For two thousand years people have debated what heaven and hell is going to be like and just who will go to heaven and who will go to hell for eternity.
Matthew recorded what Jesus taught us about the Great White Throne Judgment:
Matthew 25:31-34, 41 -- ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then he will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels;
So Here are the Questions
When the Great White Throne Judgment occurs, who will be sent to populate heaven and who will be sent to populate hell and what is heaven and hell like?
There is very little in the Bible describing heaven and hell other than “paradise” versus the “fiery pit”. John describes the heavenly throne room in Revelations but that’s about it. I guess God doesn’t feel it necessary for us to know for sure leaving it to our own imagination. It really doesn’t matter, we will all find out soon enough.
The following rambling is one interpretation that my scrambled brain has been playing with. I certainly am not saying that these are the answers to the questions but I do believe they are worth thinking about. After all, God has left it to our imagination and God encourages us to discover His secrets.
Deuteronomy 29:29 -- The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and to our children for ever, to observe all the words of this law.
Proverbs 25:2 -- It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
My Ramblings
Psalm 19:14 -- Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
We all were created in the image of God and since we were created in His image, we all have been imprinted with His basic moral commands or codes – Don’t steal, lie, cheat, kill, covet, etc.
Since we were also given free will, it is up to us as individuals to either obey these commands or not. All of the major religions have adopted these basic imprinted behavioral laws and have, as is discovered in the Old Testament, for thousands of years. (Cain knew it was wrong to murder Able.)
The vast majority of the people in the world belong to, or claim to belong to, one or another of the world’s major religions. I wonder how many of these people really worship God as opposed to just “belonging” to the congregation and how many of these folks observe, or attempt to observe, the basic imprinted moral commands, that is, live a righteous life? A significant portion of the population doesn’t even believe in a god but are still imprinted with God’s behavioral commands. I wonder how many of these folks observe the basic moral commands? I wonder, given the world’s total population since the beginning, what proportion of all of these people observed these imprinted commands? Based upon all of the turmoil that has always occurred in the world I would guess not many.
Hosea 14:9 -- Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
Okay, here I go out on a limb again. I have discussed this before and every time I do I cringe a bit because it bumps up against the basic Christian believe that, unless you accept Jesus as your redeemer and savior you cannot inherit His kingdom. This belief is based upon Jesus’ words that John recorded in his testimony.
John 14:6-7 -- ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also.
This has always implied to us that the only way into heaven is by accepting Christ as our Savior. But is that really what he is saying? Yes, He does say, “If you know me, you will know the Father also.” This, I believe, means that if you follow Gods laws, accept Jesus as your savior, give control of your life over to God, and let the Holy Spirit guide you through life you will earn a place in God’s kingdom. But he also says, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Does this imply that, as long as Jesus believes that you are, or will be, worthy, He will allow you to know the Father? (Okay, I am going way out on a limb here, but I can’t help but wonder.)
Consider this verse again:
Deuteronomy 29:29 -- The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and to our children for ever, to observe all the words of this law.
In this verse, God tells us that what is written in the Bible is everything we need to know in order to live a righteous earthly life and then to inherit eternal spirit life in Heaven. He is also telling us that He has secrets that we don’t need to know about. These secret things are for Him alone to know.
Now consider this. A person is standing in front of Jesus at the White Throne Judgment who has not accepted Jesus as the savior and is looking Jesus in the eye. Jesus then says, “I have known you since you were conceived in the womb. I know that you have not yet accepted me as your Lord and Savior but you observed my imprinted moral codes as best you could and lived a really good and righteous life. I also know that once you experience me as your Lord and King you will be a faithful servant and will contribute to the building up of our Heavenly kingdom. Since I am the only judge and the only way to the Father I judge you worthy. Welcome to My kingdom.”
I know I know. This is a stretch. There is absolutely nothing in the Bible that would support this and I am not implying that I believe it to be true. It is only my rambling thinking. But just for the fun of it let’s head down this path.
