Tag Archives: Christianity

August 22, 2025 · 4:33 pm

How Did We Get Here?

Dr. Robert W. Odom

Over the last few weeks, I have been mulling over a news article I read. The article detailed the confession of a popular contemporary Christian singer who had been using drugs and taking advantage of young men. What bothered me most was that those around him knew this, and it appears they did little to help him.

As I pondered this, I began to think about how easy it is for us to make decisions that lead to bad choices and consequences that harm many. Most of the time, small choices and compromises develop a pattern. Left unchecked, these small decisions lead to patterns and ways of living that cause damage to our psyche and those around us. I do want to note that small positive choices can also lead to positive outcomes.

Too many who have been in the spotlight have fallen because of sinful practices that have been covered up or ignored. My guess is that these failures usually began with small decisions and compromises.

My goal is not judgment but a desire to give great grace. I give grace because any one of us can be in a position to make small compromises that lead to unhealthy patterns in our lives.  We all live with the vulnerability to want to hide and cover over those things that we do not wish to be in the open. The pressure to perform and present a confident persona can cloud our decisions. It is also based on what we believe we can hide and get away with.

This is nothing new. We see this story played out over and over again. From the beginning, humanity has had selfish issues that lead to poor decisions (Genesis 1-3). These decisions lead to a lifestyle not aligned with God’s plan and purpose. What began in the Garden of Eden continues today. In the Garden, we see the failure of humanity to obey God’s one command. When they disobeyed this command, they immediately tried to hide and cover up the sin. Notice the pattern. They saw. They wanted. They took. They hid. A read of Genesis 3 reveals this pattern. It is a pattern that continues into the present day.

One Biblical story that stands out to me is the story of David. He was the King that God appointed. Samuel had anointed David to lead the nation of Israel. In this calling and position of power, David let his guard down and failed to live the kind of life God wanted. He made a series of decisions that positioned him to make bad choices.

Many of you may know the story but let me share it briefly for those who do not (2 Samuel 11). The Israelites were in battle, and David, the army’s Commander-in-Chief, should have been on the field with his troops. Instead, he was at home. This was his first step of compromise. He went to the rooftop of his palace, where he saw a woman bathing across the lane. He lusted for her. This was his second step of compromise. He sent for her. As the king, he could summon anyone, and they had to approach him. If not, they could face the penalty of death. This was his third step of compromise.

She came to him, and eventually they were intimate, and she became pregnant. But instead of stepping up and making the right decisions, he continued to slide into deception and lies. Bathsheba, the woman he had impregnated, had a husband named Uriah, who was on the front line. David ordered him to come home and spend some time with Bathsheba. David’s plan was that Uriah would make love to Bathsheba, and everyone would believe that Uriah was the father.

Being a man of integrity and committed to the troops Uriah led, he did not want this. His focus was on winning the battle. His priorities were in order. Uriah requested to be returned to the front lines. David then schemed another plan and slid deeper into transgression. Uriah was sent back to the frontline, where David sent a letter to Joab, the army commander. His order was to have Uriah on the front lines of the fiercest battle. His goal was to have Uriah killed. And he was. This was David’s fourth step of compromise.

David now takes Bathsheba as his wife. For those around David, he seemed to be such a good guy. But this was just another ploy to hide his sin. The child was born but died shortly thereafter.

One thing is common to every story of compromise. When someone falls it is often associated with taking small steps and making small decisions away from the purposes of God. In each case, they see something or desire something. Then they move to wanting what they cannot or should not have. Sometimes, these are even good things, but not the best things for them. Then they step into the sin and take what they cannot have. Finally, they try to hide their sin.

Every significant compromise in our lives starts with small decisions that lead to greater problems. We compromise our standards and make decisions that begin a slide backward. Eventually, we get blinded by the safety we feel that no one will find out and that we have it under control. But do we?

These actions tend to come to light and, in the process, cause significant distress and pain to those who took these steps and those impacted by these actions. You can read Genesis 3 to see the results of the compromises made by Adam and Eve. David lost the kingdom he loved. He faced great rebellion from his sons. And he lost the son he had by Bathsheba.

