The Virtual Pew Daily: March 2009

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The Definition of Love

Where do I start today? I have recently been going through these family struggles, and they have cut deep into my soul. I have to admit, I have been sensitive as of late, especially towards the concept of loving others. Now don’t get me wrong, I fully understand, despite what many may think, that while my faith is rooted in love, there is a real need of salvation, and a real understanding that God is a Holy God, who is jealous, and takes issue with those who say they love him, but in reality don’t live like it, or don’t practice the things they know he instructs us to do in his Holy Word, the Bible.

I could say a ton of things here, but here is what I know, while God is a jealous God that will execute justice, he is also a God that loves; it is the ultimate purpose of the gift of his son, Jesus Christ.

I had this discussion with a friend today as I sat in a coffee shop, meeting people, and today, watching the snow come down in a late Spring snowstorm; I know that people get saved for different reasons. It is funny how some people ignore this, but it is clear that God used different methods in the Bible to illustrate this. Some get saved and come to know Jesus because of fire insurance, they want to escape hell. Others may get saved because they recognize their own need for love and there is no better place to discover love than through the love of God. The bottom line: I don’t care how it is, or why it is a person gets saved, I am just glad they do. Now I realize all of the theology that has to go into that salvation thing, the recognition of sin, the concept of making Jesus Lord, not just Savior and I could go on and on. What I don’t understand is this concept that some people call love, when in reality, it mirrors nothing of the love as it is described in the Bible.

While we are commanded to love all people, I need to make it clear, it is possible to love someone but not like them. This one friend of mine seems to have this incredible desire to be a modern day prophet, yet through his own admission has misstated certain Biblical concepts. That should disqualify him from a true Biblical prophet in my opinion. He is young though, and maybe his dogmas will one day soften to where he sees more of Jesus than he seems to see now. I guess that is the one thing that bothers me; we have all heard of WWJD, What would Jesus do? The sad thing is, we can look at Jesus in the Bible and see what he did. It is true, there were times he confronted others, but most every time, if not every time, it was towards the religious population. I guess it just bothers me how some can be so destructive to those who clearly state, that salvation comes from Christ and that Jesus loves them.

Being wrong on certain issues don’t disqualify someone from being a Christian. An unwillingness to seriously look at, and evaluate the positions one takes from the Bible, and apply it to their own life practice does become an issue and can provide certain qualifications as to who is, and is not a real follower of Jesus. When elitism comes into play, there are concerns. When Nationalism has an affect on your life practice that is in direct opposition to Scripture, then that is a problem. When taking what is clearly pride, in confronting people, in a stated “loving” way that does not follow the Biblical definition of love that is a problem. This is a problem with many in today’s evangelical movement. They would rather stand on the street corners yelling at people through bullhorns, than applying the concepts given in Matthew 25 where we are told to feed the hungry, visit those in prison, heal and be with the sick, and on and on. It is a concept that seems to ignore the 2,000 plus verses in the Bible that talks about loving and helping the poor and needy, the orphans and the widows. It is a message, well; it is a message that is not consistent with the directives of the Bible, or the life of Jesus. It is time, that love conquers hate, because love has already conquered hate, but some have no concept of what love is because the message of love is being diluted and polluted by the haters with their bullhorns.

Unfortunately, it seems to me that some take pride in confronting others, in creating discord and as of recent, telling about the evils of all “Emergent’s” when in fact there is not an “Emergent” belief system as there is no “Emergent” organization. Some have this habit of pulling things out of context and either misquoting people, or simply misunderstanding them. I could go on but for those who know people like this, they either agree with me, or they totally disagree with me and will now vilify me and others who take this position. Although I believe in a real Hell, I believe the Bible is God’s Word, although I promote the reading, understanding and application of the Bible in ones own life they will still find reason to vilify people who agree with these concepts, just like they already do with others. I wish people understood; it is not in the reading and knowledge of the Bible where one finds its true power and purpose; it is in the application of the Bible in ones life. Some will be upset because we disagree with the all knowing, all powerful Oz.

