The Rant of a Raging Lunatic

Yea, well atleast that's what they thought. Who is they, you say? God's people, the chosen ones of Israel and the apple of God's eye....that's who. So who is this raging lunatic and what was he ranting about?

It is the prophet Jeremiah and he pretty much beat God's people to death with the words he spoke. Here's the catch: God set him apart from before birth to do these things(Jer. 1:5). How would you feel if your life's calling was to fuss and complain at the church day-in and day-out. And I'm not talking about the disgruntled old dude who hates the color of the new carpet. I mean a constant word from the Lord that lashed the Israelites as if they were tied to a whipping pole.

Read the first couple chapters of Jeremiah to get an idea of what I am talking about.

Let me make a couple of major points.
1. God was terribly upset and angry at his people
Why? Because they had forsaken their first love. Take the time to read Jeremiah 1-2 just for a glimpse. God pronounces His judgment on them for three things: for forsaking Him, worshipping other gods, and worshipping the works of their hands. Here's the key, they had forsaken God simply so they could worship themselves and the things that were more convenient to them.
2. He sent Jeremiah as the Lone Ranger to set them straight
Why? Who knows why he chose Jeremiah. He became known as the weeping prophet bc all he brought was bad news. The majority of what he spoke to the Israelites was what they were doing against God and what God was going to do to straighten them out.

This is going to be longer than expected so I will probably stretch it out to another post. But, for the meantime here's a question.

Why would God chase after the Israelites after the way they treated Him? I mean, He is God and He doesn't need these people to validate who He is. If someone treated us that way we would disown them at best. Chew on that one for a while and I will add to this later.....

Before I cut this off let me tell you why I chose to write about this. Jeremiah 2:25 says this,

25 Do not run until your feet are bare
and your throat is dry.
But you said, 'It's no use!
I love foreign gods,
and I must go after them.'

When I came across this verse it truly disturbed me.......'I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.'

But more disturbing is the fact that most of us live this as our creed. No, not posted on our walls, but on our hearts......

If somehow we could rekindle a passionate pursuit of God. My hearts cry is to lead people to discover how wonderful it is to follow closely after the heart of God. Let that be your prayer today....

Share this message today and you will be called a raging lunatic. I mean we overdo this Jesus thing, right? Jesus really doesen't care about my day to day does He? I will save that for later.....

Be a Passionate Pursuer of God......

Wrong Place-Wrong Time

Have you ever truly been surprised by God? Yea, I have to. I can admit it has been a while, not bc God has been chillin' on a beach somewhere, but more bc I haven't even been in the same ballbark as Him lately. I have been in one of those places where I feel as if the rinse cycle has to be right around the corner. Those who know me are aware of my recent illness, but that is only part of the deal. I have been in this funky-funk-funk where all things are as if the camera is out of focus. Thanks to all of you guys who have been right in my face letting me know you are praying for and supporting me. One of those guys, JKL.....you know who you are recommended a good book for me a couple weeks ago. That book is Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. Well, I went to get it, probably to sit on my shelf with all of those other lonely never read books. While there I saw Batterson's first book, In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day and picked it up to. Well, I decided to read this one first, besides I would much rather read about a lion than a goose. Only makes sense right? This book has slapped me right in the face and has helped me put my life on auto-focus. Ok, catch this....

"Right at the onset, let me share one of my core convictions: God is in the business of strategically positioning us in the right place at the right time. A sense of destiny is our birthright as followers of Christ. God is awfull good at getting us where He wants us to go. But here's the catch: THE RIGHT PLACE OFTEN SEEMS LIKE THE WRONG PLACE, AND THE RIGHT TIME OFTEN SEEMS LIKE THE WRONG TIME." -Mark Batterson, pg. 12

Well, I need to say no more. Often we find ourselves in a place that is uncomfortable and with a sense of "Why God??!!" Maybe we just need to hang on for the ride and be surprised where we come to a screaching halt! And yes, I do feel like i am at the wrong place at the wrong time, but maybe, just maybe I am right where my Father wants me to be. How about you?