But that is not the end of the story. God’s amazing grace is available to all. God still loved David. He was still in the ancestral line for Jesus. God did not disown him. Neither does God do that for us. He does not disown us. He desires to restore our hearts and spirits. We may face the consequences, but He does not stop loving us.

God still loves the singer who confessed. They still have remarkable grace and a place in the kingdom of God. They can repent, change, and make good decisions that will direct them to a positive space of emotional, mental, and spiritual health. But they have to make good decisions.

So, let me ask you?

·      What steps and decisions have you made that might lead you to compromise?

·      What do you need to change in your life that would redirect you toward a healthy space?

·      Where do you need to confront someone who is living in a way that is not unhealthy? How would you do this?

·      Are the actions you are taking honoring God or dishonoring His will? Think about this about write down your thoughts.

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June 21, 2025 · 8:50 am

Being Seen and Heard

Dr. Bob Odom

One of my life lessons is that people want to be seen and heard. Since the dawn of humanity, humans have desired to be seen and heard. They want to be valued. From the time one is born, there is an innate longing and desire for acceptance. Babies cry for attention, food, and diaper changes. They want to be seen and heard. And in their immaturity, crying is the only tool at their disposal.

Beyond infancy, this primal yearning explains why society often erupts into movements and voices raised in unison. Whether it is a plea for justice, equality, or simply a better way of life, these collective actions are fueled by the desire to ensure no voice is lost in the crowd, no face fades into obscurity. When people feel unseen or unheard, they become restless, sometimes desperate, and often resilient in demanding the world to take notice.

As I was thinking about this, I thought about many of the protests around the country. There are protests for and against Trump. There are protests for and against Israel/Palestine. There are protests for and against abortion and women’s rights. There are many reasons for this, but one reason is that people want to be heard and seen.

As I was reading Matthew 6 this week, I was surprised by what I saw. I was drawn specifically to the verses (6:5-8) that came just before the Lord’s Prayer. For some reason, I felt sympathy for the characters represented in these verses. Let me share what I mean with you. Normally, when I read this passage, I feel judgment and a bit of pride that I am not like them. But then I suddenly realized that they wanted to be heard and seen.  

When Jesus presents this story, he says, “Do not pray like the hypocrites or the Gentiles.” The hypocrites do so for a show. They want to be seen. The Gentiles do so to be heard. In times past, I have read this and, like many of us, cast off the hypocrites and Gentiles, but as I read this passage this time, I was moved that in reality, the hypocrites wanted to be seen while the Gentiles wanted to be heard. Their way of achieving this was not right, but their need was real. 

I know in the depths of my heart that is what I want. I want to be seen, heard, and understood. When this does not happen, I isolate myself or become hyper vigilant about getting people to see and listen to me. I become very self-focused and less focused on hearing and seeing others.

It is at this moment in the passage that Jesus makes a transition. He wants us to know that He sees and hears us. He knows us, and in prayer, he already knows what we need. He suggests that we go into our closet of prayer (bedroom, dining room table, couch, or other place we commit to prayer) and pray in secret, and God will hear and bless us in the open.

What a relief to know that I am seen and heard. God sees me. He hears me. And when I draw near to him in the solace of devotion and prayer, I witness the outward expressions of that in my life. I do not have to work it up and pray it through my wordiness or a display before others.

I found these beautiful words and will close with them. “The beauty of being both seen and heard lies not in grand gestures or public displays, but in quiet moments of connection. It can be found in a kind word that acknowledges someone’s effort, in eyes meeting across a room to share a mutual understanding, or in the simple act of holding space for someone to share their story. These are the sacred exchanges that remind us that we are not invisible, not forgotten.”

So, let me ask you?

·      Where do you strive to be seen or heard? Is it at home? Is it at work? Is it with your friends? Explain why?

·      What emotions do you exhibit when you don’t feel seen or heard?

·      How do you respond when you are not being seen or heard?

·      What biases or prejudices keep you from seeing and hearing others?

·      How can you improve your ability to see and hear others?

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March 23, 2025 · 2:30 pm

How’s Your Vision?

