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.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Daily Reflections on Prov. 11:21-31 (Attitudes)
Attitude, mindset, disposition, whatever you want to call it does make a difference in life. It's not how much you have in resources, talents, abilities, or even your surrounding circumstance that really make a difference. It's what's going on in your heart.
In this series of proverbs in chapter 11, Solomon makes clear that those looking for trouble will find it and those looking for good will find that. Those who are generous are received with fondness and the tightfisted are looked upon with disdain.
I think I've found a new verse to add to my list of favorites. Verse 22 says, "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion." Wow, does that have lot to say to the young ladies in our culture today where sexting has become the latest rage and sex on the first date is the norm. It has a lot to say to all women of all ages quite frankly who so easily trade indiscretion for false security or approval.
Solomon talks here how troublemakers, the selfish, the negative, the self-absorbed all get what they have coming to them in the end. The more open our heart is to others, the more cheerful, the more generous, the more optimistic, the more good things come to our life.
To be honest, I get tired of all the nay sayers and negative and cold water throwers. The contentious, doomsdayers, and pessimistic wear me out. I've sat in countless board meetings, committee meetings and even staff meetings where the "that won't work" mentality overrides any potential opportunity and dowses the entrepreneurial spirit of the group.
I have heard it said that generous people live longer. I don't know if that's true or not but my bet is that they live happier and have a much more enjoyable life with a lot more friends. And my guess is that virtually no rags to riches story has at the center a pessimistic or negative or miserly person. I'm positive that no healthy, happy family has a troublesome personality that dominates or keeps things stirred up all the time.
There are so many scriptures that come to mind, ie. "give and it shall be given to you...," "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," "He is able to do abundantly, immeasurably more that what we can think or imagine." But the one that really seems an appropriate crescendo to these Proverbs comes from Phil. 2, where Paul instructs us to have the same attitude of Christ, taking on a servant's mentality.
God, in this negative, pessimistic world, it's easy to develop a negative, pessimistic or even cynical attitude. I know that in you I have victory. I want to have your mind. I want to be a servant like you. I want to extend grace like you. I want to remain optimistic. Let me be a blessing to others today.
In this series of proverbs in chapter 11, Solomon makes clear that those looking for trouble will find it and those looking for good will find that. Those who are generous are received with fondness and the tightfisted are looked upon with disdain.
I think I've found a new verse to add to my list of favorites. Verse 22 says, "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion." Wow, does that have lot to say to the young ladies in our culture today where sexting has become the latest rage and sex on the first date is the norm. It has a lot to say to all women of all ages quite frankly who so easily trade indiscretion for false security or approval.
Solomon talks here how troublemakers, the selfish, the negative, the self-absorbed all get what they have coming to them in the end. The more open our heart is to others, the more cheerful, the more generous, the more optimistic, the more good things come to our life.
To be honest, I get tired of all the nay sayers and negative and cold water throwers. The contentious, doomsdayers, and pessimistic wear me out. I've sat in countless board meetings, committee meetings and even staff meetings where the "that won't work" mentality overrides any potential opportunity and dowses the entrepreneurial spirit of the group.
I have heard it said that generous people live longer. I don't know if that's true or not but my bet is that they live happier and have a much more enjoyable life with a lot more friends. And my guess is that virtually no rags to riches story has at the center a pessimistic or negative or miserly person. I'm positive that no healthy, happy family has a troublesome personality that dominates or keeps things stirred up all the time.
There are so many scriptures that come to mind, ie. "give and it shall be given to you...," "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," "He is able to do abundantly, immeasurably more that what we can think or imagine." But the one that really seems an appropriate crescendo to these Proverbs comes from Phil. 2, where Paul instructs us to have the same attitude of Christ, taking on a servant's mentality.
God, in this negative, pessimistic world, it's easy to develop a negative, pessimistic or even cynical attitude. I know that in you I have victory. I want to have your mind. I want to be a servant like you. I want to extend grace like you. I want to remain optimistic. Let me be a blessing to others today.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Daily Reflections on Isa. 50:10-11 (Dark Consequences)
I'm thinking that's the world's a mess right now. I know, you're thinking, "Great insight, Dave. That's really deep. What a keen observer." Okay, I know that that isn't world breaking news. We all know that we're in a mess. And there are a lot of opinions on how we got here and how we get out. Expert testimony and analysis differs widely. But I figure the experts aren't looking to the right solution or at least the person with the right solution.
I don't claim to be an expert on any or all of the world's issues. I don't think I'm even an expert on my own life and why I do what I do. I get confused over that too. But one thing I do know for sure is that everything has its consequences. No matter what I say or do, there is consequence for that. Sir Isaac Newton said that one of the laws of nature is that for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. That principle can easily be applied to our behavior, thoughts and actions.
Without trying to sound pessimistic, I'd say the Bible is right when it describes the world as dark or darkness. Darkness is the absence of light. If God is light, there's a lot of places where He is absent. Not by His choice, but by our exclusion of Him. Yes, God is everywhere, but He doesn't push His presence when He is uninvited. He won't intervene where He is not asked or included. He is perfectly willing to let us crash and burn on our own.
Isaiah asks the question in verse 10 of our text, "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant?" Good question. Fear isn't about being terrified here, it's about respect and reverence. The bottom line on dealing with darkness is simply to trust in the name of the Lord and rely on God. Trusting and relying is more than just acknowledgment. It's about being totally submissive to God's direction and truths.
However, our tendency is try to handle the dark episodes or issues or occurrences on our own. We break out our handy dandy little flashlight and try to dispel the darkness. Even with the flashlight, we can't see everything. You can still stay lost in forest with a flashlight.
Isaiah says, "Go ahead, light your torches, follow your own path, but you can't see down the road like God can. It may seem right to you now, but you're on the wrong path and that path is going to lead to greater trouble and you're really going to be in a mess." I tell people all the time that we can choose to do whatever we want, we just can choose our consequences.
God, I don't know if there is more darkness in this world than ever before or not, but right now there appears to be a lot of darkness out there. What makes it seem worse is that there are a lot of people, influential people who apparently have adjusted to seeing or living in the dark themselves. Darkness has become the norm in society. That scares me a little bit and saddens me even more, because the darkness is becoming heavier, thicker, and spreading into all areas of life, including your church. I want to walk in your light. I'm extinguishing my torch, I'm turning off my flashlight and completely trusting and relying on you.
I don't claim to be an expert on any or all of the world's issues. I don't think I'm even an expert on my own life and why I do what I do. I get confused over that too. But one thing I do know for sure is that everything has its consequences. No matter what I say or do, there is consequence for that. Sir Isaac Newton said that one of the laws of nature is that for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. That principle can easily be applied to our behavior, thoughts and actions.
Without trying to sound pessimistic, I'd say the Bible is right when it describes the world as dark or darkness. Darkness is the absence of light. If God is light, there's a lot of places where He is absent. Not by His choice, but by our exclusion of Him. Yes, God is everywhere, but He doesn't push His presence when He is uninvited. He won't intervene where He is not asked or included. He is perfectly willing to let us crash and burn on our own.
Isaiah asks the question in verse 10 of our text, "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant?" Good question. Fear isn't about being terrified here, it's about respect and reverence. The bottom line on dealing with darkness is simply to trust in the name of the Lord and rely on God. Trusting and relying is more than just acknowledgment. It's about being totally submissive to God's direction and truths.
However, our tendency is try to handle the dark episodes or issues or occurrences on our own. We break out our handy dandy little flashlight and try to dispel the darkness. Even with the flashlight, we can't see everything. You can still stay lost in forest with a flashlight.
Isaiah says, "Go ahead, light your torches, follow your own path, but you can't see down the road like God can. It may seem right to you now, but you're on the wrong path and that path is going to lead to greater trouble and you're really going to be in a mess." I tell people all the time that we can choose to do whatever we want, we just can choose our consequences.
God, I don't know if there is more darkness in this world than ever before or not, but right now there appears to be a lot of darkness out there. What makes it seem worse is that there are a lot of people, influential people who apparently have adjusted to seeing or living in the dark themselves. Darkness has become the norm in society. That scares me a little bit and saddens me even more, because the darkness is becoming heavier, thicker, and spreading into all areas of life, including your church. I want to walk in your light. I'm extinguishing my torch, I'm turning off my flashlight and completely trusting and relying on you.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Daily Reflections on 1 Jn. 5:13-21 (I Just Want to Know)
There's a tabloid that makes it's living off the phrase, "Inquiring minds want to know." Being inquisitive is basic human nature. We want the latest gossip. We crane our necks to catch a glimpse of an accident as we drive by. We read the section in our local newspaper of the court records to find out who did what to whom, who got caught speeding, who's divorcing, who's getting married, etc. Celebrity gossip shows or websites get lots of viewers, because we just want to know.
As John pens the lines of 1 John, there are some things he wants us to know. He notes as he closes out the first of his three short epistles four basic "We knows." He tells us that he writes this first letter so that WE may KNOW we have eternal life. That's great information. WE can KNOW we have eternal life. We don't have to worry about. We can be assured. In his Gospel, John records Jesus' prayer in the garden in which Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ. Knowing is not knowing about God and Jesus. It's not a casual acquaintance with them. Knowing, in the context of John 17 is an intimate oneness with them.
John goes onto say in 1 John 5, that WE KNOW that anyone born of God does not continue to sin. Now when John says that he's talking about our attitude. It's really similar to what Paul writes in Romans 8. It's about our choice to really allow God ultimate control of our life. If we allow ourselves to walk in God's Holy Spirit, which He places in all His followers who surrender their life to Him and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, we would never have to sin again. It's an attitude of choosing to pursue Christ on a daily basis.
He also says that WE KNOW that we are children of God (if we're born of God) and that we live in a world where the devil is in control. We're in foreign territory. We're behind enemy lines. The world isn't, non-Christians aren't our enemy, Satan is. God has allowed Satan dominion over this world, which mean as long as we're still on this planet, we have to live with, endure, overcome the nature of this broken and dying world. We can expect difficulties, trials, temptations, hardships, injustice and even moronic thinking.
He concludes this book by saying that WE KNOW that the Son of God has come to give us understanding, that WE may KNOW him who is true. We can't forget that we are in HIM who is true and in HIM is true eternal life. God really wants to have a deep, personal oneness with us. He reveals more and more of Himself as we our relationship with Him grows. The more we know Him and understand Him and His truths, the better equipped to deal with the travails of this life and the greater assurance of victory is ours.
God, I long to know you more and more, deeper and deeper. Enlighten me. Empower me. Give me the tools and insight I need on this journey of life. Protect me. Strengthen me. Give me perspective. Give me greater understanding of you and your truths. Assure me. Do this so that I may bring you glory and reveal you to the darkened, lost world around me.
As John pens the lines of 1 John, there are some things he wants us to know. He notes as he closes out the first of his three short epistles four basic "We knows." He tells us that he writes this first letter so that WE may KNOW we have eternal life. That's great information. WE can KNOW we have eternal life. We don't have to worry about. We can be assured. In his Gospel, John records Jesus' prayer in the garden in which Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ. Knowing is not knowing about God and Jesus. It's not a casual acquaintance with them. Knowing, in the context of John 17 is an intimate oneness with them.
John goes onto say in 1 John 5, that WE KNOW that anyone born of God does not continue to sin. Now when John says that he's talking about our attitude. It's really similar to what Paul writes in Romans 8. It's about our choice to really allow God ultimate control of our life. If we allow ourselves to walk in God's Holy Spirit, which He places in all His followers who surrender their life to Him and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, we would never have to sin again. It's an attitude of choosing to pursue Christ on a daily basis.
He also says that WE KNOW that we are children of God (if we're born of God) and that we live in a world where the devil is in control. We're in foreign territory. We're behind enemy lines. The world isn't, non-Christians aren't our enemy, Satan is. God has allowed Satan dominion over this world, which mean as long as we're still on this planet, we have to live with, endure, overcome the nature of this broken and dying world. We can expect difficulties, trials, temptations, hardships, injustice and even moronic thinking.
He concludes this book by saying that WE KNOW that the Son of God has come to give us understanding, that WE may KNOW him who is true. We can't forget that we are in HIM who is true and in HIM is true eternal life. God really wants to have a deep, personal oneness with us. He reveals more and more of Himself as we our relationship with Him grows. The more we know Him and understand Him and His truths, the better equipped to deal with the travails of this life and the greater assurance of victory is ours.
God, I long to know you more and more, deeper and deeper. Enlighten me. Empower me. Give me the tools and insight I need on this journey of life. Protect me. Strengthen me. Give me perspective. Give me greater understanding of you and your truths. Assure me. Do this so that I may bring you glory and reveal you to the darkened, lost world around me.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Daily Reflections on Ps. 90:1-17 (Enough Is Enough, Already)
It's a rainy day and I'm not even in Georgia. But it sure feels like it's raining all over the world, at least in my life. This has been one tough stretch in my life. Church planting definitely isn't for cowards or the weak of heart. Weak yes, weak of heart, no. Right now, not only is it raining on the outside, it's raining on the inside of me. My tears are welling up in me and I long for God to wipe them from my eyes.
The news has not been good the last couple of weeks for me personally, actually for the last few years. Not that any one thing is so devastating, it's the culmination of things building. We're losing income, especially from outside support both as a church and me personally. We're losing personnel at church due to job changes and various personal reasons. Seems we're battling against a lot of stuff. I'm battling a lot of personal stuff. I'm really feeling more and more like Elijah all alone in the wilderness or Jehoshaphat facing the vast army of the Moabites and Ammonites or even Gideon up against the Midianites that were "as thick as locust" and their camels that "no more could be counted than the sand on the seashore."
