Guilt Decisions - A message about how guilt can cause us to make abnormal decisions

Your heart races, you may start to sweat, you feel an overwhelming amount of other emotions all because of guilt. Something you did that you feel horrible about. Maybe you don't want to share because it will ruin a relationship. Maybe you will lose your job. There are a number of possibilities that could happen because of an error you made.

Maybe the error was due to a lack of judgment. Maybe it was due to a sense of compromise of "just this one time." Maybe it was due to greed or simply some other situation that caused the error to occur. The outcome is the same - you feel guilty.

Sunday, we looked at Herod's error in identity of Jesus, calling him John the Baptist - who had been recently beheaded. He had made some decisions in this passage (Matthew 14:1-12) due to the guilt he felt from previous decisions. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Misfired ~ Sometimes we do things in life with hopes to accomplish one particular goal but what comes out of it is something completely different - in a negative way. Maybe we say something sarcastic that comes across rude, instead of humorous. Maybe we try some sort of a stunt and we end up damaging us or something else. Regardless of the situation, we were going one direction, but we ended up with a negative outcome. Herod made a promise that he probably thought would have one outcome, but there was actually a negative one that resulted. May we try to think ahead with our decisions to help the outcome not be a "misfire."
• Not 'Over-correcting' ~ When a decision you've made causes you to feel so bad that you want to try to make up for it by doing something good, then you may over-correct that mistake. Over-correcting can cause problems. You may become out of control. Herod had this sense of "out of control" life with his decision that started with putting John in prison. John didn't make it any easier as his boldness cost him his life. For us, if we are feeling guilt then we need to watch how we react and
• Throwing Off the Weight ~ You have carried this guilt with you for the past several hours to days, maybe weeks or months. Worst case scenario, years. How fun has it been to have that weight with you day-in-and-day-out? It is likely stressing you out and may actually be causing physical damage to your body. That damage could lessen your lifespan. Is the weight and stress of the guilt better than confessing your wrong and dealing with the consequences/repercussions? I have been in the first part of this application and though the repercussion was not enjoyable, it was definitely freeing! If you have something to confess, there will be a sense of freedom that you experience. I am not suggesting the repercussions will be the most pleasant but it will be better on your body than carrying around the stress from guilt.

Guilt is not the most easy thing to deal with. The overwhelming majority of the time, the guilt is something we brought on ourselves. We made the choice to do whatever it was where guilt was the effect. How has guilt affected you - in the past or present? Have you had opportunities to release some of the weight? Have you carried some guilt on your shoulders through life that caused you to be prematurely stressed? Have you over-corrected with other choices in life because you felt guilt? Have you procrastinated due to guilt? Lots of things we may do because of guilt! The sooner you can release it the better things will be, in the end. The longer you carry it the worse things will become.

Now it's your turn...How can you relate to this post on guilt and its affects on your life?

Loving Out Loud: What Mother's Do

Mother's Day is a unique day of the year. I have always found it fun to be able to do something special for moms - both my mom, my wife, and even other moms. It is a time of year that the family seems to say "thanks" when they may not say it much the rest of the year. Kids will make the "cutesie" things for their moms or buy them something with the idea of "greatest mom" on it.

This year, my son saw a card that had earrings connected to it. The earrings were decoration for the card not a "bonus" to give to one's mom. He initially said he wanted to pick that one out because of the earrings. I thought he was going to want to buy his mom some earrings. Since my wife likes to lean toward "real" jewelry, I didn't want to have to deny him the opportunity to buy her some earrings. Luckily, he was just meaning the card, which was not the one he ultimately chose (thank goodness!).

It was fun to hear him give an answer for what he was wanting to buy her. He wanted to buy her, either a "fancy" or "nice" dress. He is already thinking that she would want "pretty" things. Kids pick up on this quickly!

In the sermon, we focused on three women, Jochebed (Moses' mom), Hannah (Samuel's mom), and Eunice (Timothy's mom). As we looked at these, we saw some ways they, as women and moms, loved out loud to their children. Something I think most moms thankfully do, already. Here are some applications to choose from to use this week...