Dr. Robert W. Odom

Several years ago, I finally broke down and went to the eye doctor to check my eyes. I had been struggling a bit with my vision. For example, as I approached a road sign, the signs needed to be right in front of me before I could read them. After a few weeks, I received the glasses and put them on. I could not believe the difference. Things looked crisp and clear; amazingly, I could read the signs down the road, before they were almost on top of me.

When we try to follow Christ and be obedient to His will and His ways, we, too, need to have the proper lens. Last week, a pastor friend said that Jesus should not be on our list of things to do or on the priority list of our lives. You know how it goes: Jesus first, then family, work, etc. He went on to say that Jesus should not be on a list. He should be the transformative lens through which we see everything. Replacing Him with other things is too easy if He is on a list. But if we see all things through the lens of Christ, we will be different and see things in much crisper and undiluted ways. This does not mean life will always be easy, but we will focus on the right things while feeling hopeful and inspired.

When we view everything through the lens of Christ, our actions and decisions in every aspect of life undergo a profound change. Our interactions with others become infused with more compassion and respect. Our work ethic and integrity are elevated. Our relationships with our family members become more loving and understanding. Even our financial dealings become more honest and fair. This transformation occurs because Jesus is not just a priority; He is everything. He is the only one who brings clarity to our lives.

This week, I learned that several organizations had to fire people because of integrity issues. What is more impressive is that those who were fired claimed to know Christ. We have heard of pastors and business leaders who have been fired for mishandling finances or the people they serve. On one side of the coin, they are great people, but in another way, they are not. Too often, it is because they do not view everything through the lens of Christ and Scripture.

Think of the person who abused another person. If they had looked through the lens of Jesus, they would have treated that person with love, respect, honor, and trust. But that does not happen when we fail to look through the lens of Christ. The lines become blurry, and compromise is easily realized.

So, what lens do you look through? Is it the lens of power, control, success, mistrust, or compromise? Is it the lens of pleasing others, fear, anxiety, or disappointment? Or do you look through the lens of Jesus, who guides and leads us in healthy ways? Remember, the choice of lens is yours. Choosing the right lens empowers you to see things clearer and from a godly perspective.

I will close with a passage that illustrates this best. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind! This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

So let me ask you,

  • What is the lens that you are looking through?
  • Do you prioritize Jesus, or is He the only lens you look through?
  • What corrections do you need to make?
  • How different would your life be if everything was viewed through the lens of Christ?  

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December 14, 2024 · 12:22 pm

What’s Love Got to Do with It?

Robert W. Odom PhD

In 1984, Tina Turner released a song titled “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” The song title proposes a great question. I want to look at the subject of love today. By the way, I think love has everything to do with it. That is God’s love.

Love is one of the most misunderstood words in our language today. We use the word love for so many things. I love my wife, good food, Alabama football, driving through the country, and enjoying the scenery. I love many things, but my love for these things is not equal.

As we delve into scripture, we discover that God is love personified. The Bible unequivocally proclaims that God is love. He is the very embodiment of love. The Bible reveals that He loved us before we even knew Him. Even more astounding is that He loved us before the world was created. This revelation is nothing short of mind-blowing. How could He love me, with all my imperfections and shortcomings? And how could He love me before I even existed? I cannot fathom the depth of His love, but I am humbled by it.

In life, we love to have representations of love. For example, rings are exchanged at weddings to show one’s love and commitment to one’s partner. God showed His love by sending His son to represent God’s love here on earth. He showed us how to love our neighbors and those who did not deserve love by society’s standards.

He healed the demonic, the broken, and the blind. All of these had been rejected, isolated, and condemned by the religious leaders and by the community they lived. He forgave the woman caught in adultery, and yet he spoke into the hearts of her accusers so that they did not have any grounds to follow through with their plan of death (John 7:53-8:11).

The greatest of all gifts is that He chose to give His life for us so we could live fully and completely. John wrote in 1 John 3:16 (it is no coincidence that this parallels John 3:16) that we know true love by the gift of God on the cross. Jesus did not talk a big game; He lived out and put into action His love. That is why John challenges us to love not just in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).

I recently had a conversation with a Catholic priest who has become a friend to me. One of the thoughts that surfaced from our discussion was that we often say we are believers in Christ but treat people in awful ways. This is most often exhibited through hate, bitterness, and anger.  We can live in a space of division and pride rather than a place of humility and love. We can divide people according to our preconceived list of sins and who we believe deserves to be in.

