Pondering Life's Mysteries

Change Your Lens

2012-02-11T20:26:00.007-05:00

Give me Your yes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity
--Brandon Heath, Give Me Your Eyes--

How do you see people?

Well, maybe that's too general of a question. Let's get more specific.

How do you see the people who frustrate you? How do you see the outcasts, the misfits, the annoying people? How do you perceive the confident, the wealthy, the ones who appear to have it all together? How do you react to the ones who are below you? How about the ones who are above you?

Do you have examples in mind?

I try to see everyone in two ways:

1) As a broken soul, longing to fill core needs and in desperate need of Jesus, whether they realize it or not.

I try not to hold the seemingly confident and secure in too high esteem, because I know, deep down, they are searching for the same thing I am: significance, worth and acceptance. I try not to respond to a person's fit of rage with disdain. Instead I see a broken soul, longing for security and hope and intimacy.

2) As a beautiful creation with some amazing gift that benefits the Kingdom.

We all have one. We all have a niche where we can shine. That thing we were created to do - our wheelhouse. God didn't create anyone for no purpose at all. None of us is just ordinary, run of the mill or normal. We all have something unique to make the body complete. It may take longer to find it in some than others, but I try to keep looking. It's there.

The irony in seeing people through this lens is you may have to see yourself this way first. Otherwise, the seemingly confident will come across as demeaning and arrogant, better than you and always trying to make you feel insignificant. The fit of rage will seem personal and feel like a power play, threatening your worth. No one else will be able to show their gifts because you will always try to prove you can do it too - and do it better.

Think about the people who frustrate you, annoy you or rub you the wrong way; the ones who get you worked up. Don't ignore your response to them but acknowledge the dissonance. Why does that happen? What strings do they tug on?

First, come to grips with your secure identity in Jesus and see yourself in a new light.
Second, change your lens, so you can see others in this light as well.

Looking for more resources to lead you in this transformation? Check out Christ McAlister's message at www.chrismcalister.com.

Finding Your Wheelhouse (Part 2)

2012-01-28T13:46:00.006-05:00

It's uncomfortable to see someone operate outside of his (or her) wheelhouse. The dissonance is unsettling. The disharmony is palpable.

Your wheelhouse is that place where your skills, your knowledge and your passion all collide; where the timing and the momentum and the focus combine for a grand slam. (see Finding Your Wheelhouse)

We're all searching for it. You probably call it your purpose or your mission. The question posed is, What am I going to do with my life? And so we dabble here and dabble there, searching for the pressure point. Trial and error until we fall into it.

It's likely you are already very close. You're probably involved in a similar task or project. You're making good contact, but can't quite get it over the fence. You're driving the ball but need to straighten it out and keep it in fair territory.

Sometimes you step out of the box. You lose focus for a brief instant, thus the unsettling dissonance and the disharmony.

You can feel it in yourself, and others notice it in you. Ask a trusted friend to nudge you back into place when you veer off course. Ask a mentor to describe you when you're at your best.

It doesn't make you a bad person if you can't do everything. You can do something. And you can do something great. But you can't do everything. You weren't created to do everything. You were created to be one part of a whole body.

Usually we distort our wheelhouse out of desperation. We dabble there instead of here because we think there will fill a core need. The enemy tries to convince us that what we do can fill our need for significance and worth, that who we are connected to can fill our need for acceptance or that another gift is more valuable than our own. And occasionally we fall for it.

It's not uncommon to seek acceptance from others. It's not unique to latch onto those who appear to be successful and secure. But it is unhealthy. It drives you away from that mature, complete relationship with Jesus. It drives you outside your wheelhouse. It disrupts that complete satisfaction in His presence.

Ask a trusted friend to nudge you back into place when you veer off course. Ask a mentor to affirm your wheelhouse.

Ask Jesus to expose your insecurity and to meet you there. What he gives you will become in you a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:1-14).

Exposing Holes in Pursuit of Wholeness: Part 5 (Innocence)

2012-01-15T18:19:00.008-05:00

This is the final week of a five-week application of the first chapter of More Than Forgiveness by Steve DeNeff.

For the past four weeks we have been examining our own behaviors and habits, our own souls, for what is keeping us from that perfect, complete, whole relationship with Christ - what keeps us from holiness. The examination has been fueled by pastor and author Steve DeNeff's suggestion that there are five basic needs every human needs to fill and that we fill those needs either through the Fall (perverse and foolish ways) or through holiness.

Those needs are significance, security, intimacy, hope and innocence.

Appropriately, we close this journey with our need for innocence. As DeNeff describes it, innocence is our desire for a fresh start - a clean slate. We don't want to be bogged down by past mistakes or judged on past decisions. It is that longing for forgiveness when we mess up.

DeNeff identifies two ways through which we fill this need: confession (through the Fall) or repentance (through holiness).

Confession is a more flippant effort to obtain forgiveness. It attacks sin from the viewpoint of, "I messed up, I admit it, now let's move on like it never happened." There are two problems with this approach. First, it's a bit selfish, failing to take into account that God may have higher standards for us than we do; that he may be harder on sin than we are. We are quick to forgive ourselves without the assurance of forgiveness from God or others.

Second, it does nothing to address the nature that caused us to sin in the first place. It treats sin like an aberration of a perfect nature. We may have confessed or admitted the sin, but we did nothing to decrease the desire or likelihood of repeating it.

The problem with confession, says DeNeff, is that it "does not lessen the impulse to sin unless we are honest about the corruption of our nature that made sin possible in the first place."

Repentance on the other hand, confesses the sin, seeks forgiveness from God and from others, examines the fallen human nature that led to the sin, and attempts to transform that quality. Only repentance brings change.

From More Than Forgiveness: "It has been said that whenever people sin, there are two options. They must be either punished or forgiven. It is for want of forgiveness that many people punish themselves by sabotaging their careers, their marriages, or...their very lives." DeNeff made the connection to the child who pushes the limits until his father puts down the newspaper and spanks him. We, he said, will commit one sin after another until life finally spanks us!

Throughout these five weeks we have been exposing our sins as if God were setting the standard. It has probably not been easy, but painful because we are using God as the standard, not ourselves. And throughout the five weeks, I have not once implored you to confess. From the beginning I promised you this journey would spark transformation. I made that promise because this journey has been about acknowledging the nature that leads to sin and repenting of that nature. It has been about change.

So in our final week of exploration, do you confess or do you repent? Let these question instigate a self-examination:

-When did you confess a sin rather than acknowledge and repent of the fallen nature? "I'm sorry I said that." vs. "Wow, the tongue is a powerful instrument capable of doing harm. Lord, help me control it."
-When did you self-impose punishment in hopes it would even the score or rectify the situation and serve as forgiveness?
-How long have you knowingly committed the same sin, waiting for a time of punishment?
-When did you attempt to "confess and move on" or downplay your sin with no acknowledgement of a standard higher than your own?
-When did you forgive yourself for a wrong committed against someone else, but neglect seeking forgiveness from the victim?
-Which of the five needs explored in this journey did you disregard or diminish its importance out of denial that God's standard of holiness might be higher than yours?

For those who actively engaged along the way, I hope this journey was as influential for you as it was for me in 2009. Three years later, reliving the journey, I recognize personality traits that were formed and transformed by this very exploration. I also encourage you to never fear honest self-examination because waiting for you in the middle of your deficiencies is a mighty God ready to transform your heart.

Exposing Holes in Pursuit of Wholeness: Part 4 (Hope)

2012-01-08T14:41:00.005-05:00

This is week four in a five-week application of the first chapter of More Than Forgiveness by Steve DeNeff.

If you have been with us from the beginning of this five-week journey, and have actively engaged each week, you are probably understanding what I promised from the start: this is not a five-step program to holiness. This exploration of holes that keep us from wholeness is about a growing relationship with God. Each new need identifies a quality about God which we can choose to either delight in or reject, ignore or find elsewhere.

Significance was the fact that God is significant and only through him, his choosing and his image are we, in turn, significant.

In security, we must live by faith and trust because God is in control of everything. We are not.

Through intimacy God wants us to feel complete acceptance from him while we actively pursue more of him.

This week we address the need for hope, which Steve DeNeff suggests we fill either through pleasure (the Fall) or suffering (holiness). In hope we are consumed by the Holy Spirit and feel at peace with the joy the spirit offers.

Have you ever played in a ball pit, like the ones in the play place at fast food restaurants? Those things have a way of swallowing anyone who enters. When you fall into it you can be completely overwhelmed, yet completely satisfied.

When we are wholly hopeful, our longing is not for Heaven but for the perfect relationship with God that we are pursuing in this journey. But in this pursuit, we are tested. That test comes in the form of suffering. Is our hope truly in the selfless pursuit of an intimate relationship with God, or are we using that relationship as our ticket to Heaven?

Suffering will cleanse the heart of selfish aims - or at least reveal them. If our pursuit is of selfish ambition we will not endure the suffering. "For in suffering," as DeNeff puts it, "God withdraws and leaves us without the warm enthusiasm and the happy company we are used to." Said John of the Cross, "He does this to determine whether we love God himself or only our feelings about God."

This week, examine your heart and your motivations. Maybe you are not suffering now but you have in the past or you can imagine a circumstance in the future. How do you respond to suffering? How do you fill your need for hope? Here are some questions to consider:

-Are you longing for the glory in the next world or for holiness in this one? Are you living the prayer "Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven," or are you just standing in line at the pearly gates?
-When did you think you were serving God? Was there suffering involved? Or were you filled with warm enthusiasm and happy company from God?
-What have you done despite the expected adversity or obstacle because it was the right thing to do?
-When did you feel hopeless? Did it seem like God withdrew? How did you respond? Selfishly?
-Is there a time when you noticed suffering approach and you avoided it?

Exposing Holes in Pursuit of Wholeness: Part 3 (Intimacy)

2012-01-01T18:14:00.005-05:00

This is week three in a five-week application of the first chapter of More Than Forgiveness by Steve DeNeff.

We are on a five-week journey discovering what keeps us from that mature, complete, whole faith Paul talks about in the New Testament. This is not a five step process to holiness. Holiness is not a conscious decision, but rather a subconscious transformation. This is a five-week evaluation of our hearts and actions, exposing how we fill basic human needs through the Fall rather than through holiness.

There are five needs laid out by pastor and author Steve DeNeff in his book More Than Forgiveness. Each week we address one need and throughout the week, take note of how we fill that need; either through perverse and foolish ways (the Fall) or through holiness. We have already looked at significance and security. We will finish with hope and innocence.

This week we focus on intimacy. If the first thought through your mind is sex, write that down as your first fill through the Fall. Let me explain:

Every human being wants to be accepted. Yes, as simply as invited into the group and on the guest list, but also more than that. Every human being wants to come out from hiding and show himself completely to another. He wants to give himself away and matter to someone. He wants to be able to let down all guards and stand naked (figuratively speaking) before another, completely unashamed. He wants to be loved, accepted and invited, despite his mess.

We think of "being in love" to fill this desire, but as DeNeff suggests, "the modern person craves intimacy more than love." Romance is cute, but intimacy is real. It does not abandon despite a mess. It is an unbreachable safe; an unrejectable pursuit. It is complete trust and acceptance. Romance produces sex, but in the religion of intimacy, "sex is only a sacrament". It is this level of intimacy that we are all seeking.

Unfortunately, we first search for it among each other, and as we fail over and over to find it in human form, we give up on the search and settle for pleasures disguised as such. We dismiss the religion and settle for the sacrament. It's like drinking the blood without the confession; eating the bread without the forgiveness.

But you see, love - not the romantic love, but the intimate love described above - is the foundation of this whole Christianity thing. There is a direct correlation between our love for God and our love for others. The Lord provides a more complete intimacy than anyone else we will pursue. And until we fill that intimacy in solitude with him, we will never wholly experience it with others.

Have you experienced that intimacy with Christ? If you're not sure, how you love others and how you search for intimacy will reflect your relationship with Jesus. To evaluate, ask yourself these questions this week:

-When and in what ways did you mistake pleasure for intimacy?
-When, where, or with whom did you seek intimacy and get rejected? (The search for intimacy can be a delicate situation. How we respond to it and where we are searching for it is vital.)
-Who did you offer intimacy to and how did you do it? Did you honor it or shatter it with betrayal?
-Who did you reject because of their mess? Who rejected you because of your mess? If you can't accept someone else despite their baggage, it's likely you don't believe God will accept you with all of your baggage.
-To whom do you matter? Who matters to you?
-Who do you have to hide things from and who can you stand before shameless?
-What do you hide? It's likely you are hiding those same things from God.
-What avenues or tactics are you using to reveal yourself? (Even the most introverted are trying to open up and show themselves. Subtly they let it slip, testing the waters to see who will latch on and accept them and provide that intimacy.)
-Do you maliciously use another's confidence, trust or intimacy with you? Do you offer a piece of yourself in exchange for their whole heart?
-What artificial ways do you pursue intimacy with God rather than through love? Legalism? Rituals? Sacraments? Radical reform? Holier than thou?

I understand that this may rock the foundation of some of your relationships. Don't let that hinder an honest self-assessment. Turn to Jesus. He will provide intimacy through the brokenness and will lead you to healing; to wholeness.

Exposing Holes in Pursuit of Wholeness: Part 2 (Security)

2011-12-25T23:44:00.006-05:00

This is week two in a five-week application of the first chapter of More Than Forgiveness by Steve DeNeff.

Every person is driven by needs; five of them as suggested by pastor and author Steve DeNeff. They are not distinctive to Christians and they cannot be eliminated. "These needs are the human being's trademark. They give him meaning and purpose. They make him human." These five needs are significance, security, innocence, intimacy and hope. And because we are affected by the Fall we seek to fill these needs in perverted and foolish ways.

In this five-week application, we take one need each week and examine how we fill it - through the fall or through holiness. The goal is not to achieve holiness in five weeks. The goal is to become self-aware and to begin building new habits that lead to subconscious transformation. At the end of each night, reflect on your day, making note of the holes that keep you from wholeness.

In week one we examined how we fill our need for significance.

This week, we look at security:

We are a people driven by fear. Not fear of spiders or heights, but deeper fears; fears that influence our decisions and actions and plans. We fear God. Only it's not a reverent fear as in "hollowed be thy name"; not the fear that inspires us to obey him. It's the fear that causes us to feel shame when we recognize he's watching, which results in us fighting for fleeing God.

When we fight him, we argue with him, redefine him, rationalize our actions or explain him away. We turn to science for answers and only to God to fill in the gaps. We turn to catch phrases like, "Life's not fair," or "That was then, this is now," and convince ourselves that's the truth. We make deals and promises we can't keep.

When we flee God, we ignore or avoid him. We plan our lives without factoring him into the equation. We use insurance to protect us from accidents, surveillance to protects us from terrorists and laws to protect us from each other.

The bottom line is we have come to fear the one thing we were told not to, "those who kill the body," and diminish the authority of "the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell".

All of this to fill our need of security. But as mentioned before, we can't make the need just go away. We must find a new way to fill it; through holiness. So instead of filling our need for security through greed and guarantees (through the Fall), we need to replace it with trust (through holiness). We must turn our fear into trust; trust in the one who knows "the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

This week, focus on ways you fill your need for security through the Fall. Here are some potential red flags:

-You demand a guarantee for something or from someone before moving forward
-You make a decision based on its long-term reliability
-You take more than your daily bread to save for tomorrow
-You avoid the path untraveled because it wasn't a "sure bet"
-You protect your treasures on Earth as if they actually belonged to you
-You take from someone else (tangibly or intangibly) in fear that they make take from you
-You refuse a challenge you are called to when the odds are against you rather than trusting that the Lord is on your side

Any others?

Exposing Holes In Pursuit of Wholeness: Part 1 (Significance)

2011-12-18T17:00:00.006-05:00

This is a five-week application of the first chapter in More Than Forgiveness, by Steve DeNeff.

Every person is starving, thirsting, striving. We are human beings made in the image of God. We are fallen creatures with eternity set in our hearts. We are sinful, searching for holiness. We are broken, expecting perfection. Because of the Fall we experience emptiness inside. Because we were alienated from God we turn to anything else to fill those holes.

As pastor and author Steve DeNeff explains, those holes are identified by five basic needs: significance, security, innocence, intimacy and hope. These desires themselves do not make us evil. They are distinctive to every human being. It's that we seek to fulfill these desires in foolish and perverted ways; through the Fall. The needs won't change, but how we fill them can. We will experience wholeness in Christ when we meet these needs through holiness.

For the next five weeks we will select one need and examine our hearts for six straight days, deciphering how we meet these needs: in perverse, foolish ways (through the Fall) or through holiness. Please understand, this is not a five-step program to holiness. Holiness is a deeper transformation than conscious decisions. This is merely an attempt to become aware of the ways we fill these needs and when we are most vulnerable to succumb to the Fall.

Read the description of the need (adapted from the first chapter of DeNeff's book) and my predictions of how we may fill it perversely. At the end of each night during the week, reflect on your day and write down occasions when you filled the need through the Fall. By the end of the week, hopefully we can avoid these temptations and begin building habits that will lead to subconscious transformation.

We'll start with significance.

We all want to matter, to be acknowledged, to be important; we all want dignity. Through the Fall we fill this need through pecking orders and hierarchy; we climb the ladder through any means necessary; we build ourselves up and tear others down; we are competitive, suspicious and critical; we are busy; we are aching to impress others and ourselves; we fill our need of significance through power and pride.

But in holiness, we satisfy this need through service and humility. "We still want to matter, but to whom we matter is less important." We give credit to others, seeking only the praise of God. We don't think less of ourselves, we think of ourselves less. We carry each other's burdens, and at the same time, we are not a burden to others. We no longer want something else or something more, we accept what we're given and "seek only to accomplish what we were destined to accomplish."

The question this week: Where do you find significance? Through power and pride or through service and humility?

Here are some situations inspired by the Fall that may pop up this week:

--You verbally tear someone else down to elevate yourself. You may not raise, but they lower. And they may not even be present when you do it!
--You take credit for something you didn't do or without acknowledging those who made it possible.
--You announce your own accomplishments (Proverbs 27:2)
--You make obstacles seem larger than they were to inflate the magnitude of the accomplishment.
--You take ownership of something that's not yours.
--You order someone to help you rather than offering to help them.
--You point the finger rather than take responsibility.
--You seek praise and acknowledgement from the top of the food chain, and ignore those on the bottom.

Any others?

Don't beat yourself up, but take notice of how you fill your emptiness. This will be an incredible, transforming journey. Enjoy the ride!

Identity --> Mission --> Community

2011-12-09T20:56:00.005-05:00

This post is coming as a result of a multi-year journey, which started with a search for community and is culminating in the revelation of identity. Along the way, many influences have pushed me towards this truth, most recently, Chris McAllister, who has helped me paint the picture of the connection between identity, mission and community.

A secure identity in Christ leads to a clarity of mission, which attracts and builds community.

We often get this process out of order and it frustrates the core desire we have to become the person Christ has created us to be.

As relational beings we set out in search of community to fill our innate need for intimacy and acceptance; to be known and understood and to belong. When we find that community we latch on to it for the need that it fills; we adopt its mission as our own in order to not lose touch with that communal relationship and to not lose that fill of intimacy. Or sometimes, as often seen in the case of small groups or in the church, we decide as a group to engage in a service project (mission) to feel significant, worthwhile and to fill our internal obligation to do good deeds.

Do you see the difference? The community dictates the mission, which forms our identity.

It usually goes undetected for a short while, but over time we begin to feel the friction between our true identity and this fabricated mission. Commitment demands increase and over the long haul the facade we construct for each gathering wears down. In time, frustration builds and we become unsettled, realizing this is not where we are supposed to be. But we're stuck, clinging to the intimacy offered by the community and the significance and worth found in the group and the mission.

There is a way out. Flip the order of the process. What is your deepest need? Examine your heart. Examine your mission, what you are doing and why you are doing it. Examine your community. What needs are they filling? What do they provide? Significance? Worth? Intimacy?

