Monthly Archives: March 2008

March 18, 2008

“Knife-happy circumcisers”

By Roye Glass

Ouch!

 Eugene Peterson’s way of wording in The Message is great.  The title “Knife-happy circumcisers” is from Philippians 3:2. 

It’s interesting to see  in just about every field of work, play, and even the church people want to be seen.  People want the recognition “due them”.  It cracks me up when I hear someone jealously interject their own input into something so it makes the resume or the newspaper… so it gets their selfish ambitions noticed.  Let me tell you hard work every-time will get you recognized.  No matter what it is you are doing. 

Paul says to watch out for those who put so much stock in the outward appearance, “Knife-happy circumcisers”.  When it gets right down to it – no matter what it is you are about whether it is work or serving the Lord there is a certain amount of push or faith that has got to come from within… it’s an unexplainable drive for accomplishment.  It’s called passion.  Passion to live out that one thing that drives you to get out of bed in the morning.  For me, it is passion to serve God and to do what it is that pleases him.  My desire is that in all I do Jesus receives full recognition and credit for “my” accomplishments in life.  As Paul states in Romans 12:1, “this is your spiritual act of worship.”

Here I am at 42 years of age and I am still seeking God’s will for my life.  I can recall when I was 18 years old - I surrendered my life to Christ (at a KISS concert none-the-less) all the time back then I spent seeking God’s will.  Literally making myself sick thinking God’s will was out there somewhere.  Today I get up and I serve him at home, at work, and the church.  I serve him in loving my wife and raising my children.  Getting “out there” everyday is all about being in his will and living it out.

God is great and everything we have to offer Him needs to be in an act of worship.  Giving Him our best.  Giving him the recognition He so greatly deserves! We need to get out there and work and not worry about who sees us but just know that God does!

2 comments | posted in Bible Study, Worship

March 16, 2008

How are you known?

By Roye Glass

spidey.jpgIf you know my son, you know that on any given day he could be any Marvel, Warner Bros., or Disney character created.  It’s so funny with each month that goes by his fascination with the various character’s change.  Right now it is Spider-Man 3.  He changes clothes and costumes throughout the movie.  I remember taking him to see Superman Returns at the theatre… he wore his Superman costume.  I’m not sure who got more attention my son or the movie screen.

Last Summer I had one of those moments that I would not have missed for the world.  We went to Six Flags and all of the Warner Brothers Characters were roaming the park.  He loved meeting them all.  But the moment when he realized we were standing in front of all of his Superhero idols… the moment literally took his breath away.  It was priceless.

He changes persona’s like the weather changes.  It’s fun to see a 5 year old change like this.  But I hope that when people look at me they see consistency.  I hope when people know they are going to be around me they know what to expect.  That my mood, attitude, interests, etc. isn’t always a guessing game.  More importantly I want my testimony in following Jesus to be consistent and growing.  I don’t want to ever be caught “playing games” with my faith in Jesus.

“If you grow a healthy tree, you’ll pick healthy fruit.  If you grow a diseased tree, you’ll pick worm-eaten fruit.  The fruit tells you about the tree. Matthew 12:33, The Message.

What kind of fruit is your life producing?

Leave a comment | posted in Family, Spiritual Growth

March 15, 2008

Spiritual Parenting

By Roye Glass

I have been thinking about this lately.  It could be the series at church that is sparking the interest… could be that Chili burger from Ross’.  No.  It’s got to be the series….

I mentioned in my Men’s Journey Group the other day about spiritually leading our children and being the dad’s God intends for us to be.  There are also children out there who don’t have a spiritual leader in their home who loves Jesus.  I’ve been thinking about that.  I’ve been thinking about how important it is to be looking out for our children’s friends too. 

When your kids or your kids friends are 40 who is it that they are going to say spiritually mentored them?  Are you spiritually fit to lead your children or others? Is it you who will step up to the call?  I hope so!

Below are some statistics I received from Don Miller from the Belmount Foundation.

The Cost of Absent Fathers

  • 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes. (U.S. D.H.H.S., Bureau of the Census)
  • 75% of adolescents patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes. (Rainbows for all God’s Children)
  • 70% of juveniles in state operated insitutions have no fathers. (U.S. Dept. of Justice, Special Report)
  • 85% of youth in prison had no fathers at home. (Fulton Co. Georgia jail population, Texas Dept. of Correction)
  • 90% of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes. (U.S. D.H.H.S., Bureau of the Census)
  • 71% of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes (National Principal Association Report on the State of High Schools)

1 comment | posted in Parenting, Spiritual Growth

March 15, 2008

a clean heart

By Roye Glass

Humility.  Standing up for myself. Staying focused. Keeping anger in check.  Keeping quiet.  Being patient.  Confident. Filled with love. Living. Being a person of mercy and compassion.  Always hoping. Strong. Steadfast. Integrity.