But that is not how God sees love. The truth is that we are to love others. Jesus was once asked which of the commandments was the most important. Jesus, as only Jesus could, answered wisely. He stated that the prophets and the law can be summed up in two commandments: love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).

This scripture is profound in its simplicity. It instructs us to love God with all our hearts and souls. If we can love God wholeheartedly, we can extend that love to our neighbors. But to truly love our neighbors, we must first love ourselves. Often, we attempt to love God and ourselves while carrying the burden of brokenness, hurt, and pain. Only when we seek healing from our pain and properly understand ourselves as God’s creation can we love fully.

The question that was posed in Jesus’ time remains relevant today: Who is my neighbor? The answer is beautifully simple. Every person we encounter is our neighbor. It’s the grumpy neighbor next door, the challenging coworker, the seemingly inattentive grocery store clerk, and even the distracted driver next to us. Love transcends all boundaries and includes everyone.   

So let me ask you?

  • Who is your neighbor? Be specific.
  • When we say God is love and that Jesus represents that love, how do you react to that understanding?
  • Where do you struggle to show love? Who are the people in your life that you find hard to love?
  • What steps can you take to love them and others?
  • Do you love yourself? That is, do you see yourself being loved by God? If not, name specific areas in your life that might be a struggle. Commit that to prayer and ask God to help you.
  • Mediate on 1 John and prayerfully consider the power of love exhibited in this text.

What’s Love Got to Do with It?

Robert W. Odom PhD

In 1984, Tina Turner released a song titled “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” The song title proposes a great question. I want to look at the subject of love today. By the way, I think love has everything to do with it. That is God’s love.

Love is one of the most misunderstood words in our language today. We use the word love for so many things. I love my wife, good food, Alabama football, driving through the country, and enjoying the scenery. I love many things, but my love for these things is not equal.

As we delve into scripture, we discover that God is love personified. The Bible unequivocally proclaims that God is love. He is the very embodiment of love. The Bible reveals that He loved us before we even knew Him. Even more astounding is that He loved us before the world was created. This revelation is nothing short of mind-blowing. How could He love me, with all my imperfections and shortcomings? And how could He love me before I even existed? I cannot fathom the depth of His love, but I am humbled by it.

In life, we love to have representations of love. For example, rings are exchanged at weddings to show one’s love and commitment to one’s partner. God showed His love by sending His son to represent God’s love here on earth. He showed us how to love our neighbors and those who did not deserve love by society’s standards.

He healed the demonic, the broken, and the blind. All of these had been rejected, isolated, and condemned by the religious leaders and by the community they lived. He forgave the woman caught in adultery, and yet he spoke into the hearts of her accusers so that they did not have any grounds to follow through with their plan of death (John 7:53-8:11).

The greatest of all gifts is that He chose to give His life for us so we could live fully and completely. John wrote in 1 John 3:16 (it is no coincidence that this parallels John 3:16) that we know true love by the gift of God on the cross. Jesus did not talk a big game; He lived out and put into action His love. That is why John challenges us to love not just in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).

I recently had a conversation with a Catholic priest who has become a friend to me. One of the thoughts that surfaced from our discussion was that we often say we are believers in Christ but treat people in awful ways. This is most often exhibited through hate, bitterness, and anger.  We can live in a space of division and pride rather than a place of humility and love. We can divide people according to our preconceived list of sins and who we believe deserves to be in.

But that is not how God sees love. The truth is that we are to love others. Jesus was once asked which of the commandments was the most important. Jesus, as only Jesus could, answered wisely. He stated that the prophets and the law can be summed up in two commandments: love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).

This scripture is profound in its simplicity. It instructs us to love God with all our hearts and souls. If we can love God wholeheartedly, we can extend that love to our neighbors. But to truly love our neighbors, we must first love ourselves. Often, we attempt to love God and ourselves while carrying the burden of brokenness, hurt, and pain. Only when we seek healing from our pain and properly understand ourselves as God’s creation can we love fully.

