Drop Your Weapon

by Andrew Cromwell

Everyone knows that the first thing the police do when they are going to arrest someone is to search them to make sure they don’t have any hidden weapons. And of course, if there is ever a time when the perpetrator draws a gun or pulls out a knife, there is a showdown during which they shout “drop your weapon!”

Even if the “weapon” is a toy gun or even something fairly harmless, law enforcement is trained to treat any potential threat in the same way. They seek to disarm first and then further engage the suspect. 

The smart perp will summarily throw his weapon to the ground and throw up his hands. The not so smart ones end up on reality TV or the evening news. 

Even if you have never personally had this kind of encounter with the police (and I hope you never do), we all have the potential to draw our weapons and fire. I’m not talking about physical weapons, but instead relational weapons. Words that wound, stares that kill, threats and ultimatums that choke the air out of a relationship. These are the weapons that we use on even the ones we love the most.

Some of us have prepared our weapons complete with hair triggers and hand grenades and we are ready to draw and fire at a moment’s notice. The instant we get angry, we begin to lob crushing insults and ugly names. We throw daggers made out of the past—past failures that we save for just these moments—and we aim for the heart. 

Many times after years in a relationship, we have armed ourselves with quite an arsenal. And even the smallest conflicts are ripe with the threat of all out nuclear war. Couples who once loved and would have done anything for each other, now suit up everyday as if preparing for battle. Any time of peace is merely a temporary ceasefire. No one has laid down their weapons, they have only withdrawn for the moment.

For those who are tired of the war, I suggest a new strategy. Drop your weapons and refuse to pick them up ever again! If you want to forge a lasting peace, you will never succeed if you are always carrying a dagger in your back pocket. 

How do you do this? Forgive. Forgiveness means you give up the right to pull out those weapons made up of past offenses and failures. You don’t keep bringing up old junk. 

Forgiveness doesn’t have to be a two way street (which is one of the reasons we usually don’t do it very well). You don’t have to wait for the other person to also forgive. You also don’t un-forgive them the moment they hurt you again. 

This difficult practice can change everything. Ephesians 4:32 says, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” We have been forgiven by God, even though we didn’t deserve it. Maybe we need to share that same forgiveness with the people we are closest to?

Rest Robbers

by Tim Howard

Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which people have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while they sleep. It disrupts a person’s sleep and when they awaken they don’t feel rested. I know, because I am one of those who struggle with this.

You may not be wrestling with this disorder but you may be robbed of rest in other areas. You can lose sleep when you are worried about your past decisions. Especially if your past choices are causing negative ramifications in the present – true rest becomes elusive.

You may be among those who are restless and losing sleep over the current world conditions.  The threat of global recession, continuing wars, famines, natural disasters and incurable diseases – they can rob a person of their rest.

What about the future? The fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of what lies ahead, the possibilities of disaster that awaits. All these things can be rest robbers unless you follow God’s prescription for finding peace.

In Hebrews chapter 4 the author shows us a way to find true rest.  This rest is defined as a ‘peace from God’ that will allow you to sleep all night long and have pleasant dreams.  Check out what Paul the Apostle says in Philippians 4:7.  He tells us that this peace defies logic because it’s not connected to external things.  You can be in the middle of a raging storm and still sleep like a baby.  Mark 4:38 records a time when Jesus did just that.

The goalie who played for the United States soccer team alluded to this scripture in Philippians when he recently said: “I am blessed to be living a dream.  And yet, if it all went away tomorrow, I know I would still have peace. That probably sounds crazy to most people, but that’s the kind of peace Christ gives. It is rooted in His love and it surpasses all understanding.”

There is a peace that grows strong when you stop worrying about your past and fretting about your future. Those two things are not the solution and do not produce peace or rest.

When you won’t leave the past hurts, the problems, the misunderstandings, the grudges and the resentments behind – they infect your present reality and don’t affect it in a positive way. 

