OTHERISM

In the 1800's a preacher by the name of Henry Drummond coined the phrase "Otherism", I like that!...

Paul wrote in Romans 7 that “when I would do good, evil is present with me”

And Jeremiah “the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9)

Consider this: As believers if all we do for others is wrapped up in some innate need, some desire to feel useful to God, or to be right with God, or to be just right in general; so that we can consider ourselves good husbands, or good fathers, or just good humans, then all of our doing is still just primal in nature, it’s still deeply self centered.

Jesus said, “no greater love hath any man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends,”

In that alone is where true selfless, Christ likeness is found, in that alone, in a truly giving of oneself for others is where true spirituality begins.

We need to pray with David, “Search me, and try me, and show me the wicked ways in me, and lead me in the WAY everlasting.”

Help me Father to be as Him;

the WAY, the truth, and the only eternal life.

Help me in humble brokeness for my sin and selfishness

to bow before You and cry out in sincerity for Your glory alone.

"He must increase, WE must decrease!"

Just a Dandelion

This was sent to me from a church friend. Thought you might enjoy it...

Just a dandelion

Author Unknown

Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox. So off I went.

I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize I was there.

This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice,

"Mommy, I'm over here."

It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said,

"Hey Buddy, what's your name?"

"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother,"

he responded proudly.

  

"Wow," I said,

"that's a cool name;

I wish my name was Denny,

but my name is Steve."

"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked.

"Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"

"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.

"You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."

I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement, because he was the center of someone's attention. He then

abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section. Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son.

She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him.

I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

I said, "There are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God's Garden; however, "Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God."

  

She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who are you?"

Without thinking I said,

"Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion,

but I sure love living in God's garden."

She reached out, squeezed my hand and said, "God bless you!" and then I had tears in my eyes.

May I suggest, the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, don't turn your head and walk off.

Take the time to smile and say "Hello"

  

Why?

Because, by the grace of GOD, this mother or father could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece or nephew. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their family.

  

From an old dandelion.

Live simply

Love generously

Care deeply

Speak kindly

Leave the rest to God.

  

"People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, but

people will never forget how you made them feel."

A Gem from Jewell Island

Father’s Day weekend this year, 2011, my son and I went with a group boys from Cornerstone Baptist Church and their fathers, our cook, our guide and devotional speaker.  We portaged out to Jewell Island in a small boat carrying tents, our other  gear, cases of water, coolers of food, and of course all the happy campers.  The boat was small enough we had to make several trips back and forth from the Harpswell dock to the island where we moved to an even smaller boat and rowed to shore. 

The first night we set up camp for the evening and were planning to meet the island caretaker Vinnie in the morning to get some ‘marching orders’.  He had several projects that we were going to work on.  By the end of the weekend we cleared several trails of bramble, cleaned up litter on the beach fronts, repaired a washed out privy access and a washed out trail.  We also had ample time for fellowship and site seeing too; even though we got a lot of work done it was a welcomed rest from the fast paced business of daily life back in civilization.

Jewell Island was acquired by the government during the war to set up a watch at the bay.  It is the furthest island from the mainland and was a perfect place to watch for ships, submarines, and other approaching hostiles.  There are ruins of towers, barracks, gunneries, and tunnels all of which are quite interesting to explore.  There was never any real ‘action’ that took place at the island but I had heard that there was a submarine spotted there at one time during the strife between nations.

The 2^nd night on the island,

while we relaxed around the fire after dinner

and were waiting to go exploring,

we received severe storm warning reports on some of the crew’s handheld devices.  They were predicting large hail, gale force winds, and were telling people for their own safety to take shelter indoors.  Since we had no indoors to take shelter in we were ‘sitting ducks’.  I was a little bit concerned because this was my first weekend camping trip in twenty years that extended into Sunday. (Which certainly isn't my custom, a practice or a habit.) And also I had restrictive view of Hebrews 10:25.  These were probably the sources of my fear.

