Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Power of A Name. There are names that we all recognize. When we hear a name that’s familiar to us it raises some emotions within us. There are names we associate with power, like the names of Presidents. There are names we associate with goodness, like Mother Theresa. There are names we associate with important events in history. And then there’s The Name, and it’s unlike any other.
This is the name that strikes fear into the heart and core of every demon of hell. Scripture says that at the mere speaking of The Name hell trembles. When I am in a situation of great temptation, and it seems as though the enemy is preparing his victory dance over me, I can speak the Name, and hell has to flee. Man what a Name.
This is the name that brings peace to my soul. In the most barren of desert lands, this Name brings me refreshment. In the darkest of deep valleys, this Name brings me the most magnificent light. On the most difficult of days, this Name brings me a strength that is unmatched. In the loneliest of hours, this Name brings me comfort. Man what a Name.
This is the name that is above every other name. This name is supreme to the name of every other religious leader ever to walk this earth. When placed next to this Name, no other name can even stand. This Name isn’t just one of many – it’s the ONLY one worth holding to. Man what a Name!
This is the name that is given to us whereby we must be saved. This is the only Name that can bring us total forgiveness of sins and peace with God. This Name is the bridge across the gulf of sin, and takes us to God the Father. This is the Name that Mary and Joseph heard spoken by the angels, and gave to the tiny Baby in Bethlehem’s manger. Man, oh man, what a Name!
This is the Name that is stamped upon my heart today. And this name? Well, friend, it’s the Name of Jesus. And I can tell you, there’s no sweeter name that I’ve ever known.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Words.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Words. Have you ever really stopped to think about the sheer power of words? My morning quiet time and Scripture reading this morning has me pondering the importance and potency of the things that come from my mouth. Let’s just ponder this idea of the power of words for a moment…
It was by words that the God of the universe created everything we know, with the exception of man, who He formed with His hands. The earth, the stars, the sun, the moon, all the other planets and galaxies – everything – was brought into being by His words. His words have the power to create ex nihilo – out of nothing.
It was by words that Jesus called His 12 closest friends from their comfort zones into a relationship of following Him. Those 2 simple words, “Follow Me,” not only changed their lives forever, but ultimately led to the changing of ours. They would go on to follow Him into mountaintops and valleys. They would eventually follow Him to their own graves. But His words wouldn’t leave them in those graves.
It was by words that a Constitution was formed, setting up the parameters for the greatest nation the world has ever known. A room full of men debated, in words, the principles of the land they came to establish. Words were heated at times, but in the end those famous words stood solid and secure, with some more words signed at the bottom – the signatures of each man there.
It was by words that I’ve been both filled with joy and also filled with pain. In my own life I have been hurt immensely by the words of some. It has taken months and even years to heal the wounds dealt by the words of some, which still leave lasting scars. I have felt the surge of excitement at the words of others when they've said words like, “Uncle Blake, will you baptize me?” “I love you.” “You are a blessing.” Words can heal.
It will be by words that we will be divided some day. The Word says that we will hear 1 of 2 sets of words someday as we stand before God. “Depart from Me, I never knew you” will signal our eternal doom for rejecting Christ. Or “Well done My good and faithful servant, enter now into the joy of your Lord” will signal our eternal reward for accepting Him. It all hinges on our choices of words to Him: yes or no.
So today, choose your words carefully. Paul told us not to use any words that were “unwholesome”, but rather to only say things that would minister “grace to the hearer.” (Ephesians 4:29) Spread some grace today.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Words. Have you ever really stopped to think about the sheer power of words? My morning quiet time and Scripture reading this morning has me pondering the importance and potency of the things that come from my mouth. Let’s just ponder this idea of the power of words for a moment…
It was by words that the God of the universe created everything we know, with the exception of man, who He formed with His hands. The earth, the stars, the sun, the moon, all the other planets and galaxies – everything – was brought into being by His words. His words have the power to create ex nihilo – out of nothing.
It was by words that Jesus called His 12 closest friends from their comfort zones into a relationship of following Him. Those 2 simple words, “Follow Me,” not only changed their lives forever, but ultimately led to the changing of ours. They would go on to follow Him into mountaintops and valleys. They would eventually follow Him to their own graves. But His words wouldn’t leave them in those graves.
It was by words that a Constitution was formed, setting up the parameters for the greatest nation the world has ever known. A room full of men debated, in words, the principles of the land they came to establish. Words were heated at times, but in the end those famous words stood solid and secure, with some more words signed at the bottom – the signatures of each man there.
It was by words that I’ve been both filled with joy and also filled with pain. In my own life I have been hurt immensely by the words of some. It has taken months and even years to heal the wounds dealt by the words of some, which still leave lasting scars. I have felt the surge of excitement at the words of others when they've said words like, “Uncle Blake, will you baptize me?” “I love you.” “You are a blessing.” Words can heal.
It will be by words that we will be divided some day. The Word says that we will hear 1 of 2 sets of words someday as we stand before God. “Depart from Me, I never knew you” will signal our eternal doom for rejecting Christ. Or “Well done My good and faithful servant, enter now into the joy of your Lord” will signal our eternal reward for accepting Him. It all hinges on our choices of words to Him: yes or no.
So today, choose your words carefully. Paul told us not to use any words that were “unwholesome”, but rather to only say things that would minister “grace to the hearer.” (Ephesians 4:29) Spread some grace today.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Simply Speaking.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Simply Speaking. For those of us who have ever been guilty of saying that God’s will is complicated – today’s blog is for us.
He created. He commanded. They disobeyed. They were ashamed. He clothed them. Things changed.
He was foretold specifically. The frontrunner preached. The way was prepared. Paths were made straight. Then He came.
He was born. Angels sang. Shepherds traveled. Wise men were in awe. Kings were intimidated.
He grew. He was perfect. He never sinned. He taught the experts. He kept growing.
He called the 12. He healed the sick. He raised the dead. He confounded the religious. He changed the sinner.
He was innocent. He was betrayed. He was arrested. He was scourged. He was mocked. He was beaten. He was crucified. He died.
He was buried. He was dead. He laid down for 3 days. Then He got up.
He arose. He showed His friends. He ascended back to heaven. He sat down next to His Father. He’s our “middle man.”
He’s coming back. He wants us ready. He longs to know you. He’s calling your name now. What do you say?
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Simply Speaking. For those of us who have ever been guilty of saying that God’s will is complicated – today’s blog is for us.
He created. He commanded. They disobeyed. They were ashamed. He clothed them. Things changed.
He was foretold specifically. The frontrunner preached. The way was prepared. Paths were made straight. Then He came.
He was born. Angels sang. Shepherds traveled. Wise men were in awe. Kings were intimidated.
He grew. He was perfect. He never sinned. He taught the experts. He kept growing.
He called the 12. He healed the sick. He raised the dead. He confounded the religious. He changed the sinner.
He was innocent. He was betrayed. He was arrested. He was scourged. He was mocked. He was beaten. He was crucified. He died.
He was buried. He was dead. He laid down for 3 days. Then He got up.
He arose. He showed His friends. He ascended back to heaven. He sat down next to His Father. He’s our “middle man.”
He’s coming back. He wants us ready. He longs to know you. He’s calling your name now. What do you say?
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Monday, March 28, 2011
Well, It's Time.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Well, It’s Time. There are the occasional nights when sleep just doesn’t seem to want to be my friend. I’ll lay awake for hours, and then my mind begins to kick into overdrive as I begin to think through all that I have to do the following day. That just makes it even more impossible to go to sleep. At 1:30am this morning, I was in this particular situation. I think I finally fell asleep somewhere around 2am. At 4:30am when I heard that all too familiar sound of my alarm going off, the first thought through my mind was very simple, “Well, it’s time.”
A man and his wife have dreamed for just about 9 months now what their little bundle of joy would look like. They both remember the dramatic messages they’d received when his birth was first announced to them. It seems like only yesterday when they found out they were going to bring Him into the world, yet so much as changed since then. Now they have found themselves in a tiny stable in tiny Bethlehem, and the moment is very near. I can just hear the angels gathering around to watch as one of them mouths the words, “Well, it’s time!”
Can you imagine what it must have been like to have been a childhood friend of Jesus? To play in the mud with the One that formed Adam out of it. To go swimming with the One who made the oceans. And then as He grew older to see Him maturing into a man must have been just incredible. And then on the day when He goes to John the Baptist for baptism to officially kick off His public ministry that would ultimately lead to His crucifixion…I can almost hear Mary say, “Well, it’s time.”
As He walks to the Garden with His disciples, the angels must have cried as they knew the moment was drawing near. As the crowd rushes ahead toward the place where Christ and His followers are praying, the devil must have smiled from ear to ear knowing the time was almost upon him. As Judas placed that famous kiss upon the cheek of our Redeemer, I wonder if Mary’s “mother’s gut feeling” made her stomach turn wherever she was. “Well, it’s time.”
As He hung on display, nailed to an execution tool we call the cross, the crowd mocked and laughed at Him. Most of His own closest friends, His disciples, had run for their lives. His mother is there and is heartbroken over where she finds her precious baby Boy now. And as He utters some of His last words, I can almost hear God the Father say, “Well, it’s time,” as He turns His back on His only begotten Son who is currently carrying the weight of every single sin ever committed in history.