On top of all the challenges upon us, upon me, I heard on the radio this morning a DJ talking about his experience with an elderly gentleman at the gym. He went on making excuses for the inappropriate social behavior and out of touch attire of this OLDER man. Then he revealed the that this aged person looked to be in his mid fifties. Hang on just a minute. Mid fifties is a long way from geezerhood.
With all of this stuff weighing on my heart, the Lord led me to Psalm 90 today. What a perfect passage for me. Not only does it reaffirm my mortality and my inadequacy, it celebrates the majesty and power of God. In this Psalm, noted as a prayer of Moses, the psalmist notes the brevity of our lives and the toll life takes on us through the years. He cries out to God to teach us to "number our days aright" so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Okay, my days are waning on this earth. If the psalmist is right, I've got about fifteen to twenty-five years left if I'm lucky. Every day from here on out can't be wasted doing ineffective things or piddling around. Every day has to count for Him.
Yet, the cry of the psalmist in verse 13 is the cry of my heart today. Relent, O Lord! How long will it be? Have some compassion on your servant. Satisfy me in the morning with your unfailing love, that I may sing for joy and be glad all my days. Make me glad for as many days as you have afflicted me, for as many years as I've seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servant, your splendor to my children. May the favor of the Lord, my God rest upon me; establish the work of my hands for me--yes, establish the work of my hands.
God, I don't how much more I can take. I need to see your hand moving. I need to experience your presence like never before. I give up. I'm crying, "Uncle." I'm broken and dishearten. God, I know the psalmist didn't say satisfy me with success. He said satisfy me with your unfailing love. I need that unfailing love. You promised, Lord that you would not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick. I'm feeling pretty bruised today and I'm just smoldering. Renew my flame. Heal my spirit. Fill me with your joy. Give me the victories of Elijah and Jehoshaphat and Gideon. Not that I deserve it, but for your glory.
The news has not been good the last couple of weeks for me personally, actually for the last few years. Not that any one thing is so devastating, it's the culmination of things building. We're losing income, especially from outside support both as a church and me personally. We're losing personnel at church due to job changes and various personal reasons. Seems we're battling against a lot of stuff. I'm battling a lot of personal stuff. I'm really feeling more and more like Elijah all alone in the wilderness or Jehoshaphat facing the vast army of the Moabites and Ammonites or even Gideon up against the Midianites that were "as thick as locust" and their camels that "no more could be counted than the sand on the seashore."
On top of all the challenges upon us, upon me, I heard on the radio this morning a DJ talking about his experience with an elderly gentleman at the gym. He went on making excuses for the inappropriate social behavior and out of touch attire of this OLDER man. Then he revealed the that this aged person looked to be in his mid fifties. Hang on just a minute. Mid fifties is a long way from geezerhood.
With all of this stuff weighing on my heart, the Lord led me to Psalm 90 today. What a perfect passage for me. Not only does it reaffirm my mortality and my inadequacy, it celebrates the majesty and power of God. In this Psalm, noted as a prayer of Moses, the psalmist notes the brevity of our lives and the toll life takes on us through the years. He cries out to God to teach us to "number our days aright" so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Okay, my days are waning on this earth. If the psalmist is right, I've got about fifteen to twenty-five years left if I'm lucky. Every day from here on out can't be wasted doing ineffective things or piddling around. Every day has to count for Him.
Yet, the cry of the psalmist in verse 13 is the cry of my heart today. Relent, O Lord! How long will it be? Have some compassion on your servant. Satisfy me in the morning with your unfailing love, that I may sing for joy and be glad all my days. Make me glad for as many days as you have afflicted me, for as many years as I've seen trouble. May your deeds be shown to your servant, your splendor to my children. May the favor of the Lord, my God rest upon me; establish the work of my hands for me--yes, establish the work of my hands.
God, I don't how much more I can take. I need to see your hand moving. I need to experience your presence like never before. I give up. I'm crying, "Uncle." I'm broken and dishearten. God, I know the psalmist didn't say satisfy me with success. He said satisfy me with your unfailing love. I need that unfailing love. You promised, Lord that you would not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smoldering wick. I'm feeling pretty bruised today and I'm just smoldering. Renew my flame. Heal my spirit. Fill me with your joy. Give me the victories of Elijah and Jehoshaphat and Gideon. Not that I deserve it, but for your glory.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Daily Reflections on Jn. 6:60-69 (Choices, Choices, Choices)
It had to be a weird moment. One day the disciples are enjoying the adulation of the massive crowd as they strolled through their midst picking up the leftovers from the feeding of the 5,000 and the next day they were trying to slink into the background as Jesus confronted the hungry mob looking for seconds. I've always wondered what was going through the disciples mind as Jesus proclaimed that He wasn't giving the people anymore bread; that if they wanted bread or manna from heaven, they were going to have to eat His flesh and drink His blood.
I have kind of a wild imagination, but my guess is that the disciples were thinking to themselves or even talking among themselves something like, "Man, He's ruining the whole thing. Why can't He do that Sermon on the Mount thing. He really awed them then. He's even dissing their hero, Moses. Come on Jesus, you're killing us here. Lighten up. Eat my flesh and drink my blood, give me a break. Surely you can come up with something better than that."
This whole passage has caused me to do some thinking. What kind of bread are most people choosing today. If Jesus is the bread of life, what kind of bread do we reach for on a daily basis. Seems to me that many people reach for their own plain white bread. It's a staple at most households. But metaphorically speaking, I have a tendency to butter my own bread. I'm not reaching for Jesus. I'm perfectly capable of providing for myself. In fact, I'm going to prove to you Jesus that I belong with you. Everything is based on us, trying to prove our worth to ourselves, to others and to God. It's really about performance. But the problem is how much is a enough to please God or others or even myself.
Others seem to choose an alternative bread. They reach for the whole wheat variety. Now this is different. It's not mainstream. But it's ultimately still about buttering my own bread. I can try meditation, self help, organic, or whatever, still is about proving my worth through my efforts. That's still a form of performance in a different package.
Then there's the pumpernickel eaters. Now that's really unique. This is the "I just want my freedom" connoisseur. I don't want any rules. I'll just want to do things my way, how I feel. I want to approach people, God, everything based on my own feelings, desires and wants. Unfortunately, this isn't very unique and it certainly isn't free. It's really costly. You can choose to do whatever you want, you just can't choose your consequences. If everyone did whatever they wanted when they wanted it'd be total anarchy, total chaos. God isn't interested if fakes or shows. He's all about authenticity. But unless you do things His way, you're out of luck and you're hurting yourself and others too.
Next in the bread line are the rye takers. Not rye in the sense of humor, but rye in mindset. "If I could just get into a new environment, then things would be better." "If I could just get a new husband or wife, then things will be better. If I could just get a new job...If I could just get a new house, car, etc....If I just had different parents...If I was just in different circumstances...If only...If only...If only." And so the beat goes on. The problem with that thinking is that wherever you go, there you are. You haven't changed. You're still the same person, no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. The only person who can give you a new life, make you a new person is Jesus.
My favorites in the bread section are Raisin Bread lovers. I say favorite, because I think this really is where many people are, especially those who claim to be followers of Christ. These are the individuals who decide that since God is love, that I can disobey Him in just this one area, that tastes so sweet, and get away with it. God's gonna forgive me for this. It's only one area and I'm not hurting anyone. Sin always affects others. It damages your reputation. It prevents you from ever knowing what God could or would do with you if you'd only surrendered to Him completely. You drive that little wedge in that keeps you from growing deeply with Him.
Jesus said that He was the bread of life. He is the manna or bread from Heaven. He said to eat His flesh and drink His blood. That may seem difficult in this world, but it is the only way to life now and life eternal. The crowd walked away. The disciples were thinking about walking away. And when Jesus asked them if they wanted to go too, Peter said, "Lord, where would we go? You alone have the words of eternal life. You are the Holy One, the promised one, the Messiah, the answer from God."
God, there is certainly a lot of bread to choose from in this world. But I choose the Bread of Life. I could choose another type of bread, but I know it wouldn't be satisfying. There's really only one choice that leads to you and life. I'd be back for you. And although following you is sometimes extremely difficult, I still choose you. I want to consume you. I'm hungry for you.
I have kind of a wild imagination, but my guess is that the disciples were thinking to themselves or even talking among themselves something like, "Man, He's ruining the whole thing. Why can't He do that Sermon on the Mount thing. He really awed them then. He's even dissing their hero, Moses. Come on Jesus, you're killing us here. Lighten up. Eat my flesh and drink my blood, give me a break. Surely you can come up with something better than that."
This whole passage has caused me to do some thinking. What kind of bread are most people choosing today. If Jesus is the bread of life, what kind of bread do we reach for on a daily basis. Seems to me that many people reach for their own plain white bread. It's a staple at most households. But metaphorically speaking, I have a tendency to butter my own bread. I'm not reaching for Jesus. I'm perfectly capable of providing for myself. In fact, I'm going to prove to you Jesus that I belong with you. Everything is based on us, trying to prove our worth to ourselves, to others and to God. It's really about performance. But the problem is how much is a enough to please God or others or even myself.
Others seem to choose an alternative bread. They reach for the whole wheat variety. Now this is different. It's not mainstream. But it's ultimately still about buttering my own bread. I can try meditation, self help, organic, or whatever, still is about proving my worth through my efforts. That's still a form of performance in a different package.
Then there's the pumpernickel eaters. Now that's really unique. This is the "I just want my freedom" connoisseur. I don't want any rules. I'll just want to do things my way, how I feel. I want to approach people, God, everything based on my own feelings, desires and wants. Unfortunately, this isn't very unique and it certainly isn't free. It's really costly. You can choose to do whatever you want, you just can't choose your consequences. If everyone did whatever they wanted when they wanted it'd be total anarchy, total chaos. God isn't interested if fakes or shows. He's all about authenticity. But unless you do things His way, you're out of luck and you're hurting yourself and others too.
Next in the bread line are the rye takers. Not rye in the sense of humor, but rye in mindset. "If I could just get into a new environment, then things would be better." "If I could just get a new husband or wife, then things will be better. If I could just get a new job...If I could just get a new house, car, etc....If I just had different parents...If I was just in different circumstances...If only...If only...If only." And so the beat goes on. The problem with that thinking is that wherever you go, there you are. You haven't changed. You're still the same person, no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. The only person who can give you a new life, make you a new person is Jesus.
My favorites in the bread section are Raisin Bread lovers. I say favorite, because I think this really is where many people are, especially those who claim to be followers of Christ. These are the individuals who decide that since God is love, that I can disobey Him in just this one area, that tastes so sweet, and get away with it. God's gonna forgive me for this. It's only one area and I'm not hurting anyone. Sin always affects others. It damages your reputation. It prevents you from ever knowing what God could or would do with you if you'd only surrendered to Him completely. You drive that little wedge in that keeps you from growing deeply with Him.
Jesus said that He was the bread of life. He is the manna or bread from Heaven. He said to eat His flesh and drink His blood. That may seem difficult in this world, but it is the only way to life now and life eternal. The crowd walked away. The disciples were thinking about walking away. And when Jesus asked them if they wanted to go too, Peter said, "Lord, where would we go? You alone have the words of eternal life. You are the Holy One, the promised one, the Messiah, the answer from God."
God, there is certainly a lot of bread to choose from in this world. But I choose the Bread of Life. I could choose another type of bread, but I know it wouldn't be satisfying. There's really only one choice that leads to you and life. I'd be back for you. And although following you is sometimes extremely difficult, I still choose you. I want to consume you. I'm hungry for you.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Daily Reflections on Prov. 22:1 (I Don't Get No Respect)
Aretha Franklin sings about it. Rodney Dangerfield longed for it. Athletes crave it. Everybody wants it. RESPECT. Sometimes respect is an illusive thing. I was taught as a youngster to show respect for my elders, parents, teachers, government leaders, church leaders, authorities (including police officers) and others in general. But in our society today respect is something that seems to be disappearing. Irreverence, suspicion, cynicism seems to prevail.
It's hard to respect politicians today with all the scandals that seem to be revealed on a regular basis. Corruption is the word most associated political figures. The list is endless but most recently news of South Carolina Governor Sanford's affair with an Argentinian woman and Illinois Governor Blagojevich's attempt to sell President Obama's senate seat exemplify the pattern in American politics. In my own area, local clerks and public officials have absconded with hundreds of thousands of public funds.
The steroid and various cheating scandals rock the sports world. There are more stories about A Rod's off the field escapades than his on the field heroics. Michael Vick's arrest for dog fighting, Plaxico Burress' gun charges, Donte Stallworth's sentencing for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk, Adam "Pacman" Jones' various club scene incidents only reinforce that fact that sports don't necessarily build character.
How many high profile church leaders and pastors have fallen from grace over sinful and seductive behaviors in recent years. But the high profile preachers and spiritual advisers aren't the only ones who prove to have feet of clay. In my own community in recent years, several church pastors have been dismissed for affairs, homosexual liaisons, embezzlement, child abuse and more.
I don't have to start in on corporate and banking leaders do I? Or how about teachers having sex with underage students? With all this going on it's no wonder respect has gone out the window. It's no wonder cynicism is high. Whatever happened to integrity?