• Sacrifice: Jochebed ~ Mom's are probably the most sacrificial people. They are willing to go through pains in life for their kids (and mate). They will give up appointments, take menial jobs, eat the scraps, and a whole lot more just to allow their family to have the better end of a situation. Jochebed was one who sacrificed "everything" so that Moses could live. It turns out it was for the best. He did survive and also lead his people out of Egypt. May we take from Jochebed that she would sacrifice so much for her children; this case, for Moses, and may we sacrifice for others.
• Commitment: Hannah ~ Even following through with the simplest of tasks can be a challenge. Making a deal on the front side, before the answer, can cause a lack of following through with that commitment. Hannah prayed a prayer committing to offer her son to God, if she were permitted to have a child. God opened her womb and she became pregnant. One of the greats about the story is that she followed through with her plan, after consulting God. May we take from Hannah a commitment to follow through to God (and others).
• Faithfulness: Eunice ~ As a mother typically has a strong bond with the children, sometimes the mother's faith can be more influential. We don't know the extent of Timothy's mom's faith, but she was commended by Paul regarding that faith. May we see the example and importance of putting faith into the lives of those we influence as we practice "loving out loud."

Mothers are special and unique. They may be females to begin with, but when they become a mom, it is as if they go through a neat change. I am speaking as a male and a father. I know there was a change in me once I had children. I also have observed this in many women who became moms. Most all of them that thought "one way" now think totally different because they have kids to take care of.

I think it is awesome that my wife was given the privilege of becoming a mom. I always knew she would be a great one!

Now it's your turn...what has been some great memories of your Mother's Day, either this year or years past?

Book Review: "the Voice": New Testament

Have you ever read in the Bible and wondered who was talking or who someone was addressing in their conversation? Most of the time it may seem pretty easy to decipher who is talking, but there are occasions where it isn’t as clear as it could be. A new New Testament Bible recently came out that addresses whose voice is being mentioned in particular texts. The title for this Bible is a natural fit, “the Voice”.



“the Voice” is laid out like a script in a play, displaying who says what and when. This is one of the main reasons for creating this version of the Bible, to make it easy on the reader to understand what voice you are hearing. It doesn’t include anyone for a “narrator” but only mentions names for those who are speaking.


Like good Bible translations, this Bible has several people who went in on its collaboration of the interpretation. The translation itself is very easy to read with modern-day voice. Subtle italicized interjections are put in to most of the verses, similar to the way the Amplified Bible does, just without the brackets.


Another positive is the thought provoking and/or helpful comments that are interspersed throughout the Bible.


One con, it uses some form of “Liberator” to depict Jesus, particularly in the epistles. Though I don’t have any theological objection, but from a new reader’s standpoint, it may be a bit confusing.


I found this Bible interesting, as I looked at certain verses in the Bible. I liked its fresh wording, but would not use it as a substitute for a stricter translation, in my study. I would use it as a study aid in trying to better understand the scriptures or use it to help others understand certain passages better.

A Creation of Wonder

My 20-month-old son's favorite show is the Backyardigans. He's loved that show for about as long as he could pay attention. Recently an episode came on that was about a spies. When we were watching it together I told him that he was a lot like his daddy. I enjoy a good spy movie. Not only do I enjoy it, but his mother enjoys shows that have mystery woven into them.

Where do you find mystery? Is it as you look out into a starry night? Is it as you stare into a microscope? Is it watching a sonogram of a life forming inside a womb? Is it watching a person walking through a forest with someone about to jump out and attack them? Where?

Mystery is part of what causes us to go forward. If you think about it, that is why we are on the "edge of our seats" longing for that next scene. It is what makes us look forward to the next week's episode. It brings us to this week's quote...

Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand.
~Neil Armstrong

Recently, I put myself out there with an idea I had to try to encourage teachers. The mystery of how people will receive this idea is energizing. Whether it is a "yes" or a "no" makes no difference, really. Then, when the answer was "yes" by three different administrators, I then see a mystery in how God is going to use this idea. I anticipate about as much as I would on Christmas morning, looking forward to what will be under the tree!

Another great mystery that energizes me is when I study the Bible. Like others, I can read things many times and get something new out of it many times. I am like a schoolboy each time I get the chance to dig in to the Word. I look for how God is going to speak to me, and then how He is going to give me a message that I may be able to pass on to others to deepen their faith.

