I just dropped my youngest daughter at college last Friday. It's her second year. Each year is a challenge of figuring out how to pay for school. I'm proud of both daughters who are paying their own way through school. They couldn't do it without student loans. My older daughter is in year five of a five year/dual degree program. When she graduates this spring her student loan debt will be about $30,000. Probably not as bad as some and not as good as others.
College is expensive. Even with grants the financial burden of getting an education is severe. Pursuing a dream is always costly. Getting the tools necessary to accomplish dream exacts a cost. There is always an investment required.
Solomon talks about the cost of gaining wisdom in Proverbs 4. People spend a lot on education these days. But education alone isn't enough. You need wisdom to apply your learning. Solomon exclaims, "Get wisdom, get understanding." Later in chapter four he says that wisdom is supreme, get wisdom even if it cost you all you have, get understanding.
When Solomon talks about understanding, he's not just talking about getting information. Although information helps in discernment, he is talking about gaining the insight of wisdom here. It's the insight to know what to do with the information you have acquired. Lots of people know computer programming and understand computer technology, but Bill Gates had the insight or wisdom that very few have. There are a lot of financial investors, but few with the wisdom of Warren Buffet.
The advice that I would give all college students and truly all students of life would be to heed Solomon's words here in Proverbs 4 about getting wisdom. Wisdom adds so much more to your life. The quality of your life will improve. The hardships will decrease. The path of wisdom may seem different from that of the world's, but it's the safest, most profitable path to take.
God, in this confusing world, I need wisdom. I don't need the wisdom of man. I need your wisdom. Give me wisdom today. Give me the wisdom I need to handle today's challenges. Give me the wisdom to understand the steps I need to take today to get to where you want me to be tomorrow and on down the road.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Daily Reflections on Jn. 10:14-42 (A Tribute to Pauline)
This past week my wife's great aunt passed away. She was 99. A lovely lady with great grace. She was an encourager, a helper, a servant. By the time you reach 99 you learn a lot about life. And her guide throughout her years was the Good Shepherd. One of ten kids up and then starting life in the depression, marriage and the premature death of her spouse, Pauline learned how to follow her shepherd.
All good relationships are fueled by trust. Our spiritual relationship with God is fueled by learning to trust Him more. The more that I learn to trust Him in all areas of my life, the deeper my relationship with God will be. The more I learn to trust Jesus on a daily basis, the deeper, the more satisfying, the more enjoyable my spiritual life will be, not to mention my daily life.
If I'm going to learn to trust the Good Shepherd, like Aunt Pauline, and build my relationship with Jesus, I have to learn to trust Jesus' character. If I learn what Jesus is really like then I know that I can trust Him. As we examine His character we will realize that we can cast our cares on Him, as Peter says, because He cares for us.
Sometimes we struggle with issues or events thinking that God has thrown a monkey wrench into the mix just to mess us up or to punish us. We find ourselves questioning not only the event, but we find ourselves questioning God. We say things like, "God, why are you letting this happen to me?" But that's not the character of Jesus that we see in John 10. As the Good Shepherd we have to remember that Jesus knows us, personally. That means he knows what we're facing, feeling, going through and He's there.
According to this passage Jesus says that He is willing to lay down His life for His sheep, that's us. No one takes His life from Him. He willing lays it down for us. Those aren't just words. He proved at the cross, laying down His life for mine and yours. And it's through that sacrifice that He can invite us into the security of His fold. He invites us because He loves us.
It's one thing to trust Jesus' character, but it's another thing to trust His power. Even if I trust His character and understand that He cares for me, so what if He can't make a difference in my life? But as you peruse the pages of the Bible, you realize that as God, Jesus is all powerful. And if Jesus is all powerful then instead of holding onto all the issues in my life, I should release them into His hands. I've learned through my limited years that God won't rip anything out of my hands. He always waits for me to give it to Him. I end up struggling half the time because I've not let it go and put it in His hands.
