I plan to introduce a song a week that has moved me, or has a connection to me.

This week: “Let Me Rediscover You” by Downhere.

Marc Martel (the lead singer) and I lived in the same dorm when I attended Briercrest Bible College. Jason Germain (the other lead vocalist and pianist) worked at the old Sparrow Gardens in Caronport with me. The drummer Jeremy Thiessen was our drummer in the Briercrest “sojourn” touring choir and band. These guys are top quality people, and phenomenal musicians. After Briercrest, they went to Nashville, and the rest, as they say, is history!

Enjoy!

We have seen that we must love the Lord our God with every fibre in our being, accept His gift of eternal life which is found through a relationship with Jesus Christ – who teaches us how to love – alone.

However, the second part of the passage is the key to our love for God. How can we love our God with our whole self if we struggle with love in other areas of our life?

The passage says that we must love our neighbour as yourself. To me, that signifies two very important aspects of love:

Self Love – We need to know how to love who we are as people. We are God’s workmanship, we are his chosen children, yet so often we view ourselves as so much less. We allow issues of body image, money, power, or relationships to make the water muddy, and we can no longer see the truth in the reflection. We need to love ourselves first, and the rest will follow. Do I truly see myself as God sees me? Do I believe that I am worthy of His perfect and complete love? Am I willing to love myself enough to allow Him to love me?

Selfless Love – We need to love others as we love ourselves. This is the rest of the story! Our neighbour, not just in proximity to us but practically as well, is the one whom we must showed love and acceptance upon. We need to show them love that flows from our heart, which needs to be filled with the love of God! Am I willing to extend the merciful and gracious love that has been extended to me by Christ in an equally gracious and merciful way? Do my actions toward others, even the difficult ones, drip with the love that should saturate my life and overflow out of my actions?

We need to love God, love ourselves, and love others. God has made it clear to us: “Do this and you will live.” Not just physically live, and draw breath, but to truly be alive! When our lives are marked by love, then, and only then, do we truly live the full and complete life that Christ has promised us.

The background to the scripture is Jesus being questioned by a lawyer of his day, and answering a difficult question. The question, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”, caused Jesus challenge him to go to the Scriptures and answer his own question!

The scripture points out two distinct “loves” that we are to have to, as the Scripture says, “inherit eternal life.” The first “love” is the love of God.

We are to love God with all our heart. This includes our emotions, will, and deepest convictions. Everything we “feel” needs to be touched, directed, and controlled by and through the absolute and total love of God. Do we love him enough to keep on loving him in the tough times Does our love for him survive our deepest pains and sorrows. Does our love for him remain even in the time of highest joys and self sufficiency? Do we love God through every facet of our lives no matter what we want or desire? Do we love God enough to set aside our pre-conceived notions and allow His Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts and teach us and inform us, and maybe even change our paths?

We are to love God with all our soul. Does our spirit cry out for the living God as the psalmist did when he wrote, “as the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after you O God.”? Do we know God personally as our Saviour and Lord? Do we love him because He has first loved us? Is there any part of our being that resists Him?

We are to love God with all our strength. How a person uses the abilities and powers that he has shows a lot about how much they love. A man will work 3 jobs, eschew sleep, and sacrifice everything he has to earn enough money to buy a diamond ring for the woman he loves and wants to marry. Are we willing to sacrifice, and do whatever it take for God, simply because we love Him THAT much?

We are to love God with all of our mind. When our own human reason seems right, or wants to prevail, do we love God enough to trust his plan and purpose for our life, even if we don’t see it yet? Will we like Abram of old choose to trust God to provide, even when the item of provision is impossible, or so man would say. Abram and Sarai had a son far beyond their child bearing ages. God promised, and he delivered, but not on their time schedule. Yet they still loved God through it all, even though some doubt and even laughter at the absurdity of it all crept in. Do we love God so much that we will trust and obey, no matter what our human mind may offer in response?

In a nutshell, it means total devotion to our Great God! We must give him every facet of our love. As the old hymn says, “Jesus is all the world to me; my life, my joy, my all!” We must love the Lord our God with every fibre in our being, accept His gift of eternal life which is found through a relationship with Jesus Christ – who teaches us how to love – alone.

It is when we learn how to love God that we learn how to love others, which is the other half of the equation, and the subject of next week’s article. But for today, focus on God. Do you truly love Him? If you do, deepen your love for him through learning more about him through His Word and prayer. If you don’t, take some time and work through your reasons why. You may find that He is more lovable that you ever imagined.

I have to say, I wasn’t so sure about this new-fangled machine that was coming to take over the duties of my beloved coffee maker (the one I got as a departure gift from the employer that had just fired me – but what a SWEET coffee maker it was!), but I was willing to try.

And am I glad I did!

The Keurig has 3 cup sizes – 6 oz, 8 oz., and 10 oz. I use the 10 oz. exclusively, but my wife will use the 6 oz. or 8 oz. for teas or hot chocolates. For all the nasty reviews from angry “bold” coffee drinkers, you’d imagine that this machine puts out a nasty swill worthy of the drain, but they exaggerate. A LOT!

I am partial to the “Coffee People” blends – Jet Fuel, Black Tiger, Wake Up Call, and the Donut Shop which is a bold and yummy version that all restaurants should serve. Love it! The only issue is the temperature – I’m supposed to be able to adjust it, but it still comes out flaming hot… I’ve paid with my tongue a few times. That aside, this is a great machine.

So, the moral of the story – don’t believe everything you read… believe the taste buds!

And do not worry – the Aeropress is safe. For a really, really good cup, it still comes out, and the smells of fresh ground fills the air. But for the everyday, it’s Mr. Keurig at my house!

Gotta love the youth retreat theme this year! I’m out with 7 of my youth and another leader. What a joy it is to see our Saskatchewan Baptist Association youth have such an amazing time learning about God and each other.