For those redefining what love is and others who would give a definition rather than what the Bible states, I remind you of what the Bible does say about Love. I would be so bold as to say, anything contrary to this definition is not really love.

1 Corinthians 13

Love
(1) If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (2) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (3) If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

(4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (5) It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

(8) Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. (9) For we know in part and we prophesy in part, (10) but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. (11) When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. (12) Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

(13) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Of course the book of Hosea in the Bible gives another illustration of love that seems to be foreign to the Fred Phelps Judgment crowd, but it is easy to ignore that which provides balance and a real definition of love.

Many often confuse the concept of love, with the concept of righteous judgment. While one may be done in love, it is not love. It is kind of like talking about The Dallas Cowboys football team, and then all of a sudden making reference to a speeding ticket, two different subjects that are not related. When the focus is on judgment, or when on one is right and everyone else is wrong, when the focus seems to be on actually drawing attention to oneself, (yes this often occurs, it is a joy for some to be wrong, and not Biblically based in their teachings) then it is wrong.

I have often wondered, why do we have to try and say things differently than what the Bible illustrates, for example, when giving a definition of love that is contrary to the concepts of love illustrated in the Bible, do we really think we can do a better job than the Holy Spirit? When that definition is contrary to what is in the Biblical definition of love, what is that all about?

The Bible talks about an Eros, Philo and Agape love, any definition outside of those definitions is not in fact a true discussion about love. I wonder, do these people really care that they are chasing more people away from the Gospel than they are "drawing" them to it as Christ illustrated we should. Their methods against a dog would result in that dog running from them, and ultimately getting run over by a car, but they don't care, they justify their willingness to kill, send to hell others by the simple fact that they redefined love. God help us all, and especially those who would tolerate this message of hate that is disguised like love. While there will be a judgment, I pray some will remember that is God’s job, not ours.

Some would ask where this love comes from. It is actually not that complicated. The following is an older video that explains it all. Just double click on the video and if you have trouble, try the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0nUizWjaFM

Click Here to Go to The Virtual Pew Daily Verse and Read The Bible in a Year Passages

Click here for booking information to have Pastor Mike come speak or perform, from speaking to music or magic, something for all groups.

Click to visit with Pastor Mike regarding any of your needs. He will respond to each request personally, and if need be refer you to one of our other pastors.

Click to visit and join the new group The Virtual Pew, at MySpace. Become a part of a different kind of Christian group, check out the page for more information,all welcome, including those who are not followers of Jesus.

Click to visit the Virtual Pew Website and become a part of that ministry.

Click to subscribe to my blog

Click to visit and join our sister group at MySpace Hollywood Jesus.

Click to visit Mary Jane Furches' new MySpace Page

Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free e-book pre edit version of The Keystone Kid at mike@thevirtualpew.comYou can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ and on the front page down on the left side you sill see our store. Your purchase provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something to purchase you can click on the search engine, (do not put anything in the search box at this time). You will be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word.Here is our contact information

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

It Isn't Always About Winning

Johnson shoots a twenty footer at the buzzer against the defender Perez, NET, NOTHING BUT NET, Ravens win by one at the buzzer the crowd goes wild. Johnson’s teammates swarm to him and pile on in joyous victory.

Williams is on the bottom, trailing by 1. Wearing the red singlet the 103 pound wrestler is twisting to the left, twisting to the right. He hits a sit out but Smith is controlling the hips with the spiral ride. Williams quickly bases up, constantly moving. Williams hits a switch to his sweet side, 3 seconds left. Williams hits a hip heist on the switch to quickly turning on his shoulder to get behind Smith, the official quickly shows 2 fingers as time expires, WILLIAMS WINS STATE, WILLIAMS WINS STATE!!!

This time of the year has moments like the above occurring all across the country. I have been honored to be in the corners of some of those athletes coaching them. I have also had the honor of being in the center of the wrestling mat for others, working as an official. What an experience, what a moment for any athlete, parent, coach and fan to experience. While many assume that March Madness is all about basketball, it isn’t, wrestling is also a part of March Madness and I have been honored to enjoy both sports during this maddening time of year.