Hebrews 10:25 says “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”  I had justified to myself that since we were with a group of believers I wasn’t really forsaking the assembling of the saints.  It was just a different group of believers and not our own home church peeps.  And since we were planning a ‘service’ for Sunday morning with hymns, testimonies, and a devotional I decided that I wouldn’t really be missing church either.  But as the reports of approaching adverse weather came in I began to think perhaps I could ‘see the day approaching.’  Not the day of Heb. 10:25 but the day appointed foretold in Heb. 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

As I looked out over the bay toward Portland I could see the ominous cloud moving from Portland area towards us.  The cloud from Portland and as far back as we could see covered the sky; they seemed to have no end nor break.  I could see a blanket of heavy precipitation threatening to cover the island.

As the clouds moved closer, and the temperature changed from balmy to cold, and as the winds began to churn, I began to pray. It was no ‘now I lay me down to sleep’ prayer either.  That is to say it was no vain repetitious prayer like what I learned as a child to recite before going to bed.  It was the effectual fervent prayer of a want-to-be righteous man.

James 5:16-18 says “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.  And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

I don’t remember the exact words I prayed but it was something like.  “Lord search my heart and show me if there be any wicked ways in me.  If at any time I would want You to hear my prayer I want it to be now.”  (I usually pray that… because every time I go to Him I want to be in a right frame.)

 “HimHGod please don’t let this storm come down in full force on these dear folks.  Show Yourself strong on their behalf.  LORD, You parted the Red Sea for Moses when he raised his staff.  You parted the Jordan for Israel when they stepped into the water.  You told us to pray in faith believing.”

 “It would be nothing for You to part these clouds and cause them to pass by.  It would be nothing for You to blow this storm back out to sea.  Please spare my friends from this.  Nevertheless LORD do as You see fit.”

I was praying in earnest, and I was praying believing I thought, but when a swath of clear sky began to break through the darkness I wondered in disbelief.  The clouds seemed to part and the winds let up.  The rain nearly stopped.  The sun peaked through smiling down on our little camp meeting. 

It turned out to be quite a nice evening for exploring. 

Now perhaps the clouds would have parted and passed the island without my little prayer but I am certain this served to increase my faith.  I am convinced that God does very little in our lives apart from prayer.  I am even more convinced that He brings and allows situations in our lives to cause us to pray.

 I am encouraged when I hear of planned prayer meetings where so many of God’s faithful are getting involved; but sometimes our lives are so busy, so full of stuff that often we don’t have time to meet with others for prayer. LORD please help us to find the time, to make the time, to redeem the time, for corporate prayer.

We had a wonderful weekend.  Also now I have taken another look at Hebrew 10:25 a little more closely and my understanding of the verse in its context has changed a bit. Now the Word of God does not change but sometimes our personal ‘take’ on what it actually says is skewed some.  The emphasis here is on entering into God's presence and its effect on our concern for ‘one another’.  Considering one another to provoke unto love and good works (v24) and exhorting one another (v25).  I am glad while on the island we had ample opportunity to do just that.

In all we had four devotionals and we were talking about our walks with the LORD frequently as we worked together,  we broke bread together; we didn’t share in ‘communion’ together but our cook kept us well fed.

As we continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and prayer, the LORD added to His church (not more souls then and there) but to our gathering of believers He added brotherly kindness and charity.

He was glorified. 

And we were all encouraged together,

“He must increase, WE must decrease!”

If you are intersted in setting up an outdoor outing... I am sure AJ (Andrew) would love to hear from you.  Just click on his name here, I have attached a link to his home page.

~ 1611 ~

I wanted to commemorate one thousand six hundred and eleven page views with this post but before I had a chance to write it my page view counter blew the doors off The Warming House.  Thank you all who have signed up to follow by email.  I especially hope these commentaries and stories are a help and blessing to both our New England Church and the Church in Russia.  Several of you overseas have been very faithful reading my ‘stuff’ and it is very humbling.  Thank You.

As Bible Believers we all accept that “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

For we know that “the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21)

It is certain that Timothy and his mentor Paul and Paul’s fellow Apostle Peter believed this.

And it goes without saying that the Incarnate Word, The Lord Jesus Christ, places a lot of emphasis on the writings of Moses and the Prophets.  He said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”  But the question is “Do they REALLY HEAR Moses and the Prophets?”…

Pastor Johnny Pope, who I have had the privilege of listening to on a few occasions here in New England, posted on Facebook recently,

“No less than fifteen times in Scripture our Lord says, “…He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:9). If anyone believes that God is not speaking today, he is mistaken. God is most definitely speaking, the problem is - we are not listening. A good prayer to pray is, “Lord give me ears to hear what you are saying to me.” One important component to getting that prayer answered is a willingness to obey what He reveals.”

