Apophatica

Where are We?

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24

I finally got some R&R this past week. I spent some time in Japan just relaxing with my kids. While I was there, we went to see the Vienna boys choir. It was very nice, but it got me thinking (as most things do). What happens to these boys once they hit puberty and their voices change? Do they go on to join other notable choirs or are they pretty much finished? What kind of lives do they go on to live?

Paul talks about races quite a bit throughout the New Testament. All of us have been given a race to run and a prize to win at the end of that race. How many of us know what that prize is? Do we know how far we have come and where the finish line is? Are we even running any more or have we just given up settling for a life of mediocrity?

Let’s all take a good assessment of ourselves so that we can answer the question: Where are we? After all, if we don’t even know where we are in the race, how do we know how far we have to go? If you aren’t sure what you should be running toward, take some time to get reset and reenergized. Then, be sure to get started at what ever it is. Sometimes the most important thing is starting. Let’s get back on the track and start running!

Just a thought . . .

Pastor B

*First Step Ministries is funded in part by weddings. If you need a wedding minister in the Chicago or northern Illinois area, see our site at www.ministerforrent.com.

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You Can’t Keep A Good Person Down

Posted in Uncategorized with tags chicago wedding minister, hope, suffering, wedding on May 7, 2010 by pastoralb

Occasionally, we have dreams that are so vivid and surreal that they stay in our minds all day and often disturb us. I had such a dream last night. To make a long story short, in the dream, my five year old son had died and I only discovered it when I found him in the casket. This weird dream haunted me all day and made me think of the parallel worlds that were witnessing the death of another son. Just as many planets in the universe revolve around different suns, so the entire universe is centered around this one Son. God must have looked down upon his son and felt a terrible pain in his heart as he bore the sins of the world on that day at Calvary. At the same time, his earthly mother was watching as the son whom she had given birth to about 30 years before was being mocked, beaten, and nailed to a wooden cross. I can only imagine how both “sets of parents” must have felt at the suffering their son was enduring.

Before you start to think (or maybe it’s too late) that I am writing a sad or macabre message, let me get to the point. The death and suffering, thank God, are not the end of the story. Imagine also the elation that Mary must have felt when she saw her son that she had watched die – walking and well three days later! Imagine the rejoicing there must have been in Heaven when the angels saw that Christ was alive.

I often wonder what happened in that tomb. Did Jesus just open his eyes, sit up, stretch, and walk out? Did angels appear in the tomb and gather around his body and pour life back into him? Did the Father himself come down into that tomb and cradle His son until he opened his eyes? We will not know until we see our Lord face to face, but what is important for now is the fact that he DID get up and walk out of that tomb.

So what does that mean for us? There are the obvious theological ramifications such as defeating death and sin and killing the “old Adam”, giving birth to the “new Adam” so that our eternal life is sealed. But, this also means that no matter how bad a situation seems, there is always hope for a happy ending. No matter what we are enduring now, whether it is a personal matter that is weighing us down or a business that is lagging or just not taking off, we know that there is STILL HOPE. If our body is ailing and we can’t seem to get better, there is STILL HOPE. Don’t think for a second that you are defeated, because as we have seen throughout history and our own individual lives, the story isn’t over until HE says it is. So, hang in there because the dividends of your faith are right around the corner! It’s the third day, the son (sun) is rising, and don’t look now, but that stone in front of the tomb is starting to move!

*First Step Ministries is funded in part by weddings. If you need a wedding minister in the Chicago or northern Illinois area, see our site at www.ministerforrent.com.

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Perception Through The Eyes of God

Posted in Uncategorized with tags perception, wedding minister on April 29, 2010 by pastoralb

Let’s imagine for a moment that we could see the world like God does. I often imagine him sitting from his place on high looking down on us and seeing the commotion and hearing the cacophony throughout the week. Then, on Sunday as we gather to worship, our voices join together in a swell of harmony. Different churches singing different hymns and praise songs all flowing together to create a beautiful chorus in which all of the voices seem to be in one accord.

Everything that we see in this world, we see with our own eyes – both spiritually and physically. Events and objects are what we deem them based upon that perception, although in reality, they are so much more and so different in God’s eyes.

One example that I think illustrates this well is the story of the young boy and his father. The boy was always asking his father to play catch with him and finally one day the father conceded after always complaining that he was too busy. At the end of the day, both the father and the son wrote in their own diaries. The father wrote: “I didn’t get anything accomplished today. I wasted the day playing catch and got no work done. Nothing special to report.” The boy’s diary, on the other hand, read like this: “Today daddy played catch with me for the first time! It was awesome! This had to have been the best day ever!”

Amazing isn’t it? The exact same event, yet it was viewed so differently by two different people. What about in our lives? Are there times when we can’t see the forest for the trees because we are putting our own slant on the situation? It is like the time in Luke 7:36-50 when Jesus was having dinner at Simon the Pharisee’s house and a prostitute came and poured expensive perfume on his feet and kissed them. Not only did Simon think that she was wasting the perfume, but he was shocked that Jesus would let such a sinner touch him. Jesus quickly set him straight and helped him see it from the true perspective that not only would her forgiveness be so much more profound, but that he hadn’t even offered water for Jesus feet.

