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My response to compliments

If I’m a better person today
than I was in days gone past
It’s because true “Jesus change”
Is change that always lasts.

You see,

I used to try and try
To always get my way
No matter, whatever the cost
No care, whatever the play.

But I met this wonderful man,
I found Him in this book,
It’s called the Holy Bible,
And He’s changing my whole look.

I can see the changes
These things He’s teaching me
To care about you
To love all of WE.

I know it seems religious
I know it resembles the fake
But this Jesus living inside me
It’s something I just can’t shake.

He’s touched me and He’s changed me
He’s making all things new
And if you’ll get to know Him closer
He’ll do a great work in you.

So when you have that need
And when you hear that call
Reach out reach out to Jesus
And make Him your all in all.

For nothing will shine brighter
And nothing taste as sweet
As when you meet my Jesus
And kiss His nail pierced feet.

His love is overwhelming
His forgiveness is complete
And when you meet my Jesus
Your new start will be complete.

So step out on this journey
step out, step out in faith
This narrow path we follow
Won’t forever wait.

Our every day is numbered
Our time is drawing near
So cry out to my Jesus
And He will meet you here.

He lovingly made you precious
And beautiful in His own eyes
He speaks to you the truth
And casts away the lies.

For He is your dear Father
In heaven up on high
And when you call on my Jesus
It’s you He can’t deny.

So call on my dear Jesus
And know Him close and dear
And nothing, even death
Shall you ever fear.

But even more than that
You’ll begin to take His form.
He’ll be recognized in you
And that’s far, far from the norm.

So walk with my dear Jesus
Stay right there by His side
He will never leave you
And He will never hide.

Look up look up to Jesus
In Him you can truly trust
And if you want to truly live
In Him, in Him you must.

—-

God bless you, Tonya Pinkleton, for honoring Him this morning by honoring me. Your kind words inspired me to put this poem down in words this morning. Thank you.

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Happy Days

Tonight we had a beautiful time together as a family. I had originally thought that I would be at a gathering in Greer tonight — but Tuesday night’s regularly scheduled program was pre-empted by a more pressing matter, time with Mandee and Mia. I felt that was the way things were headed, but on the drive home when my usual ride on Tuesday night was needed in a different capacity, it was like a refreshing confirmation of what was already on my heart — “go home, love your family well” my spirit seemed to sing to me.

And tonight was a wonderful mix of dinner together, unpacking and preparing supplies for the Good News Club we are starting up next week, tickle wars, pillow fights, mad libs, teaching Mia sudoku, and praying and praising the Lord together. It was sweet and precious and valuable beyond measure.

What an amazing life! What happy days I get to enjoy.

Last night I sat with a friend at Spruce Pine Apartments and we just talked in awe about what God has done, is doing, and what is to come. It wasn’t some academic Bible Study, it was two men in utter awe of the things of God for an hour and a half where a physical Bible wasn’t opened, but so much Word of God was spoken, and so many stories, parables, promises and instructions were recalled, revealed, and rejoiced.

Where did this amazing life rise up from?

When did such glorious things begin to manifest so overwhelmingly in my life that my only arguments seem to be with well intentioned men of God so passionate about “getting it right” — and that even then heartfelt apologies outweigh my insistence upon “proving myself the smartest guy in the room”.

I’m amazed. I’m in awe. Even though I am still imperfect. Even though I still fall short of His glorious and perfect example, I can see an awakening, a change, welling up from the inside. And it seems to infect EVERYTHING!

For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
1 Peter 3:10‭-‬17 NLT

And the good times are so sweet, even as the fiery trials are so hot, but even when the serpents bite I can shake them off and crush their heads under foot — because my eyes are on the work of the Lord — He is God and He is good in all of it.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/229912988

Come, catch fire with me friend.

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Uncertainty

I work for a great company.

no-road-is-long-with-good-company-6

I’m excited and thrilled to be a part of what we have put together.

I enjoy the relationships that I’ve built with my coworkers and our customers and the value that we are able to bring them.

But…

It’s a pretty big company, and they have multiple divisions and plenty of plates in the fire. Recently, there has been a LOT of change going on. A lot of reorganization, a lot of new management, and a lot of redistribution of resources amongst the different divisions. And our division has been pared down significantly, in numbers, in office locations, etc. So there are plenty of rumors and concerns going around amongst the troops about what might end up happening to us.

job-insecurity-and-how-to-cope-with-it

Will they sell us off?

Will our customers and contracts be bought off by someone who doesn’t need the staff?

