is an instrument of death. Following Jesus requires the loss of personal identity and desire. The reward is righteousness and the inexplicable joy associated with spiritual growth and maturity.

Westminster Catechism of AD 1647 question #1 is, "What is the chief end of man?" The answer is, "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." Allow Disciple One to become the ethos of your life. Glorify God and enjoy him forever.

Peace,

Stan

Peace

Some time ago I began using the word "peace" to close emails and letters. I suppose I started doing this in an attempt to be hip. As I have continued this practice, I do so more now in appreciation for peace. Peace is one of the most valuable commodities in my life. The Apostle Paul used this familiar salutation often in his letters to the churches, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

The angels announced the birth of Christ this way, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Isaiah prophesied the coming Messiah would be called, Prince of Peace. When Messiah puts the government upon his shoulder on and for all there will be no end to peace. The description of life on earth after the Lord's second advent is one of peace. Swords will be beaten in plows. Wolves and lambs will live together. Children will play over the holes of cobras. Jesus will reign over this world with love and peace.

Until Jesus comes again to rule and to reign in the earth as Prince of Peace, let us do all we can to bring peace and to live in peace in our little corner of the world. While the world awaits the coming of God' kingdom, we live in his kingdom now. The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come. He told them God's kingdom does not come with observation. In Luke 17:21 he declared, "The kingdom of God is within you." The Prince of Peace now rules in his kingdom. As his subjects let us yield our hearts, minds and actions to his peace.

Romans 5:1 declares, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Our sins and transgressions have been forgiven. May we receive this wonderful gift. Yet, the guilt of our unrepentant sin robs our peace today. We must boldly apply 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Revenge, seething turmoil, anger and hatred robs peace. Forgive others. Do not judge others. Romans 12:18, "If it is possible, as much as depends upon you, live at peace with all men." Every person is looking for inner peace. Tennis star Boris Becker was on the brink of suicide said this, "I had won Wimbledon twice, once as the youngest player. I was rich. I had all the material possessions I needed, but I had no inner peace." There is a false assumption that different circumstances will bring inner peace and happiness. Peace is not the absence of problems. Peace is the absence of Jesus in  the midst of my problems.

In Philippians 4 we are encouraged to pray instead of worrying. The promise is that peace beyond our comprehension will guard our hearts and minds, when we pray, praise God and give him thanksgiving in the midst of all of our circumstances. Until Jesus comes again to rule and to reign in the earth as Prince of Peace, let us do all we can to bring peace and to live in peace in our little corner of the world.

Peace,

Stan

Jesus Loves Sinners

If I were a person outside of the church, I might think that Jesus hates me. To an outsider, it appears that Jesus is angry with me, because the church is angry with me. I have habits they reject; I have different values; and I don’t share their political leanings. I am confused. The church judges me, but seems very tolerant of its own hypocrisy. I am genuinely interested in Jesus. But, I don’t fit the culture of church. What am I to do? What would Jesus do?  How did Jesus deal with sinners?

Notice Jesus’ interaction with sinners in Luke 5:27–32, “After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus is not afraid to call sinners to become followers. Christians are also known as Christ followers or disciples. A disciple is a learner or one who follows after a certain leader. We are Christ followers. We learn from him. The church must have a great love for sinner, because our leader does. Jesus purposefully mixed with sinners. He was not afraid of them. He did not treat them as enemies. He sought their company, and called them to become his followers.

Jesus spent enough time with sinners that the religious establishment accused him of sinful activity. About Jesus they said in Matthew 11:19, “He came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him!’ A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” In John 9:24 they said, “We know this man is a sinner.” If the church starts loving sinners like Jesus did, they will say the same about us!

In John 8 the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and threw her down at Jesus’ feet. They questioned Jesus as to whether he agreed with them that she should be stoned to death, as according to Moses’ law required. Jesus said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” All the accusers walked away on shame. Jesus said to the woman, “Where are your accusers, does no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” Jesus answered her with the most amazing words, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Like Jesus, the church must adopt a non-condemning attitude toward sinners. A loving attitude will win sinners toward repentance. God loved the world so much that he sent his son to us. Romans 2:4, “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” Jesus loves sinners. The church must love them also.

Who Is My Neighbor?

Looking for a loophole in Scriptural obligation, a man asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" So, as one might expect, Jesus told a story. In the story a man was travelling, and on his journey he was robbed and beaten half to death. Luckily for him a preacher came along. But the preacher did not stop to help. Likewise, a church leader came upon the scene. The church leader did not stop to help either. The only one of three people in the story to stop and help was a Samaritan.

Who might be a modern equivalent to a Samaritan--a Muslim, a Scientologist, or Mormon perhaps? The foundational truth of Judaism and Christianity is loving God passionately and loving our neighbors genuinely. In Jesus' story the ones who should be living this truth the most did not. The one who was outside of the faith did. Being a doer of God's Word is much more important than faith without action. Check this out further in the book of James.

It was not convenient to stop and help. It cost time and money.  The Samaritan showed compassion through his actions. After hearing me preach this message, two men from Cornerstone Church picked up a hitch hiker. The men asked the hiker questions about his life. He shared a sad story with them. The two men shared sound counsel with him and prayed with him. Phone numbers were exchanged. The hiker was grateful for the ride down the road. He gladly received the love demonstrated to him.

Who is my neighbor? It could be any person who runs across my path today.

Peace,
SS