Why Do Bad Things Happen

We may tend to think that all "good" things come from God and all "bad" things come from somewhere or someone else. Some believe they come from the devil, mean people, or just unlucky circumstances. Believe it or not, this view is incorrect. It is important to understand that God works in the "good" times and the "bad" times. You see, Jesus is the Lord all. He works in all circumstances to the glory of His Father in heaven.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

God is working in his children's lives according to his divine will and prerogative. This means, of course, that every circumstance is ordained by God. Yes, even those "bad" things that we experience because God uses them for his good. This is the lesson that Joseph learned in the Old Testament. He was sold by his brothers to slave traders, taken to a foreign land, and imprisoned as a young boy. His life was difficult and filled with one tragedy after another.

God worked in a mighty way through Joseph's struggles and Joseph recognized God's sovereignty later in his life when he was reunited with his brothers (the ones that tried to kill him). This time, however, the tables had turned. Joseph was the most powerful man in the world. Naturally his brothers were afraid of him because Joseph could have had them killed. Despite his great power, Joseph responded with even greater wisdom and compassion. He told them, "Don't be afraid. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being accomplished -- to save many lives."

Joseph had to live through what seemed to be "bad" circumstances in order to recognize God's power in his life. He understood that there is nothing beyond God's control. We can learn from Joseph.  After all, everyone experiences trials beyond their control. If you are facing one now, it may seem as though your circumstances are unbearable. You may even be at your breaking point. Recognize, however, that all things happen for His glory. Best of all, he will never give you more than you can bear because he is always with you. Rest on the promise of Christ, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of this age" (Matt. 28:20).

A Man Walks Into An Airport

Last week, a man stepped into the LAX international airport, pulled out a semi-automatic weapon, and started shooting at people in his path. It was an ugly seen and, for most of us, this unconscionable act of violence is really impossible to fathom; or is it? Believe it or not, there is something all of us can learn about ourselves through this tragedy.

The obvious question on everyone's mind is, "Why did he do it?" There may not be just one answer to this question; however, it is clear to me that the killer's moral conscience was seared beyond its ability to understand right from wrong. To be sure, an un-conscionable act of violence is the result of a dead conscience.

This should be a wake-up call to everyone. I know most of us don't believe that we are capable of murder. Keep in mind, however, that few of us just snap without warning. I don't believe the shooter woke up one morning and decided to shoot innocent people. His decision was obviously the culmination of many years of smaller, less traumatic acts of sin.

Like the proverbial frog in the boiling water, sin has a way of boiling us slowly until we are numb. The more we sin, the greater our conscience is seared by acts of disobedience and our ability to discern the difference between right and wrong is further impaired. One sin leads to another sin which leads to yet more sin. It's a cumulative effect of sorts. For example, a man that entertains thoughts of cheating on his wife may ultimately give into such thoughts. Once he has given into one act of infidelity, he may cover that up with even greater sin.

Such was the case with King David of Israel. The Bible tells us that he gave into temptation and slept with another man's wife and ultimately covered it up with murder. Yes, all of us are capable of terrible crimes, such as murder, which is why we need to be careful what we think and how we live. What begins as a random, seemingly trivial thought may actually lead to terrible consequences and spiritual death:

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15)

This is why it is important to deal with sin while it is still an infant; not yet full-grown as James says above. Sin must be stopped before it is out of control. If you examine your life at this moment and recognize things that shouldn't be there, then your conscience is still very much alive. That's a good thing because there is time to make the necessary changes that lead to a full life filled with God's grace, love, and mercy! This is the kind of life Paul describes in Romans 8, "But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness."

Known By Your Fruit

There are nearly 2,000 varieties of fruits in the world and each grows on a tree or a vine that is specific to a particular fruit. It's not always easy to tell exactly what the tree is until it blossoms. As the fruit tree matures it produces more and more fruit.  Eventually it produces a harvest if it is properly cared for and nurtured.

We are like fruit trees to some extent. Each of us produces some kind of fruit in our lives.  We are known for the fruit we produce. Jesus Christ picks up on this in the following parable:

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7)

In a way, God is like a botanist. A botanist is able to look at a plant to determine what kind of plant it is without having to see the fruit it will eventually produce. God, similarly, is able to look on the inside of or our hearts to determine what kind of person we are and who we will eventually become. He is a human botanist.

Most of us, however, are not human botanists. We cannot peer into the recesses of another person's heart so we are left to make judgments based on the fruit that we see. This is what Christ was referring to in Matthew 7 above. He was warning his disciples to watch for those that do not bear fruit because they are nothing more than wolves in sheep's clothing. These are those that we should avoid.

