Respect for life: who is teaching your children?

Yesterday I blogged about respect for authority. It was interesting because I mentioned the post to a couple of co-workers and it stemmed some conversations that were really good...but really sad. Simply reinforcing the truth of the lack of respect that is so prevalent in our society right now.

Today I want to talk about life though. Respect for authority is one thing, but surely we don't have a lack of respect for life. Right??

Your first obvious thought is the argument of abortion. What I find sad is that while many people are finally getting on board that these babies are alive they are still saying, "but it doesn't change my decision about abortion." OK, so, you agree that this is life, but you don't agree that this life should have the option of living if the mother chooses not to let it?? ...I know this is a hard conversation for many that I know and I respect that. However, we NEED to consider what message we send about respecting life when we either encourage abortion or when we don't say anything about it!

The next two may not be what you expected and may not resonate with you very much. You may be annoyed that I'm wasting my time with this...just bare with me though.

First, this zombie movement. Let's be honest, it can seem funny, and it intrigues people...but what in the world are we teaching a young generation?? What is said is, "They used to be human, but now they aren't so I can use a shotgun to shoot them or a chain saw to hack them apart and it's OK...because they are no longer human." Sorry people, but as an amateur historian, that screams at me of the plight of Jews in Germany during the Third Reich. Why? Because the dehumanization of anyone is the first step to genocide. If you look at Rwanda and other recent genocide movements; they all start with a dehumanization of a group of people. Why? Because if you tell yourself they are not human, then you can do anything to them and feel no remorse. OK. First, I'm not accusing the zombie movement of turning us into little Nazis. Not at all. What I am saying, is, are you sure these are the thoughts and ideas that you want your children learning subliminally? Me? Considering everything I'm going to have to deal with in the teen years and beyond with my oldest, I'd rather she didn't have any concept of dehumanizing other than the atrocities I've mentioned. I want her to learn about dehumanization from a negative view and from history, not from the entertainment industry and what gives her a thrill!

Along these same lines are first-person shooter games. For those who don't know, this is you playing a game where you just see the gun or your arms and the gun as you "walk" around the game doing things. It isn't always killing people (Sometimes aliens instead and sometimes you problem solve), but that's usually the main idea. Then you ask, "Nate! Is it really wrong. I'm just simulating a battlefield and I'd be killing that enemy anyway." True. Let me ask you this then. Would you send your child to war? Would you even let them watch war while it happened?? Would you want them to watch you killing people on a battlefield? (There is a reason men and women are trained for this and not just every John Doe can do it! There is also a reason why men and women who have seen atrocities have need of psychological help after they come home. I'm not saying first-person shooters portray all of this - in fact I know men in the military who love these games. I'm just saying think about your children and decide if they should be doing what these men and women are doing.)

Why do I worry about these last two things? Remember, I don't hate video games. I still play them at times myself. However, there is a general desensitization to the value of life that is happening. Grant it, I played guns as a kid and we "shot" each other and no one got hurt. I am happy to admit that these kinds of things don't have to create a lack of respect for life. However, as the "age at which men stop playing video games" seems to be increasing exponentially, we start to see that desensitization stay around instead of falling off. Instead of young adults setting a false world of violence behind and begin to see the people around them and the needs around them, we have a continued trend of violence and disrespect for life and others. We see a continued trend of "violence is the answer to our problems." We also have a higher level of realism thanks to amazing graphics and visual affects so the visual line between fantasy and reality has really been destroyed.

Reality and fiction are a much finer line for the young. I have an 8 year old who we still have to remind her when things we see are fake and not real life. Why? Because she assumes that if it looks real, then it should be real.    ....is this true for everyone's child? I'm sure not. However, if you think your kids understand, I would challenge you to make sure. To talk to them and confirm that they know what things are real and what things are fake.

I'm not saying to ban these games or that you, as parents, ought to stop playing them (or stop allowing your kids play them). I am saying that if you have never talked to your kids about it or have never even thought about it, then you owe it to your kids AND to our future society to do it. To make sure they understand how to respect life.

OK. I know that was very much my own feelings on these things. You may agree with the need for respect of life, but not agree with my application of it. If so, post me an example you see that is an area where we need to work to increase the younger generation's (and our own) respect for life.

Later today (or tomorrow) I'm going to blog about respect (in general) and responsibility. So stay tuned one more time.


