If the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing (1Cor. 1:18), increasing the volume of our voices won’t change that.
To me, the Bible is all about Jesus. The Old Testament shows us why we needed Jesus to come, and foretells of His arrival. The Gospels tell of Jesus’ life and teachings. The Epistles tell of how to live out His new and better covenant, and Revelation is about Jesus’ return and the fulfillment of all things.
Posted in Thought for the Day / Quotes | Tagged bible, covenant, epistles, gospel, Jesus, revelation, teachings | Leave a Comment »
A covenant is a promise.
A wedding is a celebration.
A marriage is a partnership.
Don’t let your wedding be more spectacular than the promise that precedes it
or the marriage that follows it.
Posted in Thought for the Day / Quotes | Tagged celebration, covenant, marriage, partnership, promise, wedding | 1 Comment »
Adulthood doesn’t really happen at a particular age. If you still depend on someone else to keep you housed, fed, and/or mobile, you are still functioning as a child, and shouldn’t be surprised when you are treated accordingly.
Posted in Commentaries, Thought for the Day / Quotes | Tagged adulthood, child, depend on | Leave a Comment »
One of the very few benefits of social media is the ability to stay connected with friends and family from around the globe, sharing moments of both joy and of struggle. But I have to admit, more often than not, it is simply a cesspool of provocation and contention. Even those of us who identify as followers of Christ seem to easily get caught up in the rhetoric.
On one side we have the “woke” folk, who espouse the idea that “silence is violence”, and that we have a duty to speak out on what they view as the critical issues of the day. On the other side, we have our nationalist friends, who seem to feel like we need to, “make our voice heard”, so that America can be “great again”. The steady refusal to engage in some fruitless war of words only seems to draw the ire of both sides.
Recently, I’ve been bombarded with messaging that seems to imply that this lack of engagement is somehow a forfeiture of my “Christian” duty to attempt to effect change in a sinful culture and fallen world. But I would submit that if by observing my life, or being in relationship with me, you are unsure of the values I hold to, my words are not likely to impact you. Indeed, I would be the proverbial clanging cymbal. Only Christ has the words of life, and unless He gives me something to say, I think it best to keep my mouth shut. When Jesus stood before His accusers, He remained silent (Matt.27:12), which is a totally appropriate response for people who are simply trying to set a snare.
I also disagree with the assertion that involvement in political activism is meant to be an integral part of expressing our faith. The scripture tells us not to focus on the seen realm (2Cor.4:18), which is perishing, but to keep our eyes fixed on Christ (Heb.12:2), who is the perfecter of our faith. It tells us that our battle is not against flesh and blood (Eph.6:12), and warns us that a good soldier does not get involved in civilian affairs (2Tim.2:4). When the political, religious and cultural forces came together to attack Jesus, Peter rationalized taking up a sword, but instead of being praised, He was rebuked by Christ; who went on to undo the damage Peter had done (Luke 22:51). He later explained to Pilate that His Kingdom was not of this world, which is why His followers weren’t called to fight for Him in that manner (John 18:36).
I have happily served this country (12 years US Navy), I clearly recognize the wonderful benefits of democracy, and I have voted in every election I could, but on its best day, the American political system is still a corrupted, man-made system. As forms of government go, democracy may be the gold standard, but it still falls under the heading of a “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world”, rather than on Christ (Col.2:9). While it is completely reasonable to participate as a citizen of the United States, it is not something a child of God ought to invest much hope in.
Christ is our model, and He only did what His Father directed. Then He gave us His Holy Spirit, so that we might do the same. He said that people would be able to identify His followers by their love for one another (John 13;35), and by the fruit of their faith (Matt.7:16). Unfortunately, the people of the world don’t routinely witness either of those. Sadly, they more commonly know us by our political beliefs instead.
When Christ came, God’s chosen people had been conquered by a hostile foreign government (Rome), were being ignored by their own puppet regime (Herod) and were being exploited by the very religious system that was supposed to keep them connected to their God. They expected the Messiah to change all that, but Jesus was focused on something more profound, and eternal. I would submit that He still is.