He was buried. He arose. He ascended. He sat down. And the moment is nearing, friend, when He will hear His Father say the long awaited words, “Well, it’s time.” He’ll stand up. He’ll come back. And we’ll be gone.
You may have been waiting for the perfect day to give your life to Christ. You may have been putting off recommitting your life to Christ in a wholehearted way. You may be straddling the fence in your walk with Him, and have been claiming to be waiting for just the right time to pick sides. I can say now with all that is within me as never before – “Well, it’s time!”
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Well, It’s Time. There are the occasional nights when sleep just doesn’t seem to want to be my friend. I’ll lay awake for hours, and then my mind begins to kick into overdrive as I begin to think through all that I have to do the following day. That just makes it even more impossible to go to sleep. At 1:30am this morning, I was in this particular situation. I think I finally fell asleep somewhere around 2am. At 4:30am when I heard that all too familiar sound of my alarm going off, the first thought through my mind was very simple, “Well, it’s time.”
A man and his wife have dreamed for just about 9 months now what their little bundle of joy would look like. They both remember the dramatic messages they’d received when his birth was first announced to them. It seems like only yesterday when they found out they were going to bring Him into the world, yet so much as changed since then. Now they have found themselves in a tiny stable in tiny Bethlehem, and the moment is very near. I can just hear the angels gathering around to watch as one of them mouths the words, “Well, it’s time!”
Can you imagine what it must have been like to have been a childhood friend of Jesus? To play in the mud with the One that formed Adam out of it. To go swimming with the One who made the oceans. And then as He grew older to see Him maturing into a man must have been just incredible. And then on the day when He goes to John the Baptist for baptism to officially kick off His public ministry that would ultimately lead to His crucifixion…I can almost hear Mary say, “Well, it’s time.”
As He walks to the Garden with His disciples, the angels must have cried as they knew the moment was drawing near. As the crowd rushes ahead toward the place where Christ and His followers are praying, the devil must have smiled from ear to ear knowing the time was almost upon him. As Judas placed that famous kiss upon the cheek of our Redeemer, I wonder if Mary’s “mother’s gut feeling” made her stomach turn wherever she was. “Well, it’s time.”
As He hung on display, nailed to an execution tool we call the cross, the crowd mocked and laughed at Him. Most of His own closest friends, His disciples, had run for their lives. His mother is there and is heartbroken over where she finds her precious baby Boy now. And as He utters some of His last words, I can almost hear God the Father say, “Well, it’s time,” as He turns His back on His only begotten Son who is currently carrying the weight of every single sin ever committed in history.
He was buried. He arose. He ascended. He sat down. And the moment is nearing, friend, when He will hear His Father say the long awaited words, “Well, it’s time.” He’ll stand up. He’ll come back. And we’ll be gone.
You may have been waiting for the perfect day to give your life to Christ. You may have been putting off recommitting your life to Christ in a wholehearted way. You may be straddling the fence in your walk with Him, and have been claiming to be waiting for just the right time to pick sides. I can say now with all that is within me as never before – “Well, it’s time!”
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Friday, March 18, 2011
What's the Point?
Friday, March 18, 2011
What’s The Point? Have you ever had one of those moments? It seems like everything is stacked against you, nobody cares, and even your closest of friends may seemingly be aiming their cannons at you. Then the question begins to arise in your mind, “What’s the point?” You begin to wonder if it’s even worth it. I’ve even heard folks going through a hard time say things like, “I’ve got friends that aren’t Christians and they’ve seemingly got it better than me. All I ever try to do is help people and this is what I get?” Just follow me on a little journey for a moment…
He was a preacher, and a faithful servant in the church of his day. People were coming to know Jesus as a result of his work and ministry. He had a lot to live for. Yet here he is, lying outside of town with a huge mob of angry religious people crowded around him. They’ve all got large rocks in their hands, and as soon as the leader of the crowd gives them the go, those rocks all begin flying at him. He’s literally being beaten to death by stones. And as he looks up, he tells us what he sees: “I see Jesus, standing at the right hand of the throne of God.” And then the famous words just before he lies down and dies, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” He knew the point.
He was there that day and watched them kill Stephen. As a matter of fact, he was the one that gave them the go to begin stoning him. Now, at the end of his own life, he’s realized what Stephen was willing to die for. His own ministry began years earlier, and countless churches have been founded as a result. He’s preached Jesus in places where his life was threatened. He’s been beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, snake bitten, hated, and disowned. And now he’s sitting in a dark, damp, lonely prison cell awaiting the long, dark walk to the gallows where he’ll literally lose his head for the sake of the Gospel. Paul knew the point.
He calls this land his home, and has all of his life, even though it despises the Christ he’s come to give his life to. Every day he wakes up realizing that today may very well be the day his family is taken and his life is required. With that in mind, he gets up, opens up his Bible, and spends some intimate time with his Lord. He leaves his home and goes out to tell his neighbors and friends about this Jesus he’s grown to love so dearly. He knows that because he’s turned his back on the religion of his childhood, and is now labeled an infidel, his life will be short lived. But in the year 2011 on the other side of the world from where I’m writing this morning, he knows the point.
When you think it’s not worth it – when you begin to doubt the point of standing up for Him – when everyone seemingly turns against you – remember what Stephen said at the end of his life. What many today would call his “darkest hour” of life, Stephen would no doubt call one of his brightest. Because as he felt the very real pain of the stones hitting him all over and literally beating the life from his body, he saw Him. It’s so important that we realize that Stephen saw Him standing, not sitting.
When Jesus went back to heaven early in the book of Acts, Scripture says He went back to “sit down at the right hand of the throne of His Father.” But when Stephen was nearing home, Jesus was standing. Friend, in our darkest hour when it seems like everyone else is sitting on the job, we can know that our Jesus isn’t. He’s standing up, and, I believe with all my heart, He’s cheering us on. “Come on, you can do this! You’re almost here! Come on, you can do this! You’re so close – you’re almost here!”
That, my friend, is the point.
(There will not be a daily Thought from Blake next week due to Spring Break. We'll be back Monday, March 28th. Thanks for reading!)
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
What’s The Point? Have you ever had one of those moments? It seems like everything is stacked against you, nobody cares, and even your closest of friends may seemingly be aiming their cannons at you. Then the question begins to arise in your mind, “What’s the point?” You begin to wonder if it’s even worth it. I’ve even heard folks going through a hard time say things like, “I’ve got friends that aren’t Christians and they’ve seemingly got it better than me. All I ever try to do is help people and this is what I get?” Just follow me on a little journey for a moment…
He was a preacher, and a faithful servant in the church of his day. People were coming to know Jesus as a result of his work and ministry. He had a lot to live for. Yet here he is, lying outside of town with a huge mob of angry religious people crowded around him. They’ve all got large rocks in their hands, and as soon as the leader of the crowd gives them the go, those rocks all begin flying at him. He’s literally being beaten to death by stones. And as he looks up, he tells us what he sees: “I see Jesus, standing at the right hand of the throne of God.” And then the famous words just before he lies down and dies, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” He knew the point.
He was there that day and watched them kill Stephen. As a matter of fact, he was the one that gave them the go to begin stoning him. Now, at the end of his own life, he’s realized what Stephen was willing to die for. His own ministry began years earlier, and countless churches have been founded as a result. He’s preached Jesus in places where his life was threatened. He’s been beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, snake bitten, hated, and disowned. And now he’s sitting in a dark, damp, lonely prison cell awaiting the long, dark walk to the gallows where he’ll literally lose his head for the sake of the Gospel. Paul knew the point.
He calls this land his home, and has all of his life, even though it despises the Christ he’s come to give his life to. Every day he wakes up realizing that today may very well be the day his family is taken and his life is required. With that in mind, he gets up, opens up his Bible, and spends some intimate time with his Lord. He leaves his home and goes out to tell his neighbors and friends about this Jesus he’s grown to love so dearly. He knows that because he’s turned his back on the religion of his childhood, and is now labeled an infidel, his life will be short lived. But in the year 2011 on the other side of the world from where I’m writing this morning, he knows the point.
When you think it’s not worth it – when you begin to doubt the point of standing up for Him – when everyone seemingly turns against you – remember what Stephen said at the end of his life. What many today would call his “darkest hour” of life, Stephen would no doubt call one of his brightest. Because as he felt the very real pain of the stones hitting him all over and literally beating the life from his body, he saw Him. It’s so important that we realize that Stephen saw Him standing, not sitting.
When Jesus went back to heaven early in the book of Acts, Scripture says He went back to “sit down at the right hand of the throne of His Father.” But when Stephen was nearing home, Jesus was standing. Friend, in our darkest hour when it seems like everyone else is sitting on the job, we can know that our Jesus isn’t. He’s standing up, and, I believe with all my heart, He’s cheering us on. “Come on, you can do this! You’re almost here! Come on, you can do this! You’re so close – you’re almost here!”
That, my friend, is the point.
