ChurchApplied

The Benefits of Pain

A number of years ago a story appeared in the news about a little girl who lived in Toledo, Ohio. She was like most little girls in every way except one. Her parents noticed when she was just a baby, that when she hurt herself she never cried. At first they didn't think much of it. They thought she had a high threshold for pain, or that she was just really brave. But as time went by they became concerned.

Girl fretting - Dreamstime Photos. All rights reserved.

Finally her mother took her to a doctor where it was discovered, after several examinations, that she had a rare disease of the nervous system that prevented her from feeling any pain. The doctors cautioned her parents that she could never be left alone, for she could severely injure herself and never feel the pain.

Even pain can be a gift from God for our protection and good. The Psalmist prayed, "The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses" (Psalm 25:17) NASB. I like the way The Message reads, "My heart and kidneys are fighting each other; Call a truce to this civil war." Instead of praying for freedom from distress (and pain), perhaps we should just praise God that our pains (self-inflicted or otherwise) remind us of our need for Him.

By Rich DuBose, Director, Pacific Union Conference Church Support Services

Rainbows

The Psalmist says, "The heavens declare the glory of God." Traditionally we associate this passage with sun, moon and stars. But if we look a little closer to earth we see that rainbows provide "heavenly" expressions of glory that are just as spectacular.

Rainbow Umbrella - Photo by Stockexpert. All rights reserved.

When the directional light and atmospheric moisture is just right, spectacular displays of refracted light occur. From a distance these particles of moisture appear to the human eye as illuminated bands of color. Typically, the eye sees only red, orange, yellow, green, blue and maybe violet. But actually, between the visible colors there are many more gradated shades of color that we miss. Even so, the colors we see usually draw an awed response.

The first rainbow ever recorded is mentioned in Genesis 9:13, when God promised to never again destroy the earth by flood. From then on rainbows have become symbols of hope and renewal.

Next time we are tempted to complain about the rain, let us praise God that He can use it to remind us of His promise to bless our lives.

By Rich DuBose, Director, Pacific Union Conference Church Support Services

In His Hands

The old negro spiritual says, "He's got the whole world in His hands." It's a great song, but sometimes I question whether it's really true. If God has the whole world in His hands, why does He allow suffering to continue so long? At times it looks like the Devil is the one who is really in charge.

Photo by Stockxpert. All rights reserved.

I recently read about a homeless prostitute in San Francisco who was attacked by two women because her boyfriend owed one of them some money. They beat her, dragged her into a parking lot, stripped off her clothes and set her on fire. Did God have that incident in His hands, or did the Devil? This same question can be applied to every act of violence, evil, and injustice that has been committed from the beginning of time. Who's in charge here?

I guess the truth is both God and the Devil have dibs on us. The Devil's claim goes way back to the Garden of Eden when Eve stood before the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and ate the forbidden fruit. God's claim goes back before the creation of earth to a time when He and Jesus agreed upon an ambitious plan to save humans from their failure to trust in Him.1

Right now the Devil's fingerprints are everywhere. You'd be stupid to say he isn't exerting control throughout the world. But the end-game is what ultimately matters. In Superbowl XLI many were certain the Chicago Bears would ultimately win. They were quick to put points on the board and had some definitive moments of glory. But in the end the Colts walked away with the Superbowl trophy.

God has the world in His hands--at least that's what Scripture says about the final score. He will walk away with the prize! But that's hard to believe when the score is 21-7 at the top of the 4th quarter with God's team getting killed. 

Sometimes we just have to trust the Coach. We have to believe He knows what he's doing, even if we don't. Paul says, "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."2 As much as I would like to, I cannot see the whole picture. Some vital parts appear to be missing, and at times because of this the negro spiritual is hard to sing.

Dear God, I believe my life is in your hands today. Show me how to be your hands to those who aren't so sure.

