R U Influenced?

How the Real Grinch ALMOST Stole Christmas

Author's Note:  Much is influencing us these days; our culture, our government, friends, family, but, what about the influence of God on our lives?  Shouldn't He be influencing everything?  Even the most mundane activities should be under His influence.  So, my question for you is R U Influenced?  Please consider my thoughts on His influence for this month...

 

By Wade B. Mumm, PhD

We are all familiar with the children’s story “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” but the REAL Grinch plotted and schemed to end it all before it even began.  According to Scripture, he hatched more than one plan to destroy the Savior of the world.  For example, you recall, from the Christmas story, how King Herod tried to kill the baby Jesus by decreeing that all males under the age of two be killed.  Then, some thirty-three years later, a new plot unfolded at the hands of an angry mob as the Savior was brutalized, killed and left for dead. Satan, for a moment, thought he had stole Christmas and with it the Hope of all humankind.  God had other plans. Christ rose from the dead and declared eternal life for those who believe in him.  Great story.  But, the story isn’t finished because the real Grinch, satan, has purposed in his heart to destroy you as well.  Scripture is clear, satan’s purpose is to kill, steal, and destroy.  What does he want to destroy?  You.  Why?  Because, you are what God loves the most in all the universe.  Check this out…if you wanted to hurt me as much as possible, how would you do it?  You would hurt me most by hurting those I love the most like my children. Satan understands that he cannot get to God, so he has purposed in his heart to get to those that God loves the most…his children.  That’s you and I who believe in and live for Christ.  This Christmas season, we would do well to recognize that our real enemy is not our spouse, the poor economy, our hectic schedule, or even the IRS, but our enemy is the real Grinch who ALMOST stole Christmas.

Wade.

Are You Combat Wounded?

by Wade B. Mumm, PhD.

Author's Note:  Much is influencing us these days; our culture, our government, friends, family, but, what about the influence of God on our lives?  Shouldn't He be influencing everything?  Even the most mundane activities should be under His influence.  So, my question for you is R U Influenced?  Please consider my thoughts on His influence for this month...

We are used to seeing older ones.  Ones that are worn with scratched paint.  However, these days, with wars raging in both Iraq and Afghanistan, we are seeing fresh clean new ones and it breaks my heart because their owners are so young.  To what am I referring?  License plates.  You know, the type that are issued to our combat-wounded veterans complete with an image of a purple heart medal.  Having served in the U.S. Army, I, as you probably do, have a special place in my heart for those who have been wounded fighting our nation’s wars.  Despite their obvious physical challenges, I am amazed how these young warriors talk of running marathons on prosthetics and traveling the world despite their combat incurred injuries. 

In reality, many of us could wear our own “combat-wounded” plates, not on our cars, but on our backs and not for the physical battles we have fought, but for the wounds on our inside from this battle we call “life.”  Our injuries may have resulted from verbal lashings by a drunken parent or from the failed marriage instead of a sniper’s round.  As a pastor, I have found men and women, well in the fifties and sixties, who are still carrying their inner wounds from injuries many, many years ago.  In fact, their entire lives have been defined by the hurt.  Here’s the deal, no person need carry his or her injuries any longer because Jesus Christ has already voluntarily taken them upon Himself.  A man need only to let go and hand the wounds to Christ.  Scripture explains it in I Peter 2:24 (NIV) “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 

Why not remove the “wounded tag” today and hand it to Him?

wade.

PS – Don’t forget, November 11^th is Veteran’s Day.  Why not tell the Vets you know thanks for their service?

Connect.

Story by Wade B. Mumm, PhD.

Author's Note:  Much is influencing us these days; our culture, our government, friends, family, but, what about the influence of God on our lives?  Shouldn't He be influencing everything?  Even the most mundane activities should be under His influence.  So, my question for you is R U Influenced?  Please consider my thoughts on His influence for this month...

Think back, way back for some of us, to high school when you crushed on that special guy or girl.  Do you remember how you would position yourself to “accidentally” meet that young man or young lady? 

Guys would actually take a shower (with soap) and be at school one hour early just because they hoped run into her as she arrived early for cheerleading practice.  As she slipped past him, he would make sure that he offered a very nonchalant and very cool “heeeey.”  Parents thought you were motivated by good grades, but, in reality, you were just motivated by hormones.  Or, a couple weeks before homecoming, Girls would “accidentally” bump into the varsity quarterback just to get his notice.

