If Christianity was reduced to one word, that word would be--LOVE. It must be. Religious leaders pressed Jesus as to which was the greatest commandment. His immediate response was this in Mark 12:29-31, "Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
The trouble with love is that most people don't know what it is. Most people, including those packing the pews, is they think of love as a noun more than a verb. The classic definitions of love are to have a deep, tender, ineffable (unable to describe with words) feeling of affection toward (a person); to have a feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person, pet, or treasured object; to embrace or caress, or to have intercourse with. By these definitions, love for my mountain bike or for my wife are the same. Feelings that one cannot describe with words is love? The only verb here has to do with physical contact!
The Bible defines love as something to be done more than something possessed. I often lose pocket knives. I don't like carrying a large one, so they often slip out of my pants pocket into seat cushions or who knows where. People talk about losing love in the same context. The Righteous Brothers summed it up best, "You've lost that loving feeling." Loving feelings lost are proceeded by loving actions ignored. Where is the love? It is right where you left it.
Peace,
Stan
Monday, August 3, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
New Creation
“Regret”
It's not what you did,
It's what you didn't do.
It's not what you said,
It's what you didn't say.
It's not where you are,
But where you should have gone.
It's not what is,
But what should have been.
It's when you said this,
When you did that,
When you made that decision,
When you broke that promise.
The shadow of the past
Hangs above you always --
A haunting memory,
A faded thought,
A lingering feeling,
A doubtful view.
You never did and never said
What you wanted.
You said and did everything
You wish you could take back.
But there's no way to fix
A broken past;
No way to wipe off
The stain it leaves.
No way to escape,
Nowhere to go,
And the only thing left
Is the shadow of regret.
You do NOT have to live with regret.
Regret occuts from poor decisions and lost opportunities. Many people regret that they did not study better in school or did not pursue more education. Many some day will regret that they did not spend enought time with family and friends. Addictions cause much regret. "If only" are the worst combination of words in the English language.
Regret blurs the line between what can and cannot be changed. Regret keeps a person trapped in the past.
2 Corinthians 5:17-18, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." In Christ every person can erase the regrets of the past. We become a new person. Our old identity is removed. A baby has no past. We a person is born again, he or she becomes a brand new baby. In Christ we have a new way of life. it is the worlds best do-over.
In Ephesians 4, Paul exorts believers to put off the old self and to put on the new self. To put off means to throw away or to strip off. We have the choice, the opportunity to cothe ourselves daily with our new and improved nature.
It's not what you did,
It's what you didn't do.
It's not what you said,
It's what you didn't say.
It's not where you are,
But where you should have gone.
It's not what is,
But what should have been.
It's when you said this,
When you did that,
When you made that decision,
When you broke that promise.
The shadow of the past
Hangs above you always --
A haunting memory,
A faded thought,
A lingering feeling,
A doubtful view.
You never did and never said
What you wanted.
You said and did everything
You wish you could take back.
But there's no way to fix
A broken past;
No way to wipe off
The stain it leaves.
No way to escape,
Nowhere to go,
And the only thing left
Is the shadow of regret.
You do NOT have to live with regret.
Regret occuts from poor decisions and lost opportunities. Many people regret that they did not study better in school or did not pursue more education. Many some day will regret that they did not spend enought time with family and friends. Addictions cause much regret. "If only" are the worst combination of words in the English language.
Regret blurs the line between what can and cannot be changed. Regret keeps a person trapped in the past.
2 Corinthians 5:17-18, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." In Christ every person can erase the regrets of the past. We become a new person. Our old identity is removed. A baby has no past. We a person is born again, he or she becomes a brand new baby. In Christ we have a new way of life. it is the worlds best do-over.
In Ephesians 4, Paul exorts believers to put off the old self and to put on the new self. To put off means to throw away or to strip off. We have the choice, the opportunity to cothe ourselves daily with our new and improved nature.
Monday, May 18, 2009
What Husbands Wish Wives Knew
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 1:40pm | Edit Note | Delete
1 Peter 3:1-5, "In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands."
The Message reads, “Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs.”
Does not every wife desire to be a good wife to her husband? If so, she should be responsive to his needs.
Wives, your husband …
1. Wants your respect.
Doesn't want you running him down to others.
Doesn't want to be treated as a child.
Wives err in favoring children over their husbands.
2. Wants a good sex life with you.
The marriage bed is holy
Hebrews 13:4, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled.”
1 Corinthians 7:1-5
Sex is important to your husband.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger, “The bedroom is the foundation of marriage and family.”
Dr. Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei, a conservative institution of the Catholic Church wrote, “The marriage bed is an altar.”