The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (NKJV).  Knowing this helps me.  I’m no different than anyone else… I need freedom from this sin that I was born into.  Thankfully God has made a way for me… for everyone.  He has given us his Son so that we may have salvation and everlasting life.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16, NIV.

Romans 8:1 reads, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (NKJV).

I am so glad to know that I no longer have reason to fear living in condemnation and regrets of past sins I have committed.  God, thank you very much for setting me free.  I’m not a prisoner any longer. 

I struggle at times with some people though.  I struggle with giving them the grace that has been given to me.  As if I can bring justice for the wrong that has been done to me or someone else.  I can’t do anything about it… at least from the flesh.  Sure – I guess I could – but that would only separate me from living in the power of God… I would once again return to my sin.  I’m reminded of Numbers 32:23, “…you can be sure that your sin will track you down.” (The Message).

Those things I wrestle with I must lay down before the Lord.  I must know that my Redeemer lives.  I know that Jesus not only watches over me and those close to me… he also watches out for all of mankind.

So in humility I must pray for my enemies.  We must all pray for our enemies.  We must allow love to conquer… To set us free from those things that bind our hearts.  David writes in Psalm 4:4-5, “In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.  Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord.”

Thank you God for creating in me a clean heart… thank you for renewing a right spirit within me!

Leave a comment | posted in Bible Study, Forgiveness

March 11, 2008

it’s all about being a servant

By Roye Glass

I served at a church in Albuquerque along with a guy named Mike.  I learned a lot from him in those few years. One of the things I admired most about him was his servant heart.  I could ask him do do anything and he was all over it!  What a heart and passion he had and still has for people.  He was a natural fit to be our Connections Pastor…. leading all of the volunteer teams.

Mike also used to tell me to read the Bible until God speaks.  It may be a verse or it could be a chapter or more.  Sometimes when I sit down to read the Bible I will have a specific book in mind to read.  At times I will read the same book for several weeks over and over.  Right now I am reading mainly Philippians.  Today while reading these verses stood out.  Kind of keeping in line with a theme that goes with some other verses I posted the other day on love.  These verses from The Message also go along with conversations I have had lately.

“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care – them do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.  Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet talk your way to the top.  Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.  Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage.  Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” Philippians 2:1-4.

Leave a comment | posted in Bible Study, Serving

March 11, 2008

new meaning to “playing possum”

By Roye Glass

I have moved onto the Bishop Compound where everyday is a new adventure. 

Lori and I live on the acres of land her father owns.  It’s a great place to live.  There is a pasture behind us with cows that bless us with the natural smells they leave behind from time to time.  Everywhere else around us we are surrounded by beautiful woods.  Before long we’ll have the opportunity to see her father’s large garden in action! Sometimes in the evening I like to go out on the front porch and watch the deer.  I really like the “country” feel I have where we live.

Well, living in the country also has it’s less then desirable critters that roam the land.  With the time change it’s day light a lot longer and so I was getting some things done outside this evening.  While out there I found the pesky little possum that has been giving us fits around the house. 

So, I sprung into action!  I ran inside to get my Daisy Red Ryder BB Gun.  I unloaded about 30 BB’s on the not so little guy.  With each shot it just sat there and finally it’s head sort of leaned over like he was dead.  Then I thought, “That thing ain’t dead – it’s playing ‘possum’ with me!” 

Well, Lori calls her dad and tells him what is going on in the backyard.  He shows up a few minutes later sporting his pistol.  With one shot there was no more playing possum! (You can tell I’m a city boy!)

Alright, so what spiritual truths do we reach real hard to find in the midst of this little “warm and fuzzy”? (Just for you DV).

I have something in mind but you’ll have to wait for Part 2.  Until then you are more than welcome to post your thoughts.

3 comments | posted in Random Thoughts

March 10, 2008

The sweetest thing

By Roye Glass

 In the words of Bono, “Ain’t love the sweetest thing”.  Well, it is sweet.  The Bible tells us love is the greatest thing.  If love is so sweet and so great why is it so hard?

Yesterday I referred to my sons favorite movie and the battle Peter Parker had with his dark-side.  His love for his Uncle was deep.  When the life of his Uncle was taken from him he didn’t know how to deal with his loss.  We have all heard the saying, “Time heals all wounds.”  It didn’t in Peter Parker’s life… I don’t think it really does in our lives either.

Everyday we are faced with a choice to love.  For some of those we love it’s an easy thing to do.  And there are those that we really have to try to love… maybe it is something with them or something within ourselves.  Either way it’s something we must surrender and give to God.  Daily we need to go deeper with our love for God.  We need to go deeper with our love for our families, friends, and those God has put us around.  Even when it hurts.  God did…

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16. NIV.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8. NIV.

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13. NIV.

