If TLC ever interviews you, go see a psychologist immediately

Last night I looked up in the middle of a TLC program about people obsessing about their pets. I'm not crazy claimed a woman who had 150 outfits for her dog. Her husband said, "He has more clothes than I do." She brushed the dogs teeth, used TP on the dog, and protestations aside, was clearly crazy.

My daughter said, "If TLC ever asks you to be on their show, you need to see a counselor." $230 per week on cat food, 150 dog outfits, a monkey that goes everywhere and has matching outfits with his owner-- the thing that bothers me is when people care more about their pets than they do about people. Clearly something is wrong.

Pet's are many times easier than people to deal with because we are bigger and smarter and they come to us to have their needs filled. They allow us to be "like God" and "love" us back, as long as we meet their every need. Kids, spouses and neighbors require give and take and don't always respond the way we want. When we play God with them, they usually walk out on us. It's harder.

But, Jesus didn't say, "I came to seek and to save those dogs who were lost" He came to seek and save people! To the lady who spends $230 per week on 11 cats, I say, spend $30 on regular cat food, and help bunches of others people with the difference. To the woman who buys more for her dog than for her husband, I say, get it right! Love your husband more than your dog.

Flapping Wings and Hissing Geese pt. 2

As bruised reeds and smouldering wicks we often feel intimidated. It seems like there is always someone around bigger or bad-er or meaner than we are. I remember as a senior in high school, and one of the bigger guys on the football team feeling pretty good about myself, until I met one of the “Purple People Eaters” the front four for the Minnesota Vikings. As he shook my hand, I was engulfed in this monster appendage that dwarfed me. It is still one of those defining memorable moments of my youth.
Ps. 138:3 says, “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.” Yesterday I took a day for prayer. I have to confess my agnosticism as I started my day of prayer. The first thought was, “Does anything really happen when I pray?” I know we’re not supposed to voice those kinds of doubts in politically correct Christian circles, but sometimes I wonder if I’m talking only to myself.
I guess that’s where faith comes in. I continue to seek God’s face, even in the silent times, even when I’m intimidated by the huge things that face me, trusting in God to make good on the two promises of Psalms 138. “You made me bold and stouthearted”(v.4 ) and “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me” (v.8).
If you struggle with prayer, keep struggling. I promise I will. And someday, when we all see Jesus, we won’t have to talk to Him by faith. We will be face to face.

Flapping Wings and false fears

This afternoon I walked by a lake in the Sierras. 7 Canadian geese think they own a corner of the lake and are very territorial. I walked towards them to see what would happen. Sure enough they came charging at me, wings flapping, hissing and honking. Weighing 5 times as much as all of them put together, I stood my ground, and they still advanced. When I hissed at them, they hissed back and still advanced. I was beginning to get a little nervous.

I decided to mimic them and flapped my arms and hissed, they immediately turned around an began to go the other way. I stopped flapping and they stopped, although by now they were walking away from me keeping a distance. I flapped my arms again and they began to waddle quickly.

I began to think about some of the things I am intimidated by, people saying "No" to me. People thinking bad things about me, people blustering at me to get their own way. I've decided that like geese, many of these will go away if I'll just step forward and meet their flapping head on.

Satan is a liar. Peter says he is a roaring lion, making fierce noises to drive us into the teeth of other temptations. I say, From this point on, I'm going to stand up and confront my fears.

This is my Father's world

This morning, while driving to preach, I saw a motel advertisement stating, "Stay Green -- Stay Gaia". The implication is that Gaia and green go together. That is not the truth. As Christians we have been given stewardship of the world. If anyone is green it ought to be Christians.

I remember driving my father's car. You always had to make sure it didn't get dinged or scratched and you had to bring it home clean.

Our world, is really, our Father's world. He created it, is going to remake it, and in between, he has left it in the hands of the human race to take care of it. We are not given license to pillage and pollute. But rather are given permission to live and prosper in it.

It is time that Christians take the initiative to say, Go Green and Go Godly!

Connectedness

I just watched the following link on YouTube. It makes me realize how connected we are.

When Jesus prayed for Unity in his body, it meant the Apostle Paul had to sail, walk and struggle to be with other Christians in other places. Now, we can be connected at the click of a mouse.

The message of the song is, we all need someone to stand by us. This morning, why not reach out and touch somebody and tell them that you love them and are standing by them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM&eurl=http://endlessknots.netage.com/endlessknots/collaboration/&feature=player_embedded

It's what comes after the comma

Listening to some sports talk on TV about the steroid scandal, I heard Mike Greenberg say, that keeping your name and reputation clean is of huge importance. I liked his quote, "It's what comes after the comma, that determines your reputation."

I like that thinking. Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is more desirable than great riches;to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." NIV

What do you want after the comma behind your name?

I look at Scripture and see several descriptions that I would like to see after my name.

• David, a man after God's own heart
• Abraham, a friend of God
• John, the disciple whom Jesus loved

There's also some I wouldn't want.

• Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus
• Demas, who deserted me

Currently, there is a big push towards personal branding. It's our attempt to control what's after the comma. But the reality is, others will fill in the blank after the comma. They ultimately decide how we will be known.

There are probably several audiences that will write the phrase that comes after your name.

• Your spouse will write one phrase.
• Your children will write another.
• Your boss or employees will write still another.
• Your friends will write something different that describes your relationship

Most importantly, God will write the only phrase after your name that really counts. The one I want after my name is: Marcus Bigelow, good and faithful servant.

Share your Stories

This Sunday I listened to a sermon in which the preacher shared the incredibly heart-rending story of how his daughter had been killed in an auto accident on the way to church and how that had been used of God to change the lives of so many.

I realized that everyone who reads my blog has stories of places where they have been bruised and broken but not snuffed out.

I would love for you to share your stories of brokenness. Some of them, with your permission, might be useful for my book. If you will respond and let me know of your stories, I will treat them as precious. David says of God Ps 56:8You have taken account of my wanderings;Put my tears in Your bottle.Are they not in Your book? NASU

If you don't mind them being shared, please indicate. Otherwise, all responses will be treated as confidential.

Life Joy

I have been reading the Beatitudes everyday for the past week. Today I read from the Amplified Bible. Notice their translation of "Blessed"

Matt 5:3
3 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous — with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!AMP

That phrase "life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions" really caught my attention. I am far too swayed by my physical health, tired-ness, amount of adrenalin I have expended, how people look at me, or by how much money is or isn't in my account, etc..

When I was in India, I had the chance to preach in a small village. The worship team, 7 or 8 older men, all of whom had been beaten and threatened with death, lead vibrant worship with dancing and praises. Their scars from beatings were overcome by the joy that broke through onto their beaming faces. Though poor and having worked a full day (10-12 hours not 8) their circumstances didn't determine their response to Jesus.

I am humbled. I commit myself to being poor in spirit , considering myself as second this week, praying that life-joy will suffuse my being and radiate to those around.