Author: ForCommonGround

Lessons from a Mermaid

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

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A few days ago I was watching The Little Mermaid with my daughter. Believe it or not, I actually had a spiritual encounter. Don’t laugh! I’m serious. It happened during the scene where Ariel and Ursula are negotiating at Ursula’s lair. In a quick synopsis, Ariel wants to become a human so she can walk on land in hopes of living happily ever after with the love of her life, Prince Eric. Ursula wants to dominate the entire sea. Ursula proposes a plan to “help” Ariel get her dream come true. In reality, she wants to use Ariel’s desires to trap her and take her soul. Ariel’s crab friend, Sebastian, tries to stop her but she is overcome by her longing for Prince Eric that she agrees to a contract with Ursula. During this scene, the Holy Spirit took me to school on spiritual matters.

Ursula is a representation of Satan. Her goal is the same as his. She wants to control the seas and all that is in them, and Satan wants all of humanity. The Devil will frequently try to make agreements with humanity in order to achieve his goals. Those contracts seem enticing, but at their core, they are deceptive and evil just as Ursula’s were. Ursula played off of Ariel’s desires, just like Satan does to us. He will always pervert our desires which ultimately stacks the chips in his favor and only leads to our pain and the pain of those in our lives.

Examples: We all have a longing to be loved and accepted. Satan will confuse us on what that actually looks like, or will play off of hurts caused in our lives to lead us into making poor choices. Maybe we never felt it as a kid growing up from our parents, so we make agreements in our mind that we will seek it out, even from unhealthy sources. We meet that girl, or guy, or group of people, that makes us feel accepted and wanted, yet they only want to use us or exploit us in some way. This is exactly how gangs are formed. This is why people go from one unhealthy relationship to the next. This is why people get sucked in to pornography and affairs. This is where Satan wants us because these situations ultimately lead people away from God.

The bible contains a narrative of a similar scene from the one in the Little Mermaid. (I’ll bet that’s a statement you’ve never heard before).  The most detailed account is in Matthew 4:1-11. To summarize, Satan attempts three different ways of luring Jesus into signing a contract with him. The first is to target the thirst and hunger of Jesus because He had been in the desert fasting for 40 days. Satan will try to exploit the needs and wants of our flesh. If we aren’t getting something that we perceive as a need or have a desire for it, then Satan will surely offer up something to fill that. The problem is, it will not be a good thing and we will certainly have to pay a major price if we take the bait. The second is to challenge the identity of Jesus by saying, “if you truly are the Son of God…” Satan is sometimes referred to as the accuser or father of lies. This is because he twists reality and brings charges against everyone who has ever been born. He does not want us to know in our hearts that we are created in the image of God. Those who do embrace that identity are more empowered to live for God and overcome temptations. The third was to offer Him a counterfeit to that which was already His. Jesus already had control over everything in creation, because He created it and He is how all things are held together. Satan still had the audacity to offer Jesus the kingdoms of the world. Those who are in Christ are already loved, accepted, valued, and given great purpose in life. Satan wants to confuse us on that so that we will look for those things in another source besides God.

These are pretty common methods that the Devil uses which is why I believe Jesus wanted us to see it through His experience. I couldn’t believe that God was taking me on a journey of the soul during an animated movie. It just goes to show that there are no limits to how His Spirit can work in us.

I hope that this post can be an encouragement to you and can help you stand in the face of temptation and hurts and see the counterfeits being offered you. I hope that the days of your life are empowered by Holy Spirit strength and wisdom to see the good from the bad and the light from the dark and be able to choose the right path to take. For me, the scene from the movie, or that from Matthew 4, can sometimes play out daily. The good news is, that Satan can’t force any of us into a contract, we have to choose it. We can decide who we want to be like…Ariel or Jesus.

Jesus shut him up all three times by using the Word of God to expose Satan’s deceptions. Interestingly enough, Jesus is the Word of God made flesh so He was never really at the risk of being drawn away by Satan’s schemes. For us, we have to use the same method. We have to tap into the same source as Jesus did. The bible tells us who were are, how much God loves us, and what our purpose in life is. A life lived with these answers will have fulfillment, unconditional acceptance, and have far less room for the enemy of our souls to try to invade.

