Happy Independence Day

[Judy Harder]

Narrow and Healthy

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6

A friend of mine once wrote a children's book about heaven.  When checking out the reviews of his book, he came across a reviewer who said she was attracted by the book's title and artwork.  Then she noted how her excitement was replaced by dismay when the author claimed the only way to heaven was through Jesus Christ. The reviewer was deeply offended by what she called the book's "obvious bias against non-Christians."

We live in times where tolerance and diversity are the buzz words—particularly in the world of religion.  How could any faith be called "healthy" that claimed only one way to God?

But have you listened to the advocates of this thought?  Their message is that the way to salvation is through our moral virtue.  "Be good, do good, and it'll all work out."

My problem with that is this:  I'm not that good a person—certainly not good enough to stand before God on the basis of my own feeble virtue.  What about you?

As unpopular as it might be, the truth is, we are all sinners.  But thankfully God made a way for us to come to Him and not be seen as such—through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. Maybe it's narrow—but it's true!

"Jesus came to raise the dead.  He did not come to teach the teachable.  He did not come to improve the improvable; He did not come to reform the reformable. None of those things works." - Robert Farrerr Capon (1925-    )

[Judy Harder]

The "Nubbies"

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.                                                                                - Romans 5:1

A psychologist friend recently told me about Cliff—a client he described as "a believer after God's own heart."

After years of service to The Lord, Cliff's wife developed aggressive cancer. Many people joined Cliff in prayer for his wife, but she declined rapidly and died. Through it all, Cliff didn't break his determined gaze upon Christ.  Instead of allowing the tragedy to shake his faith, he allowed his experience of pain, suffering, confusion, and grief to push him deeper into the arms of the living God.

Cliff knew two things, and held to them tenaciously. The first was that God was good. He didn't understand the circumstances surrounding his wife's sickness, or why she had to suffer and die. But he knew a reason resided with God, and that he would come to understand in the light of eternity. The second thing Cliff held to was his certainty that God loved him—in spite of everything, no matter what, and through it all.

When you're in severe pain or distress, life becomes pretty simple. You're in survival mode, and you have neither the heart nor the strength to spread your emotional energy around.  As Chuck Swindoll might say, "Life gets boiled down to the nubbies."

When pain or distress boils your life down to the "nubbies," do what Cliff did. Keep it simple. Grab hold of what you know is true about the living God, and hold on like a pit bull.

"The nearer the dawn the darker the night." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882

[Judy Harder]

Habits That Strangle

I'm Steve Arterburn with a New Life moment.

A strange species of vine known as the matador grows in South America. Roughly translated, the Spanish word matador means "killer." This plant has certainly earned its name. The matador begins its life growing at the foot of a tree. At first, it looks like a harmless little plant. But as it grows, the matador relentlessly winds its way around the tree, makes its way to the top, and slowly strangles the tree. When the matador reaches the tree's top, it bursts forth in flower—as if celebrating its kill and crowning itself victor.

Many habits in our lives are like the matador. They seem harmless at first and grow slowly. But left unchecked, they're dangerous.

Is there a matador-like habit winding its way around your life right now?

[Judy Harder]

Work Ethic

Are you feeling worn out? An editor of the Atlantic Monthly once told the story of a Harvard University freshman who was late handing in an assignment. He came to his professor's office to explain.

"I'm sorry, sir," he said, "but I wasn't feeling well."

The Dean replied, "Young man, please bear in mind that by far the greater part of the world's work is carried on by people who are not feeling very well."

Isn't that the truth? Children are raised because parents are willing to exert enormous amounts of energy. Companies are built because people are willing to work hard. And communities are forged through long hours and persistent dedication.

[Judy Harder]

Out Of Control In America

I'm Steve Arterburn with a New Life moment.

Do you think life in America is out of control?

Economists have repeatedly warned that Americans have become addicted to spending and crushed by debt trying to attain lifestyles beyond their means. Doctors and nutritionists speak regularly of the rising obesity rate and the danger it represents. Educators, pastors, and child professional have long testified that generations of over-indulged American kids are growing up seriously lacking in discipline, direction, and conviction.

The common denominator here is excess. It's become an American way of life, and to be brutally honest, it's destroying us.