By Rich DuBose, Director, Pacific Union Conference Church Support Services

1. Revelation 13:8
2. 1 Corinthians 13:12

When Royalty Dies

Fairy tale princesses aren’t supposed to die, at least not in their prime. But on August 31, 1997 the world was shocked with the tragic death of Princess Diana. The reaction was enormous! People expressed their grief with candle light vigils, flowers and photographs pinned to fences and walls. Britain practically came to a standstill. Suddenly the world seemed much darker, which prompted singer Elton John to dedicate his song “Candle in the Wind” to Diana. The funeral, fitting for any head of state, provided an opportunity for millions to mourn and remember the Princess that everyone loved, but very few really knew.

Princess Diana - Photo by Ken Brown. All rights reserved.

Why was she so popular? Aside from being an attractive woman, she was a princess who demonstrated concern for “little” people; children and adults in poverty. She cared about people with AIDS and spoke against the use of land mines (which usually end up killing and maiming civilians). She recognized she was in a position of power, but didn’t seem to grasp for recognition or political gain. But of course Diana’s life and situation were far from perfect. Those who were closest to her now say that from the very beginning she had a rival who caught Prince Charles’ eye. Eventually her and Charles parted ways and pursued their own interests and friendships.

Princess Diana’s death was the final chapter of a story that started with such a promising introduction. Who could have guessed that it would end the way it did?

On this planet, the story always seems to end with a sob and a whimper. As much as we want to hang onto the memories of those we have lost, time erases more than we want to forget. Life is too intense; too overwhelming; too all consuming for us to dwell very long on the past. We are propelled into the future with a multitude of decisions and things to do.

Good News

According to God's promise, better days are coming. Jesus guaranteed this when He died some two thousand years ago. Paul says, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive " (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Our memories fade and dim with the passage of time, but God’s promises never do. Soon this chapter of earth's history will end in an eternal celebration of joy! (See Revelation 21:4).

By Rich DuBose, Director, Pacific Union Conference Church Support Services

Killing Words

Most of us have heard a sermon or two we didn’t care for, but on March 12, 2005, some believe Terry Ratzman's dislike for a sermon may have resulted in the worst mass killing in Wisconsin's history. When Ratzmann entered the sanctuary that day, some of his fellow members immediately knew that something was wrong. Instead of sitting in his usual spot, he remained standing and was agitated. When the sermon begin, Ratzman pulled out a 22 caliber pistol and let loose.

Photo by Vadim Tikhonov. All rights reserved.

Twenty-two shots later when the mayhem ended, pastor Gregory, his son and five other members, including Ratzman, were dead. This is not exactly what you'd expect to experience while sitting in a church pew.

Some believe the sermon Ratzman disliked was actually preached two weeks earlier. It reportedly focused on how bad fortune comes to those who make ungodly choices. Many believe other factors, including Ratzman’s difficulty finding a job, may have brought him to the breaking point. We’ll never know for sure. What we do know is that making ungodly choices always leads to tragic consequences.

On more than one occasion, the sermons Paul preached resulted in violence and physical abuse. Many did not want to hear what he had to say. While working in the city of Lystra Paul and Barnabas preached Christ to the people and they were responsive. At first they thought they were gods because Paul had healed a man who had been lame from birth. So Paul shared the truth about God and Christ, and many believed. But then "Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead." (Acts 14:19)

Not all sermons are worth hearing or preaching. But none are so bad that pastors should either be shot or stoned for preaching them. After all, a sermon is supposedly a message from the very God who says, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." (1 John 4:7, 8)

By Rich DuBose, Director, Pacific Union Conference Church Support Services

The Gift of Ears

The difference between writers who are able to fill pages with words and those who are able to fill readers' hearts with passion is that the latter have learned to write with their ears.

Those who write only with their eyes may produce copy that is mechanically correct, content rich and helpful, but such writing often fails to touch our hearts.

Listening - Photo by Nikolay Mamluke. All rights reserved.

