I was listening to a lesson from www.lifechurch, and the speaker (Craig Groeschel) was beginning his series on “Habits of a healthy heart.” (Very impressive and recommended series.)

He begins by asking “Who do you lie to the most?”

He follows this with “Lies we tell ourselves!”

He then opens a deeper but connected topic of “THE HABIT OF SELF eye opening or should I say a bit challenging.
 

The story of David and Bathsheba (II Samuel 11-12) introduces how messed up (unguarded) David was and how this led to his sin with Bathsheba. The ‘cover-up’ he thought was complete. However, Nathan came after everything happened, and told the story of 2 men, one was rich and one was poor. One had everything and one had very little. The rich man has a feast, takes the ONLY lamb that the poor man has and kills it, and has a feast. Of course David is oblivious (self deceived) to the point Nathan is making, and in his anger says the rich guy must die. Nathan points his finger at the king and says, “Attah eesh,” (ie. “you are the man!”)
 

If you know the story, you know David’s heart was broken, his feeble attempt at covering up his sin had failed. He was so sorry, he had sinned against God, (as well as others). He repents, and is told his sin is put away and will not die. However, there were consequences.

You need to listen to this to get the full impact.

We really can deceive ourselves. being drawn into sin, and gradually being drawn away into the trap by our own lust. Yet this is not just about David and his fall, it’s about the true danger of sin. How can we guard the heart? How to heal the heart. That’s the question.

Craig’s first point on that is THE HABIT OF SELF EXAMINATION, and realizing the need to open up to God.
In the first place, God sees it anyway! Why do we try to hide?! Ask Adam and Eve! They ‘tried,’ They ‘covered up.’ Just like we do. Where is Nathan when we really need him? Someone to come and point their finger and just tell us… “You are the guy!” “You are the gal!” “You sinned!”

B.T.D.T. is a short way of saying , “Been there done that!” Dear God help us.
D.G.U.O.M. is a short way of pleading, “Don’t give up on me!”
Forgiveness is a sweet concept, read Psalms 51 then 32.

Grow in grace friends.
More coming.

Everyone is after A GOOD DEAL. Unfortunately we don’t always find it. Sometimes we have to settle for something cheap. The old saying goes, “If your outgo overcomes your income, your upkeep will be your downfall.” Dad repeated this time and again, but for some reason I didn’t ‘get it.’ Credit cards enter the scene. All of a sudden, all “good deals” were “affordable.” Then the bills started mounting and I started to ‘get it.’ Paying off those awful monthly minimum payment bills is not easy. Never-ending!!!
Dad always said, “It’s not a good deal when you can’t afford it.” Seeking a ‘good deal’ is always the most desired, but sometimes “settling for less” is the best thing. Now, good deals need repair, or become outdated in a month, and then (if you use a credit card to purchase it you go and find yet another ‘good deal.’ Then add more monthly payments. Yuck.
All of a sudden, if you didn’t have it before hand, you have this sick feeling in your stomach. The “hot-sweats” begin, repairs are now on top of the purchase on the credit card. Creditors love it, but I sure didn’t. Too many times, cards were maxed out, or balances were transferred to “better” credit cards. So it goes…

What does this have to do with anything? Well, perhaps someone can learn from my early financial mistakes.
1.  Settle for less instead of using a credit card. in other words, buy what you can afford.
2. Don’t let money problems become such a heavy burden, that you cannot enjoy life or seek first the kingdom of God.
3. If it’s too late, then use a strategy called “snow-balling” to get the card(s) dealt with once and for all. (“Snow-ball” method is where you pay off the smallest card, and then instead of spending that extra money to go into debt, use it one the balance of the next card and begin to pay off that one quickly, and so on. Pay all credit cards off. If you have a mortgage, then start paying on the principle with money now freed up from paid off credit cards.
4. Get life under control by living within your means… ie “SETTLE FOR LESS UNTILL YOU CAN AFFORD MORE.”
5. (This should be first) Put God first!!! Never put Him in a place other than #1.

