Wrapping Up 2013

I can see the year 1579…and so can you. It’s a significant year for us "west coasters" in one respect because that is the year Sir Francis Drake appeared on the shores of California and claimed the area (the exact coastal location being debated by historians for centuries) for England and called it “New Albion”. The name, which means “the New White”, was in reference to the island of Great Britain often called “White” for its renowned White Cliffs of Dover.

Ok…so what exactly is the significance of something that happened 434 years ago? The answer is found when you look up into a night sky and find Polaris, the North Star. When you are observing the star you are actually seeing the light which emanated from it 434 years ago because it is 434 light years away. Kinda cool, huh?

These are the kinds of things which humble my existence. My lofty notions of importance can quickly be assuaged by the miracle that is life. Not just my life, but a life that is grander, and broader, and longer, and most definitely designed by a master Creator.

This reality may prompt you to believe that we, as individuals, are then somewhat insignificant. Nothing can be further from the truth. C.S. Lewis stated, “He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.”  This is the perfect summation of what our Creator is all about. We cannot even fathom the enormity of this universe and all it contains, yet this same Creator has His eye on you and I in a most intimate way.

When I look up into the sky and observe the stars, the universe, the absolute wonderment of our world… I begin to appreciate how much this creation we live in was designed for us. My insignificance suddenly becomes more proud, more emboldened, as I begin to realize the awesomeness of my God and how he wants to relate to me in my life.

Looking back on the year is but a snippet of a moment in time, but let’s not overlook the fact that God has planned us for this moment. Let’s embrace it and all it brings.

Blessings and Peace to all!

Greg Morton
Copyright © December, 2013

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Beyond the Pale

It’s been said that “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” Plato probably wrote these words more from a philosophical perspective, however, applying this to a spiritual truth is simply too good to pass up. What Plato was really saying is that we are to face our fears, our circumstances, our joys, and our challenges…all with a realistic embrace. To shy away from difficulties or ignore problems does not benefit us nor does it build our character.

Christians clearly have an edge when it comes to dealing with adversity. Sadly, we seldom take full advantage of the fact that God is in ultimate control and we can choose to accept it—or reject it—and make our choices accordingly.

Our humanity makes us finite; full of limitations; lacking in judgment; woefully inadequate. Our humanity lived in one accord with Christ, however, allows us to live beyond our apparent limits. What we comprehend as boundaries mean absolutely nothing in God’s hands.

My greatest apprehensions in life are making correct choices. Long forgotten are the words of Paul when he reminded the churches in Rome that all things work together for good for those who love God. If I can daily remind myself of this truth I would not only make much better choices, I would also remove the limitations of what I believe to be possible. My choices, then, become instruments within God’s plan rather than just cerebral decisions that may, or may not, accomplish my desires.

I truly believe we must all look beyond the pale and grasp on to the truth that God is interactive in our lives, proactive in His desires, and reactive to our requests. We are not meant to live the tragedy that Plato expressed when we fear the light, but rather to rejoice in the way our Savior has empowered us to live life to the fullest; with the knowledge that we can partner with God to not only make a difference on this earth...but proceed with confidence that His plan can, and will, be fulfilled.

Blessings!

Greg Morton
Copyright © December 1, 2013

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Our Daily Bread

The second petition found in the Lord’s Prayer is “Give us this day our daily bread…” This reminds me of how important it is to rely on the Lord on a daily basis. Not just to be disciplined in praying and giving thanks each day, but also to remember that the life He has given us is a day-by-day existence.

In the book of Exodus the Lord provided for His people after they escaped Egypt and began their forty year journey in the desert. He provided their daily sustenance in the form of manna which, clearly, provided all their nutritional needs. His command, however, was that no one gather more than they needed for the day. In this way, they were completely reliant on God providing each and every day and had to take that step of faith that He would deliver on His promise.