Books I recommend in this area are — "Holy Sex" by Terry Weir & "Sheet Music" by Kevin Leman.
3. Wants you to remember that he is a man.
Men are more physical than verbal.
Men hunt, build, fix, break, and sweat.
Men are suppose to be more strong than soft.
Men’s brains work differently.
Open, honest communication about what he wants and needs from you will improve your marriage.
Peace,
Stan
1 Peter 3:1-5, "In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands."
The Message reads, “Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs.”
Does not every wife desire to be a good wife to her husband? If so, she should be responsive to his needs.
Wives, your husband …
1. Wants your respect.
Doesn't want you running him down to others.
Doesn't want to be treated as a child.
Wives err in favoring children over their husbands.
2. Wants a good sex life with you.
The marriage bed is holy
Hebrews 13:4, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled.”
1 Corinthians 7:1-5
Sex is important to your husband.
Dr. Laura Schlessinger, “The bedroom is the foundation of marriage and family.”
Dr. Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei, a conservative institution of the Catholic Church wrote, “The marriage bed is an altar.”
Books I recommend in this area are — "Holy Sex" by Terry Weir & "Sheet Music" by Kevin Leman.
3. Wants you to remember that he is a man.
Men are more physical than verbal.
Men hunt, build, fix, break, and sweat.
Men are suppose to be more strong than soft.
Men’s brains work differently.
Open, honest communication about what he wants and needs from you will improve your marriage.
Peace,
Stan
Monday, April 20, 2009
Dream On
Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the U. S. (1856-1924) said, "We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true." This quote from President Wilson has inspired me many times over the years. It has always challenged me to dream big, and to follow my dreams.
I believe God puts dreams inside of every person. Yet, there are a few "dream thieves" that rob people of their intended future. Too many settle for medicre, instead of choosing the greater adventure God has for them. We should not allow our family or friends from stealing the dream from our heart. I don't believe they intend to hurt us or hold us back. In fact, they may be trying to protect us from getting hurt.
The pursuit of a dream comes with risk. Failure and set backs are certain. No path in life is without potholes and detours. Our own mistakes will rob us of our dreams, if we allow them. Self-condemnation and self-doubt causes many to shrink back. The oppostition of others and uncontrollable circumstances seem to difficult to overcome.
The greatest thief of all is TIME. "If it was going to happen, it would have happened by now," thoughts fill our brain. We falsely believe that it is too late for our dream to come true. A study of the Bible proves that most of the people, who saw their dreams come true had to wait for a long time. Ten to twenty-five years was a typical senario.
While we wait for our dream to come true, we need to protect our hearts. We must resist bitterness and depression. We must stay at peace with self and with God. A good plan is to minister to other, helping their dreams to come to pass. We should keep our heart fixed upon God's plan. We should rejoice always, pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks. I read that in 1 Thessalonians.
"Suddenly" is one of my favorite Bible words. Suddenly, one day our dream will come true. As President Wilson said, "Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true."
Peace,
Stan
I believe God puts dreams inside of every person. Yet, there are a few "dream thieves" that rob people of their intended future. Too many settle for medicre, instead of choosing the greater adventure God has for them. We should not allow our family or friends from stealing the dream from our heart. I don't believe they intend to hurt us or hold us back. In fact, they may be trying to protect us from getting hurt.
The pursuit of a dream comes with risk. Failure and set backs are certain. No path in life is without potholes and detours. Our own mistakes will rob us of our dreams, if we allow them. Self-condemnation and self-doubt causes many to shrink back. The oppostition of others and uncontrollable circumstances seem to difficult to overcome.
The greatest thief of all is TIME. "If it was going to happen, it would have happened by now," thoughts fill our brain. We falsely believe that it is too late for our dream to come true. A study of the Bible proves that most of the people, who saw their dreams come true had to wait for a long time. Ten to twenty-five years was a typical senario.
While we wait for our dream to come true, we need to protect our hearts. We must resist bitterness and depression. We must stay at peace with self and with God. A good plan is to minister to other, helping their dreams to come to pass. We should keep our heart fixed upon God's plan. We should rejoice always, pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks. I read that in 1 Thessalonians.
"Suddenly" is one of my favorite Bible words. Suddenly, one day our dream will come true. As President Wilson said, "Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true."
Peace,
Stan
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Hallowed By Thy Name
The beginning of the Lord's Prayer is, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name..." God is holy. We revere and honor him. It good to begin our prayer with an acknowledgment of the awesomeness of God. Specifically we are instructed to give glory to the NAME of God.