I grew up playing football and basketball, I loved, and in fact still do love both of those sports, but it is a time of year that I have learned to enjoy another sport, wrestling. My son is a decent wrestler in fact he didn’t lose a state championship he wrestled in from the sixth grade through high school. He missed out on two state tournaments in high school but did win two high school state tournaments, and has won state in Freestyle and Greco since a young man. He just won his second high school state championship and will be going for his 20th, and 21st state championship this summer as he enters into the Freestyle Greco season. The number of state championships since 6th grade includes Freestyle, Greco, Kids, and High School State Championships, some in the same year. That is a rather remarkable accomplishment. Some would think those state championships; those moments are the most memorable events for me in sports as a competitor, coach, or dad. I have to admit, they are memorable, this last years state championship was memorable because of what it meant for him coming of the last 2 years, two years ago as a Sophomore he was 27-1 but did not get to wrestle in the Regional or State Tournament. Last year, while he did get to wrestle Freestyle and Greco, he did not get to wrestle high school due to mistakes on his part. But, while all of this is memorable, the most memorable moments do not always come to and or for, the champion.

I don’t recall the year but I was in the corner of Daniel Smith. Daniel was a junior at Derby High School at The Kansas Kids State Tournament in Topeka Kansas. The Kansas Kids Tournament has wrestlers from the ages of 7 up through the age of 17. These wrestlers all fall in the age divisions from 8 and under to 16 and under. Daniel had one year of high school left and had never placed on any level of a state tournament. My son was wrestling on another mat but I had decided that I had an obligation to the team, not just my son. I think it was the quarter finals and the winners of each match were guaranteed of placing at state. They weren’t guaranteed of winning state, just placing. Daniel knew he had an uphill battle. He was facing a tough kid and he pretty much knew he wasn’t going to win state, there was the hope, but he also had the knowledge that to win state, he would need a few breaks, and the better wrestlers in the division would need to falter along the way.

Prior to the start of the quarter final match I was getting Daniel warmed up, helping him focus, helping him get ready for the next, all important, stressful match. Daniel came to me, “Coach Furches,” he said, “would you pray with me before the start of the match.” “Sure Daniel,” I replied with some level of surprise.

To be totally honest, I don’t really recall what we prayed for. I know it wasn’t to win, I don’t pray to win in any situation, although I have prayed that it would be nice to win but I would prefer that God protect and that God enable the best effort, protect the athletes and that in all things, win or lose, God be glorified. I was somewhat pleased in the prayer; I remember that, because Daniel didn’t just ask me to pray, he prayed as well. This is something I have had the honor of experiencing in the past, which is having numerous athletes asking me to pray with them prior to a match. I reminded a friend last week, there is no greater honor than going before the creator of the universe and speaking to him regarding an important moment in the life of a young athlete. Again, never praying to win, that would be foolish and stupid, but praying to give thanks, both in victory and defeat, now that is something to celebrate.
The prayer was over, Daniel was called to the wrestling mat, I still recall the 10 or so mats on the floor. Daniel’s mat was in one of the far corners of the Expo Center. Gary, another coach with Derby and I went to the corner and to be frank, Daniel was likely out classed in that particular match by looking at the records and experience of the wrestlers before stepping on the mat. Daniel had something though, he had something you can’t coach, he had heart, and he had desire. I will, for long as I live, cherish the moment when Daniel ran to the corner after his close victory, jumping into my arms as he told me, with tears in his eyes, “I’m going to place at State! I’m going to place at State!”

Daniel wasn’t excited about winning state; in fact, he would go on to get beat later in the semi final round. I don’t even recall what he ended up placing at state that year, just that he did place at state and that for him, a major accomplishment was obtained. I pray that God never lets me forget of the importance of this act in Daniel’s life. To have been there, and experienced it with him was nothing short of a major honor. In fact, that moment was more satisfying for me than my son going on to win state that particular year. Nathan had won state before, but I was reminded about something else.