Yes, we all want a “GOOD DEAL.! Nothing wrong with that. (Yard sales calling!)
You may recall, in John 15, that Jesus said, “I AM THE TRUE VINE.” Go ahead, read the chapter. You will see an active Gardener as well. The point we want to make now is that when Jesus said he is the “TRUE VINE,” he is implying that there are other vines… but HE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT TRULY SUSTAINS LIFE. Truly good QUALITY! The BEST! “You may say, “I can’t afford to be part of that Vine.” Wrong! You can’t afford NOT TO BE part of this Vine. This is Jesus. I mean you can’t get better “quality” because God sent his VERY BEST! Don’t even pause to consider the other “vines”(“good deals” because they are not what you want, not really. Even if they are “cheaper,” they will never sustain real life like the one Jesus offers.
We are always worried about the COST of course. Well, hear this. JESUS PAID IT ALL. John 10 speaks of how he gave (PAID WITH) his life out of His love. Think about it. He loved us so much, he was willing to die in shame, so we might be raised in glory. This ‘deal’ is not cheap! It does have a price. “A teacher of the Law of Moses came up to Him and said, “Teacher, I’ll go anywhere with you!” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens, and birds have nests But the Son of Man doesn’t have a place to call his own.” Another disciple said to Jesus, “Lord, let me wait till I bury my father.” Jesus answered, “Come with me, let the dead bury their dead.” (Matthew 8:18-22 CEV) Crosses are not cheap, and the world doesn’t consider this cross a “good deal.” “Then He said to them ALL, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23 NKJV)

Looking back, I see a young boy about 10 years old, walking to the front, confessing Jesus as Lord, and being baptized into Jesus. Years later, after a dark journey to a ‘pig pen,’ did I come to appreciate the marvelous grace He offers. Now re-dedicated to Him, can I look and see the price is WORTH IT ALL. It’s worth EVERYTHING! Now I know. I need no credit card for this. I don’t worry about payments and interest. Jesus will always be there, on His throne, ready to save, and keep his people.
That’s a “GOOD DEAL!”
Grow in grace people!

I guess it is time to confess that I am a Christian who struggles with anger. I know this is a problem from my early years, and perhaps putting this here will help others or generate some interest and comments.
Genesis 4:5-7 “but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why is your countenance fallen?” (Of course we realize what happened afterwards AND the sad consequences.) “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not well, SIN lies at the door. And its desire (is) for you, but you should rule over it.”
These are powerful verses for sure. As I read these words I can see myself the whole way through. All I know is, anger is a real problem and a difficult thing to deal with. I’m not sure that I understand all of this in the since that I fully understand ‘the WHY’, but I’ll try to be as clear as I can be.
Question: COULD CAIN HAVE STOPPED, RE-CONSIDERED HIS OFFERING AND DONE IT CORRECTLY, AND BEEN ACCEPTED? Was it a fore-gone conclusion that Cain was doomed to offer something unacceptable and be rejected? What is wrong with offering the best veggies? Why is a lamb more acceptable? Questions that send the mind into a ‘spin” for sure. Don’t have the answers here.

Getting back to the anger issue… How do we overcome it?

Memories of growing up are spotty to say the least. You probably know my parent and may even know me and my brothers and sisters.
My brother Bob was stricken with polio when he was 21/2 and almost dies. Dad recalled that he and mom fell on their face in supplication for Bob. He went through the iron-lung thing, numerous operations involving fussing the back to stop the curving (stenosis), legs were useless, bone used from legs and hip to fuse the back. Full-body casts, using a stick or clothes hanger to scratch. Bed-pans and urinals, back braces, tears, frustrations, prayers, trips to Warm Springs, Ga. As kids we recall peering through the hospital window at Robbie in iron lung, and his sweet smile.

Anger was a silent invasive enemy for us. Frustration because now the DYNAMICS of the home was changed for good. Everything centered around Robbie. EVERYTHING! Think about it. How would a disaster like this affect your home?
MOM: Expected to do much more. Money for food, clothing and other expenses, were tight.
DAD: Fulltime ministry and church work. Most of the time spent outside the home. Sacrifice!
ME: Help mom take care of Robbie. I’m a older brother, now a part time care-taker…

EVERYTHING WAS CHANGED!
Angry? Yes! I wanted us to be normal. Shouldn’t feel angry! I know. But you try changing bed-pans and urinals at night. How you as a kid FEEL? There was though a lot of smiles and laughter. Bonding.
I CAME TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS ROBBIE’S PROTECTOR. I COULD GET ANGRY WITH HIM, BUT NO ONE ELSE COULD.

Let me know as I go through this, if you can identify with these feelings. Maybe I’m the only one. Who knows.
“Thru the years,” things changed. Robbie (Bob) was not expected to live to 50 years old. HE LIVED TO BE 65! Not expected to get married! He was! Experiencing life in so many ways. Just look at the pictures in my gallery and dad’s. You will see Bob growing up.

