The Growing Christian

I was praying through John 3 the last few days. What a powerful statement of understanding! Nicodemus comes to Jesus to better understand and Jesus leads him through a journey.

Where are you on your journey? Have you stumbled over the starting line? Are you just warming up? Or are you truly running?

Christ wants us to continue to learn and meditate on His truth. The Bible is an important book, but it is irrelevant if we refuse to seek and wrestle with the Truth God wants us to know.

I challenge you today to wrestle with your journey...where are you?

Drugs and America

I find it interesting that as America raises its arms in praise of athletes and other celebrities, very few remember Dwight Gooden. Dwight was one of the greatest pitchers ever to walk onto a field. He ignited the 1986 Mets to a World Series and then......drugs, promiscuity, financial woes. What happened?

As a minister to the young, I realize that in this fast pace world, there are few refuges. Rather than seeking peace and stability for a moment, the young would rather seek a new high. I was no different when I was in my 20's. I am lucky not to be Gooden in jail right now. I am lucky not to be Len Bias, dead on the night of his first pick in the NBA draft.

What saved me? Not the alcohol. Not the drugs. Not the womanizing. Not the refuge of the world at another night at the bars or parties. What saved me? Jesus....

What would have happened to Gooden if he had a transforming meeting with Jesus? Rather than Clemens being the greatest ever, Gooden would be seen as the greatest. Not on his own strength, but the power of the great Savior.

Today, I pray for Gooden. I pray for his salvation...not just a salvation from Hell after death, but a salvation from the Hell he is living in right now...the Hell of addiction. Only Jesus can truly free him, I pray he will meet him where he is..

Putting things into perspective

Today, I went from having a spiritual high to having a spiritual crisis. My brother told me he was getting separated and probably a divorce. One of my students at the Gathering told me his mother had a heart attack and will have to have open heart surgery. Another witness an elderly woman die last night. A student also called me to tell me that her mother was seriously ill and had no one really to talk to.

Wow, where am I? I prop myself up and act as some spiritual leader and yet I offer no real answers on my own power. Reality--God alone is the answer. I sit in my nice ranch home, driving my nice truck, hanging out with my healthy children. I go to a church with over a million in the building fund. I teach students who have all the ipods computers and whatever they want. Yet, the reality is there is pain, suffering and misery. What really is the answer?

I offer the only answer I know--Jesus heals! He does not necessarily give millions of dollars or heal all of the illnesses. All he cares about is salvation....not in death but in this life.

Who is your Jesus? I know my Jesus is that guy who welcomes the sick, those in despair, and the struggling and gives them a foundation to rest on. God Bless.