Got any plans?

"Destruction is certain for my rebellious children," says the LORD. "You make plans that are contrary to my will. You weave a web of plans that are not from my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.
Isaiah 30:1

The Lord's words in Isaiah were directed to Judah because of their treaty with Egypt, but the principles are worth considering before we rip off a list of resolutions. Part of the challenge of beginning the New Year correctly is receiving plans from the Spirit of God. The words that are repeated in the book of Revelation in the Bible are a solemn reminder..."He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches". Just because we have ears does not mean we listen.

Looking forward or looking back

Tomorrow will be my last Sunday morning message of 2007. It is a time to look back and reflect and look forward and expect. What were the best lessons learned in 2007? I love it (please insert sarcasm here) when the news shows attempt to list the "top stories" for the year. Isn't it amazing that the top stories are always stories that they reported and covered thoroughly. Our discernment of what is significant and what is not takes a beating in our culture. Are we sensitive to God's assessment of the significant moments in the past year? It is easy to miss the greatest moments of the year if we fail to consider the year through God's lens. The "big events" of last year do not necessarily impress God. Instead, God's greatest moments in our lives may have occurred without much fanfare. Were there moments when you were able to see Jesus in the eyes of a child? There may have been moments when we extended kindness to someone and God used that kindness to bring about healing inside a bruised and damaged heart. I believe the moments we celebrate fuel our expectations for the New Year.

Incarnation

How do you describe the miraculous combination of Divine and human? Incarnation is a term that has been applied to the miracle of Christmas. It is one word that attempts to bridge the gap of impossibility. It's not just that God chose to be with us. It is the fact that God chose to be with us as a baby in a manger in Bethlehem. The same God who came down to Mount Sinai with thunder, lightening, fire and smoke and was greeting with fear and trembling loved us enough to descend to a feed trough in a manger. No longer were the human beings who observed God's manifest presence afraid to draw near. Instead I suspect that the baby Jesus was welcomed into the world He created by the hands of Joseph and lifted to the embrace of Mary.

Diagnosis

Today I went to the doctor for my usual "diabetic check-up". I go every 90 days and lay my arm on the table, get stuck and watch as my blood fills up the tubes. Four tubes of blood reveal a lot of information. In a short period of time my doctor knows how my blood sugar has been in the last 3 months (fine thank you). He gets a picture of my cholesterol (112 - not bad!) and my triglycerides and a host of other numbers that I won't bore you with. Isn't it amazing that a small amount of blood can paint such a detailed picture of our health. God doesn't have to draw blood to know how well we have been doing this year. As 2007 comes to a close, it's a good time to allow the Holy Spirit to give us a report of how healthy we are. If we will be still, ask and listen, He can speak to our hearts about our spiritual health. The diagnosis is only the beginning. He is authorized to dispense prescriptions as well. He has prescribed me humility, trust, faith, grace, hope, peace many times.

Christ and Resolutions

Christmas and New Years are separated by one week on the calendar. In the blur of the season, we celebrate the birth of Jesus and then welcome a New Year. Is is coincidental that so many people make resolutions after overeating, overscheduling and overspending? Well, I not that not everyone is guilty of the aforementioned - so I will move along. Most of us will hear about or give some thought to making some positive changes around the New Year. If you think about change keep in mind a couple of guidelines. First, let change on the inside drive change on the outside. A faithful and determined heart is the best catalyst for positive changes that show on the outside. Second, don't expect change to be quick or easy. Good and lasting change is usually the result of sincere reflection and a deliberate response. Finally, remember that the Christ of Christmas is the ultimate change agent. Never attempt any significant change without asking for help and guidance from the LORD.

Do you like fruitcake?

I attended a Christmas program at Nick's school this morning. The high school choir performed a funny song about fruitcake. It seems that fruitcake is a Christmas tradition that lives on despite the fact that I hear lots of people complain that they don't like it. My favorite joke about fruitcake is that there is actually only one fruitcake in existence and it has been passed around the globe from family to family for 40 years now. Fruitcake is a good reason to consider the value and meaning of traditions. I'm sure you have many wonderful traditions around the holidays. Hopefully, you will consider the virtues of those traditions and utilize them as a way to share the love of Christ.

Change

I enjoy the opportunity to do some teaching at Lee University occasionally. I am preparing for a course on "Change issues in Leadership". This is a course that I have taught before. However, next year the course will be offered online for the first time. What a change! It is a great opportunity for me to put the principles that I teach and preach into practice and embrace the change. I am having to learn some new techniques and utilize a new platform to present the course.

Change touches us all, everyday. I suppose the older we get the more we notice change (and sometimes the more we resist it). The older we get the easier it is to grow stagnant. While it is true that not every change is good, we can grow resistant to both the good and the bad. I remember reading a challenging question a long time ago that asked whether I am a pond or a stream. The pond is stagnant. The stream is alive with fresh life flowing through it. The fresh current represents the positive transformation that comes from embracing the Spirit of God.

Guarantee

The New England Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-13 yesterday. The game had received a great deal of attention for several reasons. The Patriots are undefeated. The Steelers have the top rated defense in the NFL. But, most of the attention centered around the Steelers' safety Anthony Smith who had "guaranteed" that the Steelers would defeat the Patriots. So much for guarantees! Not only did the Steelers lose, Smith was torched for two touchdowns. To be fair, most people took Smith's guarantee with a grain of salt - realizing that such a guarantee is impossible. He couldn't possibly control all of the variables that determine the outcome. What can we guarantee this week? What variables are beyond our control and what are the things we can control? Much of life's challenges are unexpected and beyond our prediction or control. Yet, we are guaranteed God's presence and grace everyday. Also, we have been granted the freedom to respond.

Automated Attendant

Today I called a number for "customer service" for a TV that is not functioning. I was greeted by a warm and friendly automated attendant. You know the drill: press 1 for service; press 2 if you still want service; press 3 if you are losing patience, etc. Well, I worked my way through the selections two or three times. Each time, no matter what I pressed, I was dumped back to the original menu. (Fortunately there wasn't a recording telling me how important I am as a customer) Eventually, I pressed "O" for the operator. The operator was very helpful and I was connected with the customer service department. All of God's qualities amaze me. But, perhaps the most amazing is the fact that God hears every prayer from everyone. When I pray - I always have the ear of a "live" God. Lynn and I have many examples in our lives that we cherish where God has answered prayers in a very specific manner. Those answers do much more than "prove" to us that God exists. They affirm His great love for each of us.

I will share one example. In 1997 I had a mole removed from the back of my left leg. The mole was sent for a biopsy and the report came back that it was malignant melanoma. Subsequently, I had more tissue removed from my leg and it was determined that all the malignancy was gone. This was one of the most frightening times in my life. I was serving as a pastor in Arizona at the time and I had just watched a good friend die from a cancer that began as a similar malignant melanoma.

A couple of years later Lynn, Nick and I had moved to Virginia. After a visit to my dermatologist he decided that I needed to have another mole removed from my foot. While awaiting the report of the biopsy I became very fearful. One day while I was home alone I began to pray and ask for God to help me with my fear. I had been reading in the Scriptures how God delivered His people from the Egyptians when they pursued them to the Red Sea. The words caught my attention in Exodus 14:13-14
"Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever"

I decided to pray and ask God to provide help with my fear. I prayed specifically that the words of Exodus 14:13 would be my testimony. I prayed that my fear of this report and of cancer would be "no more". A few days later I received a good report from the doctor and I gave thanks to God. However this is not the end of the story. A couple of weeks later I was at church in Virginia on a Sunday night. A man named Jerry came to me at the close of the Sunday evening service and asked if he could share something with me. He seemed uncomfortable but he told me that he thought that God wanted him to say something to me. He said he didn't know whether it would make sense to me or not. He told me that the words that God had placed on his heart for me were "no more". I assured him that those words were very very meaningful to me and that God had answered a prayer specifically for me.