We put much effort into “connecting” with people and particularly first loves…but, have you put that much effort into connecting with God?  God longs to have a connection with you.  Have you positioned yourself to give yourself you best chance at connecting with Him?  Maybe it’s time you connect.  Find that quite place and connect.  Connect with Him through music.  Connect with Him through a book.  Connect with Him at church.  Connected with Him through nature.  How ever you choose, connect with God.

Here is the deal, in Scripture, God promises if we try to "draw near" (connect) to Him, He will "draw near" (connect) to us.  Go ahead...Connect!

Navigator.

Author's Note:  Much is influencing us these days; our culture, our government, friends, family, but, what about the influence of God on our lives?  Shouldn't He be influencing everything?  Even the most mundane activities should be under His influence.  So, my question for you is R U Influenced?  Please consider my thoughts on His influence for this month...

I once found myself in Chicago, a city with which I am less than familiar.  After landing at the airport, I secured my rental car.  While pulling out of the airport car rental business, the attendant asked me the question many men hate because seeking out direction is not in our DNA.  “Do you need directions?” she asked.

I cannot fully explain to you the joy I felt as I rejected her assistance and pointed to my recent birthday gift, a Garmin navigator.  I replied, “No thanks, I have my own navigator!”  Okay, so using the navigator I was still getting directions from a woman’s voice, at least, I could turn this one off (lol)…Seriously, it was a relief to be able to put my trust in something other than my own directional capabilities as I negotiated the unfamiliar streets of the “Windy City.”

 The reality is that all of us are on a journey with which we are unfamiliar…life.  As humans, dealing with the life and culture of modern America, we face situations and challenges on a daily basis.  But, in our arrogance and a pride, we stubbornly refuse to follow the ultimate navigator, the Bible.  As a result, we find ourselves way off course.  Even if our intentions are good, we often fall far short of being the people that God intends for us to be.  Because of our need for assistance as we travel the roads of life, the good news is that God has ensured we have this Scriptural navigation system that doesn’t need batteries nor does it ever go out of effectiveness and is eternally powered by the Holy Spirit.

 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) says it this way, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man [and woman] of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

 Need help negotiating a business deal? Juggling responsibilities?  Raising children?  Facing fear? 

 Trust and follow the ultimate navigator – follow Scripture.

wade.

I Opened the Door for Her.

Author's Note:  Much is influencing us these days; our culture, our government, friends, family, but, what about the influence of God on our lives?  Shouldn't He be influencing everything?  Even the most mundane activities should be under His influence.  So, my question for you is R U Influenced?  Please consider my thoughts on His influence for this month...

I did what I have been trained to do.  I opened the door for her.

I opened the establishment door for her and her child as I was leaving and she entering; however, as she passed, there was no word of thanks, not even a grumble of gratitude. 

Ever been there? 

My first response was to loudly growl a retaliatory "you're welcome" as an answer to her rudeness.  Fortunately, I held the remark in this time.  Later though, the thought did come to me, her response was actually no concern of mine.  What was my concern was the fact that I had opened the door for her and her child.  I had done my part.

How many of us spend time worrying more about the other person than ourselves?  I guess it is human nature, but it is not God's intention for our lives.  In fact, God expects us to be concerned with our own lives and not to be so quick to judge others and their actions.  This summer, why not try something different?  Don't worry about the others around you.  Rather, be concerned about your own relationship with God.

Ask yourself…Are you going to be more like Christ tomorrow than you are today?  Are you going to be more like Christ two months from now than you are today?  God expects you and I to be.  Remember, all he asks is that you...open the door.

Your thoughts?  Enter your comments below.

wade.

What Makes a Good Dad?

Author's Note:  Much is influencing us these days; our culture, our government, friends, family, but, what about the influence of God on our lives?  Shouldn't He be influencing everything?  Even the most mundane activities should be under His influence.  So, my question for you is R U Influenced?  Please consider my thoughts on His influence for this month...

 

On the 21st we will once again celebrate Father’s Day.  When I think about it, there are a few things I am really passionate about in life -- and one of those things is encouraging dads to be the fathers they were destined to be.  I believe we desperately need good dads in our world.