I don’t know about you, but  I know I often try to save up...ok, hoard...those things that I feel make my life easier or better. It’s tough to rely on the unknown, but for me it’s even tougher to rely on the known. I know that God is in ultimate control and He will always be faithful to provide me exactly what I need; He promised that. So why is it so difficult to trust in that promise? I guess we’re all so conditioned—even those of us in the Christian faith—to be resourceful in our day to day existence that being confident in what we don’t physically see is unnerving. God’s intervention is often intangible, yet His work is quite remarkably present if we slow down and really examine what circumstances are going on in our lives.

Jesus did not refer to Himself as the Bread of Life just as a whimsical title, nor was He trying to be elusive; He was stating a simple fact. We are only sustained in this life—and beyond this life of humanity—by believing on Him. He told us we needed to pray for our daily bread and I, for one, try to do just that.

Blessings!

Greg Morton
Copyright © November 1, 2013

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Learn To Love Again

Sometimes lyrics from a song resonate with me outside the context of the actual song…and this is one of those times. There is currently a pop ballad duet sung by Pink and Nate Ruess called “Just Give Me A Reason” and there is a line in the chorus imparting, “we’re not broken, just bent...and we can learn to love again”.

I found some profound truth, and parallels, to our daily walk with God in these lyrics. Often times we feel like we’ve really blown it and perceive our relationship with Him to be broken. I like the “bent” not “broken” analogy because that is exactly what happens in reality.

If we were to draw a straight line to God by which our praise, adoration, petitions, etc. were to travel then, yes, when sin gets in the way it does kind of bend that line a bit. Although Christ makes it a straight line—all the time—our sin nature causes us to make that path veer off on tangents. When sin enters into our lives and we allow ourselves to be affected by it, we either pull back on our prayers and communication or we shy away from addressing that sin for a while or we implement numerous other tactics to keep from confronting our sin.

As we begin our process of contrition, though, we start to realize that the way to God is always a straight path—and never broken. We may wander or stray but the incredible redemptive power of salvation has made that path, even as we bend it over and over again, straight and strong and accessible.

Just as the lyrics state, we aren’t—and never will be with God—broken, just bent at times and we will learn to love again in that most intimate way. God realizes this about us and He is more than happy to hold us close as we meander through our lives.

What an amazing God we serve!

Blessings.

Copyright © October 1, 2013

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Hot August Night

Hot August Night. On August 6, 2013 it actually wasn’t all that hot; in fact it got downright chilly, but the evening lived up to its name nonetheless.

Every year my wife and I attend a “Concerts in the Park” near our house which features a Neil Diamond tribute singer. He and his band are quite remarkable at taking us back to the days of yore which stir up memories of our dating years.

During most of the two hours there are people, young and old, dancing in front of the stage. Although this has always been the case every year, it struck me quite poignantly this time. I saw young kids simply jumping with delight; people swaying, and waving, and spinning. What touched me most, however, was seeing how many elderly people joined in the gala. Some labored just to walk and were quite crippled, yet the fact that they wanted to feel the music and share it with each other drove them onward.

When the singer crooned out his ballads, couples leaned on each other with sweet reminiscences on their faces. As the music crescendoed into faster rhythms, they flailed and moved with complete abandon…happily singing along with all the lyrics. They frankly didn’t care what they looked like or even if they were in time with the music. Everyone dancing in front of that stage was in their glory, and it made me outright happy.

Then I got a little sad.

Now I ask you…does this happen in your church? Are you able to relish in the presence of the Holy Spirit and move and dance with complete abandon? Sadly I don’t, and I suspect very few of you do as well. And why is that? If droves of people have no problem expressing their happiness and joy while listening to their favorite entertainer, then shouldn’t our joy be expressed all the more to our glorious Savior? We intellectually say “yes” but our deeds reflect another answer.

Clearly there needs to be reverence shown when approaching the Lord—in fact we are to be in fear and awe of Him because of the incomprehensible totality that He is. That said, the Bible is filled with followers convening at feasts with singing and dancing and praising the Lord. There is a place for unbridled praise and joy when experiencing the tangible presence of our Creator.

I, for one, would hope to see a new attitude formed in me that would allow me to be free to praise, unchained by the inhibitions that weigh me down. My heart certainly jumps for joy at the church I attend, but there is clearly some work to be done to get this ol’ body to follow suit.