Posted in Commentaries | Tagged activisim, deceptive philosophy, democracy, politics, war of words | Leave a Comment »
To share in Christ’s suffering, we must first walk in His ways. I’ve we’re just doing what’s right in our own eyes the resultant suffering is simply a consequence.
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A little warning for our High School Graduates.
Growing up can often be a disappointing process. When you’re 10, you imagine that becoming a “teenager” will change everything. But a few days after your 13th birthday, you realize that things are pretty much the same. Then you start dreaming about turning 16, and getting your license, which is cool; but again, you quickly recognize that it doesn’t make as much difference as you thought. Even 18 is that way. Yeah, you’re legally an adult now, yet you still have to turn in your homework and get up for school the next day.
But finishing High School is different. Though you may not sense it immediately, the rules have changed dramatically. Up to this point, there was a system specifically designed to carry you along. There was a whole panel of adults (e.g. parents, grandparents, pastors, youth group leaders, teachers, coaches, counselors…) assigned to provide guidance, boundaries, bedtimes, wake-ups, rides, resources, and incentives to stay on the right track.
There were organized activities intended specifically for you, like sports teams, school plays, dances, and 4H club. And there was an education system built to pretty much ensure your success. As long as you cooperated (i.e. showed up with a decent attitude) with these processes, you were almost guaranteed to make it through.
But now, that all changes. Almost your entire support staff got laid off at graduation, and adulthood is very much a give and take proposition. Generally, you get out of it what you put into it. Even staying in school changes.
Colleges and Universities are businesses. You pay to take their classes. If you don’t show up, the teacher isn’t going to come looking for you. If you don’t turn in your work, they will not scold you, or even ask about it. If you fail the class, they will happily allow you to pay them to take the course over again next semester.
The workplace, and relationships, and almost every other facet of life works similarly. What you receive from it will be proportional to what you’ve put into it. If you want to have a great marriage, a successful career, or even to live in an exceptional community, you will need to invest yourself (i.e. time, energy, passion…) in it.
Graduation isn’t your retirement from the hard work of high school, it’s your promotion to the Varsity team of life, and the ball’s now in your hands.
Simply showing up, empty handed, will no longer get it done. Ultimately, life was never meant to be a spectator sport – so I’d highly recommend that you dive in, and I wish you the best.
P.S. – Don’t be intimidated, you’re stronger than you know.
Posted in Commentaries | Tagged graduate, graduation, invest yourself, staff | 1 Comment »
Eve was God’s response to what He saw missing in Adam’s existence. She wasn’t created to do everything he could do, she was created to do what he couldn’t do for himself. We weren’t meant to compete, we were meant to complete.
Posted in Thought for the Day / Quotes | Tagged compete, complete, Eve, woman | Leave a Comment »
Bjcorbin's Blog 
Destination
June 29, 2023 by bjcorbin
Life is not a ride, it’s a journey. A ride consists of being carried along to wherever the vehicle happens to be headed, while a journey has an ultimate destination, which requires navigation and effort to complete.
One who sails for pleasure doesn’t concern themselves with what direction the wind is blowing, or where the rudder is pointed, as long as their sail is full. They rarely stray far from the shore, and will avoid a storm at all costs. At the end of the day, success is judged by the strength of the wind, and the smoothness of the seas, both of which are completely out of our control.
For those who choose the journey, it is very different. It is not so much about the sail as it is the rudder, and the compass. Though such a sailor revels in those times when the sail is up and inflated, they understand that they must discern the wind and pull the sail down amidst unfavorable breezes.
They also understand that in order to reach their ultimate landing spot they will have to pass through some rough waters. In those times they just hold fast to the rudder and keep the ship pointed toward the eventual goal. For such a traveler, success is measured by the distance from their final destination.
Unless we purpose in our heart to be someone, or to do something, we evolve into little more than an accumulation of our experiences, both good and bad. In such cases, we tend to live life like a pinball; propelled by gravity and bouncing from one obstacle to another.
Anything worthwhile in life requires some amount of investment on our part. Those who are unwilling to make such a deposit are generally pushed along by the winds of circumstance to some uncertain end.