To God be the glory!!

Respect for authority: who is teaching your children?

Yesterday I became aware of a news article that was going crazy on Facebook. I've linked it here. It is the story of an African-American who was pulled over by Tucson police while he was carrying a concealed weapon. His point was this by showing respect to the officers, he was shown respect as well and there was never any threat to anyone's safety.

Remember that SC, Caucasian police officer that just got fired for violently handling an African-American teen in the classroom? Remember all the people who were so upset because a 15 second video showed this ape-like officer assaulting an innocent teenage girl? (Yes, my sarcasm is there.) There are now articles and other-angled videos that show that she struck the officer, that this was the third authority figure she had ignored and disrespected, and that most likely the force of his "throw" came from her fighting him as he tried to get her out of the chair. I'm not saying anything else. I was not there. I do however despise those who (including me at first) are judging authority figures based solely on social media. Videos don't show everything folks! *end of rant*

This got me thinking. Who is teaching our kids about respect? I don't me, "You better respect me young man (or young lady) because I'm your father." No, no, no. Those are words and not what I'm talking about. If we haven't figured out the emptiness or words without actions - then we have another problem altogether. Suffice it to say, if your words aren't reflected out in your life and actions, then your words mean nothing. If they ARE reflected out in your life and actions, then they are a great support to those actions, but nothing more.

When you are talking in front of your children about the President of the United States. Is it something like this: "That man is President because he was voted in. No, I don't agree with him on nearly anything he does. However, since I still believe in his office, I'm going to do everything I can to make sure no one like him takes that office again. Until his term is over, though, I will respect him because he is the president"? Or is it more like: "That idiot. I can't believe he passed that law. What an Islamic, America-hating, Socialist fool of a President we have"? (Side note: I don't care in the least what you think about any of those descriptive nouns. That is not the argument here.)

How about when you get pulled over by an officer. Is it "man. I shouldn't have been speeding. This is my fault and my responsibility" or is it "that stupid cop. Why in the world is he pulling me over. He must be a terrible cop. He should be catching murderers or something. He must have something better to do than to pull me over for going over the speed limit"?

Teachers in the classroom. When you kid has problems at school, do you assume it is the teachers fault or your child's?? (Hint: you shouldn't assume either. You should figure out what's going on and then help resolve all the while holding your child and their teacher both accountable for their actions.)

How about your boss/bosses at work? You don't have to like them, you don't even have to agree with them, but do you show your children (and them) that you respect them because they are in authority over you?

By the way, if you've read any of these paragraphs and you've scoffed on the inside, then I believe you have proved my point. If you think respect for this person or that person (who is in authority over you) is ridiculous or not worth it, then I guarantee you that your children know that already and have seen it. They already know that respect for authority is not all-inclusive and that there are times when you can disagree and by disagreeing you can disrespect! You have already added the seed of disrespect that could turn to violence if the wrong people start influencing your kids.

This battle is SO much harder for families where both parents are working or for a single parent working multiple jobs. Why? Well, the families that has a parent staying home with their kids has a role-model in their lives a lot more often. The families who have both parents working see their kids for less than half of their waking hours. Teachers, day-care providers, etc. are the ones putting the most influence into your kids. Sometimes that's good, but sometimes it isn't. Either way it makes your job harder because you have less time to live the example your kids need to see lived out in you. It isn't impossible, it just means you have to be intentional about living 100% of your life remembering that you are an example to your children. The single parent has it even worse. Two jobs and there is no one-parent-drops-off-and-the-other-picks-up option. He/She is the only parent so if he/she is working, then someone else is teaching his/her children about life by living it in front of them. (This is not an indictment. I respect the single parents who give their lives to their children so that they can provide for them. They are heroes! They teach us much including a hard work ethic and the value of family. ...so thank you to all the single parents who have NOT given up on their children!!)

Before we start to question the youth of America and their violence toward authority, why don't we first look inward and start asking ourselves if we are showing them respect for authority...always. Then, if you think you have a handle on that, how about respect for life? That'll be my next post so stay tuned. It may not cover what you think it will.


To God be the glory!

...before you determine the will of God...or after...as the case may be! :o)

I love the way God works and the conversations that He brings into our lives to keep us thinking, growing, and stretching. My last blog post (here) was on determining the will of God. I shared some wisdom from George Müller that I had found to be sound advise and also very encouraging.

