Just A Little Bit Of Hope

Can I ?

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 22:46:00 +0000

On my way home from work today I was listening to a local Christian radio station here in Chattanooga, J103, interview a very talented girl that appeared on the show American Idol a while back. Mandisa, appeared on the show during it's fifth season, making it to the final ten contestants. I'm not much of an American Idol fan, but I do remember Mandisa because she had an encounter with Simon Cowell over some comments he had made about her weight. These comments really hurt the singer, yet Mandisa, on national television, looked Simon in the eyes and expressed her forgiveness to him because of her faith in Jesus Christ. I wonder if I, or you, as a believer would ever do that, especially knowing that millions of others would be able to see it. I find we might not even be so bold to speak up for what Christ has done in our lives and extend our forgiveness to friends who have hurt our feelings, let alone someone whom we don't even know.

So it got me thinking about something. I've always been a natural pessimist, yet I've always wanted to be an optimist. However, when it comes to speaking with others or helping others, being an optimist has always come easy. But when I relate to myself or think about my circumstances, I'm just a pessimist. Plain and simple. So naturally, I look at most things in life with an attitude of "I can't" and come up with a million reasons of why it is not possible. But the Bible teaches us something very different. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me." It teaches us that "God can". So the key is not what we might naturally think or feel, but rather our focus on who can. When we wake up and focus on what we can't do, we get no help in accomplishing anything. But if we begin to shift our focus to God who can, then and only then, will we begin to experience something completely greater in our lives.

I've talked many times on this blog about the abundant life God promises believers in John 10:10. It's very true that God's desire for us is to experience something much greater than the hustle and bustle of this earthly life. But, without our focus being changed, it honestly might never happen. So tomorrow, we have a choice, when we get up out of bed and get ready for work, the question will propose itself once again and repeat itself for the rest of our lives ... I Can't or He Can?

What will you choose tomorrow?

Let Freedom Reign

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 03:47:00 +0000

Today was going to be just another Monday. I woke up and jumped in the shower, as I do everyday, and prepared to go to work. But I just couldn't make myself drive the 30 miles down to Dalton to an empty office where I knew all I would think about all day was spending time with the family on Christmas Eve. Yes, I don't get paid if I don't work, but I just didn't care today.

So we decided to take a long walk along a creek that we go to every once in a while. On one end of the trail is a veterans memorial with memorials to each branch of the military. As we walked through it I found myself starring at this one particular sign as we walked on by. It said, "Let Freedom Reign". It's very fitting in honour of the men and women who have given their lives for our great country. Freedom is what we've bled for over many years to give this land and it's people the opportunities to live the lives that we all are living today. And that makes me thankful.

These words ring in my head as I look forward to Christmas tomorrow. It's mainly because I can't help but think about the gift that has been given to each of us from God centuries ago in the little town of Bethlehem. Yes, as usual, I've heard the Christmas story several times during our church services, but the story is just the beginning of the greater gift that God has given. The words, "Let Freedom Reign", just sings in my mind of what Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection are all about to those who say yes to him and accept him in faith. Freedom to face life, freedom from our worries, freedom from our burdens, and freedom in our hearts.

So maybe this Christmas, instead of focusing on a little baby, born in a little town, in a little stable, and placed in a little manager, why not focus on the end result...the free gift of freedom from our sins and a relationship with the God who loves us enough to give us the greatest gift we could ever receive, His Son Jesus. This Christmas, let's "Let Freedom Reign"!

God Answers A Child's Needs

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:02:00 +0000

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith, and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, "When a Pet Dies." Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recongnized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank you mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am wherever there is love.
Love, God

Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:39:00 +0000

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Pilippians 4:6-7

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, my thoughts are drawn towards this particular verse in Philippians. It's a great reminder to stop and ponder on the many wonderful things that are in my life. Things like an amazing wife, a wonderful son, a good job, supporting parents and a God who totally meets our every need. There's just so much to be thankful for and it probably shouldn't take a holiday once a year for us to ponder over these things and talk about them over Thanksgiving dinner.

So today, we think about the positive in true thanksgiving to a God who supplies our every need. Oh, and thank goodness for pumpkin pie!

TP4

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 02:09:00 +0000

Is this only the 4th one? Man, I have got to get in gear on these...

Verse 4: Joshua 1.