A few years ago, I wrote a simple book call “A Dad’s Many Hats.”  It is filled with practical advice on how to wear the many hats we dads have to wear in modern American culture.  For example, in the book, I talk about the “fun” hat, the “financial” hat, and many others.  Often, being a good dad is about being a good husband because of the young eyes that are watching a dad’s every move.  On page 47, I take on the topic of romancing the woman in a dad’s life.  Here is a short excerpt…

“...I used to think that romance was flowers, chocolates, and opening car doors.  Yes, those things are nice, but they are not romance.  Romance is not hot sex either.  Such may be the result of romance, but a good dad will understand that romance is not sex—to a woman, at least. Romance is little notes placed in secret places.  Romance is a phone call, just because.  Romance is a “You are gorgeous” when she is not.  Romance is growing old together but always feeling young.  Romance is feeling incomplete when she is gone.  Romance is an eternal condition of the heart...”

Dads, this Father’s Day, don’t forget to wholeheartedly love and romance the woman in your life! 

If you would like to pick up your copy of  “A Dad’s Many Hats,” you may order it on line at:www.mummresourcegroup.us

Happy Father's Day!

wade.

Trapped by the Killer Among Us.

Author's Note:  Much is influencing us these days; our culture, our government, friends, family, but, what about the influence of God on our lives?  Shouldn't He be influencing everything?  Even the most mundane activities should be under His influence.  So, my question for you is R U Influenced?  Please consider my thoughts on His influence for this month...

Just yesterday morning (May 2, 2009), I read it in the front page of newspaper again…there is another killer among us. 

 This time, an Al Queda wanna-be shot two young soldiers outside an U.S. Army recruiting station somewhere in Arkansas.  One dead.  One wounded.  This most recent murderous act reminds me of the useless killing at Virginia Tech University a couple years ago.  Thinking about that tragic day at V-Tech, I cannot imagine the horror of each university student as he, or she, perhaps crouching in a corner, or huddling under a desk, heard the killer walking down the hallway approaching their hiding place madly firing his weapons.  They had no choice but to wait…to wait for the killer.  They were trapped.

 Though most people will never be trapped by a gun-slinging madman, many people are trapped in one-way or another. 

 Are you trapped?

 Are you trapped by things like; self-doubt, circumstance, inner-emptiness, addiction or even sin?  People try all sorts of things in an attempt to free themselves from their ensnarement.  They may search out empty-relationship after empty-relationship looking for freedom.  They may seek freedom through a bottle of drink or pills.  They may believe financial security will be their savior.  Or, they choose to place their trust in their own physical strength but find that one day they grow old and feeble.  In the end, they find it is all very futile and there really is no freedom.  Sure, they can suppress the problem, but they never find the autonomy they so desire.

 You cannot live your best while trapped.  You can be liberated.

 The good news is that there is hope and God understands our need for freedom.  In fact, the Bible is full of the stories of men and women and their attempts to escape the things that trap them.  The truth is that if we are trapped by fear, with God’s help, we can confront our fear.  If we are trapped by our past, we can experience God’s healing and start over.  If we are trapped by addiction, with God’s help, it can be broken.  If we are trapped by our sin, we can experience freedom through God’s Grace.

Feeling trapped?  Contact me.  Lets talk.  I can pray with you and direct you to some great professional faith-based counselors.  Here is my contact information – 

Email:  

wbmumm@greenewaychurch.com or chaplain@allengroupe.com or call toll free:  877-655-2324.

wade.

Baiting God.

Author's Note:  Much is influencing us these days; our culture, our government, friends, family, but, what about the influence of God on our lives?  Shouldn't He be influencing everything?  Even the most mundane activities should be under His influence.  So, my question for you is R U Influenced?  Please consider my thoughts on His influence for this month...

