A Sword Wound to Remember

A couple of weeks ago, I went for a walk in my neighborhood. You may ask why I wasn’t running, but I’ll tell you, it wasn’t by choice. I had previously hurt my knee and was on week three of recovery, so walking seemed to be the best thing for getting the blood flowing throughout the body. Knowing that I was going to be out in the dark, I thought to protect myself as I normally do: I brought my pirate sword. I don’t like assuming that there may be trouble in the hood, but one has to take precautions in today’s society.

On the third mile through the streets, I caught sight of a shadow, off to the right. Not wishing to be caught unawares, I immediately began scanning (cautiously, of course) the surrounding area for signs of trouble. Panning my vision around, I noticed that there were, what appeared to be, three shadowed figures following me.

My mind was racing! What was I to do? I don’t consider myself to be particularly adept at fighting, but I was determined to put up a fight and not go down easily. As I turned the corner, I found a place in which to hide. This seemed to be a perfect spot for an ambush, if I could just calm my breathing as they passed by. I quickly headed for the spot, but as I turned to back into the shadows, I noticed that my plan had been found. One of the shadowed figures was swiftly walking in my direction and I had no choice, but to defend.

Faster that I thought myself able, I drew my sword in defense. The ring of steel leaving the scabbard was distinctive – not only mine, but three more! Trying to remember my training, I set my feet and awaited my attackers.

The first exchange was exciting. The rush of blood and adrenaline surged through my veins. I was in the moment and the battle ensued. Cuts, bruises, blades, shoulders, kicks, sweat – everything around me erupted into the forceful game of skill and wit. I managed to wound one attacker, getting him out of the way, but the remaining two charged on with continued determination. Every second that they pressed was another that I grew weak.

Finally it happened – I felt the piercing blade of fire in my side. At first I was able to shunt the pain, but the throbbing under my ribs increased rapidly. I knew that I had to end the battle, but I was at a loss for direction. In an instant, it came to me. With one sweeping motion I arched my blade around, taking both assailants down with the cut.

Then I was running. Holding my side, I couldn’t chance looking backward. I ran like I have never run before toward the nearest clinic that I could remember; but, something in the back of my mind would not release my attention. What was it about those men that seemed so familiar?

Not wanting to chance capture, I changed directions and headed to a friend’s house – a man who I could trust with my life. When I arrived at his house, I found it dark and no one inside. I knew that I had to avoid looking suspicious, so I hid in the backyard until his return.

I must have passed out, because I only remember waking up in his spare room. I was told that he found me unconscious on the back porch when he was taking out the trash. He had no clue how long I was lying there, but he dragged me into the house as soon as he saw me. The rest is just medical jargon that I don’t understand.

I’m grateful to be alive, because from what I can tell, I lost a lot of blood. And, if any of you readers actually think that this story is true, please note that I’m really fond of writing fictional pieces – whether about me or others J

Then Forgive

"Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?"

Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Check out Matthew 18:21-35. Jesus' response is a resounding, "Until they get it right!" He goes on to give a parable about a servant who has to pay up, but is forgiven his debt. In return, that servant goes and demands the minuscule debt that is owed him, forgetting the forgiveness that he just received. In stark contrast to Jesus' first statement, He gives a parable that is the exact opposite of what He is telling His disciples to do. It's as if He is saying, let me show you what to do, by describing what NOT to do.

In reality, many of us have trouble with knowing what to do, because we are too focused on what not to do. We can't seem to get past that part - why should I forgive my brother or sister, when they did this to me? I think Jesus' was saying, "Because you hate it when that is done to you."

We each have things that are a little harder to deal with than others. For some, it is love, while others it is faith. Yet, there are others that have trouble with letting things go. They seem to cling to the offense, because when the anger and the pain are strong enough, it blocks out the hurt. Stop trying to receive emotional fulfillment in negative feelings. They're not healthy, nor are they right. They won't keep you in right standing with God.

In the opposite light, let love enshroud your life. Let it cover every single thought, action, and part of your presence. Imagine that love covers you like a cloak, not keeping the world from seeing you, but to keep you warm and protected from the evil that you will face throughout the day. If love is your light, and Christ is your guide, then forgiveness is no longer a "have to" situation, but rather an outpouring of your regular character.

This week, look for your people to forgive. Some of them may be friends, and others may be annoying; but, all deserve it. Make Christ's redemption your glory!

God's blessings on your life this week,

Bryan

http://thebtaylor.blogspot.com

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By Faith - 8/15/11

Romans 10:17 - "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."

I wonder what we're listening to. Or even whom we're listening to. Is the word about Christ dwelling deeply in our lives?

