Tragedy

By Now you have heard or read thousands of word and seen
countless replays and commentaries on the bombings in Boston this week. Yet with all of those words,
the one word we have read and heard most often is the word "Tragedy".
I'm sure that each of us as Americans has the greatest sympathy and pain in our
hearts for those involved in this tragic event, I know our house has sorrowed
for them and prayed for them.

The word "tragedy" simply means "a disastrous event"; how disastrous depends upon which side of
the tragedy you are on!

These bombings were a tragedy in several
ways. First, to those who were killed and injured. Almost nothing can affect
our lives more than the death of one we love or our own injury or the injury of
one we love. It has the ability to take away dreams for the future if we allow
it. It sometimes hardens our hearts and fills them with a sense of hate or
despair. For those of us who did not have someone we knew personally killed or
injured in the bombings it can instill anger and outrage against the ones who
did these terrible things.

Secondly, it is a tragedy that someone
thought so little of the lives of innocent people to plan and carry out such a
horrific attack. It is the sign of a mind that is sick and twisted with sin.
Satan has been extremely successful it causing hate in the heart of the ones
who planted those bombs and I'm afraid he is successful in getting hate to rise
in the hearts of many of God's people. I readily admit that I have no sympathy
for the ones who brought about this terrible attack. I desire justice to be
rendered upon them to the full extent of our laws!

That of course is the human side of me
speaking. I demand justice for others, those who steal, rob, car jack, sell
drugs, murder, injure others or any number of other things which break our laws
or the laws of God. At the same time I tend to avoid thinking of all of the
times that I break God's Law. I depend upon His Grace rather than justice.

The other side of me, the side that tries
to be more like God, remembers a murderer by the name of Paul that God chose to
use. This man turned his life around and became one of the greatest teachers
and evangelist in Christian history. He wrote of God's purpose and his life in 1 Timothy 1:15 where he said: "This
is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners and I am the worst of them all".

At times I really don't know which side of
me is the strongest. Maybe it's like the old parable that says, "the side
that wins is the side you feed". How about you, which side are  you feeding?

Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart

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Doubt

Do you ever have doubts about your life or perhaps
about your faith? I think we all do at one point or another in our lives. Not
that we doubt God or his ability, but many times we doubt ourselves and whether
or not we are really pleasing to God.

In David Heller's book, Dear God: Children's Letters
to God. He has recorded many insights from children, such as:

"Dear God, What do you do with families that
don't have much faith? There's a family on the next block like that. I don't
want to get them in trouble, so I can't say who. See you in church. Alexis (age
10)



Dear God, I have doubts about
you sometimes. Sometimes I really believe. Like when I was four and I hurt my
arm and you healed it up fast. But my question is, if
you could do this why don't you stop all the bad in the world? Like war. Like
diseases. Like famine; Like drugs; and there are
problems in other people's neighborhoods, too. I'll try to believe more. Ian
(age 10)"

Doesn't that sound like us? Sometimes we really
believe, but we have our doubts sometimes, don't we?

One of the problems is that we look at those around us
and think, "I wish I could be like them". "I wish I could have
their faith". But what we don't realize if that they are thinking the same
thing about us. We don't have the ability to see into their hearts and minds
and know how often others (just like us) doubt themselves.

In Mark 9:20-24
we see a perfect example of doubt and faith concerning a father and son
possessed by and evil spirit, in need and their relationship to Jesus. We read,
"So they brought the boy (to Jesus). But when the evil spirit saw
Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground,
writhing and foaming at the mouth. "How long has this been
happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father. He replied, "Since he was a
little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to
kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can." "What do you
mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person
believes."  The father instantly
cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"
(NLT)

Doesn't that sound exactly like us at times? I know it
sounds like me! I do believe, but at times it doesn't seem like enough. I just
don't know if I can make it through this life with the amount of faith I have
or if I can really be pleasing to God.

In Mark, Jesus understood the problem of the father's
faith and did what was necessary to help. Do you think he is any less
understanding with us? No, he is caring and compassionate and wants everyone to
be saved 2 Peter 3: 9.

Dear God, I believe, but help me in the times of my
weakness to overcome my unbelief.

Jesus - Our Savior

This past week one of the news stories which stood out to me
was the teacher who had students write the name of Jesus on a piece of paper,
then told them to put it on the floor and stomp on it. Our world has lost the
understanding of who Jesus is and what his purpose is. He is the Savior of all
mankind.

What or who do you trust to save you? I for one have never
understood the mentality of the folks who want to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel or some other way.
It just makes no sense to me to put your life at risk for no good reason.