Now, turn to Jesus for these needs. Instead of striving for worldly things to fill you, let Jesus fill these holes in your heart. When he meets your needs - and he will, to the fullest extent, more satisfying than any earthly channel - you won't go to work everyday with something to prove; you won't push others down to build yourself up; days won't be an endless fight straining for something you can't obtain on your own.

The Samaritan woman in John 4 goes to the well for water everyday to quench her thirst (the need). Symbolically, Jesus instructs her to turn to him to fill that need eternally (v 10). When we fill our needs through worldly things the need will persist (v 13), but when Jesus fills that need eternally it will well up from inside us, giving new life (v 14). Through that new life comes clarity in mission, new life in your mission. It flows out of who you are.

Finally, a laser-focused mission attracts and builds community. People who are secure in their identity and people who are laser-focused in their mission are contagious. Others flock to them. And through a laser-focused mission we actively build community to accomplish what we were born to do.

Think of Jesus. His healings and miracles attracted droves of people. And as he started his mission he recruited disciples to help carry it out. Also notice he controlled his community. He sent some back home after they were healed. He retreated to solitary places and to his disciples. He even kept some around who weren't on board with the mission (Judas Iscariot), but everything he did was with the mission in mind, flowing out of his identity in the Father.

Jesus found intimacy not among the disciples, but in communion with the Father. He found worth not in healings and miracles, but through the Father. He found significance not as King of the Jews, but as the Father's son.

A secure identity in Christ overflows into a laser-focused mission, which attracts and builds community, the very things you are superficially longing for.

I am not an expert. I communicate visions. Chris McAlister is an expert. If you want to dig more into this topic, read his blog. Also, over the next five weeks I will be posting about recognizing holes on a journey to wholeness. It will help lead to a secure identity. Stay tuned.

Finding Your Wheelhouse

2011-12-05T23:48:00.006-05:00

I'm narrowing in on my wheelhouse and it's an invigorating process! It's that place where you're doing what you know you were created to do. I'll explain what I mean by explaining my choice of terminology.

I'm a basketball guy. So why didn't I say, "I'm working towards a slam dunk," instead of venturing into baseball terminology? Because a "slam dunk" comes across as easy, a sure thing, no sweat. And that couldn't be farther from the truth.

The wheelhouse is that sweet spot for a baseball player at the plate where a home run is nearly guaranteed. It's when a perfect strike right down the middle meets perfect timing from the batter. But even then it's not a sure thing. It requires intense focus and concentration, wiping out all distractions to keep your eye on the ball. It requires all of the parts move in harmony; the coil, the leg kick, step, rotate the hips, swing, make contact, follow through.

Ask a hitter. When you make contact you immediately know it's going out of the park. The perfect pitch combined with intense focus combined with all of your strength. It's powerful. It's game changing. And at that moment, he knows:

That's my wheelhouse. That's when I'm at my best.

How do you find your wheelhouse? Stay tuned...

How You Can Best Help Others

2011-11-30T17:45:00.001-05:00

What's the best thing you can do for other people?

In his biography of Steve Jobs, Walter Isaacson quoted the innovator on his mindset about making great products as a service to others: “[Consumers are] busy doing whatever they do best, and they want us to do what we do best. Their lives are crowded; they have other things to do than think about how to integrate their computers and devices."

What's the best thing you can do for other people? Be committed to being the best at what you do best, and then share it with others.

The body is made of many parts and each part is essential to the body functioning at its highest potential. If the ear spends time trying to see, we will experience a deficit in hearing and it most likely will frustrate the work of the eye as well. But if the ear is completely focused on hearing and then shares what it hears with the eye, the senses can fully maximize their abilities and the body can reach its full potential.

The function of the body should be greater than the sum of its individual parts.

Steve Jobs was the best at creating new technology that others could use to enhance their lives and productivity. He shared that with others, who in turn used his innovations to do what they do best. And the body closes in on its full potential because of it.

Jobs took heat for not being more involved in non-profit activities. In his article "Steve Jobs, World's Greatest Philanthropist," Dan Pallotta responded to critics with this:

What a loss to humanity it would have been if Jobs had dedicated the last 25 years of his life to figuring out how to give his billions away, instead of doing what he does best.

We'd still be waiting for a cell phone on which we could actually read e-mail and surf the web. "We" includes students, doctors, nurses, aid workers, charity leaders, social workers, and so on. It helps the blind read text and identify currency. It helps physicians improve their performance, surgeons improve their practice. It even helps charities raise money.

We'd be a decade or more away from the iPad, which has ushered in an era of reading electronically that promises to save a Sherwood Forest worth of trees and all of the energy associated with trucking them around. That's just the beginning. Doctors are using the iPad to improve healthcare. It's being used to lessen the symptoms of autism, to improve kids' creativity, and to revolutionize medical training.

(Please read the rest of the article. Good stuff.)

Over the last month I have inquired about the work done by church leaders, middle school pastors, seminary students, low income financers, teachers and social workers. They share their expertise and it influences how I work and live and who I am.

On the flip side, over the last month people have asked me about best PR practices, about effective basketball drills and about networking. I have willingly shared and I assume it is influencing what they do.

It's how the body is supposed to work. Be committed to being the best at what you do best and share it with others.

To make this work, do three things:

1) Eliminate jealousy. Appreciate and encourage those who have found what they do best. Don't try to be something you can't be the best at and don't consider yourself superior because you are the best at something. All of that confuses the cycle.

2) Expand your network. Partner with those who are best at things you are not. We need their best and they need our best for the body to reach its full potential.

3) Find what you do best, be committed to being the best at that and share it with others.

Read. Set. Go!

Francis Chan's Message

2011-11-03T23:30:00.005-04:00

I went on a Francis Chan YouTube video binge tonight...again. It's not a hard thing to do. The guy gets me fired up. If you don't know much about Chan, this three-minute clip is a pretty good summary of all his messages. Chan is about transformation. I'm about transfor - I want to be about transformation.

Check it: http://youtu.be/EedUll7SGr0

The World is Speaking...Listen!

2011-10-31T22:12:00.004-04:00

I'm not going to jump on the Tim Tebow criticism bandwagon after the Broncos' latest loss to the Lions - I'm aware of the dangers of criticizing. And I'm not going to elevate Tebow on a pedestal either - I've made that mistake before.

But I am watching, because Tebow is living his faith on a high-profile stage and the world is responding to that. Are we (Christians) listening?

This excerpt is from Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports:

So, is Tebow being judged in an unfairly harsh light? His legions of fans would undoubtedly answer in the affirmative. They revere him for his work ethic, his values, his leadership qualities and, not insignificantly, his faith.

However – and this is a big however – there’s a glaring disconnect between many fans’ assessment of Tebow’s status as a wholesome winner and the way many NFL players process his presence. To some, the notion that Tebow somehow pushes harder or taps into a higher power than they do is insulting. The NFL is full of maniacally driven grinders who’ve overcome incredible odds to reach the pinnacle of their profession, and many of them are clean-living and well-mannered, too.

While few NFL players seem to have a problem with Tebow on a personal level, I know plenty who are put off by the mythology and the holier-than-thou fan base that lionizes his every accomplishment and perceives negative depictions of his ability through a persecution-complex-tinted prism.

Let me be clear. I have great respect for Tebow, as I do for all Christians who are shining their light in highly competitive and fallen arenas. I'm also encouraged by Tebow's open witness, as I am by all believers who appear to have such a secure identity in Christ.

This is not a pro- or anti-Tebow post. Tebow has the world talking and I'm listening. Are you?

Focused Conversation: Long-Distance

2011-10-15T11:31:00.000-04:00

Maybe you're like me in that you genuinely want to keep relationships with long distance friends but often dread or don't have the time for the 60-minute-or-longer phone calls it takes to catch up to speed.

Try this: Share this post with your long-distance friends and mutually agree to keep the conversations to less than 20 minutes (save for extenuating circumstances).

Here's how:

First, understand that in a long-distance friendship, being in tune with day-to-day happenings is not necessary. The long-distance friends - friends you talk to weekly, monthly or annually - only need the general direction in which things are heading: up, down, forwards, backwards, positive, negative, in reverse, etc. Hit the highlights, the low lights and their influences.

Second, don't waste time with fluff. Think back to your last phone call that took too long. How much time did you waste at the beginning not saying anything? It probably went something like this:

"Hey! How are you?"
"Good. How are you?"
"I'm doing great! What's new?"
"Nothing much. How about with you?"
"Oh same old, same old. How's the job?"
"It's good. A job. How's your family doing?"
"Just as good as always."
...."So how are things?"

Before you know it you've been on the phone for five minutes and haven't covered any ground. In this case, expect the call to last 60 minutes if you want to get anything out of it.

Instead, when your friend says, "How are you?" take that as a cue to address your current status and succinctly elaborate on why it is that way. Example: "I'm doing well. I just moved into a new apartment and it's in a great community. Definitely an upgrade from my old place."

Bam! We're rolling! You've just done two things:
A) You've provided enough information for your friend to ask a significant follow-up question and, most importantly,
B) You have set the tone for a purposeful conversation with a clear direction. Now when you offer a return "How are you?" your friend will follow your lead and get right down to business.

And don't consider it selfish to talk about yourself in these situations. If both parties have made the commitment to keep in touch, you have both inherently expressed an interest in knowing what's affecting each other's life. Just be sure it's not all about you.

If you find yourself stuck or lacking substance, lean on some of these pointed questions to keep things moving. And remember, 20 minutes!

-What are you reading, watching or listening to?
-What are you plugging (i.e. TV show, movie, music, website, diet, gadget, etc.)?
-What's something you're pondering, wrestling with or trying to understand?
-What's something you've learned recently, and how did you learn it?
-What has happened recently that you weren't expecting?
-What recently has been a big challenge?
-What are you anticipating - something that's on the horizon you are preparing for?
-What is something in your life you are currently trying to change, improve or add? Any habits or disciplines you're trying to stop or start?

Any questions you would add?

Good Things Take Time

2011-10-04T01:47:00.002-04:00

“Good things take time, and they should.”
–John Wooden-

I’ve been challenged recently by the reality this truth. It requires patience, and a good amount of it. Not “I’m-OK-waiting-last-in-line” patience, but patience over the course of days, weeks and sometimes years. Along with patience this truth requires consistency. Not just consistently eating an apple a day, but consistently activating a behavior throughout a day and maintaining the course while the “good thing” comes to fruition.

It’s especially challenging in our generation of instant gratification. Paul asked Timothy to try to join him by winter. By winter! I usually send an email and hope for a response within the hour. Think if Paul wrote to Timothy at the beginning of summer. He would have to continue what he was doing, where he was doing it for months, trusting Timothy received the letter and would respond.

Thus the third part of Wooden’s truth: Trust. Not, “I trust what was guaranteed will happen,” but, “I trust in the unknown, the uncertain, the will of God even if it doesn’t match my will and even if his will is beyond my understanding.”

What “good thing” are you anticipating? Have you accepted the fact that it may take more than a week to come to fruition? Are you consistently doing what is necessary to aid its coming? Do you trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding? If so, that “good thing” will be better than you imagined. If not, it probably won’t be worth it when it comes.

We're All Busy, But Who's Changing The World?

2011-05-22T17:30:00.004-04:00

It seems to have become a default answer: "I'm busy."

What have you been doing lately?
"Oh, keeping busy."

Hey, long time no see. Where have you been?
"Yeah, I've been busy."

Do you want to join us tomorrow?
"No, I'm real busy."

Busyness in itself is not a bad thing. In fact, retired folks will probably say having something to do keeps them happy - and some, alive. And for younger people, activity can stave off sluggishness, boredom and vulnerability to the devil's schemes.

It becomes a problem when being busy becomes agonizing, when a full plate is stressful, when a booked calendar is no longer desirable. When we reach this point we don't need to cut our commitments and clear our schedules, we simply need to adjust our thinking about work.

Rather than it being something we have to do, a task to complete, a checklist to finish, it should be our chance to leave an imprint on this world, to write a legacy, to push back the encroaching darkness, to aid in the coming of a New Kingdom.

With that said, don't miss the picture. You don't have to be in a certain occupation to pursue this purpose. Even the most menial tasks take a stand against darkness.

We can push back against laziness and mediocrity in the mundane, against inconsistency in the rituals and against joyless work in the tedious tasks. We can respond to Mondays and Wednesdays with the same fervor as we do Fridays and to the stubborn and inconsiderate with the same patience as we do our best friends. We can fight against fatigue during a nonstop day and against missed opportunities while marching through a checklist.

You see, we all want to take part in this great New Kingdom, but it's the sum of these individual moments that change the world.

Also see related post We're Not Busy, We're Called

Response to bin Laden's Death

2011-05-03T21:16:00.006-04:00

Stunned. I certainly didn't expect to hear the news that Osama bin Laden had been killed. After 10 years it wasn't on the forefront of my mind that we were still looking for him. Processing all of the information and the possible implications, one thought superseded them all: Jesus actually meant everything he said, and actually expected us to follow those demanding commands.

We try to apply them locally and teach children to do the same. The commands to turn the other cheek when a bully strikes; to forgive those co-workers who trespass against us, not just once but seventy times seven times; to not rejoice in our enemy's misfortune; to pray that our hell-bent neighbor comes to know Jesus; to acknowledge that we all fall short of the glory of God; to pray for our bosses and community leaders since they operate under no authority that is not given them by God; to lean not on our own understanding, but to trust in the Lord with all our heart.

It makes sense at the office where we still collect a paycheck. It makes sense in our neighborhood where we can lock the door and close the blinds at night. It makes sense in kindergarten where we can replace the stolen lunchbox. It's not necessarily easy, but it makes sense to try.

But for some reason, when it hits a global stage all these commands come with new exceptions. "But he killed so many people! And he was open and direct about intentions to kill more Americans!" "But he was a Muslim with no conscience about the value of people!" "But this is a matter of national security! Think of the number of people who risked their lives for our freedom!" And this one: the fear that someone might gain political leverage from the timing of bin Laden's murder.

Why do these thoughts, opinions, factors change the commands? Why should we be less forgiving because it involves more people? Why should we respond to evil with evil because of the threat of more evil (just reading the sentence sounds foolish)? Why should we celebrate our enemy's misfortune because it accomplishes a longstanding goal? Why should we rejoice (and speculate) that he's burning in hell because his sins were more publicized? And why should we rely on our own understanding of how military operates and national leaders are elected because it's even more out of our control? (Seems a little backwards doesn't it?) When did country come before God?

When Jesus laid out these commandments, He was not just describing a more functional office place, a more peaceful neighborhood and a more satisfied home. He was describing a new Kingdom - here on Earth! It's not supposed to get easier as the problems get bigger. Maybe this is why Jesus claimed it to be so hard to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Other Reactions:
-It seems so far-fetched that Osama bin Laden might have converted to become a Christ follower and influence the rest of al-Qaida to do the same, but do we not remember the testimony of Paul? Did we pray enough for that or were we set on revenge as the only conceivable option?
-Maybe it was God-ordained that we stay on the trail of bin Laden and that he was delivered into our hands, but when it happened in the Old Testament God acted in a way that led to Him receiving the glory.
-An Associated Press article teaser mentioned families of 9/11 victims did not find closure in bin Laden's death. That's telling in itself. Closure comes from forgiveness and hope.
-One man claimed his wife was rejoicing in Heaven about the death of bin Laden. That's one messed up view of Heaven in my mind. I'm sure she was rejoicing but I doubt it had anything to do with bin Laden.
-I will not celebrate another man's death, and no, Mark Twain, I will not even read his obituary with satisfaction.
-The one truth I keep coming back to: "....lean not on your own understanding." Ask yourself, "Whose understanding are these opinions coming from? Is it our view of how the world works or God's understanding?"

Picture Communicating

2011-04-30T14:57:00.007-04:00

Your words mean nothing.

That's right. Words by themselves mean nothing. We don't communicate with words. We communicate through pictures and images. The words simply paint the picture. That's why communicating in person is more effective. You can use facial expressions, hand gestures, whole body language, voice inflections, pauses, and so on, to paint a more comprehensive, detailed, specific picture.

What makes written or electronic communication so difficult is you are severely limited in how much of the picture you can elaborate on. Even the simplest, "You're the best!" email can come across as a pat on the back or a sarcastic undercut depending on the recipient's view or feelings about your relationship or current situation.

Communicating is an art, but you don't have to be artistic to do it well. You just have to be understanding (and it helps to have a nice arsenal of words or descriptors). What do you have to understand? This:

The thing that frustrates communication the most is that we aren't the sole painters of someone else's picture. Our pictures are influenced by heaps of past experiences and cultures and through those past experiences we've developed reference points.

For instance, "cold" weather doesn't mean the same thing to a Minnesota native as it does to someone in Phoenix, Ariz. A "long" run conjures up different distances for a marathoner and a couch potato. What's "rude" in the South is "normal" in the Northeast.

Now, these are the simplest examples used in extreme contrasts. It becomes more complex when discussing a mission statement for a company, steps to completing a project or feelings and intentions in a relationship. While you are trying to paint the picture as you see it, the other person is calling up old images of corporate hierarchy, failed or successfully attempts and previous relationships, healthy or broken.

Strip this down to the barest form. Take a very young child just learning to speak. If her parents consistently show her a picture of a cow and associate it with the word pig, the first time a school teacher asks her to pick out the pig amongst farm animals she will surely pick the wrong animal. The teacher will be plenty frustrated trying to repaint her image of a pig. Now, in this case enough consistent, definitive outside influences will eventually reveal the truth to her, but it becomes more complex when you start talking about, let's say, the images and feelings of the word God.

This is why you are taught to "know your audience". It's why it is better to listen first and why you should try harder to understand than to be understood. When you collect enough information about their past experiences and points of reference you can get a basic idea of what their preconceived picture is. From there, you can rearrange their base image to look like the picture you are trying to paint.

Word choice can be a very valuable tool in accomplishing this and is something I put a lot of effort into. When I communicate, I like to use several words to give you the parameters of the picture: "I get anxious, uneasy, unsure immediately after posting a new blog." If you only throw one arrow there's only one landing spot, but if you throw a bunch of arrows you get an idea of the right direction we're going. It's up to you to discern when to use each technique. Sometimes I also like to tell you what the picture is not: "I'm not nervous or scared." Usually a combination of techniques is best or most complete.

Word choice, or terminology, is especially powerful for coaches. I remember watching the best shooting coach I know carefully select his phrases when instructing a player and then cringing immediately after the words left his mouth, unsure of how the shooter would interpret it and in fear of muddying his image. (By the way, notice how you immediately thought of a basketball coach because of what you understand about me? Or did you think of another shooting coach because you were working off your image and not mine?)

But choosing words isn't always easy. In some cases the exact definition of a word is obsolete or moot. This is when it's important to understand cultural and past-experience influences.

Take the sentence I wrote earlier: Communication is an art, but you don't have to be artistic to do it well. Literally, that's a false statement. Based on the definition, you have to be artistic to do communication well if it's actually an art. But I assumed as soon as I declared communicating to be an art, I turned off everyone who thought poorly of their ability to draw, paint, design and the like. So, I saved their attention by playing off their presupposition of the word "artistic".

If all of this sounds difficult/complex/frustrating, it's because it is. These nuances and barriers play a large factor in our complications, confusions and problems. The good news is if you apply yourself to understanding others' pictures, you won't just become a better communicator but also a better driver, anticipating the next move of a fellow road warrior; or a better shopper, predicting where items are located in the store and when sales will happen; and it will surely reveal itself in other areas of life.