I’ll end with some verses to declare that in Him, we are strong!

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” -James 4:7

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” -1 Corinthians 10:13

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” -2 Corinthians 12:9-10

God Bless!!!

 

 

Is Political Correctness Truthful?

~ ForCommonGround ~ 2 Comments

Politically Correct: agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.

Have you ever known someone that made you feel like you were walking on eggshells around them? You had to be very careful what you said because they might get offended? Have you ever felt that way living in the United States or any country for that matter?

Society in the US has moved more and more towards exclusionary speech. The list of “outlawed” speech is growing at an exponential rate. I see this probably at a faster rate being a teacher in the public school system. 

Freedom is a great thing. Wouldn’t you agree? But the problem with freedom is it gives way to hurt and offense. The same thing can be said about truth. When truth is spoken, it can potentially cut us deep or even offend our conscience. The way to remove offense, therefore, is to remove freedom and truth.

I know what some may be thinking: what truth are you talking about? Approaching it in this way is an example of the problem. I’ve written several posts that have brought this up but I feel compelled to once again. A society absent of set-foundational truth will be able to oppress its people with the ever changing cultural opinions. For example, in the United States, culture now deems it okay to choose your gender and marry people of the same gender. At other points in history, American culture has permitted slavery and segregation. For all of American history, the practice of abortion has been allowed. The reason for all of this is that the United States, and I would argue most nations throughout world history, has never been rooted in and steadfast in foundational truth. I know, a lot of people argue that this nation was founded on Biblical principles and that is what dictated decisions that our founding fathers made. If that were true, we wouldn’t have had slavery, abortions, and discrimination towards women (just to name a few) since the very beginning. Sure, there are many biblical principles that have been the basis for the US Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and many other American documents, but to say that our founding fathers were some sort of super Christians is ridiculous.

Our nation was founded with the same sort of problem that still plagues our nation today. It’s the practice of picking and choosing truth based on what is acceptable in society. In some ways our culture today is more in line with what the bible teaches than it was in the beginning. Women are treated far better, there is no slavery or child labor, we take better care of the poor, and there is much more opposition to abortion than there has ever been. On the flip side, we have much more misguided views on sexuality, marriage, and gender identity.

For most of the 1800’s, it would not have been politically correct to speak out against slavery, abortions, or keeping women in “their place” through defined gender roles. Today, it’s not politically correct to say that you should love the gender that God made you to be, or that marriage is only between man and woman. My point is, the concept of being politically correct is based on a counterfeit truth that is determined by the culture and society at the present time. I say it’s counterfeit because truth doesn’t change. Truth is not relative. The only truth that exists is absolute truth. The only truth that has been absolute and unchanging throughout human history is God’s truth. The only source that has ever been validated (meaning it is backed by history, fact, thousands of prophecies coming true, and science) as God’s truth is the Bible. So, by extension, when political correctness contradicts the truth in the Bible, then political correctness becomes dishonest. And because it is dishonest, it is unloving.

In today’s society, it is frowned upon to share salvation through Jesus Christ alone. It is politically incorrect to tell someone that there is one truth, one way, one source of life and hope. It is no longer acceptable to say that homosexuality is wrong even though the bible clearly presents God’s view of it. Apparently it’s wrong for schools to teach purity and abstinence before marriage although that is the heart of God expressed in the bible.

