I'm preaching a series on "God's Stimulus Plan: How God uses hard times to stimulate us toward godliness."  It's amazing how much the Bible has to say about hard times.  It seems that everybody in the Bible went through hard times.  The Bible is our "Hard Times History Book" and our "Hard Times Handbook." 

We usually see hard times as a mistake, something gone wrong in our lives.  But since Psalm 139:16 tells us that God planned each day of our lives before we were born, then He must have planned the bad days as well as the good days.  He has put together a perfect recipe for our life that will mold us into the person He designed us to be--if we will respond as we should. 

James had discovered the secret to understanding and responding to trials.

James 1:2-4, 12 (NIV) 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. . . . Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

This passage tells us that: 

1. Trials are a part of life.

2. Trials test (or prove) our faith (or our lack of faith).

3. Trials develop perseverance.

4. Trials persevered make us full-grown, grown-up Christians.

The passage also hints at how our faith can persevere through hard times: 

1. Consider it pure joy.

2. Remember what testing accomplishes.

3. Keep trusting, no matter what.

4. Love God more than anything else.

The title of Psalm 102 paints a sad picture: "A prayer of an afflicted man.  When he is faint and pours out his lament before the Lord" (NIV).  Other translations characterize the man as one who is hurting, suffering, discouraged, weary, or overwhelmed with trouble.  The Message paraphrase puts it like this: "A prayer of one whose life is falling to pieces, and who lets God know just how bad it is."

To be "afflicted" means to be in a condition of great pain, suffering or distress.  Most of us go through times like that during our lives.  Sometimes the affliction is the result of something that has happened to us; sometimes it comes from the fear of what might happen.  But whether the calamity has come or is only being anticipated and dreaded, the affliction is real.  Mentally and emotionally we experience anguish, discouragement, and depression.  And the affliction may take a toll on our health and relationships as well.

At least the man described in the title had the right idea.  He took his troubles to the Lord.  Read Psalm 102:1-2.  The psalmist wanted God to hear and answer.

(From Daily Prep, Nov. 1, 2009, Bible Series)

I just finished a sermon series using Facebook as the theme, a new way of looking at our relationship with God.  The title of the series was "Friended by God."

Although the series was not about Facebook, but only using it as a hook and an illustration, I did take the opportunity to caution our congregation about two things: (1) be aware that Facebook is public, not private and treat it accordingly, and (2) beware of becoming "addicted" to Facebook.

Here's the official list of five indicators that you have crossed the line in your Facebook use (as reported by ABC, CNN and other news outlets):

 1. You lose sleep over Facebook

 2. You spend more than an hour a day on Facebook

 3. You become obsessed with old loves

 4. You ignore work (or school) in favor of Facebook

 5. The thought of getting off Facebook leaves you in a cold sweat

Paula Pile, a therapist, suggests this quick test to see how addicted you are: "Try going a day without Facebook. If you find it causes you a lot of stress and anxiety, you really need to get some help."

I've come up with my own list of warning signs that you are spending too much time of Facebook.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . Facebook is your home page, especially if you wonder why that would be a problem.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . You take at least one quiz or survey everyday.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . You post status updates about what you are thinking about doing, especially if you come back and post another update saying that you never got around to doing it.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . You wake up wondering what has happened on Facebook overnight.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . You live on Facebook and have stopped checking your email because if anybody really has anything to say to you they can say it in front of all of your friends on Facebook.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . A growing percentage of your Facebook friends are people you have never met.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . You ignore the people you are with to Facebook the people you are not with.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . You have joined groups that you really have nothing to do with and have absolutely no interest in.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . You feel more comfortable talking to people on Facebook than face to face.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . You have ever called in sick using Facebook.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . You have your own "farm" in Farmville and it is doing better than your real yard.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . You have checked Facebook on your phone at least once since this worship service began.

You might be addicted to Facebook if . . . You are a pastor and you preach a whole sermon series on Facebook.

Don't be addicted to Facebook.  Be addicted to God.  Don't check in with Facebook before you check in with God.

What do you think of when you hear the words "creative Bible study"?

That makes me think of a class that is fully involved in discovering the truth of God's Word.  The teacher serves as a facilitator, helping class members dig into the Bible for themselves.

How does a teacher do that?  The key is to use a variety of activities that involve the learners.  Don't just lecture.  Don't just use group discussion.  Use those methods and also use other methods.  Case studies, monologues, study guides, games, skits and dramas, dramatic readings, music, writing and drawing, role play, brainstorming, paraphrasing, defining a word, looking at related passages, acting it out, personal sharing, self-analysis, object lessons.  The list could go on and on. 

Ask yourself, "How can I best help the class discover the truth in this Bible passage and put it into action in their own lives?" 

And also ask, "How can I get their attention, spice up the lesson, make it interesting and personal to them?"

Ask those questions and you will find yourself using a variety of teaching methods each week.

Some who watched Jesus crucified insulted Him and dared Him to miraculously rescue Himself.

"Come down from the cross and save yourself!" they shouted (Mark 15:30).

They wanted to see a miracle.  They wanted to see a man--helplessly nailed to a cross--somehow free Himself and walk away. 

They were diasppointed.  Instead, they watched Him die.  Read Mark 15:25-39.  They didn't realize that the real miracle was that the Son of God allowed Himself to be crucified for the sins of the world!

Sometimes the miracles we look for are not the miracles God gives us.  He always gives us something so much more, so much better, than we could ever think to imagine.