Have you ever faced a situation where you know what you need to do, it's clear as mud, yet you find yourself starring at the inevitable stalling to take the first step because you just don't know what the outcome will be? I think many of us face these things many times in our lives. They could be small things or they could be rather large things. From making decisions that will affect the entire family, to picking up the phone to call a friend who you know is in need. Either way, we all face what I have recently come to realize as "Jordan Moments".

The Israelites found themselves at a similar point right before they crossed over into the promised land in the book of Joshua. Faced with the promise of receiving a "land flowing with milk and honey", their leader Joshua, receives another promise from God to help along the way. Verses 1:5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you, 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go, and 1:18 Only be strong and courageous.

The Israelites had a choice. They didn't have to enter the promised land. They didn't have to cross the Jordan to get what God wanted to give them. They could have stayed East of the Jordan and lived out the rest of their years in fine fashion I would imagine. But they did. Through the encouragement given to Joshua, God's people made the choice to receive a place to call home which awaited them for many years.

How often in our own lives do we face our own "Jordan moments"? And what has been your response? Did you cross? Did you stay put? What was the outcome? Most of us have no idea what is across our own Jordans. We think about these moments every day wondering what life would be like if I had only done this, or only done that. Yet we continually find ourselves faced with a new Jordan where we must make a decision to cross or simply stay put. If your faced with a difficult decision you must make today, remember, you don't cross it alone. God speaks to you saying, I'm here with you, and by your side I will stay. Now can you cross?

99 Balloons

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:43:00 +0000

6 minutes well spent - 99 Balloons

TP3

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:44:00 +0000

Ok, it's taken me a while to go through the 7 verses that I promised a couple of weeks back, but I've been taking some time to think through them before I sit down and write about them. This verse has probably one of the greatest impacts on my daily life that I have yet to attain perfect understanding, yet it sits at the forefront of my conscienceness in hopes that I will pass it's test.

Verse 3: Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? Isaiah 2:22.

I had a conversation today with another individual who said, "I see no point in religion." I've heard this many times in my short life and it doesn't fail how my heart sinks each time I hear it. It doesn't get old and I haven't grown callous to hearing it like I have with some other things. It's also not something that a short conversation will cure. While in many ways, I see and agree that there is no point in religion, it's really not religion that most people are talking about I think. It's HOPE. I envision people really saying, "I see no point in having any hope in this world." This is where my heart really starts to hurt because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt a person who says this is reacting to a religious person who has hurt them.

When we get hurt, we stop living with any hope. It never fails to happen this way. If you are a believer, these experiences can become a challenge to living a greater life for Christ. It affects your personal fulfillment, your outlook on the church, your desire to help others and your priorities in general. But why does this happen? Please understand this point: WHEN WE PUT OUR TRUST IN MAN, WE WILL BE DISAPPOINTED. Yes, everyone you know will disappoint you. Your neighbor, co-worker, parents, friends, best-friends, and even your pastor. Yep, even your pastor. So what I'm saying now, please write it down in your memory banks, because everyone you know will eventually disappoint you. And you will eventually disappoint someone else. There's no stopping it, no running away from it, no evading it. It will happen! I could go on and on about this, but I think my point is very clear.

So what must we do? First, we must understand that God knows people will hurt us. This is why He gives us the priority to trust in Him. It's when we trust in Him alone that we are able to deal with the hurt and disappointment we will face in this world. It's not if, but when. Isaiah even says that man is but a finite creation having no ability to be trusted in the first place. Secondly, COMPASSION and GRACE go much further in our own lives when we use it to extend to others who have hurt us. These are tools available through the promises God has given each of us who believe in Him. And finally, when we continue to seek God first, we experience a supernatural freedom that only comes from Him who stills our burdened hearts. If we can just let go and let Him free us from these burdens, we can truly experience a greater life, an abundant life that John 10:10 talks about.

But we must trust in God first, and be ready and mindful of the simple reality that we will be hurt by our fellow man. Right or wrong, we have to choose to respond out of faithfulness to Him, rather than vain or selfish defensiveness that only turns us away from living a greater life of faith.

I've been hurt several times by people whom I thought would know better about how to treat people. I've also been disillusioned by just watching how people treat each other even within the church without being directly involved. Do I expect more? Sure, I expect more compassion and grace from those who have accepted it as part of their faith. But I have to be honest, none of us ever live by these things all of the time. The end result is, it directly affects others and ourselves, whether we are an innocent bystander, the hurter or hurtee. So I must be ready to extend forgiveness to those whom I would want forgiveness from. I will never be perfect, just as those whom I come into contact with will never be perfect. So I must take my trust out of their abilities and transfer to once and for all to Him who is worthy of my complete trust. For in Christ, I've placed my hope and my salvation.