I don't think the question can any longer be: do we know? We must ask ourselves an even tougher question: do we care?

If you're struggling with excess, or trying to help a loved one who is, you're certainly not alone. I care and I'd like to help you.

[Judy Harder]

Overcoming Criticism

I'm Steve Arterburn with a New Life Moment.

Who amongst us enjoys criticism? I know I don't! In fact, even when criticism is constructive, it's usually about as welcomed as an IRS audit.

But there's something even worse than criticism: and that's critical people. We all know someone like this. You know who I'm talking about—that person who meets every plan with some version of "That's impossible!" It's that person who challenges your enthusiasm or conviction to tackle a big project with a smirk or a head-wag.

But remember: nearly every advance, discovery, or act of courage is precipitated by criticism. There's really only one sure way to avoid it: by doing nothing. And what kind of choice is that—especially for people of faith. If you expect to be praised you must be willing to be criticized.

[Judy Harder]

Praying For Kids

I'm Steve Arterburn with a New Life Moment.

Being a responsible, faithful, and spiritually wise adult isn't easy.. But here's something we often overlook: it's not easy being a kid either. Sure, the issues kids face are proportionate to their age. But let's not fail to give them their proper due. Children's issues appear every bit as daunting to them as ours do to us.

The kids that God has put in our lives—whether they're children, grandchildren, extended family, neighbors, or students—need every bit of wisdom and guidance we can offer. But wisdom and guidance never stand alone. Our efforts to bring these to the children in our lives must be soaked in prayer. That's when our wisdom and guidance will become more than practical, but powerful; because it is from the Holy Spirit.

[Judy Harder]

Raising Kids

I'm Steve Arterburn with a New Life Moment.

Looking for an alternative approach to adult education? Try raising kids! You'll learn important like this:

·         A king size waterbed contains enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house about 4 inches deep.

·         When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh," it's already too late.

·         A ceiling fan isn't strong enough to rotate a 42-pound-boy clad in Batman underwear and Superman cape hanging by a dog leash. It is able, however, to spin a paint can quickly enough to splash paint on all four walls of a room.

·         Super glue is forever.

·         VCR's don't eject "Peanut butter and jelly" sandwiches, and.

·         Garbage bags don't make good parachutes.

If you're a parent, or have kids in your life, enjoy the daily adventures, even if it means time and energy you didn't budget for the moment.

[Judy Harder]

A Good Name

A good name is more desirable than great riches; To be esteemed is better than silver or gold. - Proverbs 22:1

How important is your name? Sports columnist Skip Bayless reported this interesting story:

Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, offered sports-talk host David Kaplan $50,000 to have his name legally changed to "Dallas Maverick."  When Kaplan declined, Cuban responded by offering to pay Kaplan $100,000 and donate $100,000 to Kaplan's favorite charity if he took the name for one year.

Kaplan did some soul searching, but held firm. "I'd be saying I'd do anything for money," he explained, "and that bothers me. My name is my birthright. I'd like to preserve my integrity and credibility."

Building a reputation of integrity and reliability happens by establishing a consistent track record of sound decisions and hard work. And no amount of money or fleeting temptation is worth its undoing.

"There is no such thing as a minor lapse of integrity." - Tom Peters (1942 -      )

[Judy Harder]

Broken Dreams

"We both had dreams," they answered, "but there is no one to interpret them." Then Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams." - Genesis 40:8

Do you have dreams that never came true?

• Maybe you were you told you had great talent—that you should go for it and make it to the top.
• Was your dream to be a star of stage or screen?
• Maybe your dream was to live a peaceful life teaching at a university with the security of tenure, writing a few bestsellers.
• Maybe you believed that you'd grow up, easily discover the person God chose for you, marry that person, make a lot of money, have great kids who were never a problem, and continue to live happily ever after?

Think about your great dreams that haven't come true—we all have some. Yet our broken dreams are by no means the end of the story, because they hold important lessons within them.

If you have faith in Christ, your final destination is secure. Our life here on earth is a character-building journey full of opportunities—to dream, to connect, and to love one another, and when there is brokenness, to adjust your dream, to re-connect, and to continue loving one another.

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved." - Helen Keller (1880-1968)