Obviously not all politicians, preachers, leaders, teachers, athletes, etc. are corrupt. But the pattern of many causes us to distrust those in positions of authority period. Respect has to be earned and earning that respect seems to be harder than ever. I've recently considered changing my title to Life Coach, simply because of the negative connotations of the word, "Pastor." Even Spiritual Adviser is somewhat suspect these days.
If we want to earn the respect of our peers and others, Solomon has some simple advice. Live a life worthy of respect of others. He says that a good name is more desirable than riches and to be esteemed is of more value than silver or gold. He's right. To be honest, I'd much rather be appreciated and respected for what I do than make millions or even thousands of dollars. It's not that I'm interested in performing for people, it's that I want people to recognize my heart and service in a positive way. I don't have to have a church of 20,000 or live in an extravagant house or drive luxury cars. Just give me a little respect, recognition and maybe some honor.
But in order for me to get that, I have to earn it. It starts with my character, my sincerity, my authenticity, my humility, my heart of genuine service. It's not about my eloquence or talents or abilities or good looks. It's about what's going on inside of me, my consistency of positive behavior, my acts of responsibility.
God, I want a good name and a good reputation. I don't want to disgrace you by my actions or words or behavior. I want to bring glory to you and your Kingdom. I know that sometimes I'm inconsistent. I need your Spirit to work within me. Fill me with your character. Pour out of me. Touch others through my life, Lord, for your Kingdom.
It's hard to respect politicians today with all the scandals that seem to be revealed on a regular basis. Corruption is the word most associated political figures. The list is endless but most recently news of South Carolina Governor Sanford's affair with an Argentinian woman and Illinois Governor Blagojevich's attempt to sell President Obama's senate seat exemplify the pattern in American politics. In my own area, local clerks and public officials have absconded with hundreds of thousands of public funds.
The steroid and various cheating scandals rock the sports world. There are more stories about A Rod's off the field escapades than his on the field heroics. Michael Vick's arrest for dog fighting, Plaxico Burress' gun charges, Donte Stallworth's sentencing for killing a pedestrian while driving drunk, Adam "Pacman" Jones' various club scene incidents only reinforce that fact that sports don't necessarily build character.
How many high profile church leaders and pastors have fallen from grace over sinful and seductive behaviors in recent years. But the high profile preachers and spiritual advisers aren't the only ones who prove to have feet of clay. In my own community in recent years, several church pastors have been dismissed for affairs, homosexual liaisons, embezzlement, child abuse and more.
I don't have to start in on corporate and banking leaders do I? Or how about teachers having sex with underage students? With all this going on it's no wonder respect has gone out the window. It's no wonder cynicism is high. Whatever happened to integrity?
Obviously not all politicians, preachers, leaders, teachers, athletes, etc. are corrupt. But the pattern of many causes us to distrust those in positions of authority period. Respect has to be earned and earning that respect seems to be harder than ever. I've recently considered changing my title to Life Coach, simply because of the negative connotations of the word, "Pastor." Even Spiritual Adviser is somewhat suspect these days.
If we want to earn the respect of our peers and others, Solomon has some simple advice. Live a life worthy of respect of others. He says that a good name is more desirable than riches and to be esteemed is of more value than silver or gold. He's right. To be honest, I'd much rather be appreciated and respected for what I do than make millions or even thousands of dollars. It's not that I'm interested in performing for people, it's that I want people to recognize my heart and service in a positive way. I don't have to have a church of 20,000 or live in an extravagant house or drive luxury cars. Just give me a little respect, recognition and maybe some honor.
But in order for me to get that, I have to earn it. It starts with my character, my sincerity, my authenticity, my humility, my heart of genuine service. It's not about my eloquence or talents or abilities or good looks. It's about what's going on inside of me, my consistency of positive behavior, my acts of responsibility.
God, I want a good name and a good reputation. I don't want to disgrace you by my actions or words or behavior. I want to bring glory to you and your Kingdom. I know that sometimes I'm inconsistent. I need your Spirit to work within me. Fill me with your character. Pour out of me. Touch others through my life, Lord, for your Kingdom.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Daily Reflections on Prov. 13:4 (I Need a Good Job)
These have got to be the worst of times economically that I've seen since the days of the Carter administration in the late 70's. We don't have the long gas lines or double digit interest rates and inflation, but unemployment is every bit as high or higher. Getting a job with no job skills was really tough back then. I can remember going to 13 places in one day looking for a job, and nobody was hiring. That was depressing to a young over achiever.
Everyone is affected when we face a deep economic downturn. With the challenges facing the US auto industry and their restructure, I expect that we're going to see a depressing ripple affect throughout the country of suppliers feeling the cutbacks and layoffs. Some will be forced to take drastic measures themselves. The downward spiral continues.
Whether the economic times are good or bad, Solomon has some practical advice for us. He says that the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. What he means is that a lot of people have big dreams or aspirations, but dreams and aspirations aren't enough. Just because you would like to do something or become something doesn't necessarily mean it's just going to happen. It takes effort and imagination and more effort and persistence.
I hear the voice of the sluggard in phrases begin, "If only...." It's always about circumstances and luck and the excuses never end. The responsibility is almost always passed to someone or something else. This person often times claims to be a giver when in fact they are really takers and manipulators and users. And as the word implies, they are just lazy. Now not everyone obviously fits into this category, but at best they tend not be self initiators or self motivated.
However, the diligent, Solomon says are fully satisfied. Notice that he doesn't say the super intelligent or the multi-talented or the creative or the really lucky are satisfied. He says the diligent, those who work hard, who hang in there, who stay with it, who do the tough stuff to get to where they need to go. Diligence is more than just working hard, putting your nose to the grindstone and never looking up. It's not about not taking time to enjoy life. Diligence involves working smarter, persistence and flexibility.
Satisfied doesn't necessarily mean filthy rich either. It means satisfied. There is something fulfilling about accomplishing something that you set out to do, even if it's not perfect. I don't have to be the highest paid person or the most successful person in my field to obtain satisfaction. I do have to be willing to work for something while trusting God to give wisdom. If I'm just sitting around whining or complaining or lamenting my circumstances, I'm not going to be satisfied with myself.
I finally found a job that summer. It wasn't glamorous. I bagged groceries part time. I also got another job, unloading and delivering furniture. It wasn't my dream job and I rode a bike to work when I couldn't get a ride, but I was satisfied. I knew it was only a means to an end. I still served God. I was able to share my faith at work. I was glad that God had provided the opportunities.
God, you know I'm not satisfied with everything in my life right now. You know I would love to see our church explode and make a huge impact on our community. I don't want to be a sluggard. I want to be diligent in my efforts and my time. Make my energies profitable for you. Use me to accomplish your will for me. More than anything, I want to be diligent in serving you.
Everyone is affected when we face a deep economic downturn. With the challenges facing the US auto industry and their restructure, I expect that we're going to see a depressing ripple affect throughout the country of suppliers feeling the cutbacks and layoffs. Some will be forced to take drastic measures themselves. The downward spiral continues.
Whether the economic times are good or bad, Solomon has some practical advice for us. He says that the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. What he means is that a lot of people have big dreams or aspirations, but dreams and aspirations aren't enough. Just because you would like to do something or become something doesn't necessarily mean it's just going to happen. It takes effort and imagination and more effort and persistence.
I hear the voice of the sluggard in phrases begin, "If only...." It's always about circumstances and luck and the excuses never end. The responsibility is almost always passed to someone or something else. This person often times claims to be a giver when in fact they are really takers and manipulators and users. And as the word implies, they are just lazy. Now not everyone obviously fits into this category, but at best they tend not be self initiators or self motivated.
However, the diligent, Solomon says are fully satisfied. Notice that he doesn't say the super intelligent or the multi-talented or the creative or the really lucky are satisfied. He says the diligent, those who work hard, who hang in there, who stay with it, who do the tough stuff to get to where they need to go. Diligence is more than just working hard, putting your nose to the grindstone and never looking up. It's not about not taking time to enjoy life. Diligence involves working smarter, persistence and flexibility.
Satisfied doesn't necessarily mean filthy rich either. It means satisfied. There is something fulfilling about accomplishing something that you set out to do, even if it's not perfect. I don't have to be the highest paid person or the most successful person in my field to obtain satisfaction. I do have to be willing to work for something while trusting God to give wisdom. If I'm just sitting around whining or complaining or lamenting my circumstances, I'm not going to be satisfied with myself.
I finally found a job that summer. It wasn't glamorous. I bagged groceries part time. I also got another job, unloading and delivering furniture. It wasn't my dream job and I rode a bike to work when I couldn't get a ride, but I was satisfied. I knew it was only a means to an end. I still served God. I was able to share my faith at work. I was glad that God had provided the opportunities.
God, you know I'm not satisfied with everything in my life right now. You know I would love to see our church explode and make a huge impact on our community. I don't want to be a sluggard. I want to be diligent in my efforts and my time. Make my energies profitable for you. Use me to accomplish your will for me. More than anything, I want to be diligent in serving you.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Daily Reflections on Jn. 6:25-59 (Having My Cake and Eating Too)
I was recently talking with a friend of mine, an elder of another church, about what was happening in his church. He was recounting the sad story of a fallen staff member and the troubles that the church and leadership had endured over the last year. After a series of probing questions about the nature, make up, identity of the church, I asked where he thought they were going as a church. They had seen some growth which was obviously stymied for the time being. He wanted to see the growth continued but wondered how it effected the differing contingents of members, new and old. He finally said to me, "I think our leadership would like to have their cake and eat it too."
Boy, wouldn't we all. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people tell me, things like, "I'd like to have a large active church with a small church dynamic or feel." "I'd like to see lots of people come to Christ and keep the intimacy of a small church, where we know everyone." "I'd like to reach out to young people and keep things exactly they way they are." "I'd like to have a contemporary service with old time gospel music."
Basically, I'd like to have my cake and eat it too. Many of us approach our faith that way. We'd like to see God's will happen in our lives or in our church, but we'd also really like to have it our way. God's I'm all for it, as long as I like it, as long as it please me or meets my approval. Let's compromise God. I'll be faithful to you as long as it's according my standard, likes or preferences.
In John 6, the people following Jesus wanted their cake their way. Actually they were looking for an endless supply of bread. After the feeding of the 5,000, the crowd hounded Jesus for more food. They proclaimed that Moses fed the people with manna from heaven, why couldn't Jesus do the same thing for them. Follow Jesus around, enjoy the fellowship and get a free meal every day. Not a bad gig. I'd be doing my spiritual thing, listening to Jesus teach, hanging out with Him all day, don't have to work, get filled up. Have cake and eat it too.
The parallels are so striking to us today, especially among the churches of the US. "Feed me, feed me," is the cry heard from the pew. "Dazzle me, entertain me, send me manna from heaven with your amazing communication skills." "Bless me, give me a moving experience." Cake and eat it too.
When the crowd pressed Jesus, he told them, "You want bread sent from heaven? You're looking at Him. I'm bread sent from heaven. I'm the bread of life." What? How can Jesus be the bread of life, the bread sent from heaven? That was their question. It's not exactly what they had in mind. In fact, they started grumbling. Hey, we came to watch God do His thing, get wowed by a miracle or two, grab lunch on you. How 'bout it Jesus?
Sorry, no cake and eat it too. Jesus went on to say that unless they eat His flesh and drink His blood they didn't have any life in them. Ultimately what happened was that since they weren't going get what came for they weren't having any part of it so they decided to go back to their old ways. Instead of jumping in full bore with Jesus and experiencing something greater than their ancestors did, they decided their plans, their ways were more comfortable. They walked away. Lifeless. Empty. Hungry. Thirsty.
If you want real life, everlasting life, if you want to connect with God and enjoy real fellowship with Him you got to give up your cake and take a slice of the bread of life. And once slice isn't really enough. You have to eat it everyday. Jesus has to become you're exclusive diet.
God, I'm guilty. Having my cake and eating it too sounds awfully good, but I know it isn't very satisfying. I like things they way I like them. I'm interested in my comfort and my pleasure. I can't help but wonder where I'd be in the crowd that day. Eating your flesh and drinking your blood is hard sometimes, yet just like the disciples, I know that you alone have the words of eternal life. There's really no place, no other diet I'd rather have than you. Give a slice of the bread from heaven today.
Boy, wouldn't we all. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people tell me, things like, "I'd like to have a large active church with a small church dynamic or feel." "I'd like to see lots of people come to Christ and keep the intimacy of a small church, where we know everyone." "I'd like to reach out to young people and keep things exactly they way they are." "I'd like to have a contemporary service with old time gospel music."
Basically, I'd like to have my cake and eat it too. Many of us approach our faith that way. We'd like to see God's will happen in our lives or in our church, but we'd also really like to have it our way. God's I'm all for it, as long as I like it, as long as it please me or meets my approval. Let's compromise God. I'll be faithful to you as long as it's according my standard, likes or preferences.
In John 6, the people following Jesus wanted their cake their way. Actually they were looking for an endless supply of bread. After the feeding of the 5,000, the crowd hounded Jesus for more food. They proclaimed that Moses fed the people with manna from heaven, why couldn't Jesus do the same thing for them. Follow Jesus around, enjoy the fellowship and get a free meal every day. Not a bad gig. I'd be doing my spiritual thing, listening to Jesus teach, hanging out with Him all day, don't have to work, get filled up. Have cake and eat it too.
The parallels are so striking to us today, especially among the churches of the US. "Feed me, feed me," is the cry heard from the pew. "Dazzle me, entertain me, send me manna from heaven with your amazing communication skills." "Bless me, give me a moving experience." Cake and eat it too.