For the first 30 years of my life, I was essentially on a pleasure cruise, looking for that next exhilarating ride. But a few decades ago, I began to recognize that I was created for something more. Indeed, I had a purpose, and a destiny. And the further I have travelled, the more I comprehend the importance of the journey itself.
At some point, I stopped referencing the past (i.e. where I came from, who I’ve been, what I’ve experienced, what I think I know…) for my identity, and started looking to my Creator for that understanding. He reminded me that before I was in my mother’s womb, He knew me (Jer.1:5), which means that I’m more than simply a byproduct of my DNA, or my heredity, or my upbringing…
And as I found myself pondering who God intended me to be, He reminded me that it was someone who looked a lot like His Son (Rom.8:29), which told me that the transformation process was going to be dramatic; since who I’d been up to that point hadn’t really resembled Him at all.
As I prayed for Him to complete the good work He’d begun in me, the Lord gave me a glimpse of the road ahead (i.e. coordinates to chart a course for). He highlighted the characteristics He’s ordained for me, like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal.5:22-23). He spoke to my demeanor in the midst struggle, exhorting me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19). And He gave me a focal point to keep my eyes fixed on (Heb.12:2), while warning me not to be distracted by the squalls that inevitably come (2Cor.4:18).
On the surface, it all seemed pretty simple. Nothing I didn’t already know. Nothing I couldn’t enthusiastically say, “Amen” to. But the walking it out has proven to be a daily battle. We can know all this, agree with it in principle, and unconsciously live as though none of it is true. Everything in our human nature pushes us the other way. Unless we make a conscious effort to participate in the divine nature (2Pet.1:4), we stay mired in the same fruitless pattern.
It’s so easy to wake up tired, agitated and sore. To dread all the things that need to be done in the course of a day. To interpret a stubbed toe, or spilled coffee as some sort of prophetic declaration about the state of our lives. To anxiously listen to the dire reports in the news, and to curse at the lunatics who almost hit us because they’re on their phones.
We can spend the day reacting to people and situations that wring every bit of goodwill out of us, and come home growling at the people we claim to love the most. And we can sing heavenly worship songs in Sunday service, only to return to this miserable cycle on Monday morning.
The antithesis of this is to begin each day with an invitation to the Holy Spirit to rise up and to do His blessed work in our lives. To make a genuine connection to the Giver of Life, and to seek His direction and priority for the day. To guard our heart and mind (Prov.4:23 & Phil.4:7) as we step out into the world, and to ask for God’s heart for every person we interact with (John 13:34).
When situations rise up, and anxious moments occur, we need to take the time to regain an eternal perspective before responding and/or acting. And we need to be as interested in reflecting Christ’s character to our own family as we are with reaching out to strangers.
More practically, it means surrendering thoughts like, “how does this make me feel?” or “want do I want?”, in favor of thoughts like, “how do you see this Lord?” and “what do you desire?”. It includes avoiding the temptation to immerse ourselves in people and situations that God isn’t calling us to, or to wrestle with issues that He hasn’t given us any dominion over (e.g. almost all geo-political disputes), so that we can be available for the people He’s placed directly in our path.
For those with a westernized religious sensibility, all of this might seem a bit radical, after all, can’t we make it to heaven if we just “believe”. But I would submit that the first step to sharing in His resurrection life, is taking up a cross daily, and following Him. To that end, I believe that this is what dying to self looks like. It is readily forfeiting your will to do what seems right in your own eyes (Prov.14:12) in favor of doing the will of the Father (John 5:19).
If our association with Christ is little more than a hedge against the fires of hell, this probably seems excessive. But if we truly love Him, and wish to serve Him, this is a pathway to His glory (Col.1:27). The fulfillment of our destiny isn’t really about what we will accomplish in His name, it’s about becoming the person He created us to be. If we exercise our freedom to become someone other than that, He can rightfully say, “I never knew you” (Matt.7:23).
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Posted in Commentaries | Tagged circumstance, destination, destiny, Journey, navigation, obstacle, ride, rudder, sail, sailing, sailor, storm, transformation | Leave a Comment »