4 days ago, I shared this post on Facebook: "When talking about determining the Lord's will, George Müller said, 'I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is.'"

This morning I was asked by someone who had read my blog post, "What about after you know the Lord's will?" The idea being that doing the Lord's will can often be very hard even once we know what it is.

Wow. What a great flow of thoughts and ideas coming at me.

I have two thoughts. First, for those who have already learned the Lord's will about a thing and who are struggling to do it...I think you actually have a harder job. Now you have this thing in your face that you know God wants you to do and you are terrified to do it. Now you have this fear because you are not 100% sold on doing it. Well, the only answer is that you have to come to a place where you will do it 100% or you need to just walk away. Doing a think half-heartedly is no way to do it at all. If you are not completely sold on following God's direction and leading you have the propensity to start well and either quit or, worse, starting doing things your way instead of God's way.

To those who have not yet learned what God's will is about a thing...rather than worry about the "not knowing" this is a great time to spend in the "what will I do" phase.

In other words: You have been praying to God and praying for Him to make things known to you, have you been confirming in your heart and to God that you are devoted to doing God's will...no matter what it is?

Example: you are young (or not so young) and you want to know what career God has for you. You want to pursue XYZ with a heart to serve and love on people as Christ has loved on you. Well, are you willing to move half-way around the world if God asks you to? OR, are you willing to stay in your home town and never leave if God asks you to? Are you willing to do it single? Married? With children or without? With your own biological children or with a more diverse family? Are you willing to be in full-time ministry? Are you willing to NOT be in full-time ministry? Are you willing to work with children? Or to work with adults?

And for everything you can think of that you ARE willing to do, you need to consider if you are willing to do something that is completely different? Willing to work in the inner-city? Willing to work in a rich neighborhood with prep-school students? Willing to work with the homeless? Willing to work with those who never have a want unsatisfied?

Why Nate? Why do I need to be so drastic? Does God hate me and want me to be miserable??

I'm glad you asked! :o) The answer is a resounding NO! In fact, God DOES love you. In fact, He loves you so much that He will not make you settle for your best. Not when He can have you do what He wants and what is His best for you.

Clarification: God's best will not be sunshine and roses. There are a million reasons to believe this with the principle reason being THE BIBLE! A life devoted to God is not about how happy YOU can be. it is about how much glory can be given to God because of your life. (Galatians 1:20).

Clarification: If God's strength is perfected in our weakness, then God can best use us while being glorified when we are not in our best element. Maybe we are uncomfortable with the people we have to work with. Maybe we work with people we love, but we have to do something we aren't good at. If everything about our life/ministry are things that we are good at and comfortable with, then where is the glory for God?

This was more rant than I expected. To wrap-up, what is SO important for people seeking to know God's will is for them to take that time of waiting to make sure they are, in their hearts and minds, prepared to do God's will no matter what it is. It may be EXACTLY what you've been wanting and God may truly bless you. ...but it also might not be and your heart of willingness will help to ensure that you are giving glory to God in your strengths as well as in your weaknesses. It helps keep the focus on God and not on ourselves.

To God be the glory.

Determining the will of God: step-by-step

I have been really interested in the life of George Müller recently. For those who don't know, George Müller was a German who made his way to England. Once in England he say hundreds and thousands of orphaned children either living on the street, in poor houses, or in prison. In his 60 (?) years of ministering to them, he set up five buildings and saw over 10,000 children come through his doors. In that time he never asked any human for anything. He trusted his needs to God and God always provided. He also didn't take any salary after a few years and, again, God provided for his family as well. He was a man of prayer who saw great things happen and who is a testimony to us in an era where self-determination makes prayer seem obsolete.

The following is something I ran into here and since it was written in the 1800s I have also tried to put some parts of it into a modern vernacular. So, this is not an exact quote, but it is the essence of what he said. if you want to see the original, click on the link above.



To start, I get my heart into a state where it has no will of its own in regard to the matter at hand. nine-tenths of the trouble with people is generally this: nine-tenths of our difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually only a small step to knowing what His will is.

Having done this, I do not leave the result to feeling or simple impression. If so, I make myself liable to great delusions.

I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusion also. If the Holy Ghost guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.

