How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk

Faith in real life

Category Archives: commentary

Psalm 6

February 20th, 2015

Psalm 6:6 I am worn out from sobbing.
All night I flood my bed with weeping,
drenching it with my tears.

Brains produce new cells during sleep. We get high levels of cortisol which kills those new cells if we don’t get enough sleep.

Jesus is better than any sleeping pill.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.

Is Jesus enough for you?


 

Psalm 5

February 19th, 2015

sunrise@sea of galilee

5:3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.

When Martin Luther woke in the morning, he would speak the Lords Prayer and the Apostles Creed and think on them.

When Dallas Willard woke up in the morning, he would meditate on one of the petitions of the Lords Prayer and talk with God about what they were going to be about on that day.

Starting our days with heart and mind on God’s word and checking in with our partner of the day’s activities is not something new or profound.

If you love someone you say, “Good morning…”

When you get up in the morning let your first thoughts be lifted to God. Try it for a week and see how your day goes.

Psalm 4

February 17th, 2015

4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen

 

What was I thinking as a young child as I was saying that nighttime prayer?

 

“Good night mom, if I don’t croak I’ll be seeing you tomorrow morning.”

 

Not surprisingly,  newer versions of this prayer leave out the dying part. For instance,

 

…Angels watch me through the night and wake me in the morning light. Amen

 

Indeed, angels do watch over us and I know God does have me wrapped in his loving arms, so I am ready for anything. Even a good nights sleep.

 

If you are having trouble sleeping, try thanking God for filling you with peace and expect it to happen.

 

Psalm 3

February 12th, 2015

3:6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.

 

Either this guy is naïve, Jett Li or River Tam, or he knows something we all do well to learn.

‘When God is for me, who is against me?’

 

Where do you need courage in your life today?

 

Psalm 2

February 11th, 2015

Welcome to Istanbul

 

 

 

 

2:3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.” (NLT)

 

Do people who don’t want God in their lives do so because they don’t want to obey him? Do they feel like slaves to God?

When you follow the model of Jesus and his teachings you are free. You can choose not to follow and there are consequences.

I remember driving in Istanbul and people were not following stop signs or stop lights. Four lane highways were treated like eight lanes and people would just drive right at you, so you had to swerve over or be hit.

This didn’t feel like freedom, being able to drive however you wanted. It was a disaster waiting to happen.

Having the freedom to obey is what brings blessing.

When good news is no news…

October 15th, 2014

The Federal Budget Deficit has Dropped over 70% since 2009.

Did you hear what I just said?

A 70% drop!

 

Here is a report from the Congressional Budget Office, October 15th.

Who knew the national budget deficit has dropped so dramatically.
In 2009 the federal deficit was 9.2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In the latest report for September 30, 2014 it is 2.8% of the GDP.

In other words, the federal budget deficit shrunk by over 70% and I hear crickets…

Bloomberg says “faster growth and falling unemployment?” Apparently.

Republicans and Democrats have any hand in this? Both will take credit.

But, mainly?

Crickets…

I guess good news is no news.

A disclaimer for my Libertarian friends:

Oh, BTW, I do realize large doses of Baby Boomers are here and coming soon, so, I suppose… “Hello Social Security and Medicare,” and “Goodbye lowering deficit.”

Just let me enjoy the no news for a while…

Start or Continue…

September 29th, 2014

Jesus tells us to love a lot of people…

God
Your Neighbor
Your self
Your Friend
Your Enemy
One Another

If he can do it we can do it.
How?

Just hang around people who already enjoy?
No.

Try as hard as you can?
No.

I guess only Jesus can do it.
Almost.

As I am more open to learning from Jesus and becoming more like him I become the kind of person who can love like he loves.

He isn’t giving a time frame.
He is just saying one of two things…

Start…
or
Continue…

summer…

August 7th, 2014

(I wrote this for a recent church newsletter)


I trust you are having a refreshing summer. Generally this means a time of varied activities, recreation, and, perhaps, travel. Growing up in Wisconsin, summer was a similar time of refreshment, relaxation, and renewal. The difference is the Midwest pattern was most affected by the weather. Summer was a time to get as much “fun” stuff done as you can, because rain and snow and cold and wind and…well, you understand.


Having spent the majority of my life in California it always intrigues me that we keep some of those same patterns, even though our weather is, for the most part, about the same all year round. “Fun” stuff can happen year round.
Yet, when you think about it, if you are living a purposeful life of being a blessing to others and sharing the joy of God with everyone, the “fun” stuff is happening wherever you find yourself. When you are sharing life with your extended family of friends, a joyful life becomes an abundant life, when you see the impact for good you can have on the lives of others. This is how Jesus designed us. Those who live life best, live it in community.
I thank God for our LIFEhouse community and how we connect with each other in a variety of ways where acquaintances become friends, and friends become extended family. From there we have opportunities to be on mission together to spread joy and connect others to the same God who loves them.
With Joy,
PD

How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk

Faith in real life