Who Would Populate Heaven? People who accepted Jesus as their savior and redeemer and turned control of their lives over to God will be accepted into heaven. Also included would be all of the other people who attempted to live their lives following their imprinted moral code. Jesus would judge these people worthy of eternal life in heaven since He knows they lived a righteous life on earth and that they will work toward profiting God’s kingdom once they experience Jesus as their Lord and King.
Who Would Populate Hell? Those people who disregarded their imprinted moral code and lived their lives by the flesh, working toward profiting their own “kingdom” seeking wealth, possessions, power, control, etc.
What Would Heaven be Like? If heaven is populated only with really good, righteous people who ultimately accepted God as their king and who continued to worship God and profit His kingdom heaven would be a wonderful place to spend eternity. Heaven would be a true Theocracy. There would be no need for a government, God would be king and rule heaven with his merciful love. Each individual would love and worship God and love their fellow man. There would be no wars, or conflicts. Not a tear would be shed. Complete harmony.
What Would Hell be Like? Being populated with selfish, self-righteous, self-serving people it would be a horrid place to spend eternity. Consider what the governing authorities would do with their power grabs and their disregard for the population. The place would be in total chaos with no hope in sight for eternity. Imagine all of the conflicts and wars. Murders would be a part of life. Gang wars resulting in constant fighting in the streets. On going terrorist attacks. Rape, stealing, and sexual promiscuity would be accepted as common. It would be a very dangerous, nasty, Godless place. (It all sounds like fire and brimstone to me.) The Bible does tell us that Satan will rule over hell.
I am sure that this scenario doesn’t come close to being accurate but it was fun to play with it a bit. I personally am taking the prescribed route to heaven using God’s word given to us in the Bible as my guide. I am building my relationship with God. I continue to learn what God expects of me. I have accepted Jesus into my heart and know that he is my savior and redeemer. I constantly listen for the Holy Spirit to guide me and correct me. If I am successful I will earn a place in heaven with God for eternity.
.
November 22, 2010
November 21, 2010
Medical Update
I was hoping to receive chemotherapy this past Thursday but my blood platelets count was way to low to risk the therapy. We will try once again the week after next. I did receive a bag of fluids in hopes of it perking me up a bit but to no avail. It is four days later and I have not received a “boost” from the fluids. My plans are to receive two bags of fluids on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, in hopes of them perking me up enough to really enjoy the holiday weekend with my family.
It is becoming apparent that, after years of chemotherapy, my body is getting saturated with the cell killing drugs and that it may become too dangerous to receive much more of the chemo drugs. The drugs have begun affecting my bone marrow and, as a result, the bone marrow is not producing platelets as it should. I am only guessing at this point but I believe my Oncologist is about ready to tell me, “No more chemo for you buck-o. It will do more harm than good.” Well, if that happens I am unsure what our next line of defense is. We will push forward with God’s guidance.
I have been very unsteady on my feet and I continue to experience the dreaded chemo induced stupor, which feels like when you’re drunk, but you don’t have the buzz. I continue to use my cane or my walker and both work out pretty well. It is tough to get around but the good news is that I get around.
Matthew 26:39 -- ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’
I continue to raise this prayer to God everyday. I also thank God for the day he has given me and ask Him for another. So far he has not failed me.
God is great. God is good.
.
It is becoming apparent that, after years of chemotherapy, my body is getting saturated with the cell killing drugs and that it may become too dangerous to receive much more of the chemo drugs. The drugs have begun affecting my bone marrow and, as a result, the bone marrow is not producing platelets as it should. I am only guessing at this point but I believe my Oncologist is about ready to tell me, “No more chemo for you buck-o. It will do more harm than good.” Well, if that happens I am unsure what our next line of defense is. We will push forward with God’s guidance.
I have been very unsteady on my feet and I continue to experience the dreaded chemo induced stupor, which feels like when you’re drunk, but you don’t have the buzz. I continue to use my cane or my walker and both work out pretty well. It is tough to get around but the good news is that I get around.
Matthew 26:39 -- ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’
I continue to raise this prayer to God everyday. I also thank God for the day he has given me and ask Him for another. So far he has not failed me.
God is great. God is good.
.
