How Great I Am?!

Posted on August 16, 2014 by ivanjamestruman

The disciples were jockeying for who would be greatest in the kingdom of God. Knowing their thoughts and their hearts, Jesus said, “whoever would be great among you must be your servant” – (Matt. 20:26). Jesus never once rebuked their ambition for greatness only their path, their motivation, and their role model for greatness and distinction.

What is ambition? It’s the instinctive desire to aspire to things, to make something happen, to have an impact, to count for something in life. Whether you realize it or not we are all ambitious creatures because we are all pursuing something that we love. Whether it’s the corner office, Mr. Right, well-behaved kids who are smart and athletic, admiration from peers, financial security – or just a long afternoon nap – we are ambitious – and it all matters to God. But what matters most to God is not only the object of your ambition but the reason behind your ambition. It’s why you want what you want.

But it is true: Whether it is to conquer a nation or control the remote – we are hard-wired to be ambitious. Dave Harvey wrote an excellent book called, “Rescuing Ambition.” He comically helps us to see ourselves as Jesus sees selfish ambition.

Ivan the Occasionally Great. Who is this? This is Ivan who has his moments. He’ll do good things for others – sometimes. But he can’t keep it up all the time. Greatness is hit and miss.

Ivan the Great-In-His-Own-Mind. This is Ivan who thinks great thoughts – about Ivan. He’s ready to offer his more-than-valuable opinion like candy from a parade boat.

Ivan the Potentially Great. This is the guy who could do something great if only he put his mind to it. But, because he fears man more than God – he never really attempts great things for God because he can’t stand the risk of failure.

Ivan the Formerly Great. Ivan has been there and done that. He remembers when things “were great” under his watch. But he has selective memory – he’s got amnesia of his own failures but can easily recall all the right things he’s done.

Ivan the Comparatively Great. This Ivan is always found in the upper class – not the top of the class, that would be too self-centered. Not perfect but better than the average joe. He’s competitive in all that he does. Tries to stay ahead of others. Is jealous that others get promoted over him. Loves to win, hates to lose. Prone to self-pity. Shifts the blame. Accusatory.

Ivan the Tomorrow-I’ll-Be-Great. This guy is up to something. He can just feel it. He just needs a little more time, a little more organization, a little more rest, a little more money. Ask him why he still hasn’t done what he said he would do . . .he’ll give you one excuse after another.

Ivan the If-Only Great. This guy just can’t catch a break. If only people understand. If only others would not hinder. If only others were more predictable and more helpful. If only others would notice his talents and what he has to offer. It feels good that God notices him but it would feel better if others did.

Ivan the I’ll Be Great If IT Kills Me. Doesn’t take no for an answer. Failure is not an option. If you’re in his way you’ll get ran over.

Apart from God, our quest for greatness is often a search for approval. I want to be applauded and esteemed. I live for praise. I attempt great things, even for God, because I crave being celebrated. But in Christ – my search for approval and greatness and distinction is over. In Christ – I am great, in Christ – I am distinct, in Christ – I am approved, not because of my ambition but because of His. All the time and energy that we waste trying to be liked or praised or to achieve something to validate our existence can now be redirected toward ambition for God’s glory. By grace, our hearts are redirected from How Great I Am to How Great Thou Art.

The Secret to Happiness is Not Seeking It

Posted on August 13, 2014 by ivanjamestruman

Jesus said, “Whoever wants to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt. 16:25). Which means, if you seek your own private happiness for your life, you will lose your life – and their goes your happiness. But if you give up your life for Christ, you get to keep your life – and as a consequence, find real joy. C. S. Lewis said,

“Even in social life, you will never make a good impression on other people until you stop thinking about what sort of impression you are making . . . give up yourself, and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it” – Mere Christianity, pg. 190

If you are easily angered and offended, have routine episodes of self-pity, are hypersensitive and wear your grievances on your sleeve, you are seeking to be happy and unwilling to serve others. You will never know true happiness until you stop seeking it. Forget yourself and give your life away. You’ll be surprised how happy you’ll be.