Perhaps that's because, sometimes I forget to trust in Jesus' promises. Sure I know He cares and that He's all powerful, but I forget that His promises are for me, not just stuff written in a book for me to read. If you read through this passage in John 10 it becomes obvious that Jesus promises for all who will come to Him and place their trust in Him to give them eternal life, that they'll never perish and that no one can snatch them out of His hand. Those basic promises are foundational in our relationship with Him learning to trust Him in the daily things of life.
God, thanks for the example of Aunt Pauline who lived her life following, trusting the Good Shepherd. Help me grow in learning how to trust you daily for even the most basic things of life. I want that abundant life that Jesus talks about and I know that's only possible as I relinquish my daily schedule, agenda, struggles, challenges to you.
All good relationships are fueled by trust. Our spiritual relationship with God is fueled by learning to trust Him more. The more that I learn to trust Him in all areas of my life, the deeper my relationship with God will be. The more I learn to trust Jesus on a daily basis, the deeper, the more satisfying, the more enjoyable my spiritual life will be, not to mention my daily life.
If I'm going to learn to trust the Good Shepherd, like Aunt Pauline, and build my relationship with Jesus, I have to learn to trust Jesus' character. If I learn what Jesus is really like then I know that I can trust Him. As we examine His character we will realize that we can cast our cares on Him, as Peter says, because He cares for us.
Sometimes we struggle with issues or events thinking that God has thrown a monkey wrench into the mix just to mess us up or to punish us. We find ourselves questioning not only the event, but we find ourselves questioning God. We say things like, "God, why are you letting this happen to me?" But that's not the character of Jesus that we see in John 10. As the Good Shepherd we have to remember that Jesus knows us, personally. That means he knows what we're facing, feeling, going through and He's there.
According to this passage Jesus says that He is willing to lay down His life for His sheep, that's us. No one takes His life from Him. He willing lays it down for us. Those aren't just words. He proved at the cross, laying down His life for mine and yours. And it's through that sacrifice that He can invite us into the security of His fold. He invites us because He loves us.
It's one thing to trust Jesus' character, but it's another thing to trust His power. Even if I trust His character and understand that He cares for me, so what if He can't make a difference in my life? But as you peruse the pages of the Bible, you realize that as God, Jesus is all powerful. And if Jesus is all powerful then instead of holding onto all the issues in my life, I should release them into His hands. I've learned through my limited years that God won't rip anything out of my hands. He always waits for me to give it to Him. I end up struggling half the time because I've not let it go and put it in His hands.
Perhaps that's because, sometimes I forget to trust in Jesus' promises. Sure I know He cares and that He's all powerful, but I forget that His promises are for me, not just stuff written in a book for me to read. If you read through this passage in John 10 it becomes obvious that Jesus promises for all who will come to Him and place their trust in Him to give them eternal life, that they'll never perish and that no one can snatch them out of His hand. Those basic promises are foundational in our relationship with Him learning to trust Him in the daily things of life.
God, thanks for the example of Aunt Pauline who lived her life following, trusting the Good Shepherd. Help me grow in learning how to trust you daily for even the most basic things of life. I want that abundant life that Jesus talks about and I know that's only possible as I relinquish my daily schedule, agenda, struggles, challenges to you.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Daily Reflections on Jn. 10:14-21 (I Want In)
Yesterday after church services my wife exclaims, "I want you to preach that at my funeral." Later in the afternoon as I watching Y.E. Yang's amazing come from behind win at this year's PGA Championship over Tiger Woods, she sat down on the couch and said proclaimed the same message, "I mean it. I want you to preach that at my funeral."
That morning I had spoken on John 10:1-13. It's the passage where Jesus announces that He is the Good Shepherd and that He is the Gate or the Door. I had gotten a clearer understanding of that passage when I was in Israel in the year 2000. In my western way of thinking, when the Bible talked about folds or pens, I imaged a fenced in area with barb wire, swinging gate and the whole bit. I didn't realize that folds were actually caves with only one entrance/exit and that literally the shepherd was the door. He would sleep in the entry way so that nothing could pass in or out without his knowledge. Everything went through him.
Sure makes a lot more sense than my imagery. It's a lot easier to understand how the Good Shepherd would know each sheep if they had to pass through virtually one at a time as they entered the cave.