November 18, 2010
Suffering and Sainthood
The following post is a copy of a comment by my cousin Linda left on my last posting “Went for a Walk with the Walker”. I know that the comment is available to you all but I wanted to make sure you all saw it. I think that what she has to say is very inspiring and encouraging. I asked Linda if she would mind if Iposted it and she did not hesitate to allow me. As a resut, Linda has been given the title of “Contributing Poster”. Thank you Linda.
Oh, by the way, I by no means consider myself “Saintly”. I’m just another guy who, like thousands of others along with their families, are going through a journey that we really are not exited about. I have simply turned it all over to God who sustains me. Thank You Lord.
_____________________________________________________________________
'My Cousin The Saint,' is a great book by Justin Catanoso that I recently read. The author finds out that his grandfather's cousin, Padre Gaetano Catanoso of Calabria, Italy is being cannonized a saint in 2001. "A typically lapsed American Catholic, Justin embarks on a quest to connect with his extended family in southern Italy and ultimately, to awaken his slumbering faith." That last line is from the inside cover In any event, I thoroughly enjoyed his adventure of discovering his roots and learning about the life of his ancestor who so inspired others that he was being recognized by the Catholic Church as a bonified 'saint.'
As I mentioned before, I love the saints......I love reading about their lives and circumstances and about how they nurtured their relationship with God. It seems to me that the one thing they all have in common is that they all suffered - some from physical ailments, some spiritual - and that they so fully embraced this suffering because they saw it as bringing them in union with Christ - carrying that cross. They never complain. It's as if their suffering chips away at the earthly distractions so that their understanding of eternal life is heightened. A necessary evil, if you will.
I am currently reading Debra Herbeck's "Safely Through The Storm" which includes several quotes that I find inspirational. They also remind me of 'my cousin the saint'......you - Paul:) Your Mall Walker with a Walker story is told with the same patience and acceptance as any other saint I've read about.
Here are a few 'saint' excerpts from the above-mentioned book that I thought you might enjoy also:
Be at Peace Today
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same Eternal Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day of your life. He will either shield you from suffering, or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts.
----St. Francis de Sales
God Does Not Change
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
Though all things pass
God does not change.
Patience wins all things.
But he lacks nothing
Who possesses God;
For God alone suffices.
---St. Teresa of Avila
Four years ago when I went on Pilgrimage to Italy we visited a remote mountain town of San Giovanni Rotondo. That is where St. Padre Pio spent most of his life. He is one of our modern saints having lived from 1887-1968. He was cannonized in 2002. While he is said to have had the gift of tongues and bilocation, he was most well known for the spiritual phenomenon of the stigmata. He suffered the wounds of Christ for over 50 years. 'The wounds were painful, and he felt them not only on his hands, on his feet and in his side but also, as was recently revealed, on his shoulder, where Christ carried the cross.' (From '39 New Saints you should know' by Brian O'Neel.)
Here are a couple of thoughts from Padre Pio -
The Way to Heaven
What does it matter to you whether Jesus wishes to guide you to Heaven by way of the desert or by the fields, so long as you get there by one way or the other? Put away any excessive worrying which results from the trials by which the good God has desired to test you; and if this is not possible, resign yourself to the Divine will.
and
Make Yourself at Home
It is just as well to make yourself at home with the sufferings that Jesus is pleased to send you as you must always live with them. In this way, when you are least expecting to be liberated from them, Jesus, who cannot bear to keep you long in affliction, will come and relieve you and comfort you, giving you new courage.
Since saints are just 'holy and human people who live extraordinary lives,' I think you qualify. So from now on, you are 'MY COUSIN, the saint.'
Love,
Linda
.
Oh, by the way, I by no means consider myself “Saintly”. I’m just another guy who, like thousands of others along with their families, are going through a journey that we really are not exited about. I have simply turned it all over to God who sustains me. Thank You Lord.
_____________________________________________________________________
'My Cousin The Saint,' is a great book by Justin Catanoso that I recently read. The author finds out that his grandfather's cousin, Padre Gaetano Catanoso of Calabria, Italy is being cannonized a saint in 2001. "A typically lapsed American Catholic, Justin embarks on a quest to connect with his extended family in southern Italy and ultimately, to awaken his slumbering faith." That last line is from the inside cover In any event, I thoroughly enjoyed his adventure of discovering his roots and learning about the life of his ancestor who so inspired others that he was being recognized by the Catholic Church as a bonified 'saint.'