Why do we need sad songs?

Posted on August 7, 2014 by ivanjamestruman

On the way home from WV last week, I put in my “Best of Fleetwood Mac” cd after Joseph woke up. He just turned 2, mind you. On disc one, tracks #14 and 15 played “Landslide” and “Songbird” respectively. As Christine McVie began to sing “Songbird”, Joseph commented, “. . . sad song . . .” Even a two-year old can hear the difference between happiness and sadness – his life already contains both. Here are the two songs that we listened to and they both speak about getting old and dying, and losing someone you dearly love, and the sadness of it all. After the songs, I have a few things to say.

Here are a few reasons why we need these songs:

1. Because we need others to know when we’re sad. When someone writes a sad song we are comforted by their empathy – they also know the dark days and they know that you have them too.

2. Because it’s ok to be sad. If you are never sad it’s because you refuse to take an honest look at life. So much of our culture does not permit deep sadness, but fills up the days with more and more silliness as a distraction. This is not healthy for us.

3. Because we need to cry. It’s good for the body and the spirit. It’s part of what it means to be human and it’s part of what it means to be an emotionally, healthy person.

4. Because we know that happiness has an opposite. When someone is hurting you do not laugh. You cannot eat popcorn at the side of a hospital bed. Tears are the only appropriate response to many things in this life, and it is dishonest and unloving to rejoice with those who weep.

5. Because we instinctively know there is something seriously wrong with our world. Sadness works like a billboard for our minds – it tells us that this is not the way it’s supposed to be.

6. Because we long for a time and a place where there will never be things that draw out tears again. Which is why I’m not going to trust anyone else other than Jesus when it comes to my future happiness and joy. I don’t trust Charles Taze Russell or Mary Baker Eddy or Confucius or Joseph Smith or Tom Cruise or Dr. Phil or Dick Clark or Johnny Carson or Joel Osteen. Christ alone and those who faithfully represent Christ have the only answer for my sadness (Psalm 42 and Revelation 21:4)

I am very thankful that this sad song has been mercifully postponed by the Lord, for now.

I love you dad!

The #1 Love Song – part 2

Posted on August 6, 2014 by ivanjamestruman

I’ve taken time off from writing – but it’s time to get back to it.

In the previous post I quoted from the #1 Love Song of all time – “Song of Songs” by Solomon. It is expressive and shameless in its celebration of sexual intimacy between a husband and wife. But since Jesus says this song is ultimately about him (Luke 24:44), and that human marriage refers to his marriage to the church (Eph. 5:31-33), then what you believe about love, sex, and marriage reveals what you believe about Jesus. And what you believe about sex, the when and between whom, also reveals what you believe about Jesus.

Jesus said that this (song of songs, love-making in marriage, one flesh union, skin on skin intimacy between a man and a woman) is to help us see who is this God that would “so love the world that he would give his only begotten Son” – to die for a bride and win her heart forever. This is why Jesus approves of only one kind of sexual intimacy that is recorded in the Song of Songs. The kind between one man and one woman because there is only one male Jesus Christ and one female bride, the church.

In the Song of Songs, only a male speaking to a female and a female speaking to a male can do this. Two males or two females can’t ever speak to each other in such a complementary and diverse way. Only a male and a female can be husband and wife and only a male and a female were made to literally, physically, anatomically, spiritually – fit together. And it is only a male with a female in married love that displays Christ and the Church.

Therefore, I make these applications based upon what Jesus said and modeled:

1. If your spouse is a member of Christ, his bride, you cannot love the head while you despise his members, one of which is your spouse. Your relationship with your spouse is out of reverence for Christ. How you treat your spouse is how you treat Jesus. Jesus takes it personally.

2. Sacrificial Love on the husband’s part, and sacrificial respect on the wife’s part reveal both our sinful rebellion and need of Jesus Christ at the same time.

Remember, you have to be told to love and to respect. You have to be told to walk in love and submit to one another (Eph. 5:1-2). Your spouse did not create sinful rebellion in your heart – it was already there when you said “I Do”. You’ve always needed Christ to conquer and captivate your heart.