Next I take into account providential circumstances (Nate: In other words, do not ignore the things that happen and people who come into your life. Recognize that God works often by allowing or even causing thing and people to affect us in ways that are intentional.) These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with his Word and Spirit.

I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me aright (Nate: correctly, clearly, not confusingly, etc.)

Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and if my mind is still at peace, and continues that way after two or three more petitions to God, I proceed accordingly. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving more important issues, I have found this method always effective.



I hope this can be an encouragement to you. I know that for me I often miss one of these steps. I want to know God's will about XYZ for my family, but I don't want to study God's Word in relation to that issue. Or, I don't want to pray about it....or I don't want to reflect and instead want to make a quick decision. All of these things (in my opinion) mean that I am relying on myself and not God. So, then it is my will and not God's will.

To God be the glory!

The Psalms: Psalm 13 - Did you forget me again?

I like Psalm 13 because it rings of Psalm 10.

Why does that encourage me? Because even the Psalmist, in this case David, comes back to the struggle of feeling like God is absent in his struggles. He knows God isn't, but he still feels like God is not there or not listening.

What an encouragement to me that I'm not alone when I have doubts and when I struggle with that feeling of "am I fighting this fight alone."

However, both Psalms come back to the truth about our God by the end. While Psalm 10 has more of a justice feel to it, this Psalm is simply a reminder of what God has done for the Psalmist.

David notes that he has trusted in God's steadfast love, that his heart rejoices in God's salvation, and that he sings to the Lord because God has dealt bountifully with him.

I know, for me at least, when I am struggling with something in life and I feel alone or that God is not directly working in the situation, I am also not reflecting on what God has done in the past.

"Wait. Nate. We all know we shouldn't live in the past. We should not allow past success to be what we focus on. That's not healthy and tends to make us lazy in the present!!"

Correct. I'm not talking about our past success though. I'm talking about how God has "dealt bountifully" with us in the past. In other words, I can say see what God has done and remind myself that He has my best interests in mind. I can remember that if my current circumstances don't feel like "the best" that God has a greater purpose. If God dealt so wonderfully with me in the past, then He has a reason for the present and it is not to spite me. I also know that God is unchanging. Because He is unchanging and I have evidence that He has cared for me and paid attention to my life in the past, I have no reason to think He would suddenly stop caring about me! God cares for his adopted children.

God is a God outside of time and space. He is not limited to "here" and "now" like we are. Which means that he understands SO much more than we do. Maybe what I'm going through right now isn't even about me! What if it is about me being able to comfort someone else and its really about how God will use them? Or, maybe my current life struggle is about someone 2 generations from now who will learn about it and God will use them? God's grand designs are about God....not about us!

...and yet. I think of Matthew 7:9-11 where Jesus points out that earthly fathers don't want to (in general) torment their children. They want to give good gifts. So, how much more does our heavenly father want to give us good things??

Life IS hard. Life WILL BE hard. The Bible actually promises that life will be hard more than it promises anything else. So we know things will get rough. However, most of us have also seen the goodness and bounty of God's loving hand in our lives. So, when we start a prayer with, "How long Oh Lord? Will you forget me forever?" may we have the wisdom and grace to end it with "I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me."

To God be the glory!!

The power of positive thinking

I've been thinking about this quite a bit this weekend. I watched a movie, I had a phone conversation, and I've just been thinking.

As Christians, do we have an obligation to be positive people? Do exercise the power of positive thinking? Or should be we realists who are talking about brimstone, fire, and eternal damnation?

I won't get into all of that, but I think that the balanced answer is to remember that all of realistic things can have a positive note.

Example: God is a God who judges, is just, and is loving. AMEN!! So, that means He'll judge me for my sin, right? What's so positive about that? EVERYTHING!!! Sorry....   What's great about a just God is that while He cares about our sin, we have an opportunity to accept the redemptive work of Christ in our lives and that same justice that seems so harsh will now work in our favor. God's justice sees the death of Christ as full payment for my sins and notes that the debt for sin is paid in full. So, it can seem depressing at first, but there is a HUGE, positive side to it as well.

The world seems to be falling apart, as does our modern American culture. What's so positive about that?? As a Christian, I know that this world is not my home and I'm just passing through!! How great is that?

