Vision

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. - Proverbs 29:18

Vision is essential. Businesses, churches, families and individuals need to have a vision, a directing goal, in their lives. To be without is a prelude to destruction or failure.

Vision answers, 'Where are you going?' It is the desired results, the favorable outcome of action and direction. Vision creates excitement, energy and concentration. The 'where we are going' justifies the 'what do we have to do to get there'.

God provides vision. The word spoken in Proverbs means 'word from the Lord'. Without revelation from God, prophetic instruction or divine guidance, the people perish. God gives vision through His Word. This is good news and bad news.

The Good news is that one's relationship with God and dependence on His word provides vision. The character, values and discipline that comes through Scripture points one in the direction that he should go. Even more, the more one opens his heart to God's Word the clearer the vision becomes.

The bad news is that since vision comes from God's Word, then every vision is not the right vision. Some are excited and enthused about going in the wrong direction. Some are clearly seeing the wrong thing while lacking the discernment of right and wrong that comes through the knowledge of God. This leads to wasted time and energy. Many have reached the goal only to find frustration and dissatisfaction. Michaelangelo says "The greatest crime is not that we aim too high and miss but that we aim to low and we hit it."

The point is, draw close to God and God's Word so that He can guide you by the Vision He provides.

Making Love or Love Making (Valentine's Special)

I bet I have your attention now. Sex does that. Ice cream, shaving cream and chewing gum commercials use it, why not me. (I ought to have at least 30 replies on this one)

Actually I’m not talking about sex. I’m really talking about love. Real love. Not that hush puppy, mushy, gushy play-play love, but real love. The love that originates from God is not the same as what passes for love down here.

One of the most blaring examples is to call sex, love making. I’m not even talking about illegitimate sex; I mean the divinely authorized sexual activity between a husband and wife. Having sex is not the same as making love. Though sex makes your head swoon and your heart palpitate don’t confuse it with love. Love making takes a whole lot more than that.

To equate sex with love exalts the temporary, carnal, human experience to the heights of divine character. It is symptomatic of the self-seeking, self-pleasing spirit that rules the hearts of the unregenerate man. God desires to raise us to His level, we try to bring Him down to ours.

Here’s my list of reasons why sex (marital) should not be called making love. I’ll start it you finish it. Blog away.

1. Real love is not conditioned on the “mood”.
2. Sex requires chemicals, love requires spirit.
3. You must eventually stop having sex (at some point), but love must continue.
4. The Bible calls it due benevolence or “knowing”.
5. Love is what your children ought to see, not sex.
6. The term was paraded and applauded by hippies.
7. You have to study the character of God to create love.
8. You give much more than your body to make love.
9. Making real love is not about performance but selfless sacrifice.
10. Loving your enemies ain’t sexy.
11. Sex can make a baby, but it can’t raise one.
12. Eros love is not mentioned in Scripture.
13. Sex is episodic, but love is eternal.
14. Sex doesn’t always go right, but love never fails.
15. Proof of love doesn’t come during the honeymoon but after surviving some marital crisis.
16. Sex will put you to sleep, but love will send you to the cross.
17. Sensuality is physical, love is spiritual.
18. Physical disability, even paralysis, is no hindrance to real love.
19. You can’t fake love (not for long).
20. …..