After reading about a number of those people who have gone
over Niagara Falls
I noticed one thing they all had in common. None of them expected to die! All
of them had some idea of protecting themselves from the dangers of going over
that powerful water fall.

One of these dare devils was Robert
Overacted, a 39 year old man challenged the mighty Horseshoe
Falls on October 1st 1995. He planed this stunt for months, he
checked and rechecked all of he figures and plans. He planned on riding on a
single jet ski until he reached the brink of the Falls. There he would deploy a
rocket propelled parachute, which would help him land in the River below the
Falls to allow for a rescue.



Overacker launched himself into the Niagara
River upstream of the falls. At the brink of the falls, Overacker ignited
the rocket which deployed the parachute as planned. Unfortunately, as the
parachute deployed it did him no good at all, because Overacker, he had
forgotten to attach the parachute to his body.

To me that was a perfect, howbeit
sad, example of what will happen if we trust in men or man made things to save
us rather than Jesus. One of the most powerful testimonies about Jesus is found
in Matthew 1:21 where the angel says
of the coming birth of the Savior, "And she will have a son, and you are to name
him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Many today live dangerous lives,
going through life with nothing to protect them or save them from what really
counts. Until they (and we) join ourselves to Jesus, we are just as near death
as Robert Overacker. You may think you have it all together and are safe, but
are you really?

This week our world celebrates
Easter, which traditionally is a remembrance of the Death, Burial and
Resurrection of Jesus. It's not about Easter Bunnies or colored eggs, it's
about remembering the one who can save us from our sins.

Russ Lawson

Leaving Sin Behind

Getting away from sin and temptation is probably one of the
most difficult things we have to do as Christians. Through the years people
have tried many ways. They have tried starting private communities where only
believers are allowed. Some have joined monasteries, in hopes of escaping sin,
but the results are always somewhat mixed, because Satan is not easily foiled.
He fights for our souls and far too often makes himself look attractive to us.

We often handle sin like the children in a story reported in
the news paper awhile back. It seems that a mother of eight in Darlington, Maryland
had been visiting next door. When she came home and went into the living room,
she saw her 5 youngest children huddled in the center of the floor, on her new
carpet, very much involved with something wiggly and squirmy. As she got closer
she saw, to her horror, that the children were gathered around a family of
skunks. She screamed, "Run, children, run!"  Hearing their mother's frantic scream, each
child grabbed a skunk and ran.

Sadly this story is often a reflection of our lives. We may
have some very troubling things in our lives, yet, try as we may, we can't seem
to run away from them, we just take them along with us.

I Peter 5:8-9a
tells us, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around
like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and
be strong in your faith."

This passage tells us, rather than running off and carrying
Satan or temptation with us we should stand firm against him! Another
translation says to "resist" him. Being able to succeed in staying
away from temptation is not accomplished by walling ourselves up in a
monastery, but is taking the fight to Satan that keep us free. Matthew 16:18 tells us that when we
fight with the knowledge of God in us, the gates of hell itself will not be
able to stand against us.

So, you have a choice, grab you skunk and run or stand up
and be counted as you join with your brothers and sisters in Christ in the army
of God to overcome Satan.

Increasing Security

We have had a problem at our church building for the past
few years, which seems to be getting worse instead of better. Folks are leaving
doors to different parts of the facility unlocked. It varies by days of the
week and times of the day. We speculate that folks just don't remember to lock
up after themselves when they leave, but it makes you wonder if there is
something more sinister going on. Could someone outside of our members have
gotten a key?

There is no denying that security has become a major concern
in our world today. Each of us tends to be a little more cautious with our
personal security. We make sure we lock our cars and our homes; we install
alarms (and try to remember to set them). We are told that in our community, crime
has risen by 14% in the past few months, (mainly breaking into homes).

I understand, from those who are suppose to know, that no
matter how hard you try and secure your stuff, there are always weaknesses in
your preparations. Someone who is an experienced thief will find those
weaknesses and exploit them to get you stuff if they really want it.

What are we to do? What can you do, when you've done
everything you can to secure your stuff or even your own safety and it's not
enough? Who do you trust in then?

As a Christian you know the answer already, you trust in
God.

I love the story about Thomas Edison when a fire completely
destroyed his research facility. His son found him watching the blaze destroy
everything he had created. Rather than dwelling upon the destruction he told
his son, "Go and get your mother, she'll never see another fire like this
as long as she lives." 

He of course picked up the pieces of his life and
laboratories and went on to invent even more wonderful things.