Now I don’t believe that my study notes and comments in my Centennial Edition KJV Red Letter Thompson Chain Reference Bible are also inspired but it’s certainly interesting to note that the reference items 1601 to 1614 all deal with the ministries and activities of the Holy Spirit.  Item 1611 in particular deals with ‘The Leadership of the Holy Spirit.’

He Guides into All Truth:

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." (John 16:13)

He controlled the movements of Believers:

“While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.” (Acts 10:19-20)

Sometimes quite literally…

“And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:39)

He directed the selection of Christian leaders:

“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” (Acts 13:2)

He chose the fields of operation:

“Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.” (Acts 16:6-8)

And He still teaches and guides, controls and directs, and chooses the circumstances in the lives of His Church, His children today:

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:14-16)

“And if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:18)

To repeat Pastor Pope a good prayer to pray is,

“Lord give me ears to hear what you are saying to me.”

One important component to getting that prayer answered is a willingness to obey what He reveals.”

The Apostle by the Spirit writes,

“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” 

If we walk in obedience to the inner promptings of God’s Holy Spirit, loving Him in gratitude for His presence in us, He will increase in us and we (our own selfish inclinations) will decrease.

“He must increase, WE must decrease!”

A Hammer in His Hand

As we look into the mirror of God’s Word one Sunday evening my sanctified imagination wanders and in my mind’s eye I am standing beside a Roman soldier whose head is bowed toward the earth.  He stands there; staring downward holding his spear.

I turn to look in the direction of his gaze and see lying on the ground before us one of a choice Roman instrument of torture, an instrument of capital punishment actually, a crude cross.  The wood is rough and splintered; its course fibers mocking its Occupant, showing no mercy as He lay there bleeding.

The cross has not been lifted upright yet and another soldier holds a hammer in his hand.  He waits; listening to his Prisoners heavy breathing, observing the strange symbols of royalty that belong to Him.  A crown of thorns is upon His head pressed deeply into the tender bleeding tissue.  A King’s robe that has been cast aside exposing the King’s abused body.  He is barely recognizable; ribbons of flesh quivering and blood pooling upon the cold dusty earth.

As I look around I see crowds of people staring blankly at the sight.  They have seen this numerous times before but this time it was different.  This time somehow it was personal.

The hammer is lifted high into the air and then with only a second of pause it comes crashing down onto the steel. 

A groan of pain. 

Just a groan;

no crying out,

no obscenities,

no complaint.

A simple groan.

And then another swing of the hammer.

Again and again the hammer comes down with force.

The soldier moves to the other cross beam and begins again.

With each clank of the iron upon iron I feel something tear within my soul.  My pride is chipped away.  Somehow I realize He does not deserve this.  Another clank.  My selfishness falls to the ground.  Somehow I feel this is my fault.  Another swing of the hammer.  A spark.  My hypocrisy falls away.  Somehow I know I deserve this.  That “the chastisement of my peace” was falling on Him.

When the soldier is finished the Man is lifted high into the air, the cross dropped into a hole in the ground to hold it upright,

and they watch Him there;

and wait.

In the mirror of the Word I not only see but I somehow hear His voice.  But it’s not a hearing like that of music, or the sweet sounds of children playing that echo in your ears.  It is sweet indeed but it is a hearing of the heart. 

A solid conviction that this is the voice of the Son of God.

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

They know not what they do!? Of course they know! I watched them do it! It all seemed very intentional to me! Forgive them??? Wonderful words and puzzlement fills my soul.

“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:”

We watch as He gives up the Ghost. 

The crowd grows quiet.

The sky blackens.

The Roman soldier utters the very thoughts of my mind.

“Truly this man was the Son of God.”

My soul cries out.

“Father, forgive me!  I still am so proud and selfish.  My heart is so cold and hard.  Hard like stone.  I want it no more!  I want to be like Him!”

In the mirror of the Word I see the Man with a hammer.

The hammer is lifted high into the air and then with only a second of pause it comes crashing down onto the steel. 

I groan in pain. 

Just a groan;

no crying out,

no obscenities,

no complaint.

A simple groan.