God loves people way more than any person loves other people. Out of His love He gave us His truth. I highly doubt that God is concerned with political correctness, especially because it is often a direct insult to His truth. As followers of Christ, the last thing on our mind should be political correctness. Instead, we should be people of truth. Truth doesn’t waver. Political correctness does. Our lives should display love, be filled with compassion, and point people to Jesus. We should never compromise truth in order to not offend. Jesus offended people all the time. Just read the new testament. Our mission is one of grace, never with the goal to offend but to encourage a life in relationship with Jesus. For all of us, a life with Jesus means putting ourselves in line with His truth regardless if we think we know best on how to live our lives. The fact is, we don’t and Jesus does. Jesus is not political correctness, Jesus is TRUTH, and LOVE, and LIFE. He needs to be the compass of a society, a nation, and us as individuals. Until that happens, no follower of Christ will be politically correct and political correctness will simply be untrue.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. -Ephesians 4:29

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. -Colossians 4:6

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.  -Proverbs 27:5

…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  -Ephesians 4:13-15

Let all that you do be done in love.  -1 Corinthians 6:14

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  -John 14:6

Rewritten

~ ForCommonGround ~ 5 Comments

At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame.

Zephaniah 3:19

This verse caught ahold of me a few days back. It took me awhile to figure out exactly why. I mean, this verse is right smack dab in the middle of some great verses yet it stood out. It even gets overshadowed for many people by what is said two verses previous to this one. However, a portion of the third chapter of Zephaniah deals with a common theme. Verses 9-20 all point to a time where the lives of people will be rewritten. A time when all the upside down things of this world will be flipped on its head and all will be right again. 

When God makes promises to us, there is usually a present and future reality connected to them. In fact, I’d be hard pressed to think of one that doesn’t…The promise of Zephaniah 3:19 is no different. This little gem contains a wealth of good hope for anyone who reads it. 

Three different labels are placed on the recipients of this promise. Each one is given something both now and in the future. 

#1-The Oppressed

#2-The Lame

#3-The Exiles

It took me awhile to figure out why I connected to this verse so much because I didn’t see myself as oppressed, lame, or as an exile. It was a beautiful and powerful verse all the same but I sensed that there was more for me, and for us then just the beauty of it all. After a few days of reflection here is what I came up with and want to share with you all.

#1-As long as we live in this world we are going to experience oppression. All we have to do is take a look at the news or do a serious inventory of our lives and we’ll see oppression. Granted, this happens at various levels. All of humanity is oppressed by the same thing: SIN. It has imprisoned many to addictive behaviors, depressive emotions, physical chains, and acts of unspeakable horror. 

#2-As long as we live in these bodies we are indeed, lame. Generally that term is reserved for someone with a physical handicap. When we take a long and honest look however, we have to admit that we are all broken in some way and none of us are physically or mentally perfect. Two of the best words to define perfection would have to be PURE and HOLY. No person in the world has ever met those marks other than One. That doesn’t mean we all have an excuse to remain impure or ever celebrate sinfulness or brokenness but that we all recognize our need and how we miss the mark of a perfect God.

#3-We are exiles on earth. For this last notion, we have to consider a reality beyond what we see everyday. This world was never meant to be a permanent home for us. As a created being, we are all exiles on planet earth. I’m not speaking of being sci-fi aliens but we are more like people on a mission trip. When someone goes on a mission trip it is with purpose. Notice, I didn’t say we are on vacation. Big difference. Not all of us have the same future home though and that is evident by what mission we make our lives about. 

The promise that God made in verse 19 was to remedy all of these situations. Let me explain:

#1-“I will deal with all who oppress you…” God wrapped Himself in human form (known as Jesus) and died on a cross to pay our sin debt and break the power of sin over us. (read Romans 5-8). While bad things still happen, we can be free from our own sin that causes pain for others and ourselves. One day God will completely wipe the earth clean of sin.

#2-“I will rescue the lame…” The perfect and sinless life Jesus lived was not only a way to teach us but also so that His perfection can be attributed to those who put their faith in Him. We become new creations spiritually in Christ which means we have His Spirit to lead us in a life that is more pure and holy and we have his righteousness to cover us as we grow and become more like Christ.  It doesn’t mean we become perfect. We will still have to battle in these broken bodies and a broken world but we will have Someone to strengthen us and walk with us through the fight so we can overcome.

