Is God Our Head Gamemaker?

While watching Catching Fire this past weekend with my family, I was amazed at the intricacies of how the Gamemakers manipulated circumstances toward their end.  I wonder, is God merely the masterful Gamemaker of my life?

For the few who are not familiar with the Hunger Games phenom, author Suzanne Collins creates a post-apocalyptic North America that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history and during the quelling of a rebellion against the Capitol, an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games was created in punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol. Each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. "Tributes" from each district are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.

The games are masterfully and technologically developed in a real-life arena by a group of Game Makers, Plutarch Heavensbee being the Head Gamemaker in the latest movie, Catching Fire.  The gamemakers manipulate circumstances and participants toward their gamesmanship end of the glory of the Capital.

I wonder, does  "Heavensbee" have any hidden reference to Heaven's sovereignty in the book?

As believers in the God of the universe, most followers of Christ acknowledge He is in control of our real-life arena and is working, skeptics would say manipulating, circumstances for His ultimate glory.  So is God nothing more than the Head Gamemaker?

As I was reading God's instructions for the game of life, the Bible, I encountered one of many key element that sets Him apart from the Gamemaker of the Hunger Games.  God works all things together for His glory, but also FOR OUR GOOD!  This compassion of God sets his sovereignty apart.

1 Peter 5:6 reminds us of His sovereignty and our submission...
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand...

Alone these words would sound as ominous as participating in life-sucking Hunger Games.

But God adds this life-giving caveat...

that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 

There it is.  Along with many other characteristics, what sets God apart from Heavensbee is His care.

I am thankful God is orchestrating the circumstances of my life together both for His glory as my Creator, Sustainer, and Savior, but also for my good as His child.  HE CARES FOR ME!  This grace-filled truth amazes this undeserving, rebellious poor, weak man.

Do you think God is the Head Gamemaker?  How do you respond to His sovereignty?  Do you recognize His care in the game of your life?

How Strange?!

None of us like being thought of as "strange."  Growing up one of my greatest fears was to have my friends think I was "weird."  I grew out of that phase, but have never fully outgrown the desire to be considered "normal" rather than "strange."

As Christians though, we are in many ways strangely normal.  Some of us are stranger than others; and God is not necessarily pleased with His children acting "weird."   As we read in 1 Peter 2:12 our lives should be so "good" no one can say anything against us.  But in reading through 1 Peter this morning in my old NIV I discovered Christians are strange strangers who shouldn't think life in this strange world is strange! 

Let's try that again with some verses from 1 Peter.  Christians are strange (4:4 "They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap a  abuse on you.) strangers (1:1 To God's elect, strangers in the world; 1:17 Live your lives as strangers here...; 2:11 I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world to abstain from sinful desires which war against your soul.)  who shouldn't think life in this strange world is strange (4:12 do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you.)!

Christian, don't forget who you are.  You are strange, and be proud of it!

Cross Eyed-My Eyes Need Fixed!

I have been blessed with pretty good eyes...although I can't see far very well, and can't see close anymore.  Other than that I have pretty good eyes.  They are blue, and my wife tells me that makes up for all their deficiencies.

As I read Psalm 141 this morning I realized my eyes with all their problems do need to be fixed, but not by a doctor.  In this song David tells of facing days filled with problem people and hard circumstances.  Well, much like you and I may face.  He asks God to guard his tongue and heart (v. 3,4).  Oh how I need to hear that.  But then in verse eight he tells me what makes the difference...it's his eyes.

"But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord;"

In this sin-stained world filled with trials and troubles and even good distractions, my eyes wander...and I forget that God is Sovereign and in still on the throne!  To endure, I need to fix my eyes on my God who loves me and is working all things together for good.  How do I know?  I fix my eyes on the cross where my Savior died for me.  He wouldn't do that without love and a purpose in mind.  I need to become cross-eyed to fix my eyes. Ironic, isn't it.

Heb 12:2-3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

Reminds me of King Jehoshaphat in the Old Testament who, while fighting the battle God put before him, came to a point where he didn't know what to do...not good for a leader.  But his response to God was

2 Chron 20:12
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." 

Let me encourage you to get your eyes fixed today by becoming cross-eyed.

Something to consider: The Greek word for "fix" in Hebrews 12 means to turn your eyes from looking at other things to look at one thing.  That is hard for me-I'm distractable.  I wonder, what is distracting you today?

To Whine or To Wine

Oswald Chambers has a way of helping me buck up in the circumstances of life. A recent read...
"God can never make us into wine if we object to the fingers He chooses to use to crush us. If we are ever going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed-you cannot drink grapes." May I become smooth and vigorous with a fine bouquet. 

My tendency is to whine rather than to allow God to change me to wine, consumable by a thirsty world desperate for the hope of the gospel.  Only the gospel of God's grace changes me from a whiner to wine.  God may crush us, but with a redeeming purpose in mind.  May it be so.

Which will you become today?

5 Truths to Know to Enjoy This Messy Life

Life happens!  Sometimes life is great, during which times I don't think as much-I just sit back and enjoy. But sometimes life is a mess which causes me to be anxious, to wonder..and to enjoy.  Recently I've had a lot to wonder about-changes in family, job, housing, weather, etc. But as I was reading Psalm 100 I saw the connection between what I know and joy.  (We find a similar connection in Philippians 4)

Psalm 100:2,3
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

1. Know God is God and I am not. (The Lord is God).   He is sovereign, in control, omnipotent and omniscient.  Do I really know who God is and do I believe what I believe?
2. Know God created me. (It is he who made us).  Do I live in a dependent Creature-Creator relationship as A.W. Tozer use to say?
3. Know God owns me. (We are his).  Am I in charge of my time, career, resources, health, or is He?
4. Know God gives me my identity.  (We are his people).  I am a child of the God of the universe.  Where do I find my identity-in who I am or what I do?
5. Know God cares for me.  (The sheep of his pasture)  Sheep are dumb and so am I.  I need a shepherd to direct me, feed me, forgive me, restore me..and care for me.