But, people die. People who are family, who are such close friends that they are a second family, and people who I don't know well, but it still affects my life! Yes, that is true. However, that should motivate you to share the love of Jesus with the people you know because, this world is then not their home either!

OK, the power of positive thinking. I've at times scoffed at this. I've thought that this was for people who just want to accept everything and everyone as OK and who don't have a backbone. Not true!

Philippians 4:4-8 tells us to always rejoice; not to be anxious about things; and to think about things that are true, just, lovely, honorable, pure, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise!

If there is a different recipe for positive thinking and positive attitudes, I don't know what it is. Which suggests to me, looking at this verse as well as my previous thoughts: Christians ought to be the most positive people in the world today. We have hope for the future, a God who listens to us today, and hope and love to share with others. Why in the world can we be so depressed and down?? Why are Christians saying, "Oh man. it's Monday again which means it'll be a terrible day!"  Why?? Why are the children of the living God forced to have a bad day 14% of the time??

I know this life isn't going to be sunshine and roses for us. I know we will have heart ache and, per the Bible, if we are doing things right the world is going to hate and despise us. Why, however, would this life be our focus? Why would this life be what drives us and drives our positive or negative thinking?

Rant over!

God loves us. God wants us to share that love. If you struggle with this, then go to God in prayer. We ought to be so positive that the world looks at us and says, "What in the world makes them so positive?"

To God be the glory!

Should Christians be police officers at heart?

Let's get this first part out of the way so we are all on the same page.

There are bad cops. There are unethical, immoral, power hungry, abusive police officers.

There are bad religious leaders. There are unethical, immoral, power hungry, abusive religious leaders.

There are bad accountants. There are bad doctors. There are bad teachers.

If you just focus on the bad ones and assume that is the whole industry, then our entire society falls down around our ears. So, if you are going to assume that most teachers, pastors/bishops/priests, doctors, etc. are good and there are just some bad apples out there. Then why would we not assume the same for police officers??

So, the blog post is based on the assumption that most police officers are good people doing an important job and that the majority are not the bad apples.


Look at the news in recent days.

News story: An officer was shot and died from the wound during a confrontation at a mall.

News story: An officer was working conducting a traffic stop and was shot and killed.

News story: An officer was pursuing three suspects on foot. When other officers arrived on the scene he had been fatally shot.

With all of this news, do you have news of police officers quitting their jobs in mass?? I haven't heard of that. Maybe it's happening and I'm not hearing, but I don't think so. They continue to serve the same communities even after these things are done to them. They go and do what their job requires them to do.

One more for our purposes though: News story: Here is a video of 6 officers responding to a call that a man was threatening to shoot his wife and landlord. When they showed up the man shot at them twice hitting one office (uninjured thankfully). The man then came downstairs with the gun. The officers, who knew he was willing to shoot at them, still tried to talk him down. Tried to get him to put the gun down. Why? Who knows. Maybe didn't want to deal with megative charges on their record. Maybe they were self-serving and didn't want the guilty conscience of shooting someone. Maybe they don't like taking life because they see so much of it lost anyway. We don't know motives, but these men knew what a threat the man was and they still tried to talk and get him to put his gun down.

Police violence is on the rise. Wait. No. Violence against police is on the rise!! What? The men and women who give there lives (often literally as well as often giving up their lives with their spouses and children to work odd and long hours) are being attacked? They are trying to help our society function with as little violence as possible. They are the first defense against those would would betray our trust and hurt our children, yet they are the ones being targeted? Would it be any wonder if some of them seemed trigger happy in recent months? Wouldn't you?? The hate can come from anywhere at any time and from anyone.

So, what in the world does this have to do with Christians Nate?? I'm glad you asked :o)

Matthew 10:16-25 and John 15:18-21 have a similar message: The world WILL hate you. They will betray you and despise you. Why? Because they despise Jesus and in despising Him, then will despise his servants.

To clarify, remember those bad apples? I'm not talking about the all smiles and all love Jesus that bad religious leaders propose. God IS love. Absolutely. He is, however, also just (as well as many other things). So, we can't take the love and ignore the justice. So, the Jesus of the Bible is the one we are talking about here.

Luke 6:27-36 is a great passage too. It's the "love your enemies" passage that also says that loving people who love you is easy and everyone does that. Loving those who don't love you, however, is hard. Like, serving a community of people who might betray and shoot you because of your job! (Be that police officer or disciple of Jesus Christ.)