Christ wasn't just warning his listeners to watch for others, he was also telling them to examine their own fruit. You see, there are really only two types of fruit humans produce -- Good and Bad. The apostle Paul explains the difference in his letter to the church in Galatia. He begins with the "bad fruit."

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5)

Yuck. Definitely not the kind of fruit we want to produce. Rather, all of us should strive to produce "good fruit" that Paul describes in the very next set of verses:

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control... (Galatians 5:22,23)

This is the fruit God produces in our lives when we live for him. We are kind, filled with love, live at peace with others, patient with ourselves and those around us, faithful in all we do, gentle and meek, and exhibit self-control. This can only be accomplished by God's Spirit, which is why the verse starts out with, "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives..." Living by the Spirit produces Spiritual fruit!

Similar to a fruit tree that matures over time, we also grow and mature in God's grace. Bearing fruit may take a little time so be patient as you grow. If you have stalled and unable to produce the fruit Paul describes, seek God "who give generously to all who seek him."

You may also need to prune those dead branches in your life that prevent you from producing good fruit. Sure, we all have them. Friends that drag you down, drinking excessively, having casual sex or watching pornography, talking about other people behind their backs, foul language, etc.. You know what they are in your life.

Hey, I'm not judging...I've got my own branches that need pruning. I also know "pruning" is not easy. In fact, it's incredibly painful. But it needs to be done in order that I might bear the kind of fruit God desires in my life. He wants to bear fruit in your life as well. Submit to his will and you will produce a beautiful harvest!

Overcoming Fear and Anxiety

Fear is a powerful human emotion that affects all of us at one time or another. It can be helpful in certain circumstances, like avoiding danger. Unfortunately, it can also be very irrational and quite debilitating. Anyone who has ever suffered with an anxiety disorder or panic attacks can attest to the consequences of uncontrollable fear.

Where does fear come from? Is it something we are born with or is it the result of our circumstances and environment? Why do some people appear to be more “fearful” than others? These are all good questions and depending on who you ask, you are sure to get different answers.

Sociologists argue that fear is an instinct that developed early in primate evolution. It helped less evolved man survive various threats around him – like getting eaten by saber toothed tigers and other hungry predators. Psychologists, on the other hand, suggest that fear is the product of complex, environmental factors. For example, a child that was abandoned by a parent may develop fear and anxiety as he or she matures into adulthood.

There are many answers, but what I discovered was not satisfying for the most part.  So I looked to the Bible for more insight into the source and (hopefully) the solution to this universal, human condition. What I found was intriguing and very insightful.

The very first time “fear” is mentioned in the Bible is in the book of Genesis. From what I can tell, fear is a by-product of sin. When Adam and Eve were first created by God they were naked, felt no shame, and had absolutely nothing to fear. They walked with God in the Garden of Eden and enjoyed all of God’s wonderful creation. They were at perfect harmony with God and the world in which they lived.

Then they sinned and everything changed. Once they ate of the fruit God commanded them not to eat, they realized that they were naked, felt ashamed, and hid from the Lord because they were afraid:

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” (Genesis 3)

From that point forward, man has been plagued with fear. Now it is a natural part of what it means to be human. Fear begins when we are young: The Boogie man in the closet, monsters under the bed, fear and separation anxiety when mommy leaves the house. It doesn’t stop there. Teenagers attending a new High School may be overtaken by fear – new school, fitting in with other kids, and peer pressure. As we get older, our fears grow, but we learn to hide it from others. We fear losing our jobs and not being able to pay the mortgage or rent. Single adults are afraid that they may never meet the “right person” to share love and life with, while married people can be overtaken with fear of infidelity. In our senior years, the fear of illness and death are just about universal. There are as many fears as there are people in the world.  It is everywhere and has little to do with age or circumstance.

That’s the bad news. Fortunately, the Bible also contains some good news. Since fear is the result of sin, it can be cured by fixing our relationship with God.  Sure, psychology and medications can offer some temporary relief from fear and anxiety, but ultimately the solution lies with God. After all, Adam first experienced “fear” when they had sinned.  Therefore, getting right with God is the best cure for this human frailty.

No God -- Know Fear
Know God – No Fear

Once we fix our broken relationship with God, He begins to work in our lives in a mighty way. He removes our fears and worries as we put our trust in His hands. Perhaps that is why Paul exclaimed, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Peter demonstrated the truth of this statement. As we know from Scripture, he denied the Lord three times because he was afraid of arrest and punishment. However, on the Day of Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit, he was immediately transformed and emboldened – unafraid and unashamed! He no longer denied the lord, even to the day of his death. This is the power of God in a Believer’s life.