So, what can we do to become better communicators?
1) Seek to understand before being understood. Be willing to work off the other person's canvas. If your mind is set on working from your canvas - your assumptions, your experiences, your understanding - it won't translate for the recipient. If you're willing to start on their foundation, you'll have better success.
2) Don't assume. It's makes an A-S-S out of U and ME.
3) Technical components of the language like sentence structure can make a difference. Awareness of these nuances can take you to a new level of understanding.
4) Try to expand your word choice, but keep in mind the biggest or newest word isn't always best. It won't enhance the image if the receiver doesn't know or understand it.
5) Be consistent with your terminology, but try not to use the same word too often in one picture. It can dull the word or confuse the image.
6) After you have painted your picture, have the recipient regurgitate (talk about nasty images!) - have the recipient retell the picture. Inevitably, they will describe the image they have painted combining your words with their past experiences. Then, you can see how closely it matches your picture and revise as necessary.
7) Repeat the important stuff. You never know when they spaced out and which part of the picture they missed.
8) Take it as a red flag when someone accepts your picture before you're finished painting. This can be in the form of disengaging from the conversation (you'll be able to tell) or quick, sharp, repetitive affirmations: "I know." "Got it." "Yep." It's like buying an unfinished painting to hang in your living room. How do you know it matches?
9) Finally, realize you will also be on the other end of this picture painting process. The biggest deterrent to learning is, "I know this already." Pay attention until the artist is finished, and if you've heard it before, maybe there's a reason they're saying it again.

We won't master communication overnight. This blog post alone is a culmination of thoughts from six years of informal field study and observation, and I'm sure I will add, subtract and revise over the course of the next six years. Just be willing to learn and eager to understand. Start today and continue tomorrow.

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

--Proverbs 2:1-6

EDITOR'S NOTE: Check out the comments for updates and new thoughts added to the original post.

From Disciple to Blind Man

2011-04-27T01:02:00.003-04:00

While sitting around the dinner table with a group of adults, a one-year-old kid was crawling amongst our feet from chair to chair looking for a way up to join the group. One of the adults commented, "It must be frustrating to want to get up to where everyone else is and not be able to."

It is frustrating, isn't it? You know what it's like to strive to get up to where everyone else is. It's hard work. It's lonely work. It's exhausting work. And many times, it's hopeless work. We don't think we'll ever get there, and worse, it often feels like no one else wants us to get there.

Do you ever wonder if maybe we're just trying too hard?

For as long as I can remember in my Christian walk I have identified with the disciples of Jesus' day. More than that, I've wanted to be one of them. What better company to keep? The closest followers of Jesus. They dropped everything and followed. They heard it all straight from the horse's mouth. Direct contact with Him every day for nearly three years. Eye witnesses to every miracle and sermon. Special insight into the meaning behind every parable. Direct answers for every question. Exclusive access. Didn't have to muddle amongst the crowds to get a glimpse or to be noticed. What great company, right?

So I thought too, until I realized that was exactly the shortcoming of the disciples. This closeness with Jesus and they still repeatedly argued over who was the greatest. This special insight and they still tried to intervene in His arrest. Three years of preparation and they still betrayed at the approach of His death and doubted the resurrection.

No disrespect to the disciples, but maybe we should look more to the blind man. The one in Mark 10 who cried out to Jesus but was rebuked by the crowds. Jesus called upon him and when the blind man reached Him, Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see."

So simple. He didn't ask to be holy. He didn't ask for Jesus to save him a place in Heaven. All he asked was to see.

It doesn't have to be so hard. It doesn't have to be so frustrating. We don't have to strain so much.

Lord, I just want to see. See the world as you see it. See people as you see them. See now what's going to be as clear as day the moment I die. Lord, I want to see what I say I believe.

God Gave Us His Spirit

2011-02-16T13:41:00.005-05:00

One of the most common prayers I have heard, and have prayed, over the last five years is some variation of, "Jesus, help me become more like you." That's the overriding request; the phrase we use at the end to sum it all up. Usually, though, it's articulated more specifically. We'll pray for courage or patience or peace or compassion to forgive or joy and trust in the midst of trials; whatever it may be. But what if these prayers are all redundant? What if they have all been answered already?

For years I have kept 2 Timothy 1:7 in my back pocket. "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, of self-discipline." In context, I think Paul was trying to encourage Timothy, who may have been hesitant to exhibit the bold leadership that Paul had taught him and that his community needed. Regardless, I believe there is real universal truth in Paul's command to Timothy.

Maybe Timothy was like us, praying for specific gifts to match the circumstance: the ability to love, the courage to speak boldly and the necessary self-discipline and power to be a strong leader. But what Paul told him is that God already gave him His spirit that includes all of these qualities. Back up to verse six. Paul tells Timothy to "...fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands."

You see, when you accepted Christ into your life, when you were baptized, His Spirit entered your body, your heart. It's the same Spirit Christ left behind when He ascended into Heaven after the crucifixion and resurrection, and that Spirit contains all the qualities of God you desire. The prayer should not be for the fruits of the Spirit. The prayer should be for the Spirit. Or better yet, since the Spirit is already there, to become more aware and in tune with the Spirit that is in you, that those fruits might be manifested in your life; that the Spirit might breathe your breaths.

You think Timothy sounded like us? You think he rationalized his shortcomings saying, "I'm just not a bold person. I don't have that kind of courage. That's not how God made me and that's okay with me. I'll find another gift I do have and pray God can fill the void of this one."

What is that for you? Patience? Will you say you just aren't a patient person? Then I'll say you just aren't as close to Jesus as you should be. Is it joy? You will say, "Blessed are those who mourn, right?" But if you are not joyful in all circumstances then I will tell you, you are not in touch with the Spirit of God that lives inside you!

The prayer is not for courage or peace or the ability to forgive. The prayer is that the Spirit that's already inside you no longer lies dormant! That it spills out of your heart, renews your mind and transforms your life. And the response is "fan the flame." Dig into the Word and learn the qualities of this God who gave you a piece of Himself!

Play Your A

2011-01-02T17:39:00.004-05:00

I borrowed this introductory story from Steve DeNeff, pastor at College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Ind.

There was an old man who lived alone in the mountains. To pass the time he would play his fiddle, serenading nature, and learning new songs by listening to a weekly radio show that featured a fiddler. One day he realized his fiddle was terribly out of tune so he wrote a note to the radio station telling his story - that he lived alone in a remote location but loved to play his fiddle - and requesting 30 seconds of an A so he could tune his fiddle. The man faithfully listened to the show, cautiously hopeful for a response. One day the show's host responded: "To the man in the mountains playing his fiddle, here is your 30 seconds of A." And for 30 uninterrupted seconds the station played an A and many miles away the man in the mountains tuned his fiddle.

I was in the junior high band. The drum line. Everyday before rehearsal everyone of us in the band would whip out our instruments and begin to warm up and tune, but we would all be doing our own thing, playing different songs and different notes. Trumpets. Trombones. Clarinets. It was chaos. Not the drummers though. We didn't have notes. We just liked to make noise so we would bang away contributing to the bedlam. All before the director stepped to the podium - or at least before we noticed him anyway.

The story of the fiddler in the mountains made me think back to those junior high rehearsals. What if one person in our band, maybe a flutist, the softest of all the instruments, spontaneously began playing an A? No announcement. No drawn attention. Just in the midst of the cacophony she faithfully, hopefully played her A.

What if the person next to her then followed suit, tuning to that one A? And then the next person? And the one on the other side too? And then the one behind her? And then those adjacent to them? And before long this once chaotic room was transformed into a harmonious, peaceful melody of A? Can you see the picture?

Within evangelical circles, there is great emphasis on, well, evangelizing and converting our communities and work places to Christianity. Some are blessed with specific gifts in evangelism and they should share those gifts with all their might. Others are unduly overwhelmed with the pressure to share their faith and win new believers.

To the latter, I encourage you to not let that pressure keep you from playing your song. You don't need to write or direct a score; don't need to sing a solo. Just play your A.

No one person can change the world on his/her own. Only the director was going to silence my junior high band. Just like only the Creator can single-handedly change the world. But you can play your A and set the tune for those around you. Then praise God for those who are tuning to your life.

Intricacies of the Word(s)

2010-12-06T19:50:00.003-05:00

A couple months ago a group of Chilean miners were rescued after spending several weeks trapped miles below Earth's surface in a mine shaft. During the days the story caught national attention, journalists were sharing examples of what the miners were doing to pass the time. I began to think what I would do in a similar situation.

An iPhone would only entertain for so long before the battery would die, and silence would only lead to insanity. Engaging in conversation with fellow captives would be inevitable, but what would you say? The usual icebreakers about family, interests and backgrounds would only last so long, and provided they were co-workers, it's likely those would be elementary conversation topics anyway. It seems like it would be the perfect opportunity to raise the level of conversation, especially in such dire circumstances.

It's not likely that I brought my Bible to work that day (although maybe I should start making that a habit), so I would be relying solely on what I already knew. Maybe I could stumble through a few parables or an overview of Jesus' story. Maybe I had a few verses memorized or even a sermon. Better yet, THE sermon. That sounded like a good idea. So, I set out to memorize the Sermon on the Mount, just in case I am ever trapped in a mine shaft.

As I worked through Jesus' teaching, I was committed to learning it verbatim. I did not want to imply cause and effect with "then your Father will reward you" when Jesus simply said "and your Father will reward you." And I did not want to skew a transition by saying "because" when Jesus used the connector "therefore." As a result of this meticulous study, here are two of the lessons I learned:

While dancing through an explanation of a tree and its fruit that Dr. Seuss would be proud of (Matthew 7:15-20), I recited verse 20 as "Every tree that bears bad fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire," when it actually says "Every tree that does not bare good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

Do you see the difference? I made allowance for those standing on middle ground who bore no fruit at all. Jesus was not so accommodating. So while you're living idly avoiding evil, understand that you are in no better shape than those who you condemn for their bad fruit. Read the next verse (21). "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

The second lesson comes in the mist* of Jesus' story about two house builders and a storm. The wise man "built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." The foolish man "built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Did you see the difference? I added the emphasis for you. In my attempts to memorize this passage I wanted to give the foolish man credit for building on "the sand," but that's wrong. There is a lot of sand to build on, but only one rock: "THE rock."

The overriding lesson is to take your time when reading the Bible. Don't race through it like an item to check off the list. Read it carefully. In the words of Jeremy Kingsley, "Don't read the Bible to finish. Read the Bible to change."

(*Play on words. Work with me here.)

The Bible As A Story

2010-11-20T15:30:00.003-05:00

I want to recommend a book. It's call the Blue Parakeet by Scot McKnight. It's been a while since I read it but I remember that it addresses how we read the Bible. What I remember taking away from it is that some of us read the Bible literally, word for word, each command relevant for today. How it was done then is how it should be done now. Some of us read each verse independently as evidence to prove our point, mutually exclusive from the rest of the story. Some of us read it metaphorically. That was then but this is now so it should be read for the principles, not as actual commands.

What I remember taking away from the book is that we should read the Bible as a story about the redemption of God's people and about his love, compassion and forgiveness throughout.

I'm currently reading through a One Year Bible ordered chronologically in the timeline that researchers believe the events occurred. And right now I'm going through the last week of Jesus' life. Each section is labeled with a different header counting down the days to the prophesied end: Monday, Tuesday morning, Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday, etc. And as I work through these sections, reading it as a story, I find myself going to sleep at night anxious about the dissonance between the people groups and with Jesus and I have this sense of anticipation about what is about to come regarding this most remarkable event in the world's history.

I'm reading through this story and I'm trying to wrap my mind around the emotions of Jesus. He must be so frustrated by the simple minds of people who can't move past their understanding of this world. Yet, he comes across so patient opting to teach again rather than judge the world.

And I'm wringing my hands at the stubborness of the Pharisees but wondering all the while if I would be keeping company with them.

And while I'm reading this, not once have I considered gauging out my right eye because of something I've seen and not once have I thought that I should kill a lamb on an altar tomorrow and not once have I thought that I'm less of disciple or that Jesus loves me less because I'm not doing these things.

But through every scene, through every dialogue, through every miracle, I marvel at the grace and love and compassion and gentleness of our Lord and Savior. And I'm moved by the blind who now see and I'm astonished by the overwhelming rejoicing that takes place after a soul is saved.

Why do we cut up the most magnificent story in our earth's history into bullet points to prove our case and reasons to justify our means? Why are we just not more captivated by the holiness of our creator and at peace with his divine work?

Study: Responding to the Homeless

2010-11-17T17:12:00.005-05:00

In the midst of a recent discussion about how Christians should respond to homelessness a friend recommended the book When Helping Hurts to provide insight and greater understanding into poverty alleviation. While the book seems targeted more towards those who intend to fight poverty long term and on a grander, more strategic level, I found some very helpful wisdom for the laymen that I hope to incorporate into my worldview. I'll explain the new revelations (to me) through three situations that happened shortly before and while I was reading the book.

Let's start with the authors' definition of poverty. While we naturally think of poverty as being lacking in material possessions, the authors remind us that we are relational beings and poverty is simply the result of broken relationships. This opens the umbrella of "poverty" to include much more than the man sitting on the courthouse steps asking for spare change.

According to the authors' categories, someone self-centered might suffer from poverty of community. Someone denying God's existence and authority is probably poor on spiritual intimacy. A lazy man or a workaholic could be poor on stewardship. One with low self-esteem might suffer from poverty of being.

The latter state of poverty is the first situation I want to touch on. Also included in poverty of being is what the authors termed a God-complex. Middle-to-upper class Christians should not consider ourselves Superman coming to save the day, or worse, God coming to offer saving grace. In fact, the authors noted that oftentimes the materially poor have a much deeper faith than the materially rich.

Situation One

All of this brings me to my first situation. I stopped at a fast food restaurant downtown for lunch and on my way inside a man sitting on the curb asked me for some change to get a drink. I told him I would grab him a drink with my meal. After receiving the cup from the cashier, I noticed they didn't have what he asked for. Interested in treating him no different than any other person with likes, dislikes and preferences, I went back outside to ask for his second choice. I proceeded to fill the cup and deliver his drink then returned inside to wait for the rest of my order.

However, as many suggested in our initial discussion and as the authors made clear, many materially poor people feel inferior after begging and being continually looked down on. Rather than simply quenching this man's thirst, the better response may have been to invite him inside with me so he could stand in line, be served by a teenager in a goofy outfit, help himself to free refills and sit at a table to enjoy it like everyone else does.

Situation Two
The second point from the book that has stuck with me is that few of the requests we receive will truly demand immediate relief. In the days immediately following Hurricane Katrina, relief for the victims would have been an appropriate response, but even as soon as the next week it was time to move on to stages of recovery and development as the bleeding had stopped. (I encourage you to read the book for a better understanding of these three stages.)

This point is illustrated in my second situation involving a woman who approached me outside the grocery store with a story about two kids at home needing diapers, food, etc. It was my assessment then (and I hold to it now) that this was not a relief scenario. If given a second chance I might engage her in conversation to find out more of the story. Why did she leave them at home? If not alone, why can't the person watching them help with the supplies? Where's Dad? How was she supporting them every other day of the week?

Not to interrogate her, but simply to learn more about the situation and the proper way to help. Maybe I would continue the conversation as we walked through the store shopping for the necessary items and on a ride home if the Spirit led me to become more involved.

Situation Three
The last example may seem like a stretch (it didn't even cross my mind until the next day), but possibly relevant nonetheless. The authors stressed the importance of not introducing outside resources unless absolutely necessary (also the reason for inquiring about other possible caregivers in Situation Two) and to not do for someone what they could and should do for themselves.

I was at the park shooting hoops when two young boys under the age of six joined me on the court. After years of working basketball camps I have a soft spot for their kind so I entertained them by spinning the ball on their fingers, hoisting them up to attempt "dunk shots" and teaching them to dribble across the court. After I made four shots in a row, one of the boys threw the ball to Dad saying, "Here, Dad! You try!" Shortly after heaving an unrefined jumper that missed everything and commenting on his inexperience with the game, Dad slyly excused himself from the court. He retired to a shade tree with his phone to his ear when I overheard some of his conversation and realized he was just buying time until Mom got off work.

It wasn't until much later that I realized my helping may have hurt. What if this man suffered from poverty of being? Did I interrupt a perfect father-son bonding moment? What if this was the only day of the week he was able to see his kids? Did I reduce the boys' view of their dad by "showing him up" on the court? Maybe worse, did I excuse Dad from his responsibilities as a father? What if he realized he enjoyed the afternoons at the park much more under the shade tree with his phone? Did I plant the seed for a bad habit that could have a long-term effect?

These are three isolated examples and I admit, I may be looking at them too deeply, but I hope they accurately illustrate the lessons from the book. I also hope this book does not harden our hearts to giving. As one commenter remarked in the original discussion, it is probably best to err on the side of generosity.

The first part of this series of blog posts on responding to homelessness was a discussion. This was more of a study. I pray for Part 3: The Application.

Book Plug
If any of these examples or terms interest you I encourage you to read the book for a better explanation. I do not hesitate to recommend at least the first half of it to anyone who has struggled with the decision of how to respond to homelessness.

Dream Job - It's Better Than You Think

2010-09-23T14:58:00.002-04:00

I am currently in a position that many would consider their dream job. Okay, I admit it, I occasionally pinch myself expecting to wake up from this fairy tale. Yeah, you're right. It's more than occasionally. More like every day, multiple times.

I work in professional sports. The NBA's Phoenix Suns and WNBA's Phoenix Mercury to be exact. I work in the basketball communications department which handles all on-court media. Meaning, anytime there is interest in our team, players, coaches or access to games/practices from ESPN, Sports Illustrated or any other sports journalist, we facilitate it. The exact responsibilities are a mouthful to explain but it always grabs attention when I'm asked the perpetual ice breaker: "What do you do for a living?"

The most common response when I answer the question is, "Oh cool. So, you get tickets to the games?" I typically just smile and nod in affirmation subconsciously adding a wink knowing his/her limited understanding only scratches the surface. What I really want to say is, "It's better than that! I don't even need tickets! I work every game. I'm courtside at tipoff and in the locker room postgame. The interview you see on TV, I'm behind the camera."

Other, more avid sports fans might respond with, "Oh cool. So you get to see the players?" Again, masked by my nod and smile is that subconscious wink: "Better than that! I watch practice every day and chat with them afterward. I shake their hand like we're best friends and have their cell phone numbers. I call them by their nicknames and might even have dinner with them on occasion."

The point of this post is not to brag about my job. I can only boast about our Lord Jesus Christ, whose plans and purpose are the only reason I'm here. The point of this post, like everything else on this blog, is to apply worldly observations of human nature to deeper, spiritual situations. So in that context, what would the conversation look like if it were about Christianity?

"Oh, so you're a Christian? That means your sins are forgiven?"
Wink "It's better than that! I am free from the bondage of sin. Dead to sin and alive in Christ, I can live a sin free life!"

"Oh, so you're saved? That means you get to go to Heaven?"
Wink "It's better than that! I get to live and experience the Kingdom of God on Earth as it is in Heaven!"

"Oh, so you're a Christian? That means you're happy all of the time?"
Wink "It's better than that! I find joy in all circumstances, especially in suffering. In fact, I seek out those who are suffering to comfort them and empathize with them because blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek and those who face trials of many kinds."

"Oh, so you're a Christian? That means you talk to God?"
Wink "It's better than that! God, the creator of the Universe talks to me! And through me!"

So, my question is: Do we, Christians, live like we get tickets to the game or do we live with that subconscious wink plastered on our face as blatantly as the nod and smile?

Discussion: Responding to the Homeless

2010-08-13T18:10:00.004-04:00

Entertaining. Insightful. Thought-provoking. Garbage. However you have viewed these blog posts in the past, throw it out the window for this one. This particular post is aimed 100% at eliciting feedback and discussion so if you read it, respond to it.

The question: As a disciple of Jesus, what's the appropriate response to the homeless, specifically panhandlers?

I've been wrestling with this one for over a year now and can't come up with an answer. Here are some thoughts to get the discussion going:

My initial reaction is to give every time I am asked. Isn't that what the Bible says: Give generously to those who ask? The primary issue with this is you'll be broke after walking 10 blocks in downtown Chicago (or any major city) and then begging yourself.