Life

This week I am preparing to share some thoughts about Life. Sounds like a big subject and it is. I am still working on answering the question "Who is the Christ of Christmas?" It's a bit of a tall order. I believe John gives us a good answer in telling us that "In Him (Christ) is Life". I believe our ability to know Jesus as "Life" is critical. Without a rich experiential knowledge of Christ, life is different. And knowing Him at a distance is like seeing a picture of the Grand Canyon vs. standing on the edge and experiencing it. I was reading through some research about our culture yesterday and ran across a comment about life that raises concerns. According to the research many American adults regularly strive to be connected to a substantial number of people yet they possess a nagging sense of loneliness, isolation and restlessness. To me this is symptomatic of our need to know Life in Christ intimately and personally instead of maintaining a distant relationship.

The Message

In considering the Christ of Christmas this season I am focusing on John's description of the birth of Jesus. The first chapter of John is quite different than the "birth" narratives of Luke and Matthew. John refers to Jesus as "the Word". Although the Greek word "logos" that is translated "word" has spawned a lot of different interpretations it seems to me that it is clear that Jesus was a living "God message" to us. He came as the eternal Son of God to reveal the glory, grace and truth of God as never before. It is a Message for all and at the same time it is a Message to me and for me. The Christ of Christmas is universal and yet personal. Receiving the Message of the Christ of Christmas requires us to focus on Him...especially during one of the busiest seasons of the year.

Break is over

I took a little blog break through the Thanksgiving holiday. But, I'm back in action now with a few reflections. I did take some time to do some reading while away. My latest book interest is another of Eugene Peterson's works called "Eat this Book". He provides some great insight on "the art of spiritual reading". As the title suggests, Peterson encourages us to ingest the truths of God and allow Him to nourish our souls. In order to savor the richness of God's Word we need to take time to enjoy the meal. I believe ambiance contributes to the enjoyment of a meal. I hope the Christmas season provides you with a great atmosphere to enjoy the beauty of the God's gift to us in the birth of Jesus. Take time to cherish the message of the Christ of Christmas.

Thanksgiving

One of the greatest miracle stories in the Gospels is the story of Jesus feeding thousands with a little boy's lunch. The miracle meal unfolds in stages. First, the need is identified: thousands of hungry people and no food in sight. There was no food available with one exception. Apparently the only one among the thousands who shouldn't have been concerned about lunch was willing to give his away. A little boy gave his lunch. It's easy to overlook what happened next. We want to leap ahead to the miracle feeding. The multiplication of a little boy's lunch fascinates us. But, if we read too fast we miss a critical message. Before Jesus distributed the meal He gave thanks (John 6:11). Perhaps one of the greatest lessons in the story is overlooked too often. Before the miracle, Jesus paused to give thanks. I believe that a grateful heart opens the door for us to see the miracles of life that God provides every day. Happy Thanksgiving.

Who is the Christ of Christmas?

In the month of December I will be sharing several messages with the folks at Heritage Fellowship aimed at answering this question: Who is the Christ of Christmas? I would love to hear from you. If you are reading this blog consider yourself a potential source for my messages. What comes to mind when you hear this question? Here's one answer from my life. When I think of the Christ of Christmas I think of "light". In my life I depend on Christ for light. I know what it is like to be blind. In 1997-1998 I lost sight in both eyes (not at the same time) and as a result I experienced a level of darkness in my life that was very frightening. Darkness carries a lot of meaning for me. It reminds me of my need for help, my need for hope, my need for healing and redemption. Jesus, the Christ has responded to my darkness. Christ is light for me.

Snow flurries

OK so it was 75 yesterday and we all thought Spring had bypassed Winter altogether. Now today I hear reports of snow flurries. Some will rejoice. Some will complain. But, it's East Tennessee. The leaves finally changed colors just in time to greet snow flurries. Being the warm weather lover that I am - I'm not so excited to see short days and wintry precipitation. But I love the holidays. It is time for family, giving thanks and celebrating our Savior's arrival on earth. That makes winter one of the best times. In everything give thanks.

Tom Osborne

I had the opportunity to hear Tom Osborne speak last night at an FCA banquet. Osborne is a legend in NCAA football. During one stretch his Nebraska Cornhuskers won three national championships in four years. His record of 255-49-3 is amazing. As I listened to him speak, I was most impressed with his grasp of life in light of God's principles. He did not present a shallow speech with a few sports illustrations thrown in. He shared a deep powerful biblical message about living to glorify God.

God with us

Signs of the Christmas season are appearing. After all, it's November 12th and I heard a Christmas carol yesterday..(Just a little sarcasm here) However, I love the "spirit of Christmas". One of the most powerful proclamations about the birth of Jesus is captured in the name Immanuel (Matthew 1:23). The arrival of Jesus in Bethlehem was a reminder of God's desire to be with us. What about now? I believe that God's desire to be with us has not lessened with time. We must cultivate our awareness of the promise of Jesus that He would never leave us (Matthew 28:19). I wish we could learn to understand that the "spirit" of Christmas should be the Spirit of Christmas. The Spirit of Christ is with us everyday, every month of every year - because God wants to be with us.

Interdependence

Christianity is a path toward greater dependency on God and His people and not toward greater individuality.
Kyle Strobel

As I look forward to this Sunday I am pondering some thoughts that I want to share. I plan to share about the essential need for followers of Jesus to love others. It sounds like a basic tenet of Christianity (and it is) - yet it is one of most challenging aspects of being a sincere follower of Jesus. I believe Strobel has touched on the reason for the challenge. In our culture, independence is often used interchangeably with comments about maturity. They are not the same. While the dangers of "co-dependent" abuses are well documented, not enough is said about healthy interdependence. The pages of the New Testament are filled with metaphors about healthy interdependence. Strangely enough, many of them relate healthy interdependence to maturity.

Lean back and kick forward

It's great to learn from children. If you have ever watched a child in a swing on a playground you can understand a great deal about being the church. Leonard Sweet calls the swing his favorite metaphor for the church. As the body of Christ, the church must lean back - we rely upon the testimonies of the faithful saints who have gone before us. Their sacrifices and faithfulness provide us with a great foundation. But a church that only leans back will ultimately lose moementum. We must kick forward. The testimonies of the past grow stale when they are not renewed in the context of the present. Only then can we reach higher heights and experience the exhilaration of soaring in the power of God's presence.

What would Jesus say?

Recently, I read a question in a book, "What would Jesus say if He attended your weekend church service?" It's a thought-provoking question. It forces me to consider whether we are on target with what we call church. Ultimately, I'm not sure I can provide an adequate answer the question. I say this because I am so familiar with the Sunday service I am sure that Jesus would see things that have become somewhat invisible to me. So I wonder if Jesus would see people that I miss? I am comforted by the fact that I have raised the subject with Him before. On Sunday mornings, I express my sincere desire that He will be pleased with the day. On the other hand, if I respond to the question at another level, I would say that Jesus does attend every Sunday. He has promised to be with me. Because of His abiding presence in me I can know the answer to the question if I listen with my heart. I can know when He is pleased and when He is disappointed.

Hymn Stories

I am looking forward to the morning service at Heritage tomorrow. It will be a presentation by Word Players of "Hymn Stories". I never cease to be amazed at the power of music. God has given us such a gift in the way He speaks to our hearts through music. Songs remind us of God's love. They also awaken deep emotions. They remind us of people and places and events. For example, every time I hear the hymn "Blessed Assurance" I think of a precious lady that was a great encourager to me in my early days of ministry. She told me how that song helped her through lonely times after her husband died. Every time I hear "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" I think about a friend who was tragically killed in a car accident when he was only 19 years old. I sang that song at his funeral while I choked back the tears. I had played basketball with my friend just a couple of days prior to his death. Those are times when "trust" is refined and grows strong.