As I mentioned before, I love the saints......I love reading about their lives and circumstances and about how they nurtured their relationship with God. It seems to me that the one thing they all have in common is that they all suffered - some from physical ailments, some spiritual - and that they so fully embraced this suffering because they saw it as bringing them in union with Christ - carrying that cross. They never complain. It's as if their suffering chips away at the earthly distractions so that their understanding of eternal life is heightened. A necessary evil, if you will.
I am currently reading Debra Herbeck's "Safely Through The Storm" which includes several quotes that I find inspirational. They also remind me of 'my cousin the saint'......you - Paul:) Your Mall Walker with a Walker story is told with the same patience and acceptance as any other saint I've read about.
Here are a few 'saint' excerpts from the above-mentioned book that I thought you might enjoy also:
Be at Peace Today
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same Eternal Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day of your life. He will either shield you from suffering, or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts.
----St. Francis de Sales
God Does Not Change
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
Though all things pass
God does not change.
Patience wins all things.
But he lacks nothing
Who possesses God;
For God alone suffices.
---St. Teresa of Avila
Four years ago when I went on Pilgrimage to Italy we visited a remote mountain town of San Giovanni Rotondo. That is where St. Padre Pio spent most of his life. He is one of our modern saints having lived from 1887-1968. He was cannonized in 2002. While he is said to have had the gift of tongues and bilocation, he was most well known for the spiritual phenomenon of the stigmata. He suffered the wounds of Christ for over 50 years. 'The wounds were painful, and he felt them not only on his hands, on his feet and in his side but also, as was recently revealed, on his shoulder, where Christ carried the cross.' (From '39 New Saints you should know' by Brian O'Neel.)
Here are a couple of thoughts from Padre Pio -
The Way to Heaven
What does it matter to you whether Jesus wishes to guide you to Heaven by way of the desert or by the fields, so long as you get there by one way or the other? Put away any excessive worrying which results from the trials by which the good God has desired to test you; and if this is not possible, resign yourself to the Divine will.
and
Make Yourself at Home
It is just as well to make yourself at home with the sufferings that Jesus is pleased to send you as you must always live with them. In this way, when you are least expecting to be liberated from them, Jesus, who cannot bear to keep you long in affliction, will come and relieve you and comfort you, giving you new courage.
Since saints are just 'holy and human people who live extraordinary lives,' I think you qualify. So from now on, you are 'MY COUSIN, the saint.'
Love,
Linda
.
November 16, 2010
Went for a Walk (With the Walker)
I was sitting around yesterday starting to feel sorry for myself. Feeling sorry not because I have cancer, I can live with that with God’s grace, but rather because I have been so dragged down with no strength or stamina. You cannot imagine how hard it is for me to even get out of a chair my legs are so weak. It has gotten to a point where there is very little I can do for myself and must rely on Pat and Chris to do the simplest things for me which they gladly do. I am very thankful for their attentiveness but I would like to improve my quality of life enough that I can once again be doing at least a few things for myself.
As I was sitting there sulking about my condition I said to God, “Dear Lord, help me.” One word came back. “Exercise”. It was a gentle response and very logical. Now I may have come up with this answer on my own but somehow I believe that the response was from God. (Thank You Lord.)
Okay. Exercise. Go to the gym? Begin lifting weights? Aerobics? Naaaa…. I don’t think so. I just need to get moving and work my muscles, particularly my legs. I had used my walker for the first time last week when I went for chemotherapy and I was quite please how it aided my stability so that I had no fear of falling. Okay. I can begin walking, with the walker, for no other reason than to begin using my leg muscles. Great idea. I’ll do it.
So, I loaded my friend the walker into the back seat of my car and headed to the mall this morning. My plan was to hit the mall, walk around as much as I could, then reward myself with a hot mocha. Now the mall here is not large but my objective was to walk from one end to the other and then, of course, back again. I hit the floor of the mall (trying to suck up the fact that I was in public with a walker) at a slow and steady pace.