(There will not be a daily Thought from Blake next week due to Spring Break. We'll be back Monday, March 28th. Thanks for reading!)
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Are Ya Stuck?
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Are Ya Stuck? I recently found myself slightly buried up in the mud. I won’t go into great detail, as it is just a bit embarrassing. I will tell you that it did not involve my personal vehicle, and my pastor’s yard may have been involved. Let me also add that there were a couple of witnesses, or else you would have probably never heard about this in a blog. Nevertheless, there I was – buried up to the running boards at 10PM (that’s a hint in case you were wondering) with nowhere to go until someone came and pulled me out.
There are many who call themselves believers today that are stuck. They’re in a rut that they’ve become all too comfortable with. It’s even gotten to the point in their life where they don’t even realize they’re stuck anymore. They’ve been going through this same routine for ages, and now the rut is so deep they can’t possibly get out on their own. They need someone to come and help them out with a tow. Even a push won’t work.
We like to live in our comfort zone. We like to do things that don’t challenge us much. And to be perfectly honest, too many of us going to church at the regularly scheduled times are comfortable. Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night – even throwing Sunday school into the mix – it’s part of our weekly routine. We go when it’s time to go. And we go home when it’s time to go home. But what about the real ministry that happens outside of those regularly schedule worship times?
What about the people we meet every single day that need us to be the church? What about the hurting people next door that don’t know where their future is headed that are looking for hope? What about the single mom that is struggling that needs the church to step up and help? What about the homeless? What about the elderly? What about the hopeless, the destitute, the suicidal, the addicted, the atheist, the angry, the imprisoned…what about them?
For many, the needs of those outside our comfort zone aren’t even felt anymore. For far too long we’ve been in this rut of our routine. Now we find ourselves in a place of not even feeling the hurt and pain of those outside our rut. Friend, that’s both a scary and dangerous place to be. Without real compassion for hurting people, the church is nothing but a social club. Period.
You see, when I was stuck in the church va…oops…I mean when I was stuck, if someone were to go behind me and push with all their might it wouldn’t have gotten the job done. Those wheels would have continued to spin, and the mud would have continued to fly. I would have still been stuck. Pushing wouldn’t work.
I needed someone who wasn’t in the mud to pull me out. I needed to be led, with the assistance of a chain, out of the rut and back on to the solid ground. Last night I was led – and Rev. Hezekiah Stewart of the Watershed Mission in Little Rock led me. The chain was the Holy Spirit. And if ever there was a time when the wheels have hit solid ground again, it’s now.
Will you join me in the journey of our lives? Will you join me in taking the Gospel to people outside our rut? Will you allow me, or someone else, to pull you out of the mud and into the solid ground of Christ and His mission to the lost and dying of this world? Would you join us in what He’s doing? Would you?
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Are Ya Stuck? I recently found myself slightly buried up in the mud. I won’t go into great detail, as it is just a bit embarrassing. I will tell you that it did not involve my personal vehicle, and my pastor’s yard may have been involved. Let me also add that there were a couple of witnesses, or else you would have probably never heard about this in a blog. Nevertheless, there I was – buried up to the running boards at 10PM (that’s a hint in case you were wondering) with nowhere to go until someone came and pulled me out.
There are many who call themselves believers today that are stuck. They’re in a rut that they’ve become all too comfortable with. It’s even gotten to the point in their life where they don’t even realize they’re stuck anymore. They’ve been going through this same routine for ages, and now the rut is so deep they can’t possibly get out on their own. They need someone to come and help them out with a tow. Even a push won’t work.
We like to live in our comfort zone. We like to do things that don’t challenge us much. And to be perfectly honest, too many of us going to church at the regularly scheduled times are comfortable. Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night – even throwing Sunday school into the mix – it’s part of our weekly routine. We go when it’s time to go. And we go home when it’s time to go home. But what about the real ministry that happens outside of those regularly schedule worship times?
What about the people we meet every single day that need us to be the church? What about the hurting people next door that don’t know where their future is headed that are looking for hope? What about the single mom that is struggling that needs the church to step up and help? What about the homeless? What about the elderly? What about the hopeless, the destitute, the suicidal, the addicted, the atheist, the angry, the imprisoned…what about them?
For many, the needs of those outside our comfort zone aren’t even felt anymore. For far too long we’ve been in this rut of our routine. Now we find ourselves in a place of not even feeling the hurt and pain of those outside our rut. Friend, that’s both a scary and dangerous place to be. Without real compassion for hurting people, the church is nothing but a social club. Period.
You see, when I was stuck in the church va…oops…I mean when I was stuck, if someone were to go behind me and push with all their might it wouldn’t have gotten the job done. Those wheels would have continued to spin, and the mud would have continued to fly. I would have still been stuck. Pushing wouldn’t work.
I needed someone who wasn’t in the mud to pull me out. I needed to be led, with the assistance of a chain, out of the rut and back on to the solid ground. Last night I was led – and Rev. Hezekiah Stewart of the Watershed Mission in Little Rock led me. The chain was the Holy Spirit. And if ever there was a time when the wheels have hit solid ground again, it’s now.
Will you join me in the journey of our lives? Will you join me in taking the Gospel to people outside our rut? Will you allow me, or someone else, to pull you out of the mud and into the solid ground of Christ and His mission to the lost and dying of this world? Would you join us in what He’s doing? Would you?
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
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Wednesday, March 16, 2011
3 Simple Words.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Three Simple Words. There are a lot of hurting people in our world right now. There has been so much devastation around the globe in recent months, and the sad truth is that we often see the most vulnerable of a society being hit the hardest in these situations. The children, the poor, the disabled, and the elderly are usually the ones that are the least likely to survive both natural and manmade disasters. When I see this stuff, I have to remind myself of 3 simple words…
We’ve all faced valleys in our lives, right? No doubt, you can relate to a valley that’s so dark you don’t think you’ll ever see much light again. There are those deep, painful valleys that we just don’t think we’ll even survive. We have those moments in life when it seems as though every single thing that’s dear to us is being stripped from our hands, and there’s absolutely nothing we can do about it at all. The emotions that accompany helplessness, hopelessness, depression, fear, and doubt all flood our minds and hearts. But in those times we must remember 3 simple words…
Betrayal is probably one of the most difficult blows to a person, especially to those of us who, at one time or another, have been all too easily trusting of people. We have those close to us – dear friends, or so we think – that seemingly throw us under the bus. We may even feel like garbage after the way we’ve been thrown away as a “disposable” part of their lives. Yet to us, they were important – they mattered – and our lives were different because they were in them. And you look around – and it seems like, at that moment, you’re standing alone, even though there are dear saints of God standing with you - you feel alone. Oh, but 3 simple words change everything…
No doubt by now you think you know which words I speak of. I’m sure you think they are mushy, gushy words that someone would say to one another when they have fallen for each other. You think they are the words that countless country songs have been written about. But you’re wrong.
“God IS faithful.” Those 3 simple words changed my life. Those 3 simple words can change your life too. When darkness comes – when loneliness comes – when panic attacks come – and when betrayal comes – say those words out loud to yourself, and anyone within hearing distance. “God IS faithful.” Yes He is. And His faithfulness seems the most dear when you see a lack of faithfulness in the others you’ve trusted so dearly. GIF.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Three Simple Words. There are a lot of hurting people in our world right now. There has been so much devastation around the globe in recent months, and the sad truth is that we often see the most vulnerable of a society being hit the hardest in these situations. The children, the poor, the disabled, and the elderly are usually the ones that are the least likely to survive both natural and manmade disasters. When I see this stuff, I have to remind myself of 3 simple words…
We’ve all faced valleys in our lives, right? No doubt, you can relate to a valley that’s so dark you don’t think you’ll ever see much light again. There are those deep, painful valleys that we just don’t think we’ll even survive. We have those moments in life when it seems as though every single thing that’s dear to us is being stripped from our hands, and there’s absolutely nothing we can do about it at all. The emotions that accompany helplessness, hopelessness, depression, fear, and doubt all flood our minds and hearts. But in those times we must remember 3 simple words…
Betrayal is probably one of the most difficult blows to a person, especially to those of us who, at one time or another, have been all too easily trusting of people. We have those close to us – dear friends, or so we think – that seemingly throw us under the bus. We may even feel like garbage after the way we’ve been thrown away as a “disposable” part of their lives. Yet to us, they were important – they mattered – and our lives were different because they were in them. And you look around – and it seems like, at that moment, you’re standing alone, even though there are dear saints of God standing with you - you feel alone. Oh, but 3 simple words change everything…
No doubt by now you think you know which words I speak of. I’m sure you think they are mushy, gushy words that someone would say to one another when they have fallen for each other. You think they are the words that countless country songs have been written about. But you’re wrong.