Leftover Candy

Candy is cheap today. The day after Halloween, candy goes on sale. Yesterday's $10 bag of mini candy bars is $5 today. It's been a long time since I took a course in economics but it must have something to do with the law of supply and demand. When the demand is low and the supply is high the price is going to fall. Somehow these principles do not fit with the supply of God's grace. His supply is limitless yet it is never cheap. The price is always the same. Our forgiveness cost Jesus His life. Our acceptance of the Savior costs us everything. We must surrender and follow. Yet, it the midst of these things that are constant, the demand fluctuates. Never have I witnessed a greater resistance to God's grace.

Trunk or Treat is Over

Well, after sitting on the "Burger King" throne for a couple of hours and handing out 1000 pieces of candy...trunk or treat is over. What a great night. I really did enjoy seeing the kids and watching their reactions from behind the mask. It's amazing how many people knew it was me. Sooner or later my voice or my mannerisms gave me away. So it is in our Christian lives. We may think we can wear a mask and pretend to be something we are not - but sooner or later our actions reveal what lies inside. Even though it's painful, I am thankful that God sees our hearts clearly all of the time because He extends His grace to heal all of our wounds.

Trick or Treat?

Of course I have some vivid memories of Halloween from childhood. Perhaps one of my most memorable years was 1971. That was the year I was diagnosed as a diabetic. After spending 10 days in the hospital and learning how to take my daily injections of insulin, I returned home just before Halloween. Great timing. You may recall that Halloween is a holiday event that revolves around receiving tons and tons of candy. Well, needless to say I had fun with my candy rations. Also, let me give a testimonial to the improvements that have been made in diabetic candy through the past 35 years! There are so many reasons to give thanks. My health, Self-control...and Diet Coke. Have a great day and resist that second Reese cup.

How bout a Starbucks?

Given all of the success that Starbucks has experienced, it was only a matter of time before books started rolling out describing the "Starbucks experience". One of the books written by Joseph Michelli points to 5 key principles in the Starbucks experience: (1) Make it your own (2) Everything matters (3) Surprise and delight (4) Embrace resistance (5) Leave your mark. Leonard Sweet has written a book called "The Gospel according to Starbucks: Living with a Grande Passion. According to Sweet, Starbucks unintentionally modeled itself after the ideals espoused by the church. Interesting food (or coffee) for thought. I must confess that I don't always think about the church as I sip my sugar-free vanilla latte. I have noticed that Sweet is correct in assessing the Starbucks experience through His culture savvy eyes. Starbucks has created an experience that beckons to the postmodern appetite. It is an appetite for experience and connection and the church has always existed with those ideals in mind. We long to help others experience the transformational power of God and connect with a community of faith that we know as the "body of Christ".

Trust

Brennan Manning is one of my favorite writers. His book on "ruthless trust" has been out a few years. But, it's a good one. Here is Manning's assessment of trust:
Let's say I interviewed ten people, asking each the same question - "Do you trust God?" - and each answered, "Yes, I trust God," but nine of the ten actually did not trust him. How would I find out which one of the ragamuffins were telling the truth? I would video tape each of the ten lives for a month and then, after watching the video, pass judgment using this criterion: the person with an abiding spirit of gratitude is the one who trusts God. The foremost quality of a trusting disciple is gratefulness. Gratitude arises from the lived perception, evaluation, and acceptance of all of life as grace - an undeserved and unearned gift from the Father's hand.

Have you changed?

As I mentioned in an earlier post this week I have enjoyed the opportunity to teach a course at our seminary this week. It was a special treat to see some folks in the class that attended the seminary back when I was in my masters program. I attended the seminary from 1989-1993. So, it's safe to say I have changed. When it has been a "few" years since you have seen people it's funny which changes you ask about. How's the family? Where do you live? Where did your hair go? Are those bifocals? Few conversations go deeply enough to discover what changes have occurred in our hearts. My heart has changed since I graduated in 1993. My trust in God has weathered many storms since then. My love for God has matured in appreciation for His faithfulness. And my understanding of His grace is dramatically different (by reason of application).

The Great Commission

Jesus told His disciples to "go into all the world". The world is a changing place. I am so grateful for the opportunities that God has given us to obey. We no longer have to "go" to go. Today I am teaching in a doctoral program. As I share some leadership principles I am sharing with students who will return to Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, South America and God only knows where else. I enjoy the teaching - but, I also enjoy hearing stories from so many different cultures. It enlarges my worldview and expands my understanding of God's mission. What a blessing.

Whisper Loud

Yesterday I shared a message based upon Elijah's encounter with God as revealed in 1 Kings 19. It's a long way from the desert to the cave at the "mountain of God". It's not just that it was a 40 day journey. It was a journey that transported Elijah from a place of hopelessness to direction from God. Elijah's encounter with God reminds us that God does not always show up in our situation with the force of an earthquake. Sometimes God chooses to whisper a message in our hearts. His whisper requires us to stop and listen. It also requires us to cultivate a deeper trust in His desire to help and direct us. Listen for His whisper today.

Time Flies

Today, I am in Charlotte. I spoke at a pastor's conference that is sponsored by Lee University. Lee has an extension here in Charlotte. It was a beautiful day to travel - Although I wish the leaves where changing a bit more. I enjoyed teaching today and I received a special gift. The class preceding mine was taught by Dr. Jerald Daffe. He was my supervisor during my internship at Lee in 1992-1993. It was great seeing Dr. Daffe. He was a great encourager to me during the final year of my seminary education. It's hard to believe fifteen years has passed since that time. Today provided a great opportunity to renew our friendship and to show my appreciation for his investment in my life.

Fire the coach

I heard an interesting call on one of the sports talk radio shows this morning. It was a call from a listener who had recently traveled through several southern states. He listened to sports call-in shows in several of the major markets throughout the south. He said that there was a common theme on all of the shows. Each area was dominated by calls for the local sports coach to be fired. Even though I question some of the coaching performances around the region, I don't believe that it is possible that every coach of every team in the south is doing a lousy job (For example LSU is undefeated and ranked #1). But, there is a growing tendency among fans to call for a change in coaching frequently (and loudly). I see the same tendency among followers of Christ. Rather than examine our own behaviors we would rather "fire" the coach. Of course, we can't really fire God. But, we can reject His lordship in a variety of ways. We can refuse to listen to His coaching. We can refuse to acknowledge all of the "good calls" that He has made in the past. After all, His win-loss record is pretty strong.

Rainbow

As I walked into the church today I saw a full rainbow. It was one of the most beautiful rainbows I have ever seen. The beauty of the rainbow always makes me think of God's promises. God's faithfulness is priceless. The context of a rainbow is a good reminder of the beauty of God's promises. There is always a mixture of clouds and sun when I see a rainbow. Those are the times in life when God's promises are cherished most. During the times when His light mixes with the clouds in my life I recognize the power of His love. I remember that His promise of peace is greatest in the middle of stormy time and that healing is meaningless without affliction.

Come home

I remember when I was a kid. Long, long ago when children roamed the neighborhood and rode bicycles rather than playing Playstation and Xbox. Whenever it was time for me to come home my father would whistle. He could whistle so loud that I could hear it for miles. It was a distinct sound with a distinct message for my brother and me: "Come home now!" This Sunday, I am looking forward to sharing a message about hearing God's voice. I believe that our heavenly Father's voice carries for miles. I believe He can deliver distinct messages to our hearts. Sometimes we ignore those messages. Often, we don't recognize them. But, He still speaks to us.

