Trading Dreams

(Note: This blog entry is in response to the following article.
https://www.boundless.org/blog/giving-god-control-of-my-failure/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=bt_blog_Mar12&fbclid=IwAR1a0eDtNfntrA98dIilG1p8IwH57viGO5V3Qqyj406x20iuufnnUupUip8
I am largely talking about keeping Jesus our number one passion above all else here but it is particularly addressing disappointment some feel with unwanted singleness.)


   I read the article- good stuff overall. I particularly liked how he talked about giving all our timelines, plans, dreams and desires over to God.
    Proverbs 16:3 is a great promise from The Lord- but don't forget some other verses in the same chapter- 16:9 and 16:33. In the end, even when we throw the dice in the game of Life, God still determines where they land. (Read Romans 9 for an excellent expose on God's sovereignty.)
     I did note that the dude's now happily married and I'm glad for him and his wife. I will admit that I get what he's saying because I've had times when I get sick of congratulating people on their engagements and marriages and children, etc. And then I get sick of me getting sick of that! Why am I going to sit around and whine about what I don't have instead of being thankful for what I do have?
     Marriage is not the perfect life-fixer we've idolized it to be. I'm not saying it's a bad thing- a wife is a blessing from The Lord. But marriage often makes life much harder, not easier. I do think it's worth the hardships but the grass always looks greener on the other side. (As Erma Bombeck used to say, I do believe- if I got the quote right)- that's because it's growing over a septic tank.
    I think too many Americans have bought into the American dream and have hopes set on marriage, kids and successful job in a nice cozy house- none of which is necessarily bad but none of which is necessarily God's plan for our lives.
     As with anything, the question we need to keep in mind with marriage, is asking how best we can bring God glory. How would my marriage to this particular girl best glorify God? I think as a couple, I would need to make sure both she and I can see God's vision for us as a couple.
     And we also have to be ready to trust The Lord and lay down our Isaac on the altar if that's what He calls us to do.
   "Sometimes, to do what's right, we have to be steady and give up the things we want the most- even our dreams."- Aunt May in "Spider-Man 2"
     And even if we feel like we're doing just that, we can trust that God still has the best in mind for us and will provide for all our needs. (Philippians 4:19) And whether He grants what we might desire or not- whether He sends His sun or rain upon us (just as He does for all the righteous and the wicked alike)- He is still always good and has already given us infinitely more than we deserve in Christ!
     I want to want Christ and want nothing else. (Psalms 23:1) Not that I have obtained all this or am already perfect, but I press on toward the goal for the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
   I praise God for all the gifts He has blessed me with because the fact that I'm even here on earth to complain about what I don't have in life right now is more than I deserve- 'cause what I deserve is Hell. Anything above burning in Hell is a privilege.
   I know everyone's at different places with all this and I'm just writing for me and where I stand on this. Yes, I'd like to get married if God brings the right woman to my life but it's okay if I don't. Either way, I seek to live for God's glory above all and His desires above mine. He must increase and I must decrease. (John 3:30)
"Whom have I in Heaven but You, Jesus? And what better could I hope to find down here on earth? I could search the most distant reaches of this world but I'd just be wasting my time- I'm certain already I'm sure I'd find- You're my one thing! And the pure in heart shall see God." ("My One Thing" by Rich Mullins- which he based on Psalms 73 and these awesome quotes- "Purity of heart is to will one thing."- Soren Kierkegaard
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."- Jesus)
    Again- please don't hear me wrong. I'm not saying anyone desiring marriage and still feeling unfulfilled and wondering why God hasn't granted that yet is necessarily just wallowing in despair and self-pity and not making Jesus their highest joy (just like Psalms 137- may my tongue stick to my mouth like peanut butter if I don't make New Jerusalem and its Lord my highest joy).
I know that I'm not always desiring God like I should because none of us really do. But He keeps drawing us to Him more and more and I desire to be more and more like Him and desire Him all the more!
(Philippians 2:1-18, Romans 8)
   Of course, it's good to know that God loves us as we are and not as we should be- because none of us are as we should be. (Shout out to Brennn Manning for that.)
Walking with Jesus is not always the most comfortable for sure, but it's always the best and "I am beginning to think there are better things than being comfortable." (Diamond in "At the Back of the North Wind" by George MacDonald)