When the crowd pressed Jesus, he told them, "You want bread sent from heaven? You're looking at Him. I'm bread sent from heaven. I'm the bread of life." What? How can Jesus be the bread of life, the bread sent from heaven? That was their question. It's not exactly what they had in mind. In fact, they started grumbling. Hey, we came to watch God do His thing, get wowed by a miracle or two, grab lunch on you. How 'bout it Jesus?
Sorry, no cake and eat it too. Jesus went on to say that unless they eat His flesh and drink His blood they didn't have any life in them. Ultimately what happened was that since they weren't going get what came for they weren't having any part of it so they decided to go back to their old ways. Instead of jumping in full bore with Jesus and experiencing something greater than their ancestors did, they decided their plans, their ways were more comfortable. They walked away. Lifeless. Empty. Hungry. Thirsty.
If you want real life, everlasting life, if you want to connect with God and enjoy real fellowship with Him you got to give up your cake and take a slice of the bread of life. And once slice isn't really enough. You have to eat it everyday. Jesus has to become you're exclusive diet.
God, I'm guilty. Having my cake and eating it too sounds awfully good, but I know it isn't very satisfying. I like things they way I like them. I'm interested in my comfort and my pleasure. I can't help but wonder where I'd be in the crowd that day. Eating your flesh and drinking your blood is hard sometimes, yet just like the disciples, I know that you alone have the words of eternal life. There's really no place, no other diet I'd rather have than you. Give a slice of the bread from heaven today.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Daily Reflections on Heb. 2:5-18 (The Arrogance of Some People)
I've never claimed to be a genius. But the more I look at the relationship between God and Jesus the more confusing it seems to get. John says that in the beginning the Jesus was with God and was God. Okay that seems easy enough. He goes on to say that Jesus became flesh, a human being. Got that too. I don't know how all that is, but I can get my little mind around that part.
But the part that starts stretching my mind is this father/son thing. If Jesus is God, and He says Himself, "whoever has seen me has seen the father," why the father/son designation? Seems a little odd in light of the fact that Paul talks about the fact that equality with God was something Jesus could easily grasp. Now tell me that doesn't confuse you just a little. To further add to my confusion, how can Jesus call me a brother if He is God and I'm, well, plain ol' human, flawed me?
Throughout Jesus ministry, from the time we find Him in the temple at 12 years of age, He talks about doing His father's business or will. He defers to the father regarding various teachings and miracles. He prays to the father. And here in Hebrews 2, He puts His trust in Him. Why would someone equal with God, the father, creator of the universe, put His trust in the father? Does this strike anyone else as a little perplexing?
Yet there is a great lesson here. If Jesus, God in the flesh, equal to God, creator of the universe puts His trust in God and defers to Him, what does that say about me? Why wouldn't I do the same thing. Instead, I often times rely on my on wisdom, ability, ingenuity, resources, etc. to do things. If Jesus, who had the right to go off on His own agenda, submitted His daily agenda to God, why shouldn't I? Why is it I think I have the audacity to live however I want and give God only partial input into my life? Why is it that I think I can take God when I want Him and ignore Him the rest of the time? Why do I think that my time, my money, my resources, my gifts, my life is actually mine? Who do I think I am? And who do I think God really is?
God, I'm pretty arrogant concerning my own life. It seems that I just go about doing whatever I want whenever I want with little to no regard for you. Instead of seeking you daily, hourly, minute by minute of my life, I have a tendency to check in with you whenever I feel like. It's almost like I show up to visit you on occasion or when I'm in dire straights. Forgive my arrogance. I recognize you as Lord of my life. Here I am. I put my trust in you.
But the part that starts stretching my mind is this father/son thing. If Jesus is God, and He says Himself, "whoever has seen me has seen the father," why the father/son designation? Seems a little odd in light of the fact that Paul talks about the fact that equality with God was something Jesus could easily grasp. Now tell me that doesn't confuse you just a little. To further add to my confusion, how can Jesus call me a brother if He is God and I'm, well, plain ol' human, flawed me?
Throughout Jesus ministry, from the time we find Him in the temple at 12 years of age, He talks about doing His father's business or will. He defers to the father regarding various teachings and miracles. He prays to the father. And here in Hebrews 2, He puts His trust in Him. Why would someone equal with God, the father, creator of the universe, put His trust in the father? Does this strike anyone else as a little perplexing?
Yet there is a great lesson here. If Jesus, God in the flesh, equal to God, creator of the universe puts His trust in God and defers to Him, what does that say about me? Why wouldn't I do the same thing. Instead, I often times rely on my on wisdom, ability, ingenuity, resources, etc. to do things. If Jesus, who had the right to go off on His own agenda, submitted His daily agenda to God, why shouldn't I? Why is it I think I have the audacity to live however I want and give God only partial input into my life? Why is it that I think I can take God when I want Him and ignore Him the rest of the time? Why do I think that my time, my money, my resources, my gifts, my life is actually mine? Who do I think I am? And who do I think God really is?
God, I'm pretty arrogant concerning my own life. It seems that I just go about doing whatever I want whenever I want with little to no regard for you. Instead of seeking you daily, hourly, minute by minute of my life, I have a tendency to check in with you whenever I feel like. It's almost like I show up to visit you on occasion or when I'm in dire straights. Forgive my arrogance. I recognize you as Lord of my life. Here I am. I put my trust in you.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Daily Reflections on Prov. 25:11-13 (It's All How You Say It)
It's really all how you say it. Recently we had a congregational meeting or as I prefer to call them, family meeting. We had some encouraging news to share and some challenges to lay out. Just like everything else in our economy, we're facing some tough economic times at our church. Several have lost jobs and on top of that, summer attendance and giving is down.
We could have gone into the meeting with a depressed attitude, sharing the doom and gloom over which we had no control. But instead we decided to focus on what God was doing in our midst. I thought our meeting would be relatively short, but in fact it lasted for about 45 minutes or so. Even when we got to the toughest stuff, we had to celebrate what God was doing, because even in a down economy our giving had nearly doubled this year over year to date last year.
The downside was that because of getting into a new, more permanent facility, our expenses had doubled too. And the challenge of what was ahead was no less daunting with outside support declining and rent going up. Our treasurer was phenomenal in praising our people for giving even though several had lost jobs. He was clear and concise on our battle ahead. And with all the other good news, we came away with a positive attitude about our future.
There have been plenty of times that I blurted out the wrong thing at the wrong time. I have this disease that if something is in my mind, unfortunately it's in my mouth or should I say coming out of my mouth before I've really had time to process it appropriately. Maybe it's just a male affliction. And since I live in a household of all girls, except the dog, I've received my fair share of disdainful looks and harsh reactions. It's a wonder they haven't attacked me wrapping my mouth in layers of duct tape.
How and when you say something makes all the difference in the world. I'm not saying you don't have to confront or be honest with others. But the manner in which you disclose the truth is really important if you honestly have the other person's best interest at heart. Sugar coating something doesn't always benefit the other person, but a gentle, honest tongue does. It's not just the words themselves, it's the attitude in which they are presented.
Nobody likes to be criticized. But I would be a fool not to listen to the observations of others and correct the error of my ways. It really boils down to the relationship we have with another person. The more I trust a person, the easier it is for me both to listen and receive news, good or bad, and to deliver information, both good and bad.
Solomon's advice is simple on this subject. How you say something will affect the response of the listener. It would be foolish not to listen to a friend, a wise counselor, or a person who has your best interest at heart.
God, help me to choose my words, my tone, my manner careful as I share with others. I don't want to come off as demanding, condescending, arrogant, aloof, cold, abusive or demeaning. Slow my tongue down. Mix truth with your grace in my words. Help me also to listen humbly and openly to others. Help me to be an encouragement to others.
We could have gone into the meeting with a depressed attitude, sharing the doom and gloom over which we had no control. But instead we decided to focus on what God was doing in our midst. I thought our meeting would be relatively short, but in fact it lasted for about 45 minutes or so. Even when we got to the toughest stuff, we had to celebrate what God was doing, because even in a down economy our giving had nearly doubled this year over year to date last year.
The downside was that because of getting into a new, more permanent facility, our expenses had doubled too. And the challenge of what was ahead was no less daunting with outside support declining and rent going up. Our treasurer was phenomenal in praising our people for giving even though several had lost jobs. He was clear and concise on our battle ahead. And with all the other good news, we came away with a positive attitude about our future.
There have been plenty of times that I blurted out the wrong thing at the wrong time. I have this disease that if something is in my mind, unfortunately it's in my mouth or should I say coming out of my mouth before I've really had time to process it appropriately. Maybe it's just a male affliction. And since I live in a household of all girls, except the dog, I've received my fair share of disdainful looks and harsh reactions. It's a wonder they haven't attacked me wrapping my mouth in layers of duct tape.
How and when you say something makes all the difference in the world. I'm not saying you don't have to confront or be honest with others. But the manner in which you disclose the truth is really important if you honestly have the other person's best interest at heart. Sugar coating something doesn't always benefit the other person, but a gentle, honest tongue does. It's not just the words themselves, it's the attitude in which they are presented.
Nobody likes to be criticized. But I would be a fool not to listen to the observations of others and correct the error of my ways. It really boils down to the relationship we have with another person. The more I trust a person, the easier it is for me both to listen and receive news, good or bad, and to deliver information, both good and bad.
Solomon's advice is simple on this subject. How you say something will affect the response of the listener. It would be foolish not to listen to a friend, a wise counselor, or a person who has your best interest at heart.
God, help me to choose my words, my tone, my manner careful as I share with others. I don't want to come off as demanding, condescending, arrogant, aloof, cold, abusive or demeaning. Slow my tongue down. Mix truth with your grace in my words. Help me also to listen humbly and openly to others. Help me to be an encouragement to others.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Daily Reflections on Prov. 7:1-5 (This Is Really Tough)
When I was in college we had to follow Kate Turabian's format when submitting papers. Everything had to follow form. Back in those days we didn't have computers that would automatically footnote, justify margins, enumerate pages. It all had to be done manually, which took a little bit of work. Not only did you have to know how many lines it took for the footnote, you had to have everything figured out on the page because you had to have the proper amount of lines on each page.
Since it was impossible to memorize everything in Turabian's manual, you had to keep that book handy. Every rule on how a paper should be typed and submitted was in there. And most of the professors held you to it. You could lose grade points simply for wrong forms. I loved Kate Turabian and I loathed Kate Turabian. I loved it because it held all the answers to writing a correct paper. I loathed it because everything had to follow that format precisely. After struggling through my freshmen year, I either paid someone to type my long papers for me or I talked my girlfriend into it.
Following God's forms for living is tough. God gave ten basic commandments to follow, then the teachers of the law added about 600 more to it. By Jesus day you needed an expert in the law just to interpret what you could and couldn't do. It was a terrific burden on the average person. And let's not forget the consequences of violating the law. Some of the punishment was death.
Jesus summed up all the law into two simple commands; love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. It's tough enough just to do that. From the time Moses introduced God's ten commands to this day, no one has been able to keep them. Nor will anyone ever be able to keep them. The only way that I'm going to be able to keep from getting my grade reduced, which is pass fail, is pay someone else to do it for me.
That's exactly what God did for me at calvary. Jesus lived His life perfectly for me then He paid the penalty for my screw ups on the cross. The weird thing is that I never had to pay for them. I didn't have to beg God to do me a personal favor. He did it on His own. Grace. And on top of that He enables me through His Spirit that He placed inside me to live out my life as He intended.
There is no way that I could ever memorize God's Word in its entirety. But I don't have to. That's what the Holy Spirit is for. He helps me know and act properly, as long as I'm listening to Him. Solomon talks about totally investing yourself in God's teaching so that you won't be lead astray. The more I focus on God's Word and His teachings for my life, the easier it is for the Holy Spirit to guide me. It takes an intentional, daily focus on God's truths to permeate your heart, soul and mind and to make following those truths second nature.
God, I confess that with all the stuff that I've got to get done in a day I sometimes lose track of you in my thoughts. I'm not really trying to ignore you as much as I'm just distracted by the routine and pressures of life. Help me zero in on you throughout my day. Help me to pause and bring my thoughts back to You.
Since it was impossible to memorize everything in Turabian's manual, you had to keep that book handy. Every rule on how a paper should be typed and submitted was in there. And most of the professors held you to it. You could lose grade points simply for wrong forms. I loved Kate Turabian and I loathed Kate Turabian. I loved it because it held all the answers to writing a correct paper. I loathed it because everything had to follow that format precisely. After struggling through my freshmen year, I either paid someone to type my long papers for me or I talked my girlfriend into it.
Following God's forms for living is tough. God gave ten basic commandments to follow, then the teachers of the law added about 600 more to it. By Jesus day you needed an expert in the law just to interpret what you could and couldn't do. It was a terrific burden on the average person. And let's not forget the consequences of violating the law. Some of the punishment was death.
Jesus summed up all the law into two simple commands; love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. It's tough enough just to do that. From the time Moses introduced God's ten commands to this day, no one has been able to keep them. Nor will anyone ever be able to keep them. The only way that I'm going to be able to keep from getting my grade reduced, which is pass fail, is pay someone else to do it for me.
That's exactly what God did for me at calvary. Jesus lived His life perfectly for me then He paid the penalty for my screw ups on the cross. The weird thing is that I never had to pay for them. I didn't have to beg God to do me a personal favor. He did it on His own. Grace. And on top of that He enables me through His Spirit that He placed inside me to live out my life as He intended.
