The Truth Or The Tinsel

Do you catch yourself complaining at Christmas about the little things and the little inconveniences. It is a good time to think about the story of Mary and Joseph and to remember that it wasn't about a warm fire and Christmas cookies.

Joseph had to take weeks off work for a government-sponsored registration. Mary was having to endure the gossip surrounded her "unplanned" pregnancy. Think about Joseph and Mary having to endure a four-day donkey ride to Bethlehem and she being at full term and then having to deliver a baby in a stinky barn.

Why would God let His own Son be born under those conditions? Was He mad at Mary and Joseph? The answer is no. Just maybe God allowed the stable so we could see His glory in the midst of life's humbling experiences.

Can life be hard? Does it have its downside and its struggles? And where is God when we are battling through these despairing times? We know, don't we, that God was with Mary and Joseph every moment, working out His incredible plan of redemption. Know also, my friend, that He is with you right now in the middle of those bruising life-moments.

Let Christmas remind you and me to look beyond our current struggles and know that God is doing something good. Up North Wisdom says if we will lift our eyes above the unpleasantness of the Bethlehem circumstances, we too might catch a glimpse of the Star of Christmas. God can give us a renewed outlook, a positive outlook on the time that lies before us. We can rediscover the beauty and joyousness of it all when we focus on the TRUTH and not the tinsel -- on the PRICELESS and not the MasterCard. The best is yet to come. A very Merry Christmas.

A Right Direction

A couple of months ago, I talked to a man who attended our Wed. evening study. He had on a Harley Davidson jacket and it was pretty cool outside. I jokingly asked him if he had put his Harley away for the season. He said he didn't have one right now. When I asked him why, he said something that I can't get off of my mind. He said, "I got rid of it -- it was taking me in a direction I didn't want to go."

I have thought about that statement often since then. I wondered how many people are going in a direction that they shouldn't be going in their lives and maybe don't even know it or don't care about the consequences. Such truth in that man's statement. The Bible says that there is a way that seems right to a man but in the end there is death. (Proverbs 14:12) Pretty powerful scripture.

Society gives us direction all the time. And because it seems so accepted, many just move in that direction. A man may persuade himself that his easily besetting sin, his evil dealings, his false religion and his selfish way are right, but whatever is not God's way will end in death and hell. Our society packages up lifestyles that are totally contrary to the Word of God and makes them sound so attractive. Like the line from a nauseating (my opinion) song said, "It can't be wrong, when it feels so right." Ah, yes it can.

A person wonders why certain cults and "isms" grow quickly. I think it is because they appeal to the old nature of man. It appeals to the flesh. Don't worry about what God's Word says. He really doesn't care what you are doing. Go with the crowd. Don't be a religious fanatic.

Jesus said that He was the only way. Either we are moving His way or we are not. When we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in our lives, He will always give us wisdom to make good decisions that will draw us towards God. Will you listen to God? Will you listen to the voices that God is speaking to you through? Are you willing to go His way? Are you willing to make changes that you know God is dealing with you about? Is God dealing with you about compromises that you are making in your life?

Friend, Up North Wisdom asks if your life is taking you in a direction that you shouldn't be going. A direction that you don't want to go. If so, repent, ask God's forgiveness (1John 1:9) and with the help of the Holy Spirit, start moving in the right direction. There is such a freedom is going God's way. And there is peace and joy. It can be yours also. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. Believe it, friend. Blessings.

Blessed Are The Peacemakers

I've learned some things in my 28+ years of being a pastor (40+ years of being a husband, 36+ years of being a dad). I can assure you that the process of learning never stops. I'm sure you agree.

Number 3: Let me just give you a scripture. Proverbs 15:1 and often used by Living Hope Church founding pastor Jim Erickson: "A soft answer turns away anger". Do you believe that (live that)? We live in an angry world. The volume of anger has really been turned up, so to speak, in our society. Unchecked anger, undealt-with anger -- the Bible is so clear about how destructive that is.

Frederick Buechner, in a writing called "Wishful Thinking" said this: "Of the seven deadly sins, anger is possibly the most fun and the most tasty. To smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor to the last toothsome morsel both the pain you were given and the pain you are giving back, in many ways is a feast fit for a king. The chief drawback is that what you are wolfing down is yourself; the skeleton at the feast is you."