In business and in life we are faced with many situations and events where we are forced to make judgments. In some cases, we make judgments when we are not even invited to. In either event, we must always remember that there are two sides to every coin. Let’s pray that we see things more clearly through the eyes of the One who gave us eyes to see.

I want to send you all off with these words from Paul hoping that they will bless you and help you have a fulfilling rest of the week:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

* First Step Ministries is funded in part by weddings. If you need a minister to do your wedding in the Chicago area, please see our site at www.ministerforrent.com

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The Responsibility of Grace

Posted in Uncategorized on April 17, 2010 by pastoralb

As I was reading through the Wall Street Journal, I came across a very disturbing picture. A young man who couldn’t have been more than 22 or so, was carrying his four year old son’s casket. The child had been beaten by his mother’s boyfriend and left for dead. My heart was torn when I saw that small casket and I thought to my self that NO parent should ever have to carry their child’s casket.

There is so much depravity and sin in this world that can only be cured through grace. In Romans, Paul said that although death through sin was brough in to the world through one man (Adam), so much moreso was grace brought in to overflow to the many through the one man (Jesus). As Christians, we are the ones left with a responsibility to share this grace. Imagine if the man who beat that poor child to death would have had his heart touched by someone in a positive way or would have been taught respect for others at a young age. What if his parents were Christians, but felt that they should let him learn about life on his own?

Imagine all of the terrible things that happen in this world and if the perpetrators would have known grace and love. How much evil and sin in this world could be avoided that way? Don’t ever underestimate the power of our words and actions on other people. Don’t ever underestimate the importance of teaching morals at a young age. As troubling a thought as it is, we never know when the child in the casket or the man in the prison may be our own. Let’s take our resonsibility to heart and do what we can to make this world a better place.

Just a thought,

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You Raise Me Up

Posted in Uncategorized on April 12, 2010 by pastoralb

On Friday I attended a Selah concert. If you have never seen or heard Selah, you really need to! Some of the songs they sing are “You Raise Me Up”, “You Are My Hiding Place”, and “Amazing Grace”, just to name a few. As they were singing, it occurred to me how much we try to fix ourselves before going to the Lord.

We often forget that before we could see, we were blind, before we were found, we were lost, and before we could stand, we were stuck in the depths of sin. None of these things were a result of our own doing, but rather because God picked us up.

God meets us where we are. If we try to make ourselves more righteous or more loveable before going to Him for help, we will never get there. Instead, we need to let Him help us as we are so that we can rise above our sin and our troubles, giving us a real chance at life and happiness. So, whether we are trying to get somewhere with our businesses, struggling with sin, or just trying to be better people, how about letting Him do what only He can do?

It’s not because we are good that he loves us. It’s not because we are strong that we succeed. It’s not because we are perfect that we rise above what we have to overcome in life. Instad, he takes us just as we are and carries us when we need it – warts and all. That, my friends, is what makes grace so amazing.

Just a thought . . .

Brandyn

* First Step Ministries, NFP is funded in part by weddings performed by Pastor B. 100% of wedding fees go to the ministry to help people in our communities. If you are getting married and need a wedding minister or wedding officiant, check us out at www.ministerforrent.com .

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Failure

Posted in Uncategorized on March 25, 2010 by pastoralb

All of us have tried something at one point or another where we felt like we had fallen short. We were unable to get to that point that we had imagined in our minds. It may have been something tangible or some number or figure. Maybe it was something that we were trying to quit and just couldn’t quite get there.

Regardless of what goals we have set that we have not brough to fruition – we always feel that we have failed when not getting to the point where we want to be. This is not necessarily accurate, though. Consider Thomas Edison. He supposedly “failed” 10,000 times when trying to make a light bulb. However, we do have light bulbs today – don’t we? So did he really fail? I believe it is as he said himself: “I haven’t failed – I’ve found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” This shows that if we still keep trying and eventually succeed, then we have never failed.

So, this begs the question: When do we fail? If trying and eventually succeeding, falling and getting back up, means that we haven’t failed, then failure apparently can only come when we give up – don’t you think? If you have been trying to do something and you are convinced that it is in tandem with God’s will, then don’t give up! You WILL succeed and all of the little hiccups along the way were not failures. They were merely learning experiences on a long and fruitful journey to success.

See you at the finish line!

Pastor B

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Stepping Out of the Boat

Posted in Uncategorized with tags faith, minister, taking chances, wedding minister on March 5, 2010 by pastoralb

Do you ever feel like you are running around and chasing shadows? Like you are so busy you can’t stand it, but you never seem to really achieve anything? Do you have something that you know you need to do or a long time goal that you really want to achieve, but somehow are afraid to try? When we feel this way, (we ALL do at one point or another) we need to stop and restructure.

Making such a change and getting organized in all aspects of life takes faith and courage. It is at these times when we need to turn our eyes to Jesus and find what I spoke of in a previous post – the point of origin. It will help to bring us back to reality, so to speak, and help us regain structure and courage in our lives to do what we want and need to.