There is no way that I could ever memorize God's Word in its entirety. But I don't have to. That's what the Holy Spirit is for. He helps me know and act properly, as long as I'm listening to Him. Solomon talks about totally investing yourself in God's teaching so that you won't be lead astray. The more I focus on God's Word and His teachings for my life, the easier it is for the Holy Spirit to guide me. It takes an intentional, daily focus on God's truths to permeate your heart, soul and mind and to make following those truths second nature.
God, I confess that with all the stuff that I've got to get done in a day I sometimes lose track of you in my thoughts. I'm not really trying to ignore you as much as I'm just distracted by the routine and pressures of life. Help me zero in on you throughout my day. Help me to pause and bring my thoughts back to You.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Daily Reflections on Eccl. 3:8-12 (Lonely Days)
It's hard to be alone today. With facebook, myspace, twitter, IM, Skype and texting one can be connected to someone virtually 24 hours a day. You can be involved with others lives all day long. It almost seems strange to talk about loneliness or being alone in this day and age.
Yet loneliness is very much alive today. It's possible to be in a crowd of people and still be lonely or alone. Just because you are surrounded by other human beings, just because you can contact friends and family at a moments notice, doesn't mean you can't be lonely. Some people actually choose to isolate themselves. Some people are isolated or ignored by others. Couples who live in the same home, share the same bed can drift apart and end up going in different directions.
I once heard Randy Phillips, then president of Promise Keepers, asked the 50,000 plus men assembled if they had 6 other men in their lives who would carry their casket. As we talked about it among the 60 men in our group, very few could actually name 6 guys that they were really close to. In fact, most of the men had more than one or two guys. I had to ask myself if I was close enough to 6 guys to have them carry my casket.
Many guys, especially, don't have that many close relationships with which they interact. The older one gets, it seems that there are less of those relationships in a man's life. It's easy to slip into the "I'm a self made man" mentality. Don't show a need for others in your life is the mantra. It's as if as a man, we don't need relationships.
This morning as I was lying in bed listening to the thunder and lightening, before my alarm went off, I was just thinking about our church family. I realized that there are only three guys in my church that are older than me. A new church that is probably to be expected. I have found myself hanging out some with our younger men, 15 to 20 years my junior. I still think of myself as that young, even though my body doesn't. I can keep up on the golf course, but other athletic events, I'm a little behind.
But it's not the keeping up that matters. It's the relationships that matter. And although we are at different stages in life, we benefit each other. I bring some wisdom of life experience and they keep me thinking young and teach me lots of things. I need them probably more than they need me. But there is no question Solomon is right when he talks about the advantages of friendship and partners in Ecclesiastes 3. Two are better than one because; they are more productive together, they can protect and encourage each other, they can strengthen each other.
But the real power in any relationship is when these friends, partners are joined together as brothers or sisters in Christ. When God is at the center of each friend or partner's life, the bond between the two or more is deepened and strengthened.
God, I know that I have a tendency to just want to do things on my own. But my relationship with you is missing something without the companionship and encouragement from other brothers and sisters in Christ. It's tough going it alone. I've tried way too much in my life. Keep me involved, Lord, in the lives of other men. Bring other men into my life too. I need them. Help me to honestly show my vunerability. Make me sensitive to my brothers needs.
Yet loneliness is very much alive today. It's possible to be in a crowd of people and still be lonely or alone. Just because you are surrounded by other human beings, just because you can contact friends and family at a moments notice, doesn't mean you can't be lonely. Some people actually choose to isolate themselves. Some people are isolated or ignored by others. Couples who live in the same home, share the same bed can drift apart and end up going in different directions.
I once heard Randy Phillips, then president of Promise Keepers, asked the 50,000 plus men assembled if they had 6 other men in their lives who would carry their casket. As we talked about it among the 60 men in our group, very few could actually name 6 guys that they were really close to. In fact, most of the men had more than one or two guys. I had to ask myself if I was close enough to 6 guys to have them carry my casket.
Many guys, especially, don't have that many close relationships with which they interact. The older one gets, it seems that there are less of those relationships in a man's life. It's easy to slip into the "I'm a self made man" mentality. Don't show a need for others in your life is the mantra. It's as if as a man, we don't need relationships.
This morning as I was lying in bed listening to the thunder and lightening, before my alarm went off, I was just thinking about our church family. I realized that there are only three guys in my church that are older than me. A new church that is probably to be expected. I have found myself hanging out some with our younger men, 15 to 20 years my junior. I still think of myself as that young, even though my body doesn't. I can keep up on the golf course, but other athletic events, I'm a little behind.
But it's not the keeping up that matters. It's the relationships that matter. And although we are at different stages in life, we benefit each other. I bring some wisdom of life experience and they keep me thinking young and teach me lots of things. I need them probably more than they need me. But there is no question Solomon is right when he talks about the advantages of friendship and partners in Ecclesiastes 3. Two are better than one because; they are more productive together, they can protect and encourage each other, they can strengthen each other.
But the real power in any relationship is when these friends, partners are joined together as brothers or sisters in Christ. When God is at the center of each friend or partner's life, the bond between the two or more is deepened and strengthened.
God, I know that I have a tendency to just want to do things on my own. But my relationship with you is missing something without the companionship and encouragement from other brothers and sisters in Christ. It's tough going it alone. I've tried way too much in my life. Keep me involved, Lord, in the lives of other men. Bring other men into my life too. I need them. Help me to honestly show my vunerability. Make me sensitive to my brothers needs.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Daily Reflections on Rom. 3:21-26 (Give Me the Bad News First)
Nobody likes bad news, but we sure have been getting a lot of it over the last year and a half or so. The housing bubble burst, the banks are in trouble, the stock market tanks, the big 3 US auto makers about to go under, the big government bailouts leaving the country in trillions of dollars in debt, the rising unemployment rate all lead to a depressed society in more ways than one. Just the past week we've had more bad news concerning the deaths of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcet, Micheal Jackson and Billy Mays. That's not to mention the daily accounts of service men and women being killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Enough with the bad news already. I'm ready for some good news. I don't need anymore bad news. But some how or another I can't seem to escape it. My dog greets me this morning with a huge "hot spot" on one of his legs, which means another trip to the vet, more antibiotics, more unnecessary bills just when I took a pay cut from the church due to declining income and rising expenses. Will it ever stop?
Romans is one of those books that not only lays out the good news but it also delivers some bad news. In Romans 1:16, Paul says that he's not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God unto salvation. The word Gospel means good news. He goes on to say in verse 17 that in the Gospel a righteousness of God is revealed. As Martin Luther read those words he declared the Gospel not to be good news but bad news. How could anyone live up to the righteousness of God?
A few verses later Paul quotes from the Old Testament declaring that no one is righteous, not even one. That's not good news. Then here in Romans 3 he states that all, as in everyone on the planet, has sinned and is far away from the glory of God. Great! That rules out any chances I had of getting into a relationship with God or the hope of heaven.
But the Gospel truly is good news. Luther finally realized that although he didn't stand a chance with God on his own merit, through faith in what God did for us through Jesus Christ made it possible to live in intimacy with God today and in heaven with Him for eternity. He wrote on his monastery walls "Faith alone."
In today's verses, Paul clearly tells us that a righteousness from God is available through believing in Jesus. Even though we are all sinners in God's eyes (the only one who's opinion counts), there is justification and redemption in Christ substitutionary death on the cross. Justification simply means that God made things right for us with Him by paying the penalty of our sins through Jesus' death. Redemption simply means that God bought us from a life of slavery to ourselves and the burden of a sinful life. He paid our sin debt so that we could be free.
The good news is that I'm free in Christ to really live. I have a righteousness from God draped over my life. As Charles Swindol has said, I'm not 99.9% righteous otherwise the Bible would have to be rewritten to say, "though my sins be as scarlet, they will be light pink." As a believer in Jesus I'm considered 100% righteous in the eyes of God. In fact, that is the only way I can have a relationship with God and enter into the gates of heaven.
God, thanks for the GOOD NEWS. I know that I'm a mess without you. Thanks for clothing me with Christ. Thanks for loving me. Thanks for renewing me. Thanks for giving me hope for this life and beyond.
Enough with the bad news already. I'm ready for some good news. I don't need anymore bad news. But some how or another I can't seem to escape it. My dog greets me this morning with a huge "hot spot" on one of his legs, which means another trip to the vet, more antibiotics, more unnecessary bills just when I took a pay cut from the church due to declining income and rising expenses. Will it ever stop?
Romans is one of those books that not only lays out the good news but it also delivers some bad news. In Romans 1:16, Paul says that he's not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God unto salvation. The word Gospel means good news. He goes on to say in verse 17 that in the Gospel a righteousness of God is revealed. As Martin Luther read those words he declared the Gospel not to be good news but bad news. How could anyone live up to the righteousness of God?
A few verses later Paul quotes from the Old Testament declaring that no one is righteous, not even one. That's not good news. Then here in Romans 3 he states that all, as in everyone on the planet, has sinned and is far away from the glory of God. Great! That rules out any chances I had of getting into a relationship with God or the hope of heaven.
But the Gospel truly is good news. Luther finally realized that although he didn't stand a chance with God on his own merit, through faith in what God did for us through Jesus Christ made it possible to live in intimacy with God today and in heaven with Him for eternity. He wrote on his monastery walls "Faith alone."
In today's verses, Paul clearly tells us that a righteousness from God is available through believing in Jesus. Even though we are all sinners in God's eyes (the only one who's opinion counts), there is justification and redemption in Christ substitutionary death on the cross. Justification simply means that God made things right for us with Him by paying the penalty of our sins through Jesus' death. Redemption simply means that God bought us from a life of slavery to ourselves and the burden of a sinful life. He paid our sin debt so that we could be free.
The good news is that I'm free in Christ to really live. I have a righteousness from God draped over my life. As Charles Swindol has said, I'm not 99.9% righteous otherwise the Bible would have to be rewritten to say, "though my sins be as scarlet, they will be light pink." As a believer in Jesus I'm considered 100% righteous in the eyes of God. In fact, that is the only way I can have a relationship with God and enter into the gates of heaven.
God, thanks for the GOOD NEWS. I know that I'm a mess without you. Thanks for clothing me with Christ. Thanks for loving me. Thanks for renewing me. Thanks for giving me hope for this life and beyond.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Daily Reflections on Isa. 30:15-18 (Why Do I Get So Tense?)
Since my accident several years ago in which I injured my knee, I've had to give up running. But I have recently taken up walking just to keep off the abundance of extra weight that seems to be collecting around my waist and elsewhere. I walk for about thirty minutes each day at a fairly rapid pace to get my heart rate up a bit. Being the competitive type that I am, I have a tendency when I walk to try to beat yesterday's distance. I attempt to get just a little bit farther than the day before.
As I'm pushing myself to get that extra distance I've noticed that I have a tendency to strain and tighten up just a bit, especially down the home stretch, the last five minutes or so. Instead of staying relaxed, I find myself tensing muscles. Every runner knows that it is important to stay relaxed when you run for maximum effect. Tightening up can shorten your stride and puts you at risk for pulling or injuring something.
Throughout my life I've found that instead of staying relaxed when the pressure is on to accomplish something, I bear down. I've apologized to my staff in advance every Easter for my tenseness and intenseness. It's just like my walking, I tighten up down the stretch. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I push myself. Not only am I shortening my spiritual stride, I put myself at risk of injuring myself and more importantly the relationships around me.
In today's passage God gives some clear instruction. He says in repentance and rest is our salvation, that in quietness and trust is our strength. Yet He also notes that His people have a tendency to have none of that. Rather they rely on their own strength, resources, ingenuity, etc. to deal with life's biggest challenges or even daily issues.
So God leaves us to our own devices. Therefore the problem only gets bigger and the challenge more intense and the frustration only more aggrivating. Yet, God longs to be gracious to us. Waiting on Him brings a blessing to us. As long as I insist on striving myself, I can expect a tense life.
God, I'm really tired of striving on my own. I want to change my thinking daily to your way of thinking. I want to rest from my incompetence and trust in your power and ability. I don't want a life of constant turmoil. I could use the stillness you provide, the strength you provide. Waiting on you Lord is really tough. I still find myself wanting to push forward on my own. Help me to readjust my focus onto you, your will, your plan, your strength.
As I'm pushing myself to get that extra distance I've noticed that I have a tendency to strain and tighten up just a bit, especially down the home stretch, the last five minutes or so. Instead of staying relaxed, I find myself tensing muscles. Every runner knows that it is important to stay relaxed when you run for maximum effect. Tightening up can shorten your stride and puts you at risk for pulling or injuring something.
Throughout my life I've found that instead of staying relaxed when the pressure is on to accomplish something, I bear down. I've apologized to my staff in advance every Easter for my tenseness and intenseness. It's just like my walking, I tighten up down the stretch. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I push myself. Not only am I shortening my spiritual stride, I put myself at risk of injuring myself and more importantly the relationships around me.
In today's passage God gives some clear instruction. He says in repentance and rest is our salvation, that in quietness and trust is our strength. Yet He also notes that His people have a tendency to have none of that. Rather they rely on their own strength, resources, ingenuity, etc. to deal with life's biggest challenges or even daily issues.
So God leaves us to our own devices. Therefore the problem only gets bigger and the challenge more intense and the frustration only more aggrivating. Yet, God longs to be gracious to us. Waiting on Him brings a blessing to us. As long as I insist on striving myself, I can expect a tense life.