#3-“I will gather the exiles…” One day God will call His children home or Jesus will return for them. We will go to where we are meant to live forever. Those who love God will go home to be with Him. Those who reject God, will unfortunately go to the place they have chosen and be eternally separated from God and His goodness. God’s hope is that you choose Him because He chose you before He made you.

The Gospel message is throughout the entire bible. Zephaniah was written hundreds of years before God walked among us as Jesus Christ. Even so, God was reaching down to us and giving us amazing promises. Zephaniah 3:19 can help us view this life in a more realistic way. We can see the hurt of all those around us and be driven to compassion. We can point them to Jesus who is the only one who can break their oppression and heal their pain. We can also stop looking at the physically or mentally lame as being any different from the rest of us. We are all in the same boat…all broken and imperfect and we have to get over ourselves and never think of ourselves as being better than anyone else. We can stop celebrating things that God calls unholy and instead, take His free gift of healing and renewal and stand for truth. Without that, the world falls deeper into oppression and brokenness. Finally, we can view our time that we’ve been given as a gift. Time to be used with purpose and that purpose is not a selfish one. No one goes on a mission trip to be served. If they did, how wretched would they be? We are here to serve, to love, and to glorify God. Everything else is a waste of time and breath. 

If God has rewritten your story than praise Him! If not, He has a pen in hand wanting to rewrite your story. That pen is Jesus Christ and He writes into people’s story, healing, freedom, righteousness, and hope. Who better to have rewrite your story than the Author of all of life Himself.

I hope this brings you hope and encouragement because God has always wanted to rewrite the stories of hurting lives. God bless!

The Giving Pledge

~ ForCommonGround ~ 5 Comments


Have you ever heard of the Giving Pledge? I first came across it a week ago in an article about Warren Buffett giving away $2.9 Billion. If you don’t know about Mr. Buffett, he’s one of the wealthiest people in the world. I’m sure you deduced that by the figure. The entire article and the concept of the pledge hooked me. 

In simple terms, it’s the idea that the super rich would give away all or the majority of their wealth in their lifetime. Wow! I had learned of people in the past who had done similar things like Andrew Carnegie who gave away nearly all his wealth to charitable causes. He was, at one point, the wealthiest man in America and quite possibly the world. Past and present, the idea is astonishing.

I know what some may be thinking, “if I had billions of dollars I’d be fine giving it away too.” I admit I had that instinct at first too. But the question becomes, would you really? I have found that the more money and possessions one acquires in life, the more precious they become. I don’t think any of us should be too quick to assume we’d be super generous if we were billionaires. I was told once that I should not presume to think that I’d be generous if I had more, if I’m not generous with what I already have. I think there is tremendous truth in that!

I’ve caught myself praying before that God would give me more of an income so I could give more away. I had to start searching my own heart and take inventory of how I was already giving. I have known many people who said that they’d start giving once they reached “__” point of success or income in their lives. I think that is a fatal mistake that we make far too often. If only I had “__” then I’d give. That’s a thought that has plagued people for ages.

Truth be told, we don’t have to be super wealthy to give lavishly. To give a lot is not merely defined in terms of $, but also in the cost. By cost i am not speaking of money necessarily but of the risk or sacrifice on our part. In the bible, there is recorded a story of a woman who gave, not billions, but rather all she had. We find it in Luke chapter 21. We probably wouldn’t ever see a CNN headline about someone like her but Jesus commends her for giving more than anyone. She gave all she had! How many of us can say we’ve done that? Most people I know struggle with tithing 10% or making donations that would cause them to give up a few Starbucks trips that month. 

My point is, I have to let go of what I have, and I’m guessing so do the majority of people living in a society of affluence. Jesus said that we will either love and serve Him, or we will love and serve money. Another piece of good advice I heard once was, “if I’m not willing to use something I have to benefit others, than I shouldn’t have it.” Sounds bold but I believe it’s solid counsel. 

Most people who read this are probably far richer than they think. But even if they aren’t, they have much they can give. We have time, money, things, encouragement, love, truth, and hope. And we cannot afford to be stingy with any of it. 