But if you keep on reading, beginning in verse 14 and following, you realize that there is more to the story. He talks about the intimacy that Jesus has with us if we're a part of his flock or part of His fold. We can have the same type of relationship with Jesus that He enjoys with God, the Father. There's a oneness that is only possible when we enter through the gate, Jesus.
When Jesus was teaching this life lesson, He mentioned that He had other sheep that were not of this particular sheep pen. What's He talking about? Some have erroneously suggested that Jesus was referring to life on other planets. Not so. He's talking to a Jewish crowd at the Feast of Tabernacles. Jewish feast. Jewish people. Jewish pen. So who are the other sheep "not of this sheep pen?" Those of us who are not Jews, more commonly known as "the gentiles."
If I were to draw an imagery that compared to today, I think a parallel would be church folk and non church folk. Many people act as if Jesus only came to save good, clean living, respectable church going people. It's like there are two classes, the acceptable people and those sinful pagans. Many church people make it a point to steer clear from those non church people for fear of contamination. We don't call them unclean, we just think of them as such. We have as little to do with them as possible.
Yet Jesus says, "Hey, you know those people whom you consider unclean, they belong to me too." He talks about that fact that we'll be one flock with one shepherd. News flash: the flock or pen is not ours! We're HIS flock. He came to die for all people, Jews or gentiles, church going people and non church going people. And by the way, just because we're church going people doesn't automatically get us into His fold. We ALL have to enter through the gate, Jesus, individually. We all have to claim Him as Lord and Savior. We all have to listen to His voice, obey His voice and follow Him with complete trust. Your actions give you away as to whom or what you're really following.
God, thanks for providing a way out or rather a way in through Jesus. Thanks for your grace, guidance, protection, love, security, salvation, satisfaction. I know that, Lord, my life isn't so abundant when I fail to listen, obey and follow you implicitly. Thanks for making it possible for me, an unclean gentile, to get into your fold. Help me to realize and remember your flock is broader than my perception and that you died for ALL people, not just for the ones like me.
That morning I had spoken on John 10:1-13. It's the passage where Jesus announces that He is the Good Shepherd and that He is the Gate or the Door. I had gotten a clearer understanding of that passage when I was in Israel in the year 2000. In my western way of thinking, when the Bible talked about folds or pens, I imaged a fenced in area with barb wire, swinging gate and the whole bit. I didn't realize that folds were actually caves with only one entrance/exit and that literally the shepherd was the door. He would sleep in the entry way so that nothing could pass in or out without his knowledge. Everything went through him.
Sure makes a lot more sense than my imagery. It's a lot easier to understand how the Good Shepherd would know each sheep if they had to pass through virtually one at a time as they entered the cave.
But if you keep on reading, beginning in verse 14 and following, you realize that there is more to the story. He talks about the intimacy that Jesus has with us if we're a part of his flock or part of His fold. We can have the same type of relationship with Jesus that He enjoys with God, the Father. There's a oneness that is only possible when we enter through the gate, Jesus.
When Jesus was teaching this life lesson, He mentioned that He had other sheep that were not of this particular sheep pen. What's He talking about? Some have erroneously suggested that Jesus was referring to life on other planets. Not so. He's talking to a Jewish crowd at the Feast of Tabernacles. Jewish feast. Jewish people. Jewish pen. So who are the other sheep "not of this sheep pen?" Those of us who are not Jews, more commonly known as "the gentiles."
If I were to draw an imagery that compared to today, I think a parallel would be church folk and non church folk. Many people act as if Jesus only came to save good, clean living, respectable church going people. It's like there are two classes, the acceptable people and those sinful pagans. Many church people make it a point to steer clear from those non church people for fear of contamination. We don't call them unclean, we just think of them as such. We have as little to do with them as possible.
Yet Jesus says, "Hey, you know those people whom you consider unclean, they belong to me too." He talks about that fact that we'll be one flock with one shepherd. News flash: the flock or pen is not ours! We're HIS flock. He came to die for all people, Jews or gentiles, church going people and non church going people. And by the way, just because we're church going people doesn't automatically get us into His fold. We ALL have to enter through the gate, Jesus, individually. We all have to claim Him as Lord and Savior. We all have to listen to His voice, obey His voice and follow Him with complete trust. Your actions give you away as to whom or what you're really following.
