If I were to mention the term Nazi, it would probably invoke a lot of emotion or perhaps memories or even stories that you have heard.  What if I mention the name Hun?  Several hundred years ago, that term would have evoked the same emotions and thoughts, but now Hun is what we call someone for affection or it is what happens to the bad guys in the wild west, they got hun.  Ok, sorry, that was pretty bad.  But my point is that over the years words lose their power and names lose their power too.  Someday,hundreds of years from now if The LORD should tarry that long, Nazi may be a food item or a children’s toy or some new electronic device.

Where am I going with this?  I recently read an article about Yoga and why Christians should not partake.  Admittedly, l used to tell Christians they should avoid it but it was out of ignorance of it more than anything. I knew it had either pagan or hindu roots and I was not sure which.  But what is it really?  If you do yoga to get the attention of hindu gods, then you are committing idolatry and that’s an abomination in the sight of God.  However if you are using yoga to stretch and breathe better, then reap the benefits of such and be blessed.  I mean, really?  How far are we going to take this.  If we throw out everything pagan, then good bye days of the week MOON day, THOR’s day SATURN day SUN day,  Goodbye Christmas tree (originally pagan, but apparently rededicated by Martin Luther.  See comment about Nazi above), goodbye Easter Bunny.  I never really appreciated him usurping our Lord’s commemorative day anyway.

In the hands of my daughter, a golf club is a beautiful item.  In my hands it is the cause of frustration and anger.  In the hands of a carpenter, a hammer can build a house.  For me it is the cause of a week long sore thumb.  In the hands of Jesus, nails helped bring salvation. It’s all dependent in whose hands the item is.  Likewise, with yoga, Christmas, or anything, it is all in how your heart uses it.  I however don’t recommend creating a

statue of Jesus and worshipping the statue. I am not opening this up to satisfy the desires of people who don’t want to worship God in spirit and in truth.

But along with what Romans 14 says, I say if you are doing yoga for your health, enjoy it.  If you are

Wow!  That’s all  I can really say is wow!  How far God has taken this man from a self-centered, unloving, selfish individual to now being the pastor of a church once again.  I spent seven years as a pastor in the United Methodist Church (1999-2006) before stepping down to spend more time with my family.  In that time between July 2006 and September 2012 however I filled the pulpit many times in many churches.  I guess it was God’s way of saying I will give you a breather, but you will be back.  And now I am.  Today, September 1, 2012 starts a new chapter in my life as pastor of the Smithfield Evangelical Friends Church.  God doesn’t have to use us for anything, but He chooses to use us because we are His children and He loves us.  Oh how He loves us.  I am blessed to be loved by God and you should be too.  You too are loved by the almighty creator of heaven and earth.  Believe me, I have a past of broken pieces and uprooted blacktop. It has not been a smooth road, but who can really say their past is?  No one that is truly honest with him or herself can.

For the people of the Smithfield Evangelical Friends Church, I am truly honored to be your pastor.  You have all shown me tremendous respect and love and I can’tank you enough. Let’s hope this is the beginning of along relationship together.  For those of you who are possibly just stopping by, please know that the Smithfield Friends Church is a church of talented and loving people.  I promise anyone of any size, background, stature, or any other word we use to describe our lives will be welcome here.  This is a group of people that love God and love serving Him.

I have not posted anything here for quite some time.  In fact, Easter came and went and I didn’t have a nice little Easter post either.  The truth is, I wasn’t in the mood for it.  How could I not be in the mood?  Well, I am

human.  That’s why.  We as human beings go through this life and are faced with changes of all sorts, every day.  Changes to financial matters, work-related matters, health matters, relationship matters and the list goes on.  It’s times like these that try men’s souls.  I always hoped that in my life I saw my deepest and most difficult trials              already.  If they were behind me, then the rest of my life was going to be great.  At 42 years old, that was a good feeling too.   But unfortunately, life is not that fair.

My friends, I am facing the biggest trial of my life right now.  When I look down, I no longer see two sets of footprints, I see one and thank the Almighty God of Heaven that I still see that one set, because I know my feet are not on the ground.  All I can ask is that you pray for this trial in my life.  No details will ever be given here, but I may someday start writing again and I may someday just shut this blog down.  I am at a crossroads and it’s no longer my decision which road to take.  That is all in the hands of the one carrying me through the sand.  God Bless

Phil

My daughter had a friend when she was younger. Her name was Cursey Wheely. At least, I think that is how you spell it. Cursey Wheely would come to play with my daughter whenever there was a need for a friend. Cursey Wheely never let her down and always showed up the instant that my daughter desired to see her. Cursey Wheely, you see, was make-believe.

No, my daughter was never diagnosed with a mental disorder and no, she doesn’t still play with Cursey Wheely. In fact, everyone in the family had forgotten about her until we found a book that had been filled out by my then four year old and my wife, asking who her friends were. Cursey Wheely made the list along with a few other solid organic humans. Many children have a make-believe friend at some point in their childhood. It’s the sign of a good imagination and it helps to fulfill the need for belonging that we all have within us.

Christ is more than a thought or a principle. He is more than a make-believe friend; He is more than someone that we talk to in belief alone, He is real. He is alive and He lives today. But for too many people, Jesus is like Cursey Wheely. He is just someone that we make up and use when we feel lonely or are in a tight spot. But for those that know Him, He is so much more. He is a true friend and an engagement of the spirit and soul. We as humans however, want something larger and more tangible. We therefore try to satisfy that longing for belonging and that need for true relationship by looking for something we can see and touch. We turn to that which has substance and purpose. The problem with is that substance is temporary and purpose is fallible. We need a relationship with Jesus, and yes, it is possible. But you must meet God where He is. However, He is not far away. No, in fact, He is right here, right now. With you this moment. He is reading what you are reading, He is in your thoughts, He is in your life. He is in the world today. We can’t find Him in drugs or alcohol, in television or the internet. Jesus doesn’t have a facebook page or a twitter account, He is not there so don’t look for Him there. He is only a prayer away and He wants, oh so much, to have you know Him more.

Cursey Wheely was an invention of an young girl. Jesus Christ is a fulfillment of a divine plan. Cursey Wheely has been lost in memories and pages of a journal. God wants you to be found in His Son, because without Him, you too will be lost, a fading memory. Know Him! Don’t just believe in Him. KNOW HIM!

How about you?  Did you ever have a make-believe friend?  Do you have something in your life that you are using to try to replace Jesus?  I also encourage you to listen to this podcast which was the idea for this blog post.  The God Journey