Coincidence? I Think Not

   Did you ever have a time where you felt God was calling you to do something but you just were not sure it was him, or you didn’t want to do it? That’s how my soccer career at Lancaster Bible College got started. Part of me wanted to play soccer; but I didn’t want to deal with all of the drama that comes with it typically, hurt my body more, and I really needed a job. There was a lot of back and forth going through my mind on whether or not I should play.

   One day I decided that I just could not think about it anymore. That’s when I did something I know I technically shouldn’t have done: I pulled a Gideon, or made a deal with God. I said “God, if I hear from the coach within the week I’ll know I am supposed to play soccer.” Then I let it go. I told my mom the deal later that night at around 7 pm. I did not check my phone until the next morning. I had a text from the coach which arrived at 6:55 pm the night before.

   Needless to say I was a little freaked out. But, I wasn’t convinced. Then I pulled another Gideon. I said to God: “God, if I hear something from anyone about LBC women’s soccer, within the week, then I will know I am supposed to play soccer.” I went about my life after that and about two days later a girl named Brooke came up to me. I had only known her from a few of my classes; but she asked me if my last name was Scheuing. I said “yes.” Then she said “my coach has been trying to contact you, does he have the right phone number?” I hung my head and semi chuckled. Then I looked to the sky and I said “yeah, I need to talk to him.”

   And, the rest is history. I have played soccer for 3 years now and it has changed my life. Sure, there were a lot of bumps and bruises on the way, literally. But, in the end it was all worth it. I learned so many lessons but the biggest one from this story was that when God tells you to do something you should do it. He may not even speak to you specifically. He works through coincidences. And, it took quite a few coincidences for me to decide to play soccer.

   So, is God calling you to do something you may not want to do? Are you going to listen to him? Do you believe that he has a plan for your life?

   Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 8:28, Psalm 25:4-5

The Pool of Reflection

   Once there was a pool. Many people came to the pool to see themselves in it. But, this was no ordinary pool. This pool didn’t just show you what you look like right now; but it also showed people who they really are, and their legacy.

   There are few who are brave enough to look for more than one minute because the images are sometimes scary. You once went to the pool when you were younger. You saw dark images of you lying, cheating, stealing, and some other things you would not have been proud of. You vowed never to come back to this place; but a friend wanted to come see his legacy. So, you agreed to come with him; but you said you would not look in.

   Your friend begins to walk up to the pool. You sit down on a bench and look around. There are a few people looking into the pool. Others are just loitering about. It looks like a few had just looked in the pool.

   One person was a young woman. She looked like a business woman who would have been professional except for the fact that she was crying. She must have looked in the pool and seen something she did not like. There was no one there to console her. You felt a bit of a tug to go over and ask if you could help her; but you don’t want to seem nosey.

   Another person was an older man. He was smiling and looked very proud. He walked up to other people who didn’t seem to know him. They began talking and it seemed like the man was boasting. Figures some people saw much better things than you ever did.

   The last person you look at is a middle aged man. He glances up from the pool and sees you looking at him. You quickly look away; but the man stands and comes over. He says “may I sit here,” and points to the bench beside you. You nod not knowing what else to say or do. After a little the man says “did you look in the pool today.” You shake your head and say “no.” The man asks “why not?” You say “I’ve already looked in it before.” “May I ask what you saw?” You don’t see why it is any of his business so you shake your head no. The man nods and says “may I tell you what I saw?” You think that is a little strange; but you don’t see how it could hurt so you nod.

   The man begins his story “like you, I have come here before. When I first came I did not like what I saw. It was a dark image. I was a very powerful CEO in the future. I had it all fame, fortune, a penthouse, two children, a trophy wife, and so much more.” You begin to become intrigued “sounds like you had it all together." The man shook his head. “I thought I had it all together; but I was wrong. I also saw in the same image that my wife cheated on me, my children hated me, I had no friends, and no one came to my funeral. Everything I had didn’t really mean anything.”

   You were starting to get confused, “so why did you come back here to look into the pool again?” The man smiled. “I changed. I needed to find what I was missing and I found it; actually I found him, Jesus. I realized that the things in this life meant nothing unless I had him; because everything here is temporary.” You nod, “I know that too. I recently accepted Christ last year.” “Have you changed anything in your life because of accepting him?” You begin to think some things have changed; but you are still far from perfect.

   The man smiles “I got you thinking.” You nod then ask, “so why did you come back?” “I wanted to see if my legacy had changed.” “Did it?” The man nods. “What did you see?” The man stands and begins to walk away “why don’t you look for yourself?” You start to panic “how will I know what you saw by looking at my reflection?” The man kept walking.