God, thanks for providing a way out or rather a way in through Jesus. Thanks for your grace, guidance, protection, love, security, salvation, satisfaction. I know that, Lord, my life isn't so abundant when I fail to listen, obey and follow you implicitly. Thanks for making it possible for me, an unclean gentile, to get into your fold. Help me to realize and remember your flock is broader than my perception and that you died for ALL people, not just for the ones like me.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Daily Reflections on Jn. 8:12-30 (A GPS for Life)
GPS is a great device to have in your car. It makes life a lot more convenient and gives you a lot more confidence when heading out to parts unknown. I bought one for my oldest daughter last Christmas. She had used one the previous summer as she traveled for her college and fell in love with it.
Before then she carried an atlas in the car to get her from point "A" to point "B." And of course when all else failed she would call me from the road and ask me to Google maps her position and tell her where she should turn, exit, etc. I was her mapping system in an emergency even though I had no idea where she was half the time. Since the GPS, I rarely receive a call asking for directions. She doesn't need me. It's at her fingertips.
I've been doing a series on the Gospel of John in our Sunday morning services. There is so much to learn from the book of John. Sunday we started into chapter 8 which is the passage of the woman caught in the act of adultery and brought to Jesus to be stoned. This is the passage that Jesus tells the crowd, "You without sin, cast the first stone." It's also where Jesus said to the women, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."
It's the annual Feast of the Tabernacles, the one where the Jewish people celebrated God's involvement in their lives through the wilderness wanders on their way to the promised land. As part of the celebration, they erected monstrous lamp stands in the court of women outside the entrance to the Temple and lit them as a reminder of the pillar of fire that led them on their journey.
Right after the scene with the adulterous woman, Jesus stands before these lamp stands and declares that He is the light of the world and that whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness. Over the next few verses, Jesus has an interaction with the religious leaders about the idea. They want to know why He said that and how it could be that He indeed was the light of the world.
Jesus tells us in this passage that He knows where He is going. The rest of us, well, we think we know but we really don't have all knowledge to make ALL the right calls in life. Sometimes we're just guessing. Jesus never guesses. He knows. He doesn't gamble. He knows. He doesn't just pick a direction. He knows.
In the Old Testament, whenever the pillar moved out in front of the camp, it was time to pick up and move. Whenever it stopped, it was time to stop. Wherever it went, that was the direction to go. Jesus is saying that He is that light for us. Since He knows where He is going, I can follow Him in confidence knowing that wherever Jesus leads is the right direction.
He knows where He is going because of His relationship to the Father. As I follow the path of Jesus, the more I begin to know about the Father and the closer I actually become to Christ. I'm listening more intensely. I'm paying more attention. I'm more attuned to His voice, His direction, His attributes, His character, His love. The more I follow Him. The more I find myself drawn to Him.
Following Jesus is like having a GPS for life. I never have to worry about getting lost. He'll guide me turn by turn. He gives me speed, direction, weather updates, traffic updates, and alternative routes when necessary. Of course, I can turn Him off at any time and go it alone. But before long, I'll need to turn Him on again. I can also ignore His direction. But He'll continue to give instruction on how to get back on the right path again.
God, it is so great to have you guiding my life. I don't know why I ever ignore your direction and take wrong turns. I don't why I ever turn you off. You always have the right path to take. Help me turn down the radio, the outside noise and focus on your leading throughout my day. Thanks for the confidence and clarity for my life.
Before then she carried an atlas in the car to get her from point "A" to point "B." And of course when all else failed she would call me from the road and ask me to Google maps her position and tell her where she should turn, exit, etc. I was her mapping system in an emergency even though I had no idea where she was half the time. Since the GPS, I rarely receive a call asking for directions. She doesn't need me. It's at her fingertips.