I had a wonderful opportunity to talk about the Bible this week with a number of different people, because I threw out the question, "What have you always wanted to know about the Bible?" The response was overwhelming; and, I found myself continually trying to convince people that the Bible is correct, and that dinosaurs existed during the time of man, etc. After awhile, I was no longer attempting to show the Word of God, but rather trying to prove how smart I was through my biblical knowledge. Fail.

On Thursday, I had lunch with a friend that I haven't talked to in a very long time. We went to tacos (not surprising, if you know me) and while there we discussed some of the hard questions that had been raised. His response was very simple. "Don't get so caught up in trying to explain everything that you take faith out of the discussion." Truth.

The word about Christ had ceased to be the message I was spreading.

We are already familiar with the idea that we must have faith in Jesus in order to receive salvation, but are we continually listening to the message about Christ? Because, without the message of Christ girding our understanding of faith, we lose. This week, you will be tempted to follow other passions, other ideas, or logical conclusions that may not necessarily be wrong; however, if they do not fortify your faith in Christ, ignore them. Abraham had faith and followed God to a new land. In the same manner, ignore the other pastures that may seem "good enough" and follow God into the new land that is prepared for you and your family.

God's blessings on your life this week,

Bryan

http://thebtaylor.blogspot.com

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The Legacy Path, by Brian Haynes

If you're looking for a good read on biblical parenting and leaving a legacy for your children, check out Brian Haynes' new book! The Legacy Path: Discover Intentional Spiritual Parenting is a book that every parent, pastor, and youth worker should have in their library. You can find it on sale at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Path-Intentional-Spiritual-Parenting/dp/0892656344/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Haynes has an easy way of communicating God's plan for parenthood. The Legacy Path is intentionally grounded in scripture as a way of pointing each of our parenting decisions back to the Bible. Not only are we responsible for leaving our children with a godly legacy, but also we are to look to God's example outlined, very clearly, in the Bible.

Haynes is well-researched and writes in an easy-to-read format, so that anyone picking up the book can understand the message. By breaking down the major points of understanding into smaller concepts, the reader can quickly grasp the intentional guidelines that God has outlined for parents.

I would recommend this book for any parent, pastor, or youth worker! It has very practical ways for understanding the roles and responsibilities of parents. If we were to look at God's example of parenting, we would very simply see that our way of parenting should be similar. But, not only does this give parents an understanding of their task, it also gives pastors and youth workers clarity on role distinction.

Often, pastors and youth workers feel as if they have to parent the teens and children that walk through the church doors. Not so! Instead, they are responsible for teaching the parents of those children to parent well. As a youth worker, myself, I've come to realize that I cannot parent every teen that walks into my room; however, I can work with the parents of my teens, to frame their parenting abilities after God's original plan. Since I have no children of my own, I found Haynes' book extremely useful and insightful for teen ministry.

If you can, share the word about The Legacy Path, please do so! We need more parents that are willing to take a stand for biblical parenting principles!

On Love - 8/8/11

"What is love, baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me no more."

Man, isn't that just how it is? We're afraid to love, because we're afraid of getting hurt?

Consider John 13 with me. This is the time when Jesus having the Last Supper with His disciples. They've spent three years together, ministering to each other, Jesus, and the people; and, now they're approaching the time for the final meal. At this point, I'm sure the disciples weren't fully aware that Jesus would be leaving them, although He had mentioned it repeatedly throughout His ministry. They were probably just reclining and enjoying the celebratory meal of the Passover, while excitedly awaiting the Passover Festival.

Before Jesus begins to break the action, John describes His attitude by saying, "Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end." An accurate description of His lifestyle, this seems to embody all that Christ was about: love. To put actions to words, Jesus stands up and begins to wash His disciples' feet. And, if that's not enough, He continues to eat with the disciple that will betray Him, giving no further thought to regret, emotion, or retribution. How is it that this man, called Jesus, can do the unthinkable and love the person that is about to betray Him??

Finally, He leaves His disciples with one last command: Love one another. He said, "And I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

It seems that we are only willing to love others when they are lovable. Going back to the lyrics to the song above, we're seemingly not able to love people after we've been hurt by them. I think Jesus was saying, "Love anyway. I don't really care if you've been hurt, just do what you know that you're supposed to do." To me, that's powerful.

This week, you will have many opportunities to love others. Some will be dear to you, while others will want nothing to do with you. Love them anyway. Love the ones that are close to you, because Jesus first loved them. Love those that hate you, because Jesus first loved them. Love without fear of getting hurt. Love without fear of retaliation. Just love.