The question that was posed in Jesus’ time remains relevant today: Who is my neighbor? The answer is beautifully simple. Every person we encounter is our neighbor. It’s the grumpy neighbor next door, the challenging coworker, the seemingly inattentive grocery store clerk, and even the distracted driver next to us. Love transcends all boundaries and includes everyone.   

So let me ask you?

  • Who is your neighbor? Be specific.
  • When we say God is love and that Jesus represents that love, how do you react to that understanding?
  • Where do you struggle to show love? Who are the people in your life that you find hard to love?
  • What steps can you take to love them and others?
  • Do you love yourself? That is, do you see yourself being loved by God? If not, name specific areas in your life that might be a struggle. Commit that to prayer and ask God to help you.
  • Mediate on 1 John and prayerfully consider the power of love exhibited in this text.

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August 9, 2024 · 3:24 pm

A Challenge for our Day

Robert W. Odom, Ph.D.

We are at an exciting time in our country and the world. Of course, we are in a political season and inundated with political ads. Too often, these ads are more about what the other person has yet to do rather than what they have accomplished and will do if elected. And many times, their promises are vague. And, of course, we hear a stretching of truths and outright lies during this season.

While this is true, one thing that interests me during an election year is how quickly we judge the people around us who support a particular candidate, especially if it is not our candidate. I even know families that struggle during this time as they are on opposite ends of the spectrum regarding their candidates.

While we might support a particular candidate, political party, or issue this season, we must treat others respectfully and gracefully. One of the things that amazes me is how quickly we can reject others for their political views. I often wonder what Jesus would have done if he had been placed in this setting today. Based on what I know about Scripture, he would have acknowledged the differences but still respected the person he encountered.

The list is long. I think about the woman caught in adultery. She deserved death because that was the law of the time. But instead of condemning her, he loved her and comforted her in her time of transgression. Some believe that this was Mary Magdelene. While everyone else rejected Christ, she was at his side at the crucifixion.

I think of the Samaritan woman who was at the well. For Jesus to speak with her was political, religious, and cultural suicide. But he was more concerned about the person than about toeing the line of political, cultural, and religious correctness.

Look at the disciples, who were not high-ranking in the social culture of the day. They were fishermen, lawyers, and tax collectors. They were rough and tough. They were not the elite or a part of the in crowd, but He called them. In terms of cultural, social, or political standing, they were not qualified to be the head of the church, but they were. Despite their background, they served God and were promoted to lead the church.

I have friends who are Democrats, Republicans, conservatives, and liberals. Many of them do not see things the same politically as I do. But they are all believers with a dynamic faith that moves mountains for God. When we get to heaven, we will be surprised at who is in and who is not. I think God sees the bigger picture. We tend to be myopic and develop tunnel vision for our chosen candidate. But in the end, we are all part of a larger community united in our faith.

Let me share a couple of thoughts. I recognize that these thoughts may cause some unsettling, but we need to consider these things. My first thought is that I am concerned we equate a particular party with Christianity. This means that if I were to support someone not in that party, then I would be antichristian. How awkward that is.

I do not serve a political party; I serve Christ, who came to save the world, not just a particular party. Yes, I believe that America was founded on some sound Christian principles, but I also know that we often did not exhibit Christlike characteristics.  We stole the Native American’s property because we did little to understand their culture. If we did, we would have understood that Indians do not own their property; it is communal property. Later, we continued to take their land and make promises we never intended to keep. For the black culture, we treated them inhumanely and treated them as property rather than respect them as humans created by God. We have similar treatment of Asians, Spanish, Middle Eastern, and other cultures. We have seen women abused and treated as objects rather than humans. Sexual abuse has been swept under the rug. Sadly, prominent Christian organizations have done this, not just corporations.

How different would our world be if we supported Christ and modeled his way of dealing with people? In the final analysis, every person deserves respect as a creation of God. I have had several conversations with someone who is living a different lifestyle. One day, their words shocked and challenged me. They stated that their view of God had changed because of the way Michelle and I have accepted them as human beings. They knew we disagreed, but we still respected them. Our conversations taught us much about what drives them and why they have certain beliefs.

Too often, we make people a project rather than a person. May we have a heart after God rather than a project. May we be moved with compassion and not a political preference? May we treat everyone as a creation of God, whom God loves! Let’s strive to understand and empathize with others, regardless of their political beliefs.