In Matthew 6:19-21
we read: "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust
destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in
heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and
steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."
(NLT)

Maybe we need to stop and ask ourselves, "Just what is
it in this world in which I really trust?" In Matthew 28:20, after giving directions as to what he expects his
followers to do, he makes this promise: "And be sure of this: I am with
you always". (NLT) I will continue to trust in the Lord, the maker
of heaven and earth (Ephesians 3:15).

GETTING IT WRONG

Have you ever done something and realized (sometimes
immediately) that you made the wrong decision? Most probably you have, I think
it is part of being human.

Sometimes the bad decisions are obvious, glaring things that
stand out for all to see, sometimes, they are things of which only you are
aware.

I started thinking about this when I read an article that
told that bubble pack was originally marked at wall paper. I honestly can't see
how they ever thought that would work, but then I'm looking at it from a
background that says, "bubble pack is used to pack stuff."

As I do a quick review of my life, I can quickly find many
things that I made the wrong decisions about. Now, I could dwell on those
things and worry about them and let them control my life and make me miserable,
but I'm not going to do that. I choose to focus on the good stuff.

I've known some folks in my life, who have done nothing but
remember their wrong decisions. They worry about them to the point that they
come to believe that they have no worth; no value even to God. How could God
possibly forgive them if they can't forgive themselves?

If you are a fan of the Anne of Green Gables books and
movies, you may remember one scene where Anne comments that "Everyday is
brand new, free of mistakes." What a wonderful concept and one that is so
true.

In 1 John 1: 8-9
we read, "If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not
living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness."
(NLT)

Honestly, this is my favorite (at least one of them)
scripture in the Bible. In this scripture we find hope when we make the wrong
decisions. We find promise that we can start over fresh with each new day. What
does it take? Admitting we messed up and believing what God says, when he says
he will "cleanse" us.

It seems sometimes that I work overtime at getting it wrong
in my life; I think the wrong things, say the wrong things and do the wrong
things. But our God "is faithful and just to forgive us our sins."

You see, it's God's love that brings us forgiveness when we
get it wrong in life; it's our responsibility to accept that forgiveness and
get on with living for him.

Often Communicate We Don't Well!

When we lived in Africa we tried, (emphasis on tried) to learn the
languages of the local people. We were successful to a limited extent, but we
understood that often we spoke as a small child might as we tried to communicate.

 

You probably noted that the
title of this article is somewhat mixed up, but what is the best way to say
what I am trying to say? (1) Often communicate we don't well, (2) We don't
communicated well, often, (3) or, Far too often we fail to communicate clearly?

Our world is in a huge
transition in communication at the present. Things are in flux, or undergoing
changes, which it always has since time began. Admittedly, those of us of
"the mature generation," may have more difficulty than those who are younger
in adapting to the transition. Personally, I still have refused to embrace
"text messages,"

"chat rooms" and such (I'm still stuck on emails and blogs). I
understand that makes me quite "Old Fashioned" and out of touch in
some folks minds. I know that I will eventually be dragged into the modern
world if text messages, but honestly, I don't want to spend that much time
learning a new language (text shorthand). I can envision being involved in
something like the following incident.

It seems that on a cold
winter day a husband received this text message from his wife: "Windows
frozen." Having had to deal with the problem of the windows in his
car being frozen shut in the past he replied with a text message that said:
"pour some lukewarm water over it." A short while later his
wife sent him another text message that read, "Now the computer is really messed
up."

How we communicate with one
another is important, whether we do it face to face, by text, email or over the
telephone. Through the years I have made my fair share of mistakes in trying to
communicate, but failed in the trying. Thankfully, those with whom I "miss
communicate," have been very forgiving.

Where am I going with this?
The goal of these thoughts is to cause you to consider how we communicate with
God. We can't email or text message God, it takes a real heart to heart
conversation to communicate with him. There are no short cuts, no
abbreviations, no way to get around talking with him and expressing our love,
our thanks and the needs of our heart.

I understand that for some
folks, all they know is some prayer they have been taught to repeat. They
really don't know how to think freely and communicate from the heart with God.
It's really not that hard if we stop and think about what God tells us he wants
from us in His Word. You say, "I don't know how to pray." God
speaking though his servant Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray
about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."  (NLT)

It's a simple process, pray
for and about everything. Share like you are sharing with your best friend.
Tell God what we need and thank him for all he has done, tell him what is going
on in you life, about your struggles and your successes. Communication doesn't
get any easier than that.

Books by Russ Lawson @
http://www.lulu.com/russlawson