I made it about half way to the other end and stopped, sat on a bench, and rested for a few minutes. My legs felt good but I was loosing stamina. After a short while I was back on my feet and moving. “Hey, this isn’t so bad.” I thought. When I reached the far end of the mall I sat again for a while, regained my strength, and headed back to where I began my walk. I had to stop once along the way but I made it with no trouble at all. All in all it took me about 40 minutes to complete my journey.
1 Corinthians 10:13 -- No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The mocha tasted extra good.
My intent now is to do this as often as I can. I am now a “Mall Walker with a Walker”.
Dear Lord, thank you for another day of life. I humbly ask for another. Thank You for all of the many blessing You have provided my family.
.
As I was sitting there sulking about my condition I said to God, “Dear Lord, help me.” One word came back. “Exercise”. It was a gentle response and very logical. Now I may have come up with this answer on my own but somehow I believe that the response was from God. (Thank You Lord.)
Okay. Exercise. Go to the gym? Begin lifting weights? Aerobics? Naaaa…. I don’t think so. I just need to get moving and work my muscles, particularly my legs. I had used my walker for the first time last week when I went for chemotherapy and I was quite please how it aided my stability so that I had no fear of falling. Okay. I can begin walking, with the walker, for no other reason than to begin using my leg muscles. Great idea. I’ll do it.
So, I loaded my friend the walker into the back seat of my car and headed to the mall this morning. My plan was to hit the mall, walk around as much as I could, then reward myself with a hot mocha. Now the mall here is not large but my objective was to walk from one end to the other and then, of course, back again. I hit the floor of the mall (trying to suck up the fact that I was in public with a walker) at a slow and steady pace.
I made it about half way to the other end and stopped, sat on a bench, and rested for a few minutes. My legs felt good but I was loosing stamina. After a short while I was back on my feet and moving. “Hey, this isn’t so bad.” I thought. When I reached the far end of the mall I sat again for a while, regained my strength, and headed back to where I began my walk. I had to stop once along the way but I made it with no trouble at all. All in all it took me about 40 minutes to complete my journey.
1 Corinthians 10:13 -- No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
The mocha tasted extra good.
My intent now is to do this as often as I can. I am now a “Mall Walker with a Walker”.
Dear Lord, thank you for another day of life. I humbly ask for another. Thank You for all of the many blessing You have provided my family.
.
November 12, 2010
Medical Update
Blood levels were borderline on Thursday (yesterday) but my oncologist gave the go ahead for chemotherapy. Finally once again fighting back. I am scheduled to receive another treatment next week and I pray that I will be able to receive it.
Psalm 91 -- For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
I am hoping that the dreaded “chemo brain” will be a mild case this time around. Typically after a treatment I end up in a “chemo induced stupor” which is very disorienting.
I continue to have little strength and stamina. Along with the chemotherapy I got pumped full of fluids. This will perk me up for a few days and will hopefully sustain me through the weekend.
My oncologist tripled the amount of steroids I take in a day. Since then I am developing red splotches on my arms, my face is red, everything is swelling, and I am sleeping restlessly. I don’t like steroids but as long as my oncologist feels it is best I will put up with it.
I felt a little shaky on my feet so, for fear of falling, I used my walker to get around rather than my cane. This is the first time I have used it and was a little self-conscience about it. I felt like a feeble old man pushing the walker in front of me… Come to think about it, I guess I am becoming a feeble old man (laughing to myself). But then again, getting old is the objective, right? Getting old without falling is better yet. I’m thinking about putting a little basket on the walker so I can cart around some stuff (mocha coffee) with me as I use it. It is not really possible to carry anything and use the walker at the same time. Maybe I’ll include a bicycle horn, a rear view mirror, and some streamers as well. (Hey… If your going to do it you might as well do it all the way, right?)
Just before Jesus was arrested that night before his crucifixion He prayed to His father, asking that, if it is possible, to not let happen what was about to happen but that he would willing yield to God’s will. This is a perfect example of a perfect man’s humanity.
