Wasted Time

 

This morning I’m up early and decide to listen to some John Cougar Mellencamp music and discover that he has a new song out with Bruce Springsteen called Wasted Days. Well, right off the bat, let me admit, I’ve been a fan of Springsteen and Mellencamp for quite some time. There is an aspect to their music I can relate to. Forget the politics and various beliefs they may have, heck if I criticized and measured everything by personal beliefs in life related to politics or another religious believes life would be boring and I would have a lot less joy in life. Instead, I’ve learned to appreciate a variety, so, I really like these two guys music and the new song has me reflecting this morning.

 

Am I the only one that looks back on life as they get older, or I guess even youngsters do this and reflect on the wasted moments in life, whether they be spiritual, in practice, the decisions we’ve made and so forth? I realize that at least for me, I’ve wasted far more than I’ve achieved. It isn’t that I haven’t achieved anything, I know I have, even escaping homelessness to graduate high school was an accomplishment, but like Schindler in the movie Schindler’s List, I see how much more I could have done. As I get older, in likely my last years, that matters.

 

So, what do I/We do with the wasted moments in life?  One thing I’ve learned, is once a moment is wasted, we can’t go back in time and reclaim it, it is gone. If we are lucky, we can be given an opportunity to reclaim that which we lost, but the reality is, we’re not all so lucky.

 

I am reminded of Jesus words from The Sermon on the Mount, this from the Contemporary English Version of the Bible, Matthew 6: 31-34:

³¹ Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” ³² Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. ³³ But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.

 

³⁴ Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.

 

Are you like me, having a problem especially with verse 34, worrying about tomorrow?  Heck I worry about yesterday if truth be told, even the premise of this posting, what have I wasted in life?  Yet we do things like procrastinate and put things off, I do, but then there are clear verses, warns us to not procrastinate:

 Ecclesiastes 11:4 - If you worry about the weather and don’t plant seeds, you won’t harvest a crop.

 

Yet, knowing simple things like this, we still waste time and opportunities. Why?  Especially if we are seeking to serve a loving God with our all?

We must be willing to receive discipline, and discipline ourselves, no matter how difficult it is,  from the book of Wisdom. Proverbs 10:17

 

Accept correction, and you will find life; reject correction, and you will miss the road.

 

Yep, like I started off with, I have missed the road, I have wasted far more time than I should have in life. This is a confession as much as it is a lesson or teaching. Hopefully, I don’t waste so much time today and tomorrow, but even more so, hopefully, my expression of my own weaknesses inspires others to take full advantage of the time they have left in life. If you are younger, Praise God if this inspires you because you have life left. If you are older, that’s okay, together we can correct and not fret about yesterday, not be concerned with tomorrow, but make a difference today. After all, today is what matters for many, it matters for us. Let’s not waste anymore time.

The following link is of the video Wasted Days, it will definitely cause one to think about the content of this posting. 

 John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen - Wasted Days (Official Video) - YouTube

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For going on some thirty years now I have done the work of The Virtual Pew, in part planting seeds but another huge part is getting to know people and being called by many Pastor Mike by my involvement in social media. From engaging in life, I have seen the impact of my work on people on the fringes all over the world. I have run homeless programs, housed homeless people worked with drug addicts, prostitutes and much more. All while giving back my salary, and for the last 8+ years not taking a salary. You can help tremendously by supporting the work, not just from the movie reviews but the work that goes along side that in the development of relationships of helping save lives and give purpose to the lives of others. I appreciate your consideration in this calling that I have seen and know God uses. 

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Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 37, 38 and Mathe 4. When the Story Begs for More and Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

 

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 37, 38, Matthew 4

When a Story Begs for More and Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

In Genesis Chapters 37 and 38 we have two stories that beg for more. I love stories, I love writing because I can create the narrative. If I want to know more, I can write more I an answer my questions. Sometimes in the Bible we have stories that beg for more. The story of Joseph and his amazing Dream Coat and the story of Judah and Tamar are two such stories.

In the story of Joseph, his brothers get upset at him because of his pride him being declared his fathers favorite. Then there are his dreams of ruling over his older brothers. It is a fascinating story where much is left out. Of course many will know the ending of the story but can you imagine him being taken by his brothers, whom some were wanting to kill him out of jealousy and then ultimately being sold into slavery by those brothers?  What was Joseph's response to all of this? What was he thinking? What did he tell those he was being sold into slavery to? All questions that scripture doesn't answer but one can imagine. If anyone ever had a right to complain or question God about their Joseph would be in the top 5. Did he complain? We don't know. What we do know is more of the story is to come. Stay tuned in or go ahead and read ahead because there are some incredible aspects of love and forgiveness about to come forth.

There is  also the story of Judah and Tamar, lost love, sex with "prostitutes," abandonment, hypocrisy and so much more. When I read this story I think of things like Ying and Yang or Karma. While they are concepts I don't accept they certainly are concepts that at times, seems to be real. Such is this story and again, a story that leaves much to the imagination.

There are also aspects here about life in the womb, when does it occur and what constitutes birth. Interesting points of discussion as we live in a world and time when abortion is available in late stages and even in the place where some support what is called partial birth abortion. Yet, we see the value God and the people of the Bible placed on the life of a child, even with tying a red string around the wrist of a child who was sort of born but not out of the womb yet.

Today, the concept that the Bible can be an interesting book that leaves much to the imagination is an encouragement to read the Bible. All have a purpose and while we may not see the immediate benefits, ultimately we will.