God, I'm really tired of striving on my own. I want to change my thinking daily to your way of thinking. I want to rest from my incompetence and trust in your power and ability. I don't want a life of constant turmoil. I could use the stillness you provide, the strength you provide. Waiting on you Lord is really tough. I still find myself wanting to push forward on my own. Help me to readjust my focus onto you, your will, your plan, your strength.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Daily Reflections on Prov. 8:22-36 (Give Me Wisdom)
Some say that wisdom comes with age. Others claim that wisdom is the result of experience. Several years ago the makers of Tootsie Pops picked up on the idea that wisdom comes from wise old owls. How many licks does it take to get to the chocolate chewy center of a Tootsie Pop? According to the owl as he unwraps the pop and begins licking, three. He then bites into the hard candy to get to the chocolate morsel in the middle.
But if you read through Proverbs 8, you realize that wisdom was birthed by God and comes from Him. Earthly wisdom and Godly wisdom are not necessarily the same. What seems wise to man, God often thinks of as foolishness. In fact, God's wisdom many times confounds the so called wise of this world.
And let's not confuse wisdom with intelligence or education. They are not synonymous. Common sense maybe closer to wisdom than intelligence. I'm not insinuating that education can't contribute to wisdom, but wisdom is something totally different.
If Godly wisdom is the most desirable, how to I get it? Solomon's advice is to pursue it, listen for it, watch for it daily. Don't slough it off or take it lightly. Wait for it. Long for it. It comes down to reading and meditating on God's Word, opening yourself to the leading of God's Spirit that He places within all believers in Jesus. To gain God's wisdom you have to be attuned daily to Him.
God, I admit that sometimes I think I'm pretty bright or clever or wise in my own rights. Usually that's when I crash and burn. I realize you're perfectly willing to let me pursue my own path and watch me falter on the way. Your wisdom is so beyond me. I need your wisdom. I want to have the life Solomon refers to and also Your favor. Show me your wisdom for today. I know I'll need more for tomorrow.
But if you read through Proverbs 8, you realize that wisdom was birthed by God and comes from Him. Earthly wisdom and Godly wisdom are not necessarily the same. What seems wise to man, God often thinks of as foolishness. In fact, God's wisdom many times confounds the so called wise of this world.
And let's not confuse wisdom with intelligence or education. They are not synonymous. Common sense maybe closer to wisdom than intelligence. I'm not insinuating that education can't contribute to wisdom, but wisdom is something totally different.
If Godly wisdom is the most desirable, how to I get it? Solomon's advice is to pursue it, listen for it, watch for it daily. Don't slough it off or take it lightly. Wait for it. Long for it. It comes down to reading and meditating on God's Word, opening yourself to the leading of God's Spirit that He places within all believers in Jesus. To gain God's wisdom you have to be attuned daily to Him.
God, I admit that sometimes I think I'm pretty bright or clever or wise in my own rights. Usually that's when I crash and burn. I realize you're perfectly willing to let me pursue my own path and watch me falter on the way. Your wisdom is so beyond me. I need your wisdom. I want to have the life Solomon refers to and also Your favor. Show me your wisdom for today. I know I'll need more for tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Daily Reflections on Ps. 139:13-16 (What's My Value? What's My Purpose?)
Father's Day has changed for me in recent years. My girls are in college these days and my oldest hasn't been home for Father's Day in a few years. This is the first year that both my wife and I haven't had our fathers. Her's passed away last June and mine this past February. Seems a little odd how life changes.
When my girls were little they used to make special cards or gifts for me for Father's Day. They might color me a picture or write a note. But things have changed. Today I'm lucky to get a phone call.
Memories of past years still flow through my mind. I often find myself commenting to my wife that our girls aren't little any more. They both have boyfriends and I soon realize that I will be replaced as the man in their life. For the time being, they still need me and I occasionally find an unfamiliar charge to my credit card.
As simply a steward of my kids lives I realize that God has a purpose for them. My job has simply been to craft their hearts to pursue God and His will for their lives. It's not been nor is my job to mold them into what I want them to become. It's been and continues to be to plant the things of God in them and cultivate their thoughts with the precepts of His Word.
It was God who knit them in their mother's womb. Oh sure I contributed the sperm, but it was God who wove into them their talents, passions, skill sets, personality and vision to accomplish a task specially designed for them. All I did was offer a little genetic material and God did the rest. As a parent, I have had the responsibility to feed, nurture, teach, guide, protect, enlighten, encourage, challenge, and point them toward the path to follow God's leading. Hopefully I haven't screwed up God's purpose and plan for their life or steered them from Him.
God has a plan for each of our lives. He formed us in our mother's womb with that purpose in mind. He injected all the right ingredients for us to fulfill that plan. He sees our whole future before one day of them happens. That ought to say something of our value. But the kicker is will we choose to allow God to truly direct and lead our life to accomplish that unique mission He has for us. That's why seeking Him, His thoughts, His heart, His plan is essential to living a truly fulfilled life.
God, sometimes I question my existence. I wonder why am I here. I don't seem to have a lot of significance according to the world's standards or probably even my own. Yet I know you created me and my life has meaning to you. I just want to be in your will. I just want to accomplish what you placed me here to do. Keep showing me the path to take daily. I'm listening. I'm looking. I'm anticipating.
When my girls were little they used to make special cards or gifts for me for Father's Day. They might color me a picture or write a note. But things have changed. Today I'm lucky to get a phone call.
Memories of past years still flow through my mind. I often find myself commenting to my wife that our girls aren't little any more. They both have boyfriends and I soon realize that I will be replaced as the man in their life. For the time being, they still need me and I occasionally find an unfamiliar charge to my credit card.
As simply a steward of my kids lives I realize that God has a purpose for them. My job has simply been to craft their hearts to pursue God and His will for their lives. It's not been nor is my job to mold them into what I want them to become. It's been and continues to be to plant the things of God in them and cultivate their thoughts with the precepts of His Word.
It was God who knit them in their mother's womb. Oh sure I contributed the sperm, but it was God who wove into them their talents, passions, skill sets, personality and vision to accomplish a task specially designed for them. All I did was offer a little genetic material and God did the rest. As a parent, I have had the responsibility to feed, nurture, teach, guide, protect, enlighten, encourage, challenge, and point them toward the path to follow God's leading. Hopefully I haven't screwed up God's purpose and plan for their life or steered them from Him.
God has a plan for each of our lives. He formed us in our mother's womb with that purpose in mind. He injected all the right ingredients for us to fulfill that plan. He sees our whole future before one day of them happens. That ought to say something of our value. But the kicker is will we choose to allow God to truly direct and lead our life to accomplish that unique mission He has for us. That's why seeking Him, His thoughts, His heart, His plan is essential to living a truly fulfilled life.
God, sometimes I question my existence. I wonder why am I here. I don't seem to have a lot of significance according to the world's standards or probably even my own. Yet I know you created me and my life has meaning to you. I just want to be in your will. I just want to accomplish what you placed me here to do. Keep showing me the path to take daily. I'm listening. I'm looking. I'm anticipating.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Daily Reflections on Ps. 62:1-8 (God, Please Speak to Me)
I'm a doer person by nature. I really don't like to just sit around much. I'd much rather being hanging with people or working on some project. I have a tendency to get a little mopey when I have nothing to do or no one with which to hang out. In fact, I struggle with maintaining a regular quiet time because I spend much of my time in study for sermons and lessons anyway.
Recently I've been wresting with some direction for the church and my own life in various areas. So I knew that I needed some extended alone time with God. Our temps are ranging right now in the mid 90's, a little unusual for Missouri this time of year. I decided to go hit the links late in the day yesterday since my evening appointments had canceled. Alone time on the golf course is one of my favorite retreats. No phone. No intrusions or interruptions. Just a couple hour walk in nature with God.
When I need this time of refuge I always walk and play alone. God had pressed on me the passage from Genesis where God comes to walk and talk with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day, which I interpreted to be dusk. I reasoned that no one in their right mind would be out playing golf on a Monday evening when the temps were over 95 degrees and the humidity was nearly that much. I love late afternoon and early summers eve. The sun slowly sets. The wind stills. Nature starts its wind down from the day. I simply wanted to be still and hear the voice of God.
As I strolled up on the first tee my prayer was, "God, I'm coming to you in the cool of day. Walk with me. Talk with me. I want to hear your voice. Speak to my heart. Give me your wisdom and direction. I just want to be alone with you for a couple of hours."
But that's not what happened. Instead of a time with God that was encouraging or enlightening or inspiring or directional or even a time of face to face confrontation, what God sent me was seemingly torment. Instead of a still small voice I got constant irritation. There was a five-some of golfers three groups ahead of me that refused to let anyone play through and they were horribly slow. I was planning on taking my time but this was ridicules. I couldn't have alone time because we were stacked up four deep on every hole. I was standing around with two other groups of people on each tee box listening to them complain and be frustrated at the rude group in front of us.
Normally an 18 hole round of golf would take about 3-4 hours. I stepped to the first tee at 5:30pm. I stepped up to the ninth tee at 8:20pm. Three hours for nine holes is slower than a snails pace. We waited on EVERY agonizing, hot, sweaty shot. No rhythm to the golf. No voice from God.
As I FINALLY finished the front nine and the other groups in front of me headed off the golf course, I decided to push on and finish as many holes as possible before dark. Maybe, just maybe, I could get some alone time with God yet. Since I'd been stalled for so long I was hoping to finish my round. I started out pushing the pace to make up for lost time. I played the first three holes on the back side in about 15 minutes or so. But I was pressing and not listening. I made up my mind I was going to listen knowing that I wasn't going to finish the round.
I cried out to God again asking Him to speak to me, explaining to Him that I really wanted to hear His voice. I asked Him to come to me, to fill my mind and my spirit. Darkness was creeping in faster than I had hoped. As I quieted my spirit, listening for God's voice I hit the best drive of the day and followed it up with another pretty good shot just short of the green.
By this time the golf course attendants had pulled the flags for the evening. Just as I went to chip the ball onto the green, I was attacked by some bees. Now I have a phobia of bees. Although I've never been stung, I'm deathly afraid of them. It's nearly 9pm. It's getting hard to see. I've got angry bees after me. I went swatting and running all over the fairway. I finally had to rip off my shirt and went to flailing. It work for a while, but not for long. I grabbed my ball and clubs that I had flung and started in a quick pace for the clubhouse. I happened to be on the back side of the course, the longest distance to the club house.
Here they came again. I started swinging my shirt wildly and tried running with my antique pull cart. It kept falling over side ways. And everytime I stopped to right my cart and bag, back they came. I couldn't get away. In near tears and frustration with my cart on its side and handle in disarray and bees still after me, I screamed, "God, please protect me!!!!"
Fortunately He did. I never received one sting. The bees left. I hurriedly made my way to the empty parking lot where my van stood alone. After I nervously loaded my cart into the van fearing that they might have taken up refuge in my bag, I sat down on the open tailgate and nearly begin to weep like a school girl. Once again, I cried out, "God, I just wanted to hear your voice and you sent me irritating people and bees. I just wanted to walk and talk with you in the cool of the day." I felt truly broken and helpless at that moment.
I never did hear His voice which I still long for today. It took an hour or so and a cool shower for my pulse rate to subside. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness and lots of questions as I lay on my bed in front of a fan.
God, I'm still listening. I want to hear your voice. I believe you alone are my refuge and my rest. I'm worthless. I have no hope without you.
Recently I've been wresting with some direction for the church and my own life in various areas. So I knew that I needed some extended alone time with God. Our temps are ranging right now in the mid 90's, a little unusual for Missouri this time of year. I decided to go hit the links late in the day yesterday since my evening appointments had canceled. Alone time on the golf course is one of my favorite retreats. No phone. No intrusions or interruptions. Just a couple hour walk in nature with God.
When I need this time of refuge I always walk and play alone. God had pressed on me the passage from Genesis where God comes to walk and talk with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day, which I interpreted to be dusk. I reasoned that no one in their right mind would be out playing golf on a Monday evening when the temps were over 95 degrees and the humidity was nearly that much. I love late afternoon and early summers eve. The sun slowly sets. The wind stills. Nature starts its wind down from the day. I simply wanted to be still and hear the voice of God.
As I strolled up on the first tee my prayer was, "God, I'm coming to you in the cool of day. Walk with me. Talk with me. I want to hear your voice. Speak to my heart. Give me your wisdom and direction. I just want to be alone with you for a couple of hours."
But that's not what happened. Instead of a time with God that was encouraging or enlightening or inspiring or directional or even a time of face to face confrontation, what God sent me was seemingly torment. Instead of a still small voice I got constant irritation. There was a five-some of golfers three groups ahead of me that refused to let anyone play through and they were horribly slow. I was planning on taking my time but this was ridicules. I couldn't have alone time because we were stacked up four deep on every hole. I was standing around with two other groups of people on each tee box listening to them complain and be frustrated at the rude group in front of us.
Normally an 18 hole round of golf would take about 3-4 hours. I stepped to the first tee at 5:30pm. I stepped up to the ninth tee at 8:20pm. Three hours for nine holes is slower than a snails pace. We waited on EVERY agonizing, hot, sweaty shot. No rhythm to the golf. No voice from God.
As I FINALLY finished the front nine and the other groups in front of me headed off the golf course, I decided to push on and finish as many holes as possible before dark. Maybe, just maybe, I could get some alone time with God yet. Since I'd been stalled for so long I was hoping to finish my round. I started out pushing the pace to make up for lost time. I played the first three holes on the back side in about 15 minutes or so. But I was pressing and not listening. I made up my mind I was going to listen knowing that I wasn't going to finish the round.