“God IS faithful.” Those 3 simple words changed my life. Those 3 simple words can change your life too. When darkness comes – when loneliness comes – when panic attacks come – and when betrayal comes – say those words out loud to yourself, and anyone within hearing distance. “God IS faithful.” Yes He is. And His faithfulness seems the most dear when you see a lack of faithfulness in the others you’ve trusted so dearly. GIF.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sounds Like Rain.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sounds Like Rain. The past couple of weeks in my life have been incredible. I’m exhausted after running nonstop through it all, but I would not trade any of it if I could. A couple of weeks back our students took part in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine, in which we raised thousands of dollars to get food and the gospel to those who are hungry. God blew my socks off with the events of that weekend, and I left so very thankful to have the privilege of being the youth pastor to such an amazing group of students and volunteers. I remember thinking, “It kind of sounds like rain…”
As soon as the 30 Hour Famine event was over, I immediately began pouring myself into prep work for our vacation Bible school, which is scheduled for the end of June. As I’ve been working on these materials, an excitement has begun to grow inside of me for this awesome week of seeing God move in the lives of kids. Person after person is stepping up to volunteer to serve God through VBS this year, and it’s so exciting to see Him telling them where to serve. Sounds like rain…
This past weekend God allowed me to spend a couple of days driving our high school forensics and debate teams to Fayetteville for a competition. This is a great group of students, and the trip was a blast. I know this wouldn’t be some folks’ cup of tea, but any time that I get to spend around students is a blessing no doubt. I get to learn more about what they are facing in their lives, as well as little by little point them to Him if they don’t already know Him. It was such a blessing to spend the weekend with them…sounds like rain.
And then yesterday I had the opportunity to preach at the 11AM and 6PM service at Calvary Church in Conway. The pastor is a lifelong friend of my pastor, and that’s how the preaching appointment came to fruition. I went on to Conway early yesterday morning so I could catch the 8:30AM service at Antioch Baptist Church where a lot of my family goes. It was such a blessing to get to see family, as well as get to preach to some great people who sure do love the Lord. Then to finish off the day with dinner last night with some great friends from back in the days when I was in youth group myself just topped it all off. It sounds an awful lot like rain.
I got the message when I got out of church last night that some decisions had been made at my home church where I serve. A couple of my awesome students helped another awesome student give his heart to Christ, and there were a couple of other decisions yesterday to follow Christ in baptism. As I sit here writing this morning, the sound of rain is flooding my ears as a light thunderstorm moves through Cabot. But as I review the events of the past few weeks in my mind, and as I view the blessings of God upon my life in recent days, I must admit – in the grand scheme of things – God is raining down His blessings and unmerited favor on my life in undeserved, unimaginable ways.
Some would say I’ve been really busy here lately. Others would say I should schedule more down time to manage my rest. And then there are those that just wouldn’t understand at all how much of a blessing all these things have been to me. But if you ask me what I think – if you ask me what I believe it all is – well, my answer would simply be: it just sounds like rain…
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Sounds Like Rain. The past couple of weeks in my life have been incredible. I’m exhausted after running nonstop through it all, but I would not trade any of it if I could. A couple of weeks back our students took part in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine, in which we raised thousands of dollars to get food and the gospel to those who are hungry. God blew my socks off with the events of that weekend, and I left so very thankful to have the privilege of being the youth pastor to such an amazing group of students and volunteers. I remember thinking, “It kind of sounds like rain…”
As soon as the 30 Hour Famine event was over, I immediately began pouring myself into prep work for our vacation Bible school, which is scheduled for the end of June. As I’ve been working on these materials, an excitement has begun to grow inside of me for this awesome week of seeing God move in the lives of kids. Person after person is stepping up to volunteer to serve God through VBS this year, and it’s so exciting to see Him telling them where to serve. Sounds like rain…
This past weekend God allowed me to spend a couple of days driving our high school forensics and debate teams to Fayetteville for a competition. This is a great group of students, and the trip was a blast. I know this wouldn’t be some folks’ cup of tea, but any time that I get to spend around students is a blessing no doubt. I get to learn more about what they are facing in their lives, as well as little by little point them to Him if they don’t already know Him. It was such a blessing to spend the weekend with them…sounds like rain.
And then yesterday I had the opportunity to preach at the 11AM and 6PM service at Calvary Church in Conway. The pastor is a lifelong friend of my pastor, and that’s how the preaching appointment came to fruition. I went on to Conway early yesterday morning so I could catch the 8:30AM service at Antioch Baptist Church where a lot of my family goes. It was such a blessing to get to see family, as well as get to preach to some great people who sure do love the Lord. Then to finish off the day with dinner last night with some great friends from back in the days when I was in youth group myself just topped it all off. It sounds an awful lot like rain.
I got the message when I got out of church last night that some decisions had been made at my home church where I serve. A couple of my awesome students helped another awesome student give his heart to Christ, and there were a couple of other decisions yesterday to follow Christ in baptism. As I sit here writing this morning, the sound of rain is flooding my ears as a light thunderstorm moves through Cabot. But as I review the events of the past few weeks in my mind, and as I view the blessings of God upon my life in recent days, I must admit – in the grand scheme of things – God is raining down His blessings and unmerited favor on my life in undeserved, unimaginable ways.
Some would say I’ve been really busy here lately. Others would say I should schedule more down time to manage my rest. And then there are those that just wouldn’t understand at all how much of a blessing all these things have been to me. But if you ask me what I think – if you ask me what I believe it all is – well, my answer would simply be: it just sounds like rain…
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Friday, March 11, 2011
Critical Ministry Memories #5: Led to Lead.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Critical Ministry Memories #5: Led to Lead. There are some in the world of leadership that, once they work their way to “the top” begin to allow themselves to think they are, ultimately, large and in charge. They begin to fall to the notion that since they are the CEO, the General Manager, or even the Senior Pastor, that they are the final authority – their word is what stands above all else. This can be true in secular companies, as well as within the body of the Church. But in order to be a truly effective leader, you must be led.
I speak from the perspective of a pastor, since that’s the world I’m most familiar with, however these principles speak to anyone in leadership. Many times there’s a long fought battle for those who serve in leadership within themselves. It’s the ego-war – the battle between humble servitude and strong leadership. For some reason we have begun to allow ourselves to be convinced that they have to be separate entities. The truth is, however, that they go hand in hand.
In order to be a strong leader you must possess humble servitude. The strongest, most effective of leaders aren’t those who “lord it over” those they lead. They aren’t the leaders who are always right and never allow themselves to admit they’ve been wrong. Nor are they the leaders that possess the “my way or the highway” mentality that doesn’t allow others’ ideas to ever have a place at the table. On the contrary, the strong leader is quite the opposite.
The strongest of leaders are those who show respect to the “team” they’ve been given to lead. They make sure their team knows that they value their ideas, and though they may not always implement them down to every detail, their input is worth something. These types of leaders understand that being the leader doesn’t make them better than those they lead. Serving in the role of leadership is just that – serving.
In order to be the best leader we can be on this side of heaven we must hold strongly to the simple fact that in order to lead effectively we must allow ourselves to be led. If we are to be all that God wants us to be, we absolutely cannot neglect His leadership in our hearts and lives. If I’m going to lead my kids and students, as well as my amazing team of volunteers, in the direction that God wants us to go, I’ve got to be led by Him in that direction myself. I am blessed to serve with a Sr. Pastor that gets that, and it’s such a blessing to know that I’m following and leading with an under-shepherd that allows Christ to lead Him daily.
These truths can apply to us all, whether we are in an obvious leadership role or not. You see, we all lead in some way. You may lead a family (the most crucial leadership role in our entire society). You may lead a Sunday school class. Or you may be the only Christian among your circle of friends – which means you are serving as a leader. Whatever your role of leadership is, remember: you must be led to lead. And as you are led by Him, you’ll become a more humble servant both of Him who leads you and of those you lead.
(This is the last blog of our “Critical Ministry Memories” series.)
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Critical Ministry Memories #5: Led to Lead. There are some in the world of leadership that, once they work their way to “the top” begin to allow themselves to think they are, ultimately, large and in charge. They begin to fall to the notion that since they are the CEO, the General Manager, or even the Senior Pastor, that they are the final authority – their word is what stands above all else. This can be true in secular companies, as well as within the body of the Church. But in order to be a truly effective leader, you must be led.
I speak from the perspective of a pastor, since that’s the world I’m most familiar with, however these principles speak to anyone in leadership. Many times there’s a long fought battle for those who serve in leadership within themselves. It’s the ego-war – the battle between humble servitude and strong leadership. For some reason we have begun to allow ourselves to be convinced that they have to be separate entities. The truth is, however, that they go hand in hand.
In order to be a strong leader you must possess humble servitude. The strongest, most effective of leaders aren’t those who “lord it over” those they lead. They aren’t the leaders who are always right and never allow themselves to admit they’ve been wrong. Nor are they the leaders that possess the “my way or the highway” mentality that doesn’t allow others’ ideas to ever have a place at the table. On the contrary, the strong leader is quite the opposite.
The strongest of leaders are those who show respect to the “team” they’ve been given to lead. They make sure their team knows that they value their ideas, and though they may not always implement them down to every detail, their input is worth something. These types of leaders understand that being the leader doesn’t make them better than those they lead. Serving in the role of leadership is just that – serving.