   You sit for a while and then decide it is worth the risk. You walk up to the water and look in. At first you just see your reflection but then the pool changes. The image you see is bright. You see some things you have done in the past, like before you are not proud of them. Then the image stops at you looking in the water, which is present time. Then the image is blank. You wonder if something went wrong; but suddenly you see an image of Jesus. Then you remember hearing a sermon about you being a child of God. You realize that you don’t need to know what happens to you in the future because you know your identity. And, you have someone you can trust in.

   So if you were to look in the pool today what would you see in your past? Who would you see in your future?

   John 1:12, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 19:21

The Double Edged Sword

   The two edged sword in the Bible has been debated about for many decades. Most people say the sword represents the Word of God and I would say they are right. The Word can pierce the heart of men without a physical would. Others say that the Word being a two edged sword means that it is a good weapon but dangerous to the user as well, if they don’t know how to use it correctly. And, I would say that is true too; because, people use the word incorrectly and it comes back to bite them in the butt.

   But, I’ve seen the two edged sword in a different way because of people always comparing the Old Testament and the New Testament. They say that the Old Testament God seems like a God of wrath; and the New Testament God seems like a God of grace and love. This is why some people discredit the Old Testament because they think that it is no longer valid. But, that is discrediting half of God; and that’s a blog for another time.

   God is still a God of wrath and a God of love. He has to be a God of wrath because he cannot look upon sin. And, he is a God of love because he sacrificed his Son to save us so that we can be with him.

   Love and wrath seem to be opposites. But, without wrath we wouldn’t be able to appreciate love as much as we do. And, without love wrath wouldn’t seem so bad. That’s what the sharp edged sword means to me. Love defends us from death, just like a sword defends a person. Wrath kills a person because of their sin, just like a sword can be used to kill someone. (And, I’m just mentioning here that people who say that God only shows his wrath in the Old Testament haven’t read or understood Revelation, talk about wrath!).

   It’s true, the Bible can be dangerous to those who don’t understand it, misuse it, or disobey it (we all do). But, it is also our saving grace because it tells us how we can be saved. And, I don’t know about you but I am thankful that God gives me a weapon to use to defend myself against the world. Because, without the Bible as guidance we wouldn’t be able to combat the evil in this world.

   So, do you believe that God is a God of wrath and love? Are you using the Bible as a guide to help you on earth?

   Hebrews 4:12, 1 John 4:16, Nahum 1:2-6

What in the World is Going On?! (How to Rise up in Today's World)

   “Everyday you need a bulletproof vest, To save yourself from what you could never guess. Am I safe today? When I step outside in the wars we wage.” These are some of the lyrics to Skillet’s song Rise (Lyrics Here). It seems like everywhere we turn bad things are happening nowadays. Many people are scared to go outside their own homes. And, many Christians think we are in the last days. If you do not know what is going on in the world today let me give you some examples.

   According to CNN as of June 21, 2016 there have been at least 136 mass shootings in the United States (1). According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness in January of 2015 564,708 people were homeless in the United States (2). According to Feeding America in 2014 48.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households (3).

   On a more global scale, according to CNN ISIS has “conducted or inspired more than 125 terrorist attacks in 27 countries…. Those attacks have killed at least 1,767 people and injured thousands more (4).” The website Global Issues states that, as of October 2010, “over 8 million children under the age of 5 die from malnutrition and mostly preventable diseases each year (5).”

   How are Christians to deal with these kinds of things going on in the world?

   Well I will tell you, we need to focus on the positive. Yes, there are mass shootings BUT on July 13, 2016 some girls put up a lemonade stand and raised $10,000 to give to the families of the fallen Dallas police officers (6). Yes, some people will not give to others BUT on July 14, 2016 a group of officers payed for a couple’s meal who refused to sit near them at a restaurant (6).  Yes, there are many bad things going on in the world BUT we know God. And, he has already saved us from death. Many things may happen to us, other people, or the world; BUT no matter what happens we know that God is with us. He has a plan for us no matter what happens.

   Christians need to unite with one another. We need to do all we can to help others because that is showing God’s love to them. That could be something as simple as writing a card for someone to saving someone’s life. We don’t know what we will be called to do until we are in the moment.

The other thing Christians need to do is spread the gospel. If we are in the last days, and I do not know if we are because no one knows (Matthew 24:36), we need to make sure that we are following the Great Commission. God wants all his children to be saved; but some people will not accept his gift. Who will be saved is not for us to say. We just need to do our part in spreading the gospel.