The giving pledge Has inspired me to want to make one of my own. A pledge to give more of my life and possessions and money. A pledge to share my blessings in life with others. A pledge to give out of my abundance or out of my lack. I will probably never give billions of dollars away, but I certainly hope to give all of my life away to the glory of Christ. After all, God set the example for giving when He clothed Himself in human form and sacrificed Himself on a cross for the sins of mankind. That was the ultimate giving pledge that He had made ages ago. May it motivate us to pledge our lives to sharing His truth, His love, and His blessings to a world in need! Will you join me?

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:6-8

Independence for All

~ ForCommonGround ~ 1 Comment


The 4th of July is an incredible day in history, not just for American, but for the world. Because of the success of the American Revolution, the world was ignited into a century of rebellion against tyranny. Much of Latin America and France, engaged in their own epic struggles for freedom. No question, it is a day to be celebrated and remembered. 

However, the greatest independence was not declared in 1776, nor was the struggle waged by American colonists. The greatest invasion into the world of darkness happened over 2000 years ago, when God clothed Himself in human form and came to ransom His creation from the grips of evil, sin, and death. When Jesus Christ said, “it is Finished” before breathing His last breath on the cross, He was saying those who call on my name will forever be free of the power of sin! Just as the American colonists were declaring that they would no longer stand to be subjected to the will of their oppressors, so too does every child of God who says my place is with Christ and I belong to no other. Praise Jesus Christ that He has purchased our freedom at the greatest cost so that we can rise above despair and worry and live to a new hope. 

God bless brothers and sisters!

If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John 8:36

Gun Control does not equal violence control

~ ForCommonGround ~ 3 Comments


Another mass shooting and the debate is as fervent as ever. Should guns be more regulated? If so, how? Not many people in America are against all forms of gun control. Well over 80% of Americans (regardless of party affiliation) in recent polls support background checks. And let’s be honest, who would ever argue that it doesn’t need to be harder for criminals to have access? However, beyond that point is where the unilateral support breaks down. Why? Simply because most people argue from a point of opinion and emotion rather than based on information and facts. Regardless, it’s the wrong debate. 

Arguing that we need to control guns to curb these mass shootings and homicides is like saying we need to regulate fast food to end obesity. The problem is not in the tool it’s in the motivations behind the problem. Remove the tool and the person will just seek out another. You need to look no further than the fact that accessibility to guns has no correlation to the level of homicides and terror attacks in a country. My point is, if people want to carry out a murder or terror attack, they will, regardless of how regulated guns are. Case in point: United Kingdom. They have had a rise in violent crimes since banning firearms. If people have an eating problem, they’ll seek to satisfy their desire regardless of availability. Same is true with murder and terrorism. If people want to kill, they will with whatever means they can come by. The United States has far less gun related crimes than many nations that don’t even allow private ownership. Also, guns aren’t even the main method of homicides in America. Bombs are illegal and that didn’t stop the Boston Marathon attacks. Hijacking planes is illegal but that didn’t stop terrorists from flying them into the trade center. 

Guns rarely get praised for the good they are used for. For example, guns are used 80 times as often in self defense to save a life than to take one. More impressive than that is that 200,000 plus women save themselves from being sexually assaulted each year by having a gun. Plus, do people think it’s coincidence that almost all mass shootings take place in gun free zones? Several ‘would be’ mass shootings have been stopped by civilians with concealed weapons.  

So why are people like our president, and so many others, ready to fire so quickly at gun regulations when tragedies occur? Because they need something to blame. But the blame is misplaced. Pointing a finger at guns means that our society doesn’t have to look deeper, under the surface at what is really going on. Regulating guns or taking them away will not control the violence in our nation or anywhere in the world. That is a fact proven by ample evidence. So if I don’t believe that guns are the problem, then what is? Here are a few ideas of what I think are leading factors in mass shootings and terror attacks. 

Problem #1- our nation embraces, and really, celebrates violence. Just look at sports, movies and other forms of entertainment like video games. It is glorified in so many ways yet we are shocked when it plays out in reality. 