Chapel is about to start… Time to go!

James talks a little bit about counting as well. James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James knew about trials. During his lifetime, he faced persecution for following Jesus, and it eventually cost him his very life. He was persecuted, arrested, and run out of town for fear of his life. Following Jesus and sharing the Gospel was not easy, nor was it safe. But James says to count your trials as joy. Joy! Who would have ever expected that!

When we count our trials as joy, we experience, just as James did, the process of maturation in our faith. We learn to trust Christ more, and ourselves less. We learn that no matter the storm that may be brewing, that our Great God will guide us through it. And when we steadfastly wait on him, we will lack nothing, for “he will provide for all out needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 19)

So today, what are you counting? Are you numbering the trials and struggles so you can complain about them? Or are you counting each one joy, as it is another step along the way of you Christian walk – one step closer in your relationship with Jesus Christ?

I mean really, really failed?

I have.

In my experience, the only thing worse than failure is the realization of what that failure has cost you. It may have cost you money, time, respect, a friendship, a job, or even worse. Failure doesn’t always seem so serious, but as a doctor friend of mine once said, “Failure is not an option for me – if I make a mistake, someone will die.” I admit, when one thinks in terms like that, failure is quite an issue that we as human beings must deal with. At some point, we will fail at work, in a relationship, or some other issue, and we will have to stare the beady eyed monster in the face.

When I look at my past failures, I have come to take solace in the words of the apostle Paul. “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

Paul, the apostle of renown, the most powerful evangelist and apologist we encounter in scripture, and quite frankly anywhere past or present, has realized that he has not yet full obtained what he is longing for – to know Christ fully. In fact, he acknowledges his imperfections – not just in knowing Christ but, in my opinion, in following Christ. As he realizes this, his attitude is clear. He will not quit, he will not give up, he will not turn back. He is determined to press on toward the goal – heaven and home in perfect union with Jesus Christ.

As we live our Christian lives, we will fail. It is inevitable. What is most important is how we deal with that failure, that falling short, that lack of perfection. Paul makes it clear that he will keep going, and he calls those who are mature in their faith to do the same. Pick yourself up, deal with the issue, and keep following Jesus.

So today, I will leave the past failures, and I will press on to get closer to Jesus.

Will you join me?

You’re my strength and You’re the rock on which I stand.

You give me life, and a grace that’s greater

When I humble myself beneath Your mighty hand.

You bring times of refreshing

You bring times of refreshing

You bring times of refreshing to my soul

When I’m weary from the fight, And trying to do what’s right

You bring times of refreshing to my soul.

CCLI Song No. 1347060

© 1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services)

Bob Baker

For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights Reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License No. 3225295

And for today, that is all…

I will spend as long as it takes to get the wording of a sermon just right. I will give as much as I have to give to see ministries run. I will give, and give, and give. In fact, when I was the young adults pastor at a larger city church, I ran bible studies even on stat holidays and – surprise, surprise – we had great turnouts! I had things happening 5 nights a week, and thrived on business – taking 2 days off was a tough one for me to do. I will work myself into a tizzy and then it takes forever to come down again.

I have come to realize that a relaxed Doug means a healthier marriage, a healthier physical life, and a richer spiritual life.

I’m blogging in a hotel right now. My wife and I had to come into the city for a concert tonight and we booked a pre-marital counselling session with a young couple for tomorrow late-morning, so we decided to stay in. A few years ago I would have been adamant that we drive home and come back in. Who cares if it’s an hour drive one way, it is a necessary evil. But I’m learning. What a beautiful experience it is to be looking out the 11th floor window overlooking the city, seeing the glorious splendor the Lord has created, and not be stressed, busy, or programmed.

When I take the time to relax, I feel better, I work better during the week, and God and I tend to connect far better too. Something about being to tired to listen rings in my mind…

So today, I am thankful to God, my wife, and my good and godly friends for being patient with me and for teaching me the art of relaxation.

Now to have a nap… : )

I was struck today as I walked downstairs in my church and past the kitchen that we have a can of Folgers coffee by the coffee pot. Not that I have a hate on for Folgers, but it’s the cheapest coffee we could buy, and it tastes like hot, caffeinated sludge. It looks like coffee, smells like coffee, but tastes like yuck.

The same goes for “church juice”. If you grew up going to church or church events, no doubt you have been a witness to the weak, watered down juice. It wasn’t that Mrs. Smith had poor taste buds and didn’t realize it was weak, it was to stretch the juice crystals as far as humanly possible.

I have coffee at the restaurant in town every morning. The coffee isn’t amazing, but it does the trick. It is far above the quality of our church coffee, and it has to be. Why? Because people pay money for the coffee, and as such it must be to a certain standard. People come to the restaurant because they know the coffee is good, and their friends will be there too.

I also know that when I go to a caterered event, such as a fundraising banquet or a wedding, that if I go to get a glass of punch or juice, it will be excellent. Why? Because people have had to pay for it, and it they are paying for it, it better be good!

So why does the standard seem to go downhill for the church? I drink good coffee at home. I buy good juice to drink for breakfast at home. I know that most people who belong to churches do as well. Yet for our church events we pull out the cheapest and the quickest.

How will people EVER desire to attend our events if we present to them the mediocre? If it is just “good enough”, will it be enough? I don’t think so. I know that if I go somewhere and the food or the drink is sub-par, I seriously wonder about the quality of the organization. I think the same is true for our church events.

I think it’s time for the church to buy some Starbucks, get some good SunRype or Welch’s, and buy KoolAid. The good stuff. When we show people the best, they’ll know we strive for it. Good enough isn’t good enough anymore!

Can a cup of coffee make a difference? I’m beginning to believe it can.