3. You don’t need a perfect spouse to love him/her, you need a perfect Savior to change your heart to love the way he loves you. The challenge is to know yourself as the bride of Christ, eternally loved from before time – so that you can have the kind of love that lasts a lifetime.

This raises an interesting question:

Why didn’t Jesus get married to better display what married love is all about?

Answer: Because he already was married to a woman – the church! This means that no matter what your status is, married, single, widowed, or divorced, you can know true love by knowing Christ.

The #1 Love Song – part 1

Posted on July 14, 2014 by ivanjamestruman

Check out these lyrics from a song that was written over 2500 years ago. It’s a Love Song that begins with how the bride-to-be feels about her man.

She says:

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine; your anointing oils are fragrant – draw me after you; let us run.” (1:1, 4)

Then He responds:

“I compare you, my love . . . your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels. You are beautiful my love, you are beautiful, your eyes are like doves.” (1:9a, 15)

She remembers and recites his words of proposal to spend the rest of her life with him:

“Arise, my love my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.” (2:10-13)

And then she has a bad dream at night before her wedding day, fearing that the love of her life is lost.

“On my bed by night, I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not.” (3:1, 4b)

On their wedding day, they speak their vows to one another:

He says:

“Behold, you are beautiful, my love . . . Your eyes are doves behind your veil . . . your lips are like a scarlet thread and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate behind your veil . . . your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, that graze among the lilies . You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you . . . you have captivated my heart, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How beautiful is your love, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice! Your lips drip nectar, my bride.” (4:1a, 3, 5, 7, 9-10, 11, 16)

She responds:

“Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its choicest fruits.” (4:16a)

The guests at the wedding party joyfully approve:

“Eat, friends, drink, and be drunk with love!” (5:1b)

Then the Honeymoon, where they intimately describe each other’s body:

She describes her husband:

“My beloved is radiant and sturdy – his head is the finest – his locks are wavy – his eyes are like doves beside streams of water bathed in milk sitting beside a full pool. His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh. His arms are rods of gold set with jewels. His body is polished ivory bedecked with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set on bases of gold. His mouth is most sweet and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend.” (5:10-16a)

He describes his wife:

“Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of a master hand. Your navel is a rounded bowl that never lacks mixed wine. How beautiful and pleasant you are, o loved one, with all your delights. Your stature is like a palm tree, and your breasts are like its clusters. I say, “I will climb the palm tree and lay hold of its fruit. Oh may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the scent of your breath like apples, and your mouth like the best wine.” (7:1-2, 6-9)

The night is over. And in the warm summer morning she invites him to make love to her again – outside among the fruit trees. And then she tells him:

“. . . under the apple tree I awakened you” (8:5)

Nearing the end of the Love Song, she says to her husband:

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.” (8:6-7b)

The Point:

Married Love is a powerful gift from the Lord. It is relentless in its jealous pursuit of one another. It is not selfish but rather, is hot red with devotion and commitment and covenant, it perseveres through anything, plodding along year after year. Nothing is stronger than what God gives to a man and woman in marriage. The Love-making between a husband and wife is the very flame, the passion of the Lord himself.

Which means, there is something more to this Song of Songs (found in the Bible, the Old Testament). I’ll tell you in the next post. But for now, ask yourself this question:

Who is this God that would create such a union of ecstasy between a married man and woman, and why?

Jesus is Just Alright With Me

Posted on July 10, 2014 by ivanjamestruman

Time with Grandsons in Salinas, CA.

Posted on July 9, 2014 by ivanjamestruman

Time with grandchildren is a precious gift from the Lord. This is an organic, 50 acre strawberry field that was next to the ranch that we stayed at for 17 days. It is owned by the family that let us live in one of their homes on the property. Nearly every day I took Joseph and Gabriel to the field to enjoy perfectly ripened berries. With a soft breeze moving in from the Pacific Ocean only 6 miles away, and nothing distracting me from this moment, these thoughts came to mind:

1. These boys do not fret or worry about strawberries running out. In a better way, I wish I could sit in peace and contentment knowing that my Father in heaven will always supply.