Oh God, please forgive us for our selfishness. Please forgive us for our lack of faith in you. Please forgive us for our own deceitful ambition to be right in our own hearts and minds rather than right in your eyes. And please help us to trust in you alone so we may be free from the possibility of losing hope in this world, and turning our back on making a difference in the lives of those who need that hope. Amen.

TP2

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:32:00 +0000

Verse 2: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11

Have you ever looked at your life and just said, "This is such a rat race?" I find myself doing this often. It's not so much that life is busy or that I am doing the wrong things, it just merely an expression of how I feel a lot of the times when my priorities seem to get out of whack. The "rat race" produces nothing of any significance other than to pay the bills and buy fancy toys, or nothing that has any value to making me a better person. Words like significance and purpose have a far greater depth to them when thinking about what we want for our lives. It's almost something that we can feel deep down in our gut. These words fill our very being and make us connect with a greater reality that I think God designed for us to realize in the first place. Yet, we all find ourselves moving back and forth from the race to have a "good life" verses a fulfilling life. They are very different.

So the question that hits me is, "Does God really impact our daily life?" We obviously live in a world where we have to work to have a roof over our head, drive a car, pay for gas, eat at our favorite restaurant, and on and on. So technically, we must be in the "rat race". But can we move beyond the daily living of going through the motions of sleep, eat, work, eat, work, eat, sleep? The Bible answers this question with a resounding YES! We do have purpose and we can experience life in a greater way than just merely going through the motions on a daily basis.

The passage in Philippians show us a very simple picture of the mind of Christ which we are to imitate.

1) We are not God.
2) We are to serve others.
3) We are to be obedient to His commands.
4) We are to point to Him and not ourselves.
5) We are to bring glory to God.

If Jesus' purpose was to bring glory to God, and we are to be Christ-like, then our purpose is to bring glory to God through our lives. I think we lose this very simple reality of our own creation in our daily life. We are not here for ourselves or to be successful for our own glory. We are put here to point to God's glory so that all men may know and confess the truth of our salvation.

Tagged Part 1 too

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 15:05:00 +0000

I came across this devotional that I thought was very fitting to my last post. Enjoy....

During a picnic on a scorching day at a Wisconsin lake, Ole’s fiancée Bess said how much she would enjoy some ice cream. So the young Norwegian immigrant gladly made a 5-mile round-trip by rowboat to bring it to her. When he returned exhausted with a container of melted ice cream, Ole told himself there must be a better way. He put his mechanical mind to work, and a year later in 1907, Ole Evinrude field-tested his lightweight, detachable motor for small boats. He married Bess, and when the outboard motors went into commercial production, she wrote the advertising slogan: “Don’t Row! Throw the Oars Away!”

Ole Evinrude was not a lazy man, but he understood the limits of human power. Each day we employ machinery to accomplish the tasks of life. But we often stubbornly rely on ourselves when we’re trying to serve God. In Ephesians 3, the apostle Paul wrote of a better way: “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” (v.16). Instead of self-effort, Paul urged believers to find strength in “Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (v.20).

Don’t row! Receive and use God’s power. —David C. McCasland

Tagged Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 23:59:00 +0000

So Kyle tagged myself and several friends with a challenge the other day. What are seven verses worth dying for? I'm not sure I can list just seven, but I think what I might do instead is share seven verses that have challenged my walk and gotten me through some tough times and my thoughts concerning them. Maybe this isn't exactly what Kyle had in mind, but the way I see it, anyone can list seven verses, let's take it a step further and apply them to our lives. Maybe this should be Kyle's new tag you're it again. :)

Verse 1 - "Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10. This is a great devotional. In a nutshell, the devotional's simple message is not about being still, but rather being weak. It's the antithesis of what we are all striving for in our walks with God. If I am strong in myself, then do I need God? I think we would all like to say yes, but deep down each one of us know that God can never be in control if we are instead. I don't know about you, but as I've written before, I like to be in control. I like to make the decisions, and I like to run the show. The unfortunate result that I experience over and over in my life is the simple fact that God gets the passenger seat instead of the driver's. What would my life be like if I relinquished the wheel to God and became "weak", "still", etc? I would like to say, it would be so much better and so much more fulfilling.