I've been doing a series on the Gospel of John in our Sunday morning services. There is so much to learn from the book of John. Sunday we started into chapter 8 which is the passage of the woman caught in the act of adultery and brought to Jesus to be stoned. This is the passage that Jesus tells the crowd, "You without sin, cast the first stone." It's also where Jesus said to the women, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."
It's the annual Feast of the Tabernacles, the one where the Jewish people celebrated God's involvement in their lives through the wilderness wanders on their way to the promised land. As part of the celebration, they erected monstrous lamp stands in the court of women outside the entrance to the Temple and lit them as a reminder of the pillar of fire that led them on their journey.
Right after the scene with the adulterous woman, Jesus stands before these lamp stands and declares that He is the light of the world and that whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness. Over the next few verses, Jesus has an interaction with the religious leaders about the idea. They want to know why He said that and how it could be that He indeed was the light of the world.
Jesus tells us in this passage that He knows where He is going. The rest of us, well, we think we know but we really don't have all knowledge to make ALL the right calls in life. Sometimes we're just guessing. Jesus never guesses. He knows. He doesn't gamble. He knows. He doesn't just pick a direction. He knows.
In the Old Testament, whenever the pillar moved out in front of the camp, it was time to pick up and move. Whenever it stopped, it was time to stop. Wherever it went, that was the direction to go. Jesus is saying that He is that light for us. Since He knows where He is going, I can follow Him in confidence knowing that wherever Jesus leads is the right direction.
He knows where He is going because of His relationship to the Father. As I follow the path of Jesus, the more I begin to know about the Father and the closer I actually become to Christ. I'm listening more intensely. I'm paying more attention. I'm more attuned to His voice, His direction, His attributes, His character, His love. The more I follow Him. The more I find myself drawn to Him.
Following Jesus is like having a GPS for life. I never have to worry about getting lost. He'll guide me turn by turn. He gives me speed, direction, weather updates, traffic updates, and alternative routes when necessary. Of course, I can turn Him off at any time and go it alone. But before long, I'll need to turn Him on again. I can also ignore His direction. But He'll continue to give instruction on how to get back on the right path again.
God, it is so great to have you guiding my life. I don't know why I ever ignore your direction and take wrong turns. I don't why I ever turn you off. You always have the right path to take. Help me turn down the radio, the outside noise and focus on your leading throughout my day. Thanks for the confidence and clarity for my life.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Daily Reflections on Col. 1:9-13 (No Wonder We're Floundering)
My small group has decided to do something novel. We decided to take a break from our study of Romans and go and pray with various families or individuals in our church. We started this week. It was amazing to see what happened to our group. We ended up hanging a few pictures as well as sharing a little more with each other. It was almost like we drew closer to God than by just opening His Word.
I was reminded again of Colossians 1, where Paul talks about praying for this church. He had heard about their growing faith and begin pouring out his heart in prayer for these people. There were some specific things that Paul prayed for that seem relevant to every Christ follower today.
The first thing to note was that his prayer was continuous. Too often we say that we'll pray for someone, and either we just spout out a quick prayer or we never actually pray for them. Paul's prayer wasn't just a one time flash prayer. It was an urgent, ongoing prayer for this church.
He prayed that God would fill them with knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. He says that he prays this so that they may life a life worthy of the Lord and that they may please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God and being strengthened with all power according to God's glorious might. The reason? So that they may have great endurance and patience.
That's a little different than just praying for physical needs or specific situations. It's a prayer for spiritual growth. It's prayer for a full life in Christ. It's prayer for Christ's followers to become more and more aware of the presence of God in their life and to live acknowledging the presence and power of God in their life on a daily basis. It's a prayer to live an exemplary life, free of temptation, following God's will moment by moment. It's about being a light to the world, community, work place, classroom around us. It's a prayer that calls for the recipient to be a true representative of Jesus.
To be honest, I don't think that I've prayed specifically for each member of my congregation through the years that way. I have prayed for them as a whole. I've prayed for health, healing, jobs, relationships, to overcome certain temptations, but I really haven't prayed continuously for the things Paul prays for this Colossae church. But I'm starting today. I'm getting out my membership list and I'm praying through it. Join me. Reread Colossians 1:9-13. Jot the list down and start praying for those closest to you. And be sure to pray this for your pastor and staff.