I've heard others say you shouldn't give cash to those on the street because you could be supporting an addiction. Instead you should give to the organizations who are set up to help these people. A valid point but with two flaws: A) When I'm asked for money I don't feel like Jesus when I say, "Sorry, I can't help you, but I did just give money to that shelter on the other side of town. Why don't you check it out." B) Say you are supporting an addiction. So the guy gets stoned, ends up in a hospital that checks him into rehab where a nurse turns his life around and leads him to Christ. All started with your $5. I think the command was to give generously. It's God's money. He will work it out to his good ends.

Other Ideas I've Heard
Buy McDonald's gift cards to hand out. Then you know where the money is going. One lady even went as far as taping Bible verses to them. But it still doesn't answer the problem of running out of money after 10 blocks.

Give only to those who don't ask. I like this idea because it causes you to be proactive about searching for someone to help rather than reactive and reluctantly giving because you feel guilty. The only caution here is identifying those who need help.

I heard a story of a friend leaving a meal next to a sleeping man so he woke up to a blessing from God. I like this one.

Case Studies
Two recent events to instigate more discussion:
I crossed paths with a man on his bike who gave me a story about having Type II Diabetes and having not eaten in two days. I gave him a McDonald's gift card and he was hesitantly appreciative. Two days later we crossed paths again on the other side of town and he gave me the same story. I was out of gift cards so I gave him a $5 bill. He was overly appreciative. Saw him a third time with the same story and I turned him down. I wished I had the courage to ask him his story.

I was sitting in the parking lot of the local grocery store finishing a phone conversation and watched a man aggressively work the whole lot (including my car) at about a 50% success rate. He was gone when I came out of the store.

Radical Response
I have thought that the most "Jesus-like response" is to invite the beggar to dinner with you that night if you're on your way. It's radical. It's risky. But it seems so appropriate. By the end of dinner you will have not only met the immediate need of hunger but will likely meet a more important need of love.

I'm reminded of the movie The Soloist in which Jamie Foxx's character, a homeless man, wasn't interested in the roof over his head or other luxuries the journalist was trying to provide. He had a lifestyle and was accustomed to it. More than anything he wanted a friend.

The homeless have plenty of places/people to get free meals. Maybe the answer is to find a way to show them love.

Recently I have complained about grocery stores selling things in bulk that's only fitting for a family of four. As a single man I can't get through the goods before they spoil. Maybe my response to this question is to budget meals for a family of four and give 3/4 of it away...

Calling for Help
Those are my points. I want to hear yours. What's the answer? How do we respond to, "Sir, can you spare some change?" I realize a new president, new government or a redistribution of the world's wealth may fix the problem, but that doesn't really help when I walk home tonight.

I also realize some are called to full-time ministry for the homeless where they dedicate their lives to providing a long-term recovery plan, but all of us are called to some level of help. What's the answer for the rest of us?

Let's continue the discussion. Post a comment below now. You don't have to be a blogger or a google member to post. I want to hear your thoughts. What ideas have you tried/heard? How can we best represent Christ in this brief interaction?

A follow-up to this discussion can be found in the post Study: Responding to the Homeless

What is Faith?

2010-08-08T23:02:00.002-04:00

I heard the question the other day, What is faith?

Faith is believing in what is unseen; the confidence that while you're doing one thing something else is happening that you don't even know about.

While you're David in the field tending to the sheep, God is teaching you to use a sling and a stone. While you're fighting off wolves and other hungry pray, God is giving you the courage needed to fight a Philistine. While you're corralling a lost group of animals and leading them to still waters, God is teaching you to be a servant leader and preparing you to be the greatest king who ever lived.

That is faith.

What Do You Pray For?

2010-07-17T18:34:00.003-04:00

Have you ever noticed how often we pray for security, safety and comfort? I notice it most often when someone is making a transition or we pray for a friend's upcoming trip - a missions trip perhaps. We pray for safe travels, smooth logistics, for communication barriers to be broken down, etc.

Don't take this the wrong way. I understand why we do it. We don't like to see someone we care about struggle. We want them to be successful. Maybe we're even financially invested in the trip, or, more rarely, spiritually invested in the trip. But have you thought that maybe those prayers are counterproductive?

In the book of James we are instructed to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds. It says that those trials will develop perseverance and the work of perseverance will make our faith mature and complete, not lacking anything. Maybe those trips would be more productive if they were more difficult.

I'm not saying we should pray for disasters to strike our loved ones in times of vulnerability. I'm saying that maybe we should more often pray "your will be done" and "whatever my lot...it is well with my soul."

Maybe unsafe travels will help remove our doubt about the power of God. Maybe a delayed flight will further the Kingdom more than a punctual plane and a seamless connection. Maybe a language barrier will stretch the comfort zone and strengthen faith.

So I guess the point is to ask yourself, What are you praying for? Are you really praying to become closer to Him or are you praying for Him to be closer to you? For your faith to be complete or your life to be more comfortable? For Your will be done, or my will be done?

Thank God (literally) that the Holy Spirit intercedes in our prayers for us!

Pause

2010-06-12T11:18:00.003-04:00

As a writer, I am always challenged to find ways to communicate what's important to me, what inspires me, what touches me, what moves me. But lately, I've been struggling to find the words to convey the most meaningful times in my life. Maybe you've experienced it too. It's those times in life when you are at peace, your mind is clear and removed from this chaotic world; when you sense the Holy Spirit direct your thoughts. Those times when you just...pause.

How do you communicate that? It's something you can't understand if you haven't experienced it and can't explain if you have.

I'm not talking about the kind of pause you get with a period, the end of a thought, or like that of a comma when you take a breath. No, it's something longer than that.

It's not like the ellipse pause. That's too subtle, too short. Not like the hyphen pause. That's too abrupt. It's not like a page break pause where the reader keeps busy by turning the page and the writer gets to change subjects, and it's not a chapter pause, where the reader puts it down for a day while preoccupied with something else.

I'm talking about that dramatic pause - no - purposeful pause. Like one that comes up in a play or in a sermon. One that makes you stop and think and ask questions. One that makes you reflective and introspective. A pause that provides more meaning to the events and words that preceded it than the events and words themselves. A pause that will prepare you for what is to come better than everything you've done up until that point.

It can seem like a waste of time, yet be the most productive time of the day; so pointless, yet so purposeful. You can look like you're accomplishing nothing and actually be preparing to accomplish great things.

It was probably during that pause when Martin Luther King Jr. dreamed of a better world and Mother Theresa became a saint and Gandhi led a revolution.

It was during a pause when I became a Christian and when I was moved to tears by the overwhelming sense of the Holy Spirit. It's during that pause that Jesus' vision for the world becomes a bit clearer and the heavy burden of this world is lightened.

So, my question for you is how do you write your pause? Is it as unnoticeable as a comma or is it specifically written into the script? Is it as distracted as the chapter break or is it diligently practiced? Is it meaningful, purposeful, intentional? Is the Holy Spirit filling a heart and changing a life?

Remembering 4.26.06

2010-04-26T22:30:00.001-04:00

It’s one of those events that you’ll always remember exactly where you were when it happened. I was clinging to the Youth Conference cabinet as an adopted member of YCO6: Fall on Your Face. We were having a reflection meeting, praising God for all of the great work he had done in so many lives that weekend. But the meeting came to a premature end when someone rushed in with bad news. No one was totally sure what it was at first; just that it wasn’t good and it had some kind of effect on Taylor.

After a little more digging we realized it was probably more serious than we initially thought. The chaotic search for answers spilled into the streets and parking lots. I lost track of my new friends. They were obviously close to those assumed to be involved in the accident. I didn’t know who they were talking about. It was a surreal environment. Twenty-year-olds were scrambling for comfort; scrambling to comfort. Campus safety was tight-lipped with information, as they should be, but kids were desperate to know.

Panicked by the seriousness of the event I fell back on my default, gathering my basketball teammates in our familiar spot in the balcony of the chapel. No one could have expected what was coming. We just knew it was real and probably fatal. The chapel began to fill up for an emergency assembly, most of us bewildered at what was going to be announced. I sat in the balcony in an almost observing mode trying to remain disengaged to protect myself.

A stunned full house slowly became a house of prayer; prayers for the unknown. Those prayers preceded information, preceded answers, but they didn’t precede tears. Some already knew the mortal outcome. Others speculated the worst.

Then the unexpected happened. Prayers became worship. Just hours earlier I was sitting in a Youth Conference cabinet meeting praising God for the miraculous blessings he poured out on our weekend conference, but now we were singing “You give and take away” and “It is well with my soul” and “How great is our God.”

I broke.

Right there, surrounded by my team of ironmen, jocks, tough guys. I broke. I lost it.

I couldn’t comprehend it. How did it all fit together; such a great God in great times and the same great God in tragedy a moment later? How could that be?

That night in the chapel was long and drawn out. What could we possibly do? We prayed a lot. Prayers for those who might be involved, we didn’t have names yet; those who were responsible, we didn’t know the details; those who were left behind, they knew who they were.

We sang a lot. Songs of praise. Songs of gratitude? Thankfulness? Songs of hurt. Songs pleading for help.

Silence.

Broken up by wails of crying; someone just got the news.

It went on like this for the whole night. Information was sprinkled throughout the impromptu service but the majority of the time was dominated by scripture, psalms and testimonies. We stayed in the chapel until 2 a.m., some even longer. We cried ourselves to exhaustion, but didn’t leave. What were we going to do? What was next? Our entire world had been rocked. This isolated community in Upland, Indiana. How could such a thing touch us?

It was well after midnight before they released the names of the victims. I guess it served as the culmination of the events that night. It was news to many of us, but, to others, just affirmation of what was already expected.

The aftermath of the event was just as eerie. A characteristically lively campus was in shock. I think we all just needed to get to the finish line and somehow return to normalcy because it surely didn’t come to us in those final weeks of classes. Our typically low-profile campus became a hub for national media. Trucks, satellites and news cameras camped out on the loop for days. It just didn’t seem right. It’s not who we were.

Images of the van sliced in two by a semi that took the lives of five of our family members were plastered on news services across the country. They stung the eyes of viewers, but stung the hearts of us.

Five weeks after the accident the case of mistaken identity was revealed. One of the girls declared dead was actually recovering in a rehab center, being comforted by one of the victim’s family. Just when we thought our broken foundation was starting to repair, it shook again. This time we received global attention. It was as if God hadn’t received enough glory from the first event. Maybe there was still a story to tell; still people who hadn’t heard yet; still a message to share. A message of hope. A message of miracles. A message of resurrection.

Only time has been able to heal, but I’m not sure anyone can honestly say they have been made 100% whole. Some are further along than others. Some remember easier than others. But most of us have moved forward surviving on inspiration from those who were lost; living with purpose to honor a god they so faithfully served in such a short time, and not letting those witnesses escape us in vain. Their example and their impact on our lives both made a difference, not just on Earth as it is now, but in eternity and in the Kingdom of God.

In memory of the legacy of Monica Felver, Brad Larson, Betsy Smith, Laurel Erb and Laura Van Ryn.

Changing with Change

2010-04-22T18:14:00.002-04:00

I’ve never considered myself a trendy person. I’ve never desired the hottest new clothes or the star’s sneakers – just something comfortable and inexpensive; never needed a fancy car – just something with four wheels that gets me from point A to Z without breaking down in between; never looked forward to the latest gadget – I usually join the game at about the third edition; but I’m coming to realize it may be more important than I’ve made it to keep up with society’s evolutions. At the risk of sounding “old school”, “over the hill” or “like your grandpa” I’ll continue.

It would be easy to stand firm in the old ways, holding true to our “purist” past, but I’m suggesting that evolving with society may not be a bad thing. Despite how some feel, you may not be “selling out”. In fact, many of society’s innovations are moving this world forward.

Since this post is dubbing as my rationalization and announcement for intentionally becoming more engaged with social media, let me use Twitter and Facebook as examples.

Up until now I have been adamantly opposed to delving into Twitter for personal affairs (as a sports information director I must participate professionally), and only cautiously alerted others of my “status” on Facebook. It wasn’t until a few days ago that I realized I was isolating myself from an entire community and sacrificing a chance to maintain friendships that “would never last past college over time, distance and new experiences.”

The very reason I deemed those relationships impossible – an unwillingness to carve out 30 minutes a week for multiple “catch up” phone calls – has been trumped by Twitter. Now I can track the daily happenings of a vast number of acquaintances without missing my own daily happenings; and they can track mine. Sure, the big occurrences and the really close friendships will expect a phone call, but daily activities can now be shared in shouts across the dining commons, through high fives in passing and lying awake in bed – well beyond the college years. They’re now known as Tweets, Retweets and Direct Messages.

Aside from social networking, a purist proponent might argue that all of the newest technological inventions are making us lazy. But maybe they are just making us more efficient; freeing us up to spend more time solving problems, creating solutions and thinking forward (Yes, I understand not everyone spends the extra moments in that capacity. That’s their shortcoming.). Maybe those lazy-man inventions have actually been the direct result of our booming technological advances over the last two decades.

I’m not saying we should sacrifice foundational values to jump on the bandwagon of change. There’s no substitute for face-to-face conversation, personal touch, honest hard work and a sharp mind. I don’t plan to abandon core values and don’t expect anyone else to, but those core values should not limit us from moving forward.

With that in mind…follow me on Twitter at “b3burch” (formerly of AIM). I’d love to hear your thoughts and follow what’s going on with you.

Preparation is Key

2010-03-17T18:31:00.003-04:00

I'm constantly being reminded of the importance of preparation. In a recent Sports Illustrated article about the USA Olympic bobsled team, the writer was dwelling on the challenges of Curve 13 on the track. A team member's response was, "Getting through 13 clean is all about Curve 12. You have to take a low line through 12."

When I watch a good shooter in basketball miss a jump shot off the dribble, the cause for the miss is rarely a poor release or follow through. More times than not he fumbled his dribble getting into the shot or did not pick up his dribble cleanly, therefore disrupting his timing. Similar to a poor Curve 12.

Coach Patterson regularly tells our players that if they want to be great sophomores they need to be great freshmen. Similar to that preparation dribble into the jump shot.

The thread runs common through all three examples, and through hundreds of others that come up in our life. Preparation is the key. Think of the myriad of questions we ask that could be answered with sound preparation.

Q: What will I do next year?
A: Do this year well and you'll be prepared for any direction God takes you.

Q: How will I ever pass the comprehensive exam at the end of this semester?
A: Learn chapter one the first week. Become an expert on chapter one and two during the second unit...

Q: How will I respond when I receive criticism from my followers about the decision I make?
A: Make each decision with integrity and careful and thoughtful consideration. Then you shouldn't have to defend yourself in the face of opinionated backlash.

Q: Will I make it to Heaven? What will it be like when I get there?
A: Live this life with a heavenly perspective and in a way that bespeaks "Your Kingdom come, your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven."

A Child's Wisdom

2010-03-11T10:33:00.003-05:00

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greates in the kingdom of heaven."

--Matthew 18:2-4 --

Terrell boy wins essay contest to trigger Texas Stadium implosion
By BRANDON FORMBY / The Dallas Morning News

A former foster child, Casey Rogers has a soft spot for the people who fall through society's cracks. Dallas' homeless recognize him as the warm-hearted kid who often shows up in a downtown parking lot offering food and clothes.

But pretty soon, the whole world will know the freckle-faced 11-year-old as the kid who brings down a big national sports landmark.

Casey is the winner of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese essay contest for kids who have made a difference in their communities. His prize: triggering the April 11 implosion that demolishes Texas Stadium.

"Oh man, I'm just excited," the Terrell sixth-grader said. "Real excited."

Eileen Sharkey Rosenfeld, a brand manager for Kraft, said she was awed with the the scores of kids who participated in the contest.

"We received a lot of entries that were very impressive," she said. "Casey's really stood out because of the great difference he's made in his community."

That difference started more than three years ago when Casey and his dad, Russell Rogers, were at a Burger King in downtown Dallas. A homeless man approached Russell Rogers, who shooed him away. Casey asked why, and his dad told him the man wanted money but probably wouldn't spend it on the right things.

That struck a chord with Casey, who was a foster child when he first went to live with Russell and Shelly Rogers a few weeks after he was born. The couple adopted him when he was 1.

"I was just like, look how great y'all helped me," Casey said. "Why don't I help them?"
He founded the charity Casey's Heart and has been helping downtown's homeless ever since. The charity is a ministry of Trinity Life Baptist Church of Garland, where Russell Rogers is senior pastor.

Churchgoers, neighbors and even Casey's Boy Scout troop have helped collect, organize and distribute for Casey's Heart. Casey always shows up to the same parking lot in downtown. Sometimes he visits once a month, sometimes twice. It all depends on how many donations he's received.

"Two packets of crackers and two apples, that's not enough," he said.

It was during one of his collection runs that a Casey's Heart donor told the boy about Kraft's contest. Casey said he figured he might as well give it a shot.

"I was kind of nervous because my dad told me 1,000 kids would be entering," Casey said.
He and his family were sworn to secrecy about his big win. Casey said school was usually enough of a distraction to keep his mind off of the upcoming spectacle he'll headline. But when he saw a classmate eating macaroni and cheese, he started to get excited. Just not enough to let anything slip.

Longtime Dallas Cowboys fans who worried that a young Redskins or Giants follower was going to be named winner of the national contest can breathe a sigh of relief. Not only is Casey a faithful follower of the boys in blue and silver, he once played football in the hallowed home he's about to help tear down.

He remembers standing beneath the hole in the stadium's roof when he was a 6-year-old member of the Rowlett Eagles flag football team.

"I was like, I'm standing where Roger Staubach was," he said.

Still, Casey saves his fondest remarks for the people he's met since his charity took off. That includes the woman who donated all her husband's clothes soon after she was widowed.

"She just likes us, and we like her," he said.

Or Fred, one of his homeless friends.

"He's back on his feet now," Casey said. "He's living with his family."

Maura Gast, executive director of the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau, is helping organize the events surrounding the implosion. She said it's hard to fathom that an elementary-aged kid dreamed up a way to help the homeless – and then followed through for years.

"Maybe by the time you're the age we are you're too jaded to think you can do anything to fix it and when you're young you don't have any reason to think you can't," said Gast.

Casey's mom said that in many respects, her son is like most boys his age. He likes hunting and fishing. He has no desire to ever live in the city. He wants his first car to be a rusty old pickup.
But she also admits that she's amazed at what Casey has already accomplished.

"It's every mom's dream," she said.

Casey's Heart and its broader mission are part of the boy's plans for the future, which also include joining the military. After he gets married, of course.

Casey said: "I'm going to have the church keep it going while I'm in Iraq."

Communication

2010-03-10T09:22:00.006-05:00

For the past few weeks I've been involved in multiple group discussions via e-mail chains. I'm typically an opponent to electronic communication (ironic as I write this blog) because of its degredation of our personal communication skills. I think it is crippling our ability to articulate clearly both orally and through written word.

However, the other night I was reflecting on why I was enjoying this particular e-communication so much and the snowball began to roll...The strengths of the conversations have been exactly what is lacking in our more personal interactions. Throughout these e-mails each person takes the time to say what he really means and write in a way others can understand, thoughtfully writing to avoid the foot-in-mouth syndrome. And each receiver can process what is being sent, rewinding when emotion or recollection distracts him from the original message. The time it takes to reply acts as a buffer to diffuse emotional responses keeping the dialogue intellectual and purposeful.

All of this analysis reminded me of my favorite video linked in the "check this out" section on the left side of this blog. Slam poetry artist Taylor Mali challenges my generation to speak with conviction. I have embedded the video below to provide easier access to it.

The second video has little to do with this subject of communication but is also by Mali and a great message nonetheless. I hope you enjoy and are challenged by these as I am.

Criticizing

2010-02-27T18:19:00.004-05:00

I think we should be careful not to be too critical of others. Jesus provided insight into human nature in the first two verses of Matthew 7 when we said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

It seems if we examine ourselves as closely as we examine others we'll notice we are guilty of the same or similar idiosyncrasies or qualities that we criticize.