I cried out to God again asking Him to speak to me, explaining to Him that I really wanted to hear His voice. I asked Him to come to me, to fill my mind and my spirit. Darkness was creeping in faster than I had hoped. As I quieted my spirit, listening for God's voice I hit the best drive of the day and followed it up with another pretty good shot just short of the green.
By this time the golf course attendants had pulled the flags for the evening. Just as I went to chip the ball onto the green, I was attacked by some bees. Now I have a phobia of bees. Although I've never been stung, I'm deathly afraid of them. It's nearly 9pm. It's getting hard to see. I've got angry bees after me. I went swatting and running all over the fairway. I finally had to rip off my shirt and went to flailing. It work for a while, but not for long. I grabbed my ball and clubs that I had flung and started in a quick pace for the clubhouse. I happened to be on the back side of the course, the longest distance to the club house.
Here they came again. I started swinging my shirt wildly and tried running with my antique pull cart. It kept falling over side ways. And everytime I stopped to right my cart and bag, back they came. I couldn't get away. In near tears and frustration with my cart on its side and handle in disarray and bees still after me, I screamed, "God, please protect me!!!!"
Fortunately He did. I never received one sting. The bees left. I hurriedly made my way to the empty parking lot where my van stood alone. After I nervously loaded my cart into the van fearing that they might have taken up refuge in my bag, I sat down on the open tailgate and nearly begin to weep like a school girl. Once again, I cried out, "God, I just wanted to hear your voice and you sent me irritating people and bees. I just wanted to walk and talk with you in the cool of the day." I felt truly broken and helpless at that moment.
I never did hear His voice which I still long for today. It took an hour or so and a cool shower for my pulse rate to subside. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness and lots of questions as I lay on my bed in front of a fan.
God, I'm still listening. I want to hear your voice. I believe you alone are my refuge and my rest. I'm worthless. I have no hope without you.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Daily Reflections on Jn. 5:19-20 (My Dad)
My dad died a week ago, on a Sunday evening of a massive stroke. He had been a pioneer and an innovator in ministry throughout his eighty years of life. In the early 60's he envisioned a new approach to teaching teens God's truths and was snatched up by a Christian publishing company to write a new curriculum which unbelievably is still being used in some circles today. In the mid to late 60's he saw a generation of baby boomer students hitting the college campuses and losing their hope in Christ. He helped formulate a new kind of ministry, Campus Ministry, to reach, challenge, encourage, shape college age young people for Christ.
In the late 70's and early 80's my dad envisioned a new ministry to Senior adults who were leaving the workplace. This "Greatest Generation," as termed by Tom Brokaw, was the most successful, had the most available resources, the most experience, the greatest work ethic of any generation heading into retirement. My dad saw the potential to the Kingdom of God. He sought to mobilize this vast army of talent, heart, wealth, experience to action and thus launched Christian Seniors Fellowship.
I learned a lot from my dad. It's weird the memories that suddenly pop into your mind at such a time of loss. I can picture my dad teaching me to ride a bike as he ran along side. He taught me to play baseball in the back yard and enrolled me in Little League. He gave me my first taste of sports. He taught me how to pick cherries from our trees, to plant roses and how to care for them. He taught me to drive in all sorts of traffic and weather conditions. He gave me the confidence to try to fix things around the house or on the car when they broke down. I learned to be "me" no matter the environment or company in which I found myself. Growing up in Cincinnati, he taught me to hustle, to give my all and run out every play like Pete Rose. I learn how not to camp from my dad. I learned to be a giver from him.
For all my dad taught me, my love for God is first and foremost. It was his life. Just as Deuteronomy instructs fathers to teach their kids formally and informally, my dad did that for me. Whether it was working in the rose garden, family devotions, riding in the car or around the campfire, he found ways to point me to God and His truths.
My dad loved people. The coffee was always on at our house. There's nothing he enjoyed more than sitting around the kitchen table with friends and family eating, laughing and sharing well into the evening. It was no reclining to the living room at our house, the dining room table was relaxing enough as the laughter and stories went on for hours. It was party wherever he went. He realized the value of relationships and how much people mattered.
I wore my dad's shoes to his funeral. Filling his shoes is probably not possible. He accomplished more in his lifetime for the Kingdom of God than I ever will. I'm not him. I've developed some of his mannerism and am working on his profile, but I'll never be him. However, I am a part of his legacy and so are you if you're reading this. I developed my passion for people and ministry through the example he set for me. And although I can't fill my dad's shoes, I can follow in his foot steps, allowing God to use my gifts and talents for Him.
God, thanks for the example of faith and service my dad was not only to me but to many. I'm a follower of Christ because of he and my mom. I feel so blessed. I pray that I can be as an effective servant for you as he was. I'm so thankful for heaven. I look forward to being in your presence and being united with my dad for eternity. Thanks for the hope beyond the grave, God, that you made possible through Jesus Christ.
In the late 70's and early 80's my dad envisioned a new ministry to Senior adults who were leaving the workplace. This "Greatest Generation," as termed by Tom Brokaw, was the most successful, had the most available resources, the most experience, the greatest work ethic of any generation heading into retirement. My dad saw the potential to the Kingdom of God. He sought to mobilize this vast army of talent, heart, wealth, experience to action and thus launched Christian Seniors Fellowship.
I learned a lot from my dad. It's weird the memories that suddenly pop into your mind at such a time of loss. I can picture my dad teaching me to ride a bike as he ran along side. He taught me to play baseball in the back yard and enrolled me in Little League. He gave me my first taste of sports. He taught me how to pick cherries from our trees, to plant roses and how to care for them. He taught me to drive in all sorts of traffic and weather conditions. He gave me the confidence to try to fix things around the house or on the car when they broke down. I learned to be "me" no matter the environment or company in which I found myself. Growing up in Cincinnati, he taught me to hustle, to give my all and run out every play like Pete Rose. I learn how not to camp from my dad. I learned to be a giver from him.
For all my dad taught me, my love for God is first and foremost. It was his life. Just as Deuteronomy instructs fathers to teach their kids formally and informally, my dad did that for me. Whether it was working in the rose garden, family devotions, riding in the car or around the campfire, he found ways to point me to God and His truths.
My dad loved people. The coffee was always on at our house. There's nothing he enjoyed more than sitting around the kitchen table with friends and family eating, laughing and sharing well into the evening. It was no reclining to the living room at our house, the dining room table was relaxing enough as the laughter and stories went on for hours. It was party wherever he went. He realized the value of relationships and how much people mattered.
I wore my dad's shoes to his funeral. Filling his shoes is probably not possible. He accomplished more in his lifetime for the Kingdom of God than I ever will. I'm not him. I've developed some of his mannerism and am working on his profile, but I'll never be him. However, I am a part of his legacy and so are you if you're reading this. I developed my passion for people and ministry through the example he set for me. And although I can't fill my dad's shoes, I can follow in his foot steps, allowing God to use my gifts and talents for Him.
God, thanks for the example of faith and service my dad was not only to me but to many. I'm a follower of Christ because of he and my mom. I feel so blessed. I pray that I can be as an effective servant for you as he was. I'm so thankful for heaven. I look forward to being in your presence and being united with my dad for eternity. Thanks for the hope beyond the grave, God, that you made possible through Jesus Christ.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Daily Reflections on Prov. 27:14 (Dealing with Irritating Neighbors)l
Neighbors can be a blessing or a curse. For the most part I've been blessed with decent neighbors. However, in one place I lived, I had a neighbor who wasn't very sensitive to her neighbors. It's not that she was obnoxious. It's that she had a some dogs that were out of control and she did nothing to control them.
Her adult children struggled with relationships and keeping jobs. So they would be in and out, staying with her for various periods of time. They would buy dogs and since they had no place to keep them, they would bring them to mom. Max, a mutt with some apparent German Shepherd mix, was an irritant. He didn't like staying in his own yard so he, on a daily basis, would dig out under the fence in her yard run around my back yard and eventually dig out under the fence in my yard. My girls were terrified and for years wouldn't play outside, especially the back yard because Max could be on the loose. I tried staking and tying down the fence, unsightly railroad ties to no avail.
As irritating as that was, Garth was a very energetic dalmatian. Hyper was an understatement. But, he had his days and nights mixed up. Every night he would sit in the corner of the fence next to my bedroom window and bark and howl at the moon and everything else all night long. When day break, he'd be quiet. He was so loud and obnoxious that my neighbors on the other side complained vigorously that he kept them awake. I tried everything to get that dog to shut up, but once again to no avail. I learned to sleep with two fans running in the room just to cover some of the noise.
Although my neighbor acknowledged the problem, she didn't do anything to resolve it. She just blamed it on her kids. I thought of a few solutions, like antifreeze and a twenty-two, but my wife wouldn't let me. Wouldn't that be great news, preacher gets arrested for poisoning or shooting elderly neighbors companion. So I did without sleep and my girls played in the house.
This Proverbs passage talks about being sensitive to your friends and neighbors. Nobody likes a loud or boisterous person first thing in the morning. It's too much to handle. Some people don't like anyone in the morning, at least until they have their coffee. But sensitivity goes beyond just being noisy. Obnoxious behavior drives people crazy any time of the day.
Why is it that the people we're closest to are the very people with whom we have the least manners or around whom we have the most obnoxious behavior? Why is it that people we are closest to we have the least sensitivity for? We are the least concerned about offending our own family than anyone. We say what's on our mind with little regard to the affect it has on our listeners. We show the least respect for members of our own household. Why is it we become the most selfish with the people we love the most?
God, I know I'm selfish. It's apparent in my home the most. Help me to be more sensitive to my wife, to consider her and her needs.
Her adult children struggled with relationships and keeping jobs. So they would be in and out, staying with her for various periods of time. They would buy dogs and since they had no place to keep them, they would bring them to mom. Max, a mutt with some apparent German Shepherd mix, was an irritant. He didn't like staying in his own yard so he, on a daily basis, would dig out under the fence in her yard run around my back yard and eventually dig out under the fence in my yard. My girls were terrified and for years wouldn't play outside, especially the back yard because Max could be on the loose. I tried staking and tying down the fence, unsightly railroad ties to no avail.
As irritating as that was, Garth was a very energetic dalmatian. Hyper was an understatement. But, he had his days and nights mixed up. Every night he would sit in the corner of the fence next to my bedroom window and bark and howl at the moon and everything else all night long. When day break, he'd be quiet. He was so loud and obnoxious that my neighbors on the other side complained vigorously that he kept them awake. I tried everything to get that dog to shut up, but once again to no avail. I learned to sleep with two fans running in the room just to cover some of the noise.
Although my neighbor acknowledged the problem, she didn't do anything to resolve it. She just blamed it on her kids. I thought of a few solutions, like antifreeze and a twenty-two, but my wife wouldn't let me. Wouldn't that be great news, preacher gets arrested for poisoning or shooting elderly neighbors companion. So I did without sleep and my girls played in the house.
This Proverbs passage talks about being sensitive to your friends and neighbors. Nobody likes a loud or boisterous person first thing in the morning. It's too much to handle. Some people don't like anyone in the morning, at least until they have their coffee. But sensitivity goes beyond just being noisy. Obnoxious behavior drives people crazy any time of the day.
Why is it that the people we're closest to are the very people with whom we have the least manners or around whom we have the most obnoxious behavior? Why is it that people we are closest to we have the least sensitivity for? We are the least concerned about offending our own family than anyone. We say what's on our mind with little regard to the affect it has on our listeners. We show the least respect for members of our own household. Why is it we become the most selfish with the people we love the most?
God, I know I'm selfish. It's apparent in my home the most. Help me to be more sensitive to my wife, to consider her and her needs.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Daily Reflections on Ps. 139:17-18 (Keeping Focused on the Right Things)
There's just something about looking at the stars at night. On a cloudless night, away from all the city lights, gazing into the starry heavens is just amazing. I remember when I was kid, my dad got me a telescope so that I could gaze more deeply into the universe. I had gotten into space from the time I listened to John Glenn orbiting the earth. But my interest heightened after the first landing on the moon. My dad and I got out the telescope to look closely for the astronauts landing site.
It was easy to see the moon and some of the terrain, but my little telescope didn't allow me to see any of the stars real close even at maximum power. They still were so far away. It really hit me how vast the universe really was and how really small I was in comparison. It got me thinking how vast God must be to have created it all. I was in awe of Him. The expanse of God's power and thoughts blew me away.
The psalmist talks about the vastness of God's thoughts in Psalm 139. God's wisdom, His understanding, His knowledge is unfathomable. Like the universe there is no end to them. It dawned on me one day that God understood and knew all about nuclear fission long before we discovered it, because He laid out the principles. We have may a hard time with quantum mechanics and string theory, but God just smirks at our quandary over it. There is nothing He doesn't know. The most complex questions of our universe is child's play to God.
Yet of all the things God knows, the focus of His thoughts are on us. Now that blows me away. I keep going back to Psalm 8 and crying out, "O God, how majestic your are. What is man that you think about us? about me?" Yet He does. I'm the object of His thoughts. That's incredible. He's got a whole universe to consider and deal with and He is thinking about me first and foremost. He knows the number of hairs on my head. He knows when I have a hang nail. Unbelievable! He's thinking of me and He's thinking of you this very moment. He knows my thoughts right this instance.