In order to be the best leader we can be on this side of heaven we must hold strongly to the simple fact that in order to lead effectively we must allow ourselves to be led. If we are to be all that God wants us to be, we absolutely cannot neglect His leadership in our hearts and lives. If I’m going to lead my kids and students, as well as my amazing team of volunteers, in the direction that God wants us to go, I’ve got to be led by Him in that direction myself. I am blessed to serve with a Sr. Pastor that gets that, and it’s such a blessing to know that I’m following and leading with an under-shepherd that allows Christ to lead Him daily.
These truths can apply to us all, whether we are in an obvious leadership role or not. You see, we all lead in some way. You may lead a family (the most crucial leadership role in our entire society). You may lead a Sunday school class. Or you may be the only Christian among your circle of friends – which means you are serving as a leader. Whatever your role of leadership is, remember: you must be led to lead. And as you are led by Him, you’ll become a more humble servant both of Him who leads you and of those you lead.
(This is the last blog of our “Critical Ministry Memories” series.)
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Critical Ministry Memories #4: Perspective of Sacrifice.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Critical Ministry Memories #4: Perspective of Sacrifice. She is 8 years old and on her own. The last time she saw her family they were being taken away by the police. She was told she would never see them ever again. They were Christians, and in the land in which she lives simply owning a Bible or telling someone that Jesus loves them is punishable by the severest extent of the law. She knows sacrifice.
He’s an American, but God called him to the mission field of a very anti-Christian segment of Africa. He and another Christian missionary are working together to establish a church in this small village, and their efforts have been uphill thus far. They were meeting for prayer before going out into the village one day and a gang of Muslim men came into the church and beat them within an inch of their lives. When the gang left, they got back on their faces at the altar, and continued praying as if nothing had ever happened. I remember hearing this great man of God share his story at the church I serve at several years ago. I remember sitting there thinking, “He knows sacrifice.”
Their church meets in a backroom of a warehouse in the middle of the night under the cover of darkness. In the “People’s Republic of China” if your church isn’t registered with the government, thus giving them final say in what you can and cannot preach/teach, you aren’t legal. They know if they are ever caught it will result in at least prison time, and possibly torture or death. Yet they meet, week after week, to grow in their walk with Christ because fellowship with other believers is that important. They know sacrifice.
The phone rings at 1AM and a minister has to roll over out of his warm covers in his comfortable bed to answer it. It’s a church member, and they are headed to the hospital with a loved one and need him there. He gets up and has to change out of his cozy pajamas and get out into the cold night air to drive to the hospital. He has an early morning meeting, so it doesn’t look like he’ll be getting much sleep tonight. But his life isn’t at stake, and he won’t be serving any prison time for identifying himself as a minister once he arrives. Sacrifice?
She’s balancing her checkbook and gets down to the choice of whether or not to write out her tithe check this week. She knows it’s important, and God holds her accountable for her finances. She knows tithing is one way she can show God that He really has lordship over her life, even her money. But there’s a new pair of jeans she really wants at the mall. Oh well, she “takes one for the team” and writes out the tithe check anyway. Sacrifice?
The truth is that in comparison with our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world at this very moment, we don’t have a clue what sacrifice is. I’m sure we all face hardships, and no doubt we do at times have to make some difficult decisions in our walk with Christ and in our ministry life. But those of us who live in the United States of America have so much freedom we don’t even realize it anymore. Sacrifice? We’ve got it made folks. So when you begin to think you’ve got it rough, just remember: there are members of our Christian family sitting in dark, damp prisons for worshiping in hiding and we can do it in public. Just recall the fact that there are Christians who meet in spite of the fatal consequences should they be caught, meanwhile we have to make “difficult” decisions about whether or not we’ll sleep in or go to church on Sunday.
Live thankful today.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Critical Ministry Memories #4: Perspective of Sacrifice. She is 8 years old and on her own. The last time she saw her family they were being taken away by the police. She was told she would never see them ever again. They were Christians, and in the land in which she lives simply owning a Bible or telling someone that Jesus loves them is punishable by the severest extent of the law. She knows sacrifice.
He’s an American, but God called him to the mission field of a very anti-Christian segment of Africa. He and another Christian missionary are working together to establish a church in this small village, and their efforts have been uphill thus far. They were meeting for prayer before going out into the village one day and a gang of Muslim men came into the church and beat them within an inch of their lives. When the gang left, they got back on their faces at the altar, and continued praying as if nothing had ever happened. I remember hearing this great man of God share his story at the church I serve at several years ago. I remember sitting there thinking, “He knows sacrifice.”
Their church meets in a backroom of a warehouse in the middle of the night under the cover of darkness. In the “People’s Republic of China” if your church isn’t registered with the government, thus giving them final say in what you can and cannot preach/teach, you aren’t legal. They know if they are ever caught it will result in at least prison time, and possibly torture or death. Yet they meet, week after week, to grow in their walk with Christ because fellowship with other believers is that important. They know sacrifice.
The phone rings at 1AM and a minister has to roll over out of his warm covers in his comfortable bed to answer it. It’s a church member, and they are headed to the hospital with a loved one and need him there. He gets up and has to change out of his cozy pajamas and get out into the cold night air to drive to the hospital. He has an early morning meeting, so it doesn’t look like he’ll be getting much sleep tonight. But his life isn’t at stake, and he won’t be serving any prison time for identifying himself as a minister once he arrives. Sacrifice?
She’s balancing her checkbook and gets down to the choice of whether or not to write out her tithe check this week. She knows it’s important, and God holds her accountable for her finances. She knows tithing is one way she can show God that He really has lordship over her life, even her money. But there’s a new pair of jeans she really wants at the mall. Oh well, she “takes one for the team” and writes out the tithe check anyway. Sacrifice?
The truth is that in comparison with our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world at this very moment, we don’t have a clue what sacrifice is. I’m sure we all face hardships, and no doubt we do at times have to make some difficult decisions in our walk with Christ and in our ministry life. But those of us who live in the United States of America have so much freedom we don’t even realize it anymore. Sacrifice? We’ve got it made folks. So when you begin to think you’ve got it rough, just remember: there are members of our Christian family sitting in dark, damp prisons for worshiping in hiding and we can do it in public. Just recall the fact that there are Christians who meet in spite of the fatal consequences should they be caught, meanwhile we have to make “difficult” decisions about whether or not we’ll sleep in or go to church on Sunday.
Live thankful today.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Critical Ministry Memories #3: Lostness.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Critical Ministry Memories #3: Lostness. Jesus said that His primary purpose in coming to this world was to “seek and save that which was lost.” He asked the question once about a shepherd boy. He said a good shepherd with 99 sheep accounted for and 1 lost would leave the 99 to go in search of the 1. And when he found the 1, he’d pick it up and carry it back to the others, after which he would celebrate over the lost sheep being found.
If you’ve been saved for very long at all you’ll find it becomes increasingly easier by the day to forget what it felt like to be lost. Our new reality as a believer begins to cause our memory of the unsaved days to fade away. Granted, some of the memories of those days need to fade away and the faster the better. But I think there’s something to be said for the fact that we were all once lost – and we shouldn’t ever forget that fact.
We’ve been called to impact the world’s lostness. The sin that those without Christ still find themselves trapped in is weighing them down into a pit of brokenness, whether they realize it yet or not. They are shackled in the chains of addiction or depression, hopelessness or fear, loneliness or uncertainty. They don’t know what the future holds, and they have no idea what lies beyond the grave. We were once there – remember?
Yet somewhere along our journey in our lostness God spoke to someone and told them to bring the Gospel to us. And the most exciting part is this: they did! They heard His voice and obeyed. And the result is that we are believers now, following Christ on an entirely new journey with heaven as our home. Had they not listened and obeyed, who knows where I’d be right now. It’s scary to think about, honestly.
So who, today, is God telling YOU to take the Gospel to? Do you hear His voice? Are you going to obey? At some point someone did both of those things, and you benefited. Will you now be selfish and not return that favor to someone else in their lostness? Are you willing to allow their eternal destination to stay the same to preserve your “comfort zone” and “shyness?” Remember today that you were once lost, too. Go – give someone else the chance to now sing, “I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind, but now I see!”
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Critical Ministry Memories #3: Lostness. Jesus said that His primary purpose in coming to this world was to “seek and save that which was lost.” He asked the question once about a shepherd boy. He said a good shepherd with 99 sheep accounted for and 1 lost would leave the 99 to go in search of the 1. And when he found the 1, he’d pick it up and carry it back to the others, after which he would celebrate over the lost sheep being found.
If you’ve been saved for very long at all you’ll find it becomes increasingly easier by the day to forget what it felt like to be lost. Our new reality as a believer begins to cause our memory of the unsaved days to fade away. Granted, some of the memories of those days need to fade away and the faster the better. But I think there’s something to be said for the fact that we were all once lost – and we shouldn’t ever forget that fact.
We’ve been called to impact the world’s lostness. The sin that those without Christ still find themselves trapped in is weighing them down into a pit of brokenness, whether they realize it yet or not. They are shackled in the chains of addiction or depression, hopelessness or fear, loneliness or uncertainty. They don’t know what the future holds, and they have no idea what lies beyond the grave. We were once there – remember?