Matthew 26:39 -- ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’
I continue to raise this prayer to God everyday. I also thank God for the day he has given me and ask Him for another. So far he has not failed me.
God is great. God is good.
.
Psalm 91 -- For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
I am hoping that the dreaded “chemo brain” will be a mild case this time around. Typically after a treatment I end up in a “chemo induced stupor” which is very disorienting.
I continue to have little strength and stamina. Along with the chemotherapy I got pumped full of fluids. This will perk me up for a few days and will hopefully sustain me through the weekend.
My oncologist tripled the amount of steroids I take in a day. Since then I am developing red splotches on my arms, my face is red, everything is swelling, and I am sleeping restlessly. I don’t like steroids but as long as my oncologist feels it is best I will put up with it.
I felt a little shaky on my feet so, for fear of falling, I used my walker to get around rather than my cane. This is the first time I have used it and was a little self-conscience about it. I felt like a feeble old man pushing the walker in front of me… Come to think about it, I guess I am becoming a feeble old man (laughing to myself). But then again, getting old is the objective, right? Getting old without falling is better yet. I’m thinking about putting a little basket on the walker so I can cart around some stuff (mocha coffee) with me as I use it. It is not really possible to carry anything and use the walker at the same time. Maybe I’ll include a bicycle horn, a rear view mirror, and some streamers as well. (Hey… If your going to do it you might as well do it all the way, right?)
Just before Jesus was arrested that night before his crucifixion He prayed to His father, asking that, if it is possible, to not let happen what was about to happen but that he would willing yield to God’s will. This is a perfect example of a perfect man’s humanity.
Matthew 26:39 -- ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’
I continue to raise this prayer to God everyday. I also thank God for the day he has given me and ask Him for another. So far he has not failed me.
God is great. God is good.
.
November 11, 2010
God’s Guidance With a Lesson
This is a somewhat long posting and I hope that you can take the time to read through it. This posting describes an experience that was very meaningful to me. I hope you find it interesting.
. .
Christians who have opened their hearts to our Lord Jesus Christ, turned control of their lives to God, and rely upon the Holy Spirit and scripture for guidance have a huge advantage when making decisions about what to do in specific circumstances. The Christian consistently prays about the situation, asking God what he or she should do in order to best benefit His kingdom and waits for an answer. I have had times when that answer comes immediately and there have been times when the answer is slow in revealing itself. I don’t let the delay deter me. I figure that God wants me to continue to think about it, most likely to help me gain a better understanding of myself or perhaps to push me toward reading scripture to discover the answer there. Either way, a correct answer always comes.
James 1:5-8 -- If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Recently I have had to make a major decision.
For nearly seven years I have been the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for our church’s Christian K-3 to 8 school. During that time our school has thrived and we are now in the initial stages of preparing to expand our capacity to accommodate forecasted growth as well as to renovate existing facilities. This will be a multimillion-dollar project that will require a great deal of work by many people. Along with this, the routine work of the Board must continue.
Over recent months since my brain surgery, brain radiation, and sporadic chemotherapy treatments my health has been failing me. I have good days and I have bad days and, of course, I cannot predict from day to day whether it will be a good one or a bad one. As a result it has been very difficult for me to commit to attending board meetings, taking on specific tasks related to the board, or working with our Head of School and Executive Committee to create meeting agendas and establish “next steps” for the board and school. Along with this there is no indication that my health will improve.
After not being able to attend a couple of critical meetings during the past month I began to wonder whether or not I was still capable of chairing the board. I felt as though I was letting the group down by not providing the leadership I was tasked with providing. The executive committee is completely capable of fulfilling the responsibility and we have a very competent Vice Chair so I was not concerned about the work getting done. But I was beginning to feel guilty.
I turned to God for guidance.
My first question to God was, “Dear Lord, what should I do to best build Your kingdom, continue as Chairman of the Board or step down and let someone else who can make the commitment to take on the task?”
No Response.
This did not bother me in that often answers are slow in coming. I continued to think and pray about it and then asked God, “Great and mighty Lord, should I move aside from the Chairmanship?”
Again, no response.