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah tells us:  ‘Do not be obsessed with the former things or continually focus on the things of the past.” Why? They will rob you of peace and rest.

Regarding the future, Jesus said these words in Matthew 6:34 …do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Your decisions today actually shape your tomorrows and release God’s peace now. You can determine today that the rest of your days will be the best of your days. 

We were not created to live in the past or the future but in the present.  Rest and peace are not available to those who are obsessed with ‘what was’ or overly focused on ‘what will be’ – but to those who choose to embrace ‘what is.’ 

When you are at peace – you rest well. World peace in the external realm can only happen when people have an internal peace. God offers a peace through Jesus that is an eternal peace and can be experienced internally and externally. This possibility was declared by the angels “Peace on Earth…”

Waiting for the Throne

by Andrew Cromwell

The Bible is full of amazing stories that were “written to teach us” (Romans 15:4). One such story is found in the life of King David. David is one of the central characters in Scripture. This incredible piece of history about a shepherd boy who became king happened about about 1,000 years before the time of Christ. 

David was a powerful warrior, a wise king, a faithful friend, and a man who worshipped God with his whole heart. And for all of his wonderful qualities, the Bible also unflinchingly tells the truth about his lesser qualities as well. Among other things, he committed murder, cheated with another man’s wife, disobeyed God, and was a lousy father. There are many lessons to draw from David’s life and if you are not familiar with him, you can read more in the book of 1 Samuel.

The very first time we meet David in Scripture was the day that he was anointed king over Israel. The fly in the ointment of this amazing day was that there was already another king on the throne — King Saul. And so when David is anointed king, it happens secretly. 

It is very clear that God had chosen David to be the next king. He sends a messenger, a prophet named Samuel, to go and anoint David because the current king, Saul, was on his way out.

So as the story goes, they call David in from the fields where he would tend his father’s sheep and goats. Samuel anoints him with oil (which is how you prepared kings for the throne in that day) and the Spirit of the Lord rests upon David. But then instead of taking David to the capital and actually placing him on the throne, Samuel leaves and David heads back to tend the flock.

And for the next 15 years, David waits to become king. 

Fifteen years is a long time between being anointed king and actually taking the throne! If I were David I would be tempted to doubt whether it was really God who had directed Samuel in the first place. I would have given up on the dream of ruling the nation of Israel after maybe year three. But David waits faithfully and he stays close to God and trusts that He is in control. Oh, there are plenty of twists and turns in the story during those years, but it is clear that David made the decision to stay faithful to God through it all.

What lesson can we learn from this? Well, I believe that part of what God does in everyone’s life is to make him or her wait. God has a destiny for each and every person on the planet and He also has great gifts and blessings He wants to pour out on all of His children. But there is always a period of waiting between the time when He reveals what He is going to do in your life (David’s anointing) and Him fulfilling what He promised (David’s taking the throne).

The problem is we don’t like to wait. We push and we pull. We moan and we cry. We throw a fit. We try to force God’s hand and try to make it happen. We get mad at God and complain about our circumstances. And we forget that God is actually at work preparing us to receive the promises He has prepared for us. We want it all right now, but God knows that if He gave it all to us, the blessing would actually be a curse because we aren’t ready for it.

So the next time you have to wait a little while (or fifteen years), don’t forget that God is at work. Remember what Philippians 2:13 says, “for it is God who is at work in you...in order to fulfill His good purpose.” 

Staying in Touch

by Tim Howard

Unless I am out of the country visiting a developing nation or located in some remote place without Internet or phone access, I communicate with my wife virtually every day. I value my conversations with her and have a strong desire to stay in touch.

Sometimes we misunderstand what the other is saying which comes with the territory when you are trying to communicate. Like the other day: My wife and I were sitting at a very busy intersection. I asked her if it was clear in her direction and could I proceed? She spoke one word and it was ‘GO.’ In response to her statement I stepped on the gas, quickly moved into oncoming traffic and nearly caused an accident. Out of frustration I questioned her about her statement. She responded to me with a piercing question; “What didn’t you understand about the word ‘NO?’