2. These boys do not understand the massive quantity of berries behind them. They just sit there and eat, squishing juice down their chin, expecting another berry to be given them as soon as one is finished. With greater faith, I wish I could believe and trust that my Father in heaven has thousands of acres of mercies that will come new to me each morning.

3. These boys will grow up – this moment in this way will not last. They don’t understand, not yet, the brevity of life. And as it should be. Children should feel that time moves like molasses, gentle and slow and sweet. I wish I could see, more than I presently do, what it’s going to be like to not have to think about time and its fleeting moments. One day.

In the morning, in the old renovated farmhouse built in 1889, we fried eggs on the wood stove. It would get down to about 50 degrees at night – cool mornings with the smell of a fire and the warmth of little bodies was priceless. There was no tv, no phone, no internet. Just family, good food, and bunches of giggles.

Joseph is taking his little brother Gabriel out for a spin in the old farm truck. Thank you Lord for this slice of time with my grandsons – a few moments of uninterrupted humility before the One who holds our breath in his hands. All our days are lived in sight of the Risen Savior. May the love of Jesus Christ, who made this moment in time, be forever enjoyed in the hearts of my grandsons.

Time with Cheryl on our 30th Wedding Anniversary

Posted on July 3, 2014 by ivanjamestruman

We’ve been gone since June 15. We’re back – good and tired, but we had a blessed time with each other on our 30th wedding anniversary. For the last 17 days we have enjoyed time in California. Over the next few posts I’ll be sharing thoughts of encouragement that I’ve stored up in my heart. For now, here are a few pics that express our thanks to Christ for his grace and mercy in our marriage. After 30 years we still enjoy spending time alone with each other.

At a small but elegant garden/eatery in L.A.

Enjoying Fisherman’s Wharf in San Fran.

270 miles down highway 1. Some of the most majestic views on the planet. It is the Lord who said to the ocean, “This far and no further” (Job 38:11).

I could not keep Cheryl away from the San Jose Rose Garden, one of the best in America.

Our final day was spent in Monterey, eating out over the Bay.

“Thank you” to our church family and friends who have been a source of hope and encouragement in our marriage that made this vacation possible.

Talk to you soon,

Ivan

My Experience with a Scam Artist via Craigslist

Posted on June 13, 2014 by ivanjamestruman

For the first time, and with the help of my daughter, I posted an item on Craigslist for $425. Here is my experience and what I hope will be a helpful caution for you, and in addition, a reflection for all those who might need a merciful but stern warning for engaging in deception and theft.

I began to receive some emails from “Susan” who wanted to buy my canoe “asap.” She was too happy to be the buyer. Then she said that a cashier’s check from her bank, Citibank, would be sent to me – she just needed my name and address. She also said that it would provide enough for the “movers” of which I am to send the excess of the check. Ok – that’s when the red flag went up. I thought, “why don’t you send your own money to the movers – why put that on me – that is just plain dumb to trust me, someone you have never seen, to send money to your movers.” My hunch of being taken was right. In a few days, I received this check to my amazement for $1,450.

That’s $1,025 more than the sale of the canoe. Now, by her instructions, I am to deposit the check and then wire this amount to the address below:

“Money Should Be Sent Through Western Union Money Transfer In Minutes To The Info Below:

Receiver’s Name: Doc Smith

Address: 2901 S 1ST ST

City: ABILENE

State: Texas

Zip Code: 79605-1813″

I went to Citibank website and they literally spelled out this kind of scam letter for letter. I then took the check to my bank, Chase, and asked them that if I deposited the check would they credit my account – would they process the check? “Yes – this bad check is so good that we would run it through and you would receive your money. But in three weeks when Citibank sends the check back to us as a bad check, we would then come after you and debit your checking account for the full amount. The thief would have $1,025 of real money from you and you would be out. Also, you would be put into a category for risk as a client of our bank and other banks would be notified – this would follow you because you attempted to deceive us.” My banker is a friend of mine and he was simply telling me the cold facts of what would happen. He was very happy that this shake-down failed. But he said that it is happening every week to his clients.