I'm reminded of Thomas Merton's prayer, which I think is a great one to consider in pondering God's will specifically in marriage but also in life in general. The most important thing is to seek Him above all. No one who has given up mother, father, brothers, sisters, husband or wife and children for His kingdom will lose their reward. (See Matthew 19:29 and Mark 10:29 and Luke 18:29)

Author: Thomas Merton
"My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. "

And for one more quote-
"Dreams come true can kill a man if never graced by sovereign hands."- "Monkey's Paw" by Smalltown Poets

I choose to leave it in God's hands.

I Wish We'd All Been Ready

(Note: I had to use Larry Norman's classic song title for this blog! :-)) 

     I've heard some say that they can't believe in God if such a nice person like so-and-so isn't in Heaven. (And admittedly, there are a number of nice people in the world that did some great, nice things in life- but that doesn't mean they're in Heaven. I had just watched a PBS documentary on John Denver when I wrote this and maybe that's why I was thinking on this. I have some heroes like him and Christopher Reeve and Jim Henson and Karen Carpenter and others that I certainly want to believe they're in Heaven. I love so much of their work, which conveyed some Biblical truths at times. I hope they are there and that everyone will be there, but I know that Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 7 that only a few ever get in, compared to the many on the broad road to destruction.)
     Ephesians 2:8-10 makes it clear that we're not saved by works but rather by grace through faith, both of which are the gifts of God- so no one can boast. Our faith in the completed work of Christ's death and Resurrection to pay for all our sins is what saves us and our obedience is what proves it. If so-and-so isn't in Heaven, it will be very sad indeed- but it will always be Heaven because Jesus is there. Without putting faith in Jesus, we are doomed to Hell. And a Heaven without Jesus is Hell.           God wants all to be in Heaven and I certainly do too (1 Peter 3:8-9, Revelation 7:9). But as Romans 1-3 talks about, everyone has a chance and is without excuse. And God loves us so much, He makes it so easy- just like a child trusting his daddy to catch him coming off the slide- that's the childlike faith we are called to have in Jesus. He's waiting- today's the day of salvation. And when we know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we experience Heaven on earth with an abundant life (John 10:10) until we reach Heaven itself- because Heaven is Jesus. :-)

Prophet Man (song)

   Every so often, someone comes along with yet another doomsday prediction. It's not a new phenomena; people have been predicting things since Biblical times. Of course, The Bible gives us guidelines about prophets to follow. If what they say doesn't come to pass, it doesn't follow that they're a real prophet; they're a false prophet and we should not listen to them. Of all the prophecies out there about the end times, one thing we know for sure- Jesus Christ will return! However, no one knows the date- only the Father in Heaven. It may seem like pundits and prophets are just pelting out predictions at you, but John by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote down the final Revelation of Jesus on Patmos. Instead of worrying about what will be, we should focus on what is now- and do what Jesus told us to do, which is to be His witnesses wherever we go until He comes. Even so, come Lord Jesus!


"Prophet Man"
(parody of "Rocket Man" by Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin;
parody lyrics copyright by Nathan Ludwick 11/10/2018)
(1 Timothy 1:3-7 and 4:6-10 and 6:20-21, Titus 3:9-11, Matthew 24, Acts 1:1-11, Proverbs 21:28, Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32 and 18:15-22, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, the book of Jude, Revelation 1:1 and 22:16-21)

They've cracked His plans so many times
Midnight hour comes again
And we're gonna see Christ coming back by then
They've missed their dates so much; they just revise
They're throwing out new dates
They trust this time it's right

And in Deuteronomy 18- last line
Don't trust ramblings if found to be a lie
He's not God's man (or) mouthpiece- like online trolls
Oh no no no- he's a Profit Man!
Profit Man- churning out fake news- with fear controls

And I know he cannot be (uh) wrong one time
In Proverbs 21:28 (two eight)- he dies!
He's not the man they think he is- he's snowed
All of them so- a false prophet man!
Prophet Man?- Turn it now to Jude- abhor stained clothes!