Continuing in chapter 7, Jesus offers a suitable alternative: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

There is only one person you can control and change; yourself. We'll probably be amazed at how much others improve when we alter our perspective.

Francis Chan

2010-02-24T21:41:00.005-05:00

I was rereading my post Dreamers the other day - it's one of my favorite posts on this blog - and just today I saw a friend post a video of Francis Chan, author of Crazy Love, on his Facebook page. While watching the video I was reminded of the link to Francis Chan in the left column of this blog. I've posted both of those videos below and the link to Dreamers because I think all three messages are tied together. I hope you are challenged by them.

Active and Patient

2010-02-07T15:39:00.004-05:00

I'm currently an assistant basketball coach at Taylor University. This season we are starting four freshmen and a sophomore. In fact, underclassmen make up over 75% of our playing time and nearly 80% of our scoring. If you look at our record you would determine we are struggling, but if you watched us play you would probably agree with our assessment of potentially being really good in a couple of years. We hang our hope on that fact.

But, it would be a mistake to think a couple of years older will make our players superstars. First, we have games to play now and need to win some of those. Second, we need to be learning lessons from this season, for experience is solely the accumulation and application of lessons learned.

Recently I have received messages that make me feel God is targeting me specifically for something to come. They arise through seemingly coincidental circumstances. I have been wrestling with the eagerness to begin a new journey and the need to be patient with His timing and trust His promises, but a friend reminded me that it would be a mistake to be idle in wating.

I believe God orchestrates our circumstances in life to prepare us for what is to come, but if we don't participate now we will miss all of the preparation and won't be ready for tomorrow. So, how? What do we do to get ready? The answer is anything! Something!

Recognizing my declining fitness level the other day, I made the decision to get back into shape. My obsessively organized personality emerged and I spent an entire evening planning a 3-month, 3-stage, 7-day-a-week workout routine to return to peak physical condition. On day one of the program I felt overwhelmed by the committemt required to complete the plan. My lifestyle would not allow me to meet all of the demands.

On day two I scrapped the program and committed to just being active everyday. It could be completely flexible with my energy level, time restraints and motivation. Just do something! Anything!

Do you see it? The answer is simple. We don't need a complex plan to prepare for God's next step. The beauty of it all is His script is perfect. We just have to participate. Find a need and fill it. See an opportunity and seize it. Recognize a weakness and improve it. Enter a relationship and develop it. He will draw attention to the need. He will provide the opportunity. He will reveal the weakness. He will cultivate the relationship.

Just do something! Anything!

A Call to Action

2010-01-14T22:17:00.004-05:00

As I was driving home the other night three deer shot out across the road in front of me. I was glad I stopped, because a fourth was waiting behind the bushes to follow suit. As I paused to enjoy the beauty of creation, my mind naturally scrambled for a lesson or analogy to apply to the situation. This is where I landed:

Had I hit one of those deer I probably would not have raced out of the car to cuddle it and make sure it was okay. Even though I was just marveling at its beauty as it darted across the road, a face-to-face encounter would leave me terrified of its power, fear and unpredictability. Think of the scene in Tommy Boy when Chris Farley and David Spade pack the seemingly lifeless buck into the backs seat of their car just to have it spring to life and rip the car to shreds in a rampage. I've learned from other's mistakes.

Maybe this one is more relevant for you: You've been to the zoo. You've watched the lions and bears during daily activities. The lions are so cute sun bathing in the grass and yawning as they wake from a nap. The bears seem so cuddly picking food from a tree and enjoying an afternoon snack. However, if you were standing on the other side of the fence I don't think the lions and bears would feel so friendly anymore. The feeling is probably comparable to my thoughts on the deer.

I think we all can agree that these scenarios are reasonable responses on our part, but I'll suggest that this attitude seeps into our spiritual lives and we're called to more.

In his book The Blue Parakeet, Scot McKnight addresses the questions of how to read the Bible and how to live the Bible. With all respect to McKnight (because I am challenged by his thoughts), the answer to how we live the Bible is fairly simple: do something! There's no secret behind this. Read the Bible with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and when you are moved, respond.

I'm afraid too many Christians read their Bible consistently but then shelve it when they have met the daily requirement. Steve DeNeff, author of More Than Forgiveness, suggests that most of us are content admiring holiness than actually living it ourselves.

I'm suggesting that it's easier to sit in the car or observe from beyond the fence - to read the Bible and shelve it - because when you leave it open and it comes alive through you its power, expectations and unpredictability can be terrifying.

I'm suggesting, unlike the reasonable expectations to follow the zoo keeper's warnings, we should not stand behind the fence and merely observe God's word.

"Good Enough" Rarely Is

2010-01-10T19:50:00.003-05:00

In his typical efforts to emphasize the need to do your best every chance you get, Coach Patterson posed an interesting question to our guys during a meeting. He asked, “If you’re a heart surgeon and you have to do 100 heart surgeries, what’s an acceptable success rate?”

My answer as a patient would be, “as long as you get mine right,” but so would the answer of 99 other people. So what is acceptable? Are you okay with 90%? That’s an A. Are you okay with 99%? What about that one person who was your day off?

This is an extreme example, but the point is clear. If you are capable of getting it right, of doing a job well done, you should give your best effort to do that every single time.

Okay, so you’re not a heart surgeon. Maybe you’re a plumber repairing bathrooms. Maybe you’re an accountant filling tax reports. Maybe you’re a lawyer working cases. Maybe you’re an administrator making decisions. Each one of those has individual elements that can be completed with your very best quality – and should be.

It could be a bit daunting to tell a surgeon he has 100 heart surgeries scheduled for the next four months. The pressure on each one may be so great that it leads him to give up on the first one deeming it impossible. Similar to keeping your new year’s resolution or breaking a long-standing habit (probably minus the immediate life and death factor), it’s overwhelming to think about exercising every day for three straight months, or not eating sweets for an entire year!

But you can do it today. And when you make it through today it will be the same story tomorrow morning; you can do it today. It’s the old cliché of “one day at a time.” You can’t do all 100 surgeries today. You can’t drop 30 pounds in a day. You can’t break that habit in one instance.
But you can do this one. And you can do it to your very best ability. And you should.

Next time you finish a project and say, “That’s good enough,” check yourself. Is it really? Have you done better before?

Next time you’re ready to quit because “there’s just no way I can keep this up for a whole month,” check yourself. Can you do it today?

Reflections on a Decade

2009-12-28T09:22:00.002-05:00

I really don't know what to think about the turn of a new decade. On one hand I feel like the 2000s are still a new concept, yet on the other hand the '90s seem like eons ago.

It was the decade when I wore sweatpants to school every day because I despised jeans, when I turned double digits, when I tried to lead a class movement where everyone would wear non-logo clothing on the same day to appease the teacher (some call me a suck up, I say an early leader), when I traveled to Denmark and spent Christmas in Australia, when I attended my first Final Four, when Maggie died and Sydney was just a pup, when I rode my bike to school every day even in the snow, when I woke up early for drum line practice and then walked across the street to Dad's practice in the middle of the afternoon after a Hershey's bar and Coke in Mom's office, and when we all made time capsules for the new millennium and wondered if Y2K would end society as we knew it.

Has it really only been 10 years? I feel like I need to preface each of those stories with, "When I was a boy..." The kids I'm coaching and recruiting now were born in the '90s. I feel like '90s nights should soon replace '80s theme parties.

Has so much really happened in 10 years? I feel like the current season in my life (in Indiana) has lasted 10 years, but it was this decade when I suited up for my first high school basketball game and was proud to walk the halls in a purple and gold jump suit. It was this decade when I got my driver's license, my first car and my first parking space at school. It was this decade when I graduated high school and was offered the chance to play college basketball. It was this decade when I moved away from home to Indiana. It was this decade when I mocked the college students who came to our high school to share Jesus with us kids. The same decade I genuinely committed my heart to Christ. It was this decade when I graduated college and completed my master's degree. In fact, the entirety of my secondary, higher and post-graduate education was completed in this decade.

All of that really happened in this decade? Wow, what a decade! I wonder what the next will hold...

Man in the Glass

2009-12-06T12:00:00.010-05:00

The Man In The Glass
Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest
For he’s with you, clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

Think back to the last time you looked in the mirror. Why did you do it? What did you look at? What were your thoughts?

Did you match? Was your tie straight? Was your shirt tucked in all the way around? Was your collar down and your socks the same color? Did you forget your belt? Did that outfit make you look fat or did it highlight your figure? Was your hair styled appropriately? Were your teeth clean? Did you have lipstick on them or food in between them? Was your makeup just how you wanted it? Is that pimple going away or just getting bigger? Is there any way to cover up that acne? Maybe it doesn't look too bad...oh, who am I kidding, I'm disgusting. Is that a chest hair?

I'll be completely honest, I don't look in the mirror very often because frankly, physical appearance is not high on my priority list, but when I do it usually pertains to a subject along these lines.

After reading this poem I asked myself, "When is the last time you looked into your own eyes?" Sometimes we get so caught up in our appearance and if we will be accepted by the ones we are about to encounter that we diminsh the opinion of the one who really matters, the one we have to live with every day and attempt to sleep easy with every night.

When is the last time you looked into your own eyes and judged your own integrity? Is the person you are looking at the same person that will engage with the world in a few hours? Jesus told us that the eye is the lamp of the body. It will reveal who you really are.

Next time you're standing in front of a mirror look into your eyes. What color are they? How often do you blink? How big are your pupils?

Can you do it? Can you look at yourself - your eyes, into your own heart - in the mirror?

Freedom in Discipline

2009-10-18T12:14:00.000-04:00

Ever since I started receiving a predictable income I created a budget to live by. Prior to this year my budget was simple: don’t spend money. Now, every two weeks I allocate a specific amount of money to different accounts such as savings, tithing and spending. What I have found is that there is great freedom in the discipline of budgeting. Before, I shunned offers by friends to enjoy entertainment in fear that I might spend too much, or was frugal in my giving. But now, I no longer recount my money before going out to eat because I have allowed myself a certain amount to spend, all of my bills are covered and I tithe joyfully.

In basketball some of the best coaches have said this very thing when teaching offense; there is great freedom in discipline. Players learn specific spots on the court and realize the multitude of options that arise out of the predictability. Or they understand their abilities and exceed expectations by not overstepping their limitations.

I think it’s true in our faith as well. Outsiders may think Christianity has too many rules or is too conservative. Those are points of two theological questions in themselves, but simply put, there is great freedom in living by God’s commandments.

Think how it would be to drive down a roadway that did not specify which side you should drive on. How difficult would it be to navigate traffic? Or a supermarket that did not expect you to wait in line. How inefficient would checkout be? Or a book that wasn’t organized from left to right and top to bottom. How could you comprehend the story?

We could come up with a thousand examples present in society, business and culture. The point is, the next time you feel overwhelmed by the expectations of your faith or bogged down by legalism do not consider the commandments of God as restrictions. Understand that there is great freedom in discipline and you will experience far more joy in it than by attempting to live without it.

Come, Follow Me

2009-10-06T20:42:00.002-04:00

The evangelical community stresses, obviously, evangelism and witnessing to non-Christian peers and sharing the Gospel. To support the viewpoint, the Great Commission is often quoted. You know, “Go and make disciples…”

We like to do this - to take isolated scriptures and make them say what we want them to say or declare some convenient truth or responsibility. It’s important that we read scripture in context. Jesus was making this charge to his disciples who had been following him for several years.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t share the Gospel with others, but I am proposing another starting point. Rather than jumping straight to, “Go and make disciples,” I’m suggesting we begin with “Come, follow me.”

If you study the background of the country’s greatest evangelists you’ll probably notice a significant gap between their conversion experience and the beginning of their public ministry. There was a period of growth in the faith; time to establish a foundation.

Too often we hold up new believers in front of an audience to tell of their new found faith, just to see them fall shortly there after. The new believer is not a hypocrite. He/she simply lacks the foundation, the transformation of one more mature in the faith.

I would like to challenge us all to take a step back and honestly reexamine our standing. It’s likely that we have put too much stock into making disciples of others and it’s possible we need to be more concerned with becoming a disciple first.

After all, even Jesus spent 30 years before beginning his ministry.

The Law of the Siren

2009-08-29T19:57:00.004-04:00

I was lying in bed the other night watching the clock tick by. 9:57...9:58...9:59... Each minute closer to 10:00 I felt my hear rate increase in anticipation of the town curfew siren that sounds just two doors down. The moment I consciously acknowledged my rising adrenaline level I realized that the siren is probably not feeling this same sensation. It sounds ridiculous, but seriously.

Each second closer to 10:00 the siren does not get excited. The hour ticks over and the siren performs its duty. No anticipation, anxiousness, preparation or forethought.

I've been thinking a lot about the future lately and what our responsibility to that is. The promises of the Bible assure us that the Lord is in control of the future and that it's not guaranteed. The Lord works everything for His own ends and we are simply called to commit everything to Him. In response to those thoughts I have tried to discount the practice of long-term goals and preparing for long-term future events. I have preferred to just live in the present and be faithful today. A sound practice, but not the complete picture.

The ability to think into the future is a gift from God. Think about it. It's completely unique to human beings. None of God's other creations has the capacity to think long term like we do. Sure, a squirrel may store away food in anticipation of winter, but that's simply a survival technique resulting from its wirings. A dog may be excited about you filling up the water bowl after a walk, but it is not already thinking of tomorrow's walk. When you destroy an ant hill the ant does not pause and wonder about the long-term effects of its loss. It immediately begins rebuilding (a different lesson in itself).

Our God is a wholly present God who is actively working among us right now. But all of His work is in preparation for something to come. He does everything with the future in mind until we are called home to the final goal of glory. And remember in Genesis? We were created in the image, in the likeness of God. So, yes, the future is not guaranteed and God is in control of the future, but that does not mean we shouldn't think of it and act with it in mind.

I suppose that brings us back to the law of the pendulum. Balance is the key to life. As we swing from one extreme to the other we'll find the answer lies somewhere in between.

Guided by Integrity

2009-08-13T17:09:00.012-04:00

I've been pondering the mystery of long-term goals a lot lately. It's one of many topics which society and the Bible conflict. I look around and all of the most successful and driven people have long-term goals. People are consistently asking, "What are you going to do with your life?" and "What do you want to be when you grow up?" All of the questions and examples and advice lead us toward charting our course but seem to contradict with scripture.

I'm reading in Jeremiah that the Lord "knows the plans I have for you..." (29:11) and in Proverbs to "trust in the Lord with all your heart" (3:5-6). King Solomon claims that "...it is the Lord's purpose that prevails," (Proverbs 19:21) and "the Lord determines [our] steps" (Proverbs 16:9) and He "...works out everything for His own ends..." (Proverbs 16:4). I hear Jesus command us not to worry about tomorrow for today has enough troubles of its own (Matthew 6:34). So where does this idea of long-term goals fit in? How do we plan for a future we have no control over - something that's not even guaranteed? I found an answer in Philippians and then through a series of devotional revelations.

Paul claimed in Philippians 3:14, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." It is contradictory if we get lost in career goals. They have a place but our first focus should be on God's goal: to become a disciple of Christ Jesus. How do we do that? The answer is found in John 8:31-32: "If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

My friend was recently asked what he was doing these days. He responded, "Just trying to figure out what to do with my life." The casual answer elicited a profound response: "Instead of figuring out what to do with your life, figure out how you want to live your life and live it where you're at."

After telling a man what I was doing for a job he asked if that was what I wanted to get into as a career. I responded, "For now, but it's pretty hard to predict the future." He insisted on the need for some idea to provide direction in life. I wasn't convinced and later came across Proverbs 11:3: "The integrity of the upright guides them..."

I don't know about you, but that brings so much peace to my heart. That's the idea that will provide direction - our integrity. We don't have to worry about tomorrow, about what we will eat, about where we will live, about what we will do for money. We can be first and foremost concerned with who we are, today, and that will guide us in our future.

Praise the Almighty Creator and Sustainer!

Observations of The Body

2009-05-29T21:43:00.006-04:00

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Each part has a unique purpose.
No part can take the place of or be another part. Even your left hand, though similar to your right, cannot be a right hand.
All parts are equally important for the body to act in its full potential. Yes, damage to an eye may have a more drastic effect than damage to a little finger, but both are hindrances and both keep the body from full potential.
The rest of the body compensates for a lame part. The right leg bears the weight of an injured left knee. The blind person's senses of smell and hearing are heightened.
Each part is cared for equally. (Don't believe me? Then explain pedicures to me. Or toilet paper.)
The body has a central nervous system that is in control. It knows every part of the body and its purpose. It knows the strengths and weaknesses of each part and calls on the right part to complete each task. It makes beneficial adjustments without us even knowing it. It knows the needs of each part. It prepares the rest of the body for the future.
Some of the most vital parts of the body are unseen.
When the body makes a decision all parts comply and are affected by the decision. One part doesn't abandon ship.
If one part is injured and another part becomes injured the first part doesn't hurt as bad any more (sympathy).
A strong foundation is very important. (Just ask an elite athlete or an accident victim learning to walk again about the importance of leg strength.)

I'll pose these questions and let you make the appropriate applications of the analogy:

What bodies are you a part of professionally, relationally/socially, spiritually? What is your part in those bodies? What is your relationship like with the central nervous system? Are you obedient? Do you support and submit to it? Are you the central nervous system? If so, what's your relationship like with the parts?

Please add your observations of The Body as a comment to this post.

Trifles of Life

2009-05-26T09:11:00.010-04:00

A friend asked me the other day what made me the most happy. My immediate reaction was to list everything that I like and enjoy doing and then choose my favorite from the list. But as I sifted through the list none of the items stuck out above the rest. Instead, each brought a different positive feeling to the surface. One energized while another aroused adrenaline. One put me at peace while another was fun. One made me feel important while another made me feel accomplished.

Stumped by my friend's question I began to think happy was too vague and too shallow of a descriptor. A lot of things can be described as happy, but it doesn't seem to be enough to capture the full sense of the emotion. I was relieved to know I had successfully eluded his question, so I went for a bike ride. That's when it hit me.

The things that make me the most happy are the trifles of life. The little things that don't seem to matter and that are too small to count. The things that don't make sense but just are. The things that are uninhibited and uninfluenced. The things that seem out of place or that aren't meant to be funny but you can't help it to smile.

The trifles of life. It's the contagious smile to or from a stranger. It's the unconditional love from a dog. It's the uninhibited excitement expressed by a child. It's running into an old friend. It's an unexpected visitor. It's a squirrel digging for a nut or watching a bird build a nest. It's the rain patter on a roof. It's the smell of something new or the taste of your favorite meal. It's a cold shower or a swimming pool on a hot day. It's loud music while cruising down the highway and it's the peaceful silence in nature. It's coasting down a huge hill on your bike, the wind offering a feeling of freedom and escape and flying.

The things that make me the most happy are things no man could have created.

Trifles make the sum of life.

--Dickens

Thanks to Kyle Lantz for posing the question and my uncle Charlie Cromwell for giving me the answer over a year and a half ago.

Respect the Process, Appreciate the Struggle

2009-05-01T11:56:00.004-04:00

About this time last year I posted an entry titled Dreamers. At the time I was a college senior on the brink of graduation sitting around a campfire with peers discussing visions for the future. As I reread that post today I can’t help but wonder if I’m falling into that trap of conforming to society’s standards. With a year of exposure to the “real world” I am now more aware of the challenges faced when pursuing dreams. A year ago I was a college senior arrogant enough to believe I could overcome pressures that stalled so many before me. Now I’m aware enough to recognize the obstacles in living counterculturally and wise enough to know there is more to face.

One of the great lessons from this year is that no dream will be realized overnight. I am not changing the world within a year after graduation. First, it won’t happen on my time anyway. God has a perfect plan with perfect timing. Anything of significance will be the work of God’s Kingdom and will require assistance from God. Second, anything of significance is a process. Goeff Colvin suggests the law of 10 years in his book Talent is Overrated which says any elite performer in his/her respective field (music, athletics, art, business, etc.) requires at least 10 years of focused, purposeful, deliberate practice to be considered ‘elite.’ Jonas Salk spent eight years researching and testing different vaccines before developing a cure for polio. John Wooden was a head coach for 28 years (11 high school, two at Indiana State and 15 at UCLA) before winning his first championship (he went on to win 10).