There are all kinds of questions that come in an environment of uncertainty.

uncertainty_800px

We’ve already seen some key co-workers leaving for other opportunities over the past year, and a reoccurring theme seems to be the uncertainty. Many chose this company because of its size, stability, and because it was slow to change. But when the perception changes to your division possibly being “on the outside”, a lot of that perceived value can shift quickly. And whether they are “paranoid, non-loyal ex-employees” or they are “rats abandoning a sinking ship” — or more likely somewhere in the middle — the change gets conversations started around the proverbial water cooler.

"You're not being paranoiac.You have every reason to fear losing your job."

People like the illusion of certainty, the illusion of security, the illusion of control.

But we have to remember that we aren’t promised our desk will still be there tomorrow anymore than we are promised that we will wake up to another morning of breathing.

Mind Tricks

We could die today. A few miscalculations and misguided moves by the powers that be and we could all know the reality of nuclear war. A distracted glance at our phone on the drive home, and our lives here could come to a stop as quickly as that car coming to stop wrapped around a tree. So why do we insist on expectations of certainty?

There is a saying that, “Nothing is certain in this life but death and taxes.” But I’ll tell you that there are people that don’t pay taxes, don’t work, don’t contribute at all to society or to helping those around them, but that the government still pays them and takes care of them on some level. And Jesus Christ made a pretty wild promise that those who believe in him will have life everlasting. So we probably won’t even all agree on the absolute truth of that familiar saying.

So what do we do? Do we live worried, anxious lives — shuffling along like roaches from one shadow to the next hoping the blinding light of uncertainty won’t ever blind our gaze long enough for the foot of destruction to fall on us? Do we run to another opportunity, hopeful that we will leave before  we are forced by circumstances to leave when it isn’t convenient for us?

What do I do?

Whatever it Takes

I do whatever it takes… I do my best… and I have to settle for where that takes me.

I do feel like I get to cheat on this one, because I have these promises that I believe that I can count on no matter what happens. I have something bigger than a specific company that provides for me. Yes, I’m one of those crazy Jesus followers who actually believes in the promises of a God that I can’t see or touch or taste or measure with scientific precision. So I know that the rain will come. And that doesn’t leave me lazy on the couch, but it encourages me to press on even harder and with a greater purpose.

Calvin-Illusion-of-Control

Faith. It really does make a huge difference in my life.

Hebrews 11 1

 

 

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Harmony/Unity

Last night I got to join some new friends at their house to hang out, spend time getting to know each other better, and then fire up the mics, instruments, and amps and sing and play together until it was time to go home.

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dxew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.
Psalms 133:1‭-‬3 NLT

Some translations here use the word unity here instead of harmony, and I like both. Because I see the need for both words in order for someone to really understand what is being said here. If we only had the word unity, people might believe that we each had to talk and act and behave and look exactly the same on the outside to be “in unity” — but that isn’t the way the body of Christ works.

With the body of Christ, we have a unity of the spirit of Christ, but we each have specific gifts, callings, purpose, and personalities — and the work in harmony to sing a beautiful new song together.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice ; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
1 Corinthians 12:4‭-‬11 NLT

It is quite easy for people to gather with like minded (or like gifted) persons and create a country club/clique for those who fit into what is familiar to them. This is called division, it is called preferential treatment, and it is not of God.

“Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.
Leviticus 19:15 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/lev.19.15.NLT

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
James 2:1‭-‬13 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.2.1-13.NLT

I pray that today we would not just “leave room for one another’s differences” but they we would wonder in awe at how the Lord God uses such unique and flawed individuals tho build this beautiful body of believers that go out and love and serve otters as the body of Christ. Isn’t that the amazing testimony of the Good News? It wouldn’t be that amazing orc shocking for someone to make a beautiful crown out of precious metals and jems. But our God is gaining Himself a beautiful bride out of the dust of the earth, out of the filthy of our wretched sinful state, from the midst of those who were once His enemies — He is doing a mighty work to mold us, refine us, rebirth in us something new and different and beautiful. And it isn’t in us the unique individual quite so much as it is in us as the unified harmonious body of believers.

So I encourage you to come back into unity, into harmony, into fellowship with your brothers and sisters. Forgive where forgiveness needs to restore that flow and connection. Lift up and encourage and help where there is one who needs your hand. Do not turn away to the other side of the road from one who is not comfortably “just like you”, but appreciate what is valuable in each other, because you are created in the image of Almighty God and He loves. Yes, He loves.

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[Small Group] Psalm 65 – My Journal

 

So here’s my journal entry for Psalm 65:

Psalm65 Journal

I’m making this post so you can see what my journal looks like for Psalm 65. I walked through each step in detail in the posts demonstrating how this process works, but you don’t need a whole book when you’re going through this process on your own. Most of my notes that I included in the previous posts were to help teach and guide you through the process itself.

