Will You Do a Holy Strut?

Our last years in France I had the privilege of ministering in churches where the majority of the members were from Africa, or of African origin or they were from the French-speaking Caribbean.

In the African and French-Caribbean culture, the dance is part of the way Christians worship the Lord.

So, the kids in the Creteil church tried to teach me to dance. The key word here is “tried.” They would crack up laughing as soon as I started. I had to face the fact that I dance like an old white man.

And that ain’t pretty.

But, in heaven I hope to do a “holy strut.”

“Strutting Before the Lord”

“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessa. 2:19, 20, ESV

“Boasting” before the Lord Jesus?

Will we be able to boast before the Lord at His coming at the works we did for the Lord? Yes, but it will be a holy boasting. That seems an oxymoron if ever there was one, but it’s the kind of boasting a kid does before his parent when he does something right.

Hey, the Lord is giving out rewards when He comes. I don’t know if there are any participation trophies or not, but you need to work in a way that you can strut a little on the Day that Jesus returns. “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:9-11, ESV)

My junior year of high school we wiped out our fierce enemies, the Rattlers. They had annihilated us the year before, and we got them back. You want to talk about strutting and exulting. We did it.

I say this knowing that we need to walk lightly before Him. We can do nothing without Him and His blessing. We’re going to spend a lot more time on our knees and our faces before Him, than bragging.

But, It’s like a four-year old bragging to mama about what “we” did, when it was daddy who did 99.9% of the work. Honestly, when my kids were honored, I enjoyed hearing them brag about it. “Tell me more!” That way I could crow to others about what my kids had done.

I think the Lord enjoys it when we do well. He may have to calm us down a bit but it makes Him rejoice, too.

Once Jesus sent 72 of his disciples out to preach His Word. They came strutting back, over the moon with joy at what they had seen God do through them.

“The seventy came back triumphant. ‘Master, even the demons danced to your tune!’

“Jesus said, ‘I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I’ve given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that’s the agenda for rejoicing.’”

And Jesus got excited (I don’t dare say He started strutting.)

“At that, Jesus rejoiced, exuberant in the Holy Spirit. ‘I thank you, Father, Master of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the know-it-alls and showed them to these innocent newcomers. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.’” (Luke 10:16-21, The Message)

Ah Lord, help me to be able to do a “holy strut.” Help my work for you to be acceptable and solid. Eternal.

Hey folks. What are you going to do today to give Jesus something to shout about?

How To Stomp Out Depression and Anger

Our Coffee Stain this week begins with a little homework. I want you to stand in front of a mirror.

Now, make a sour face. Go ahead. I won’t laugh (much).

Now, smile. No, I mean really smile. How did that make you feel? Do you know how silly you look there, grinning in front of your mirror? Got you, didn’t I?

Actually this may be serious.

Joy isn’t optional for a Christian. It’s commanded. And grinning at your mirror doesn’t fulfill the command.

And it’s not a sour joy either–sometimes, our definition of “Christian joy” depresses or bores normal people.

It’s not that ephemeral thing those who don’t know the Lord call joy either, that mad pursuit to find delight in things, relationships, sports, pornography, shopping, and all kinds of “fun stuff.”

The shelf life of this kind of joy is a couple of hours, and then you find yourself back at the starting point. And, it’s dangerous to go too long without it because it often reveals a heart that’s not … hang on… Are you ready for it? …

Thankful. Continue reading

Pushing Through To Wonder

Pushing Through To Wonder

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Old King David knew how to get the day started. Before the birds warbled he was already up tuning his 968 Fender Stratocaster guitar, getting ready to belt out a Chris Tomlin worship song that would reverberate through the palace.

Back in those days you could have a lot of wives and I bet every one of David’s were mad when he woke them up with his booming praise and worship at daybreak. That’s my version. Here’s how the Bible says it, ““My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast;  I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul!  Awake, harp and lyre!  I will awaken the dawn.  (Ps. 57 :7, 8, NIV) Continue reading

So Where Is This Joy We Talk About?

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A visitor from Venus would analyze our world and decide that a lot of us are ready for the funny farm. I’m not talking about those crazed people who take guns and massacre others. I think there is something deeply devilish about them–something beyond insanity–motivating a lot of those people.

No, but of our visitor from outer space would think that a lot of us had a screw loose. Why? Well, have you ever caught yourself walking down the street when suddenly you burst out laughing? I have. One of the people I listen to on my IPod said something funny and I haw-hawed. But, does my neighbor know the reason for my outburst? He thinks I’m goofy.

And I see you there, near the bus stop, walking back and forth, waving your hands. You young ladies mew like kittens into thin air! And I want to call the looney wagon to pick you up and take you away before you hurt yourself or someone else. Continue reading