Over the years now I have spoken to Daniel about this many times. It was while speaking to a friend, Jerry today that I was reminded of this story as he told me about a young man wanting to go to whatever tournament that weekend that Coach Dale was going to. As a coach, as an athlete, you don’t forget those moments, if you do, you likely shouldn’t be competing, you likely shouldn’t be coaching. To be there, and to have an impact on a young athlete is an honor that I hope I never forget about when I am coaching or involving myself in the life of a young athlete.

We shouldn’t forget those who are in our corner, those who have helped us along the way. Just yesterday I requested prayer for my family and my son. A lot has gone on since then, but I have heard from people all over America reminding me of their willingness and their willingness of praying for us. Things aren’t perfect as of today, but they are better, God gives peace, but his intervention is still needed. Today, I am grateful for those who have been in my corner, in the corner of my family. We needed you and you have responded, we still need you and we know that you will continue to respond. I know this ministry sometimes requests money as this is my vocation, but I will reiterate, the friendships, the knowledge of knowing we have helped others, and more importantly the prayers are by far, more important than many will ever realize.

As athletes get ready for their respective events, remember those in the corner to coach and help, your practice partner, teammate who sits the bench never getting game or match time, but is at practice busting their butt to make you better. The wrestlers who have been beaten out of state, or have no chance of winning, but are still in the practice room helping you prepare. Your teammate, your practice partner should joy as much in your accomplishments as you because they helped get you there. We talk about lessons in sport that can be carried on in life, but this is one that is easy to forget, unless you have been there to experience a young man, running with tears in his eyes to jump into your arms overjoyed with the knowledge that he has accomplished something. Remember, the accomplishments we celebrate may be different, for some it involves scoring a point or two, maybe getting a steal, it may be just qualifying for state. I will remind, the victory goes to those who overcome, but in that victory there are many along the way that made it possible, the truth is, the victory is just as much for them as it is the one who gets the medal or trophy in the end of the day, because without those helping out, the likelihood of the award would never occur.

Congrats to those who have competed and given their best. Not all can win, but all can try, and in that we should look for victory, we should look for celebration. In that effort, we insure others continue their involvement, and then, we can rest assured that we have taught life lessons that carry on beyond the field of competition.

Now as a closing note and point of clarification. Neither should we ever take anything away from those who are victorious. They have worked hard to earn what they have earned, but in the end, it isn’t always those moments that we have the best memories of. Sometimes it is the ordinary becoming extraordinary, or the weak finding ways to become strong, and sometimes in the obtaining of a small goal. It is in those moments of helping one accomplish the seemingly difficult and impossible, no matter on what level, that we can also find reason to celebrate. Let us all, Celebrate!

Here is a video that hopefully reminds us all of the sacrifices and the champions that help bring honor to us all. Just double click on the video, if the video don't appear, click on the following link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEU9yk-73zg

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Please Pray

Where do I go, what do I do, what do I say? I haven’t written anything for awhile for various reasons. I ask today, if you are a follower of Jesus, ask his Spirit to help you read between the lines today as I am being intentionally vague about some things, and brutally honest about others. If you aren’t a follower of Jesus, I just ask you to bear with this and try to understand.

The last few weeks have been busy. In fact, they were mostly great as my wife and I had the opportunity to be blessed to attend and see our son wrestle in the regionals and state finals. We didn’t know if we were going to be able to attend, pledges came in, and one small gift and we went on faith. It has been tough though because several of the pledges that came in several weeks ago did not come in and as a result, we have literally experienced some financial difficulties, those things add to the stress of a home.

The bottom line is our son won state and we were so proud of him. Most have no idea of the journey he has been on, on both a life and spiritual level. He is a great kid but has made some bad decisions in his life, of course others have been there to embellish “the rumors” and make life more difficult on both him and his mother and I. In fact, one such individual from the Kansas Wrestling forums decided to make negative comments about our son, as he has both he and I on local and national discussion forums under both his name and an assumed name, while we were away to visit my mother in Tennessee at Christmas. This person was not held accountable by the agency whose board he sits on and he nor the agency seems to care one iota about the damage those comments have done to our son and our family.