Yet somewhere along our journey in our lostness God spoke to someone and told them to bring the Gospel to us. And the most exciting part is this: they did! They heard His voice and obeyed. And the result is that we are believers now, following Christ on an entirely new journey with heaven as our home. Had they not listened and obeyed, who knows where I’d be right now. It’s scary to think about, honestly.
So who, today, is God telling YOU to take the Gospel to? Do you hear His voice? Are you going to obey? At some point someone did both of those things, and you benefited. Will you now be selfish and not return that favor to someone else in their lostness? Are you willing to allow their eternal destination to stay the same to preserve your “comfort zone” and “shyness?” Remember today that you were once lost, too. Go – give someone else the chance to now sing, “I once was lost, but now I’m found; was blind, but now I see!”
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Critical Ministry Memories #2: Passion.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Critical Ministry Memories #2: Passion. There’s an element that can easily be lost in the everyday shuffle of ministry life. We can find it so natural to fall into the trap of “routine.” We have our schedules, and those schedules are usually pretty full. So in the hustle and bustle of jumping from one thing to the next in our Dayplanner or Blackberry, we can easily find ourselves simply going through the motions. But this is not at all what God intends.
When we fall into the rut of simply going through the motions we are letting this thing called passion slip away. The reality of the brokenness around us each day should feed something within us. As we see the lost and dying world – the shattered lives of people without God and without hope – it should trigger something inside. The routine – the rut – protects us from ever feeling that. It’s the safety measure that insures that our life is comfortable and safe.
Oh but friend: God’s plan is so much bigger than “comfortable” and “safe.” When He calls us to Himself and the ministry He has planned for us, He desires us to be driven forward into that lost and broken world by a passion to see lives restored for His fame and glory! He wants our hearts to be heavy over the condition around us. He wants that heaviness to drive us to a passion to see it remedied in them. We know the answer to everything ailing the world, church: it’s the Gospel.
It’s like having the cure for cancer and simply watching people all around us die of it while never opening our mouth. It’s like knowing the bridge is out ahead and everyone that continues driving will plunge to their death, yet we simply stand and wave hello as people drive by headed towards it. It’s a tragic reality that we find ourselves in today. We not only know that people are dying, but we know what awaits them afterwards. Yet here we are, watching them run around headed for destruction and never opening our mouth to give them the answer.
But when we remember passion – when we possess the drive of the Holy Spirit of God within us – that’s going to change who we are. Passion will push us to share Him. Passion will push us to live differently. Passion will push us to keep going even when we are exhausted. Passion will remind us that life is short, people are dying, we have the answer, and we’ve got to share it. Without passion, we are robots not accomplishing anything lasting for the glory of Christ.
Remember passion today. Ask God to ignite you from the inside out.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Critical Ministry Memories #2: Passion. There’s an element that can easily be lost in the everyday shuffle of ministry life. We can find it so natural to fall into the trap of “routine.” We have our schedules, and those schedules are usually pretty full. So in the hustle and bustle of jumping from one thing to the next in our Dayplanner or Blackberry, we can easily find ourselves simply going through the motions. But this is not at all what God intends.
When we fall into the rut of simply going through the motions we are letting this thing called passion slip away. The reality of the brokenness around us each day should feed something within us. As we see the lost and dying world – the shattered lives of people without God and without hope – it should trigger something inside. The routine – the rut – protects us from ever feeling that. It’s the safety measure that insures that our life is comfortable and safe.
Oh but friend: God’s plan is so much bigger than “comfortable” and “safe.” When He calls us to Himself and the ministry He has planned for us, He desires us to be driven forward into that lost and broken world by a passion to see lives restored for His fame and glory! He wants our hearts to be heavy over the condition around us. He wants that heaviness to drive us to a passion to see it remedied in them. We know the answer to everything ailing the world, church: it’s the Gospel.
It’s like having the cure for cancer and simply watching people all around us die of it while never opening our mouth. It’s like knowing the bridge is out ahead and everyone that continues driving will plunge to their death, yet we simply stand and wave hello as people drive by headed towards it. It’s a tragic reality that we find ourselves in today. We not only know that people are dying, but we know what awaits them afterwards. Yet here we are, watching them run around headed for destruction and never opening our mouth to give them the answer.
But when we remember passion – when we possess the drive of the Holy Spirit of God within us – that’s going to change who we are. Passion will push us to share Him. Passion will push us to live differently. Passion will push us to keep going even when we are exhausted. Passion will remind us that life is short, people are dying, we have the answer, and we’ve got to share it. Without passion, we are robots not accomplishing anything lasting for the glory of Christ.
Remember passion today. Ask God to ignite you from the inside out.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Monday, March 7, 2011
Critical Ministry Memories #1: Grace.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Critical Ministry Memories #1: Grace. Along the journey of this life God has entrusted to us that we call ministry, there are some critical, all important things we must never allow ourselves to forget. This week I want to focus on one a day, in hopes that these might be beneficial to someone. This is just the journey I’m on, and God is reminding me of each of these daily. The first is grace.
There’s a false assumption by a slim crowd in the world that because someone serves in ministry they have their entire act together. There are the occasional people that actually think that there’s almost an element of perfection about someone in ministry. If you don’t believe that, just look at how some people react when someone in ministry falls. Not only are they devastated, but so often they are enraged. It’s almost as if they have this idea that when someone is serving in ministry they are past the point of falling. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
The sad truth is that many times we who serve in ministry allow this idea to creep into our thoughts. Because of the nature of what we do (preaching the Word regularly, helping people navigate the treacherous waters of life, officiating weddings and funerals, etc) we begin to actually think, whether subconsciously or not, that we do have our act altogether. Because so many come to us with their questions or needs, somehow that begins to convince us that we are the authority on how to live life.
That’s why it’s so crucial that we always remember grace. I think it’s important to remember how much grace we’ve received. I’m not at all saying we should beat ourselves up over past sin that’s been forgiven, not at all. But I do believe it’s healthy, even beneficial to our calling, to remember just how much grace has been extended to us in our life of falling short. And if your life is anything like my own, we have received more than our fair share of grace and mercy from Him.
So today, thank God for His mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Those of us serving in ministry have received grace greater than all our sin. The important thing is that we extend that same grace to others constantly. It’s our calling – it’s our responsibility – it’s our privilege.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Critical Ministry Memories #1: Grace. Along the journey of this life God has entrusted to us that we call ministry, there are some critical, all important things we must never allow ourselves to forget. This week I want to focus on one a day, in hopes that these might be beneficial to someone. This is just the journey I’m on, and God is reminding me of each of these daily. The first is grace.
There’s a false assumption by a slim crowd in the world that because someone serves in ministry they have their entire act together. There are the occasional people that actually think that there’s almost an element of perfection about someone in ministry. If you don’t believe that, just look at how some people react when someone in ministry falls. Not only are they devastated, but so often they are enraged. It’s almost as if they have this idea that when someone is serving in ministry they are past the point of falling. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.
The sad truth is that many times we who serve in ministry allow this idea to creep into our thoughts. Because of the nature of what we do (preaching the Word regularly, helping people navigate the treacherous waters of life, officiating weddings and funerals, etc) we begin to actually think, whether subconsciously or not, that we do have our act altogether. Because so many come to us with their questions or needs, somehow that begins to convince us that we are the authority on how to live life.
That’s why it’s so crucial that we always remember grace. I think it’s important to remember how much grace we’ve received. I’m not at all saying we should beat ourselves up over past sin that’s been forgiven, not at all. But I do believe it’s healthy, even beneficial to our calling, to remember just how much grace has been extended to us in our life of falling short. And if your life is anything like my own, we have received more than our fair share of grace and mercy from Him.
So today, thank God for His mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Those of us serving in ministry have received grace greater than all our sin. The important thing is that we extend that same grace to others constantly. It’s our calling – it’s our responsibility – it’s our privilege.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Friday, March 4, 2011
One Day.