Besides, the joy is in the process anyway. Think about it. We spend so much of our time aspiring to make it to “the top,” but if you look at the majority of CEOs or presidents you’ll find very few that are under 30 years old. In fact, I would guess most of them are over 40. We are bent towards ‘arriving’ as quickly as possible; to have the corner office, be called boss and be in charge. But realistically we will probably spend more time preparing and climbing than actually sitting on top. So, we might as well find joy in the process.

Paul says in Philippians 3, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Our entire life is a process, a journey. A spiritual journey. A professional journey. A relational journey. A personal journey. It’s unrealistic to have a goal to change the world. But we can be better today than yesterday, and we can make the world adjacent to us a better place.

What we do on some great occasion will probably depend on what we already are; and what we are will be the rsult of previous years of self-discipline.

--H.P. Liddon

"Ordinary Radical"

2009-04-28T20:06:00.007-04:00

I had the opportunity to hear Shane Claiborne speak last night. Claiborne is the author of two books, The Irresistible Revolution and Jesus for President, but is probably best known for his work in social justice.

The evening had three parts to it: 1) Claiborne's address to a large audience at which I took a page full of notes including one liners, new analogies and challenging questions; 2) An hour to reflect on his message where I muddled his thoughts with my preconceived ideas; 3) A question and answer session (which was actually just an answer session because the questions were predetermined) where I took away the overriding message of the night, that Shane Claiborne is an ordinary radical.

His self-proclaimed descriptor has two parts:

Ordinary Radical. Shane is just another dude. He has a goofy sense of humor. He expressed a disinterest in waking up at 5 a.m. I'm sure there are people who rub him the wrong way and there's probably some food he doesn't like. He joked about Mother Theresa and the amish (not degrading though) and the trifles of life.

The community he has established isn't so magical either. Similar to other programs it has structure and organization. It has marketing and brings in money. He has sessions and classes and services. He has a bank account and a budget and rules.

Ordinary Radical. The only thing that makes Claiborne radical is that what he's doing is countercultural. The structure of his community is not about hierarchy and power, but about true community. The money earned is distributed towards needs rather than business growth. What he does goes against what's considered normal. In fact, if you asked him he'd tell you that what he's doing only makes sense. Claiborne should probably be considered un-ordinary because he's actually acting upon the frustrations he has with the church, something the majority of us just complain about or use as an excuse to disassociate from it. He's taking the spark God set in his heart and igniting it into a fire.

Most of us have visions to change the world, but become overwhelmed by the enormity of the task and instead, conform to the world. What Claiborne is doing doesn't happen overnight, but it starts right now, right where we are. It begins by picking up trash in the parking lot on our way inside rather than watching it blow by or helping the old lady with her groceries or giving some spare change to a homeless person. As we dig deeper into the Word and become closer to God's heart our commitment grows. Now we are inviting the homeless to dinner with us. We are cutting the mower-less neighbor's yard as an extension of our own. As our relationship with God grows stronger still we become creative and more invested in rejecting what the world calls normal and accepting what God calls right. It will all seem radical to everyone else, but we'll think it's just ordinary.

Jesus Isn't Santa Claus

2009-03-08T13:50:00.006-04:00

Our society seems to live in this pattern of a pendulum. We swing to one side and then recognize the weaknesses of the situation and swing to the extreme on the other side. Unfortunately, things are rarely black and white. I'm believing more and more in the quality of balance.

My parents' generation and older seem to live an "Old Testament faith," if you will, where the fear of God and reverence for God rule their spiritual lives. My generation has swung to the opposite extreme where the focus is on the personal love, kindness, caring and compassion of our best friend Jesus. To be honest, we've gotten a little out of hand. Maybe even a little too comfortable with the creator of the universe. News flash: Jesus is not your home boy!

My biggest frustration with this side of the pendulum is that we have turned Christianity into a lifestyle/religion of soft people. Take note of this thought: Jesus, the face of our religion, the one we follow, the person we want to become more like, was a tough S.O.B. (for lack of a better term)
You see, we have the tendency to make Him out to be Jolly Ole St. Nick with rosy cheeks, a twinkle in his eye and a frost-nipped nose. We see Him as our genie in a bottle who will come down the chimney and deliver everything we wished for. But that's not Him at all.

Our savior lived in the world amidst evil and temptation. He dined with, spent the night with, and befriended the people who were most looked down upon. He was insulted and mocked. He was physically beaten and spit on. He was falsely accused of things by the hypocrites He preached to. He was betrayed and denied by friends.

He was as shrewd as snakes, escaping town when the community was plotting to kill Him. He was good to the evil ones and harder on the "good" ones. He rebuked those who were in the wrong and didn't hold a grudge, but forgave when they repented.

You see, our savior, the one we say we want to emulate, to become more like, wasn't a passive, "excuse me", everything-will-be-okay guy. He was tough, strong and a fighter. He spent every day at His very best, calling others to the same - everyday, His best. Good enough never was. He was firm in His values - everyday. He wasn't full of magic pixy dust hoping everyone would just get along. There was an intent, a purpose, a direction for His life and He was set on taking others with Him.

We're Not Busy, We're Called

2009-03-01T12:55:00.005-05:00

I've been every eager lately to tell everyone how busy I am all of the time. I want to share how I spend 12 hours a day in the office and plenty of time on the weekends and at least three nights a week on the road. Neglecting to take into account the efficiency of my work, I subliminally make it a goal to prove I am busier than the person I'm talking with. What I've come to realize is that everyone else is doing the same thing. Everyone is busy.

Now, this seems like a perfect opportunity to launch into a convicting message about not cluttering our lives with busyness and taking more personal time to spend with our family and with God. That all sounds good on Sunday morning but is difficult to apply Monday through Friday when you're trying to survive in the business world during a recession, or when you're trying to meet a construction deadline, or when there are hospital visits to make, or patients who need care.

No, my point is not to pull you from so many hours of work or discourage you from pouring yourself into your job. My point is to encourage you to remember why you are doing what you are doing. Yes, I agree with the importance of structuring a day in which you spend quality time with family, in the Word with God and alone, but I also believe our "busyness" should not be something we agonize over.

Pastor Steve DeNeff of College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Ind. referred to a survey by Heather Arendt when addressing this issue. Arendt identified three kinds of toil: the rituals, the labor, and the calling (DeNeff's terminology, Arendt's concept). The rituals are the daily actions necessary to keep us going like eating, cleaning, taking care of ourselves, etc. The labor refers to a person's career. DeNeff describes it as "things that transcend rituals, [and] seek to perpetuate or preserve goodness, truth and form/beauty." He says people not only do things because they are good at them "but because they are trying to push back the encroaching darkness, to stall entropy, [and] to make life better for others." The third level is the calling. It's our pursuit of excellence through daily, sometimes mundane, details in order to make an imprint on the future and leave a legacy. Arendt observed that over the last 400 years the top two levels, the calling and the labor, have gradually melted down into daily rituals and have drained the dignity, meaning and hope out of our labor and our calling.

The point is do not allow your busyness to turn into agony and stress. They aren't just "to-do lists." They represent your chance to impact this world. Our jobs, our work should not be a drag. It is our chance to positively effect His Kingdom, to push back the encroaching darkness. It is our calling.

The Power of Competition

2009-02-06T08:51:00.002-05:00

Competition can be a mysterious thing that the average person doesn’t even recognize is happening. But the true competitors always sense it, in fact, they seek it. And they seek it because they understand its benefit. They understand that true competition is the only way your best stuff is revealed. The average person sees competition only when it’s on stage and under the lights; only when there’s 10 seconds left and you’re down one score, or when the starter says, “Take your mark.” But for the competitor, competition happens every day. It happens alone, in training, when you’re just trying to beat yesterday’s score. Or it happens in a practice session. Two guys trying to complete the same task. They don’t ask about each other’s progress, but they know. They aren’t talking trash or even speaking. When one wins, he’s not rubbing it in the other’s face. In fact, he won’t even mention it, to anyone, because it’s not about beating the other guy. It’s more about digging deeper inside yourself and bringing your best stuff. The other guy just acts as a standard, a measuring stick, the carrot in front of the ox. The satisfaction is that you gave more than you thought you had and the competition brought out the best in you today. Competition isn’t an evil thing. It’s not where people get angry or rude. It’s not the root of hatred. Competition is the driving force, the inspiration, the truth teller. The achievers seek it out, understand its power and thrive in it; the mediocre avoid it, dismiss it, or crumble under its pressure; the fans don’t even know it’s happening.

Strength in Humility

2009-01-28T18:48:00.004-05:00

Since when did it become such a weakness to admit you weren't the best at something or that you may not be good at something? Our society, or maybe it's just human nature, has created a culture where saying, "I'm not very good at that," means you are inferior or a bad person. We have built up incredible barriers towards humility. Or maybe we have just created a misunderstanding of humility.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less. It's putting the needs of others ahead of your own. It's admitting that someone else may be better suited for the task when that is the truth. It's accepting the truth.

Unfortunately, we will continue to deny the truth while chasing after some status or perception that is not real. And the longer we fight the truth, the worse we become at whatever it is we are doing. Humility is simply admitting you have limitations and recognizing what they are.

Knowing your limitations could become your greatest strength. Because when you recognize your weaknesses you can find ways to work around them, or surround yourself with people who hold those traits as strengths. When you recognize your weaknesses you can begin to work on them, not necessarily to turn them into strengths, but simply to improve on them in order to minimize their negative impact.

When you recognize your limitations you can actually exceed your potential. You see, when the public assesses your potential they set the bar where your weaknesses will limit you. But, when you recognize your weaknesses you can play to your strengths and that bar becomes insignificant.

Somewhere along the line we have convinced ourselves that having weaknesses makes us a bad person or invaluable. Just because I can't sing doesn't mean I am a bad person. If I can't sing and I try to be a member of the choir and jockey for a solo, then I am a bad member of the choir. But if I know I can't sing and am a member of the choir but offer to play the piano, which I am good at, then I am still a valuable member of the choir. Someone has to play the piano and it needs to be played well.

A basketball player who can't shoot isn't a bad teammate, but a basketball player who shoots shots he can't make is. The basketball player who recognizes he is not the best shooter but knows who the best shooter on the team is and gets that person open with a screen or delivers a perfect pass is now a very valuable member of the team. Someone has to pass the ball and someone has to help him get open and those things need to be done well.

Knowing your limitations, accepting the truth... Humility can be your greatest strength. It seems like a paradox, but maybe that's because our understanding of humility is wrong.

Wisdom Beyond His Years

2009-01-22T11:01:00.003-05:00

New Year or New Hope

2009-01-03T21:34:00.004-05:00

I always find it interesting to see the emotional response people have to a new year. People all over the world stay up all night just to see the clock tick over; one year comes to a close and a new one begins. The end of the year is so nostalgic and the beginning so hopeful. We like to talk about the obstacles we overcame in the previous year and think somehow a new calendar year will offer more promise. "This will be my year." "I'm due for some good luck." We think somehow a flip of the calendar will change the negative course of our lives.

Okay, so maybe we aren't that naive. A different date isn't changing all of that. Instead, we make new year's resolutions. It's our grand plan to take control of our fortune, change momentum and swing the pendulum in the other direction. We are motivated to break bad habits, make better decisions and clean up an area of our life. But they may be the biggest joke of the year. We can't even keep our resolution to April Fool's Day.

The point of this post is not to snuff out the spark of a new year or criticize those who attempt to keep a new year's resolution to improve their life. The point of this post is to point out the hope that comes with a new year and how fleeting it is. We anticipate the flip of the calendar changing the entire direction of our life, but it doesn't take long before we notice it's just another year.

This new year made me think about a more satisfying hope. The name Jesus means "the lord saves." Every time Jesus healed a person in the Bible he drastically altered the course of their lives. Those with leprosy, possessed by demons, or lame in some other way were not only physically ill, but were completely ostracized from their communities. It was not just painful, it was shameful. Think about a man who was blind for 30 years and received sight, or a crippled able to walk again, or a dead man come alive! Talk about a change in luck.

But Jesus' healing is not limited to our physical ailments. The Lord Saves. When we are saved we are said to be born again, given new life, new hope. It doesn't take a resolution. When the Lord is acknowledged and accepted in our hearts He changes the entire direction of our lives. When we are saved the goal of the new year is accomplished.

Luke 13:6-9

2008-12-11T08:14:00.005-05:00

The charge, the responsibility:
Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'

The grace and mercy:
" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "

Think about this. Someone may be saying this about you. Thankfully, we have someone on our side buying us a second chance. How many times are we going to let someone vouch for us, interceded for us, go out on a limb for us, stick his neck out for us, before we change?

Ponder Life's Mysteries

2008-11-02T12:01:00.003-05:00

I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? --John 3:12

If you're like me you spend a lot of time trying to figure things out. Trying to understand the way the world works and why people do what they do. You try to understand your faith a little more, and understand Jesus, His message and what it means to be a disciple.

When I'm trying to make sense of these seemingly deeper subjects, I often turn to analogies to paint a picture of what is supposed to be. Sometimes I struggle to come up with new analogies to explain God's ways and the ways of disciples because every idea I dream up doesn't seem to do Him justice. In my mind I always put a disclaimer on the analogies because I know there's way more to Him than my earthly brain can fathom.

However, I never believe God is ashamed of me for reducing him to an analogy. I think God is pleased with us when we talk about Him, analyze His ways and try to understand Him better. Philippians 4:8 says, "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." I believe God is all of those things so you can't go wrong when thinking about Him.

Plus, he asked Nicodemus how he will believe in heavenly things when he can't even believe in the earthly things he is talking about. Understanding what we can here on earth is just preparation for what we will hear about in Heaven. The things in Heaven will be far greater than anything we will hear, learn, or understand here on Earth.

So, prepare yourself! Talk about Him, study Him, analyze His ways, debate theology, apply what you learn, for when the time comes for Him to reveal to you those far greater Heavenly things you will want to be ready.

Reap What You Sow

2008-10-11T18:27:00.004-04:00

I was in church the other day and they were showing a promotional video. A lady on the video mentioned how the church has made her a better person. I understand what she was getting at but I think she misspoke.

The church itself didn't make her a better person. It's the investment she made into the church that made her a better person. She opened herself up and allowed the church to change her. She invested time and energy and thought into what the church was offering. She gave to the church and accepted what it demanded of her.

This is true with more than just church. It's true with schools, athletic teams, places of work, friendships, and the list goes on. Have you ever noticed how a group of people can experience the exact same event and have completely different responses to it? Three people could be sitting at a restaurant when the waitress spills a trey of food. One person will say, "She shouldn't have put some much stuff on one trey." The next will say, "Oh, that poor girl. She must feel awful." And a third will jump up and help her clean it up. All three saw the exact same event but responded differently to it.

Plenty of people show up at church every Sunday and record their attendance and then go on home living the same life they always have. The church isn't changing those people. Ask two people who played on the same team. One will say it was terrible and the other will say it was the most influential thing in their life.

Any experience can change you and can make you better. Even negative experiences can make you better if you immerse yourself in them by learning from them and responding positively to them. The most influential things in your life will be the things you've given the most to, the things you give the most of yourself to, what you are most committed to and what you think about the most.

Those are the things that change you. Not the entity itself but your response to it.

Addiction

2008-09-15T19:33:00.005-04:00

I was thinking about addictions the other day and how hard they must be to overcome and also how blindly we can slip into them. The band Casting Crowns sings, "People never crumble in a day." It's a slow fade as we gently slip away. It starts with rationalizing the deed once, and then just one more time, and then "once this changes, I'll change" and then it's habit.

At some point, we recognize that we are actually slipping away and can't find our footing. We are desperate to recover but have lost sight of solid ground - or at least any traction we once felt. In complete desperation we fall to our knees and beg God for help, for anyway out. We pray that He'll cure us, give us strength to fight temptation or even remove it altogether. It's a natural reaction, but is it appropriate?

I last posted that God is all about love and relationships (Love and Relationships). God is not a vending machine of solutions to our problems. The holiness and wholeness we long for does not shower us like magic ferry dust. That purity comes from an ongoing relationship with our Lord. God is not looking to be the solution to our problems. He is looking for us to turn to Him consistently in search of a growing relationship.

I would argue that our lack of discipline, spiritual emptiness and fall into temptation is directly proportionate to our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Our fall into sin is also attributed to the idea of love in our relationship with God. I mentioned this in my last post but do not completely understand it and would like to continue discussing it. It is the idea of living loved. We all claim to know that God loves us and that His love is unconditional, but do we live like that? How do you live loved? What are you doing that is not resembling your acknowledgement of God's love for you?

Love and Relationships

2008-08-31T18:43:00.005-04:00

Before I took the ACT back in high school I went through a series of courses that prepared us for the test. One of the suggestions they offered was simply KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid. I guess the more complicated students try to make it, the lower they end up scoring on the questions. Just read the question and answer what it is asking.

That bit of advice is probably pretty applicable to anything we do in life. After reading The Shack*, I've learned that God and our desire to be "stronger Christians" or live "more Christ-like" can be simplified as well. You see, with God, everything comes down to one thing: Love and relationships.

I just pulled a Jesus move there. Remember when they asked Him what the greatest commandment was? His response was, "To love God with your whole heart..." (I picture a dramatic pause as the Pharisees think of a way to trap him) "AND love your neighbor as yourself." (and He stumped them!)

Well, that's what I did: lumped two into one. But it makes sense because you can't have one without the other. Love without someone to love doesn't really make sense, and a relationship not based on love will be pretty destructive. If you are like me you will begin answering all your questions about God and faith based on these two components and you'll wonder why you didn't realize this sooner. It makes perfect sense!

It starts right with Jesus' declaration of the greatest commandment. It was to love, and then to love the ones you are in relationship with. This idea has the chance to put an end to the legalism that so many hang on to. Instead of being directed by a set of rules, each situation should be treated uniquely. We could replace the popular bracelets and say WWLD: What Would Love Do? After all, God is love. How would love respond to this situation? Is the decision I am making made out of love? Will it foster a positive relationship?

The next step would then be to learn to live loved. It's human nature to alter our answers to the questions I just mentioned in order to satisfy our desires. Question two is, "Does my lifestyle reflect that of a person that is loved unconditionally by the definition himself?" One lost in lust is not accepting the love and intimacy our creator provides in Himself. One lost in drugs or alcohol or other addictions is not accepting the love and security and peace and joy our creator provides in Himself. One tearing others down to build himself/herself up is not accepting of the love and acceptance our creator offers in Himself.

God is love, and He can do nothing apart from love. So when you are struggling to understand what it means to be more Christ-like, ask yourself what love would do. And examine your life. Are you living loved?

*This is my plug for The Shack by William P. Young. It's a fantastic book that will challenge your view of Christianity, God, faith, living Christ-like and living loved. It addresses questions about free will, preparing for the future, dealing with pain, forgiveness and much more as well as paints a unique picture of the trinity. I highly recommend it, but advise you not to read it as a Gospel but as one man's theology. Also, on the left side of this blog there is a link to a three-part video with the author. He has quite a story of how the book came to be and the third part gets into some very intriguing theology.

Journey to the Pinnacle

2008-07-12T15:49:00.004-04:00

Over the past few years I have become an avid reader. I mostly enjoy books that offer new insight or challenge my thoughts on different subjects. In fact, many of these blog posts are initiated by the books I read.

One of my favorite subjects to read is John Wooden. He has been acknowledged as the epitome of a teacher and a coach and I enjoy hearing his perspective on basketball, teaching and team building.