God, I don't why I haven't really prayed this for my church family specifically in the past. I've read these verses time and time again. I'm gonna start praying this way today. Give me the insight into how to pray more specifically for them. I recognize it's not just about my teaching or counseling or involvement in their lives. It's about you and your involvement in their lives. I want to see my church family filled with the knowledge of your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. I want to see them live a life worthy of you, pleasing you and bearing fruit in every good work. Give them the endurance and strength and patience each day. Let them rejoice with thanksgiving for the opportunity to share in the inheritance with the saints.
I was reminded again of Colossians 1, where Paul talks about praying for this church. He had heard about their growing faith and begin pouring out his heart in prayer for these people. There were some specific things that Paul prayed for that seem relevant to every Christ follower today.
The first thing to note was that his prayer was continuous. Too often we say that we'll pray for someone, and either we just spout out a quick prayer or we never actually pray for them. Paul's prayer wasn't just a one time flash prayer. It was an urgent, ongoing prayer for this church.
He prayed that God would fill them with knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. He says that he prays this so that they may life a life worthy of the Lord and that they may please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God and being strengthened with all power according to God's glorious might. The reason? So that they may have great endurance and patience.
That's a little different than just praying for physical needs or specific situations. It's a prayer for spiritual growth. It's prayer for a full life in Christ. It's prayer for Christ's followers to become more and more aware of the presence of God in their life and to live acknowledging the presence and power of God in their life on a daily basis. It's a prayer to live an exemplary life, free of temptation, following God's will moment by moment. It's about being a light to the world, community, work place, classroom around us. It's a prayer that calls for the recipient to be a true representative of Jesus.
To be honest, I don't think that I've prayed specifically for each member of my congregation through the years that way. I have prayed for them as a whole. I've prayed for health, healing, jobs, relationships, to overcome certain temptations, but I really haven't prayed continuously for the things Paul prays for this Colossae church. But I'm starting today. I'm getting out my membership list and I'm praying through it. Join me. Reread Colossians 1:9-13. Jot the list down and start praying for those closest to you. And be sure to pray this for your pastor and staff.
God, I don't why I haven't really prayed this for my church family specifically in the past. I've read these verses time and time again. I'm gonna start praying this way today. Give me the insight into how to pray more specifically for them. I recognize it's not just about my teaching or counseling or involvement in their lives. It's about you and your involvement in their lives. I want to see my church family filled with the knowledge of your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. I want to see them live a life worthy of you, pleasing you and bearing fruit in every good work. Give them the endurance and strength and patience each day. Let them rejoice with thanksgiving for the opportunity to share in the inheritance with the saints.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Daily Reflections on Prov. 17:6 (Parental Pride)
Ever since the death of my father in February of this year, I've thought a lot about the legacy of his life and my own. Seems like my dad made a lot more contributions to the development of the Kingdom of God, than I have. By the time he was my age he had already been a major influence in the writing of teen and college age study materials, helped to launch the concept of campus ministry, been involved in leading hundreds of adult Bible school or study leaders in new and effective ways for bringing enlightenment of God's Word.
Me, I haven't had that kind of impact. I've held several located ministries that are seemingly of inconsequential impact. My biggest accomplishment was leading a church to grow enough to purchase and relocate to an abandoned Wal-Mart building. Not quite the same impact. Oh sure, we average about 70 additions a year during my nearly 13 year tenure. And we launched an Hispanic church that was doing quite well at last report. We did raise up several young people who are now involved in missions, but I can't say that that equates with level of my dad.
Right now I'm involved in a struggling church plant. It's been uphill all the way with lots of set backs and challenges, more disappointments than victories. The spiritual battles have been relentless. The satanic attacks almost unbearable. Yet, we march on in God's power, pursuing God's call.
As I've contemplated the difference in the calling and Kingdom impact between my dad and me, my daughter has shared with me the pressure she felt to live up the impact both of us have made. I'm thinking, I don't know what you're talking about because I certainly haven't made that much of impact in the overall development of the Kingdom.