If with all that God has to do in the universe He's focused on each of us, on me, then how can I be too busy to think about Him. And better yet, how can I be too busy for my spouse or my family? God has a whole lot more on His plate than I do. And if He can stay focused on us, individually, what excuse do I have not to focus on the people who are closest to me? I know that I'm not God and have physical limitations, and after all there is only so much time in the day. However, it ought to help prioritize what's really important in my life. My responsibilities, my stuff, my agenda isn't nearly as involved or important as God's, so if God thinks that focusing on the people He loves above all else is vital, maybe there's a lesson for me.
God, you are so awesome. I'm am drawn to your majestic nature. I'm drawn not just because you have unlimited knowledge and power. I'm drawn because you're focused on me and demonstrate that love to me. Help me to have the same kind of thoughtfulness and focus on my wife and family. Give me the insight, wisdom, strength, timing and love I need to express to my loved ones.
It was easy to see the moon and some of the terrain, but my little telescope didn't allow me to see any of the stars real close even at maximum power. They still were so far away. It really hit me how vast the universe really was and how really small I was in comparison. It got me thinking how vast God must be to have created it all. I was in awe of Him. The expanse of God's power and thoughts blew me away.
The psalmist talks about the vastness of God's thoughts in Psalm 139. God's wisdom, His understanding, His knowledge is unfathomable. Like the universe there is no end to them. It dawned on me one day that God understood and knew all about nuclear fission long before we discovered it, because He laid out the principles. We have may a hard time with quantum mechanics and string theory, but God just smirks at our quandary over it. There is nothing He doesn't know. The most complex questions of our universe is child's play to God.
Yet of all the things God knows, the focus of His thoughts are on us. Now that blows me away. I keep going back to Psalm 8 and crying out, "O God, how majestic your are. What is man that you think about us? about me?" Yet He does. I'm the object of His thoughts. That's incredible. He's got a whole universe to consider and deal with and He is thinking about me first and foremost. He knows the number of hairs on my head. He knows when I have a hang nail. Unbelievable! He's thinking of me and He's thinking of you this very moment. He knows my thoughts right this instance.
If with all that God has to do in the universe He's focused on each of us, on me, then how can I be too busy to think about Him. And better yet, how can I be too busy for my spouse or my family? God has a whole lot more on His plate than I do. And if He can stay focused on us, individually, what excuse do I have not to focus on the people who are closest to me? I know that I'm not God and have physical limitations, and after all there is only so much time in the day. However, it ought to help prioritize what's really important in my life. My responsibilities, my stuff, my agenda isn't nearly as involved or important as God's, so if God thinks that focusing on the people He loves above all else is vital, maybe there's a lesson for me.
God, you are so awesome. I'm am drawn to your majestic nature. I'm drawn not just because you have unlimited knowledge and power. I'm drawn because you're focused on me and demonstrate that love to me. Help me to have the same kind of thoughtfulness and focus on my wife and family. Give me the insight, wisdom, strength, timing and love I need to express to my loved ones.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Daily Reflections on Rom. 12:10 (Honoring Others)
Sunday, I challenged our congregation to take the "Love Dare" by Stephen and Alex Kendrick. It's a forty day devotional and lifestyle challenge especially focused at married couples, but has some profound implications to all relationships. We're doing it in correlation with a series I'm doing on marriage and family. Each day the Love Dare has a basic scripture followed by some thoughts and then finally a love challenge for the day. There's a place to keep a journal of what's happening in your relationship. So for the next 6 weeks I have decided to use the basic scripture as a basis for my own reflections.
My first observation is that each day as you digest the scripture and thought for the day and then take the challenge, that something happens to you. It changes you, your attitude, your behavior patterns. It's easy to get into destructive behavior patterns without even knowing. The more familiar we become with our partner over time, there is a tendency to just let our relationship hover. The routines of life take over and before you know it the thrill is gone.
Day to day it's hard to stay focused on your relationship. Before long many marriages are more like a drudgery than a joy. Things get said or don't get said that begin to create small fissures in a marriage. Over time those fissures grow and if nothing is done can be devastating. But if proper steps are taken, those fissures can be repaired.
When we got married we promised to love, honor and cherish our spouse till death. Unfortunately the honoring and cherishing dissipates rather quickly. Mistake. Honoring our spouse is the key to a healthy a relationship. Sunday, I talked about the importance of husbands honoring their spouse from 1 Peter 3:7. There's a tendency among men to want their wives to honor them, to build them up, to have their wives support them while they build their own careers or accomplish their own goals. Yet, God instructs husbands to honor their wives and build them up in the same way Christ does the church.
But the truth is honoring our mate has to happen by both marriage partners. As I honor my mate, my spouse is moved toward me. Who wants to be criticized, critiqued or made to feel subservient all the time. But if someone honors you, you are drawn to them. And something strange happens to me, as I focus on honoring someone, especially my spouse, my heart and attitude change toward them. I find myself rooting for that person and wanting to invest more into that person.
God, I want to honor my wife in practical ways. I realize that when I honor her I'm honoring you. Give me the insight and wisdom to help her become all she can be. Help me rid myself of my selfishness and sometimes critical or demanding or demeaning speech.
My first observation is that each day as you digest the scripture and thought for the day and then take the challenge, that something happens to you. It changes you, your attitude, your behavior patterns. It's easy to get into destructive behavior patterns without even knowing. The more familiar we become with our partner over time, there is a tendency to just let our relationship hover. The routines of life take over and before you know it the thrill is gone.
Day to day it's hard to stay focused on your relationship. Before long many marriages are more like a drudgery than a joy. Things get said or don't get said that begin to create small fissures in a marriage. Over time those fissures grow and if nothing is done can be devastating. But if proper steps are taken, those fissures can be repaired.
When we got married we promised to love, honor and cherish our spouse till death. Unfortunately the honoring and cherishing dissipates rather quickly. Mistake. Honoring our spouse is the key to a healthy a relationship. Sunday, I talked about the importance of husbands honoring their spouse from 1 Peter 3:7. There's a tendency among men to want their wives to honor them, to build them up, to have their wives support them while they build their own careers or accomplish their own goals. Yet, God instructs husbands to honor their wives and build them up in the same way Christ does the church.
But the truth is honoring our mate has to happen by both marriage partners. As I honor my mate, my spouse is moved toward me. Who wants to be criticized, critiqued or made to feel subservient all the time. But if someone honors you, you are drawn to them. And something strange happens to me, as I focus on honoring someone, especially my spouse, my heart and attitude change toward them. I find myself rooting for that person and wanting to invest more into that person.
God, I want to honor my wife in practical ways. I realize that when I honor her I'm honoring you. Give me the insight and wisdom to help her become all she can be. Help me rid myself of my selfishness and sometimes critical or demanding or demeaning speech.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Daily Reflections on Ps. 119:66 (Give Me Wise Discernment)
I'm bewildered. Why is it that we know the right thing to do and choose to do the wrong thing? We know you can't put a square peg in a round hole, but we'll give it the good ol' college try even to the point of exasperation. We'll pound and squeeze and manipulate to get that sucker in there. We do that with life all the time. We know the right thing, but we try to make our way work anyway.
"Christians" aren't any better than non-Christians when it comes to this subject. I guess that's why the hypocrite label gets attached so quickly. I'm going to go party with my friends, but I'll be there Sunday morning. I'm gonna move in with my girlfriend but I still plan to play in the worship band. I'm gonna join the prayer team, but not stop my verbal abuse of family and coworkers. How is it that we blatantly ignore God's truth and teachings and still expect everything to be hunky dory in our spiritual life, walk with God or even everyday life?
The psalmist says in our passage today, since I believe in God's commandments, teach me good discernment and knowledge. In other words, God I believe in your Word, teach me how to live it practically in my everyday life. Many people believe in God's Word, they just refuse to do it. The Bible's definition of sin is whoever knows the right thing to do and doesn't do it. Sin breaks our relationship with God. Jesus said you can't serve two masters, either you hate the one and love the other or serve the one and not the other. So when we purposely decide to do what God said not to do, we alienate ourselves from God. We are choosing to sever our relationship with God at our own risk.
However, if we truly believe in God and trust Him, then we will do as He asks, instructs, teaches us to do. God isn't interested in being a killjoy to rob us of our fun. He's interested in our well being emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally. It only makes sense to seek God's specific instruction on life issues, daily issues. I'd be a moron not to follow His ways. And since God knows all things and I don't, seeking His direction in the practical areas of life only makes sense.
God, I pray the psalmist's prayer. I believe in your truths. Teach me GOOD discernment and knowledge today and tomorrow and the next day. I want to be in step with you.
"Christians" aren't any better than non-Christians when it comes to this subject. I guess that's why the hypocrite label gets attached so quickly. I'm going to go party with my friends, but I'll be there Sunday morning. I'm gonna move in with my girlfriend but I still plan to play in the worship band. I'm gonna join the prayer team, but not stop my verbal abuse of family and coworkers. How is it that we blatantly ignore God's truth and teachings and still expect everything to be hunky dory in our spiritual life, walk with God or even everyday life?
The psalmist says in our passage today, since I believe in God's commandments, teach me good discernment and knowledge. In other words, God I believe in your Word, teach me how to live it practically in my everyday life. Many people believe in God's Word, they just refuse to do it. The Bible's definition of sin is whoever knows the right thing to do and doesn't do it. Sin breaks our relationship with God. Jesus said you can't serve two masters, either you hate the one and love the other or serve the one and not the other. So when we purposely decide to do what God said not to do, we alienate ourselves from God. We are choosing to sever our relationship with God at our own risk.
However, if we truly believe in God and trust Him, then we will do as He asks, instructs, teaches us to do. God isn't interested in being a killjoy to rob us of our fun. He's interested in our well being emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally. It only makes sense to seek God's specific instruction on life issues, daily issues. I'd be a moron not to follow His ways. And since God knows all things and I don't, seeking His direction in the practical areas of life only makes sense.
God, I pray the psalmist's prayer. I believe in your truths. Teach me GOOD discernment and knowledge today and tomorrow and the next day. I want to be in step with you.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Daily Reflections on Ps. 89:15 (There's Nothing Like Corporate Celebration)
The Super Bowl plays for the 44th time in just a few days. It's always more fun to watch the game with a group of people, especially when half the crowd roots for one team and the other half roots for the other team. It's great fun. There's something special about the group atmosphere. There's more excitement, more fervor, more celebration, more intensity. Go to any sporting event and you'll experience an environment that elevates the passion for everyone. Announcers often talk about feeling the excitement in the air. Home field advantage is more than just knowing the dimensions of the arena. It's about the crowd and emotions of those in the stands.
The same is true about corporate worship. I love getting out my guitar and singing worship songs during my alone time with God. It is a personal time for me, but somehow it just does match the time of corporate worship at our church or better yet a huge conference with several thousand voices and full instrumentation. The full sound of everyone singing takes me to a different level. The environment stimulates my passion for God and what it means to be a part of His family. It's a taste of heaven.
The psalmist talks about how blessed are those who know that joyful sound of worship or even to the call to worship. They know that the experience is going to bring them closer to the presence of God, emotionally and spiritually. It's through corporate worship that our barriers and distractions are eliminated and we open our heart and mind to God. We feel less inhibited in our expression to God and our intimacy with Him deepens. It's really the closest thing to being in Heaven.
I've tried to picture what it will be like singing around the throne of God. I've read the descriptions in Revelation and the closest thing I can come to it is the 90,000 men I gathered with at a Promise Keepers Rally a few years back. To hear that many men singing praise to God was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Standing on the stadium floor as the songs echoed across the stands was unbelievable.
I look forward to our worship time every Sunday morning. I can't imagine not having it. I can tolerate poor preaching, oh wait, that's me. I can endure a less inspiring message as long as there is energy in our worship, that it's a true time of celebration. I find that I'm generally more challenged and inspired when our corporate worship opens my heart to God.
Thanks God for loving me. Thanks for allowing me to be in your presence through song and praise. I don't understand why some people choose to miss the corporate celebration of praising you together. It's such an awesome place to meet with you. I can't wait for Sunday.
The same is true about corporate worship. I love getting out my guitar and singing worship songs during my alone time with God. It is a personal time for me, but somehow it just does match the time of corporate worship at our church or better yet a huge conference with several thousand voices and full instrumentation. The full sound of everyone singing takes me to a different level. The environment stimulates my passion for God and what it means to be a part of His family. It's a taste of heaven.
The psalmist talks about how blessed are those who know that joyful sound of worship or even to the call to worship. They know that the experience is going to bring them closer to the presence of God, emotionally and spiritually. It's through corporate worship that our barriers and distractions are eliminated and we open our heart and mind to God. We feel less inhibited in our expression to God and our intimacy with Him deepens. It's really the closest thing to being in Heaven.
I've tried to picture what it will be like singing around the throne of God. I've read the descriptions in Revelation and the closest thing I can come to it is the 90,000 men I gathered with at a Promise Keepers Rally a few years back. To hear that many men singing praise to God was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Standing on the stadium floor as the songs echoed across the stands was unbelievable.
I look forward to our worship time every Sunday morning. I can't imagine not having it. I can tolerate poor preaching, oh wait, that's me. I can endure a less inspiring message as long as there is energy in our worship, that it's a true time of celebration. I find that I'm generally more challenged and inspired when our corporate worship opens my heart to God.
Thanks God for loving me. Thanks for allowing me to be in your presence through song and praise. I don't understand why some people choose to miss the corporate celebration of praising you together. It's such an awesome place to meet with you. I can't wait for Sunday.
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