God bless you. Don’t allow anger to control. Control it! Don’t open the door to or give the devil a foot-hold. Danger ahead. Find a way to conquer anger.
More coming on this…
Grow in grace.

a.) D.Y.O.R. (Do your own research!) My problem is thinking just because I went to preacher school, thinking I know it all. I DO NOT! Always learning here. Always searching for deeper understanding of Scriptures, it’s cultural background for the various books. It is truly amazing. Sixty six books all with their own audience, and purpose, background. The idea of tasking verses out of context, using them to fit and support our own beliefs is not a safe way of studying. We condemn others for doing this, but we do it ourselves. Shame. Yet a word of encouragement … we are basically on target. Have an open mind. “Familiar Scriptures demand that we consider them over and over.” Who knows we may learn more.
b.) I say all this because when it comes to the book of Ephesians, we need to research the cultural context and it’s influence on why it was written by Paul. D.Y.O.R.!
c.) Specifically looking at the verses in the title:

1. WATCH YOUR WALK!
A. Very simple idea Paul presents… since we all being part of the “body” of Christ, have a great influence on others who are in the body. Each one has a specific strength to add, a specific contribution to make to the over-all strength of the body. What’s your part? Not doing your part, not using your Spiritual gifts, not growing in grace, simply means a deep loss to the over-all body of Christ.
B. “No longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk…”
i.) “Futility” (useless, offering no hope)
ii.) “understanding darkened” (seeing everything through an evil lense).
iii.) “alienated from the life of God”
iv.) Reason behind this? Because of their own ignorance. Because of their own
blindness of their hearts. THEY JUST DON’T WANT TO SEE, UNDERSTAND,
CHANGE.
v.) “Past feeling,” “Given over to lewdness, to work all uncleanliness with greediness.”
This is so bad. Just think of this. NO FEELING, NO CONSCIENCE, NOT CARING.
Doing something so much you come to accept it as a “so-what?!”
Scary isn’t it? Dear God, keep us from this hardness of heart!
C. Letting our guards down, accepting things that are wrong, accepting an attitude towards
our own lives that “we are just humans.” We stop trying to really grow. We preach that
others need to “repent,” while never repenting ourselves. HYPOCRITE!
i.) My own struggle is just this. It is a daily struggle to be genuine and grow.
ii.) Tempted to give up, stop trying.
iii.) I must WATCH MY WALK. My own walk MUST MIRROR THAT OF JESUS.
2. GETTING TO SPECIFICS
A. “Put off CONCERNING YOUR FORMER CONDUCT…”
i,) Time to stop and think of my PAST CONDUCT. I don’t like it, regret it, stupid choices.
ii.) The old man continues to be more corrupt… deceived by lust (DYOR). Lust=desiring
and letting the flesh control. Allowing sinful desires to not only surface but dwelling
on these… day dreaming… tempted… dragged away (again) into sin. Our cycle must
be broken if we are to be free in Christ. Lust is deceitful…
B. “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”
i.) EVERYDAY is a battle for the mind… EVERYDAY! Almost EVERY MINUTE…
ii.) I admit it. I struggle. This is my battle.
iii.) “Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness
and holiness.”
C. HOW???
i.) CONFESS – To God (forgiveness) He promises to forgive… I Jno. 2:1f
ii.) CONFESS – To another brother you trust (healing) Jms. 5:16 “Confess your
trespasses to one another, pray for one another, THAT YOU MAY BE HEALED. ”
Does it work? Yes! Is this easy? No! You want to be healed? Yes! So DO IT! No more
excuses. Time to break the cycle of sin in life.
iii.) RUN! Time to exercise! Joseph (Gen. 39) Joseph had to deal with Mrs. Potiphar.
HE RAN FROM HER!
I missed for so long the need to RUN! LEAVE! GET OUT! Quit playing ‘footsies’ with
Satan thinking, it’s ok. It’s not! A wise man knows where his weakness is. A foolish man
knows and plays anyway. Read Proverbs 5:1-10ff
3. BACK TO THE BUTTERFLY AND SPIDER.
A. Let’s be honest with ourselves. Romans 7 speaks of a war going on. As long as we are
in this world, we will have to be involved in this ward with the flesh. Our flesh.
Our struggle.
B. In our lives, we cannot give in to the “spider” (flesh)(old man), that always seeks the
dark places. “We are only as strong as we are honest” (with ourselves).
C. Strive for spiritual growth (butterfly). Put off/put on. Strengthen the soul and mind.
Follow after (focus your eyes on) Jesus (Heb. 12:1-2) .
D. Come on people. Let’s do this. Pray for me, pray for yourself.

GROW IN GRACE!