A mistake I run into when reading about Wooden is I forget that he wasn't always the best. I read his stuff and am challenged to be the perfect coach or teacher right now at 22 years old. I forget that he is in his nineties and has nearly 40 years of coaching and teaching experience. I forget that he was once a first-year high school coach/teacher losing games and making mistakes in dealing with players and building his team. The status we attribute to him now is the culmination of many years of experience, mistakes, learning, and improving.

This is important to remember in all of our endeavors. I find myself apprehensive when offered a new job or new responsibility, especially when I realize my knowledge and experience of the subject is limited. I would prefer to learn all about it and then begin. This probably isn't the best method though.

Maybe we should embrace the opportunity before us and tackle it with everything we know, regardless of the depth of our understanding. And as we move forward, we should take time to stop and reflect on our actions, words, and decisions. Then we continue on correcting our mistakes for the next time, improving on our weaknesses and applying the lessons learned. And maybe after 40 years of continuous reflection, learning, and improvement we'll be considered the best or an expert.

But it never happens on the first day. That doesn't mean we shouldn't seize the opportunities before us.

Gentle Nudging

2008-07-05T00:21:00.004-04:00

I've written several times about hearing and deciphering God's call for our lives. It must be a topic heavy on my mind recently, especially since I just graduated college and don't know which direction my life will take from here. It's probably a relevant topic for people of my age. So here are my latest thoughts on the subject:

Have you ever seen the Matrix Trilogy? I don't remember which movie it is but do you remember the scene where the main characters are running down a long hallway? If you don't, you can still understand the picture. They are running down this long corridor, occasionally having to stop and open a door to continue on, until one of the doors they open ends up being their final destination.

I have this maxim in the back of my mind that says, "Do your work for today, walk through the open door tomorrow, and let God pave the way."

Many times when we search for God's call we desperately want to see the hallway in its entirety. As part of human nature, we struggle with the uncertainty of what's behind each door, or even when the next door will come. We want to see what's coming, plan ahead, and be prepared for what's next. As soon as we are ready (i.e. graduate, commit our life to Christ) we want God to reveal the whole hallway to us. But that's not how He works.

I believe it was Philip Yancy who suggested the idea of "gentle nudging." You see, instead of revealing the whole hallway, God opens the first door - places us in the first opportunity. And it most likely arose from something we were doing before that. Then while we are fully immersed in that station, God nudges us to something else or more, that is probably closely related. Each new station is built off of the previous one.

It's like the word game where you start out with a three-letter word and then scramble the word and add a letter to make a new word. Before you know it your original three-letters become a 10-letter word.

We never get the whole hallway at first glance. We get the start, then reach the first door and continue on. We never see the end before making the journey.

And we'll never see what's coming. One day we'll be in the field tending the sheep and the next day we'll be slaying the giant, all before we become one of the greatest kings to ever live.

We don't have to plan ahead because the plans are perfect in God's hand. We don't have to worry about preparing because whatever He has us doing now will prepare us for the future.

Wherever God has placed you at this time, whether it's your dream job or the last thing you wanted to do, work at it with your whole heart because God has orchestrated the events to get you there. And he has orchestrated the events of others to be near you. And while you are glorifying Him, take the next door when it comes and before you know it you will be at the final destination.

Stealing His Glory

2008-06-27T21:05:00.004-04:00

Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmingly guilty about a sin you've committed? It usually comes with a sin you are aware of. One you have committed before, been convicted of and know is dishonoring to God. Maybe one you confessed, prayed for strength to fight against the next time or even one you vowed never to commit again. And when you fall to temptation again your heart is weighed down by the guilt of failure. You know you've let Him down again.

Sometimes, in our efforts to become Christ-like, we mistake the goal for becoming Christ. In our strive for perfection we forget perfection on our own isn't possible. Jesus was, is and will be the only one on Earth to live a sinless life until He returns again. The fact that we can't achieve perfection by our own strength is the whole reason He came to Earth in the first place.

Jesus died on the cross as payment for our sins. His death cleansed us from our sins and the guilt and shame of our sins. And that's what we forget. Because Jesus gave His life, we are free from that overwhelming guilt we feel as a result of our sin.

Of course, when we sin Jesus is unhappy with us, but He then immediately forgives us. In fact, we have already been forgiven ahead of time. But what if, when we begin to dwell on the guilt of our failures, Jesus becomes even more disappointed?

You see, Jesus died on the cross for that very purpose - to free us from the guilt of sin. He offered the ultimate sacrifice. Have you ever done something for someone else that required a sacrifice on your part and then they refused your gift? Think of that on a much grander scale because when we dwell on the guilt of our sin, we are refusing the forgiveness for which Jesus died to offer us. We are stealing His glory!

Now I'm not suggesting we should go on sinning so God may be glorified through forgiveness. But I am suggesting that when we sin, we should fall on our knees and confess, and then praise God for His love and forgiveness. And then, we should get up and go on living in the presence of our creator and savior.

Perfection isn't possible, but holiness is. Rather than living in pursuit of sinlessness, we should pursue love.

A Personal Note

2008-06-21T15:31:00.008-04:00

I'm not sure how many people read this, if any at all. I probably just write for my own benefit. But in the case that some one is keeping up I wanted to assure you that I am still alive. I know I haven't written in a while but it's not because I've disappeared, lost faith, or have stopped learning. My growth is merely taking different form.

I mentioned in the Introduction post of this blog that life tends to happen in cycles and phases. Well, since graduating from Taylor University in May, I have moved to Phoenix, Arizona for the summer where I am working with the Phoenix Mercury (WNBA). Needless to say, I am thousands of miles from the Taylor bubble - literally and figuratively.

I am challenged to walk on the foundation I laid at Taylor and apply all of those "mysteries" I once just pondered. To steal a line from Taylor, I am integrating faith and living.

So, to any regular readers (if they exist) or just to friends that are interested in my status, I have not lost faith. I have not ceased to learn and grow and ponder more of who God is. My growth has moved from passive essays into action.

The greatest challenge facing me now is living "holiness under pressure." How do you live a life that glorifies God when the community around you is not encouraging you to do so? That's making a bold assumption that I understand what holiness is or looks like - which I don't, fully. I doubt I will ever be able to put holiness into words to share with you. I can only hope that, through the grace of God, my life will resemble holiness in even the smallest sense.

Don't get me wrong. This is by no means a concluding post to this blog. I intend to continue expressing my observations, concerns, and uncertainties through this venue. And I encourage you to continue reading and better yet, interacting with this blog. Share with me what is floating through your mind and happening in your life. Others' thoughts and ideas are what drive and challenge mine and my growth.

Continue growing, learning and getting to know Him better. The best advice I ever received seems so simple, yet so perfect: Love Jesus, help people, be last.

The Other Side of Judgment

2008-05-31T15:51:00.005-04:00

"So with a painted grin
I'll play the part again
So everyone will see me
The way that I see them"
-- Casting Crowns, Stained Glass Masquerade--

I've written about judgment before but after listening to this song by Casting Crowns I was reminded of how dangerous it can be, and not just for the person we are judging but for ourselves as well.

We typically associate judgment with thinking poorly of someone else before we get to know them, but judgment can also be thinking too highly of someone else; perceiving others as perfect or immortal. This other side of judgment can even be more dangerous to us and to the person we are judging than the obvious negative judging we do on a regular basis.

When we elevate someone we admire onto a pedestal we are setting them up for failure and we are setting a mortal standard that we can't obtain. We usually do this with a person we do not know very well and one we consistently see at their strengths: a pastor, a public speaker, a television personality, an entertainer, an athlete. The problem is that the perception we have of them is not reality.

I'm as guilty of this as anyone. I consistently acquire fond admiration for pastors or itinerant speakers who seem to have an adept understanding of the Bible and living as a disciple. In the last year I have seized opportunities to spend one on one time with some of these people and I consistently leave those meetings disappointed. No, I don't find these people to be less genuine about what they say or believe than they appeared on stage, but I find, like everyone else, they fall short of the standards and they are also growing, learning and maturing. They don't have it all figured out.

You see, the judgment I made of them was unfair. They did not ask for it, but I put an incredible burden on their shoulders to live up to something they weren't. I set them up for failure. And I put an incredible burden on myself to live up to something that didn't exist. I wanted to be what I thought these men were, but I thought they were perfect. I thought they were immortal. And they weren't.

Do you see it? The standard I set for these people was the standard Jesus met. What I am searching for is Jesus and I caught a glimpse of Him in these people. But on further investigation I realized they are not Him. They only slightly resembled a few of the characteristics Jesus possesses.

Jesus came to Earth to leave us an example of how to live in this world. To show us that holiness and perfection were possible on this Earth. If we are going to admire someone we should look to Jesus. He lives up to the standards we are trying to meet. And the standards we set for Him are ones we can meet because His is in us. We are one with His Spirit. And when we spend some one on one time with Him we won't walk away disappointed.

A Discussion of Integrity

2008-05-11T19:52:00.005-04:00

A friend of mine wrote a post on his blog about integrity with this quote: "Integrity's all ya got." This is a great quote because when you boil down all of the perceptions people have of us, it always comes back to integrity. Let me explain:

When I am driving down the highway I always use my blinker to switch lanes. Even when the car is well behind me and has no intentions of passing me, I still use my blinker. I do that because I want him to think of me as a guy who uses his blinker. So, the next time he tries to pass me in traffic he will be confident that if I end up switching lanes I will signal first. He knows I probably won't cut him off without some warning first. I have formed his perception of me.

This seems trivial but the example has carryover to our lives and the way people perceive us. If I sit at lunch with my friends everyday and make fun of the way other people dress, my friends will be conscious of the way they dress every time we hang out. Whether they realize it or not, they believe I will make fun of them if I don't approve of their attire. That's the type of person I am to them - judgemental. I have formed their perception of me.

If I steal food from a buddy's dorm room when he is not there, all of my other friends will blame me first when their food goes missing because that's the type of person I am to them.

If I make derogatory comments about women around my buddies they'll think I believe that stuff and act on it. That's the type of person I am to them and I have made it okay for them to do the same thing. The fact is, they probably don't see that I don't act on the comments I have made. As a result, they will act on them because they believe I do. What I say is who I am to them. I have formed their perception of me.

It all comes back to integrity. What kind of person are you? What kind of perception are you forming for others?

The word integrity comes from the word integer, meaning whole, or integral, meaning one. When we have integrity, we are one. We are the same person everywhere and always and we are one with His spirit.

Whether you realize it or not, you are constantly revealing the type of person you are. If you say you don't care about material possessions then don't make fun of someone's clothes. Not even in front of your friends. Your beliefs should apply to all situations. "The same person everywhere and always."

If you say you respect other's property, then don't steal even when the victim isn't around.

If you say you love all of God's children and you respect women and their hearts then don't talk about them like a piece of meat. Speak to your guy friends the same way you would treat a woman if she were right there. "The same person everywhere and always."

Sometimes it is difficult to stand up for what you believe in when you are the only one standing. When everyone else is stealing food and you are hungry, it's hard to be different. When everyone is making crude jokes and laughing, it's hard to not join the fun. But integrity is being revealed at all times. Integrity is living in accordance with what you believe even when you don't feel like it. Integrity is hard, but all good things are hard.

"Integrity's all ya got."

His Understanding

2008-05-04T14:09:00.006-04:00

"Give thanks to the Lord of lords: ... who by his understanding made the heavens..." -- Psalm 136:3, 5

Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."

Lean not on your own understanding.

Instead, lean on God's understanding. His understanding is capable of creating the heavens, something I've been told is perfect and beautiful. What is my understanding capable of? A lot of imperfections, doubt, worry, judgement, and lack of trust and compassion.

I'd say this is pretty good advice. To lean on His understanding.

The Power of His Word

2008-05-02T13:52:00.003-04:00

"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth." Psalm 33:6

I think sometimes we subconsciously neglect the power of the word of the Lord. We open the Bible and skim through the stories or we recite verses and don't even realize the power of the words.

Do we not remember that in the very beginning God said, "Let there be light," and there was light? Just his very words created something so magnificent. He said it and it was.

Realize when we open the Bible, we are reading God's word, and when we recite verses, we are speaking the very words of God. These are words that have the power and ability to create light.
Pay attention to what you are reading. Pay attention to what you are saying. There is great power in the word of God.

Dreamers

2008-04-30T14:14:00.007-04:00

There are college students all over the nation right now anticipating graduation. The day is coming quickly when we are no longer in school but we are thrust into the "real world" of responsibility and independence. We will have to get jobs and become "productive members of society." Some of us dread it and some of us can't wait. Others follow the path to graduate school and put it off for a couple more years.

Talk to any senior in college on the verge of graduation and the most common question we are asked is, "What are you doing after graduation." Most seniors give the typical answer of continuing school or starting a job they have lined up. But sit around the campfire with a group of peers like I was last weekend and you see sparks inside each heart anxious to turn ablaze.

Most soon-to-be-graduates don't really want to follow the "normal" path and walk through life being "successful" by the world's standards. Most soon-to-be-graduates want to change the world in their respective field. Sitting around the campfire listening to the visions and dreams of others and contemplating my own made me think about those that have actually changed the world.

At some point Martin Luther King, Jr. was sitting in college dreaming of a way to change the world and Billy Graham was dreaming about inspiring the world for Christ. At some point John Glenn and Neil Armstrong were dreaming about exploring space and Mother Theresa was dreaming of a way to reach the poor and needy.

Every college graduate has a vision about how they can change the world on some scale. What happens to them all? At some point in the process the dreamers get caught up in the structure of society and are influenced by the system. At some point they start believing lies about the way it's supposed to be. At some point they give up on the dream. It may still be in their heart or on the back of their mind, but they give up any hope of making it a reality and the world stays the same.

How do we hold onto those dreams? How do the MLKs, Billy Grahams, John Glenns, Neil Armstrongs and Mother Ts of the world turn it into a reality?

Dreamers, fall on your knees. To do anything of significance you have to be faithful. Hold on to your dreams and turn them into realities. Do not lose heart. Share the dream with friends or anyone who will support you. Pray for wisdom and discernment to recognize the lies the world is screaming at you and turn from them. Dare to be different. Be bold. "The Lord did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline."

To those that are surrounded by dreamers: Maybe you are the support group for the dreamer. MLK had a mother. Billy Graham had extended family. John Glenn and Neil Armstrong had mentors. Mother T had a best friend heading in a different direction. Encourage those with a vision. You were once there. You had a vision. Maybe you got caught up in the system and your dream died. Do not kill their dreams! Support them. Do not pass along the lies of this world and discourage them. For them to do anything significant they must remain faithful and they need those around them to be faithful too.

Maybe your vision is still resting in your heart. Be inspired by the dreamers. Encourage their visions and be encouraged by them. This may be your chance to resurrect your dreams. To turn from the lies of the world and change the world. To do anything significant you have to be faithful.

Maybe you are living out your vision. You once sat where the dreamers are sitting now and you were encouraged, supported, and inspired by those around you to keep it alive. You know the pressure they are feeling to conform to the world. You know the lies they will hear. Protect them from that. Speak truth to them. Don't let the dream die! To do anything significant they must be faithful. You know that. Encourage that.

Dreamers, dream on. Remain faithful. Change the world from your knees.

Rewards in Heaven

2008-04-27T22:44:00.005-04:00

I go to school in Indiana but am originally from Missouri. Because of the distance, my parents don't make it to campus too often. But when they do, we always go out to eat and we always seem to eat at the same two or three restaurants. And when we go to those restaurants, I always seem to order the same thing. It's comfortable. When I order I know what I'm going to get, I know how I'm going to eat it, and I'm confident I'm going to like it.

You do this too. You get comfortable with something that works or is satisfying and stick with it. We fear changing or trying something new because if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? This isn't necessarily a bad thing but what if there is a restaurant out there that is twice as good as the one we always go to? I guarantee you there is one, but we'll never find it because we don't want to leave the thing we know works. The thing we've seen work before.

I guess this isn't a bad thing when choosing restaurants but this mind set, this attitude, this way of life can be deadly if it spreads beyond restaurants. Let me explain.

In the Psalms, and throughout the entire Bible, we are constantly reminded to not get too attached to the things of this world. We are told to not sacrifice our righteousness even though we see the wicked succeeding time and again. Instead we are told to live by trust and faith in God that His eternal reward for us will be far greater than anything we receive in this world.

This is hard for us though because our understanding of Heaven and eternity is limited. We don't know much about that other restaurant. We've driven by it a couple of times and the parking lot isn't nearly as full as the one we've been going to. We are hearing all of these great things about it but the promises are coming from the head chef. Of course he's going to talk good about his place. It's just easier to keep with what's been working.

It's easier for us to live by the world's standards because we've seen it work. Lying and covering up mistakes is easier and we've seen it work. Cheating and taking short cuts is easier and we've seen it work. Tearing others down to build yourself up is easier and we've seen it work. Abandoning loyalties and commitments to chase the big money is easier and we've seen it work. And the people that exemplify those characteristics seem to be happy and satisfied. They are successful - by the world's standards.

But we weren't created for this kind of a world. We were created for something better. We were created in the image of God for a perfect world - Heaven. We were created to do the hard thing. To live by faith and trust that our actions now will be rewarded eternally. We will eat at the Lord's dinner table. We will eat the very bread of life.

If you choose a new restaurant you may be disappointed. There are no promises. But if you choose to step out of the comfort of the world's standards and live with faith in the promises of God you will not be disappointed because those promises have been the same for over 2000 years.

Be bold. The Lord did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. Live differently, for great is your reward in Heaven.

It's All in the Application

2008-04-25T15:05:00.005-04:00

When I attend church or a chapel service I usually take a lot of notes. Recently I've even been downloading the podcasts of the services for my own records. I want to remember how an effective speaker articulates a certain point and I want to remember what the point was. Usually the notes I take are on a command or a challenge on the way we live.

For example, I've heard several sermons on the idea that everything on Earth belongs to God and we are to be stewards of His stuff. If we have something but someone else needs it more, then we should have no problem giving it up because it doesn't belong to us. A scenario came up the other day where I had to act on this idea (an insignificant event but one nonetheless). I wracked my brain trying to figure out what the preacher would say about this and the articulation of this Christian principle.

But then it hit me. The definition of the principle doesn't matter. What matters is the application. It doesn't matter if you remember every bullet point of the sermon. Preachers aren't preparing you for a test where you'll need to memorize the answers. They are inspiring hearts to change the world. The good ones challenge us to view the world differently, through Jesus' eyes.

The only thing that matters is the application. Does it change the way you live your life? Are you living differently because of the message or conviction? That's what matters. The definition isn't changing lives. The application is.

Humility

2008-04-13T21:51:00.006-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I was interviewed about the Dateline story that ran on NBC about the Mistaken Identity case that happened on campus two years ago. The reporter was seeking Taylor students' reactions.

Somewhere along the interview I thanked God for the victims' strength and witness and the work He is doing through them. After I said that, the reporter asked why so many people are uncomfortable with speaking or hearing the name God. He changed the question before I had a chance to answer, but if I were to do it again I think I know what I would say.

It's uncomfortable to confess the presence of God because to do so requires some humility, and it's uncomfortable to admit that there is someone stronger and more powerful than we are, especially in our culture that strives for status, power, strength, and wealth. It's uncomfortable to confess that someone is at work in everything we do and that maybe we aren't totally responsible for all of our fortunes.

Ever notice how it's easier to blame God for our misfortunes than it is to credit God for our blessings?

It's also uncomfortable to speak the name of God because as soon as you do, you call yourself to a higher standard. As soon as you confess the presence of God you are also confessing the existence of everything He is, stands for, and expects of us. To do that would require you to change the way they you live, and most of us fear that admission.

And if you've been keeping up with this blog we've already discussed the obstacle of fear (Fear).

But on the flip side, if you read the last post (Completely Satisfied in His Presence) you recognize how satisfying it can be to be humbled by the presence of God.