Too often, we develop an us-and-them mentality. We build our clubs, and you are either in or out. This happens on all sides of this discussion. Once again, I am reminded that Christ came to save the world, not just those who join my political party or see things my way.

We still need to pick and support our candidates as much as possible. Remember to engage in respectful discourse along the way—as Jesus would. Every voice is important, and every person deserves to be heard and respected.

Thank you for listening. I ask that you do nothing but consider these thoughts. Process how you react to others who disagree and see things from the same perspective. In the end, you might be surprised and find you have some friends who might challenge you and cause you to understand what you believe even more.

© Robert W. Odom 2024

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December 10, 2023 · 10:03 am

Redemptive Grace of God

Robert W. Odom Ph. D.

I have been amazed over the last few years at the interest of people who want to know their heritage. Companies like 23 & Me and Ancestry.com are booming in sales. People want to know where they came from and who their ancestors are. Some of the tests available now can tell us how we were designed according to our DNA and if we are susceptible to certain diseases.

While the Bible did not have 23 & Me, Ancestry.com, or DNA testing, one’s heritage was important. There was often a discussion about their fathers and which of the tribes of Israel to which they belonged. This was critical for them, as the Jewish people longed for and anticipated the coming Messiah. So, they valued their genealogy.  The prophecies of the Messiah’s coming caused them to keep close tabs on their heritage. They hoped they would be the chosen family to be included in the Messiah’s lineage.

As we enter this Christmas season, one of the overlooked parts of the Christmas story is the genealogy of Christ in Matthew chapter 1. What sets this apart is that Matthew includes five women in his genealogical account. These women include Tamara, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. In our current culture, this does not seem unusual, but in the culture of that day, it was uncommon for women to be included in genealogical history.

Matthew took this step because he had been accepted into Jesus’ core group of leaders, His disciples. He had been a tax collector. Tax collectors were not loved in that culture. Tax collectors worked for the Roman government. They were most likely Jewish, as the Roman government wanted to use them to exact taxes from the Jewish people. The Jewish community had a disdain for the Roman government, and they did not have a love for the tax collectors hired by the Roman Government. He knew what it meant to be unloved and disconnected. Being accepted by Christ established empathy and compassion in him. For this reason, I believe Matthew included these women in the text.

Matthew had a story, and each of these women had a story. It was a story to tell and one we needed to hear. The overarching lesson is that we have hope for a better future no matter who we are, where we come from, or what we have done.  Our past or the things we have done do not disqualify us. God has a plan and will help us achieve that plan sometimes in the most remarkable ways. God does not use our family life or our heritage against us.

In these stories, here are some things we need to know. First, it was rare for the names of women to be used in the genealogy of that day. In those days, men held all the power and prestige. The man was king, and the woman had little input in life. She was a servant and served the man. Matthew was writing to the common man and wanted them to see the truth of the lives related to the story of Jesus’ birth. He was not about whitewashing the story. Matthew recognizes the value of women and that they are a critical part of God’s story.

Second, Matthew starts with the story of Jesus’ birth. He includes these women to emphasize that God chooses whom He will be a part of His story. Some have suggested that Matthew included these women to soften the blow of the fact that Mary was a virgin and had not had a sexual relationship with anyone at that time. Mary’s circumstances were difficult and scandalous at that time. He was reminding them that others had been used to bring about the birth of the Messiah.

The culture of the day was not favorable to women. Mary’s family and the Jewish community could have ostracized her.  It would have been hard for her to find a husband. In those days, the Jews treated the betrothal (engagement) the same as being married. Once she was divorced, which was the only way to get out of the engagement, she could not marry because they considered this adultery, and this was to be avoided at all costs.

Third, Matthew uses these stories to show that anyone can be used in God’s kingdom regardless of their background or what they have done. He also revealed that anything is possible with God. God took broken lives and messed up circumstances to show His love and grace. He does this to show that the power of redemption works for everyone. No one is left out, and no one is skipped over regarding God’s redemptive grace. These women served as an example of how God uses anyone at any time. God was redeeming them, and they challenged the status quo.