If you are going to communicate clearly you must talk and listen.

God really wants to talk with you but He also wants to be understood! Staying in touch with God on a regular basis – talking and listening – will help in your ability to hear correctly on a more consistent basis.

Some time ago we spent a weekend on the coast with some good friends. One of them was a pilot so we flew on his small aircraft and I noticed something interesting. While in flight he never took his headphones off. I learned something new that day.

During an airplane flight, there is constant communication that involves your plane. The air traffic controllers clear the plane for take-off and later at another tower, they will clear the pilot for landing. They stay in touch the whole time between the takeoff and the landing. Why? Because there is more to the flight than just the beginning and the end! The pilot needs to know if there are other planes nearby or of bad weather that demands a course change. It's good for the pilot not to turn off communication with the tower after he takes off. In Revelation 22:13 Jesus says: “I am the Alpha and the Omega the first and the last, the Beginning and the End.” But He’s also everything in between.

Here’s the problem. We allow ourselves to get very busy. We check in with the tower when we take off in the morning, and then we take off our headsets until it’s time to land in bed at the end of our flight.

In doing so, we set our selves up to make hundreds of little decisions on our own without consulting the Lord. No wonder we experience turbulence, get off course and sometimes we even crash.

In the Old Testament a man of God named Nehemiah was very busy serving his King but not too busy to check in with God. One day in the midst of a high priority conversation that would alter the course of his life, he took time to consult with God. His prayer only lasted a few moments but those few moments proved to be life changing.

From the very beginning God reveals Himself as one who wants to communicate regularly. He didn’t create things and then leave on vacation – never to be heard from again. He wants to stay in touch.
Staying in touch with the Air Traffic Controller will guide your plane but staying in tough with your Creator will guide your life.

If you want the safest route to the best destination, keep your headset on from takeoff to landing every day. Stay in touch with your Creator!

The Price of Freedom

by Tim Howard

If you are a citizen of the United States of America you have every reason to celebrate this weekend. We are a nation built upon freedom and if you understand our history – you appreciate everything that word ‘freedom’ represents.

Many things that seem to be free, have in reality been paid for by others. When that happens – it really isn’t free – it’s just at ‘no expense to you.’ If you want to gather a large crowd around you, simply shout the word ‘FREE!’  People from every nook and cranny will come running because the very term itself suggests you will get something for nothing. Most people like a good sale but everyone loves to get something for free.

Freedom costs, however, and we must not forget that. The celebration this weekend would not be possible without those who chose to sacrifice their wants, their feelings, their thoughts and their lives.

The cost of freedom and the high price that was paid demands we use it wisely. Paul the Apostle said: Gal. 5:13 “It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.” MSG

 Having freedom is one thing but using freedom in the right way is another.

True freedom involves a cost but also a choice. If you wrongly assume that freedom means to indulge yourself and a means of getting what will benefit you regardless of others then all your choices will be selfish. Freedom is then held in jeopardy.

For ongoing freedom to remain, we must choose to use our freedom correctly and for the benefit of the whole. President John F. Kennedy said: "...ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." Freedom, when used properly will choose what is right and best for the whole. Freedom is not just about YOU!

Freedom is not unique to America nor did it have its origin in this country’s beginning. God has always had a desire for every boy and girl, every man and women to experience freedom. When people proclaim their dependency ‘upon’ God rather than their independence ‘from’ God, Heaven rules on earth. But when people proclaim their independence ‘from’ God rather than depending ‘upon’ God, Hell breaks loose everywhere.

Here are a few things we must never forget about freedom:

1. The call to freedom is a privilege – not a right. It has been provided for us, by others and must be honored by those of us who have been entrusted with it.