Blessings!

Greg Morton
© September 1, 2013

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Sailing Through Marriage

Ok, ok….let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Just as a disclaimer right up front, I didn’t say it was always “smooth” sailing. This month celebrates my thirty-second year of marriage and I have been blessed beyond my wildest (and they can get pretty wild…) dreams. Parables found in the Bible used many references to sailing and/or the sea…and for good reason. Not only were they relevant to the merchant society back then, they were also word-pictures most everyone could understand. So for that reason I share my thoughts on marriage in nautical terms. Would it surprise you if I said my wife weighed me down? I’ll explain why that is a good thing. For those not familiar with the construction of boats, there is much more to it than just plopping a hollowed out hunk of wood onto the water and have it float. There are characteristics built into it that allow it to maneuver and get you where you want to go in the most practical manner. As part of a ship’s construction it has a component called a keel. It is a weighted fin at the bottom of most boats that serves numerous purposes. Firstly, it allows better steering in a straight line without struggling so much against the drifting caused by wind and currents. Secondly, it helps keep the ship upright as the wind and waves toss it side to side. Without this added weight, you would likely find yourself drifting into places you didn’t want to go. Thirdly, the keel provides the structural strength of the entire hull of the ship. Now, when I say my wife weighs me down…it’s a very good thing. She has been my keel for thirty-two years (more if you count the dating era). I am much more seaworthy in this life because of her and I trust it has been a reciprocal relationship. The simple truth is, I have been blessed far beyond my dreams when I see the wife and family I now have. My journey thus far through the seas of life have been sailed with changing winds, waves large and small, but always...always with a certainty that I am not alone. I am truly blessed. Greg Morton © August 1, 2013

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Do What Jesus Did

Back in the early-to-mid 1980s I was an avid listener of Bob Larson’s “Talk Back” radio show. His format was designed for teenagers to call in and express their opinions on whatever the subject matter was for the day…and he mostly focused on the adverse effects of secular rock music, the occult and, more specifically, the influence of demons in our everyday lives. Being in my early twenties at the time, this radio show made an incredible impression on me. Nowhere could you hear this type of candid talk and it began my road of self-discovery, introspection, and really questioning why I believed what I believed regarding my faith. By the late 1980s he was actually performing exorcisms right on the air. An amazing eye-opener for me and the huge listening audience he had acquired.

Fast-forward thirty years and, yes, Bob Larson is still around and exorcising demons right and left through his Spiritual Freedom Church and his Center for Spiritual Freedom in Phoenix, AZ along with a vast amount of touring across the country. He’s adopted a catch-phrase “DWJD – Do What Jesus Did”, a variant of the popular WWJD “What Would Jesus Do” slogan.

So why am I writing about this? Well, something the other day triggered a memory of those radio days so I went on his website just to see what has been going on with him. Not to go into all the aspects of what I found, one prominent ad/banner stated: “Got demons? Take the Demon Test® to find out!”

Well, all hail to media hype and call me sucked in…I simply had to check it out and, perhaps, even take the test just out of sheer curiosity. After several screens of explanations and warm-up emotion teasers I finally got to the link for the test. Yup…$9.95 just to take the “simple” 21 question survey to determine if I have sufficient cause to move forward with an intervention meeting. Hmmmm??

I realize ministries are a business in one sense, and it’s pretty tough to keep an enterprise going solely on faith. That said, it is very disappointing for me to see the direction Bob Larson’s ministry has taken. Even early on in his “Talk Back” days he had a mastery of asking for financial support and clearly has perfected it over the years.

But back to paying for a “spiritual needs survey”…I certainly don’t read in scripture that Jesus asked for some coin up front before healing, or exorcising, or turning water into wine. The need was there and he provided the solution.

Although I understand the necessity for funding a ministry, it might behoove the ministers of today to do a bit of their own soul-searching and ask themselves “ITWJD - Is This What Jesus Did?”