Writers who write with their ears squeeze tears from our eyes, elicit exclamations of shock and delight, and strike chords deep within our souls!

We know Jesus had the gift of ears because he heard people's inner cries and responded to their needs. When Jesus spied Zacchaeus outside the city of Jericho in a sycamore tree, he knew Zachaeus desired to be in harmony with God and that he longed for a better life. So Jesus said, "Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home." (Luke 19:5)

We have the gift of ears when we understand what people say and mean. Although this kind of hearing is a gift, we receive it when we choose to become engaged in the listening process. Joe Landsberger says, "Active listening intentionally focuses on who you are listening to, whether in a group or one-on-one, in order to understand what he or she is saying. As the listener, you should then be able to repeat back in your own words what they have said to their satisfaction. This does not mean you agree with, but rather understand, what they are saying."1

Listening to God

Learning to be good listeners not only helps us better relate to what people are saying, but it helps us tune into what God is saying through Scripture and prayer. Solomon said, "Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand" (Proverbs 19:19-21). In other words, regardless of what we think, or plan, there is wisdom in prayerfully listening for God's counsel.

1. Joe Landsberger, Study Guides and Strategies, Active Listening

Find Your Purpose

Life's biggest challenge is to find out why you were born. Whether you realize it or not you are here for a reason! Even if your birth was an "accident," God has a mission for your life that no one else can fill. Some of the most miserable people in the world are those who either don't believe this, or who have not yet discovered their purpose. Living without purpose leads to all manner of evils that people inflict upon themselves and others.

Recently, as I struggled to understand my journey, I tried to articulate what I believed God wanted me to be and do. What resulted is a series of statements that helped me focus on how to find and fulfill my life purpose, one day at a time.

Today, as I seek to understand God's purpose for my life, I will . . .

1. Listen for His voice, respond to His desires and praise His name.

2. Use my gifts and possessions to make life a little easier for someone else.

3. Be authentic, reject mediocrity and pursue creativity.

4. Demand more of myself than I do of others.

5. Learn something new and pass it on.

6. Challenge the status quo, question the rules, and take time to dream.

7. Plan for tomorrow, but understand that "life" happens today.

8. Find a tangible way to express gratitude to a family member or friend.

9. Take care of myself.

10. Be self-forgiving when I fail to measure up to my own expectations.

God is eager for you to test His promise: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." (Psalm 32:8)

Prescription: Create some space for reflective thought and ask God to help you understand your life purpose. Make a list of your gifts and abilities. Jot down a series of short life statements that reflect your convictions and ideals. Assemble these into a statement of purpose for daily reference. Be open to change and make adjustments as God leads.

Photo: Hemera

A Reason to Live

Dennis and Jamie Winegar were in the right place at the wrong time. The visitors from Houston, Texas, were among the survivors of the bridge collapse near downtown Minneapolis. Their car landed on top of a smaller car. You can imagine the terror they felt when they realized the road beneath their car had literally dropped out from under them.

Minneapolis, Minn. - Photo by Aliaksandr Nikitsin

Dennis said, "I slammed on my brakes and saw something in front of me disappear and then my car pointed straight down and we fell." He estimated they dropped about 50 feet.1

Immediately, everyone who could, got out of their cars and started helping each other off the bridge. Jamie Winegar said, "There were a bunch of people right around there helping everyone. Angels is what I call them."2

When a disaster occurs it is amazing how people rally to help one another. We saw this with the 911 terrorist attacks and we see it locally when tragedy strikes. During such times, we realize how dependent we are upon one another for survival.

The same is true in the spiritual realm. We need each other!

Search and Rescue

There is no reason to live except to fulfill God's purpose for your life. Pursuing any other agenda will eventually lead to disillusionment and despair. Jesus said it best when he said, "what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul."

The broken condition of the earth and its inhabitants provides little hope for tomorrow. Science and technology cannot solve all of our problems. Certainly, medical technology has added more years to our lives, but what good does it do if people still have no clue why they exists? Living longer without a sense of purpose only prolongs the misery. Eventually, everyone still dies.