I think everyone has times like this and some people seem to take it in stride while others… not so much… still others may crash. What then can one do?
(Using “Winning over stress” by Jack Exum as an ‘kick-off’ point. This book can be purchased and downloaded through Smashwords.com) This article includes thought from myself and dad.)

Stress is a natural response to problems, situations etc… How we deal with stress seems to be a mix of both natural and learned methods (habits). This can be learned from childhood of later in life. I personally tend to try and avoid confrontations, which is not a good thing all the time. I (unfortunately) learned over the years to withdraw and not talk. This is bad because things build up inside and eventually comes out in different ways. Here are ten things mentioned in dad’s book… LET’S GET STARTED as we expand on each.

How to deal with things that happen, and feel like life is caving in?
1. “Turn the word FAITH into the word TRUST.”
How quickly we forget the spiritual side, and sources at our disposal? Pressure seems too great to deal with, and instinct takes over. Do we fight or run? Often this leads to anger… DANGER AHEAD! “Just deal with it! Get over it! This is not great advice. Life isn’t so easy. Faith and trust are thought of as synonymous. Perhaps, but then real faith can grow and keep growing. Trusting in God, turning life over to Him as Abraham and others show.
IS REAL TRUST AN EASY THING? Not to me. It was not easy for the disciples of Jesus. They learned to trust as they saw and experienced the faithfulness and care of Jesus. Still their faith was not as strong UNTIL… resurrection day came. One thing I love about MMLJ is the way Jesus gave these early followers “elbow room.” He let and helped them GROW! When will we learn?
Stress kills for sure along with worry. Given time it affects the health. Turning your eyes towards the grave earlier than normal. Building mountains out of molehills. Getting nothing accomplished. Next day is worse… So grow in your faith. Read the Gospels and see how the disciples show us US, and how Jesus shows us GOD and how much He loves us. He never failed them, and He won’t fail you.
Read the Psalms… see David and put yourself right there and learn to let the Lord be your shepherd. TRUST!

2. “Begin each day with a song”
This is hard for me. Actually all of these things are hard for me. I have to keep going over this to make these principles mine. “Allow your daily pace to be set to music.” Songs like “When we walk with the Lord, in the light of his word; What a glory he sheds on our way; When we do his good will, he abides with us still and with all who will trust and obey.” The old song, “T’is so sweet to trust in Jesus,” or “Only trust him.” Songs that build TRUST.
“You pick your favorite song, and sing. Start now. Go on, burst into praise. Sing a line and turn your heart to God and relax. The secret is in the habit. Sing in the morning, sing at the noon time, and then again when the shadows grow heavy with darkness. Human stress and spiritual hands never hold hands.”

3. Pick out your special verse of Scripture”
I’m not a great memorizer. Even in preacher school (PRSOP) I struggled while others looked one time, and it was ‘there’ for life! Now at 76 when I look back and wish I had put the effort into this mental muscle I feel like a beginner. Well better now than never, right? Something just occurred to me on this. Growing up in the church meant we were “in church” every time the doors were open, and sometimes when they weren’t! Being a PK probably had a lot to do with that.
We regularly sang at least 5 spiritual songs every time we gathered as a church family. We sang as a family when traveling in the car or VW Bus… all the time. We loved to sing! Over time we knew many of the songs in the old brown song book. I would occasionally lead singing. A favorite was “Hallelujah Praise Jehovah,” and I loved it, and became kind of proficient (not professional) in song leading. Anyway, I tell you this to emphasize a point. You got to love God and the Scriptures. You have to get that feeling that there is something you are getting from this. Take for example my favorite verse in Psalms 37:4 (actually verses 1-8) but verse 4 says, “TRUST in the Lord, and DO GOOD…” It’s just a part of the verse but it is a great heart lifting seven words. Another verse is Psalms 34:1 “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” “Simple trust, simple song, simple verse(s).” Encouragement for the moment and day. Try it! Find your verse, it helps!

4.”Turn outward”
Admit it, we all tend to be a bit self-centered. For the self-centered person seldom finds victory over stress. Why? The answer is not within, usually the problem is. It is hard for this person to find good in others. “If you are SERIOUS about cutting stress, find something good in everyone you see. When the heart is full of goodness, and the lips speak with beautiful words the praises of God in others, that feature alone will lower the blood pressure on a crowded freeway.” “That’s hypocritical!” you say. “I just can’t do that!” Frankly it’s not that you can’t, it’s YOU WON’T. We insist on letting the anger, hurt, and desire to strike back, take over. This just increases the stress, to say nothing about blood pressure. “Life is good, overwhelmingly good and people are waiting to be reminded of it.” People are needing encouragement, and you may be just the one they need to hear it from. Fill the gap, stand up for good. “Turn outward” and the benefits to you will be numerous. Read Psalms 37 for encouragement when dealing with ‘not so nice’ people, or the corrupt. (Again, good Scriptures help.) “Focus on others; compliment others; praise others; do for others… lose yourself in the needs of others… and in so doing, deal another death blow to stress.”