God's blessings on your life this week,

Bryan

http://thebtaylor.blogspot.com

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In the Middle of the Pool

I'm sure some of you are fans of swimming. For sure there have been moments of pure bliss for me in the pool, and then other moments that have taken my breath away...literally. Have you ever considered swimming laps, but then partway through one of your laps, you can't seem to make it all the way across. It doesn't matter if the pool is six feet deep or ten, if you can't make it across, you begin to panic and wonder if you will drown. For most of us the pool is short enough that we never have that issue. In fact, we can almost make it across in one push-off from the ledge.

I want you to imagine, however, that you are in an Olympic-sized pool. And, it makes waves.

On one side of the pool is the ledge marked "Traditions and Values". On the other side of the pool is the ledge marked "Forgiveness and Grace". The life of a Christian consists of us treading water in the middle of the pool, perfectly balanced between the two ledges.

Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). We recognize that it is only by His forgiveness and grace that we are allowed to enter into the presence of God. There is no other way around it. If we have not personally claimed Him as our Savior and devoted our lives to Him, then He will not claim us on the Day of Judgement. In many ways, this seems to mark the attitude of Christians, by saying, "There's nothing that I can ever do without God's forgiveness through Jesus," as an excuse for the way that they live their lives.

However, James says that "religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (1:27). There is another camp that says, I am following God through my religious fervor. I prove to God, through my everyday actions, that I am His follower; and yet, their lives seem to be filled with a lot of them and a little God.

There is an unseen, but strongly felt, tension that exists within the heart of every Christian and that is this: I balance out my faith in God's salvation through living according to His Word. We know that balance must exist by treading water in the middle of the pool, but when we get tired, or when the water seems a bit higher than usual, or the waves just start to creep in enough to splash us in the face, we think about swimming back to the ledge. It doesn't really matter which ledge, because either is the mark of shallow living; but, swim to it we do.

Wars have been fought over religious differences. Souls have been lost over the idea of religion. We have this idea that our religious believes and ideology will save us. Even today, there is an ever-growing thought that there are many ways to God, and if you truly believe that your way is correct, you will be saved. Unfortunately, that is the farthest thing from the truth and it will damn all who believe it.

There is also a new movement that says, "Relationship, NOT Religion". I'm not inclined to disagree with them, but it still only hits part of the mark for which we should strive. For, in essence, our relationship with God is reaffirmed by the religion that He has set up for us. We first acquire a relationship with God and then put into practice the commands and mandates that He has given us. The relationship is equally important with the practice, but we've had a hard time understanding that. In fact, we've spent so much time arguing about it that we are willing to give up one to save the other. We are willing to forsake one ledge and cling to the familiar. Both are necessary and both are required.

If you're going to live your life as a true Christ-follower, then you must understand that God is your only source of strength in the middle of the pool. Rather than freaking out over the waves or fatigue, find your energy and comfort in the One that will sustain you. Don't go back to your old habit of short-sided and opinionated dialogue about how "good" you are, but rather recognize that He will provide for your every need as you obey His commands and remain unpolluted by the world.

Then the middle of the pool won't seem so scary.

My Pet Dinosaurs

Have you ever considered having your own pet dinosaur? That fascination normally goes away at or around the age of 7. Mine, however, did not.

I want a dinosaur. In fact, I would like a number of them.

One would be for transportation. I mean, how cool would it be to have a lizard give you a ride to work? You can't expect to go anywhere in life without a dinosaur to take you there. I'm envisioning this dinosaur being big enough to wear a saddle, but not so big that I need a rope ladder to get up. For my transportation dino, he'd have to make it across Fresno at a decent gait, so I'll probably use a triceratops.

Then I'd like one for a pet. I have a pretty cool dog, but who wouldn't want a dinosaur as well?? This one would have to be small enough to snuggle on the couch, but still able to tear apart any midnight intruders. To stay on the smaller end, I'd like a lesothosaurus.

Lastly, there's always a need for constant home security. I recently had my license plates stolen from my car while it was in the driveway; however, if I had better home security, that wouldn't have happened. I'll need something quick and able charge the enemy without a moment's hesitation, which made me think of the raptor. However, I'm looking for an all-around good pick, and the raptor, while vicious, might take MY head off too. I'm going to diverge from the family and pick a dragon. I'd have to modify my garage to make a home for him, but I think it's worth it when all of the benefits are considered.

A dragon will provide instant heat for BBQ or smores. It could also give me that home security that I've desired for awhile now. But, most importantly, when I'm tired of riding the triceratops to work, I can fly in and make a grand entrance on my dragon. All around, a good pick, I think.

So there you have it. When I am finally able to afford my new pets, I'll post pictures.