For a long time I've always thought about this verse and thought about giving a sermon on it. It wouldn't have to be long, but I see it as very impactful. If I ever have a chance, this is how I envision it. When it was time to speak, I would find a place to sit where the congregation couldn't see me and watch for about 10 minutes or so (if I could stand watching that long that is). At this time I envision not only the other ministers freaking out, but also most of the congregation as well. Maybe I would tell a couple people what was going to happen, and maybe I wouldn't, I don't know. Can you see it? Can you see yourself sitting there wondering what in the world is going on? Where is the preacher? Should I get up and leave? Do I turn to my pew mate and ask them what's going on? What is happening? I can only imagine the questions running through people's minds. I'll let you comment on how you think you would react.

Of course, this is all going as planned according to how I see it in my head. All I can say is organized chaos is happening inside each member of the congregation and staff during this time of silence. Then, in order to not get thrown out of the church and allowing this chaos to continue, I would calmly get up and recite this verse as I made my way to the podium. Can you hear it? God's speaking to you asking you "Can you be still? Can you know that I am God?. Can you take the few precious moments of silence that you've probably had all week and use it intead of wasting it? Maybe we are afraid to be still for we will find something we don't like, or find out that we aren't who we say we are. This is the mirror that gets put in our face when we sit before the throne of God. But God desires for us to know Him, and desires for us to be free from the very vices that hold us from not taking time to spend with Him in silence." Impactful?...I think it would be. I think it might even be life altering for some. I think it would either change how we approached God or it might just run some people away. Either way, I think God has a lesson in these thoughts.

I don't think we are even still in church. Can you imagine how little people would actually take those precious ten minutes of silence and truly face God? Many of us put on the facade to be someone on Sunday or Wednesday, when in fact we are someone completely different on the other days. I can only imagine what the reaction would be if I actually did something like that, but I think the lesson would be more than worth it. Let he who has ears let him hear...."Be still and know that I am God". Or shall I say, "Be weak so God can be strong".

Your thoughts?

Kristi's new blog

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:11:00 +0000

Kristi started a blog. Click here to view it.

The same 1000 miles away

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:48:00 +0000

So here we are 1000 miles away from Dallas living in Chattanooga. It's beautiful here. Lots of trees, hills and mini-mountains (compared to the Rockies that is). It's everything we thought it would be. The weather is awesome too. Yes, it's hot during the day, but from this Texan's viewpoint, hot is a relative term that the locals here just don't quite understand. It's cool in the mornings and cools off in the evenings making a perfect setting for those nightly walks in the park. Even this past Saturday, we spent time eating lunch in the park down by the river. Two weeks ago I don't think I would have considered spending my lunch hour eating outside in the heat oven of Dallas. Then again, I probably wouldn't have wanted to sit beside the Trinity River (or should I say Trinity Creek as opposed to the Tennessee River) either.

On Sunday we went to a local church for worship. It was much different than what Kristi and I have been used too. Over the past several years, we have found a great place of worship in our lives at two local churches. Now, we find ourselves in a very different place and are not sure if we will find exactly the same fit. While the church we visited was great, but different from what we were used to, we felt very welcome and enjoyed our visit. Yet, despite the differences, God is still the same. Yes, we may choose to worship in different ways, and yes we may even live out our faith in different ways, but the one constant in all of it is God. He never changes whether we are singing a song from the hymnal, or belting out a praise chorus. God is the same in Dallas as He is in Chattanooga. I love that. And I love the fact that His purposes for our lives are the same no matter where we are. He is the central piece of the puzzle, He is the object of our focus, and He is deserving of our highest gift back to Him...our everything.

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Ahhhh

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 01:35:00 +0000

We made it. We now live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. What an adventure the last several weeks have been. I'm sure the next several weeks will be even more fun as we get adjusted to our new surroundings.

Today, we showed my parents around town. We went downtown and walked along the river, took Nathan to the carousel, ate ice cream at a local joint, and went to a movie. A good day. I wish I took some pictures. The river is incredible and the parks along it are great.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and help during this time in our lives. And of course, you always have a place to come too if you want to see trees, mountains and rivers. :)

Should we keep that?

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 20:22:00 +0000

So Kristi and I are moving in 3 days. Wow, that's really close. The last several weeks and days we have been packing and packing, or so it seems, only to ask ourselves the question, "should we keep that?" Isn't it funny how you accumulate things over the years? I know I've bought so many things that get put in a corner, drawer or some out-of-sight place only to come across it and decide, "you know I really didn't need that". I'm sure we all get caught up doing those things too.