Okay. He didn’t like that question. What about this one: “Lord, should someone else besides me Chair this board?”
Sigh. Again, no guidance.
This had been going on for sometime and I was beginning to wonder if the Holy Spirit was on vacation or something. I continued to pray and think about it. I began to reason that there was always the chance that my health would improve and that I could slip back into an affective leadership role on the board. But of course, the opposite may occur. I realized that this was probably wishful thinking.
Finally God responds.
Okay, time to ask once again for guidance. This time I put a little different twist on the question. “Gracious and mighty Lord, what is stopping me from resigning my position as Chairman of Board?”
This time, in an instant, like a lightning bolt, the answer came. “Pride”.
I almost jumped back when this answer was given to me so quickly and forcefully. Of course, pride. I was very proud of the work I had been doing with the board and, in trying to make the decision about what to do I was letting my own pride get in the way of the decision that would best benefit God’s kingdom.
God does not like self-righteous pride.
Proverbs 16:5 -- The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Romans 12:3 -- For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
1 Corinthians 4:7 -- For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Jeremiah 9:23-24 -- ...but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight.
And, of course, it was Lucifer’s pride that got him banished from heaven.
Ezekiel 28:17 -- Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.
God tells us to be humble.
God delights in providing for us, and delights in our good works and our humility.
Micah 6:8 -- He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.
James 4:6 -- But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:6 -- Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
Luke 14:11 -- For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Proverbs 22:4 -- The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
Psalm 25:9 -- He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
What a relief. I now had an answer as to what to do. In order to best build God’s kingdom through leadership of the school’s board I needed to step aside and turn the position over to another who could commit the time and the energy to the task.
As I look back on how I went about asking for God’s guidance on this decision I realize that He purposely forced me to think about the situation and ask the question in such a way that would not only provide the answer but also reminded me that the work I had done with the board was only possible because of the talents God had provided me. My pride in the work I had done was self-righteous. This self-righteousness resulted in the board not being as affective as it could be in profiting God’s kingdom because of my inability to completely fulfill my task as chairman.
God is great. God is good.
Thank you Lord not only for your guidance but also the lesson you taught me about pride. You are truly a wise and gracious God.
.
. .
Christians who have opened their hearts to our Lord Jesus Christ, turned control of their lives to God, and rely upon the Holy Spirit and scripture for guidance have a huge advantage when making decisions about what to do in specific circumstances. The Christian consistently prays about the situation, asking God what he or she should do in order to best benefit His kingdom and waits for an answer. I have had times when that answer comes immediately and there have been times when the answer is slow in revealing itself. I don’t let the delay deter me. I figure that God wants me to continue to think about it, most likely to help me gain a better understanding of myself or perhaps to push me toward reading scripture to discover the answer there. Either way, a correct answer always comes.
James 1:5-8 -- If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Recently I have had to make a major decision.
For nearly seven years I have been the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for our church’s Christian K-3 to 8 school. During that time our school has thrived and we are now in the initial stages of preparing to expand our capacity to accommodate forecasted growth as well as to renovate existing facilities. This will be a multimillion-dollar project that will require a great deal of work by many people. Along with this, the routine work of the Board must continue.
Over recent months since my brain surgery, brain radiation, and sporadic chemotherapy treatments my health has been failing me. I have good days and I have bad days and, of course, I cannot predict from day to day whether it will be a good one or a bad one. As a result it has been very difficult for me to commit to attending board meetings, taking on specific tasks related to the board, or working with our Head of School and Executive Committee to create meeting agendas and establish “next steps” for the board and school. Along with this there is no indication that my health will improve.
After not being able to attend a couple of critical meetings during the past month I began to wonder whether or not I was still capable of chairing the board. I felt as though I was letting the group down by not providing the leadership I was tasked with providing. The executive committee is completely capable of fulfilling the responsibility and we have a very competent Vice Chair so I was not concerned about the work getting done. But I was beginning to feel guilty.
I turned to God for guidance.
My first question to God was, “Dear Lord, what should I do to best build Your kingdom, continue as Chairman of the Board or step down and let someone else who can make the commitment to take on the task?”
No Response.