Greg Morton
© July 1, 2013

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Victory Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

Wars, battles, fighting…it all permeates our world history, and is certainly not excluded from the Bible. David is arguably one of the most notorious battle leaders chronicled within the Bible and most of those wars were directed—even mandated—by God. But neither history nor society hold an exclusive on battles. There are emotional battles waged within ourselves, spiritual battles that keep us in conflict with our faith and our beliefs...we even battle life itself as it delivers its offerings of pending mortality.

So the big question is, “Who wins when a battle is engaged?”

When my mom died on Christmas day 2012 is was the conclusion of a thirteen year battle with that ubiquitous and sinister disease we call cancer. One might deduce that the insidious disease finally won. I challenge that, however, because victory—as God has so often shown us—is in the eye of the beholder. The fact that God is in ultimate control over this world means the eye from which we see things ought to be from God’s perspective.

In my mom’s case, she defeated her disease while alive by transcending her own pain and suffering and transforming it into positive reinforcement for others suffering similar conditions. She took that which most of us would simply complain about and chose to use her fight as an opportunity to show her kids and grandkids that they were more important to her than her internal struggles. This kind of “dealing with life” modeling is priceless and will never be forgotten. When she died, she once again defeated her enemy by transforming her limited body to an eternal and glorious body...one which now resides with her Savior.

Let’s face it, dealing with life can be a crappy endeavor and we will always be in a battle with someone or some thing. What the Bible shows us—and people like my mom show us—is that battles are not always about winning so much as they are about rising above. When God told people like David to go to war against someone, it was not motivated by the “good group” defeating the “bad group”...it was an expression of rising above what the human heart is compelled to do and follow the voice of God. In the same manner, we must battle the things we face in life not with our human mind and heart, but with the voice of God as our driving force.

I don’t know all the reasons why bad things happen to good people and fortunes fall into the laps of bad people; however, I do know there is a Savior that sees far beyond our earthly behaviors, trials and battles and is willing to intervene His divine wisdom if we ask Him with a sincere heart.

We may not feel victorious on a day to day basis, but if we are willing to be honest with ourselves—and look beyond the crap life gives us—those who have truly given their lives over to Jesus can be assured that we are not battling this life alone. If we are faithful to look at life through the eyes of our Lord and Savior we will surely be victorious.

Blessings!

Greg Morton

© May 1, 2013

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Passive Christianity

In truth, there is no such thing as passive Christianity. As Christians, however, we can become complacent, disinterested, distant, even downright bored at times with our faith. But this is merely a reflection of ourselves and not Christianity itself. You see, even when we become passive in our relationship with God, God is still proactive; and it is when we become proactive in harmony with God’s interventions that things really start to happen and that long-lost fire becomes rekindled.

Paul said it very succinctly speaking to the Colossians in chapter one, “To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.”

“Labor”, “Struggle”, “Energy”, “Power”. These words can be pretty intimidating words for someone who chooses to be a passive Christian; but the reality and truth of this passage is impossible to deny. Doing God’s work can be exactly that...work. But, oh, what a good work it is.

Paul goes on to say, “My purpose is that they (those for which he is struggling for) may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

You see, the struggle...the work...it’s all about other people, not us. We go through hardship so others can benefit. We face adversity so we may deal with it as Christ did...by setting the example for others. The work we do for God is not like the work we do at our jobs which is mainly for personal gain, it is for a selfless gain that others may take notice and see the kingdom of God through our works.

But let’s face it...many times it’s tough to be doing God’s will. It’s laborious; it’s a struggle. It’s genuinely hard to be a channel for God’s awesome energy and to be used in a powerful and prolific way. It takes strength, encouragement, validation, faith, prayer and Christian support for all this to happen.

The most encouraging and beautiful aspect of Christianity is that God is with you, always and forever. Whether you want Him there or not, He’s there. This is an insight that reveals itself to me over and over again in my life. Simply stated...If you turn your back on Him, He will most certainly walk faithfully behind you step by step. If you stop in your tracks, He will be there with His hand outstretched for you to take. If you follow the wrong path, God will constantly and consistently present the proper road signs for you to change direction. God is with you, always and forever.