With all the packing we have done, inevitably I have come across many things that never get used, or I just can't (or have decided not too) take with me. So what do you do with that stuff? Well, I made a run to the Christian resale shop down the road with a bunch of stuff this morning and it got me thinking about giving.

Since I accepted Christ at 18, I've heard many conversations about giving. Most of the time the topic always included two distinct topics. One was giving away, and the second was getting back. It never seems to fail how many of those conversations always began with helping someone else, giving to the church, etc, but always ended with God giving back ten-fold. That hit me this morning as I was delivering my lawn mower, weed-eater and blower to a friend's house after I dropped off the other stuff we needed to give away.

What hit me was, I don't care if I get anything back by helping someone else out. The best thing I have gotten by helping others through the years, is the great feeling of doing what I know to be right. That seems to be enough. I don't have to pray about it to see if it's right, I just know it's right and make it happen. Yes, I do believe God returns our generosity in many ways, but we should ask ourselves the question, "If I didn't get anything back for doing what you know is right, would I do it?" I would like to think most of us would, but then again, why do we always tag on what God will give us back when we talk about giving things away in the first place? Maybe it's because we live in such a material world, that we almost always feel obligated inside to justify our actions in a way so we know what we give up will come back. I guess this is a security blanket, and we must talk it out to make ourselves feel better.

My challenge to you is, is there something that you could be giving away or do for someone else that you know to be right but you haven't done it yet? If so, make it happen. Stop praying about whether you should or shouldn't and just do it. It is right and you know it.

Control Freak

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:30:00 +0000

Ok, I have to admit, I like to be in control. No, I love to be in control. When things need to get done or I have a lot of things to do, I hate waiting on getting things done. Let's do it now, do it right and get it over with. That's my motto.

But sometimes, life doesn't let you do it your way, or in your own time. I love my wife. She's so good at reminding me to focus on God and have faith. "God will work it out, Brent." That's what I've heard for a couple of weeks since we made the decision to move to Tennessee. And so far, she is right. Even though there are still things that haven't been finalized, most everything has worked out. So why shouldn't I believe the rest will too?

It's funny how God allows us to be in situations where we must trust Him. Even in a situation where He opens a door and you know you should walk through it, He still must be trusted. It's how we should live our lives. Not just how we should live a moment, or a temporary situation, but all of our lives. Worrying gives me a headache, it's draining, and I hate it. Lord, keep molding me.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:25-34).

Lining Up

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 02:36:00 +0000

Have you ever heard the statement, "Well, it looks like the stars are lining up?" That's the way my life feels right now. Things just seem to be lining up. Times like this don't really happen very often in our lives. I guess its because God's plan and timing take time to develop and things have to be worked out that we don't even know about. Other times it seems there are lessons that must be learned or hardships endured to become ready for God's movement. Either way, God's timing is perfect I've found. His movement never seems to be on our schedule, but it's never late either.

Some years ago I read a book called When God When. At this time I was faced with some deep longings for God to bring someone special in my life, yet nothing ever seemed to work out. I found myself crying out to God asking this very question of the book's title. When will you work in my life God? When will this happen or when will that happen? I think we all go through these things from time to time. The nice thing about living by faith is getting to look back and really see how God worked in our lives giving us the confidence that he is working now, whether we see it, feel it or know it. God is working to line things up.

So whenever you feel down or just plain blah about what is going on, remember, God is working behind the scenes. He is working, allowing you to become mature in Him, so the next step will be a great one by His standards.

Yep, things are lining up. We move in two weeks to a place I've only been once, yet everything that has happened over the last month, both good and bad, point the way to be followed. Ok God, I'm taking a step of faith. I trust you will be found faithful again.

Goodbye

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 03:17:00 +0000

I had the opportunity to share a tribute for Kristi's grandmother on Wednesday. Here is what I was able to share:

On behalf of the entire family, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your presence here today to celebrate the life of Winnie Stover. We would also like to thank Richland Hills Christian Church for your ministry over the many years that Dean and Winnie Stover called this church their home. To the widowed women’s group, we say thank you for your friendship and care as you watched over Winnie for all these many years. And to Marcy and Betsy, we thank you for taking care of your mother, our Grammy and Great-Grammy, during her final days.

To Grammy, today we say thank you one last time. Thank you for a warm bed and a place we could call a home away from home. Thank you for the hot meals and the many desserts. Thank you for the midnight conversations and just listening to our hopes and dreams. Thank you for always greeting us with open arms and an inviting smile. And most importantly, thank you for living a life of example to help us become better human beings.