Change is coming

For the next couple of weeks my Sunday morning messages will focus on change. Specifically, I will talk about some of the indicators that change is needed. One of the most critical indicators that we need change is that of isolation. Isolation seems impossible in the midst of our crowded lives. But, as the old saying goes, it is possible to be lonely in a crowded room. One reason the church offers such hope for transformation is in the opportunity for authentic relationships. When a church is healthy relationships flourish and it becomes a catalyst for positive change.

Nineteen Years

Yesterday Lynn and I celebrated our 19th anniversary. On our way to dinner last night we joked about how much we have changed since 1988. The physical changes are obvious: I'm a living fulfillment of Micah 1:16 (look it up - it says "enlarge your baldness like an eagle") Actually, I was referring to other changes. I remember my best friend in college telling me that if it was God's will for us to be together that God would use my relationship with Lynn to strengthen my relationship with God. His words were true. God has used Lynn to encourage growth in my life through the years and I am thankful.

An Invitation

I helped coach Nick's basketball team this morning. It was their first game. I enjoy watching basketball more than any sport he has played. There is always a lot of action and scoring. His team did well and Nick did very well. They won the game by a pretty good margin. As I watched the boys come in and out of the game, several players told me that they were tired. I couldn't help but smile a little and reflect on our practices. Few of them enjoyed running during practice. They did not see the sprints as an invitation to get better. Running seemed like a waste of time to them. They would rather shoot or scrimmage. Conditioning is no fun. God invites us everyday to engage in spiritual conditioning that will help us in the "game". He wants us to know Him better through prayer, meditation and careful study of His words. It's not always fun - but it prepares us for the game. Maybe God smiles a little when we get a little winded in life.

God bless you

I walked out to my car after lunch today and was met with a request for help. A lady in the parking lot had a dead battery. She asked if I minded to give her a jump. She already had her jumper cables out and I was happy to help. After we got her car started she said "God bless you" as I left. I replied "God bless you too". What is interesting about this story is the fact that yesterday, my wife Lynn had a dead battery at home. Our neighbor helped her get her car started. Coincidence? How about this - the day before I loaned our jumper cables to a preschool teacher at church because her battery was dead. How about that? How does God bless us? Sometimes it is in the giving. Sometimes it is in the receiving. When we offer kindness to others, God always sees and He always blesses us.

Saints or Aints?

I watched a little of the Monday Night Football game last night. The Tennessee Titans played the New Orleans Saints. It was a year after the much celebrated win of the Saints at home. The game last year marked the reopening of the Super Dome after the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. Last year the level of emotion and support rivaled that of a championship game in the Super Bowl. And last year the Saints won. Not only did they win that game, but they went on to have the most successful year in Franchise history. Last night, there were many references to the "magical" season that is no more. The Titans pounded the Saints last night and the end result was another loss for the winless saints. Of course, I discovered a spiritual metaphor in the situation! What makes the difference in our lives from day to day? Do we live as Saints or Aints? The difference for the New Orleans Saints last year was clear. They were playing in a game that was bigger than football. They embraced their role in bringing hope to a city that was devastated. That makes the difference. If we are myopic in our role in God's kingdom - seeing our world with selfish and limited vision, we are destined to live as "Aints". When we embrace our responsibility to bring hope to the world and participate in God's big picture, we are mighty "Saints".

Have you been in the game?

I was watching a football game not long ago and I heard the coach ask one of the players whether or not he had been in the game yet. I could tell the young man was anxious to play and the coach sent him in for the next play. What a contrast to our Christian lives. Sometimes we are content to be on the sidelines. We would rather hide on the end of the bench where it is safe than be on the front lines risking ourselves. Sometimes secretly we hope the coach doesn't send us in. We become content watching others shine while we stay safe. We can be assured that our Head Coach, the Lord, knows whether we have been in the game yet. He knows exactly where we are and what we are doing.

Clean House

We just had some new neighbors move in across the street. They seem to be very nice people. They are unloading the truck today. Moving is a challenge. Since marrying in 1988, Lynn and I have moved three times. I don't enjoy packing and unpacking. One of the things that we have learned is that if you don't really really want something, then leave it behind. I tend not to be very good at throwing things away. I think the same applies to our spiritual journey with Christ. We need to evaluate the stuff we carry along with us and clean house periodically. The Bible teaches that bad habits and wrong ways of thinking can weigh us down and hinder our progress. Just because we have become comfortable with certain behaviors does not mean we are bound to continue. God loves to renew us and transform us. He asks that we lay aside the things that bog us down.

Keeping a Safe Distance

According to some who have ridden with me in my car there have been occasions when I have not maintained a safe distance between my car and the car in front of me. Despite my pleading about my exceptional reaction time and superb driving skills - it's best to keep a safe distance to allow for sudden and unexpected stops. This is wise. However the same principle does not apply to following Jesus. When we attempt to follow Jesus at a "safe distance", it is our way of trying to remain unchanged/untouched by who He is and the transformational power that comes from drawing near to Him. Following Jesus at a distance results in apathy and a loss of passion. The Bible teaches "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8).

How's your day?

After asking the difficult question in my message yesterday, "Am I like Jesus?" it leaves me pondering my own productivity. Jesus poured meaning into the moments of His life here on earth. His presence defined the moments. Though His time here on earth was brief by most standards, He accomplished what was given to Him to accomplish. I am learning to allow His presence in my life to define me. Our thinking is so backward. We try to extract meaning from external sources. If someone asks us, "How was your day?" we are most likely to spout off about what happened "to" us rather than describe what happened "in" us or "through" us (particularly if we perceive it has been a rough day). It's not easy to change our thinking, but the presence of Christ in us will transform our thinking if we allow Him.

Cheaters never win?

It's an interesting sports world. This week, Coach Belichick of the New England Patriots was fined $500,000 for cheating. It seems that the Patriots were pretending to be spies instead of a football team and they got caught. If you are a sports fan, this is another headline in a long list of headlines in the past year about cheating. Whether it's a story about HGH or steroids or spy cameras, it's getting a little bit old for me. Actually, it's quite a commentary on our culture. There will be many who raise the question, "Is it cheating if we don't get caught?" The dangerous carry over from this kind of thinking is evident to me with regard to our overall sense of morality. Take a trip through ancient history and ask King David if it is sin if it's not exposed? Well, when was the last time you hid something from God and were successful?

Preschool Joy

I just finished spending time with a lively bunch of preschoolers in the first of many weekly "chapel" services at our preschool. It was a blast. I enjoyed their enthusiasm and they actually listened to what I was sharing. We sang some songs and had a great time. What I noticed as they entered was one little boy who was greeting all his friends by name as they walked in. He had a smile from ear to ear and shouted their names. One by one he would say "hi" to each of them. His joy did not diminish one bit as he went from greeting to greeting. I couldn't help but smile along with him. Wouldn't our day go better if we had that kind of attitude. I guarantee our lives would be richer and Heritage would not have an empty seat if that was the norm for us from day to day.

It's Mine

I have a hummingbird feeder outside my window at church. I put a fresh supply out last week and there has been a flurry of activity around the feeder. I am amazed by one hummingbird in particular. We'll call this bird "Greedy" for identification purposes. Old Greedy has decided that the hummingbird feeder is there for him and no other hummingbirds are allowed to feed. If I spoke hummingbird (which I don't) I would pull a Dr. Doolittle and straighten him out on the facts of life. I put the food out. I didn't plan on just feeding him and no other birds. "Lighten up" Greedy and share the wealth! It does remind me of how we treat God's blessings. God does speak our language and He has told us in more than one location in the Bible to "share His blessings with others".