The bottom line from all this knowing is I can trust God!  God's teaching me to trust Him more during this messy season.  God is also helping me to know Him more.  What a joy!

Is your life a bit messy right now and what is God teaching you?

Audio Messages

The Hound of Heaven-Luke 15:1-7

Sifted-Luke 22:24-38

The Hardest Prayer Ever Prayed-Luke 22:39-46

What Are We Doing Here?-Acts 2:42-47

John the Baptist-Dramatic Sermon-(Video)

The Prayer of Paul's Heart and Mine-Philippians 1 (Video)

View from the Empty Nest

View from the Empty Nest

The time has finally arrived.  All our children have been kicked out of the nest and appear to be finding their wings.  I am ready at any moment to swoop down and save them if need be, although the swoop to Texas may take a bit.  As I look into God's Word I find 4 tests of whether I have truly prepared my eaglets to fly into the real world.  From Psalm 78

1. Do they know God's Word? I mean know it as a part of their everyday life.  Does it pop up in conversation? (v. 1-6)

2. Have I told my children about the greatness of our God?  Have we experienced God moments together? (v. 4)

3. Have my children put their trust in God for everyday life? (v.7)

4. Has God become so much a part of their lives they do not forget who He is and what He has done and is doing for them resulting in lives following Him? (v. 7)

I am grateful my children's wings seem fixed straight at this time, and I pray they will continue to fly strong through the storms of life.  I recently journaled what I have often thought over the years.

I pray this journey Gale and I are on would be a faith strengthener for our children.  I pray when we all look back we will see Your hand, our children will trust in You, and in turn will tell their children.

From the empty nest I keep one eye on my children and the other on the Lord trusting Him.

Stop Crying and Start Partying!

Stop Crying and Start Partying!

It was gloomy this morning here in Berrien Springs-lots of clouds hanging over our heads!  But I love Joy!  Joy is essential to get us through life. Nehemiah told God's people who had been sorrowful because of their sin to stop crying and start partying, for "the joy of the Lord is your strength!" (Nehemiah 8:10)  Let me be clear.  Repenting needs to be part of our lifestyle.  But rejoicing follows closely on the heels of repentance.  Could it be we lack joy, because we lack repentance?

This morning as I read Psalm 97 I was challenged to think about what I'm doing to cultivate joy.  Psalm 97:11 read,  "Light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart."  This passage reminds me God is the one who plants joy in my heart, but I must make sure to cultivate and fertilize that joy.

What cultivates joy in my heart?  Here are some suggestions which help me:

Gratitude (Philippians 4:4-6)
Gazing into the face of God (Psalm 4:6,7)
Surrendering to the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:22)
Trusting God with my trials (Romans 15:13)
Praying and seeing God's hand at work (Philippians 4:4-6; John 16:24)
Following God's path (John 15:9-11)
An eternal perspective (James 1:2, Hebrews 12:2)
Friends (Philippians 4:1 and many more verses)
Family (Proverbs 15:20)

Are you cultivating the joy God has placed in your heart today or are you cultivating gloom?  The weather here is gloomy so I need to intentionally cultivate joy!

What else cultivates joy in your heart?

In Over My Head

Have you ever felt like you were in over your head?  Circumstances, relationships, jobs, health all pile up until you find yourself going under. Years ago I was encouraged to remember, anything over my head is still under His feet.  I need to be reminded of this from time to time.

When I was a youth pastor I lead a group of teens out to a sandbar on Lake Michigan for some frisbee throwing.  I don't swim well.  On the way out, the calm water was up to my chest.  A couple hours later on the way back in the water was up to my mouth.  The larger waves were pushing me, and I quickly discovered I was soon going to be over my head.  Thankfully a 6' 5" tall young man by the name of Brady was only a few feet away.  He came over, got me up out of the water enough to swim the rest of the way to safe waters.  I was thankful for someone who was higher than I.

Early his morning I read Psalm 61:2, "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."  I am thankful for a Rock I can cling to and for a Father's hand who will pull me up (Ps. 17:7).  Later during my jog I heard a song of encouragement, "Help Is on the Way" by Michael W. Smith.  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH_CeU-JNW0&noredirect=1  

Listen in if you are feeling in over your head! 

Honest to God!

The secret is out!  One of my favorite authors is John Ortberg.  He makes me think, and he makes me laugh.  For instance, last night I'm minding my own business reading his book, When the Game is Over it All Goes Back in the Box.  Suddenly, without warning John blows away my understanding of American history and blows up my understanding of myself all in one story. "The most famous story about lying in American history is the story of George Washington cutting down a cherry tree.  His father asked him who did it.  George is supposed to have said, 'I cannot tell a lie; it was me.' That was in a biography written by Parson Weems in the nineteenth century - he made the story up.  The most famous story about not lying in America was a lie."  Now that's funny serious!

I can't hide secrets from God, but I can lie to Him.  Yesterday in a conversation with a struggling friend I encouraged him to read the Psalms.  I find great honesty with God in these Old Testament songs written by real men of faith.   "Is God listening?  Has He abandoned me?  Why do bad things happen to the faithful?  Against you have I sinned."  The Psalmists are just being honest with God.  Reading Psalm 60 this morning helped me appreciate the honesty of another saint and his journey through this sin-stained world.  

Have you been honest with our Father today?   Really.  Have you taken time to cry out and confess?  Don't let George Washington have one up on us, even if it was a lie.  

I'm curious - what do you find hardest to be honest with God about?  Sin, doubt, or feelings about people?