Proverbs 17:6 talks about how grandchildren are a crown to the aged. One of the joys for both my dad and mom have been the number of grandchildren they have that are involved in full time Christian service. The heritage and passion for the God and His Kingdom lives on. The legacy of my parents is that their kids and grandkids are pursuing a passionate relationship with Christ. Forget all the other accomplishments, that's the one of greatest significance to them.
But in that same verse Solomon also talks about the fact that parents are the pride of their children. I look at my parents with a great deal of respect for all they have done in impacting this world for Christ. There is no way I could ever live up to them. I'm sure my daughter feels the same way. Yet, I know that I'm not perfect, nor was my dad or is my mom. I want to be proud of my parents, it's only natural. I am proud of my parents. But their calling is not my calling.
I don't have to be a world changer with lots of recognition. All I have to do is make a difference in the world around me. To bring joy to my grandparents, who have long since passed, and to my parents is to serve God with all my heart and to instill the same desire in my children. If my children have the same passion to serve God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, then I've brought joy to my parents.
Although I'm not a grandparent yet, I long to see the day when my grandchildren will grow to embrace God and His Kingdom. I pray that through my children, their children will find themselves involved in expanding the Kingdom of God and sharing the Good News with others.
God, sometimes I feel like I'm letting my parents down and letting you down for not achieving some great accomplishment in your Kingdom. I want to live up to my dad's heritage, but I really feel inadequate and even a failure at times. Yet I know that I'm following your calling on my life for me right now and that's all you ask me to do. Use me God to your fullest. Take my talents and gifts and multiply them to maximum effectiveness for your Kingdom. I pray also for my children to grow in their passion for you and desire to impact their world with your wonderful Good News and grace.
Me, I haven't had that kind of impact. I've held several located ministries that are seemingly of inconsequential impact. My biggest accomplishment was leading a church to grow enough to purchase and relocate to an abandoned Wal-Mart building. Not quite the same impact. Oh sure, we average about 70 additions a year during my nearly 13 year tenure. And we launched an Hispanic church that was doing quite well at last report. We did raise up several young people who are now involved in missions, but I can't say that that equates with level of my dad.
Right now I'm involved in a struggling church plant. It's been uphill all the way with lots of set backs and challenges, more disappointments than victories. The spiritual battles have been relentless. The satanic attacks almost unbearable. Yet, we march on in God's power, pursuing God's call.
As I've contemplated the difference in the calling and Kingdom impact between my dad and me, my daughter has shared with me the pressure she felt to live up the impact both of us have made. I'm thinking, I don't know what you're talking about because I certainly haven't made that much of impact in the overall development of the Kingdom.
Proverbs 17:6 talks about how grandchildren are a crown to the aged. One of the joys for both my dad and mom have been the number of grandchildren they have that are involved in full time Christian service. The heritage and passion for the God and His Kingdom lives on. The legacy of my parents is that their kids and grandkids are pursuing a passionate relationship with Christ. Forget all the other accomplishments, that's the one of greatest significance to them.
But in that same verse Solomon also talks about the fact that parents are the pride of their children. I look at my parents with a great deal of respect for all they have done in impacting this world for Christ. There is no way I could ever live up to them. I'm sure my daughter feels the same way. Yet, I know that I'm not perfect, nor was my dad or is my mom. I want to be proud of my parents, it's only natural. I am proud of my parents. But their calling is not my calling.
I don't have to be a world changer with lots of recognition. All I have to do is make a difference in the world around me. To bring joy to my grandparents, who have long since passed, and to my parents is to serve God with all my heart and to instill the same desire in my children. If my children have the same passion to serve God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, then I've brought joy to my parents.
Although I'm not a grandparent yet, I long to see the day when my grandchildren will grow to embrace God and His Kingdom. I pray that through my children, their children will find themselves involved in expanding the Kingdom of God and sharing the Good News with others.