Why Fast?

Recently, I asked the congregation at Heritage Fellowship to consider fasting during the month of September. What difference does it make to skip a meal? I'm not an expert, but I have noticed some things from my own experience. The pressure to let our own appetite(s) govern our lives is enormous. We are a hedonistic culture. A good definition of hedonism is the belief that the highest intrinsic good in life is pleasure. That pretty well sums up our world doesn't it. So, why would I want to give up food for a meal or a day if gives me pleasure (and it does). Because it is a way to break us free from "pleasure" dominated appetites and redirect us to an appetite for God. In my experience fasting elevates my "God consciousness". When I fast I think about God more and I am more sensitive to my need for God because I know there must be a reason that I'm not eating.

Give grace to yourself and others

I need grace. You need grace. We all need grace. But the problem seems to be our ability to receive and extend grace in the right measure at the right time and in the right way. In one of Fenelon's letters he wrote "Don't let the compliments you receive from worthy people go to your head. On the other hand, do not let a false humility keep you from accepting God's comfort when he sends it through others." Pride prevents us from receiving God's grace and pride keeps us in "selfish" mode so much that we overlook opportunities to help others.

Focus?

Do you ever read something and then say "ouch" out loud? As I was reading my devotional from Fenelon's writings today, I read "God never complicates what can be done simply. The focused life is the powerful life." Even though we might object and try to put up a fight with these thoughts, deep down we know it's true. Most of the time our complications flow out of a root problem: we haven't established what is most important. Start the day with total allegiance to God and His will and everything else flows from that. In the words of Jesus, "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other." (Matthew 6:24)

Selfish Eyesight

I had a great trip with my father and Nicholas this weekend. We went to a Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Colts preseason football game yesterday. It is an annual trip for the "boys" to go to a ballgame. As we sat in the stadium with 60,000 Bengals fans, Nicholas proudly wore his Peyton Manning jersey and Colts hat. (I suppose peer pressure will not be a big worry in our house) Anyway there was one play where one of the Bengals fumbled the ball and the Colts recovered. The officials reviewed the play to determine whether it was really a fumble. Meanwhile all of the Bengals fans including those in the middle and upper decks were absolutely sure it was not a fumble. Despite the fact that the football appeared about the size of a pea from their vantage point and the replay on the jumbo screen did not show a camera angle where the fumble was visible, they were sure that they could see every detail better than the officials that were two feet away. Why? Because they were selfishly pulling for their team. It dawned on me that our own selfishness affects everything we see. I started to point out this great theological truth to the Bengals fans - but I guess I am more subject to peer pressure than Nicholas. Unashamedly, he cheered for the Colts when the call went their way.

Cross over

Fenelon's words "you and I are nothing without the cross" are hard for us to embrace. They echo Paul the apostle's words about considering everything in his life as worthless compared to his relationship with the crucified Christ. We live in such a "make something of yourself" world that it is hard for us to let go and find our identity in sacrifice. The irony is strong. A life that is full of meaning is found in emptying ourselves. And so much of what offers us meaning and fulfillment is empty. That's why life in Christ is called "new life". Everything is different when we discover the significance of the cross.

No whiners

We hear and use the expression "my cross to bear". In my study of the writings of Fenelon (1651-1715) he has some interesting things to say about our association with Jesus and his willingness to die for our sins on the cross. The cross is a reminder to us that we are to put our selfish desires to death. Fenelon says, "you and I are nothing without the cross. I agonize and cry when the cross is working within me, but when it is over I look back in admiration for what God has accomplished. Of course I am then ashamed I bore it so poorly."

Silence brings blessings

"Listen to the voice of God in silence. Be willing to accept what he wants to show you." Fenelon (1651-1715) Silence seems nearly impossible in our culture. We hate silence. Apple has sold over 100 million ipods. That doesn't include all of the other portable players, computers and cell phones with media download capability. It is an indication that we are rapidly becoming frightened by silence.We rarely give our undivided attention to anyone or anything. Of course, that includes God. That's a bad habit. Can we pray without music? How many messages from God have I missed because the music (noise of life) was too loud?

Peace

I am continuing my journey in the writings of Fenelon (1651-1715). Today's reading reminds me that "peace and comfort are to be found only in simple obedience. Remain at peace, for peace is what God wants for you no matter what is happening." So, if I want a peaceful day today, Fenelon would encourage me to be obedient. His words confirm that turmoil on the outside cannot compare to turmoil on the inside. I can't control the world around me, but I am responsible for what's in my heart.

Pain and Ministry

Today I was honored to share some scripture at a graveside service. Bill, the man who was buried has been battling cancer. I had the opportunity to meet with Bill just one week ago in the hospital. He was fighting a good fight despite the ravaging effects of the cancer on his body. It is overwhelming to attempt to minister to people who are suffering. No doubt you have asked the questions I have asked. What do I say? How can I help? I reflect often on the words of a wise professor in seminary when he shared that "we minister from our weakness, never our strength". The Bible helps us understand the irony of his statement. It is in our weakness that the Lord delivers strength. It is in our inadequacy that the Lord delivers sufficiency. It is when we are not enough that God's grace shines. And sometimes it is the pain in our hearts that opens the door to God's greatest healing.

Suffering is useful

Fenelon speaks of suffering as "God's exercise program, His gymnasium". It is through difficulty that we get into shape. The idea that challenges are necessary for our growth is basic to human development. I have yet to see a baby learn to walk that never fell down! But, sometimes we are reluctant to accept that application in our spiritual lives. Can we discern between God's discipline and His blessings? In my life the distinction between the two has blurred over time. In retrospect, God's discipline has often been His blessing to me - even though it didn't seem that way at the time.

Self-love is subtle

It's not really difficult to conclude that we have issues with selfishness in our culture. From yesterday's quote from Fenelon it is easy to see that he was wary of the pitfalls of a self-love that goes unchecked. Fenelon prescribes that we must root out self-love so that God's love can "reign in us without opposition". What does that look like? Does God's love reign in my life? We are forced to ask ourselves, "How would God love the people in my life?" The measuring stick that Jesus gave us is clear. Just hours before he was crucified, Jesus gave a "new commandment" to His disciples. He told them to "love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34).

A journey with Fenelon

I love to read from followers of Jesus who lived in a different time. Whether ancient or not so ancient, it amazes me how much we have in common in our daily temptations. While it is true that the particulars of our external temptations have changed, the battle for the condition of our heart has changed very little if any. Recently, I have rediscovered some of the writings of Fenelon, a French bishop (1651-1715). Fred Smith, a leadership mentor recently died. He wrote about seven themes from Fenelon's writings. I plan to blog about the themes. Meanwhile, here's a quote to think about: "selfishly loving yourself shunts the spirit. You put yourself in a straitjacket when you are enclosed in self. When you come out of that prison you experience how immense God is and how he sets his children free. Be humble. Do not trust the old nature."

Have you laughed today?

Last night I was in a class on health. Don Colbert's book "The Seven Pillars of Health" has served as a guide for the class. One of the seven pillars is "coping with stress". Colbert emphasizes the importance of laughter. It is both biblical and medically sound to laugh. Proverbs 17:22 declares "a cheerful heart is good medicine" Research shows that laughter reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system and improves brain function. Rediscover your sense of humor. Give yourself permission to laugh at yourself.

Reflection

I drove to Chattanooga today to teach at a seminar for new ministers. It always amazes me how many memories flood into my mind when I travel down Interstate 75 alone. It is a stretch of highway that I traveled when I attended Seminary in Cleveland. That particular stretch of highway was the equivalent of an altar of prayer for me during many of those trips (especially my last year). For some reason my mind always goes back to those conversations with God. It was a time of searching and questioning for me. Lynn and I wanted to receive direction from God and the courage to follow Him. God provided the direction that resulted in a wonderful experience in planting and pastoring a church in Arizona. I have learned that reflecting on prayers and answers to prayers is powerful. It helps me gain perspective on the present and understanding of my past.