I then took the bad check to Citibank – they ran the numbers and identity of “Susan Kramer” – the account does not exist: “It’s a fake check anyway – that’s not how Citibank prints their cashier’s checks.”

I then handed over all information to Citibank and the local police and wrote the letter below to Susan. My hope in sharing this story is that you would know how to protect yourself from this kind of thievery. My other hope is that if you are a thief reading this story, that you would think deeply about the matter of which I address below.

Dear Susan.

I have some questions:

Are you not tired of this?

Are you not exhausted?

Are you not tired of living in fear that maybe this is the week that the FBI and the authorities find you out and send you to prison?

Why would you attempt to lie and deceive me, and steal my money when that is not the way you want to be treated? Do you not realize that you are self-condemned since you would not want to be treated the way you have been treating me? Do you not feel guilty at all for harming the financial well-being of others – especially the elderly, the widows, the single moms who unknowingly fall prey to your schemes?

If you do not get caught in this life there is a Judge who will meet you at your death – his name is Jesus and he is Lord of the little lords who set up shop to print fraudulent checks to steal money. And he is King of little kings who sit at computers telling one lie after another. The fury that will be unleashed upon you for taking advantage of the widow, the orphan, and the poor will be with full force upon your head. Repent of your wickedness and turn to Christ for the forgiveness of your sins so that you will be healed of this terrible disease that is destroying your life. If you would like to talk more about what I have said I would be thrilled to speak to you about the condition of your soul and what it means to deal with Christ. But know this: he lived a sinless life, was crucified, buried, and on the third day rose from the dead to make an atonement for sins. He ascended to Heaven and will return. There is a day that has been appointed for you to answer for your sins. Either Jesus Christ will be your righteousness by faith or you will stand alone and give an account for lying to me and countless others. I earnestly plead with you to stop your sinning, if at least so that you do not become incarcerated and place another tax burden on the very people that you stole from.

In the meantime, I do hope you get caught so that the economical society that I live in will suffer less harm. I have turned over to the authorities our conversations, your fraudulent check, and the info that you gave me to wire my money to Western Union.

I wish you well only insofar that you turn to Christ – otherwise, may your worst days be ahead of you.

Ivan

Our Confession of Treason

Posted on June 10, 2014 by ivanjamestruman

This past Sunday in worship we confessed our Sin of Treason in the Garden.

God’s word teaches in Genesis 2:10-17 and 3:1-7 that although our King gave us everything that we need to enjoy our lives with him, we instead believed a set of lies that led to our revolt against him. With his half-truths, the devil stirred up discontent in our hearts with God. He suggested a perceived injustice on behalf of God – “he can’t be trusted to take care of you – he’s holding out on you – you don’t need him – you can make your own rules and live free – you can be your own king of the world – you can know all that he knows.”

Here is our Mutual Confession of Treason:

We rejected a Good King for a Tyrant

We traded a Tree of Life for a Tomb of Death

We forfeited Safety for Danger

We gave our Allegiance to a Murderer

We trusted in our own idea of Justice

We believed that we could Provide for Ourselves

We denied that God’s Commandments are for our Good

We exchanged Objective Truth for a Lie

We denied Reality and Fabricated a False World

We left A River of Life for a cesspool of Sorrows

We said “no” to true Love, Joy, and Peace

This is why Christ came – to restore a Kingdom where Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of Lords. Your heart is tempted still to revolt against your King, which is why Jesus says, “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). And which is why Jesus suffered the consequences of treason on the cross. Do you believe that he suffered in your place?

In Worship, we confess our sins and receive forgiveness so that we may know afresh all that we have in King Jesus. His Rule and Reign over your life is the best protection that you could ever have. Seek him and you will find that he is a very good King.

the sound board

~absorb grace~vibrate grace~

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