The revelation of a mystery helps us understand. It could be understanding the moon, as Neil Armstrong experienced. It could be how an idea will pan out or how God's Word is that much more applicable.

Wonder to better understand!

Enjoying the mysterious to better understand...

Book Review of "The Expanded Bible: New Testament"

“Study the Bible while you read” is the theme statement of a newly released Bible called The Expanded Bible. As a minister, I possess many bibles of various versions. Everyone has their preferences. Some Bibles are good for their modern language while others are good for their “close to the original text” format.

I was excited upon seeing the opportunity to review this newly released book. And upon receiving the book and examining different passages, I was quite pleased.

The positives that I took away from the review: 1) It takes away the need to go to several different translations to see what words or phrases mean or alternate words, 2) It makes it easy to see scripture references to verses or quotes from the Old Testament, 3) It gives you symbols that indicate what study aid is being used (C = comment, L = literal, and T = traditional rendering, and ‘or’ = an alternate wording), 4) Space on the sides for personal study notes, 5) The single column style makes it easy for reading, and 6) the font is clear and easy to read

The negatives that I took away from the review: 1) The symbols mentioned above are at the beginning of the book, so until you learn them you must flip back and forth, 2) with all the study notes, it may be hard to read aloud, if used in that type of a setting, but if you used it for study sake, that would negate this negative, and 3) it only gives helps to, what I presume, the most common words or phrases that give confusion.

It only comes in a New Testament edition at this point. I am sure that an Old Testament edition will be coming out in the future.

For people who would like to have a study Bible that focuses on alternate words and phrases, with some commentary, then this is a good Bible to consider. It is a Bible that I see best to be used for studying and not taken to class.

Being a Tool - Acts 9:15

Fathers...Fatherhood is such an honor. To be given the privilege, responsibility, and challenge to raise your children, you should be thankful. Also, God chose to give you your kids because you have an ability to love and care for them that others don't. What a cool thought!

Yesterday, we looked at an instance in Saul's (of the New Testament) life where he was to go and find a man named Ananias who was going to take care of the blindness he was experiencing. Saul had been an evil man, up to this point, and Ananias was nervously scared to approach him. However, Ananias is told to "go" because Saul is a "chosen instrument", aka tool. He was selected to carry out a specific task based on the abilities that he possessed. Here are a few applications to choose from to use this week...

1. If you were a tool in a workshop, do you view yourself as "usable", or do you envision a tool that is marred and broken, not able to be used? Are you surprised you're still in the workshop? Once Saul came to his senses, after being humbled by the temporary blindness, I bet he felt ashamed and not capable of being used. However, God used him for BIG things! Part of that reason was because he continually understood who's in control, and it wasn't him, but God. Practice the Isaiah 6:8 philosophy and be used by God!
   
2. When I think of a tool, it "serves" me in a way to help achieve a goal. My favorite verse on serving is I Peter 4:10, it encourages and challenges me, at same time, to use what talents I have been given to serve others faithfully. Be the tool that God designed you to be!
3. Ananias asked God, "Do you really want me to go to Saul?" (paraphrased) God said "Go!" How many times have we had a "scary" task before us and we asked God "Do you really...?" Pray that you will be trusting of God's challenges. Pray that you will be bold enough to walk through the door of Opportunity. Pray that God will use you, today, in surprising, Kingdom-enhancing ways. Be the tool and be used the way that God designed you! You weren't chosen for the task based on popularity...but because you have talent/usefulness that is able to get that job done at that particular time. Be used!

I greatly look forward to what each and every day holds, regarding how God will use "my design" as a way to make a positive difference in someone's life. I hope you share in that, also. How has God been using you? By you sharing, it will encourage others in their faith.

Eager to be used...

Isn't It Interesting

I just was studying for the Wednesday night Bible study when this thought came to mind. Isn't it interesting that when Jesus heals people and tells them to not tell anyone, that they go and tell everyone?

Then, when Jesus gives us the message, via scripture (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, and Acts 1:8) to "Go, tell everyone" and we tend to tell no one!

What are your thoughts/reactions to this?