Don't I know you?

I was sharing with someone last night that I could easily put together a year of sermon illustrations from my 52 most embarrassing moments. In other words, I have put my foot in my mouth so many times that I have grown accustomed to the aftertaste of leather. Most of us have seen a face that we recognize and felt a little embarrassed that we couldn't remember the name. That's not so bad. But what if we don't recognize a face of someone that we have met recently? When I was pastoring in Arizona I approached a person on Sunday morning after service because he appeared to be new. I introduced myself and welcomed him to the church. His reply was a little abrupt. He said, "I know who you are, I ate dinner at your house a few weeks ago". I had failed to recognize him as a person who had indeed been to our house for dinner with some friends. Before closing out the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clarified that not everyone who thinks they are known by Him are really known by Him. In fact, He described "judgment day" as a time when "many" will hear the words "I never knew you" from Him. That's a strong admonishment to make sure we have an authentic relationship with Jesus.

Look again

According to C.S. Lewis, "every age has its own outlook. It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes". I tend to agree. It is so easy to get caught up in certain ways of "seeing" when those ways are reinforced by the world around us. For example, we value efficiency in our culture. That is good. After all, God doesn't want us to waste time. Yet, we seem specially liable to cultivate impatience. Have you had to wait in a drive-through line lately? How did you handle it? As you waited for someone to cook your food for you and carry it to the car for you and reach out to take your money so you didn't have to leave your car...and it took five minutes instead of two?

Bumper Sticker Schizophrenia

I was sitting in traffic today and looked ahead to the black Ford pickup in front of me. I noticed the bumper sticker on the driver's side first. It was a slightly dated WWJD with the words "what would Jesus do" printed underneath. I'm not a big bumper sticker fan, but hey, that's always a good question to ask. On the passenger side was a bumper sticker with a miniature Yosemite Sam with two revolvers drawn and the words "back off". I thought to myself...isn't that interesting. I wonder which bumper sticker was purchased first? I wonder if the husband put one on and the wife the other? I wonder which one? Seemed to me the old F150 was sending a bit of a mixed signal. Isn't the idea behind behaving like Jesus that we would attract others to our witness? I can see it unfold as the driver steps out of the pickup..."come a little closer and let me tell you about Jesus....bam! the pistols come out...back off!" Unfortunately, this driver illustrates one of our biggest faults as followers of Jesus. We send mixed signals.

Look around you

Speaking of starting back to school, have you ever been in one of those classes where the teacher tells you to look around and recognize that a certain percentage will not pass. I'll never forget my Greek instructor in seminary. He had a wonderful sly smile on his face on the first day of class. He said "in this class salvation is by works...there is no grace". Following that word of encouragement he told us that if we worked very hard and studied very hard and did all of our homework, we just might pass. Beginning any journey brings some questioning of whether we have the right stuff to finish. Shortly after beginning we realize how much we don't know. Often the challenges are greater than we anticipated. Leadership expert Ken Blanchard calls that overwhelmed feeling becoming a "disillusioned learner". Jesus gave us a guarantee that we would be tested but He also guaranteed that He would equip us with everything required to emerge victorious.

School Days

As I sit at my computer at church I look out the window at a middle school. It's that time of year. Time to get back to school. It's brings back so many memories. Makes me want to put some beanie weenies in a spiderman thermos and pack my brand new lunchbox and head back myself. Though I'm not enrolled in school I want to be a student this year. I want to listen to my teacher. I want to engage in an intentional plan for development. I want to taste the anticipation of what will be revealed. The Psalms contain many great prayers. Here is a back-to-school prayer: "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing." (Psalm 143:10)

Home Run King

Last night Barry Bonds hit home run no. 756 surpassing Hank Aaron's record. The Barry Bonds steroid-scandal-media-saga has cast a heavy shadow on the home run record. I didn't watch the game last night, but I tuned in for the coverage this morning. More than once my attention focused on two words that the media repeated: "now what?". Commentators ask the question. Bonds has set a record. Now what? Put the scandal aside for a moment. Put baseball aside and recognize what an accurate commentary these two words offer to our culture. We are a "now what" culture. What's next? Our focus, our attention and often our commitments do not linger for long. Although our problems with these issues are exaggerated today, it is not a new issue. After Jesus miraculously fed thousands of people with a boy's lunch they chased after him and asked "now what?" (John 6:30). His reply pointed them toward something deeper than the latest miracle. He urged them to "believe". He urged them to consider a relationship that reached past their bellies to their hearts. Many of them chose to walk away and continue their "now what" way of life.

The Affluent Poor

I love the expression that Brennan Manning uses to describe our condition. We are "the affluent poor". What a paradox. We wrestle with the tension between being blessed with the richness of the Kingdom of God while being poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). What are the benefits of being among the affluent poor? The impact upon our hearts is amazing. Poverty of spirit opens the door for healing and restoration. It prompts a return to childlike faith. We can recapture our sense of awe and wonder at the magnificence of God. I tend to think that "awe and wonder" are precursors to recognizing the voice of God and receiving His blessings.

Follow me

Yesterday, in my morning message I referred to a great battle story in the Old Testament. It is found in 1 Samuel 14. It is a gripping account of Jonathan, the son of King Saul and his armor bearer attacking a garrison of Philistines. Though they were outnumbered and forced to approach the garrison through a treacherous and vulnerable route Jonathan and his armor bearer were victorious. One of the most powerful details in the account of this victory is the statement of the armor bearer to Jonathan. The armor bearer pledges to go with Jonathan and encourages him to "do all that is in your heart". Without question, Jonathan provides an illustration of transformational leadership. His leadership inspired his armor bearer to follow him into the face of great danger. Jonathan's leadership begs the question...do I know what is in my heart? What has God put in my heart? Can I influence/lead others in a positive direction if I do not know what is in my heart?

Narrow Way

Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

I'm going to talk about the "narrow way" tomorrow. On the one hand, this is a teaching of Jesus that is a lightning rod in our age of intolerant tolerance. We are immersed in a culture where absolutes do not exist except the absolute truth that there are no absolutes. By the way, truth does not exist except for the truth that there is no truth. And it's absurd to think that Jesus could declare that the way to life is narrow when any old way will do. Like I said, it's a lightning rod. On the other hand, it is a simple teaching that resonates with the collective "heart cry" of our age. We cry for focus. Jesus said stick with the path that leads to life. We cry for a way to reduce distraction. Jesus contrasts an intentional life with one that is broad and indiscreet. Our infatuation with "self-help" reveals our deep craving for personal development. Jesus describes a "way" that implies progress and leads to our ultimate goal. One thing is for sure, Jesus didn't mind being a lightning rod, but his primary goal was being the way, the truth and the life.

bridge collapse

I watched the coverage of the bridge collapse last night. Every time I thought about it today I felt a heaviness in my heart. It's hard to imagine what it must feel like to those who have experienced such unexpected and tragic loss. Events like this remind me that we do not know when our lives will end. How many times had those commuters driven across the bridge without any thought of its structural soundness? We live in a world where complexity and uncertainty are growing. This should and can drive us to reach out and discover something or someone that is certain. Of course, I believe that Jesus provides that certainty. The author of the book of Hebrews in the Bible wrote to people who were facing persecution and grave uncertainty. The author wrote that Jesus is the same "yesterday, today and forever". I pray that His comfort will be poured out upon the families of those affected in Minneapolis. I pray that the many brave people who have and continue to offer assistance in the care of those in need will overflow with genuine love and compassion.