Bars faithless minds from Grace and where's it end?
In fact, they go to Hell
But there's Someone here to save them- let Him in!
In all the signs Christ told of the end
AntiChrists come- don't be deceived!
False prophets, man! False prophets, man!

And you need to go 24 Matthew's lines
From east lightning comes down to west to shine
The Son of Man's coming like that, I know
I know, know, know- Christ has prophesied
Robber man- turning up while snoozing, we don't know

And we need to go 36 verse 'bout time
The touch down's privy now to just one mind
The Son of Man's coming's like days of Noah
Only God knows (when)- just The Father, man!
Bond servant- furnishing their food like "Home Alone"

And I read in 47- in charge guy!
And the wicked's gonna be (uh) ostracized!
And the wicked drunken beater's cut to size!
With hypocrites gnashing teeth-eternal cry!
And Christ's coming gonna be like thief in night
And we need to get ready, put faith in Christ
And it's not for me and you to know the time
Acts 1:8- we've gotta be witness for Christ!

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Zombies, Vampires and Werewolves- oh my!

      The current obsessions lately in pop culture seem to be zombies, vampires and werewolves. Well, if you want brains, "let him who lacks wisdom ask of God who gives liberally." (James 1:5) "Who has known the mind of God?" (Romans 11:34) Followers of Jesus- because "we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16)
      If you want blood, forget the blood of bulls and lambs and goats because God has no pleasure in them. (See Isaiah 1:11) Their blood can't take sins away anyway. (Hebrews 10:4) But blood has to be spilled for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). And God has spilled His blood for us (Acts 20:28) and it washes us white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18)
     But we've got to drink Jesus' blood to have that forgiveness- and eat His flesh. (See John 6:25-59, particularly verses 53-58) If you just want to get a bite without fear of silver bullets, chew on this- "Taste and see that The Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." (Psalms 34:8)              And before mummies become the next big thing or any other Scooby-Doo villians, here's something to wrap things up. "If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.' " (1 Corinthians 15:31-33) But, as we go on to read in the rest of that chapter, the dead are raised. And Jesus rose from the grave- and because He lives, we can live also when we put our faith in Him.
      We don't need to fear any monsters or ghosts of the dark heavenly realms- "Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4) I ain't afraid of no ghosts- but I do fear and respect The Holy Ghost. And even though "I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts- men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords" (Psalms 57:4) - I know my Good Shepherd walks wiith me through the valley of the shadow of death (John 10:11-14 and Psalms 23). And He has said, "I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country." (Leviticus 26:6) And surely His goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of The Lord forever. :-)

This Looks Like a Job for the Son of Man!

Sometimes I feel like Jor-El on Krypton trying to warn the political leaders and other scientists that the planet is about to explode!  Sometimes it feels like, "My joy is gone; grief is upon me, my heart is sick within me." (Jeremiah 8:18)
    I keep trying to share the Word God has given me- the Gospel of Jesus Christ- the Good News that God loves us and even though our sin separates us from Him and condemns us to Hell, He wants to save us from that! That's why Jesus died and rose- to pay for the consequence of all our sins. When we put faith in His completed work for us and follow Him, we have salvation and eternal life! :-)
   Yet so many are still so lost and refuse to see the Lord who could save them and would do so if they'd let Him! (Luke 13:34)
".....I have become a laughingstock all the day; everyone mocks me. For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, 'Violence and destruction!' For the word of The Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. If I say, 'I will not mention Him, or speak any more in His Name,' there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot." (Jeremiah 20:7b-9)
   "But The Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten." (Jeremiah 20:11)

"Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!" (Jeremiah 9:1)
" ....'Return, faithless Israel, declares The Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares The Lord. Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against The Lord your God....." (Jeremiah 3:12-13)
   God longs to save everyone if we'll let Him. We have to admit we haven't obeyed Him and turn to the only One who has perfectly obeyed- Lord God Jesus!
And no matter the response, we must keep declaring this Gospel wherever God sends us.