So what are you afraid of? Have you put your faith and trust in God? He is really the only one that can provide rest from your cares and fears.  As your faith grows, your fears will diminish over time.  Be patient because it is a process.  Ultimately, your life will be transformed by God who gives all who seek Him a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.  Now that is how you can experience a full, abundant life; unashamed of who you are and unafraid of what's to come!

Thank You Letter to Miley Cyrus

Dear Miley,

I would like to thank you for your recent performance at the VMAs. I realize that you've received a considerable amount of criticism and outrage since then, but I wanted to express my sincere gratitude. Hey, don't get me wrong. I am in no way excusing what you did. I truly did find it disturbing on so many levels. However, I am nevertheless thankful because you have made my parenting job a little easier and confirmed that some of the choices I have made are right on.

I am a Father of a precious young girl that I absolutely adore. Like many parents, I struggle with what to let my daughter watch on TV and listen to on the radio. It’s not always easy to find the right balance so I decided years ago to error on the cautious side of things. I did not let my daughter watch popular programs like Hannah Montana or listen to popular teenage music from Katy Perry. Thankfully, I feel vindicated by my decision to limit my daughter’s exposure after your hyper-sexual, over-the-top performance.

You see, the day after the VMAs, I spoke with several parents who were shocked by your performance. They confided that they did not know how to explain your actions to their teenage daughter that grew up idolizing Hannah Montana. Young girls were confused and parents were a little freaked out.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to explain your performance to my daughter because she wasn’t watching. My daughter’s purity is precious to me, which is why you, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and others are not allowed in my home. I don't find it at all amusing when young girls sing, "Put your hands on me in my skin tight jeans, be your teenage dream tonight….yah, yah, yah, let’s go all the way tonight.” That's a "Hell to the no!" in my house.

Please understand that I live by the Christian principle, “Raise up a child in the way he or she should go and when they get old they will not depart from it.” I believe that what goes into a child’s eyes and ears today will come out tomorrow. I know some parents believe that they should be tolerant so their daughter doesn't rebel. Maybe, but if this scripture is true, she will find her way back home if I give her the right direction now.

While I am grateful that you provide a perfect contrast between virtue and vice, I can’t help but feel as though you've sold out (and sold your body) for the shallow lure of fame and fortune. Sadly, You are being used by people in the industry only looking to cash in on your looks and celebrity. Those guys that are filling your head with lies will bail on you when there is no more money to be made. Learn to say "No!" now or you will find yourself washed-up and alone...just another Lindsay Lohan.

I know it is easy to judge your celebrity, but that is not my intent. On some level, I get it. You desperately want to distance yourself from that cute, lovable character you once played on TV. How far are you willing to go to prove that you are not her? Do you even know your limits? I really hope you eventually figure it out. In the meantime, my young daughter’s impressionable mind is off limits!

Again, I thank you because I needed the reassurance that I'm not just an overbearing Christian parent. My concerns are well-founded and I can safely say that you are not the right role model for my daughter.

Sincerely,
Ella's Daddy

Young People Are Leaving The Church

I was greatly dismayed by a recent article in USA Today in which the author described the mass exodus of young people from the Christian church today. It appears that nearly 70% of people between the ages of 20-30 will leave the church. That means that 7 out of 10 young people you see this weekend at church will fall away from their Christian heritage and never return. This is not very encouraging.

So why is this happening at such an alarming rate? The author cites many reasons why. Some leave home for college and are taught that Christianity is a useless vestige of our once parochial heritage. Others simply become disenchanted by the Christian religion altogether as they mature claiming that the church is merely filled with hypocrites and pretenders.

I have my own theory on why young people are bailing on church today. I think it’s because Christianity is no longer real. The modern church is desperately trying to be something it will never be – a clean version of the world. In that sense, we really are pretenders and hypocrites.

As little as 30 years ago, when you walked into a church, there was absolutely no doubt that you were actually in a Christian church. The music was different; the dress was different; and the message was different. There was a real sense of purpose in regards to God, salvation, and right living. Religion was serious business and church services were not casual and light-hearted, but filled with a sense of urgency in turning broken hearts towards God and away from sin.

This is no longer true in our modern, evangelical churches. In the last several decades, we have spent a considerable amount of time and energy trying to make Christianity more attractive by dressing the church up like the world. The music, messages, and social events are all targeted at showing people, particularly young people, that church is cool. What we now have is a church that is merely a “less-fun” alternative to the world. As a result, kids just aren’t interested because it’s fake.