This did not bother me in that often answers are slow in coming. I continued to think and pray about it and then asked God, “Great and mighty Lord, should I move aside from the Chairmanship?”
Again, no response.
Okay. He didn’t like that question. What about this one: “Lord, should someone else besides me Chair this board?”
Sigh. Again, no guidance.
This had been going on for sometime and I was beginning to wonder if the Holy Spirit was on vacation or something. I continued to pray and think about it. I began to reason that there was always the chance that my health would improve and that I could slip back into an affective leadership role on the board. But of course, the opposite may occur. I realized that this was probably wishful thinking.
Finally God responds.
Okay, time to ask once again for guidance. This time I put a little different twist on the question. “Gracious and mighty Lord, what is stopping me from resigning my position as Chairman of Board?”
This time, in an instant, like a lightning bolt, the answer came. “Pride”.
I almost jumped back when this answer was given to me so quickly and forcefully. Of course, pride. I was very proud of the work I had been doing with the board and, in trying to make the decision about what to do I was letting my own pride get in the way of the decision that would best benefit God’s kingdom.
God does not like self-righteous pride.
Proverbs 16:5 -- The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Romans 12:3 -- For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
1 Corinthians 4:7 -- For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Jeremiah 9:23-24 -- ...but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight.
And, of course, it was Lucifer’s pride that got him banished from heaven.
Ezekiel 28:17 -- Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.
God tells us to be humble.
God delights in providing for us, and delights in our good works and our humility.
Micah 6:8 -- He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.
James 4:6 -- But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
1 Peter 5:6 -- Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
Luke 14:11 -- For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Proverbs 22:4 -- The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
Psalm 25:9 -- He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
What a relief. I now had an answer as to what to do. In order to best build God’s kingdom through leadership of the school’s board I needed to step aside and turn the position over to another who could commit the time and the energy to the task.
As I look back on how I went about asking for God’s guidance on this decision I realize that He purposely forced me to think about the situation and ask the question in such a way that would not only provide the answer but also reminded me that the work I had done with the board was only possible because of the talents God had provided me. My pride in the work I had done was self-righteous. This self-righteousness resulted in the board not being as affective as it could be in profiting God’s kingdom because of my inability to completely fulfill my task as chairman.
God is great. God is good.
Thank you Lord not only for your guidance but also the lesson you taught me about pride. You are truly a wise and gracious God.
.
November 7, 2010
Taking a Break
It has been a while since I have posted and, to my faithful readers, I apologize for that. Over the recent weeks I have been very tired with little strength and have found it difficult to focus my attention on much of anything. I have decided to take a short break in an effort “unclutter” my mind.
Psalm 46:10 -- ‘Be still, and know that I am God!'
I hope to have something new posted in a few days.
Medical update: My chemotherapy treatments continue to be far and few between. My blood counts continue to be out of whack and my oncologist feels as though too much therapy would be dangerous. I have been receiving chemo now for about four and a half years and we may be reaching a point where continuing chemotherapy may not be wise. We will continue to take it a week at a time and trust in God, knowing that He will lead us toward whatever will benefit His kingdom.
Matthew 26:39 -- ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’
Dear and mighty Lord. We continue to thank you for the many blessing you have given us. Thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for our family and friends who love us, support us, and provide prayers for us. We ask, Lord, that You continue to give us time together as a family and that You continue to bless us with Your grace.
.
Psalm 46:10 -- ‘Be still, and know that I am God!'
I hope to have something new posted in a few days.
Medical update: My chemotherapy treatments continue to be far and few between. My blood counts continue to be out of whack and my oncologist feels as though too much therapy would be dangerous. I have been receiving chemo now for about four and a half years and we may be reaching a point where continuing chemotherapy may not be wise. We will continue to take it a week at a time and trust in God, knowing that He will lead us toward whatever will benefit His kingdom.
Matthew 26:39 -- ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’
Dear and mighty Lord. We continue to thank you for the many blessing you have given us. Thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for our family and friends who love us, support us, and provide prayers for us. We ask, Lord, that You continue to give us time together as a family and that You continue to bless us with Your grace.
.
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