Nathan has gone through a lot as a young man, he has numerous scholarship offers on the table but he is facing some really tough times right now. Without going into much detail, Nathan is still responsible for his actions and while 90% of the things said in the past are not true, 10% is, and he should be held accountable for those actions of which he has been, but things have become complicated as of the last few days.

I again, won’t go into detail other than to say, pray for Nathan, that God would give him wisdom, protection, and that the Spirit of God would compel Nathan to do what is right. I also ask that you pray for friends for him. It is sad, I posted some comments at both MySpace and Facebook where many of his supposed friends are on my list and asked for them to contact him, as it was serious, the truth is, not a single one of his friends contacted him. Not a single one. Today’s youth are self absorbed and think little of others. I have seen others use others, and I have seen others take advantage of others in a way as to make themselves look better. Nathan is still in need, as are many of today’s youth of real friends. Not the fake kind, but the kind who goes out of the way to show love, give support, and offer advice, even when that advice may be something that is hard for the receiver to hear. To my knowledge, and I believe him, Nathan has never partaken in illegal drugs or anything like that, yet, I am reminded of the television commercial that says friends don’t let friends drive drunk, and has the one friend taking the keys away from their friend. In Kansas today we are hearing about a 19 year old college student at Kansas University that literally drank himself to death at a fraternity house recently. His father is on television pleading to not send flowers but instead to give up drinking. I am appalled that we live in a system and world that would think if funny to get drunk, and funny to do so with friends. I don’t want those kind of friends for my son.

Mary Jane and I are hurting today, we are grieving. We don’t expect much in our home, just give us respect, and obey the simple rules. Of course sometimes those rules change depending on age but we expect Nathan to finish school, be in class, make up work, and be home at a reasonable hour and to let us know where he is at in case we need to reach him. If not able to follow those rules, out of love, there has to be tough love, including the possibility of living someplace else. Recently those rules haven’t been followed and there are consequences for not following rules. Everything has to be done in grace and in love, but I long for my children to have a lasting and loving relationship with God. I long for them to have more than their mother and I have had unless they decide to make a ministry or vocational choice of service that would mean they have as little as we do financially but just as much in the joy of knowing and serving our God. Nathan has so much potential, he has so much that has been offered him, even from a college perspective, but that is worthless without finishing high school and seeking the things that God has for him.

We covert more than anything prayers right now. I don’t know how things will turn out, I just know that my God gives peace even when it doesn’t seem that peace is possible.

Click Here to Go to The Virtual Pew Daily Verse and Read The Bible in a Year Passages

Click here for booking information to have Pastor Mike come speak or perform, from speaking to music or magic, something for all groups.

Click to visit with Pastor Mike regarding any of your needs. He will respond to each request personally, and if need be refer you to one of our other pastors.

Click to visit and join the new group The Virtual Pew, at MySpace. Become a part of a different kind of Christian group, check out the page for more information,all welcome, including those who are not followers of Jesus.

Click to visit the Virtual Pew Website and become a part of that ministry.

Click to subscribe to my blog

Click to visit and join our sister group at MySpace Hollywood Jesus.

Click to visit Mary Jane Furches' new MySpace Page

Now for those that do not know, make sure you check out the numerous articles and blogs by checking out the archives. If visiting The Virtual Pew or MySpace they are archived on the left hand side of the page. Scroll down to where you see newer or older listed under archives and then click there. There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free e-book pre edit version of The Keystone Kid at mike@thevirtualpew.comYou can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/ and on the front page down on the left side you sill see our store. Your purchase provides needed funds to The Virtual Pew. If you do not see something to purchase you can click on the search engine, (do not put anything in the search box at this time). You will be taken to Amazon where you can search for anything you desire. Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word.Here is our contact information

Just For You

You are important and I want you to know that you can feel free to contact me at any time. I always try to respond to comments posted here, when appropriate, and have learned from my work as a counselor and pastor that people need to know that they are important. My contact information is available and I encourage you to contact me when need be. The fact that you are a real person is not lost on me. While you are at it, if needing a place to plug in, you can also join and become a part of The Virtual Pew. Message boards and interaction are available there as well. Thanks for visiting and know that God loves you and so do I.