Think of Peter in Matthew 14. He sees Jesus walking toward him on the water in the midst of a storm and he is frightened. This is us in the chaos of our lives as we try to be all things to all people and still leave a little for ourselves and achieve our goals. Then Peter asks Jesus to invite him out on the water if it is Him. Jesus does so and with a huge leap of courage, he steps out on to the water. When, however, he takes his eyes off of Jesus and starts to have doubt, he begins to sink. He looks around at the mess and fury around him and begins to panic. If we stay focused on the bad, then we will only feel negativity and despair about our circumstances.

Do you have something that you want or need to do, but can’t seem to find the courage or the structure? It may be something in business, or maybe just a relationship that needs mending in your personal life. Think about that stormy night with Peter. When Jesus got into the boat with the disciples, the storm ceased. If we have Jesus in our boat with us, our storms will cease also. Turn your eyes to the only One who can give you the peace and courage to do what you need to and take that step out of the boat. I promise you won’t sink and you’ll be glad you did.

Just a thought . . .

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Faith Like A Child

Posted in Uncategorized with tags chicago wedding, minister, wedding minister on January 28, 2010 by pastoralb

Last night I was watching a number of country stars singing old hymns and gospel songs at the Grand Old Opry. It was truly a moving thing to see and hear. At some point, one of the songs reminded me of something – the fact that we are so helpless without God. When things are going well, it is easier for us to think that we can go it alone without His help. We couldn’t be more wrong.

How amazing would it be to see things through His eyes? It would certainly in many ways be scary and a little more than we could handle, but it would sure help us to understand a lot. The best example I could think of was when I tell my sons not to do something because it will cause harm to them. Why can’t they sit so close to the TV? Why can’t they touch the hot pan on the stove? Why can’t they go out by themselves and play with their friends until dark? Why can’t they sit in the front seat of the car?

There are so many things that God wants us to do and doesn’t want us to do to avoid harm to ourselves, but like our kids can’t see the why in what we say, we often can’t see the why in His will. Sometimes we just have to accept that our human minds can’t grasp His will and just accept it.

Just a thought . . .

Pastor B

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New Years Resolutions

Posted in Uncategorized with tags chicago wedding minister, chicago wedding officiant, wedding minister, wedding officiant on January 28, 2010 by pastoralb

So, here we are almost a month into another year and how are we doing so far? Have we started to do any of the things that we have set out to do through our resolutions? Or, on the contrary, are they still sitting on the top shelf collecting dust as they do every year at this time?

Every year, we get excited and set plenty of lofty goals just brimming to get into the new year and make a fresh start. We look forward to the success and the self-improvement that we will realize in the turning point in our lives. However, right around January 15th, we realize that things aren’t any different and the reality sets in of how much work is required to attain these goals. We may even wonder why we haven’t just magically made progress. I know I sometimes do! Then, I remember that I have to work toward my goals to see them to fruition.

God has given us talents and gifts to use to achieve those goals and so much more, but we have to USE THEM! He usually will not do things for us, but rather will equip us to do them ourselves. After all, if we do not have to work for them, what do we learn in life? We must believe that with these gifts we can do what we need to in order to achieve our goals. It is as Henry Ford said, “If you think you can or if you think you can’t, you’re right either way.”

So, we ask, where do we start? Our plans and goals are so far and seemingly out of reach, that we often give up only to resurrect them during the next New Year. Well, how about this – rather than going for the gold all at once, let’s set small attainable tasks that lead up to the achievement of the final prize? In other words, let’s save $1000 $3 at a time rather than trying to find the whole amount laying around somewhere. This way, as we achieve our smaller tasks we will have a sense of achievement which will motivate us to move forward. We will also have a visual and measurable scale to see how close we are getting to where we want to be.

Finally, let’s imagine ourselves where we want to be and live like that is the person that we are. As Dr. Paul Homoly preaches – “Make all decisions based on the person you want to become, rather than on your present situation.” I think it makes sense, don’t you?

Blessings,

Pastor B

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Happiness

Posted in Uncategorized with tags chicago wedding minister, happiness, officiant, success, weddings on December 21, 2009 by pastoralb

As we head into the Christmas season, although it should be a time of thanksgiving and joy, this season often marks the onset of the “holiday blues”. We tend to start comparing ourselves to others by our ability to buy nice gifts for our spouses and children. Keeping good with the “keeping up with the Jones’s” style, we feel down because we do not do as well as our neighbors and also are upset with our companies for not allowing us to do better.

I read an article about happiness in Business Week last week which talked about the correlation between being happy at home and being happy at work. There is a direct correlation because the person experiencing the emotion is one and the same – US! We are the ones who decide if we are happy and choose how to react to our surroundings – or to change them. If we do not like the situation we are in such as how much we are paid our what we have achieved, WE are the only ones with the power to change it. So, as we head into the new year, let’s make some real goals on how to improve our lives and our attitudes and then actually make those dreams a reality.

Pastor B

*First Step Ministries is mostly funded by weddings performed by Pastor B. If you or someone you know is getting married and in need of a wedding minister or wedding officiant in Chicago or the Chicagoland area, check us out at

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