God, sometimes I feel like I'm letting my parents down and letting you down for not achieving some great accomplishment in your Kingdom. I want to live up to my dad's heritage, but I really feel inadequate and even a failure at times. Yet I know that I'm following your calling on my life for me right now and that's all you ask me to do. Use me God to your fullest. Take my talents and gifts and multiply them to maximum effectiveness for your Kingdom. I pray also for my children to grow in their passion for you and desire to impact their world with your wonderful Good News and grace.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Daily Reflections on Ps. 62:1-12 (Why Do I Get So Stress Out?)
Why do I get so stressed out when I know that God is in control? Is it lack of faith? Is it my desire to be in control? Is it downright ignorance? Is it I think that God is not really interested in my problems, situations or circumstances? Is it my stupidity? Or is it a lack of awareness of God's presence in my life?
At the National New Church Conference in Orlando, aka Exponential 09, this spring, I sat in on a workshop led by John Burke from Austin, TX. The workshop had to do with helping messy people become holy people. Mr. Burke shared an idea God had pressed on his heart for his congregation, that I've been seriously thinking about employing at my church. For 60 days he had his congregates set an alarm on their watch, cell phone or computer to go off every 60 minutes. When the alarm went off he told them to say a short prayer acknowledging the presence of God and asking Him what He wanted them to do at that moment.
It worked and a soul revolution was begun in his church. People became more aware of God's daily presence and found themselves more actively living their life to Him.
In this 60-60 experiment the people of Gateway Church discovered what David discovered in Psalm 62. David says, "my soul finds rest in God alone." In verse 8 he writes, "Trust in Him at all times, o people; pour out your heart to Him for God is our refuge." Recognizing and living in the daily presence of God has to change me. It changes my perspective. It changes my attitude. It changes my work ethic. It changes my thought process. It keeps me balanced. It makes me a better time manager. It improves my relationships. It keeps me focused on what really is important. It relieves my stress.
Sounds like the way to live. Without God, I think I'm one of those messy people. If I'm not focused on Him, I get so wrapped up in things of little to no consequences and those are often the things that mess with my mind. It's not unmanly to depend on God. It's wise to seek His advice, His direction, His strength, His insights. It's not weakness to depend on God. It's about productivity. And not only am I being more productive in business life, I'm being more productive in my personal life.
God, I don't know why I get so freaked out sometimes over things that I don't have any control over. I know to look to you and to depend on you. But for whatever reason, I seem to lose track of your presence and involvement in my life. I need your wisdom, strength, protection, direction, etc. I'm trusting you. I'm pouring my heart out to you.
At the National New Church Conference in Orlando, aka Exponential 09, this spring, I sat in on a workshop led by John Burke from Austin, TX. The workshop had to do with helping messy people become holy people. Mr. Burke shared an idea God had pressed on his heart for his congregation, that I've been seriously thinking about employing at my church. For 60 days he had his congregates set an alarm on their watch, cell phone or computer to go off every 60 minutes. When the alarm went off he told them to say a short prayer acknowledging the presence of God and asking Him what He wanted them to do at that moment.
It worked and a soul revolution was begun in his church. People became more aware of God's daily presence and found themselves more actively living their life to Him.
In this 60-60 experiment the people of Gateway Church discovered what David discovered in Psalm 62. David says, "my soul finds rest in God alone." In verse 8 he writes, "Trust in Him at all times, o people; pour out your heart to Him for God is our refuge." Recognizing and living in the daily presence of God has to change me. It changes my perspective. It changes my attitude. It changes my work ethic. It changes my thought process. It keeps me balanced. It makes me a better time manager. It improves my relationships. It keeps me focused on what really is important. It relieves my stress.
Sounds like the way to live. Without God, I think I'm one of those messy people. If I'm not focused on Him, I get so wrapped up in things of little to no consequences and those are often the things that mess with my mind. It's not unmanly to depend on God. It's wise to seek His advice, His direction, His strength, His insights. It's not weakness to depend on God. It's about productivity. And not only am I being more productive in business life, I'm being more productive in my personal life.
God, I don't know why I get so freaked out sometimes over things that I don't have any control over. I know to look to you and to depend on you. But for whatever reason, I seem to lose track of your presence and involvement in my life. I need your wisdom, strength, protection, direction, etc. I'm trusting you. I'm pouring my heart out to you.
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