Wow! Pretty powerful words. Undealt-with anger and bitterness (close cousins) will eat us up from the inside out. It will eat away at our spirit and our soul. A soft answer, a Godly answer turns away anger. Do I always practice it? No. Do I know it to be true? Yes.

James 1:19 says this: "Everyone (except me, of course) must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because our anger does not achieve God's righteous purpose."

What an awesome scripture. If you want to get mad at someone, get mad at the devil and his devices and ask God to give you the strength and courage to do things His way. Listen, friends. There is no time in God's Kingdom work for any of us to let the past control us -- to let unchecked and undealt-with anger and bitterness hurt us and those around us, because it does.

Up North Wisdom says anger and bitterness can be passed down through families and relationships. Don't let that happen. Start a new cycle with the help of the Holy Spirit to implement the truth of "a soft answer turns away anger." Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." One of the marks of a child of God is one who makes peace and brings peace into life's circumstances by their very presence. With God's help, let the spirit of peace rule and reign in your heart and life. Blessings!

The Opposite Of Stupid

Lessons from almost 28 plus years of being a pastor: part 2. Another thing that I have learned over these many years is that is important to seek wise counsel. A couple of verses from Proverbs and I can't remember the version but I like both of them. Prov.11:14 says "Where no counsel is, people fail and fall, but there is safety in multitude of good counsel."

That is good but let me read another from Prov. 15:21-22. "Stupid people are happy with their foolishness, but the wise do what is right and get all the counsel they can." Wow! I'm glad that I didn't say that.

We know, don't we, that it's easier to give advice than it is to take it. We love to be in those "advisory" roles. Do you know why so many people don't seek good counsel? I believe it's because they already know the answer many times to the situations they find themselves in. I used to tell Pastor Jim Erickson that I hated asking him advice about money matters because he always gave me the advice that I knew he would. And of course, it was the right advice.

Sometimes it is as simple as asking what you would advise someone else in the same circumstances as you are in. I think you could give some really good advice when you think about it. And often good advice is simply a matter of common sense. Knowledge without common sense can be troubling, if you know what I mean.

Who are the people that you know love and care about you? Make a practice of asking them for counsel and good advice. God will always speak wisdom to us but the problem is that we aren't always wanting to hear the voices that He chooses. How about you? You know what? I ask for more counsel now than when I was much younger and thought I really knew a lot. I have found out that I didn't know as much as I thought I did. Up North Wisdom says that I should seek out wise counsel more often than I want to or really do. I don't want to be stupid and God doesn't want me to be that either. So He provides if I choose to receive. "Lord, help me to be wise and seek good counsel." Are you with me, friend? Blessings.

A "Degree" Of Patience

I have been a pastor here at Living Hope Church for a little more than 28 years. Wow! That is hard to believe. In many ways, it seems like just a few years ago that I started as a somewhat unaware 35-year-old youth pastor. A lot has happened in those 28 years, some good things and some not-so-good things. But I can assure you that God has been faithful to His Word and that all things have worked together for our good and for His glory. I also know that what the enemy has meant for evil, God has meant for good - for the salvation of many.

Have I learned a few things in those 28 years? I believe so. I want to share some of that in the next few blogs. As I reflect back on those years, I believe I have learned some patience. Certainly not in all of its fullness, but I have learned a degree of patience. I think the opposite of patience is impulsiveness. We want things done now. I'd like things to take place immediately: how I want and certainly when I want. That's the American way, isn't it? We don't want to wait for anything.

When Mr. Steinway, the creator of the Steinway piano, was asked by a salesman to try out a new aluminum pin, which he felt was superior to the old one, Mr. Steinway said he would put one in a piano and give it a trial. The salesman asked how long the trial would be, the elder Steinway said thoughtfully, "Oh, I'd say about 50 years."

Patience is a process of learning through life's experiences. Living Hope Church founding pastor, Jim Erickson, used to say often that if a decision is a correct one at the moment, it will be correct in a week from now as well. Good advice. Sometimes we make decisions on the spur of the moment based on feelings, hurts, trials, obstacles, or in the midst of a discouraging situation. I have found that waiting has never hurt me, but a hurried reaction or decision many times has. Can you say Amen to that?

