A B C and D

In hockey, there is a defined purpose.  In soccer, there is another well defined purpose.  Both of them start with a goal.  A hockey goal is 4x6 feet while a soccer goal is quite a bit larger-8x24.  All professional games play with goals in the same dimensions.  They are all in agreement about the purpose of the game, the size of the goals, and who the winner and loser will be.
The entire games are played with these dimensions in mind.  The field size, and the object size (ball or puck) are taken into account, and with the given amount of allowed players, the teams make plans.
Imagine on July 15th, the hockey and soccer worlds come out with an announcement that they are going to be making some minor adjustments, and all games played after July 15th will be affected.
The proposed changes are:  future hockey games will be held on the same size ice rink, and using the same size puck, but the goal will be the size of the soccer goal.  Future soccer games will be the same except that the goal size will be the hockey size goal.

You might imagine the objections and chaos that would ensue.  Some would like it, many would not.  Their feelings would be based on their understanding of the games before the rules changed.  In other words, they were living under accepted standards, and were acclimated to them.

I intend to share something that we are also acclimated to.

I wasn't planning on writing anything like this, but some letters popped into my head yesterday.  A, B, C, and D, only not in that order.  It is interesting as I write this out that they so happen to be the first letters in the alphabet which we would all agree that these are the beginning letters.  No shocker right?

Well, the order these letters came in were:  AD, and BC.  I started thinking about dates, and years.  These letters in this order are commonly recognized as letters that describe our dates system or calendar system. 

In a similar vein, I'd like you to remember what I wrote about the cycles of the moon, sun, and earth, compared to why we have a "week" in our calendar.  There was only one reason.

There is also ONE reason why we have AD, and BC.  Websters dictionary says that anno domini (AD) means:  in the given year since the beginning of the Christian era.  Literally:  in the year of our Lord.   BC means before Christ.  These definitions come from a 1984 dictionary that I can't explain why I have it in my house.

The ENTIRE basis for the year being 2012 is Christ.  Jesus Christ alone is the reason why you say 2012.  Its the same reason you write that number on your checks, and why you are how old you are- its based on time distance between when you were born and when Christ was born, and how long it has been since then.  To add to this, the BC counting method counts down as if we are in Cape Canaveral waiting for some big impending event that we might stop our day to stand and wait so that we may not miss it.  Then it came!  Jesus was born, and the system changed.  Everything changed when he came to earth, not just that we count up now.

This is the basis for our tracking, and just like hockey and soccer, we have accepted it, lived with it, and would be very opposed to change it.  This is our standard.  Jesus Christ is our standard.  Christian or not, He is the central reason.  Is your heart in acceptance of this or just your head?

To be opposed to this thought would be the same as a soccer player wanting to play with ice hockey goals.  No one would score, no one would attend, and the game would cease.  There would be no interest. 

You may be surprised to think how many things you do, say, and are accustomed to because of what Jesus did.

Eye Candy

I was listening to the radio last week while driving, and was getting an update on an upcoming soccer matchup.  I can't recall who was playing whom; but do recall something else about the conversation that jumped out at me.
Apparently there was going to be a player who was not only pretty good at soccer, but is well pleasing on the eyes.  The female co-host made this clear.  The other host acknowledged her comment, and continued with the conversation.  The female co-host then added, , "but there will be plently of other eye candy at this game."

I thought I would take this opportunity to be very clear.  I have heard many times things like, "looking isn't touching"  or "as long as you don't get caught", or "look as if its at the sun."

Jesus says in Matthew 5:27-30, "You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.  But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.  For it is better that you lose one of your members than your whole body be thrown into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.  For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell."

1)  Adultery = sin.   Lust = Adultery.  Therefore  Lust = sin.  There is no "free-look", "looking isn't touching."  Jesus says you have committed by looking without touching therefore, DON'T LOOK.

2)  This is a big deal.  Hell or heaven is at stake in this lustful "game."  God's children (those who will inherit the kingdom)  will not have a lifestyle like this  (also see Galations 5:19-24).  To avoid Hell, don't just say you believe in Jesus.  ACT like you believe in Jesus. 

3)  Looking is not OK.  "Eye candy" in this context goes against everything Jesus taught.

4)  If you are a Christian, you should have eyes for Christ alone.  You are the bride of Christ.  He gave His life for YOU.  When you look at others, you have committed adultery against CHRIST.  This isn't about your spouse or your chastity.  This is about Christ.  You should only have "eyes" for Him.

Redemption

One of our pastors was preaching just yesterday, and said something that made me not just think, but be filled with awe.

The message was about being joyful in Christ, or being filled with joy.  As one catechism would put it:  "What is the chief end of man?"    Answer:  The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

It's the enjoy him forever part that I'd like to focus on.  Both parts of that answer are challenging, and I certainly wonder in many many many cases how the first one can be true.  Being joyful in God, and enjoying Him now and forever seems so high and lofty that how can we?  I am bogged down by cleaning my tool shed, mowing the grass (when it grows), providing income via work for my family, fishing, driving, and whatever this list is for you.  Aren't we constantly struggling to reach for eternal values and viewpoints when we are stuck in the mire and daily activities of this life?

In other words, doesn't it seem like we spend most of our time doing things that aren't really important when compared to the eternal plan and glory of God?

So, to enjoy Him is right and good, and seems right and good; but how?

So, this is what my pastor said. 

It may seem odd to come at the thought of  "enjoying God forever" this way, but let's go back to the beginning of the world.  God is God, and there are no others.  He needs nothing from anyone or anything.  Sometime before he created the world, he created the angels.  These angels what must have been beautiful, loving beings, yet not God.  Both the angels, and people then are created by God for his glory.

Lucifer, the most brightly colored, most beautiful angel, rebels against God, and is sent from heaven.  Many angels follow Lucifer.  These angels have fallen.  They are against God now.

Jump forward to Adam and Eve, and you and I.  Adam and Eve fell in a similar fashion.  We are fallen, and sinners because Adam and Eve sinned so long ago.  All children are born with this sin nature, and are apart from God, and cannot make things right with Him.

These angels and people then are fallen, and need to make amends with their sinning against Him or face his wrath and justice.

God's plan from the beginning was to send His only son Jesus to be the redeemer.  This redeemer; however, would not offer his redemption to the angels who fell but only to His people.

Ask yourself why God would give you a redeemer, but not the angels?  They cannot make it right with God, and He is not going to offer anything to them.

Talk about encouraging, amazing, astounding, and completely gracious!  This is the God who saves you, by offering His own son, and particularly for YOU, not for others.  Oh how He loves.  How could we not enjoy this God forever?!