The depravity of the human condition

The Tucson tragedy has grabbed everyone's attention.  My heart goes out to the family and friends who were vicitimized by this event.  This disaster proves how one person's decison can affect the lives of others.  Sometimes we get mad at God and we ask; "Why do bad things happen to good people?"  We wonder how a good God can allow innocent people to suffer.  The problem isn't a question of God's goodness.  The problem is the selfishness of the human heart.  We get so consumed with our own thoughts and desires that we don't consider the impact our decision will have on others.  We are willing to hurt people, sometimes the one's we love, because we are self-absorbed with our own feelings.  All we can think about is our own hurt, our own pain, our own loss that we lose regard for the life of others.  That is why the Bible teaches that we need to put others before ourselves.  How far has one fallen when they lose the value of human life?  I don't pretend to have all the answers and I definitely do not understand how one can take the life of another.  We must not forget the tru value of a human life.  Jesus died for us; for every one of us.  God saw value in each life and I hope that we can too.

How the mighty have fallen!

I just had a short dialouge with an old friend of mine.  We were discussing the fact that ministers are held to a higher moral standing than others.  James 3:1 warns: "Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that you shall receive a stricter judgment."  Sometimes we forget that the man of God is not exempt from temptation.  Even Jesus, the Son of God, was tempted in every way that we are.  People seem to have this false belief that ministers are above temptation.  They put us on pedestals and then when the man of God (Jim Baker, Ted Haggard, Michael English and several others) falls to temptation they are quick to condemn them.  As a man of God, I know that it's not easy to live life in the ministry.  We have the responsibility of taking care of people's lives with the fear of causing one of them to fall.  We need to watch every aspect of our life more closely because we are held more accountable.  Instead of expecting or waiting for the man of God to fall; I want to encourage you to pray for each man and woman in the minstry whether it be your pastor, Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader, etc.  We need your prayers for strength and protection.  Can I count on you?

M.o.G. (Man of God) Blog purpose

I've been inspired by my older brother, Jake.  He started a blog and I've always been told that I write well so I thought I should give it a try.  I don't know how often I will actually publicly display my thoughts but I wanted an avenue in which to express my faith and give others the opportunity to share their thoughts as well.  Acts 5:20 (NIV) says; "Go, stand in the temple courts . . . and tell the people the full message of this new life."  So I want to tell others about this life I have in Christ.  I believe this will be an encouragement to others and I know it will help to strengthen my faith as I share my personal thoughts, struggles and insights concerning my personal relationship with the Creator of the universe.