Isaiah 40:31 says: "They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength". How that flies in the face of American Christians. The Bible teaches the value of waiting. And in the waiting time and in the waiting rooms that many of you may be in right now, there is a learning process and God is teaching you valuable things. He hasn't just put you in the back room. Up North Wisdom says that battle, that sickness, that struggle in your family and that hardship you're going through: that's a waiting time and you're praying and waiting to see what God will do. Friend, He'll be with you and teach you and talk to you and reveal amazing things to you. And really, you will ultimately say, "Thank you, Lord, for giving me a waiting room to grow.

Oh, and by the way, patience is the first definition of love. Blessings!!

HE'S NOT LOST

I received the news two days ago that my nephew, Kent Thelen, had died. Kent was 44 years old and has battled brain cancer for over 13 years. Doctors told him he had only a 20% chance of making it five years and he made it a lot longer than that. He battled to the end and never gave up hope. My sister and Kent's brother and father as well as our entire family and his many friends are sad and grieving his death. I wont say loss.

Is a person ever lost when you know where they are? I know where Kent is and that is in heaven. So he isn't lost. He will not come back to us but we will go to him if we have a relationship with Christ. Kent knew Jesus personally and loved both Him and his fellow man. Love was all over Kent. You couldn't find a person that knew him who didn't say that Kent was a loving person. Not only was he loving but serving was his passion in life. Kent loved to serve others. He was named citizen of the year in the small fishing village of Cordova, Alaska where he has lived for the last several years. He was a volunteer for many organizations, served in his home church, and loved the arts. He has a beautiful voice and I will always remember he and my wife, Jeanne, singing "A Whole New World" for Tony and Karol Piantine's wedding. Kent will be missed dearly and I ask prayers for his family, especially his mother, brother and father. We know God is good, all the time, even when times aren't good.

The point I want to make here is: how do you answer the question about being lost? You can be strong, healthy and making your way through life thinking all is well and still be lost. There are many who are lost today and have no understanding of it. Jesus pursues the lost and desires that all be a part of His Kingdom. The Word says "As many as receive Him, He gives the right to be called children of God." And, " He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance and receive eternal life."

Kent's life spoke volumes about the love of God. He was truly the "sweet fragrance" of Jesus wherever he was. I believe there will many more in God's Kingdom because of how he lived out his life. It was an honor to know him and to be his Uncle Jerry.

Kent, I love you and will miss you. But even more, I am looking forward to seeing you again in God's great heaven. Heaven is a lot closer now that you are there. What a great reunion day that is going to be!!

The Shack

Last night, my wife and I, along with two other couples watched a DVD of the author of the Shack, William P. Young, giving a presentation at Elmbrook Church in Milwaukee. It was the story behind the story of the incredibly successful best-selling book, The Shack. It was a very emotionally- moving experience to see and hear the author share his life with the listeners. It got me to thinking about some reactions I have received concerning this book.

First of all, let me say that I have read the book and found it to be very moving and it was for me a spiritual journey that I believed enhanced my relationship to God -- more specifically to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity has always been a mystery and although the book is a fictional story, I came to the conclusion that we serve such an incredibly creative God that He would do what is needed to get our attention and to draw us into a closer relationship with Him. The Bible says that God is love and yet many who have suffered much pain in life's experiences struggle with that truth. Do you? Do you believe that God really loves you, and likes you and is so very fond of you? What hurts do you secretly hold deep down in your soul and maybe for years? Do you fear your secret may be exposed and then what would happen? Are you open to really hearing from God and letting those hurts be healed?

Some of the negative comments that I have heard came from people who haven't read the book. They have read negative comments online and then were afraid to read the book. Don't be. I know personal testimony of people coming to Christ as a result of the Holy Spirit helping to bring healing in their lives through The Shack. It may not affect you as it has others, but it might spark something in you to help you reach out to someone else.

God wants to heal the deep wounds that so many have suffered in life. Some of those wounds have to do with going through painful and unexplainable losses that have left them stunned, weakened, and questioning God in so many ways. Some have been so damaged by someone else that the word "trust" isn't even in their vocabulary. God is creative and wants to reveal Himself to you. Would you let Him do that?

Up North Wisdom says be open to hearing from God maybe in ways that are truly "out of the box" so to speak in terms of how you think He should speak to you. With truths like love, healing, restoration and forgiveness spoken about, you will find it worth your while to take the time to read The Shack and then see if you don't come to really like Papa. If nothing else, you will have a craving for some really interesting and tempting food. Oh no, I'm not going to say anything more. You have to read to find out what that means. Blessings!