We can only imagine and assume, but we know today Winnie Stover would want us to celebrate. She would want us to celebrate life. She would want us to celebrate each other. And she would want us to celebrate and take comfort in the very knowledge that she is home. She is finally reunited with the love of her life Dean Stover, and she finally sits before the throne of the Most High in praise, adoration and thanksgiving. And she would want us to know her life doesn’t end here today, but is just starting in eternity. For this reason Winnie tells us today do not fear death, celebrate life and enjoy the blessings each of us are given.

Her example of loving life, loving people and loving Jesus is her gift to us, and as a result each of us are left with a small piece of her generosity and kindness. However, all of us are given far more than a small piece of who she was. Today we receive another torch to carry, passed down by those who lived their lives in honor and service to God. For this reason we are given the opportunity to receive it and hold it high for all to see, unashamed of the message which God has for all us, and unashamed to follow in the footsteps of another passionate lady and Christian, by loving God with all your heart, soul mind and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself.

Grammy, we can only imagine how you are standing among the great cloud of witnesses today cheering each of us on to live a life worthy of the example of Jesus, and encouraging us to live life fully, giving until it hurts, and loving unconditionally. We will miss you, but we must take a hold of the faith given to each of us to make a difference in this world as you did yourself. May we all accept this challenge that you pass to us today.

All of our love, your grateful family.

Whirlwind

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:18:00 +0000

WHOOSH... That's the only way I can describe the last several weeks. Sometimes life moves faster than you want it to or faster than you thought it could. Is it God? Is it just circumstantial? Is it destiny? I've always believed that God was right in the middle of all of our lives, directing the very things that go on and using that which might not be directed. I don't know. I haven't figured out that essence of how God actually works, but I do know that I trust Him. I trust Him to direct me and help me make decisions. I trust Him that when things come into your life that are unexpected, good or bad, He always deserves our praise. I trust Him, when He only gives you a glimpse of the next step, you ought to take it and forget what the next step after that is. Easier said than done. And I trust the little voice inside that speaks clearer that most of us tend push down and not listen to, including me.

So the last several weeks have included complications with Kristi's pregnancy, the death of Kristi's grandmother, viewing, funeral, job interview and offer, and now contemplating whether moving halfway across the country to take a great job. It's what we've been waiting for, just happening way faster than what we would ever imagine. Maybe that's a good thing. Maybe God's fast pace sometimes causes us to stop thinking and start walking, not knowing what the next step is, but taking the first step first. He's gotten us this far right?

So the next step is making a quick trip to Northern Georgia, Southern Chattanooga, TN. Is it God? Only a quick trip will tell.

Radical Generosity

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:07:00 +0000

Cindy Kienow, who works at a popular restaurant in Hutchinson, Kansas, had been waiting on one of her steady customers for 3 years. He always tipped her well, sometimes leaving as much as half the tab. Then he outdid himself—he gave her a $10,000 tip for a $26 meal. He told her, “I want you to know this is not a joke.” What an amazing display of radical generosity!

Paul advised Timothy to encourage the wealthy in his congregation to display radical generosity (1 Tim. 6:18). Timothy ministered in the prosperous city of Ephesus, where certain members of the church were wealthy. Some of these people didn’t understand their responsibility to the kingdom of God. So Paul challenged Timothy to remind them that having great wealth carried great responsibility. That included being humble, finding their security in God, not in riches, and using their money to do good. How they handled their money revealed the condition of their heart.

Even if we’re not wealthy, God has called us to radical generosity. We can share what we do have and be rich in good deeds. If we have a generous attitude about money, we are much more likely to be generous in other matters concerning the Lord’s people and His work. — Marvin Williams

Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share. —1 Timothy 6:18

My new hobby

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 03:08:00 +0000

Thanks Kyle. Like I needed something else to do.

This is where I am as of this weekend.

This is what I have to look forward too.