Anytime is a good time for a reality check.  I had one once...As you may know, I am a pastor and a former parishioner had excitedly asked me to meet with her and an out-of-town friend.  She promised that this friend was someone with whom I would certainly “hit-it-off.”  Though I was extremely busy that week, I set aside a good amount of time to meet with the two of them.  Thinking that she just wanted her guest to just meet “her pastor,” I was particularly cordial and welcoming, asking about the guest’s background and so forth.  About thirty minutes later, the bomb was dropped.   He said, “The real reason we are meeting is to tell you about a business…”  You guessed it.  It was one of those multi-level pyramid schemes.  I had been “baited and switched” by one of my trusted congregation members.  For a moment, it angered me until the Holy Spirit gently reminded me that He often feels similarly.  We humans are particularly skillful at “baiting and switching” God.  We act all sincere.  Pretending like we just “want to get close” when all we want is something from the "big-shopping-mall in the sky."  Are you trying to “bait-and-switch” God?  Perhaps, its time for a reality check…are you just baiting God?

Feel free to comment in the below or forward to a friend.

Wade.

 

The Interception.

Author's Note:  Much is influencing us these days; our culture, our government, friends, family, but, what about the influence of God on our lives?  Shouldn't He be influencing everything?  Even the most mundane activities should be under His influence.  So, my question for you is R U Influenced?  Please consider my thoughts on His influence for this month...

A family member of J. Edward Weldon tells this story of an American hero...

Weldon, a crewmember on one of WWII’s premier bombers, the B-26 Marauder, found himself in a precarious situation on one of his many bombing runs over Nazi occupied Germany.  On this particular mission, the bombing went wrong when visibility became poor and his B-26 was dangerously cut off from its escort fighters.  Without warning, through the fog, Weldon and other crew members were struck by fear as a German fighter, guns blaring, headed directly for them.  As the German fighter was just about to gun the lumbering bomber out of the sky, an American escort fighter plane swooped in and shot down the approaching German just before the German could finish off the heavily damaged American B-26.  After successfully downing of the Nazi aircraft, the American fighter pilot brought his plane along side for a farewell salute to the crew of the Marauder.  With planes side-by-side, Weldon noticed the inside of the American fighter pilot’s cockpit was heavily splattered with the pilot’s own blood.  After the brief farewell salute, the fighter pilot gently pulled his plane away and Weldon never saw him again.

Likely, you haven’t been the crewmember of a B-26, but, whether you realize it or not, you have certainly encountered an enemy bent on your destruction – satan.  According to Scripture, it is his intent to deceive and destroy you – to keep you from spending eternity with God.  Whether your battle is dealing with your past failures or current temptations, Scripture tells you that you have a loving heavenly Father that sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, who swooped into the human story some 2000 years ago and through His own excruciating suffering defeated satan and death on your behalf.  Typically, we wrap the death and resurrection into a neatly wrapped package called “Easter.”  Truthfully, there was nothing very colorful or pretty about Christ’s act of sacrifice; however, through His defeat of death, you, in turn, have a chance at eternal life – if you will accept His “interception” by believing that He is God’s Son, ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and then, live according to His direction as found in Scripture.  

This Easter, if you haven't already, catch your interception!

Wade B. Mumm, PhD

PS - Feel free to pass this on to a friend or make comments in the below. 

A Dead Man's Shoes.

Author's Note:  Much is influencing us these days; our culture, our government, friends, family, but, what about the influence of God on our lives?  Shouldn't He be influencing everything?  Even the most mundane activities should be under His influence.  So, my question for you is R U Influenced?

This special release is in honor of my father-in-law, James Marshall, who slipped into eternity through that portal we call death on this date two years ago…

I was standing in the stark hospital room which was now bare and the painfully silent.  All of his personal effects had been removed.  His lifeless body lay on the bed awaiting funeral home personnel and one last ride.  But then, his daughter saw them…his shoes tucked neatly under his bed.  She was not going to let anyone forget his shoes.  She grabbed them up and with them she grabbed the memory of a great man.  When a man leaves this world there are few items that represent is existence on this earth better than his shoes.  Two years ago today, my father-in-law left his shoes and I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill them for he lived his life ever aware of the legacy he would one day leave.  The neat thing is that I actually would count it an honor to ‘fill his shoes.’  Sadly, the shoes many men and women will one day leave aren’t worth filling for they have not understood that to live is to live toward a legacy built around a relationship with God. With the help of the Holy Spirit, God expects us to do our best to love him wholeheartedly, love and serve others, share our faith, and to live obediently according to Scripture.  Consider this sober fact…one day your room will also fall eerily silent and you will leave your shoes…will anyone want to fill them?

 

Feel free to pass this on to a friend or make comments in the below.

 

Wade B. Mumm, PhD