   I’m going to leave off with a few more lyrics from Rise. “Sound it off, this is the call, Rise in revolution, It’s our time to change it all, Rise in revolution, Unite and fight, to make a better life, Everybody one for all, Sound off, this is the call, tonight we rise.”

   So, are you going to focus on the good going on in the world? Are you going to do your part to spread God’s love and the gospel? Will you unite and fight against the devil?

   Proverbs 17:22, Matthew 28:16-20, James 4:7

   Urls cited:

1 http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/13/health/mass-shootings-in-america-in-charts-and-graphs-trnd/

2 http://www.endhomelessness.org/pages/snapshot_of_homelessness

3 http://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/impact-of-hunger/hunger-and-poverty/hunger-and-poverty-fact-sheet.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

4 http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/17/world/mapping-isis-attacks-around-the-world/

5 http://www.globalissues.org/article/218/diseases-ignored-global-killers

6 http://www.today.com/news/good-news

Maybe There is Hope for the Human Race

   “We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race” (Kofi Annan, diplomat). Nowadays it seems like everywhere you turn there is something horrible going on in the world. For a while now, almost the last month, I haven’t gone a day without hearing about a terrorist attack or a mass killing. Some people may begin to think that there is no hope for the human race.

   Well, believe it or not, an event happened the other day that made me realize that maybe there is hope for the human race. See, the thing about the news is that it typically focuses on all the negatives going on in the world; but great things happen every day because people step up and do the right thing.

   My mom, sister, and I were at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Lancaster. It was a 50% off day, and we didn’t know it, so there was a huge line; and it was really hot. I knew that my blood sugar was low; and that I needed food and water. I told mom and then we got in line. We waited in line for a while and it felt like it was getting warmer. My sister kept leaning on my mom because she was tired; but my mom was hot too so she told my sister to get off.

   Finally, we got to be the second people in line. I was not sure I would make it because I started seeing blue but I figured I would make it. My sister leaned on mom again and mom said “it is too hot for this” again. Suddenly, my sister leaned over to me and we started to go down. I thought she was joking so I was going to yell at her; but then I stated to lose my balance. Luckily I caught myself and my sister so we didn’t run into televisions and hangers. I went straight down to the ground along with my sister.

   The next thing I knew I had my mom yelling my sister’s name, a Spanish lady in front of us saying she might have had a seizure, the manager running over, and the lady behind us calling 911. All of this happened in a matter of seconds. My sister’s legs were bent funny and her eyes were up in her head. Then after a split second she opened her eyes. She looked around and my mom said “are you okay?” My sister answered yes and started to get up. The manager and Spanish lady said “are you sure you should get up?” Another employee came with a wheelchair and had my sister sit down. Meanwhile, the lady on the 911 call told the 911 operator my sister was up. Then the lady on the 911 call finished up the call.

   The manager wheeled my sister over to a fan and we all double checked that she was okay. The lady who did the 911 call stuck around and said that an ambulance was on the way. My sister kept saying she was okay; but we could not cancel the 911 call. So, I went to get us food and water. When I got back the ambulance people were just about to leave.

   I am so thankful that my sister is okay. But, this whole experience taught me that maybe there is hope for the human race. I mean, as soon as my sister started to go down at least 5 people gathered around to help. And, one person called 911 without being asked. Some people would have just stood there and done nothing. But, everyone there cared enough about someone they had never met and jumped into action. It didn’t matter that my sister was a white girl there were people of many colors, backgrounds, and cultures there; and they all wanted to help.

   The next time you think there is no good in this world maybe you need to try and focus on the positive. There is always hope in the world. Even if we cannot hope in other people and things, we always have hope in Christ.

   So, are you focusing too much on the negative things in this world? How can you try to be more positive? What would you have done if you were one of the people around my sister? Would you have helped?

   Romans 5:2-5, Philippians 2:4, Romans 8:28

   P.S. I want to say thank you to everyone who was at the Salvation Army Thrift Store that day. I especially want to thank the lady who called 911 and the staff.

The Croods in Church

   WAKE UP! That’s what I would like to say to some churches out there. Let me explain to you why I would like to say that the best way I know how: through relating it to a movie. ;)

   Back in 2013 a movie called The Croods came out. Grug, the dad in The Croods, is very protective of his family. He does not like change, or new things. The Crood family only goes out of their cave during the day; because at night it is dark and they don’t have any light. The family does not really argue with this point of view until Eep, Grug’s teenage daughter, begins to rebel against this idea. She becomes increasingly more curious. One night she leaves the cave and meets a guy named Guy.