Wrestling with God

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:58:00 +0000

Have you been walking on a surface that's uncertain
Have you helped yourself to everything that's empty
You can't live,
This way too long,
There's more than this,
More than this

Have you been standing on your own feet too long
Have you been looking for a place where you belong
You can rest,
You will find rest
You can rest,
You will find rest

Let this old life crumble,
Let it fade,
Let this new life offered be your saving grace,
Let this old life crumble let it fade,
Let it fade

Have you been holding on to what this world has offered
Have you been giving in to all these masquerades
It will be gone, forever gone
It will be gone
It will be gone

Let this old life crumble,
Let it fade,
Let this new life offered be your saving grace,
Let this old life crumble, let it fade,
Let it fade
Let it fade

Are you carrying the weight too much,
Are you running from the call
Let it fade

You can rest,
You will find rest
You can rest,
You will find rest

Let this old life crumble,
Let it fade,
Let this new life offered be your saving grace,
Let this old life crumble, let it fade,
Let it fade

Let this old life crumble,
Let it fade,
Have you been standing on your own feet too long
Have you been looking for a place where you belong

Who's the Boss

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 18:20:00 +0000

Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life has sold millions of copies and continues to be a national bestseller. Why? Because he dares to ask the obvious question that most of us dodge for most of our lives: Do you know why you’re alive?

Nobody who has ever lived was more certain about his purpose on earth than Jesus. He articulated it several times. Here is my favorite summary of His life, found in Mark 10:45 – “I came not to be served but to serve others.” That was a radical statement. It still is.

1st century Romans wanted to be in charge, not to help out. Nobody wanted to be a slave; everybody wanted to be a master.

21st century Americans still want to be in charge, not to help out. Nobody wants to be a slave; everybody wants to be a master. Servants are looked down upon.

Yet Jesus tells us that serving others is the best way to be like him. After washing the smelly feet of his disciples the night before his death – a job reserved for the lowliest of slaves – Jesus said, “Since I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15)

When the Apostle Paul wanted a quarreling church to get along, he told them to “serve one another in love.” And Simon Peter advised those in the church to “use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” Clearly God wants us to serve others in His name!

Being in charge is the world’s game plan for success in life. Helping others is Jesus’ game plan. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26) My hope is that every one of us becomes truly great in life … by serving others. What a radical idea. What a unique game plan. Only Jesus …

* courtesy of Preston Trail CC - Pastor Paul Basden

Becoming Victimless

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:35:00 +0000

The other day I blogged about our society's need to be a victim. It was not my intent to fully cover the subject, but rather to show that God's perspective seems to be different when it comes to our daily outlook on life. I think there are many things He desires us to change our perspective on. Many things that we feel are even fine in our lives. The Parable of the Vineyard Workers in Matthew 20:1-15 is one of those passages that help us better understand this whole idea of becoming victimless.

The parable is interesting because those who agreed to go to work in the vineyard early in the day were paid the same wage as those who went to work late in the day. Yes, the amount of labor was quite a bit different, yet the vineyard owner paid the agreed upon wage to each of the workers at the end of the day. Many of us understand God's message here that anyone who accepts God's Son as Lord and Saviour earns the right to eternal life. This happens whether it is early or late in our lives. But I think there is another lesson at work here. You see, those who worked longer hours during the day felt victimized by the owner. Yet, the owner paid them what they agreed too. I don't think for a second we Christians get upset when another individual comes into the knowledge of Christ, rather we rejoice. But for some reason, these workers didn't see it this way. This happens when we turn inward and get caught up with "what have you done for me lately" thinking. This is what happens when we choose to become victims of our circumstances.

This idea of jealousy is very in tune with self-victimization. It says, because I've done more, I am owed more, or because of what I've been through, I deserve more. It's almost like today's NFL football where one player agrees to a contract and goes out and performs. Then another player agrees to a bigger contract and the previous player throws a tantrum because he thinks his deal is now unjust. He wants more. And the ugly cycle repeats itself over and over.

But let's get a little more personal than that. I've experienced and seen many people get upset when family or friends don't respond to them for certain reasons. They set an expectation up to themselves that says, you know, I'm going through a hard time right now and someone should call me. Someone should send me a card. Someone should reach out to me. Or maybe we think our pastors should be in our living rooms every waking moment of the day filling us in with the latest details of what's going on. Of course we all feel this way, but the difference between becoming victimless and wallowing in self-pity is our ability to change our assumptions. Yes, we should reach out to others in times of need. But many times we expect more than what reality tends to give us. Many times, we choose to turn inward rather than turning outward.

My point is this. We must get to a point in our spiritual walk where we understand that we are owed nothing. If we do, we rid ourselves of the worldly pursuit of reward based ideology. And when this happens, we begin to live and serve people without need for worldly recognition and understand why we work to serve the Lord in the first place. This separates us from the world and enables us to accomplish more for the kingdom of God. But our hope and reward is in the very gift of eternal life itself. Isn't that enough? What do you think?