Matthew 4

If there was ever a passage for today, Matthew 4 is it. There are so many lessons and teachings getting ready to take place and we see the start of them here. It is so easy for people to want to do things their way, taking shortcuts and not thinking things through.

We know that Jesus is the Son of God but how quickly we forget that while He was fully God, He was also fully human. In this story, taking place shortly after being baptized by John the Baptist, He goes into the wilderness to prepare for ministry by spending 40 days fasting and spending time with the Father. I believe He is also contemplating His ministry. During this time of getting ready, we see Satan doing all he can, to tempt in the most serious of ways, Jesus to essentially, abandon His calling. Jesus recognizes those temptations, even in a time of weakness. His getting ready is one of the things that gives Him strength to overcome. In today's world we experience those same pains and  difficulties. Have we prepared to overcome those things?  Do we spend time in prayer and fasting? Do we study the Bible? Or, do we just give in and only do those things when we "have to."  Realize, it is the doing these things first that we have the power to overcome now, otherwise, we may fail and it will make life more difficult.

We see another part of the story, Jesus getting ready for ministry. He knows what the next 3 years has for Him. He gets ready and surrounds Himself with people to help along that journey but to also train to train others once He is gone. Do we, do I, surround ourselves with people to assist through the journey. Sure they may, as we all do have weaknesses, but are we surrounding ourselves with people to do the work effectively, to the purpose of why we do what we are called to do?

There are lessons here, even massive lessons for me. If I want to be effective, have an effective ministry, I have to prepare and surround myself with people who will help me on my journey, so should you.

To see Genesis Chapter 37 and 38 and Matthew 4 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+37%2C+38%2C+Matthew+4&version=CEV

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The Virtual Pew
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Email: mike@furches.org

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Foggy Dreams?

Are your dreams and aspirations like the morning fog, evaporating and fading away before your very eyes? Sometimes you only have one chance to go for them, but it is your choice, there is no one to blame for the regrets except yourself.

The above is something I felt inspired to write this morning as the sound of thunder awoke me. Recent foggy mornings and events in my life have also caused me to think a lot lately. Am I satisfied with following after my own dreams of a unique and different ministry?

I have to tell you, I am, despite the difficulties, the uncertainties, the anxieties that sometimes exist, I know I and in essence, many of you have been a part of a work making a difference. I am excited about that; I am honored to know people have been touched by some of the things we have done.

I used to get the big head; I think a part of that came from my need of recognition. My book, The Keystone Kid talks some about that, but my Father in Law, Ed Erwin, (EW) reminded me once about the heavenly jewels and crowns we obtain from our work here on earth. He reminded me, that while our honors, recognition, lives, and people we touch and are a part of the blessings; they will result in stars in our heavenly crown, a crown we will lay at the feet of Jesus. Over the years, the more I have thought of this, the more I know the truth of that. It isn’t for us, it is for Jesus!

It’s all about Jesus. He loves each and every one of us. He loves enough to give us dreams, and aspirations. My dreams and aspirations involved making a difference in the lives of people who had a similar background as me. I am excited to see that take place, but it isn’t about me, it is about Jesus, because he loves the downtrodden, the hurting, the sick, the lonely, the abused, the person who needs a job, or a car, or the person we many may consider unlovable, God loves them, and through the sacrifice of his son, showed his love. It is for him because he gave all of those things to me; I want to give them back to him. I want to honor not just him, but the life he gave me. To have the opportunity to do that for the one who gave us life, then pass the opportunity off is something I just don’t understand, yet people do it all of the time. I think it is where we have to make the decision, who are we living for, and how far are we willing to go to share that love. It isn’t a requirement, it isn’t per say a mandate, but it is the place we find the reason of our being, the reason of why we were created. Life without knowing that for me wouldn’t be life, it would be existence, and at least for me, that wouldn’t be a place I want to be.

What are your dreams? What are your aspirations? Do you realize God wants you to experience those things? Despite the crazy attitudes people may have towards your dreams, why not go for them? Do you realize that place, that purpose, may be the very place God wants you to experience the totality of life? Talking about my Father in Law, EW who is in heaven with Jesus now, I write about his brash attitude in my book. He would tell you what he thought and have no hesitation about it, often times at the embarrassment of those around him. I remember one time in particular at Myrtle Beach South Carolina, he ordered a steak at a seafood restaurant, he went on to complain to the waitress and hostess how it was the worst steak he had ever eaten. I laugh now, but it was embarrassing then, after all it was a steak at a seafood house. He let me have it a few times, once in a pretty harsh way when Mary Jane, my wife, told him we were going to get married. Yet despite all of that, despite his demeanor, he was also the first and strongest supporter of me when I felt God calling me back to college in Hillsboro Kansas, and at a time that made no sense at all. ‘Boy, if you feel this is what God is calling you to do, you better do it!’ I appreciated those words of wisdom, especially when hearing Bill, his son once talk about his regrets of not going into the ministry like he felt God had called him to do.

Today, I guess I would challenge you, pray about, seek out appropriate wisdom, but by all means, don’t give up on your dreams. God has put a passion there; he has given you the ability and gifts to be the best at what he has called you to do. Maybe not in a comparative way with some other large ministry, but for someone out there, someone God loves with a passion, you may be the instrument that makes a huge difference. So after seeking out wisdom, praying about it, speaking to friends, and that type of thing, well then, remember the words of Ed Erwin, ‘Boy/Girl, if you feel this is what God is calling you to do, you better do it!’

There are many versions of this on YouTube, but I liked this one. To listen to the song Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown, just click on the following video. If the video don’t appear, just click on the following link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHW9FN6NOd4


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