"But The Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth,"; for to all whom I send you, you shall go and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you," declares The Lord." (Jeremiah 1:7-8)

So like Superman continues to fight the never-ending battle, keep fighting the good fight and "never tire of doing what is right." (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
 Some will listen- some won't; that's up to the Holy Spirit. Just as Superman fights for Truth, Justice and the American way- keep fighting for the Truth, Life and the Only Way! He will help you handle whatever action you face in the fray and He will return one day to take those who love Him up, up and away! Until that blessed day, stay strong holding on to the One who's still the Son of Man and Man of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow- the Son of God- and know that The Father holds us firmly in His palms and His plans move forward on course stronger than a locomotive- faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap tall buildings of doubt in a single bound- yet they will all come together in His time and to His plan.
May this brief visit in the Fortress of Solitude give you some respite from the devil's Kryptonite and strengthen you for the race before us. Onward and upward- but always in His strength. This looks like (because it is) a job for the only real Super Man. :-)

Of sacred cows, Christians and chicken

Note: This post is in reaction to a mild debacle over a Zaxby's chicken ad in the 2019 NFL Superbowl.
(https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/zaxby-s-super-bowl-ad-mocked-chick-fil-a-for-closing-sundays-and-it-backfired.html?utm_medium=fbpage&utm_source=cross&utm_campaign=cdupdate&fbclid=IwAR3IAlfqn4jdc9pFV0136eoU3Wm2l8mK2lk9uuuZjn6Wu3oXLtKlaRjzjBY)
It's not so much about this particular instance; that's just the latest example. It's more of a mild lambaste of our goofy Christian subculture. :-)

Seeing as how the ad doesn't even mention Chick-Fil-A, and knowing the fun nature of a lot of other Zaxby ads, I doubt the restaurant was really trying to "mock" Chick-Fil-A for being closed on Sundays. Yes, it does seem to be a lighthearted jab but I don't see that it's anything to get offended by or upset about. I have no problem eating at either place. Both are pretty good. (Though I will say Zaxby's took a while to grow on me- it's not a big favourite to go to often, but I do enjoy their salads when I go. I probably go to Chick-Fil-A more often but I don't go there all the time either.)
    Similar restaurants take little jabs at each other all the time as part of friendly competition. McDonald's and Burger King have done it. Pepsi and Coca-Cola have certainly done it. And when it's done as lighthearted fun, I don't think it's a big issue.
   I also don't think Christians should assume that Zaxby's is trying to mock Chick-Fil-A's Christian values just because of this ad. It seems like they were trying to capitalize on a selling point that they have over CFA- they are open on Sundays! And I appreciate places being open on Sundays. Jesus said it's good to do good on the Sabbath. As a New Testament Christian, I'm not under the Law but under Grace.
I appreciate CFA carrying out its convictions but I think this is an issue that falls under individual believers' consciences.
    In any case, there are things worth getting upset about, but I don't think this is one of them. Chick-Fil-A is nice but it's not better than anyone else just for its owner's faith. I understand Christians wanting to patronize it because of that but I do get tired of the jokes that near-deify the place above any other restaurant.
     Our Christian subculture is so weird at times- lol. And it should be weird- but let's be weird for the right reasons. Be a weirdo for Jesus and uphold His commands- and turn the other cheek when there is real or perceived slander. And let's find the right hills go die on- I don't think this is one of them. Eat mor chikin at Chick-Fil-A or Zaxby's or both- and love and follow Jesus more. :-)

My God Brings Healing (song)

NOTE: This is one of my favourites from the archives! The original song is a great party song that gets a lot of energy quickly flowing so it seems quite appropriate for the parody version I did, which is essentially a praise and worship song to God for all the many ways, physically, emotionally and most importantly spiritually, that He brings healing. :-)
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Well, here's another parody for you. It's a lengthy one, but it’s all about how my God brings healing. And it offers many examples in The Bible of how Jesus brought physical healing to people and of course- it also shows how The Bible explains how Jesus brings spiritual healing through salvation!  You may not like this parody any better than eating your black eyed peas at dinner, but I got a feeling you’re gonna like this one. ;-)