If you’re just now tuning in, our study of Psalm 65 kicked off here: https://hballinger.wordpress.com/2018/01/11/small-group-a-new-season-of-faith/

We first examined the question of WHO?:
https://hballinger.wordpress.com/2018/01/12/small-group-psalm-65-who/

We next examined the question of WHERE/WHEN?:
https://hballinger.wordpress.com/2018/01/12/small-group-psalm-65-where-when/

We then examined the question of HOW?:
https://hballinger.wordpress.com/2018/01/13/small-group-psalm-65-how/

And finally, we wrapped up examining the question of WHY?:
https://hballinger.wordpress.com/2018/01/14/small-group-psalm-65-why/

It may seem complicated and like a lot of work if you look at the detail that went into my individual posts, but you can see that the process actually goes pretty quickly on paper when you aren’t having to walk through your explanation of each item. I encourage you to keep it simple, manageable, and enjoyable — remember, that the only point of this exercise it to get the scriptures to be come more real, more memorable, and more applicable.

Don’t make it a chore, make it a game — reverting to that child-like faith. We’re exercising our imagination, our mind to see things that aren’t right in front of us — and from my experience, intentionally practicing this opening up of sorts in our time of study — this allowing ourselves to get past the academic study and into something close an personal — will help us to begin seeing the Word of God come alive even when we aren’t actively “going through this process”. It will ignite the Word that is written on your heart so that it is brought to your remembrance more readily when you need it during the trials of life. And if you practice this regularly in your study time, you’ll find yourself more often meditating upon and contemplating scripture during your quiet times rather than dwelling on thoughts that might bring anxiety, worry, etc.

 

May the Lord bless you and keep you and may His spirit settle upon you and lead you, guide you, teach you, and even correct you, to walk in His way. Amen.

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[Small Group] Psalm 65 – WHY?

This morning, we continue our study on Psalm 65. We have already laid out the WHO? (the people/groups/types) in this Psalm which will serve as the actors/cast in our minds as we practice bringing this passage to life. We have also already examined the WHEN/WHERE? (Environment/background/setting) which will serve as the stage and props. And we have even diverted the HOW/WHAT? (steps/storyline/order of events) that will serve as our script.

As we look at the WHY? today, there are three different perspectives that will all come into play. The first is about the WHY? within its original context — what the original participants would have been learning, sharing, etc.

WHY? ORIGINAL CONTEXT

In Psalm 65, we see David Praising God and acknowledging his own sin. And we have to realize that this was not some personal journal note written and tucked away while he pretended to be perfect. No, he wrote this Psalm to be shared publicly, with the purpose of sending it to be sung publicly. And when he talked about forgiveness of sins, David was talking about the method that God had given them for a very public and visible day of atonement and process of each family bringing a physical sacrifice to the altar.

for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord . It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.
Leviticus 17:11 NLT

This would have been David’s original meaning for this Psalm, to celebrate the Day of Atonement that was given to Israel as part of their ceremonies and traditions. You can read about the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 and here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.gotquestions.org/amp/Day-Atonement-Yom-Kippur.html

WHY? IN LIGHT OF CHRIST

Being on this side of the cross, we are privy to the gospel and the epistles to help us understand how this applies to or points to Christ.

Paul discusses atonement in the book of Hebrews:

In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.
Hebrews 9:22 NLT

Peter in his first epistle:

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

1 Peter 2:24 NLT

And John, in the book of Revelation:

And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Revelation 5:9 NLT

And it is pretty important that we sing miss this point of identifying how these scriptures point to Christ, if we indeed believe His warning to the pharisees:

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!
John 5:39 NLT

Paul echoes the importance of a Chrisst centered understanding and application of scripture in His epistle as well:

I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.
Romans 10:2‭-‬4 NLT

The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
Romans 8:3‭-‬4 NLT

WHY? APPLICABLE TO US

When I think of David writing and sharing publicly his awe in Almighty God’s willingness to forgive us it reminds me of one of my verses for today:

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 NLT

And another that makes it clear how we best do this:

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
James 5:16 NLT

So my application for today is to:

1) recognize the sin — how I have fallen short

2) confess my sin to my brothers in Christ — who will encourage me and hold me accountable and pray for me

3) remember the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross — let hope spring up

4) remember the promises of God — grow in faith

5) pray for, encourage, and serve my brothers — grow in love

6) in all things, glorify God

This isn’t a checklist that I’m going to accomplish under my own power — No! This is what I’m going to witness Christ doing in me, and through me — by the power of the Holy Spirit, by the name of Jesus Christ, and by the promises of His Word — I know this is true. May it be true for you as well. Because He is the one that has laid the foundations and established our footsteps. Amen.