I am know by many names. I am Stan, Stanley (only a few can call me this, because it is NOT my real name), Dad, Padre, Pastor, Mr. Saunders, Honey, and a few more. Each name reveals a different aspect of who I am. It is the same with God.
Without boring you with the Hebrew and every scripture reference, let me share with you a few of God's names. He is Almighty, The Most High, Self-Existant One. He also declares himself to be Provider, Healer, My Victory, My Shepherd, Peace, Love, Always There. By worshipping the name of God, I become more aware of his attributes. I have more faith to receive those same benefits.
Next time you pray, before you start on your requests, how about hallowing the his mighty name?
Peace,
Stan
I am know by many names. I am Stan, Stanley (only a few can call me this, because it is NOT my real name), Dad, Padre, Pastor, Mr. Saunders, Honey, and a few more. Each name reveals a different aspect of who I am. It is the same with God.
Without boring you with the Hebrew and every scripture reference, let me share with you a few of God's names. He is Almighty, The Most High, Self-Existant One. He also declares himself to be Provider, Healer, My Victory, My Shepherd, Peace, Love, Always There. By worshipping the name of God, I become more aware of his attributes. I have more faith to receive those same benefits.
Next time you pray, before you start on your requests, how about hallowing the his mighty name?
Peace,
Stan
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Garden
In a garden Adam sinned and cut himself off from his Creator and friend. In a garden the last Adam planted a seed that brought us back to the Creator. In Eden, Adam chose his own will. He chose rebellion. He chose Satan over God. In Gethsemane, the last Adam, Jesus, chose the Father's will above his own. He chose obedience, even to the point of death on the cross. He chose the way of God. Hours before the crucifixion, in the garden, Jesus laid down his life for you and for me. The Romans, nor the Jews took the life of our Savior. He willingly gave himself as a sacrifice for our redemption.
Likewise, Jesus calls us to lay down our lives. Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT), "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." The cross is an instrument of death to our flesh.
Let's follow the Christ's example. Let us die to our flesh that we might raise to true life. Adam chose to satify the longings of his flesh and died. 1 Corinthians 3:9 reads, “you are God’s garden” Galatians 6:7-8 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
Our lives are gardens. Some fourish while some are overgrown with weeds. Let us sow to the spirit and sprout new life. We read in Jeremiah 31:12 ESV,
"They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall be like a watered garden,
and they shall languish no more."
Peace,
Stan
Likewise, Jesus calls us to lay down our lives. Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT), "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." The cross is an instrument of death to our flesh.
Let's follow the Christ's example. Let us die to our flesh that we might raise to true life. Adam chose to satify the longings of his flesh and died. 1 Corinthians 3:9 reads, “you are God’s garden” Galatians 6:7-8 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
Our lives are gardens. Some fourish while some are overgrown with weeds. Let us sow to the spirit and sprout new life. We read in Jeremiah 31:12 ESV,
"They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,
and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord,
over the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and over the young of the flock and the herd;
their life shall be like a watered garden,
and they shall languish no more."
Peace,
Stan
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Others
Life is better when I think more of others than myself. After a very little time, I become quite bored with myself. What is so fascinating about me? What is there left to discover about me? The more my self demands attention, the more I don't like what I see.
When focus shifts to the promotion of the well being of another, my greater self emerges. As I get older, I find it much more exciting and rewarding to cheer on others. I love to watch the sixth grade girls basketball team that I coach improve and shine. I love to watch the church staff shine, while pursuing their gifts and passions.
I love to watch, Michelle, my wife encourage middle school students in her class at church. I love it when I have been able to, in some small way, encourage someone to try something new. I love to help people who cannot do much for me, except to return their gratitude.
So, if you are feeling neglected or mistreated today, shift your focus from self to others. No one really wants to attend your pity party. Help another, cheer a friend, serve a stranger. Find someone who is down and lift them up. When energy is given to others, my self is the greatest beneficiary. In helping others, I have helped myself even more.
Peace,
Stan
When focus shifts to the promotion of the well being of another, my greater self emerges. As I get older, I find it much more exciting and rewarding to cheer on others. I love to watch the sixth grade girls basketball team that I coach improve and shine. I love to watch the church staff shine, while pursuing their gifts and passions.
I love to watch, Michelle, my wife encourage middle school students in her class at church. I love it when I have been able to, in some small way, encourage someone to try something new. I love to help people who cannot do much for me, except to return their gratitude.
So, if you are feeling neglected or mistreated today, shift your focus from self to others. No one really wants to attend your pity party. Help another, cheer a friend, serve a stranger. Find someone who is down and lift them up. When energy is given to others, my self is the greatest beneficiary. In helping others, I have helped myself even more.
Peace,
Stan
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