   Guy has all these new ideas. He is very creative; and he has fire, or light. Eep takes a liking to Guy and starts to ask him about his ideas. Guy then has to leave because the end of the world is coming. Eep starts to go back to the cave when her dad comes. He yells at her and they get back in the cave.

   This is when Eep starts to get some “rebellious” ideas. She begins to say that what the Croods are doing now isn’t living it is just surviving. Then an earthquake comes and the Croods’ cave collapses. So the Croods have to move on. They are saved by Guy. Guy shares his new ideas with the family and everyone seems to agree with the ideas, except for Grug. Grug doesn’t want to change.

   This is how some churches are today. They are just surviving, they are not living. These churches are dying, they just may not see it. Change is very difficult; but if churches do not change they will die. I’m not saying that the churches need to change their beliefs when it comes to the Bible. They need to change how the service is. If churches do not change with the times then they will die.

   Grug did not want to change his ways. If the family would have followed him they would have died. But, the family chose to follow Guy. Some may see Guy as a radical, rebel in the church. This person comes in and wants to worship in different ways. Maybe it is using contemporary songs, starting different outreach programs, or anything against the grain of the church.

   Ultimately the Church is to follow Jesus’ example. Churches are totally different today from what they were back in Bible times. But, Jesus did leave an example for us. He differentiated, or changed the way that he dealt with people based off of who they were; and what they liked. He still preached the gospel but in different ways. That is what the Church needs to do today. Far too many churches are not reaching others. They are not following the Great Commission because their focus has moved to themselves. They want their way in the church and they will not change.

   I hate to break it to these churches but they are dying. They may survive for a time; but they are not living out the Great Commission. That is why I think the churches need to wake up. The people there need to take a good long look in the mirror and say are we following Christ’s example?

   So, how is your church doing? Is your church reaching others? Are you doing your job to reach others? Is your church differentiating to reach other people?

   Romans 1:16, Matthew 9:37-38, Ephesians 2:19-22, Ephesians 4:16

Choosing Your Destiny: Lessons from Samson (at Sight and Sound)

   Did you ever watch a show, movie, or hear a story about someone who messed up and think “he should have known better?” Or, you watch a show and tell the character in the show not to do something you know the character is going to do anyhow (because you either saw the show before, or you are just that good at predicting shows). Yeah, I have definitely been there. In fact, I was there the other day before I saw the show Samson at Sight and Sound.

   There are many lessons in the production but the story boils down to a few key lessons specific characters learn.

   Delilah. A name well known by those who study the Bible, Delilah is the woman who caresses the secret to Samson’s strength out of him. Christians tend to see characters in the Bible as black and white. In other words: Delilah was a betrayer, Moses always followed God, Joseph forgave his brothers right away, Thomas was a doubter, etcetera etcetera. But, Sight and Sound does not portray characters that way.

   People in the Bible went through a lot of emotional situations, just like we do today. It is just the Bible is a narration of what actually happened; and it does not tell us how those people felt. That’s not a bad thing, it causes us to think more and have empathy about how other people are feeling. Anyhow, Delilah chose to follow her own path in the end. She knew that she needed freedom from her past and sin; but she didn’t follow the path she needed. She looked for freedom through what she wanted. But, she wasn’t set free in the end.

   The only way to true freedom is through the grace of Jesus Christ; but Delilah could not follow Christ because she felt she didn’t deserve it or she didn’t want it because of wanting pleasure in this life. She wanted to feel loved; but she compromised in order to get what she thought would make her feel loved. She loved herself more than she loved God.

   Just like Delilah, we many want something for our life that isn’t our destiny. To that some people may say “we make our own destiny.” And, in a way, we do. We choose the path we follow. Delilah chose to betray Samson. Samson teetered back and forth between following God/having faith and doing what he wanted to do. Many of us tend to teeter back and forth between having faith and falling away from God just like Samson. But, in the end, Samson had faith in God; and he chose to follow God. That is why Samson is in the hall of faith. He loved God and accepted God’s grace in the end.

   So, have you run away from the love and grace of God? Do you ever teeter back and forth between having faith in God and not having faith? When it comes down to it are you going to follow the destiny God has for you, or are you going to follow your own path?

   Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 12:9-12, Luke 1:37, Hebrews 11:32

   P.S. If you have not seen Samson at Sight and Sound in Lancaster Pennsylvania yet I highly recommend it. 

   More information on the show at this website: https://www.sight-sound.com/WebSite/shows.do