Think about your life. Your past does not disqualify you. Your family history does not disqualify you. Christ’s birth was central to the story of redemption. He used those who could not receive grace from the society in which they lived. But God gives grace, and He still does this today. He takes the pain of our past, rejection, wounds, and hurts and gives us amazing grace.

The next few posts will look at these stories to understand God’s grace in these lives. We will look at their grief and the trauma they experienced. The goal is to offer a message of hope and encourage all of us to continue to push through our pain and hurt.

So let me ask you:

  1. In your life, where have you been wounded by culture or family issues? Where have you felt like you were on the outside looking in?
  2. Where have you witnessed God’s redemptive grace in your life?
  3. How has God’s grace used your past to make you more effective today?
  4. Where do you need the grace of God today to overcome hurt and wounds created by others? Or your actions?
  5. Sometimes, we have to look for the grace of God because the pain is so deep and hard. Spend some time in prayer and meditation to see where God is working.

© Robert W. Odom Ph. D.

Rev-odom.com

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January 7, 2011 · 4:57 pm

How to Have a Merry Christmas All Year Long!!!!!!!!!

Text: Luke 2:15-20  – When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (ESV).

To understand how to have a Merry Christmas all year long we must turn to the characters of the Christmas story, for they teach us much about having a Merry Christmas all year.

  •  Mary teaches us that to have a Merry Christmas all year long we must keep the ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­AMAZEMENT of who Christ is in our heart. Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

What does the word “ponder” mean? The word ponder is a word that comes from an old Greek word. It means placing together for comparison. This meant that Mary took the events and the words that had been spoken to her into her heart and she began to meditate upon on these words and what they meant to her. She “thought” of these things often and anxiously. The word “ponder” means to meditate, to consider or examine attentively or deliberately. meditate implies a definite focusing of one’s thoughts on something so as to understand it deeply.

What does the word “treasure” mean? The second word used here is the word “treasure.” The word means to protect or defend. It is to place great value on the focus of one’s affections. To treasure does not represent shallow emotions but emotions that are rooted in the depths of one’s desires and hopes. To treasure Jesus up in our heart we must make room for Him and not allow the cares and issues of life to crowd Him out. For Him to dwell in us means we can know His love and generosity. The problem too often is that we cease to be amazed at God’s grace and His majesty, not for what He can do for us but for who He is alone. The issues of life can begin to crowd Him out so that He does not seem so amazing any more.

What do you focus on? It has been said that what we focus on we will worship and what we worship we will serve. And what we serve will begin to control our lives. Have you ever been driving on a long trip and you begin to focus on the car in front of you? If you have ever done this then you know that if the car in front of you starts to veer off the road, you do too, because you are focusing on that car. You must look beyond the car to avoid a problem.

Those who are farmers understand this best. If you want to plow a straight line you don’t look down at the ground but you fix your eyes on a point in the distance so that you will plow straight.

 Jesus said this in Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. So where your focus is your heart will follow.

So where is your focus today?  Make it your new year’s resolution to follow Christ all year long.

  • The shepherds teach us that to have a Merry Christmas all year long we must SHARE what we have heard and what we have EXPERIENCED. Luke 2:17 And when they saw it, they made known the sayings that had been told them.

We must not only make room for Christ and never cease to be amazed at who Christ is but we must share His gift of love and generosity with others. We must share His message.

If we found a great restaurant we would want to share it with everyone we encounter. If we watched a great movie we would tell everyone. If we bought a new gadget that helped us save time we would share our joy in finding the new tool.

To have a Merry Christmas all year long we must make it a point of sharing your faith with others this year. Do you have a story about God’s grace? Where have you seen Him move in your life? How have you changed since knowing Christ? Is there a passage of scripture that you have read that has changed your life? Use these things to share with others.

  • The Magi teach us that to have a Merry Christmas all year long we need to SEEK FOR HIM each day and find ways to worship Him in our heart which for us is in essence developing a relationship with Him. Matthew 2:2 We have come to worship Him.

God desires to have a relationship with us by way of our worship because He loves us and He enjoys us. The idea of worship here is founded in the fact that He desires intimacy with us. Can you imagine if I never talked with Michelle, my wife, nor ever spent time with her? Our relationship would deteriorate rather quickly. It would not necessarily mean that we did not love each other it would mean that we were out of fellowship and that our relationship was not growing.