Completely Satisfied in His Presence

2008-04-09T21:57:00.002-04:00

I heard this phrase in a song the other day – In your presence, God, I am completely satisfied. I think this is an accurate statement, buy why? What makes it true? Why is it so satisfying when we are completely immersed in God’s presence? The only way I can answer these questions is with two pictures:

One of the most beautiful sights in all of God’s creation is the night sky. I love to sit in a completely dark setting where it seems you can see every single star. There aren’t many things more peaceful than this. When you look up you can’t help but truly appreciate the awesomeness of God. You can’t help but realize that you are not the center of the world, that the universe is bigger than your life. And we don’t even see the light from the stars in real time. It takes years for us to finally see that a star has burnt out. There is something – someone – that even transcends time. When you look up at the greatness of the universe you feel insignificant and weak. But at the same time you feel peace, satisfied, like your insufficiencies don’t matter. Like a burdened has been lifted from your heart. It is satisfying – completely satisfying.

The second picture is on the beach, staring out over the ocean. Waves come crashing on shore in almost rhythmic fashion. Kids build sand castles in attempt to control the waves but their efforts are worthless. Your eyes gaze farther and farther out until you’re looking at sky. You can’t even see the end. Men build massive structures to control weather conditions but their efforts are as worthless as the kids' sand castles. This ocean could wipe out an entire city. It’s completely beyond your control. Nothing you do will have an effect on this creation. Nothing you do will control the flow, the color, the size, the make-up. It is bigger than you. Something bigger than you is responsible for it. Something - someone bigger than you is at work in this world. Staring out over the ocean you can’t help but feel completely weak and insignificant. And that’s okay. It’s peaceful, like a burden has been lifted. In your weakness and insufficiencies the waves still crash. The rhythm isn’t broken. And you don’t even desire the strength or responsibility to have control because you know it’s too great – too great for mere man. But you aren’t afraid. You aren’t sad. You are satisfied in that weakness because someone strong and powerful is in control. And someone that creates something so beautiful is filled with love, attention, and compassion.

Being completely satisfied in His presence is being completely satisfied with your weakness and His strength. Giving up your burdens for His will. Giving up worldly desires for eternal life. It is letting go. It is humility and understanding your lack of control is exactly how it’s supposed to be. The waves will still crash, the moon will still rise.

Psalm 8:3-5
“The universe declares your majesty.” – Third Day, God of Wonders

Life in Deuteronomy

2008-03-09T19:04:00.006-04:00

I recently posted about my generation's need to fear God more (The Fear of God). After reading Deuteronomy in my daily Bible reading I'm even more convinced. Take a second right now to read Deuteronomy 28:25-35.

There is an incredibly harsh penalty put on the Israelites for breaking the covenant with God. If we truly believed our God would inflict this kind of punishment on us for breaking His covenant we would probably act a bit different. Somewhere we became a little too arrogant to believe that though.

Some will say there are just too many laws, they are too strict, and there is no possible way we can abide by all of them. Turn over to Deuteronomy 30:11-14. God specifically says what he is asking is not too difficult. It is doable. It's like a Coach that demands especially high standards of his players in training. The task is not impossible. It will demand you to give more than you've been giving. It will demand better performance. It will be hard and it will stretch you, but it is possible. And when those standards are met, you will be that much better.

He also says what He is commanding is not beyond our reach. It is not up in heaven or across the sea where we can't get to it by ourselves. It is very accessible. He says, "No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey." It is in each one of our hearts. We don't have to get it from our neighbor's mouth. The power is within each one of us to be accessed by our own hands, our own life.

Last point: Read on in verses 15 to 20 of chapter 30. God makes it very clear. He has set before us two options, life or death, prosperity or destruction. And then in the second part of verse 19 he says, "Now choose life." Do you see it? We have a choice. He has given us the option. He laid out two possibilities and their consequences black and white. We have the option.

He also offered a suggestion: Choose life.

Transformation revisited

2008-02-29T13:21:00.007-05:00

Note: This is a follow up to an earlier post titled Transformation. Pastor Steve DeNeff of College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Indiana has preached a few times on the idea of being transformed. These are my adapted thoughts from combining DeNeff's messages with my own previous ideas.

There are two parts to the conversion process. There is the "turn" and then the "transformation." I don't remember all of the statistics but so many people profess to believe in God and call themselves Christians. If you are like me you are skeptical of these statistics because so many of those counted people rarely go to Church, don't act like a Christ follower, and rarely ever speak the name of Jesus. "What makes them Christians?" is what I always end up asking.

They profess they are Christians because they have made the turn. We were all once facing one direction, headed down the wrong path, with our backs to Jesus and at some point our life turns and we change directions. We are called towards a different way of living, a new path. A path paved by God. And when we turn we are just as disinterested in the way we were facing as we are interested in the way we are facing now.

Then comes the transformation. Not everyone is being transformed. The ones being transformed are not the lost. The ones being transformed are the saved, the ones that call themselves Christians, the ones who have already decided to turn. The transformation is a process in which we are completely rewired. It's not just learning new disciplines like learning to tithe. It's about rewiring the whole mind to where our view of money and material things is so like Jesus' that our decided way to spend money is to tithe. The goal of the transformation is not being more positive or getting better. The goal is Jesus. And it is a process that will take a lifetime to complete.

In Christian circles there is pressure to evangelize and convert. We go on mission trips and hold conferences and keep track of how many new people become Christians. I think that is great. There are plenty of people out there that haven't heard the gospel and need to hear the gospel and it is our duty to share it with them. And there are plenty of people that haven't made the turn yet.

However, there is another great need lingering. We need more of those who have made the turn to start the transformation. The problem is not that we need more Christians. The stats show that the majority of people are Christians. We have enough Christians to change the world. The problem is that too many of those Christians haven't moved towards transformation. They are stuck on the turn. The transformation is what will change the world.

I can't offer a blueprint to being transformed. The transformation is about the Holy Spirit taking over our heart and mind and living through us. There is no one kind of "holy person." We were all made with original beauty and will all show original holiness that is reflective of God and the power of His spirit living in our bodies. Let's all pray for the powerful process of being transformed. Let's transform the world!

The Fear of God

2008-02-24T22:56:00.005-05:00

Our generation doesn't recognize the fear of God enough. We focus a lot on the forgiving and loving nature of a friendly Savior and sometimes forget the all mighty, powerful creator that struck Israelites dead in their tracks for their disobedience.

How would we be different if we feared God?

We'd probably be quicker to correct ourselves, and our friends, in our disobedience. We'd probably attend church more regularly and be more attentive. Maybe even dress nicer and have a bit more reverence for the creator - but we'd rather be comfortable and sip on lattes.

When we pray we'd have a bit more reverence in our posture and word choice. We probably wouldn't talk so much about being "pissed off at God." Actually, we'd probably repent of that. We may wrestle with God, but pissed off at the creator of the universe? I don't think so. We might even pray on our knees or fall on our face in submission.

We'd probably give Him more credit for the awesome things He does and might be a little more selective about what we call 'awesome.'

We'd make the effort to pray more and read the Bible more so we can learn what He expects of us. Why is the fear of the Lord the beginning of knowledge? Because when we fear Him we try to learn more about how to please Him. It's kind of like a son's relationship with his father. He learns what's right and wrong so he doesn't get in trouble. He learns to obey.

Yeah, I love my Savior who has compassion and forgiveness for me and who shows me more love than I can even comprehend. But I also need to acknowledge the power of our creator and sustainer with my words and actions - as should we all.

A Discussion of Authenticity

2008-02-17T19:59:00.009-05:00

My generation is all about authenticity. We are always talking about being more 'real'. I think it's great but we need to check our definition of authenticity. What does that mean? What does authenticity look like?

If someone opens up about his struggles or the times he screwed up we will say that's authentic - that he's being real. I agree with that. We've all screwed up at some point and there's no reason to act like we haven't. Usually, if we pretend like we are perfect, we'll be called hypocrites. Those times we messed up can even be used as powerful ministry tools to offer hope to others that are struggling in similar situations. There's no reason to dwell on those mistakes though. There are things called forgiveness and transformation. We are all striving to be better and to mature.

When a guy blows up in his anger and starts cussing and throwing a fit we'll call that authentic. I disagree. That's being idiotic. That's being disobedient to God. But some will say he is being true to himself and following his gut and if he holds that in then he's trying to be someone he's not. I'd say, "EXACTLY! Everyday we should all be trying to be someone we're not and his name is Jesus. I'm not like him yet but I'm trying to be." If our true, authentic, real desire is to be more like Christ and stronger disciples we won't always follow our guts because our guts are fallen and lead us into disobedience. If being authentic means being disobedient to Christ then I don't want to be authentic.

If someone raises his hands in worship or falls on his face in submission to God we'll accuse them of trying to be super-spiritual. But if that is a sincere reflection of his intimate relationship with Christ or an overflow of his heart from entering into the presence of the Lord, isn't that authentic? Isn't that real?

The problem is that same person will leave the service and talk bad about his neighbor behind his/her back. That's when he is accused of being inauthentic. I'd say he may have a problem with hypocrisy - one of Satan's greatest weapons. I don't think he's necessarily inauthentic though. He is in the process of maturing and being made perfect, as we all are. That's why it is so important to stand on guard and always test our actions so that we align with Christ's commands.

We need to be careful with our definition of hypocrisy as well. When we are nice to the guy that just stole 20 bucks from us or is talking bad about us behind our backs that's not hypocrisy. Living in accordance to what you believe even when you don't feel like it is not hypocrisy, that's integrity.

We need to be careful when using the words hypocrite and authentic. We need to understand their definitions and test the actions of those that are being accused. The next time someone accuses you or a brother of being inauthentic, ask for their definition of the word. It may just be that they aren't interested in putting off their old self and maturing in Christ.

The Call

2008-01-30T13:14:00.001-05:00

In Christian circles people are always talking about hearing God's call and figuring out what God's will for their life is, what's their purpose. This is especially true in college when we are trying to figure out our major or what we're going to do after graduation. We read all these books that tell us how to find God's will for us and how we know if it's what we're called to do.

I don't think we're supposed to know what God's will or plan for our life is. If we knew, it would become - or we would make it - our plan and probably screw it up. I think God's call is simple. It is to live today, right now, faithfully and righteously. Given what we know - the extent of our wisdom - live today the best we possibly can. Live by his teachings. Live with integrity and honesty. Treat people right. The call is to be a disciple today.

That's the call. So, what are we supposed to do? Where are we supposed to work? What are we supposed to major in? I am a believer that God is our creator. Not just physically, but he created our emotions, our interests, and our passions. You want to know where God is calling you to work or what you're supposed to do? Follow your passions and your interests. Examine your strengths. Those are gifts from God. Follow those strengths and utilize them to the best of your ability. Do something that you can give your whole self to. That you are challenged by and that charges you up. Not something that you do half-heartedly (even if you do it well), but something you give your whole heart to because we are supposed to serve the Lord with our whole heart.

The call is to be a daily disciple. Where do we go from there? That's not our decision. Follow your passions, and interests, and strengths. The Lord's plans will evolve as they are supposed to. After all, remember who is in charge. I'm pretty sure it'll work out like it's supposed to.

Note: This post is published in the book Campus Voices.

Fear

2008-01-16T10:24:00.004-05:00

I am currently reading a book about the famous boxing trainer Teddy Atlas. He trained Michael Moorer who beat Evander Holyfield in 1994 to win the heavyweight championship. He also trained Mike Tyson when he first began boxing at age 12. Atlas would take kids that were heading down the wrong path and give them discipline and something to live for other than a life of crime. He changed lives. (Note that Tyson wasn't his failure. He stopped training him before he ever became pro.)

The most common theme he brings up with every fighter he trained is fear. He mentions that discipline is the most important thing for any fighter and that overcoming their fear is the key to being great. It's an interesting thought isn't it? Mike Tyson was nearly 200 pounds as a young teenager, a giant compared to others his age. You wouldn't expect him to be afraid of anything or anyone. But he was afraid. He was insecure.

Atlas never said the fear was a bad thing. His goal with every fighter was to get them to channel that fear into a strength rather than a weakness. He knew every fighter had it. There wasn't a way around the fear. Actually, it was a good thing to be a bit afraid. It was even a better thing when that fear became a strength rather than a hesitation.

Because of this fear, Atlas told stories about fighters looking for reasons to lose or to not fight. Some would want to take a day off from training. Others would lose discipline and resort to smoking, drinking, or drugs. These things gave them an excuse. If they lost the fight they could always blame it on the drinking. It was Atlas's job to not allow them to create these excuses.

It's quite the paradox. Our fear of failure or disappointment is keeping us from being successful, from accomplishing the thing we set out to do in the first place, the thing we wanted so badly and sacrificed for.

Don't you think we're all a bit like that? This isn't just a boxing thing. We all have fears. Fear of taking that interview, or making the one phone call about the job, approaching the boss about that one concern, pitching that one idea, or asking that girl out. There's a fear of being excellent at something, being the very best, reaching our full potential. There's a price to pay to do that. You have to put yourself on the line. It's hard. And when we overcome that fear and become great (or you get the job, your idea is selected, or she says yes!) we incur responsibility. The true fear is not that we may fail but that we may succeed and have a tremendous responsibility on our shoulders.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

--Marianne Williamson

My college basketball coach observed that one of our players who lost his starting position earlier in the year preferred not to start. Coming off the bench was easier. He didn't have to perform every day when he wasn't starting. That burden was on someone else. He was relieved of that responsibility. Coach also says that "hard is good."

2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

So how do we overcome that fear? My stubborn mind wants to think we can just grit our teeth, man up and do it, but maybe we need a Teddy Atlas to deter us from taking that opportunity to create an excuse. And maybe recognizing that it is an inherent quality of humans to make these excuses is a start to overcoming them.

A Heavenly View

2008-01-07T13:09:00.001-05:00

Let's assume for this point that heaven is like the typical person sees it - up over the clouds looking down over everything, seeing the whole world.

In the book I'm reading right now, Today Matters, author John Maxwell writes, "... when you seek to broaden your perspective and try to see life from a heavenly vantage point, everything makes a lot more sense." I believe this is true, but why?

Maybe because people of faith are transformed to view life from this vantage point. Imagine you are seeing life from heaven's view. From the heavenly vantage point you see more than yourself. From a heavenly vantage point we are no longer the center of the focus. We can now see farther in distance and time and see that more things are happening than just our stuff. We see more points of view, different angles, different reasons, different motivations. And the possibility/hope of different ends.

This new view causes us to live differently. We are less caught up in our own stuff. We don't believe that the world is out to get us. We understand that others have problems too. They have their own goals, dreams, motivations, purposes. They have bigger things going on than our petty problems. We acknowledge that whatever is happening to us right now, good or bad, could be setting up an effect on someone else we haven't even met. Right now is preparation for what's to come.

We are no longer the center of attention. We are living something bigger than ourselves. The view from heaven is a good one.

Christ Within Us

2008-01-04T13:25:00.001-05:00

God made man out of the dirt of the Earth. He made flesh and bones from the dust but then he made us alive by his breath. He breathed life into us. He breathed His spirit into us (these two words are the same in Hebrew). When His son died and rose from the dead and the Holy Spirit descended on His believers, Christ made a home within us. That changes everything.

Christ is not some figure way out there doing work. He is in us doing work. He is the power within us. What amazing power! That's why our actions to others can change the world. That's why we can influence others. Christ's forgiveness really becomes us forgiving ourselves (see post Forgiveness) because He lives in us. Matthew 7:1-2 We are judged the same way we judge others because we are judging ourselves. The judger lives in us. This changes everything!

Christ is no longer something way off there we are reaching for but can't get to. He is in us and can be grasped. He is our heart, our conscience. You want more of Christ? Dig deeper inside of you.

Forgiveness

2007-12-30T18:33:00.003-05:00

A relevant message for the new year:

Forgiveness is about freedom. Freedom from the bondage that holding a grudge ties you to. It's not about condoning what was done. It's about not letting the wrongdoing hold you back from moving forward, being great, being free.

When you forgive your father for being an alcoholic and neglecting you as a child you are not telling him it was okay what he was doing. You are saying he is no longer the excuse to why you are an alcoholic and beating your child now. You are taking responsibility for your life, your actions. You are freeing yourself from the bondage to your father's ways and your past experiences. Once you forgive you can now move forward. Become better. Be a better person. A better parent to your child. You are free! (example taken from the movie Pay it Forward and Helen Hunt forgiving her mother)

When you forgive a neighbor for stealing from you or spreading rumors behind your back you are not condoning the action. You are not giving him/her the right to do it again. You are freeing yourself from that grudge, that bondage. You are accepting what has already happened, something you have no control over, and are allowing yourself to move forward, to live on. How you respond to events has a greater impact on your life and those around you than the events themselves. We could allow those events we have no control over to bog us down, hold us back or we could forgive and take responsibility of the things we do have control over. Move forward. Live on.

And maybe the beauty of Christ's forgiveness to us is that we can then forgive ourselves. We don't have to hold ourselves in bondage to our old ways. Those old sins don't have to be a part of our lives anymore. We can forgive ourselves and move forward, become better.

Forgiveness is part of God's transformation in us (see post Transformation). When we forgive others and ourselves we are being made perfect in Christ's likeness - we are maturing.

Transformation

2007-12-20T00:40:00.001-05:00

I'm not a believer in instant conversion. I'm skeptical of those that hear an emotional sermon and then say they were saved. I think conversion is a process. We are continually being transformed. Continually being "made perfect" - the Bible's word for perfect here is the same as "maturing." In Romans 12:2 it tells us to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." 2 Corinthians 3:18 says "we are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory." I didn't become a Christian overnight. I made a commitment at one point but I've had to renew that commitment and remind myself of my commitment many times. It's kind of like the stages of learning.

Stage 1: Unconscious and Incompetent (you don't know that you don't know)
Stage 2: Conscious and Incompetent (you recognize that you don't know)
Stage 3: Conscious and Competent (you are knowingly doing the right thing)
Stage 4: Unconscious and Competent (you are doing the right thing and don't even realize it)

Before we're "saved" we are at stage 1. At some point we move to stage 2 and realize we are messed up and need to change so we accept Christ and make that commitment. Then in stage 3 we start to do the right things intentionally. We still mess up here and have to catch ourselves but we're trying to do right. The closer we come to being "made perfect" the more we spend in stage 4 where we do the right things without even thinking about it. They are who we are. It's part of us - our character.

Christianity is not something mystical that only happens to special, chosen people. It's a way of life. It's the way we treat others and put others before ourselves. It's seeing other's needs more important than ours. It's caring more about people than possessions. It's about forgiveness. Understanding I'm not perfect either, why should I expect you to be? Your mistakes don't have to negatively effect the way I live. My mistakes don't have to negatively effect the rest of my life. It's about integrity, honesty, character. It's about having the hope of something better than we have now. The hope of maturing - of being made perfect.

See the follow-up to this post titled Transformation revisited.

Introduction

2007-12-16T14:43:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my blog! I've never blogged before but I'll tell you why I'm starting now. I'm a thinker and I want to share some thoughts. I'm a learner and I want to learn more. I've grown and I want to grow more. I have four different journals full of thoughts and reflections on Christianity, faith, actions, words and motivations. I committed my life to Jesus Christ in the spring of 2006 and ever since I have continually matured and been challenged in my perspectives of different subjects. Through this blog I hope to share those perspectives and challenge you to think deeper about your life, your actions, your motivations, and your faith. In return I hope those that are older, wiser, or have a different perspective will challenge my thoughts to encourage my growth.

The beauty of writing a blog is those that want to read can and those that don't want to read don't have to. I won't be imposing my ideas on anyone. The second beauty of the blog is you can respond. We form our perspectives from our background and experiences. I am just one person with one background and one set of experiences. I hope you will refute, challenge, question, or agree with my thoughts so that we may combine our perspectives and build on our understanding.

I plan on posting whenever I learn something new that I feel like sharing, but as you probably know life goes in cycles. Sometimes you are in a stage of growth, sometimes you are in a stage of application and sometimes you are just trying to survive. They say the most common post in Christopher Columbus' journals when he was sailing across the Atlantic was, "Today, we sailed on."

I hope you will join me in pondering life's great mysteries :)