“My God Brings Healing”
(parody of “I Gotta Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas”)
(parody lyrics copyright by Nathan Ludwick 5/27/2012)
(Matthew 11:1-6, Luke 4:14-21, Isaiah 61:1-2, Psalms 147:1-5, John 8:31-36, John 5:1-15, John 9, Mark 5, Luke 5:12-16, Psalms 23, Mark 7:31-37, Matthew 8:14-17, Isaiah 53, Exodus 15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Psalms 103, Romans 5, Romans 10:4-13, John 20:30-31, John 21:25)

My God brings healing
In my life- go and read in John 9
I was blind, now I see all through Christ
I was blind when conceived so God could shine

For healing
Well, go right there and read in John 5
Paralyzed and I need some pool time
That’s when Christ came to me- made me walk right

It’s healing (Ooo-hoo)
Well, go right there and read in Luke 5
Leprosized and I need Jesus Christ
That’s when Christ came to me- sent it goodbye!

He’s healing (Ooo-hoo)
Well, go right there and read in Mark 5
Demonized and I need Jesus Christ
That’s when Christ came to me- sent it goodbye!

That’s why The Christ
Came live with us
Luke 4 now, honey
Get Kindles up (read)

Hearts’ wounds to bandage
Christ is my God!
Pump out that shofar
Let’s get Word out (for real)

I know that He’ll heal us all
If we get down and just bow
Jesus- move us all (kneel)

I feel blessed and
I wanna let you know
Just go pray now, “Save me now”
And give Him all control (feel)

Fills up your cup
Mazel tov!
Look how it’s spilling
Just shake it up (spill)

Christ saved us now
His love abounds!
We learned The Truth
Amen- look to 8 John then (free)

Let’s do it- look to it- just do it
32 [three two] in 8 John then- learn Truth and
He frees us up (free)

The Truth is like glue- it, resumes, renews, improves us
Christ Jesus re-dos us brand new- He (heals!)

‘Cause my God brings healing (Ooo-hoo)
Well, go right 7 read in Mark, a’ight?
Deaf and I really need Jesus Christ
That’s when Christ worked on me- (I) hear and talk right!

He’s healing (Ooo-hoo)
Well, go right there and read in Mark 5
“She is dying,” Jairus pleads, “Give her life”
And when Christ’s on the scene- raised her alive!

That’s why The Christ (Yay!)
Came live with us (He’s Christ Jesus!)
Matt. 8 now honey (17)
He took hurts up (Diseased for us!) (Real)

Took out our rashes! (Trashed it)
Christ is my God! (Christ is my God!)
Pump out that shofar (Come on)
Let’s get Word out (peal)

Fills up my cup (Read!)
Twenty-three (Psalms)
Look at it spilling (Oozing! Oozing!)
Just shake it up (Spill)

Christ saved me- wow! (Saved me- wow!)
His love abounds (Love abounds!)
I learned The Truth (Woooo!)
Amen- look to 8 John then

Let’s do it- look to it- just do it (Just do it!)
32 [three two] in- 8 John then (Read it) Learn Truth and
He frees us up (free)

The Truth is (Truth is)
Like glue- it (Like glue- it)
Renews us, improves us, resumes us (anew, yeah!)
Christ Jesus (reviews us), renews us (renews us), re-dos us (Yay!)
New in (Hey!) 2 Cor. (5:) 17!

He’s The One- He heals, yo!
Jehovah Rapha! (Psalms 103)

Read in Psalms- Healing flows
147 [one four seven] : (3- binds us up!) (heal)

Exodus 15- rock
Read it, don’t stop (26 rocks!)

You’ve looked ‘round, up and down
Around for God (God is in the Dock) (Real)

God came to save all names from burning (Choose Him!)
Died on Calvary but was raised on Sunday (Choose Him!) (Real)

Get-get-get-get-get Jesus!
I know you’ll be saved (saved!)
Pardoned for always
P-p-p- pardoned ‘cause He paid! (deal)

And He’s dealing (Ooo-hoo)
So tonight go and read God’s invite
Act tonight when you read Romans 5
That The Christ’s own obedience makes right (real)

He’s healing (Ooo-hoo)
So tonight go and read in verse 9 (read)
Romans 10- go and kneel- pray to Christ
Confess Christ and receive eternal life!

Woohoo!
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