Don't drown

I was reading an illustration this morning that is worth passing along. The illustration begins with a question. Have you ever wondered why a duck doesn't drown? Ducks have a special gland that releases oil making their feathers waterproof. This helps the ducks stay afloat. It's a great reminder of how we stay afloat. All of us feel a little overwhelmed from time to time. During those times it is good to remember that many times in the Bible "oil" is symbolic of God's presence in our lives. It takes practice to learn to rely upon God's presence to keep us afloat above the tide of stress and anxiety, but it is God's desire to help us.

Friendship

Last night I enjoyed a special treat. We spent the evening with friends from Virginia. They are passing through the area on their way to Lousiana for a family reunion. Lynn, Nicholas and I lived in Charlottesville for two years from 1998-2000. While we were there God blessed us in many ways. The greatest blessing we received was the gift of friendship. Friendship is hard to define. At times it means laughter. At times it means inspiration. At times it means comfort. God teaches us so much through friends. Have you ever noticed that food tastes better when eaten with friends? When we moved to Virginia we never imagined how God would bless us with relationships that would be so rich and enduring. I'm so glad he did.

Good Monday Morning

Sometimes we begin Monday morning anxious to get past Monday. I happen to love Monday mornings because I spend time with some brothers at a Bible study. Yesterday I shared a quote from Kyle Strobel's book Metamorpha. I think it puts our Mondays in proper perspective. He writes how God has changed his view of Christian life. At first he focused on salvation only in terms of escape from God's impending judgment. Over time his understanding has broadened considerably. Strobel writes,

"It seemed to me I was saved from God by God. I failed to see I was saved by God for God and that his saving grace means eternal living here and now. My understanding of the Christian life had everything to do with what eventually will happen and had little to do with what currently is happening...we must never fail to actually journey with Jesus".

Let's journey with Jesus...on Monday's too.

Good Gift

What makes a good gift good? After encouraging his followers to ask, seek and knock. Jesus reminded them that the Father knows how to give his children good gifts. Through the years I have received too many gifts from my earthly father to remember. Many of the gifts I received are long gone. My dog I received for my second Christmas has been in "doggy heaven" for years. The bicycles that I rode and wrecked are on a scrap heap somewhere. But, I still have my bright red tool box in the garage. I remember when I received it for Christmas. I was a little less than excited at the time. Time has revealed that it was a good gift..a very good gift. I still have it. I still use it. It has traveled to Arizona, Virginia and back to Tennessee. Dad knew it was a good gift when he gave it to me. God knows when gifts are good when He gives them to us. We don't always recognize them.

Ask, Seek, Knock

Knock and it shall be opened to you. The expression "open door" has come to describe the opportunities we have in life. When I consider the opportunities that I enjoy today I realize how God has opened doors in my life. I have knocked on the door of God's forgiveness and He has given me peace. I have knocked on the door of God's love and He has given me a relationship with Him that is indescribable. I have knocked on the door of God's hope and He has replaced my fear with expectation. I knocked on the door of God's calling and He has given me a place to serve that brings me so much purpose. Knock and it shall be opened to you. What a promise!

Ask, Seek, Knock

The second part of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:7 is an encouragement to "seek". The promise is that if we will seek we will find. Our struggle to believe this promise is summed up in the words of a 1987 U2 song: "I still haven't found what I'm looking for". The words that follow Matthew 7:7 help me. Jesus points us toward relationships of love and trust. First, Jesus reveals that God, our Father, desires to give good gifts to us. Jesus concludes the discussion by pointing out that we should treat others as we desire to be treated. What does that have to do with seeking?

Ask,Seek, Knock

Questions are powerful. They express a full range of emotions. Sometimes they are rhetorical. Sometimes they are a cry for help. Sometimes they emerge from our lack of understanding and desire for knowledge. This week I will be giving a lot of attention to the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 7:7. Jesus taught, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you". It's a pretty bold teaching. Jesus encourages us to "ask". There have been many times that I have been teaching a class when I paused to give students an opportunity to ask questions only to be met with silence. What have you asked the Lord today?

United Worship

I just returned from a Promise Keepers event in Nashville. We had a great time making the journey together. The word "together" is the best word I have to describe the significance of the weekend for me. The speakers were very good. The event was presented with excellence from beginning to end. The arena was packed and we ate well. But, most of all I enjoyed experiencing worship together. It seemed that all of our differences were cast aside. Our backgrounds didn't matter. The style of music didn't seem to matter. There were moments of authentic united worship that we experienced together and it was powerful and refreshing.

What's for dinner?

I just finished a great meal. I went back to the neighborhood where I grew up and ate some of my favorite things...some healthy some not so healthy. It's always interesting to eat at a favorite restaurant that you haven't visited in a number of years. You always wonder if the food will be as good or whether it has lost it's appeal. Tonight, I was not disappointed in the food or the flood of memories that I enjoyed as I ate with Lynn and my mom and dad. Have you ever noticed that memories are powerful when they are associated with a meal? A great dining experience touches so many senses beyond the savoury smells and tastes. It seems that Jesus understood the power of a special meal when he sat down with his disciples to eat the "last supper" with them. As he drank and as he ate his comments combined the significance of the moment with a powerful anticipation of the future. He said, "I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God...I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." (Luke 22:16,18)

Mirror Mirror on the wall?

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself
Leo Tolstoy

Long before Daniel Goleman sold millions of books declaring that self-awareness increases emotional intelligence, Jesus was encouraging people to look in the mirror. In particular, Jesus pointed out that it is not wise to remove a "speck" from a neighbor's eye without first removing the "log" that is in our own (Matthew 7:4). In my experience developing self-awareness is similar to removing something from my eye. Although it begins with self-examination, it almost always requires help from others who are willing to be honest with me.

New Beginning

I have always been a morning person. Consequently, I'm not much of a night person. By the way, it's 10 o'clock and I'm blogging...this is a small miracle. I'm not sure why I have always enjoyed dawn more than dusk. But, it may have something to do with the joy of facing a new day with a fresh perspective. It seems like each sunrise brings new hope to my heart and a sense of God's grace for the day. In the words of an ancient prophet "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day" (Lamentations 3:23). Last Sunday was a special day for us at Heritage Fellowship to celebrate God's grace. We enjoyed a church picnic. As a part of the picnic we had a time for baptism in water. Water baptism is a great illustration of a spiritual new beginning. It represents the dawn of a new day in the life of the person baptized. As the person is submerged in the water, it demonstrates that yesterday's guilt is left behind. And with emergence from the water, a new day dawns. I hope you greet tomorrow with a fresh hope!

Letting Go

Anxiety is a hangover of bad habits established when we were trusting things that were certain to let us down.
Dallas Willard

I love the way Willard hits us with the damaging aspects of worry. Not only does he compare worry to a hangover, but he also lets us know that worrying is a bad habit. He identifies some of the things that we tend to trust: human approval and wealth just to name a couple. Notice that Willard is "certain" that these things will let us down. Human experience is on his side. Is there a secret to breaking old habits? There are many methods for breaking habits. But, one of my favorite methods is replacing the bad habit with a good habit. Instead of worrying, try prayer.

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6)

Number One

One of the most prevalent topics in leadership development circles is time management. Most time management gurus have a system to help us determine priorities. Becoming a wise steward of our days, weeks, months and years begins with some tough questions. What matters most? What do I value? What is most important today? I remember when I began my first "full time" pastorate. I was a few weeks short of 30 years old. I have often thought about the fact that Jesus was about the same age when he began his "public" ministry. Three years later he was crucified and ascended to heaven. That means he had less than three years to prepare his disciples (not always the sharpest knives in the drawer) to carry on the greatest mission this world has ever known. Jesus must have understood something about priorities and time management. It would help us all to listen to his great advice on priorities. Jesus said, "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you". Oh, by the way, the next thing He said was "therefore do not worry about tomorrow".