To have a Merry Christmas all year long be a believer that worships Christ in all that you do. Worship Him with the way you live, the way respond to others and how you live when no one else is around. It in this regard that our character, who we are when no one else sees us, is a worship to God. Irwin McManus said that Jesus is not as impressed with our talents as He is our character. You see our character will speak louder than any word ever spoken.

To show our love to God we must seek Him and seek to worship Him at all times.

Conclusion:

What can you do to have a Merry Christmas all year long? Is Christ still amazing to you? Do you share with others what you have heard and seen? Do you search for Christ each day by worshipping Him as Lord?

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June 16, 2009 · 3:26 pm

God’s Detours Brings About His Purposes

When Michelle and I lived in NY, I will never forget the day there was an accident that blocked the roadway on which I was traveling. Because the accident blocked the entire road the police department was detouring traffic from the roadway to one of the side streets. However, the community they were detouring the traffic into had only one entrance and one exit. You guessed it…. we entered and exited at the same point. The problem of course is that the traffic inside the community began to backup until there was no longer any room for another car. So, we sat on this side street in this unknown community for more than an hour waiting for the accident to be cleaned up. I can now look back and laugh but not so on that day.

In life, we are often faced with what appears to be detours. We are going along in life and suddenly we find that we have to change course. We don’t want to change course but we must. The detours of life could be almost anything. It might the doctor’s report that suddenly and radically changes our life forever. It could be unexpected financial loss that comes from a job loss or forced retirement. The detour may come in the form of a death of loved one or spouse. It could be a change of occupation or location of work. Or, it could be the transition of a pastor that was have loved and admired. Whatever the issue, life as you know it will never be the same as a result of the detour thrown at you.

In 1 Samuel 22, we see the story of David who was on the run from Saul. David had been anointed by Samuel to be the King of Israel. He was anointed king but now he is on the run. But wait, it wasn’t supposed to happen this way. He was suppose to be anointed King and Saul was to step down so that David could take the throne and begin his reign as king. But a different story is unfolding. It is a story that is hard to understand especially since God had personally selected David as the King. But, as always God has a better plan. He wanted to equip David in a way that he had not been equipped.

Instead of becoming king, David had to depart from Jerusalem and from there he escaped to the cave of Adullam. No kingdom just a cave. No throne just a rock. David experienced a detour in his life. While he was on the way to being king he landed in a cave alone and without anyone around him. He was chosen by God but His reign was yet to be.

But all is not lost. God had a plan as David had been enrolled in the school of leadership and trust. David just did not know it yet. You see God used the detour to change David’s life and to prepare him for his time on the throne. When experiencing God’s detour(s) we must realize that God brings change into our lives not to destroy us but to reroute us so that we end up where God wants us to be all along. In the cave, David feels worthless, useless, mistreated, and misunderstood but he was right where he was supposed to be. God designed this experience so that David would become a different kind of King.

It was here that God gave David a new assignment. In the detour, David was to reach those he would have never reached otherwise. In 1Samuel 22:2 we see that …everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became captain over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. Look at who God sent his way. He sent those who were in distress or as the Hebrew word suggests those under pressure. Others were in debt. They could not pay their bills. And he sent those to David who were discontented. They had bitterness in their souls because they had been wronged and mistreated. What a crew God sent to David, a worn out depressed and motley group. David’s assignment was to train a new army that would be loyal to him. And he did. Had he never experienced the detour he would not have experienced this new adventure and this new call from God.

For some, it may seem that God has us on a detour but, the fact is, God has us right where he wants us. Seasons of transition and God directed detours are an opportunity for us to grow if we understand that God is at work. We will be able to more clearly define who we are and what we are to be about as an individual. It is often in the detours of life that we can reach those who have not been reached thus far. So while it seems we are on a detour, God is at work. Trust in Him and wait on Him for in the appointed time God will reveal His purpose.

Questions to consider

What detours are you experiencing?

Do you see the hand of God in the detour?

What do you see God doing in the detour that is preparing you for a mission that is beyond yourself?

Who is God putting in your life in this time of detour that you can minister to?

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