2. We are free to choose but not free from the consequences of our choices. We are responsible for the choices we make. 

3. True freedom is not the right to choose but the privilege to choose what is right.

As we celebrate the freedom allotted to us on July 4, 1776 may we all use our liberties wisely.

You Be The Judge

by Andrew Cromwell

One of Jesus' more familiar quotes is, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."  I am convinced this is one of the most abused and misunderstood passages in Scripture.  You hear it used all the time by those who don't want to be told their behavior is inappropriate.  "Don't judge me," they say, "cause Jesus said you have no right!"  I have even heard it used repeatedly as an excuse to get dismissed from jury duty.  "I can't judge," people say, "because I'm a Christian and Jesus said not to."  

This passage is found in the seventh chapter of Matthew and when you read the four verses that follow the oft-quoted phrase, you discover that Jesus is neither giving people a pass for bad behavior, nor a lame jury excuse.  What He is saying is that we have a problem with putting ourselves into God's shoes and trying to be the ultimate judge.  We love to criticize, tear people down to size and generally put people in their place.

It is not that there is any problem with encouraging someone to come out of an addiction or be faithful to their spouse or not cheat on their taxes.  On the contrary, these things are desirable and Christ wants us to be a help to our fellow human being.  The problem is the way we do it!  

The truth is that we all have areas in our lives that do not measure up to God's standard. And when we judge and criticize another with an attitude that says, "I have a right to judge you," we are sorely mistaken.  Even Christ Himself said that He didn't come to judge in that way, instead He came to save.  

The difference is love.  It is said that love covers a multitude of sins.  It is said, because it does.  Jesus came to cover us with His love so that we could once again have an open relationship with Father God without separation or distance.  Jesus' love was so obvious to people that even the worst sinners flocked to Him. 

We, on the other hand, have a difficulty with that kind of love.  We get love confused with approval.  We are afraid if we love someone they will get the idea that we approve of their bad behavior.  So we do what is easy and shut off the love and bring out the judgment.  

Judgment is so much easier than love. It knows only right or wrong without grey. It requires no relationship. It demands no sacrifice. It costs you nothing.  

Love on the other hand, can cost you everything.    

Priorities

by Tim Howard

My coach use to tell kids that learning the basics is a priority if you want to win games. That’s true of soccer, basketball, hockey and other sports. When you hit a baseball, you will lose the game if you don’t go to first base – First!

That’s what a priority is. It’s putting first things first!

A priority regards one thing as more important than another and makes whatever adjustments necessary to fulfill the most important issue at hand.

We have all, at one time or another, yielded to the ‘Tyranny of the Urgent!’ We live in a culture that creates constant tension between what seems to be urgent and what really is important.

When the urgent wins you lose!

Leaders must be intentional about deciding what things are important and he or she must devote time and energy to those things – even though the  “good” or “urgent” is shouting for attention. The ‘good’ can become the enemy of the ‘great.’

To succeed in life you must first decide what is important. Your priorities should be guided by your sense of purpose. What are you here for? Why did God give you life? What does Jesus want to accomplish through you? Who are you called to influence? What is your plan? How can you make a positive difference? Questions like these will help you determine your purpose and then you can set priorities.

Jesus set priorities and they were directly connected to His understanding of His purpose. He also defined for us some of the priorities we should hold as significant and proper.
Matthew 6:33: Seek first God’s kingdom and what he wants. When you do, other things will fall into place.

Matthew 7:4-5: "How can you think of saying, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye."

Matt. 22:37-39…  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

Once you have set priorities – make sure you take the second step. Follow Through! Setting priorities is the first step but without the follow through – you will lose.

And no one wants to be a loser! 

No one makes plans to end up bankrupt and lose their business, reputation and possessions. Who marries someone with the desire to be divorced? Losing is not fun, and losing is not what God intends for those who seek His wisdom.

When you follow Christ and set your priorities in accordance with His directives, you will experience fruitfulness, fulfillment and success.

 If you don't put first things first, you join the losing team. God wants you to win!