There is no substitute for the truth. In fact, it is the most powerful arsenal in turning hearts to God. This is why Christ declared:

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10)

This is the message our youth need to hear today and it doesn’t need to be attractive; it just needs to be real. Don’t worry, they can handle the truth and if Christ is correct, it’s exactly what they want to hear. Deep down inside, they are not hungry for Christian concerts, fun and games in the park with face painting and game booths, or iPad giveaways.  Those things may be cool and fun, but ultimately they don't quench the fire in our souls.

I know, some of you are saying, “We are just trying to attract people to church, then we give them the true message of Christianity.” Why do we think that we need to make Christianity attractive? Christ wasn’t attractive and his message wasn’t particular pleasing to the listener, but it was sobering to those hearts that recognized their desperate need for a Savior. Christ did not trick his listeners into hearing his message, but they came by the thousands to hear the truth of his words.

Christianity is not “attractive” from the perspective of the world and never will be because it is incompatible with the popular culture. But that’s okay because God doesn’t need us to water down the message so it is pleasing to the ear. And we don’t really need to trick kids into coming to church with gimmicks, concerts, and games. Young people can find plenty of that stuff -- and frankly, much better versions – outside of the church.

So here is a novel idea worth considering. Let’s put our energy into preaching the gospel in love and teaching our kids the sober reality of their fate apart from Christ. Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, they will stick around.

The Curse of the Morning Bun

Every Saturday, I meet a good friend at the local Starbucks for coffee an Christian fellowship.  We like to call our little gathering "Jesus and Java."  We typically order a large coffee and spend a few hours encouraging one another through God's word.  For some strange reason, today I really felt like ordering a morning bun.    It was as if it was calling my name through its glassy encasement.  I gave into temptation and ordered one.

What big mistake. I felt terrible almost immediately.  My blood sugar shot through the roof.  I was shakey and noticed a the early onset of asthma as my chest tightened.  And now, about an hour later, I am terribly lethargic as my body is going through a sugar crash. My only hope is that the fruit and vegetable tonic I whipped up and gulped down will counteract the negative effects of the morning bun curse.

There is a perfectly logical reason why I  feel physically bad.  Like most treats, my morning bun is loaded with sugar.  Foods high in fructose are a major contributing factor to illness in our society today. In fact, no other substance is linked to so many ailments. It is also a major contributor to high-blood pressure, allergies and a weakened immune system, Parkinson's disease, hyperactivity, chronic fatigue.  There are literally hundreds of illnesses linked to diet high in sugar.

And it is not just physical problems, either. Emotional imbalances are also be traced back to a sugary diet. ADHD and hyperactivity in children, anxiety and nervousness, depression, and difficulty concentrating are but a few to consider. Ironically, many people crave sweet treats when they feel lonely or depressed and never realize they are only causing greater emotional stress when they eat that sugar snack intended to make them feel better.   

There is something you can do about it by making a few simple changes, beginning with your diet. It will take some work on your part because sugar is in just about everything and therefore difficult to avoid. We love sweets and manufacturers of foods and drinks add fructose to increase take advantage of our collective sweet tooth. We have now become addicted to sugar. If you crave sweets like me, try eating more fruits to satisfy your sugary urge. Generally speaking, if it grows on a tree or underground, it is good for you (provided you eat it raw).  Diets made up of fruits and vegetables are very low in processed sugar.

There are some practical things you can do as well.  For example, never leave the house unless you are armed with some fruit -- like a peach or an apple.  Keep in mind that when you are hungry your blood sugar drops so you naturally crave sugar.  This can be disastrous, which is why it is important to have fruits and nuts on hand.  When you are shopping, pay attention to the food labels of the things you like to buy and avoid those things high in sugar (it may be disguised as fructose or corn syrup so be careful!).  Breakfast cereals, for example, are typically loaded with sugar and a terrible way to start your day. Of course sodas are among the worst when it comes to sugar content.

Among other types of drinks, alcoholic beverages like wine are also filled with a lot of sugar. This is perhaps one of the contributing factors of alcoholism because our bodies crave sugar and the more we drink, the more we want. A truly vicious cycle. Eliminating sugar from your diet may be hard at first, like anything else you try. Your body is accustomed to sugar so it is going to take a little time to detox. Stick with it for at least 30 days and I promise that you will feel better. Everyday it will be easier as you commit to eating healthier and see and feel results. You will have more energy, lose weight, and experience better health overall. Improved health will lead to an improved emotional state.

I am thankful for the curse of the morning bun.  This experience is a strong reminder why I made significant dietary changes several years ago. Today I can confidently say that it is going to be a long time before I eat another morning bun!  I hope this will inspire you to make some changes in your diet as well.

May God bless you as you pursue the abundant life!