Matthew 5:43-44 is another "love your enemies" passage.In fact, a command to pray for those who persecute you.

Last one. "Faith is not belief without evidence. It is obedience without fear of consequences. It is trusting in God."

Doing your job no matter what happens. No matter who hates you. Loving the haters and praying for those who persecute. Continuing to do that job even if your friends are shot down before your eyes. Loving the unlovely.

Yes. I just described a police officer AND a Christian as the Bible describes them. Working on this, I am aware that all analogies break down somewhere. We could talk about motivations and other things...but all I really want to say is this, I have more respect for police officer NOW (especially seeing their faithfulness in harder times) and, as a Christian, I have a lot of room to grow to truly be doing my job as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

To God be the glory!!

What did Moses do to make God angry?

I was (and still am) reading through Exodus the other day and I came to the passage about the burning bush. Now, MANY of us know the story, but I want to give you a run down because there is something here I didn't even know what there.

God gets angry!! ...well, it says that the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses. I'm sorry...but I would NOT want to be in his position!!

So, how do we learn from Moses and avoid his mistake??


Exodus 3:1-4:17 is the whole passage. I'll give a quick summary and then we'll look at the specific portion I'm talking about.

Moses is herding sheep. He was in fact watching after his father-in-laws flock. He saw a bush that was burning, but not consumed. Being male, seeing fire, but not seeing the destruction of what was on file, he was naturally distraught and went to see what was going wrong. (My interpretation of his motivations!)

God tells Moses to take off his sandals because he's on holy ground. God tells Moses who He is (the God of Abraham, etc.) and God tell Moses that He has seen the affliction of his people and that He was going to deliver them.

We now have a string of questions/complaints from Moses that God patiently answers.

Q1: Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? (3:11)
A1: I will be with you. (3:12)

Q2: If I go to the people of Israel and say to them that the God of the fathers has sent me and they say, "What is his name?" what do I say? (3:14)
A2: Say that , "I Am" has sent you. (3:14)
A2 part 2: God then goes on to reassure Moses of some other things that will come up and gives him the exact words that he should use. (3:15-22)

Complaint 1: They won't listen and they will say that I didn't really see you. (4:1)
A3: God gives Moses three miracles that he will be able to do to prove that God spoke to him. Turn his staff into a snake, make his hand leprous (and turn it back to normal), and pour water over dry ground and it turns to blood. (4:2-9)

Complaint 2: I don't speak well!! (4:10)
A4: This is worth seeing all of it verbatim. "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak." (4:11-12)

God basically said, "Dude! I made your mouth and the only people who can speak can do so because I have them them that way. So don't worry about it. Since I've said you will do it, I will make sure it can happen. Trust me and obey me!"

In all this time we've seen a very patience God. In fact, God has multiple times gone above and beyond Moses' questions and complaints. The kicker is what is next though.

Exodus 4:13, "But he said, 'Oh my Lord, please send someone else.'" which is followed immediately with, "Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses..."

Do you see it? It wasn't when Moses asked logistical questions. God wasn't angry when Moses pointed out: his unworthiness, his apprehension about explaining the name of God, how the children of Israel would question him, or even when he doubted his own abilities. It was after God had proclaimed all that he would do for Moses, and when God capped it off with a "I have made you and I will make this happen" statement. After all of that, when Moses still wanted out, then God was angry.

It is not doubts, fears, and questions that make God angry. It is when we fully understand the power of God and who God is and then we want to walk away anyway. Whether this is doubting God, fearing people, or feeling inadequate: none of those things should be the case once God has given us a "I have made you and I will make this happen" statement!!!!!

Boy, wouldn't it be nice to have a burning bush experience???  Wait? What did you say? Well, yeah I can read about it, but that was Moses' experience....well, yeah. But that was David's experience. True, that was cool too, but that was Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel's experiences. Abraham, Noah, Ruth, Esther, Joshua, Paul, Peter, John, Polycarp, etc., etc.,

That's right. Those are other people with other experiences. But they are in the Bible, in our documented church history, and in your life to provide examples of the power of God. Christians: we know the power of God. We have heard testimony of it and many of us have seen it in our lives and in the lives of others. Who, then, are we to say, "Oh my Lord, please send someone else!"


To God be the glory!