Friday, March 04, 2011
One Day. We all woke up that day to a normal September morning. Most of us were relatively comfortable with our lives. We had eaten breakfast and been looking ahead to just another weekday in the life of a regular American. Millions of people were going off to work expecting to see their families that evening as usual. Then the first plane hit the first tower, and everything changed forever. What a difference one day makes…
When the day begins it’s simply life as usual. As on that fateful day in September, millions will rise and begin their day as any other. They’ll eat breakfast, say goodbye to their families, and head off to work like another other morning. The world will feel the presence of God because of the presence of His people indwelt by Him. But by the end of that day, hundreds of millions will be gone from the face of the planet. And suddenly the world will not enjoy the company of all who knew Christ. What a difference one day makes…
He’s promised to come “in a moment – in the twinkling of an eye.” That term twinkling doesn’t refer to a blink, as so often we assume. The word “twinkling” literally refers to the amount of time it takes light to glisten off of the eyeball. Just imagine: in the amount of time it takes light to travel, all of us who know Christ will be gone. What a difference that one day will make…
The only question of the hour is a very simple one: are you ready? No one knows exactly when that day will be. That’s knowledge reserved for God the Father alone, according to what His Son told us while here. But Jesus did tell us of some things that would happen before His Father sent Him back for us. Beginning Monday we’ll start diving into those different events Jesus mentioned, and we’ll see how they are being fulfilled in front of our eyes. One day really makes a difference…
If I were you, I wouldn’t wait until Monday to start reading the evidence of Christ’s return to receive Him. This may be that day – and those left on that day will be facing literal hell on earth. Would you receive Him today? To find out more about knowing Christ, email me at the address below. The day is coming…and at the end of it, things will be forever changed. Get ready.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
One Day. We all woke up that day to a normal September morning. Most of us were relatively comfortable with our lives. We had eaten breakfast and been looking ahead to just another weekday in the life of a regular American. Millions of people were going off to work expecting to see their families that evening as usual. Then the first plane hit the first tower, and everything changed forever. What a difference one day makes…
When the day begins it’s simply life as usual. As on that fateful day in September, millions will rise and begin their day as any other. They’ll eat breakfast, say goodbye to their families, and head off to work like another other morning. The world will feel the presence of God because of the presence of His people indwelt by Him. But by the end of that day, hundreds of millions will be gone from the face of the planet. And suddenly the world will not enjoy the company of all who knew Christ. What a difference one day makes…
He’s promised to come “in a moment – in the twinkling of an eye.” That term twinkling doesn’t refer to a blink, as so often we assume. The word “twinkling” literally refers to the amount of time it takes light to glisten off of the eyeball. Just imagine: in the amount of time it takes light to travel, all of us who know Christ will be gone. What a difference that one day will make…
The only question of the hour is a very simple one: are you ready? No one knows exactly when that day will be. That’s knowledge reserved for God the Father alone, according to what His Son told us while here. But Jesus did tell us of some things that would happen before His Father sent Him back for us. Beginning Monday we’ll start diving into those different events Jesus mentioned, and we’ll see how they are being fulfilled in front of our eyes. One day really makes a difference…
If I were you, I wouldn’t wait until Monday to start reading the evidence of Christ’s return to receive Him. This may be that day – and those left on that day will be facing literal hell on earth. Would you receive Him today? To find out more about knowing Christ, email me at the address below. The day is coming…and at the end of it, things will be forever changed. Get ready.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Sowing.
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Sowing. Most all of us have at one time or another seen some guy on TV telling his viewers that if they’ll “sow a seed” into his ministry that he promises them a return like no other. He convinces folks, somehow, that if they’ll give a gift of $1000 they’ll get a check from God miraculously for $3000 soon. He convinces them that he somehow knows exactly how God will bless them if they’ll fund his ministry as he’s asking them to. And you’ve probably at one time or another done as I have – changed the channel.
There’s an irrefutable law of sowing and reaping given to us in the Scripture. Paul wrote that, “God is not mocked – whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.” He was telling us, simply, that whatever seeds you plant in your life will grow into some consequences. If you plant seeds of righteousness, living out the purposes of God in your life, you’ll see some good “fruit” come of that down the road. But if you live for yourself, living out your sinful desires, you’ll find there are some not so pretty consequences down the path ahead.
It’s a common sense concept: you plant a watermelon seed, you’ll get a watermelon plant. You plant corn, you’ll get corn. Common sense tells us that if you plant a squash seed you can’t reasonably expect to see okra popping up out of the ground there. We understand this truth, yet why are we so surprised when our lives follow this principle?
We live for ourselves, not giving the plans of God a second thought. Then when our life is falling apart, we blame Him. We make choices that are almost total opposites of His will, but when we can’t seem to find peace, joy, or comfort in our choices we suddenly think it’s God’s fault. We don’t have time for His worship with His people, but when we begin to feel distant from Him we blame Him for distancing Himself as if He chose to move.
For a man who wears the label of “preacher” to claim that he knows exactly how God will repay our choices in life is a little over the top. To claim you know that God is going to smile down upon someone with 3 times as much as they give to your “ministry” is absurd. You can’t convince me that’s the law of sowing and reaping at all. I’ll counter with a simple answer: no, that’s not God’s law of sowing and reaping – that’s a business with profit in mind. (I know, I know…I’m prepared for your comments/emails…just stating a thought.)
But the truth does remain evident that God’s promise is very clear: there are consequences for our choices. The types of seeds we choose to plant with the lives we live will sprout into something proportionate to the seeds we’ve planted. It’s not just common sense – it’s God’s law. And just as we know from gardening – you always seem to reap slightly more than you sow in general.
So today – would you ask God to examine your life? Would you ask Him to reveal to you what kind of seeds your laying out by the life you’re living? And if suddenly you realize your planting seeds that are heading for a sad harvest, confess that to Him today. Allow Him to begin to give you seeds that will grow into some amazing fruit for His honor and glory. Sow the seeds that point people to Him, and then watch and see the harvest He pours out into your life. I can’t tell you what it will be, but this I know: God is faithful, good, generous, and always keeps His promises. That’s not a guaranteed dollar amount – it’s even better.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Sowing. Most all of us have at one time or another seen some guy on TV telling his viewers that if they’ll “sow a seed” into his ministry that he promises them a return like no other. He convinces folks, somehow, that if they’ll give a gift of $1000 they’ll get a check from God miraculously for $3000 soon. He convinces them that he somehow knows exactly how God will bless them if they’ll fund his ministry as he’s asking them to. And you’ve probably at one time or another done as I have – changed the channel.
There’s an irrefutable law of sowing and reaping given to us in the Scripture. Paul wrote that, “God is not mocked – whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.” He was telling us, simply, that whatever seeds you plant in your life will grow into some consequences. If you plant seeds of righteousness, living out the purposes of God in your life, you’ll see some good “fruit” come of that down the road. But if you live for yourself, living out your sinful desires, you’ll find there are some not so pretty consequences down the path ahead.
It’s a common sense concept: you plant a watermelon seed, you’ll get a watermelon plant. You plant corn, you’ll get corn. Common sense tells us that if you plant a squash seed you can’t reasonably expect to see okra popping up out of the ground there. We understand this truth, yet why are we so surprised when our lives follow this principle?
We live for ourselves, not giving the plans of God a second thought. Then when our life is falling apart, we blame Him. We make choices that are almost total opposites of His will, but when we can’t seem to find peace, joy, or comfort in our choices we suddenly think it’s God’s fault. We don’t have time for His worship with His people, but when we begin to feel distant from Him we blame Him for distancing Himself as if He chose to move.
For a man who wears the label of “preacher” to claim that he knows exactly how God will repay our choices in life is a little over the top. To claim you know that God is going to smile down upon someone with 3 times as much as they give to your “ministry” is absurd. You can’t convince me that’s the law of sowing and reaping at all. I’ll counter with a simple answer: no, that’s not God’s law of sowing and reaping – that’s a business with profit in mind. (I know, I know…I’m prepared for your comments/emails…just stating a thought.)
But the truth does remain evident that God’s promise is very clear: there are consequences for our choices. The types of seeds we choose to plant with the lives we live will sprout into something proportionate to the seeds we’ve planted. It’s not just common sense – it’s God’s law. And just as we know from gardening – you always seem to reap slightly more than you sow in general.
So today – would you ask God to examine your life? Would you ask Him to reveal to you what kind of seeds your laying out by the life you’re living? And if suddenly you realize your planting seeds that are heading for a sad harvest, confess that to Him today. Allow Him to begin to give you seeds that will grow into some amazing fruit for His honor and glory. Sow the seeds that point people to Him, and then watch and see the harvest He pours out into your life. I can’t tell you what it will be, but this I know: God is faithful, good, generous, and always keeps His promises. That’s not a guaranteed dollar amount – it’s even better.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Chaos?
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Chaos? Have you ever had moments in your life when you really started to think everything was just pure chaos? In those times, you couldn’t see a pattern or a purpose – all you could see were random events that were so insane and horrible that there couldn’t possibly be an explanation for it all. And if you’ll be honest, there may have been moments in the midst of that when you may have questioned where God was through it all. I’ve been there, and God was there.
You may look at the news each day in the time in which we live and think the world is falling into utter chaos as well. With the uprisings all across the middle east, mass protests in our own American cities, a virtual killing field to our southern border due to the drug war, debates being waged over simple moral issues that used to be taken for granted, and politicians getting fat off our hard earned incomes while our nation sinks deeper and deeper in debt to foreign nations – one might wonder how on earth God could be working through all this. God is here.
We see so much suffering around us. We see disease all around this world, so much of which is preventable with the right resources. We see so much famine and hunger it’s heartbreaking. The reality of war in so many nations has driven the people of those nations to starvation and poverty. Earthquakes and natural disasters have destroyed everything some have worked for, with entire cities being leveled in events lasting only a matter of seconds. It’s hard to understand how God could be in control. But God is here.
The human mind may see chaos, and there are so many that look at today’s events and try to blame God. But let’s be honest: the reason our world is in such a mess most definitely must be laid at the feet of mankind. We are so far from God’s law and ways that so many of these things were bound to happen with time. And it is with the reality of man’s worsening depravity that we could throw up our hands in panic thinking all is lost. But there He is – God – and He’s here.