Problem #2-leaders in America refuse to acknowledge the threat of radical Islam. This is not a peaceful religion. Anyone who has ever studied the Quran, Islamic history, and witnessed the last century of horrors documented in the name of Islam, would have to concede this point. There are peaceful Muslims but that does not mean they reflect true Islam. 

Problem #3-our culture has little to no reverence for the one true God as revealed in the Bible and embodied in Christ Jesus. I admit this has been a problem since the beginning of our nation. It’s just taken different forms like slavery, lack of women’s rights, abuses towards Native Americans and racial minorities, acceptance of pornography and same sex marriage, public support for abortion, etc…This problem perpetuates every problem that a society has. 

Address these problems and we may actually see some change. Continue to ignore them, and things will get worse. Unfortunately it is not just an American problem, it’s a world problem. So we as a nation can change but we are so interconnected that the world needs to change with us. We certainly could act as a beacon of light to the nations and a catalyst to revival. As followers of Christ we need to commit to prayer, to grace, to living and sharing truth, to promoting healing and hope among those around us, to loving more than we ever have, and to pointing the world towards their Savior. He is our greatest hope in these dark times in which we live. And light shines the brightest in darkness! 

God bless my brothers and sisters!

Broken

~ ForCommonGround ~ 2 Comments


Most people could recognize the character in the picture above without reading any further. The image goes along with a childhood poem that many have grown up hearing. If you’re like me, you probably have no idea where the story came from but you joyfully sang along as your parents recited it. Who knows, maybe the person telling you the nursery rhyme didn’t even know it’s meaning or origin.

As the image portrays, Humpty Dumpty is an egg, yet if you notice, an egg is never mentioned in any of the lines.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, 

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; 

All the king’s horses and all the king’s men 

Couldn’t put Humpty together again.

So most likely…it’s a riddle. The majority agree, when studying the context and history, that this is the case. The rhyme dates all the way back to the 17th century and has been changed only slightly over time. Some theories exist  linking the nursery rhyme back to certain historical events of the 1600’s. However, this isn’t meant to be an analysis of a beloved nursery rhyme. Instead, I wanted to share how the four lines of this riddle relate to the human condition (don’t laugh, I’m being serious).

Here’s the breakdown:

Line 1- Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Walls, for centuries, have been a symbol of security. People are, by nature, driven to create or seek out security. Unfortunately it is often sought out in all the wrong things . We look to money, appearance, relationships, material possessions, praise from others, achievements, and work. 

Line 2-Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All but one foundation will eventually crack and crumble and cause us to go barreling down out of control. When our ‘security’ is shaken, (because it is eliusive, unstable) we lose our grip and fall. Some fall harder than others. 

Line 3 & 4- all the King’s horses and all the King’s men couldn’t put Humpty back together again. When we fall, and are broken, (which is our condition from the start) no matter of human fixing can ever make us whole again. 

Insert Jesus Christ…when we sit on the foundation and security of Christ, no matter of shaking can ever make us fall because we are held firmly in God’s hand. By shaking, I’m not saying that we won’t have concerns or hardships. Jesus actually promised that we would. I am saying that those who have a relationship with Jesus Christ will be able to stand strong in the fiercest storms. And in the light of eternity, we can never be shaken loose from God’s grip!

“I (Jesus) give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.””

‭‭John‬ ‭10:28-30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus will only be inserted into the scene of one’s life by those who see that they are broken. They come to a place of humility and transparency about their need and hurting. They see that something huge is missing from their lives and that it can only be filled by Jesus. It’s best to realize this before we ever fall off the wall. BUT, Jesus is every bit as available, seeking and calling out to those who are laying, broken and shattered at the bottom of the wall. 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The truth is, we are all broken vessels that can only be mended by The Potter’s hands.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”‭‭

Romans‬ ‭3:23-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The amazing thing is, that it’s free and available to anyone who calls on the name of Jesus. We don’t have to be ‘put together’ to fall at His feet. It’s impossible to be put together before a relationship with Christ. 