Sometimes this reality is hard on us when we so desperately want to do things on our own. But part of the work we have as Christians is to fight off that original sin of pride and to accept our human limitations for what they are. We need a higher power...and there is no higher power than Jesus Christ.

Blessings!

Greg Morton

© April 1, 2013

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Cranky-Boy

Yes, this wonderful descriptive seems to have become my wife’s favorite pet name for me….and for good reason. Although she says it in the most endearing and playful way, truth be told it’s spot on. I cycle through being contented and wryly funny…just to turn sour-puss the next day surely as the tides ebb and flow throughout nature. So, what’s that all about?

Frankly, I don’t really know.

One thing I do know, however,  is that the apostle Paul is my personal paradigm...although I find it extremely difficult to follow his example. During one of his visits to the people in Philippi he was extending his gratitude for their faithful giving towards his ministry. Apparently no other churches at the time were being so gracious in their giving, even though it was never his intention to even ask for support.

Listen to his words, “...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

That pretty much humbles me to a very lowly place. How in the world can I complain or be discontented when I serve a savior that has given me eternal life and is concerned about my every move? When this reality leaves me temporarily, that’s when “cranky-boy” shows up.

I thank God for my live-in “reality check” that has never hesitated to call me on my disposition. My wife has steadfastly given me the honesty I truly need in my life...and I love her all the more for it. That light-hearted, comical sobriquet actually keeps me to task and allows me to exercise more discipline in the ways of my attitude. Prayer and re-assessment is always a good thing.

Of course, I’m certainly not naive about it all. I don’t expect to suddenly be called “happy-boy” or “joyous-boy” any time soon. I do, however, hope to incorporate much of Paul’s example and see life through a better lens...the lens God sees us all through.

Blessings!

Cranky-boy Greg Morton
© March 1, 2013

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The Snares of Evil

The consequences of making foolish choices are certainly not Christian-exclusive. The repercussions are universal yet, for the Christian, there is an added element of accountability which makes our decision-making even more important. We must answer to God’s will...and that, my friends, is where evil thrives.

Does satan care that a good portion of humanity shuns God or, at least, His plans? Sure he does; but he certainly doesn’t have to invest much time simply because man’s sinful nature is doing the work for him. However, when we are walking in alignment with God’s plan it practically begs satan and his minions to intervene.

I’ve found confusion to be one of satan’s favorite strategies. If he can cause bewilderment and doubt in a situation he’s already gained precious leverage which can then be expanded into further advantage.

One area of life that is so susceptible to this influence is our need to feel wanted and accepted. There is an extremely thin line, however, between validation and violation. The snares of evil are abundant when it comes to playing on our sense of worth and our relationships. What may seem to innocently appear as building self-esteem through another person’s flattery or compliments may in fact be all the foothold satan needs to destroy our perspective and lead us into making foolish choices. The craftiness of satan should never–absolutely never–be underestimated. By the same token the power of God should never–absolutely never–be underestimated.

God has given us the tools to be smart and effective. Christians have an incredible resource, the Holy Spirit, which we can call upon day and night, 24/7. Personal relationships have their own special dynamic which can be extremely beneficial or seriously destructive. God know this; satan knows this. Clearly our goal is to discern what God wants, but innate needs to be loved and accepted are very powerful and are always fodder for spiritual battles.

1 Corinthians 10 says, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” These types of scriptures confirm we are always under an influence; either by our own nature, by evil directly, or both.

Ephesians 5 gives us this caveat, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Clearly God’s will doesn’t just manifest itself all the time and become completely evident once we are saved. We must pray and seek His will with an unending fervor because evil continually affects our choices.

The wonderful news is that God has provided us all the paths, resources, and power we need to live properly and within His will. We need to seek it, but He is quick to provide it. The snares of evil do not need to be intimidating nor do they need to have any authority over us. Rely on God’s faithfulness and you can be assured the decisions and choices you make will be the right ones.

Blessings!

Greg Morton
© February 1, 2013

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