Leave a comment | posted in Love, U2

March 8, 2008

to live is Christ

By Roye Glass

Yesterday I was faced with some sort of crisis.  Nothing major.  I could allow it to fester into something major.  But I have to make a decision… to allow this thing to bother me (or) to look at this thing through eyes not my own. 

Truth be known - I would love for this situation in life to get better.  But at times the hurt inside wants to be fed.  So I’m faced with a dilemma.  To live in Jesus or to live in hurt. 

Paul was once faced with a decision about life at a much different level.  He said in Philippians 1:21-25a, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me.  Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!  I’m torn between the two:  I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is by far better; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain…” NIV.

My son, Walker, loves to watch Spider-Man 3.  He has both of the costumes the red-blue and the black.  I watched a portion of this movie with him last night. It’s interesting to see Peter Parker sit there and decide which suit he was going to put on.  In this scene he chooses the black.  The anger, bitterness, and revenge drove him to put this one on.  In the midst of living out the dark-side of himself he realizes what he is doing… he repents so to speak and washes himself clean of his sin.

I just read today’s Oswald Chambers devotional.  “If you are faced with the question of whether or not to surrender, make a determination to go on through the crisis, surrendering all that you have and all that you are to Him. And God will then equip you to do all that He requires of you.”

It’s tough to deny the flesh sometimes.  The great thing is this… once the decision is made to deny the flesh and follow in the steps of Christ the joy that follows is more than worth it. 

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20, NIV.

5 comments | posted in Family, Forgiveness, Oswald Chambers, Surrender

March 6, 2008

Will you dance with me? (pt 2)

By Roye Glass

I once lived in Kansas for about a year and a half.  Before moving to Kansas I had found the beauty of cycling in the mountains of Colorado and the high desert of New Mexico to be awesome.  I was surprised that I would find beauty riding on the flat plains of Kansas.  My favorite time to ride was right before the fields were ready to be harvested.  They were beautiful standing tall blowing in the wind.

I’m learning as each year passes following Christ is not always easy.  I would love for everything to be blissful blessings but reality is what it is and sometimes there is a cost to be paid.  If we really follow the example of Christ and become like him then we would be truly picking up our crosses and following him.  There is a price to be paid.

A few years ago, someone told me I needed to get a “real job.”  He went on to say my life in the ministry was just a hobby.  We’d like for our hobbies to be our jobs but that is not the way it is.  I was speechless after he said that and I tried to defend myself the best I could.  I was going through a very difficult and trying time in my life and this is what he had to offer?  After-all God “led” him to call me about this.  Hmmm.

During that same time, a supporter of mine could see the same things going on in and around my life.  Nothing seemed to be working out… jobs, finances, stress, marriage, the list goes on!  Everything I was trying to do was not working (so it seemed at the time… since then God has answered many of my prayers for myself and others.)  This friend started to quiz me during a phone conversation trying to find out what sin was in my life to cause God not to move forward with me in my family, finances, and ministry.  Hmmm.

Who needs enemies when you’ve got such good family and friends?

Now – I’m not Job by any stretch of the imagination and not trying to put myself in his league… My situation made me think some about Job’s friends.  The road following Jesus is not always paved.  It’s going to have a few pot holes and rough spots even a Hummer can’t get through.  Read Hebrews 11:35b-40.  After reading those verses ask these questions:  Was following Christ for them a hobby? Was there sin in their lives that caused such hardship and death?  Again, I’m not equating myself with them… sounds to me like they got out of the Hummer and starting walking their roads to death.

As God has begun to restore my life, family, and heart for ministry - I get very excited.  I drove across town to work this morning and all I thought about was His goodness and how He has blessed me.  He has given me a great wife and I have the best kids on the planet!  He has given me a great job with tremendous opportunity.  And I have two fantastic small groups I am apart of out of my church.  No, things aren’t perfect in my life.  They never have been nor do I expect them to be.  I still have dreams and aspirations in life… things that will please God and help others.

As I stepped outside today and felt the warm sun and the breeze I was once again reminded of the lyrics of this song.

… You let the fields dance with the wind Will you dance with me?

3 comments | posted in Future, Memories, Worship

March 4, 2008

To Rescue Me

By Roye Glass

Below is a song entitled “To Rescue Me” by The Choir.  If you would like to hear the song press play on the Sonific Player on the right side of this page.

(Hindalong, Daugherty)

When I can’t hold on much longer
To a rope weathered and frayed
When I can’t find hope and I’m losing faith

The Savior reaches in
To still the howling wind
To calm the storm within
To rescue me
To rescue me

When I think I might surrender
To the vengeance of the tide
When I’m lost in sin and I don’t see light

The Savior reaches low
Under the torrid flow
To save my sinking soul
And rescue me

The Savior calls my name
When I feel most ashamed
He comes to take the blame
And rescue me
To rescue me
To rescue me

Leave a comment | posted in Inspiration, Worship

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