Blame Yourself

March 20th, 2012

One of the biggest problems in the world today is that people just don't want to take responsibility for their actions. Everyone, whether it be individuals, businesses, or the government is always looking for someone to bail them out. Or even someone to shift the blame to.

This attitude is nothing new and it has even been prevalent in some of the biggest names in the Bible.

Deut. 3:26

But the Lord was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me.

Deut. 4:21

Furthermore, the Lord was angry with me because of you, and he swore that I should not cross the Jordan, and that I should not enter the good land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.

Moses.Moses.Moses. Are you kidding me? God was angry at you because of the Israelites? That's not what I remember reading in Numbers (which he wrote by the way).

Numbers 20:8-12

“Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” And Moses took the staff from before the Lord, as he commanded him. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”

Moses, I don't see anyone forcing your hand. I don't see anyone pushing you into hitting the rock. The only thing I see is a person who tried to usurp the glory and praise that should have been given to God. Look closely at what he says, "Shall we bring water". When I read that "we" it isn't a God and Moses "we", but a Moses and Aaron "we". Moses isn't making it into the promise land not because of cry baby Israel, but because of his on lack of control. His own attempt to usurp God.

In the world today there is a big push to always blame others or situations for the problems in our life. We see this in movies constantly. One of the things I've noticed is that Hollywood has continued to try and make it not the bad guys fault that he is a bad guy. For example look at Spiderman 2. Doctor Octopus only became a bad guy because something happened to his wife. When in actuality he became a bad guy because he was a nut job.

I'm telling you today that you need to take responsibility for your own actions. Every second we live is a choice. There is cause and effect from each choice that you make. Realize that you are in control of yourself and that outside factors only factor in as much as you allow them to.

Presence of God

March 06th, 2012

Exodus 33:11 Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

What catches your eye in this passage? Is it Moses or Joshua?

Most of the church today is seeking for a Moses like relationship. A relationship where they can speak to God as a friend. That they can see God face to face. The church today would say that is top of the line. But is it really? The passage reflects further that Moses would leave the presence of God and go back into the camp. Go back into the world. Joshua on the other hand, may not have been able to speak to God as a friend or face to face. However, he always lived in the presence of the Lord. I believe there is a reason that Joshua made it into the promised land while Moses didn't. Joshua spent his time with the Lord. Moses spent his time with the people.

How often do we got to church and the second the pastor says "amen" we are heading straight for the door?

How often are we following along on the notes that are provided only to fold up our Bible, put our pen away, and get ready to go, just because we ran out of spots to fill in?

How often do we go into our own personal worship time and just can't wait for it to be over so that we can get back to the "camp"?

I'd encourage you today to be like Joshua. When you find the presence of the Lord, stay in the presence of the Lord. Don't always be looking for the next thing on your schedule or the next thing you can do. Just stay with the Lord. I promise you that if you do you will make it to the promise land just like Joshua did.

RUWA 2nd annual "bone"fire

October 24th, 2009

Thanks to all who came out and made our "bone" fire a success. I hope you enjoyed yourself. I know I enjoyed almost passing out on the jumpers and watching people get buried in corn. Got an idea for next year. Talk to Jess about it.

December 31st, 1969

December 31st, 1969