5. “Touching reduces stress”
Ok, let’s get real! “Touching” brings all kind of thoughts, some are positive and others negative. Being hammered with negative or sinful thoughts of touching should be denied and of course the Bible speaks on this. The positive use of this encouraged, why?
a.) From birth we thrive on it. Studies have been done on this. Babies NEED loving touch. This 76 year old scribe still needs it.
b.) ‘Touching’ can re-enforce connection and the feeling of being accepted.
On the other hand the lack of it can be and usually is emotionally destructive. Pulling away from someone builds emotional walls. Think about it. Do the research.
Here’s what dad says. “You know I am referring to “touching in the right places.” This platonic. non-erotic touch is one of inner feeling. Many of you who read this grew up in NON-TOUCHING a family. You will be tempted to pass this one by as being rather silly. To the contrary, I COULDN’T BE MORE SERIOUS.
We live above each other, beside each other, under each other, around each other, BUT SELDOM DO WE TOUCH. What a pity, for within the process of a loving touch is another nail in the coffin of stress. Touching says, “We’re related.” We belong to the human race and therefore (in a real sense) to each other. Perfect strangers can find (almost) immediate identity “in the tough.” Ann Landers found the vast majority of women enjoyed the touch and found the sensitive stroke of a husband’s love more fulfilling than the act of copulation (sex).Husbands touching (their) wives , wives responding with tender hands. Parents touching children, children reacting to the arms of mother and father. Friends and relatives rejoicing in the presence of each other.
Now turn the dial up a couple of notches and HUG. Hug others, friends, relatives, neighbors – BE A HUGGER and see what happens to all that stress you’ve been carrying. Be a full-blown, double armed, breast to chest hugger. Quit wondering if they will break your glasses. QUIT THINKING EVIL THOUGHTS ABOUT OTHERS BEING “DIRTY OLD MEN AND WOMEN.” Trust God and you will trust others more readily. BE A HUGGER!”
Here’s a poem dad included in a back page of his New Testament. I don’t think he knew the author and nor do I… Maybe you can help me on this.
So, what do you think? Let me know!

“TOUCH ME”
“Touch me in the morning while the night still clings,
Touch me at mid-day when confusion crowds around me.
Touch me in the evening when I see and hear you, best of all.
Touch me at night when I can’t see you,
but I know you are there.

Touch me with your hands and also with your eyes.
Touch me with your words, and with your thoughts.
Touch me with your presence in the room.

Touch me like a child who is strong enough to give,
Touch me like a mother
who brought life into the world.
Touch me like a father,
who’s gnarled and calloused hands OFTEN touch things as well as people.

Touch me when I ask you to-
Touch me when I’m afraid to ask you to.
Touch me gentle, for I’m so fragile.
Touch me firmly, I’m so strong.
BUT MOST IMPORTANT – TOUCH ME OFTEN –
FOR WITHOUT YOU TOUCH I FEEL SO ALONE.”

(References to “Touching,” which have helped me… Matthew 8:1-3; 8:15; 9:20, 29; 14:36). Study, reflect, apply what you learn, and share.

Grow in grace my friends…
(End Part One)

Part Two includes the following…
6. “A special deed of kindness each day”
7. Make your list and get started”
8. Put it in a box and tie it with a ribbon”
9. “Belly breathe… relax those muscles, exercise”
10. Now is the time to pray”



.

SANDY COOPER
A GREAT PREACHER FROM BELFAST. This is the one man who influenced dad to leave Dallas, Texas (Walnut Hills Church of Christ) where he ministered, and move to Belfast, North Ireland to work as missionary. This lead to other missionary families joining the work there. The Eckman family joined in the mission with mom and dad. Others worked in Bangor, Coleraine, Northern Ireland. Many great memories. Many more pictures. (Note: “Thrue the years”).
I still recall this sweet Irishman making his presentation, and request for help in the mission work in Ireland. He was enthusiastic, gentle, very Irish, and we loved him. He was instrumental in spreading the Gospel in Northern Ireland!

Do you have any memories of Sandy??? I would love to hear from you!