Lighten Up, Have Fun

I remember back in ancient times some Christians decorated their cars with stickers that said,”God is my Co-Pilot.” It was a catchy, if somewhat corny, celebration of God's omnipresence. It is comforting to know that wherever we go, God is with us---especially if we're doing the driving.

But, what if we said, “God, take the wheel;” closed our eyes and really let go? The Bible doesn't recommend this exercise in trust while driving a car. However, it certainly challenges Christians to try it with worship. The challenge goes like this: “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?”

Being filled with the Spirit on the Lord's day (or any other day) is the greatest thrill ride I've been on. The first time non-believers saw Christians under the influence of the Holy Ghost, they thought the believers were drunk. There's not a drink that compares and I can tell you with my hand up that I've never regretted anything I've done in the Spirit.

People who think God is no fun simply don't know God. You have only to look at some of the people He created to know God has a sense of humor. Some witty fellow once said,”I'd like to meet the person who invented sex and see what he's working on now.” Let me introduce you: reader—God; God---reader. One of His later works is the Holy Ghost baptism.

Here's good news, God isn't done yet. He's getting ready to open the eastern sky; step out to meet us face to face and institute His kingdom on Earth. About what happens a thousand years later all He will say is that eye hasn't seen; ear hasn't heard the things He has in store for those who love Him. While you're waiting, receive the Holy Ghost as His pledge of good things now and forever.

Ouchies and Bandaids

I see a lot of wounds and, by far, the majority are self-inflicted. Without a doubt we are our own worst enemy and the cause of most of our own troubles. Whipping up a case of disaster is easier than cereal for breakfast and takes about as long to make.

Most trouble begins innocently enough. You say, "Hold my drink and watch this." The next thing you know---you're in trouble. In the same vein, "But officer, you don't understand," seldom leads to a positive solution. Humans are natural born troublemakers.

Unfortunately, we've been conditioned to see everyone and everything except ourselves as the source our trouble. As children, our mothers warned us that our friends were trouble. The way friends were always jumping into lakes or off cliffs, who can blame parents for being concerned. A little later, the public school system taught us that poor teachers and overcrowded classrooms are the cause of illiteracy. We came up with no-fault divorce because was inconceivable that either partner did anything wrong. It worked so well we adopted no-fault collision insurance for our cars. Thank God I don't vote. I'd hate to share the responsibility for electing the idiots who run this country.

I hear people say, "You can't fix stupid." I've said it myself--more than once. I've since discovered stupid doesn't even know he needs fixing and he's apt to get testy if you mention it to him. None of us likes others pointing out our faults. But, here's the thing. We all need it. "Don't judge me," is a plea for self-delusion.

Life is a choice. So is the manner in which we live it. Choose to live with your eyes open. In doing so you will see your shortcomings and your failures. You will also see there is grace, forgiveness and hope for the future.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

That good, acceptable and perfect will of God is to love Him with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself. In doing this we are shielded from the worst of the trouble we invite our way.

Sailing Through Life

Good Intentions and Rocky Places

“And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter... And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.”

Paul was going to Rome as a prisoner. His fate was in the hands of a centurion named Julius, an unnamed ship's captain and, at times, the whim of the majority. There are times when important life decisions are out of our hands. At least, it seems that way. The truth is, no child of God's life is ever beyond His control or out of His hands. It's easy to say that—it's much harder to live it. That's because even when man's best laid plans are shipwreck, all can be going according to God's plan.

When life is rolling along at modern breakneck speed, it's hard to let go of the steering wheel. Thankfully, in most instances, God does not want us to do so. God is interested in every detail of our life, but He doesn't want to micromanage all our actions. He wants His children to make their own decisions based on His word and His principles.

Yet, there are times when we must admit we're in over our head and allow God to take over. As Paul found, there are other times when circumstances snatch the wheel from our hands and we have no choice except to trust in God to keep us between the ditches. During these times it's easy to become discouraged or to believe God has forsaken us. Paul got on board the ship knowing disaster was lurking just over the horizon. It didn't require a lot of faith on Paul's part---he had no choice. Faith stepped on board when Paul trusted God and remained convinced His word was true. He would make it to Rome and he would appear before Caesar as God promised.

The storm could destroy the ship, but it could not destroy God's promise to His servant. The storm could alter the ship's course, but it could not alter God's plan for Paul. The key to a positive outcome was to stay on board with God. Paul got wet, but he made it to Rome. Storms will blow you into situations you don't want to face. Don't be discouraged, Jesus is both the author and the finisher of our faith. He will see you through the storms of life.