The Land of Entitlement

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:36:00 +0000

Our world is a very interesting place. It's a world that values victim's rights, and to be a victim we are owed something. We are owed money, compensation, justice, and payback for the transgressions made against us. And many of us take it a step further and say, we deserve it just because. Just because of what we grew up facing. Just because we never got a fair shot. Just because we were passed over. And on, and on.

Have you ever stopped and wondered how God sees our world? Does his perspective ever cause you to rethink many of these feelings of entitlement and retribution for the difficulties you have faced in your life. Maybe someone did something very bad to you as a child. Maybe as an adult. Whatever it may be, I know you desire justice to be done, and things to be made right.

But what if the feelings of being made whole are merely feelings of wanting to be important? Wanting someone to recognize and respond to the pain you face. I can't imagine that the deepest desires of our souls are more concerned about receiving a million dollars to make something right, but that's what many people are striving for today. You hear of so many big settlements and lawsuits resulting in big monetary rewards for the plaintiffs. But is that what they are really after? Is that what is really going to satisfy one's spirit?

The Bible makes clear what each man is due for his life. There's no talk about being a victim. No talk of what we are owed for the transgressions of what someone did to us. Only talk of what we must give to settle the debt of sin. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The only thing we are owed for life is death. That's harsh my friend. But, God provided a way to conquer what we are truly owed. He provided Christ to stand in our place so that we may received the opposite, eternal life.

You are not a victim! You are not entitled to anything this world has to offer. But God offers something greater than any lawsuit could ever provide and something that you don't have to leave behind when you leave this world....Eternity.

Philosophically Speaking

noreply@blogger.com (Brent Haldeman) — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 03:10:00 +0000

I've never had a moment in life where I've been confronted with a question like the one I encountered today. A question I can totally visualize popping up in a philosophy or ethics class. A question you could probably write a book about. A question that just makes you kind of shutter at. I've had to think and write about some interesting questions during my time in school, but to be honest, I've never been face to face with a philosophical question before.

Over the last couple of months, Kristi's grandmother (Grammy), has been going downhill physically. Two years ago she had a stroke and was never quite the same, but still managed to live on her own and live a normal life. Then a month ago that all changed. After experiencing a growing pain in her hip that was thought to be bone degeneration since December, she was taken to the hospital only to find out she had cancer which had caused a fracturing of her hip.

Two weeks ago, the doctors determined that treating the cancer just wasn't a viable option considering her age. Instead, she was given radiation treatments in hopes to control the pain rather than fix it all together. But this seemed to be unsuccessful as the pain has just been unbearable without any sign of improvement. Subsequently, she has deteriorated dramatically to a place where only managed drugs are constantly given so she doesn't feel anything.

Today, Kristi and I visited her in a hospice facility she was transferred to 2 days ago. She didn't know we where there. She didn't open her eyes. She hasn't eaten or drank anything in days. And she lays there waiting for her body to shut down to end this thing called life. So the question hit me like a ton of bricks. Is it ok to wish someone would die?

Never in a million years would I have ever thought about this question and found myself saying "YES" emphatically. Then again, I've never stood looking at a person on the cusp of not knowing whether I was watching them take their last breath. During this process, I've found myself consciously sensitive of the feelings of her immediate family not knowing what they might think or how they might react if I were the first one to say, "You know, she's better off if the Lord would just take her home."

But what I found was something totally different. Yes, we all are selfish and want to keep our loved ones as close to us for as long as possible. But, maybe, just maybe, in this situation and many like it, it is better to just grasp the reality that she is better off not suffering. Better off receiving the reward of heaven for a diligent life lived here on earth. Better off beginning eternity reunited with the love of her life Grampy whom she's direly missed for the last 8 years. Better off meeting and praising the Lord of Heaven and Earth. Better off with no pain, no drugs, no slurred speech, no life. It's sad, but we rejoice knowing that it's ok to let go. It's ok to say goodbye. It's ok to tell them they can go and be with the ones who have blazed the trail before them.

So, today we said goodbye, knowing that even as painful as it was, we would cross paths again in a much more glorious place than what we woke up to today. Today we say, goodbye Grammy. We love you. We've cherished all of the wonderful moments we've had together, and we eagerly look toward the moments we will spend together in eternity. Now it's time to go to Grampy and finally return home to the reward that has been waiting for many years. And most importantly, tell Jesus we said "hello". :)

Praise be to God for the gift of our salvation and the promise of eternal life to those who know him. Amen.