“”Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:4-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

After we come to Christ, we still need to keep building our lives on what He teaches and how He lived. A parable Jesus taught can very closely tie to the 17th century nursery rhyme.

“”Everyone then who hears these words of mine(Jesus) and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:24-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I share this for all who are hurting, all who don’t know where to turn, all who seem lost, all who are building their lives up on false security, all who recognize the void deep in their soul and have never found a way to fill it. There is hope and life and healing. I share this for the believer who is compromising, who lives just as a non believer does, who is Christian by title only. There is a true life with Jesus and its so much more. Maybe you lost your way. There is a way back and an abundant life to be had. I share this for those who have been serving Jesus. Rejoice in our savior Who has put us back together into a new creation!

God bless my brothers and sisters. May Christ’s love overwhelm you!

Time Slaves

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment


Have you ever wondered what it would be like if time was not a part of your daily life? I’m not talking about time in a broad manner as in we all have certain amounts of years to our lives, but in a specific sense like the time of day. How much of your life would change if you never knew the time? Appointments? Work? Class? Family life? Trips? Meetings? I could probably list a lot more but I think that’ll do. 
People’s obsession with time is demonstrated for anyone who looks back through the lens of history. The idea of time pieces has been around for a long time but an accurate clock has only existed for less than 700 years. Thousands of years ago sundials and water clocks dominated as the source of telling time. However, these were not accurate and relied so much on the sun shining and the source of water being controlled. Fast forward to the 14th century and the foundations of the modern clock are born and we’ve never looked back since. 

The question that comes to my mind is: why? Why are we drawn so much to time? Why do we feel life needs to be so…calculated? What would happen if you hid every form of time piece in your possession? Would your life spiral out of control? (That may be a bit of exaggeration) 

I am a high school teacher. My entire work day is built on a schedule that would not function without the knowledge of time. It makes you wonder how education ever worked without bell schedules…

It may sound odd coming from a teacher, but bells and schedules drive me crazy. I don’t believe that society was ever meant to be so regimented. So much creativity and experiences are starved by such a system. Really, that system is no more than 150 years old. It all originated out of the industrial revolution era in Europe and the United States. Even though it’s so young, most nations around the world have adopted methods of structuring their days. Think about all the phrases: happy hour, nine to five job, 40 hour work weeks, over time, bed time, dinner time, etc. Alarm clocks ringing to wake up for another time managed day. 

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that there have been efficiencies added due to time keeping. On the contrary, I also believe many have become slaves to the same efficiency. What sparked all of this dialogue was an article I recently read about the “present clock.” Have you heard of it? It was designed by Scott Thrift. The clock actually contains no numbers and takes one full year to make a full revolution.


Imagine the only sense of time that you have is of your year passing by rather than the minutes and seconds. What’s the advantage to that? Maybe a life lived in light of the big picture rather than by a schedule consumed with milking every tick of the clock out of a day. Maybe it would help to keep our eyes locked on the yearly goals rather than on the next meeting or deadline. In my opinion, it would lead to a less “productive” life but it would lead to a fuller life. Here’s an example that came to my mind: I would be more focused on pouring into another year of my daughters’ lives before that year is up rather than on bed times and super structured days. 

I applaud Mr. Thrift. While I would agree that structure is not all together bad and time Management has its advantages, they can also drown the very life out of us when we allow them to dominate every move. Ephesians 5:16 tells us to make the most of every opportunity and Psalm 90:12 says that we need to be taught to number our days. I believe the heart of both of those verses is to make the most of life not to live so much on schedules and time tables limited by set times. I believe they tell us to make the most of our relationships and serve and love in increasing measure. Our ability to do that can be very limited when we are overly aware of time. The moment humanity gained the ability to keep track of hours and minutes and seconds, it began to fill them up, a lot of which with useless things in grand scheme of things. A life too full can sometimes be very empty. Mr. Thrift’s simple invention helped me to zoom out on life so I can see it how I believe our Creator meant us to. 