Throughout history, God has been in the Driver’s seat of events. That doesn’t mean He’s caused them all, but He has used them all to steer our world in the direction of what will ultimately culminate in His divine will and plan. Even the chaotic events of our own, personal lives that we can’t begin to understand are under His faithful watch-care. These events aren’t all good – but He’s working them for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
And ultimately, the events of the world that are increasingly chaotic are all part of a series of events that will bring us to that glorious moment when those of us who know Him will hear a faint sound in the distance. Before we can even realize it’s a trumpet, we’ll be gone and in His presence. Then the world will begin a period of 7 years that will literally be hell on earth. The events to follow the 7 years of Tribulation are written about in various books of the Bible, especially Revelation. Long story made short: God is in control, and I’ve never been any happier about anything in my life.
So take hope in this reality: your life isn’t chaos; the world isn’t in chaos; the future isn’t dark and dreary. God is here, and He’s in control. He has a plan, and the events we see before us and behind us are all being steered in the direction of that plan. And one, glorious day, God the Father will look to His right at His Son, our Jesus, and say the words all creation has been groaning for since the days of creation: “Go get my kids, Son.” Are you ready?
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Chaos? Have you ever had moments in your life when you really started to think everything was just pure chaos? In those times, you couldn’t see a pattern or a purpose – all you could see were random events that were so insane and horrible that there couldn’t possibly be an explanation for it all. And if you’ll be honest, there may have been moments in the midst of that when you may have questioned where God was through it all. I’ve been there, and God was there.
You may look at the news each day in the time in which we live and think the world is falling into utter chaos as well. With the uprisings all across the middle east, mass protests in our own American cities, a virtual killing field to our southern border due to the drug war, debates being waged over simple moral issues that used to be taken for granted, and politicians getting fat off our hard earned incomes while our nation sinks deeper and deeper in debt to foreign nations – one might wonder how on earth God could be working through all this. God is here.
We see so much suffering around us. We see disease all around this world, so much of which is preventable with the right resources. We see so much famine and hunger it’s heartbreaking. The reality of war in so many nations has driven the people of those nations to starvation and poverty. Earthquakes and natural disasters have destroyed everything some have worked for, with entire cities being leveled in events lasting only a matter of seconds. It’s hard to understand how God could be in control. But God is here.
The human mind may see chaos, and there are so many that look at today’s events and try to blame God. But let’s be honest: the reason our world is in such a mess most definitely must be laid at the feet of mankind. We are so far from God’s law and ways that so many of these things were bound to happen with time. And it is with the reality of man’s worsening depravity that we could throw up our hands in panic thinking all is lost. But there He is – God – and He’s here.
Throughout history, God has been in the Driver’s seat of events. That doesn’t mean He’s caused them all, but He has used them all to steer our world in the direction of what will ultimately culminate in His divine will and plan. Even the chaotic events of our own, personal lives that we can’t begin to understand are under His faithful watch-care. These events aren’t all good – but He’s working them for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
And ultimately, the events of the world that are increasingly chaotic are all part of a series of events that will bring us to that glorious moment when those of us who know Him will hear a faint sound in the distance. Before we can even realize it’s a trumpet, we’ll be gone and in His presence. Then the world will begin a period of 7 years that will literally be hell on earth. The events to follow the 7 years of Tribulation are written about in various books of the Bible, especially Revelation. Long story made short: God is in control, and I’ve never been any happier about anything in my life.
So take hope in this reality: your life isn’t chaos; the world isn’t in chaos; the future isn’t dark and dreary. God is here, and He’s in control. He has a plan, and the events we see before us and behind us are all being steered in the direction of that plan. And one, glorious day, God the Father will look to His right at His Son, our Jesus, and say the words all creation has been groaning for since the days of creation: “Go get my kids, Son.” Are you ready?
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Sand.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Sand. At the mere mention of the word sand, your mind may instantly go to many things. Some probably begin to think of the beach, and the sand between their toes as they walk next to the ocean’s waves. Some may think of childhood memories spending countless hours building castles and driving toy cars in the box in the backyard that was full of it. Some may think of the desert as the massive sand dunes slowly crawl their way across the vast expanse of nothing. I’m thinking about time itself. Let me explain.
I have an hourglass on my mind. I don’t know why, but for some reason I woke up thinking about the all too quickly passing sands of an hourglass. At the forefront of my mind was an image of my life, quickly passing by in front of me. And I began to realize that once the sand passes from the top of the hourglass to the bottom, it’s gone. Some of you would say, “Just turn the hourglass over and start again.” Not this hourglass, though. Once the sand passes through the narrow opening in the middle, there’s no going back.
This sand represents opportunities that God has laid before me to be used for His honor and glory that I have missed. It pictures the decisions I've made that were not good ones. It shines as a monument of all the times I've said, “Oops!” in a light-hearted way on the outside, yet was crying over the shame of life’s proverbial spilled milk on the inside. The sand I see at the bottom of the hourglass reminds me that I’ve blown it more times that I’d like to publicly admit.
It also reminds me of some victories. It takes my mind back to moments of mountaintop joy. It brings back memories of mission trips with amazing teenagers. It recalls pictures of happy moments when I felt on top of the world. I remember things like the birth of children that mean the world to me. Some of this already passed sand brings me joy.
But whether the sand was for good times or not so good times, it’s gone. It’s history. I can’t bring it back, if I want to or not. So now I look above, to the top half of the hourglass. There’s some sand left there, though it’s passing faster the farther I go.
This sand reminds me that there will be some regrets in the future, and some mistakes yet to be made. It reminds me that there will also be some victories ahead, and some great memories that will be cherished. It’s all in the future, whether distant or just moments away. Regardless of good or bad, it will become the story that is my life.
So today I have a choice to make. As I examine my life I see so many walls and barriers that I have allowed myself to build due to past heartbreaks and brokenness. I am holding myself back from so much of what God wants for me, both now and in the future that is to come. Will I continue to hunker down, hidden behind the safety of the barricades I have begun to be used to? Or will I allow Him to take His holy wrecking ball to these walls, and thus allow me to experience the joy, peace, and hope of love – trust – excitement – again?
The sand is passing – what will you choose? Join me in making this prayer that God has placed in my heart today yours as well: May the steps of Your plan be the dance of my life. May the truth of Your Word be the song of my heart. And may the fire in Your eyes be the vision of my purpose.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
Sand. At the mere mention of the word sand, your mind may instantly go to many things. Some probably begin to think of the beach, and the sand between their toes as they walk next to the ocean’s waves. Some may think of childhood memories spending countless hours building castles and driving toy cars in the box in the backyard that was full of it. Some may think of the desert as the massive sand dunes slowly crawl their way across the vast expanse of nothing. I’m thinking about time itself. Let me explain.
I have an hourglass on my mind. I don’t know why, but for some reason I woke up thinking about the all too quickly passing sands of an hourglass. At the forefront of my mind was an image of my life, quickly passing by in front of me. And I began to realize that once the sand passes from the top of the hourglass to the bottom, it’s gone. Some of you would say, “Just turn the hourglass over and start again.” Not this hourglass, though. Once the sand passes through the narrow opening in the middle, there’s no going back.
This sand represents opportunities that God has laid before me to be used for His honor and glory that I have missed. It pictures the decisions I've made that were not good ones. It shines as a monument of all the times I've said, “Oops!” in a light-hearted way on the outside, yet was crying over the shame of life’s proverbial spilled milk on the inside. The sand I see at the bottom of the hourglass reminds me that I’ve blown it more times that I’d like to publicly admit.
It also reminds me of some victories. It takes my mind back to moments of mountaintop joy. It brings back memories of mission trips with amazing teenagers. It recalls pictures of happy moments when I felt on top of the world. I remember things like the birth of children that mean the world to me. Some of this already passed sand brings me joy.
But whether the sand was for good times or not so good times, it’s gone. It’s history. I can’t bring it back, if I want to or not. So now I look above, to the top half of the hourglass. There’s some sand left there, though it’s passing faster the farther I go.
This sand reminds me that there will be some regrets in the future, and some mistakes yet to be made. It reminds me that there will also be some victories ahead, and some great memories that will be cherished. It’s all in the future, whether distant or just moments away. Regardless of good or bad, it will become the story that is my life.
So today I have a choice to make. As I examine my life I see so many walls and barriers that I have allowed myself to build due to past heartbreaks and brokenness. I am holding myself back from so much of what God wants for me, both now and in the future that is to come. Will I continue to hunker down, hidden behind the safety of the barricades I have begun to be used to? Or will I allow Him to take His holy wrecking ball to these walls, and thus allow me to experience the joy, peace, and hope of love – trust – excitement – again?
The sand is passing – what will you choose? Join me in making this prayer that God has placed in my heart today yours as well: May the steps of Your plan be the dance of my life. May the truth of Your Word be the song of my heart. And may the fire in Your eyes be the vision of my purpose.
That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake
This blog is brought to you courtesy of http://fromblake.blogspot.com. Visit today and sign up to become an official follower!
If you’d like to receive “A Thought From Blake” in your email inbox every day, send an email to the address below to be signed up!
Feel free to write blake anytime at pastorblakeman@yahoo.com
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