And then another swing of the hammer.

Again and again the hammer comes down with force.

With each clank of the iron upon iron I feel something chipped away within my soul.  It is my pride.  Another clank.  A chunk of my selfishness falls to the ground.  Another swing of the hammer.  A spark.  My hypocrisy falls away.  Somehow I know I deserve more than this.

I look into the mirror of the Word and I see a reflection of the Son of God.

Not the Son Himself but one who is loved deeply by Him.

One who is becoming more of Him in likeness.

I hear His voice again, it is a still small voice.

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

I believe. Yes You know I believe!

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:

be zealous therefore,

and repent.”

I repent.

I repent.

I confess my sin.

I agree with You LORD!

The preacher is reading the text “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Soon the altar is opened but I’m blocked in on every side.  The pew is full and I’m sandwiched in the middle.  In my mind’s eye I’m at the altar bowing before the Son.

“I repent.”

“I repent.”

“I confess my sin.”

“I agree with You LORD! I beg of You God,”

“Forgive me, cleanse me of my unrighteousness.”

 He speaks to my restless heart,

“enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

I rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; many tears and a glory that carries me on ‘wings as eagles’ as we leave the church building, board our car, and travel home.

My heart sings out, “God thank You for Your Word, evermore may You increase in my life and be visible through my all to all.”

“He must increase, WE must decrease!”

It Shall Be Given

Jesus said “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38

Often this verse is thought of in the context of giving and receiving monetary gifts and needs but that is not the only way in which Jesus employed it.

It deals with…

 Blessing others, even our enemies. (v28)

Sharing with others. (v29)

Giving to others. (v30)

Doing to others what you expect from them. (v31)

Loving all others, even our enemies. (v32)

Doing good to all others, even our enemies. (v33)

Lending to others, even our enemies. (v34)

Luke 6:35 says, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”

Be merciful to others. (v36) This definitely includes your enemies.

Don’t Judge but rather forgive. (v37)

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

It Shall Be Given; love, joy, peace, blessing, mercy, sharing, others respond in like kind.

And if they don’t, God notices.

It Shall Be Given.

“He must increase, WE must decrease!”

To Read The Bible Text Alone
Use This Link (Luke 6:38)

And Be Ye Thankful

“Lie not one to another,” Col. 3:9

“Forbearing one another,” Col. 3:13

“and forgiving one another,”

“and be ye thankful?” Col. 3:15

I have heard many a preacher say, “Ministry would be wonderful if it weren’t for all the people.”  This said rather tongue-in-cheek of course because they all know that ministry IS the people.  They know that “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

But people, even believers do lie one to another, they (rather WE) do it all the time. 

Truth is we often lie to ourselves. 

But people, even believers do lie one to another. “Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

And often the enemy sits in the pew with a sheepish grin waiting for his opportunity to pounce.   “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”

People hurt, they bite, they devour, they (rather WE) are often selfish to the core.  Not only so but often our pride keeps us from seeing it and getting it right...  

We think we’re right.

“Ministry would be wonderful if it weren’t for all the people.”

Preachers and believers in general are commanded to forbear (that is to say ’put up with’); forbear with a lot of nonsense.  (And all we believers also are to forbear and forgive.)

You want to know their secret?  You want to know how men of God do it?

1^st – They are determined not to be moved.

            “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

2^nd- They know what they have been called to do and for Whom.

            “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

3^rd – They keep their eyes on the Master.

            “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

4^th – They die to self.

            “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;”

5^th – They wear holy ‘under’ garments.

            “put off all these; anger, wrath, malice,” Col. 3:8

            “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind,

meekness, longsuffering;” Col. 3:12

6^th – They are at peace with the sovereignty of God saying…

            “It’s as God would have it.”

            “let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called in one body;

and be ye thankful.” Col. 3:15

And Finally and most importantly…

7^th- They are men of the Word.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Col. 3:16

So that they are supernaturally enabled to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”  (v17) In the face of opposition this is just not natural.

And they are examples to the flocks.

Therefore Christian…

“Lie not one to another,” Col. 3:9

“Forbearing one another,” Col. 3:13

“and forgiving one another,”

“and be ye thankful!” Col. 3:15

Have A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Today, Tomorrow, and Every Day!

“He must increase, WE must decrease!”