Made and Chosen

~ ForCommonGround ~ 2 Comments


For many months now I have gone back and forth about writing a post on the issue of gender. Since the Supreme Court ruling on same sex marriage, legalizing it nation wide, the issue of transgendered rights has taken center stage. For anyone who has read my posts or know anything about me, probably already knows my thoughts on the matter. I also don’t want to join the rants about it that are coming from both sides of the issue. 

Since I am a school teacher, President Obama’s recent directive given to public schools to allow all transgendered students to use whatever bathroom of their choice, did entice me to want to shout to the world in opposition. But I will refrain. I don’t know as though this argument can be won by either side because both sides are using the same topic…people’s rights. The problem is when rights conflict, who’s rights are more important? 

While I pray dearly that this battle for ‘open choice’ restrooms will come quickly to an end with no matter of success, I would like to speak directly to my brothers and sisters engaged in this fight. So this is my letter in hopes that it will somehow reach those for whom and is meant:

You were all beautifully and wonderfully made. Not at birth, not even at conception. Jeremiah chapter one tells us that before we were in our mother’s womb, God knew us and loved us. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s workmanship. Every child, no matter how they appear in the world’s eyes, is a masterpiece of God. God made each of us with care and with purpose. He designed us out of love to be the people who would love and serve Him and others with our whole hearts. Somewhere along the way, some in societies across the world, and spanning many centuries (this is by no means a new topic) have lost sight of this. Some, from even a young age have felt this emptiness deep down and a lack of love for how they were born. My heartfelt message to you, my dear brother or sister, would be that you were fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of almighty God. He loves the way you were born because He made you so. The word for workmanship is that of a beautifully written poem. You are God’s poem, which He wrote word by word, singing over you with great joy and affection. I am not saying to you to stop fighting for your rights, but to come home. Come to a place where you are accepted and loved for that which you were made and don’t long to be something other than how your loving Father in heaven made you.

To me, this is not an issue of rights, this is an issue of identity, and there is no greater authority on someone’s identity than the one who made us all. Be encouraged brothers and sisters and remember to reach for love and grace and to point others to the greatest source of them both…Jesus Christ. 

What did or what could’ve happened…?

~ ForCommonGround ~ 3 Comments

Stuff happens…no way of getting around that. There have been bumper stickers and t-shirts made with all sorts of ways of expressing that. It doesn’t matter if you’re a good person or a bad one, young or old, man or woman…stuff happens to us all the same. Some things you can avoid by making wise choices, but some things will happen regardless. As the bible says, ‘the rain falls on the righteous and the wicked.’ When stuff happens though it is interesting to see a person’s reaction. What separates people is outlook, or perspective.

I bring all this up because I recently had ‘stuff’ happen to me. You know, one of those accidents that occur at the most in opportune times, usually on a great day, in the middle of doing something you enjoy. My wife had surprised me at work by picking me up and taking me to get coffee and hang with our two daughters. Our youngest was turning 7 months old that day and we needed to celebrate. Long story short, I hit my head, split it wide open down to the skull, get rushed to the ER, then to surgery to have it sliced and diced and stitched up. No more celebration and I didn’t even get to drink my Americano. 

The rest of the day my wife kept saying all the things that could’ve happened that God prevented from happening. Like not being close to a hospital, my wife not spotting me in time, my oldest daughter being a part of the accident (she was in my arms when it happened), skull damage, a concussion, it actually happened on the best possible place on my head, didn’t get my eye, my mother in law could come get the kids, and the list goes on and on. 

The point I’m trying to make is, we could’ve spent the rest of the day focusing on me being laid up in the emergency room and spoiling our fun time and the inconveniences that it caused, but instead my wife kept the right perspective about things. You see, God doesn’t always keep us from harm or accidents but if we look in the right places, we’ll see His handiwork helping us through our hardships. There is a lot of joy in that and He certainly deserves all the praise no matter what ‘stuff’ happens. 

God bless and be encouraged that God is at work in your hardest moments, big and small, because of His great love for you.