When I realize that God's ultimate plan for humanity never included death, and that currently Heaven is in a search-and-rescue mode that feverishly seeks to reclaim people from sin's deadly effects, then I begin to understand what I am needed for. God wants my assistance to help others find their way to safety. Sin is an on-going disaster. Over the years it has claimed millions of lives. At times, it seems there is no solution to its deadly effects, yet God says there is.

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again..."3

"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."4

The rescue efforts continue to this day. Many still haven't been told there is a way out, or at least they haven't heard it explained with any credibility.

That's where you and I come in. God is asking those who have heard and accepted the "good news" to simply share it with those who haven't. This gives purpose to our lives while we wait. When we neglect to share what we know with others, we not only call into question our own acceptance of God's offer, but we also lose our sense of purpose and reason to live. We're simply taking up space and waiting to die.

Saved by Grace

Every day we need a fresh dose of God's grace to be reminded of how fortunate we are to have Jesus. This is what energizes us to live and love as Jesus did.

In Minneapolis, Jeremy Hernandez was grateful the school bus he and dozens of children were in did not get crushed under the falling debri of the bridge.

"If it would have been a second later, any second before, we would have been in the water or under the pavement, because the pavement crushed another car that was in front of us," he said.5

When you survive a disaster of this magnitude and realize you were only seconds away from being killed, you are filled with a sense of gratitude for every moment that follows.

Hernandez is credited with helping the children on the bus escape to safety. You can be sure that each parent knows their child was saved by grace!

May we understand how fortunate we are, and may that inspire us to do what we can to help others.

1. www.cnn.com, August 2, 2007
2. ibid., August 2, 2007
3. John 3:16-17 (The Message)
4. Colossians 1:13-14. (NASB)
5. www.cnn.com, August 2, 2007

Hard of Hearing

Unfortunately, as we get older, bodily functions begin to diminish and weaken. We can’t run as fast as we once could. We may find that sleep doesn't come as easily as it used to. And, what did you say? Oh yes, we can’t hear as well either.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could turn back the clock and restore some of our fading capacities? Some enterprising health enthusiasts claim to have potions and pills that do just that. They are always expensive, and those who take them still get old and die.

"Hello! Anybody there?" - Photo by Gabe Palmer

The only thing worse than losing our physical hearing is to lose our ability to hear God's voice. But this doesn’t have to happen! You can sharpen your ability to hear God by practicing the Spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer and sharing your faith. If you fail to do this, you run the risk of not knowing what to listen for.

Don't worry! Jesus said, "all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:22)  Jesus won't allow us to become spiritually deaf if we truly want to hear what He's saying. "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 7:16).

That includes you!

God-On-the-Internet

The idea that there is a God is not universally accepted. Such a belief requires a source of knowledge that explains who God is, what He is like and how He relates to our world. Some view the Bible as the supreme authority of truth, therefore whatever it says about God they consider it fact. Others are either skeptical or believe there is no single authority that we can look to for faith. They tend to put more weight on experience and personal knowledge.

Surfing the Web - Photo by Dreamstime

The knowledge we have about God is limited to what we have been taught, witnessed or experienced. If we were in a court of law trying to prove a point, we would introduce all the evidence we could find to support our case. We would not limit ourselves to only one source of evidence.

The fact is, we cannot prove (beyond all doubt) there is a God. At least not in a legal, scientific way. But there is abundant evidence that strongly suggests that God is alive and well. 

God-On-the-Internet is a project that uses the Internet as its primary source to substantiate a belief in God. You can help build the case for God's existence with your contributions.

God-On-the-Internet consists of a series of statements that readers are invited to respond to with Internet-based answers (meaning the content was found on the Internet). Anything can be used as long as it supports the premise and is Internet-based. Please provide your selected quote and the website where you found it.

1) There is such a thing as authoritative truth.