Pause

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 26:10)
One translation of that great Psalm reads "Pause awhile, and know that I am God". Hit the pause button today and determine to know God and know that God is God. The German theologian Karl Rahner wrote "Some things are understood not by grasping but by allowing oneself to be grasped". Of course that requires us to be still. It requires us to release ourselves - our worries and trust God.

Luggage wheels

Luggage wheels. What is the greatest invention in recent years? Luggage wheels rank pretty high for me. Perhaps it is a reflection of just how much we tend to pack when we go on vacation. But, luggage wheels are awesome. Typically, we have three suitcases: each about the size of a baby elephant. With wheels it's a piece of cake. Of course, I have to fight my "man pride" that tries to convince me that I should carry the luggage even though they are equipped with wheels. This is not unrelated to our tendencies to worry. John Piper says the struggle of followers of Christ is "not a struggle to carry a burden, but a struggle to let a burden be carried for us". Jesus has invited us to find rest in Him. He has invited us to "cast our cares upon Him". Why not?

Are you worried?

Well, I'm still pondering about what it means to win over worry. It is a subject that I will return to again and again. Psalm 73 has been a favorite of mine for a long time. The Psalm starts out with a vivid description of a worried soul. In the end the Psalm is resolved with some powerful encouragement. It is encouragement that comes from a trip to the "sanctuary" of God.

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever...But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.
Psalm 73:25-28

Back in the Saddle

Hey, vacation's over. That means I will be sharing a message at Heritage tomorrow. I'm looking forward to sharing a message that is very personal to me. It's about "winning over worry". Unfortunately, I can draw from a deep well of experience when it comes to worry. The words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount are a little hard to swallow. His words "do not worry" are pretty easy for me to understand. Yet, I have invested a lot of my time and energy worrying. In the end, Jesus characterizes worry as a result of "puny faith" (Matthew 6:30). That hurts! I will spend quite a bit of time this week pondering the relationship between the strength of my faith in Christ and my tendency to worry. I can't help but think that the strength of my trust in someone usually depends on how well I know them. If this is true with Jesus then winning over worry will require us to know Him better.

Vacation Time

To blog or not to blog...that is the question. Here I am at a mall in Orlando in an Apple store logged into a computer thinking about giving a little blog time. Oh well, decision made. See you next week.

Transformers

This is not a review of the upcoming movie "Transformers". Thought, the title does catch my attention. It should be the title of our collective "autobiography" as followers of Jesus. We are engaged in a a constant journey of transformation. The New Testament says that we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Even though we have a natural tendency to resist change, it is unavoidable. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that we will either be changed by the influences of this world or we will be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The choice is not whether or not we will change but whether we will choose the correct path of change. So how is your mind renewal going? Also, are you sharpening your ability to detect the changes that the world around you offers to your character? Hint: they are not always good. OK by now you're wishing this was a movie review of "Transformers". I'll close with this thought. What goes on in your mind will matter today. Renew!

vacation bible school

What a name. Vacation Bible School is no vacation. I guess Evening Labor Camp for Adults isn't a very appealing name. Seriously, I am a huge fan of VBS. It's great to see so many people working so hard and having so much fun. When I look around it is a reminder of what is possible when we unleash our creativity and energy for God. My favorite moment thus far was watching some preschoolers lift their hands up in the air during a worship song last night. They don't understand all of the theological principles involved in worship. Nor do they care. But they do enjoy reaching up toward heaven and reaching out for God's embrace. The simplicity and purity of their actions is inspiring.

A.S.K.

This morning I was reflecting on the words of Jesus. He said to ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find and knock and it will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7). While this message from Jesus holds great promise it is also packed with deliberate responsibility. What kind of questions will you ask today? Will you ask for things that will benefit others? Will you ask to see God at work today? Will you ask for Him to help you know Him. To see Him at work? To recognize His will and purpose? What are you seeking? Upon which doors will you knock? The door of someone in need? In the book The Question behind the Question, John Miller suggests that we can get into the habit of making better choices by asking better questions. Asking better questions can lead to a more productive and accountable life. Certainly, God wants us to live more productive and accountable lives. We tend to ask questions that fuel our uncertainty rather than those that pave the way for development. For example, we would rather ask "why?" than "how can I grow through this situation?".

What the tin man knew

Most of us remember the words of the tin man. He lamented the loss of his heart. In the real world losing heart is not the result of the enchanting spell of wicked witch. Typically, it is our own doing. It happens slowly and we don't want to admit it. Two of my favorite leadership authors say it so well...No one looks in the mirror and sees a cynical, arrogant, and callous self-image. We dress up these defenses, give them principled and virtuous names. Cynicism is called realism, arrogance masquerades as authoritative knowledge, and callousness becomes the thick skin of wisdom and experience. (Leadership on the Line, Ron Heifetz and Marty Linsky). Heifetz and Linsky move beyond the diagnosis and provide some practical encouragement for recovering heart. Why not try it today? They suggest, the virtue of a sacred heart lies in the courage to maintain your innocence and wonder, your doubt and curiosity, and your compassion and love even through your darkest and most difficult moments.

Buried Treasure - part two

I've been thinking some more about the comments of Jesus: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". There are two dangers for to guard against. The one, that I mentioned earlier, has to do with a tendency to invest our hearts in things that are in the "here and now" as opposed to things that really matter from an eternal perspective. We live in a materialistic world that pulls at our hearts on a daily basis. It serves to distract us from cultivating a heart that God can use for His purposes. The second danger pops up from the other extreme. It is a tendency to view the Kingdom of God from a "somewhere out there" perspective as if God's kingdom is a buried treasure that can only be accessed after we die. When that happens we view life as though we are making deposits in heaven during this life and will reap those rewards only when we arrive in heaven. While this protects us from materialism, it also insulates us from the material world around us. When our hearts belong to God we have the ability to share what it means to live under the reign and lordship of God.

Buried Treasure

Jesus said "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19). What if you were able to review your day? What if at the end of Thursday, June 21 you could sit down and read through an "executive summary" of your actions and thoughts? It would show a recap of your investments today. How will you invest yourself during this finite 24 hours that we are given today? Today will reveal something about the condition of my heart. Jesus said that my "investments" each day show where my heart belongs. Does my heart belong to God? It's really not that difficult to know the answer.

Potential

After the successful season for the Tennessee men's basketball team last year, expectations are high. For the first time I can remember, sports radio show hosts are talking about basketball in the summer. Usually the topic of conversation is all about player "potential". Potential is a slippery word. There are so many variables that come into play. At this point we hear a lot about athleticism and talent. But along with those qualities other questions are raised. What about academic eligibility? How will the player develop? Will they apply themselves in practice? How will they fit with the team? As I listen to this discussion, I can't help but think about our "potential" as followers of Jesus. What if we had this discussion about our development? Would we be ruled ineligible due to a failure to show up for class? (God holds class everyday - we are supposed to be listening and learning). Would we be dismissed from the team because we didn't practice? (How's your prayer life? Is your bible dusty?) How do we rate as team players? (How would other Christians rate you as a team member?)

Plan for the week

It's Monday. What is your plan for the week? Have you given any thought to what is most important this week? Jesus had some strong words for his "would be" followers. He compared the journey of a disciple to that of someone beginning a construction project (Luke 14:28). His words were strong. He said that it was unwise to begin a project without first counting the cost. The same is true today. We must count the cost of discipleship. But, I believe the principle applies to many other areas of our lives. Monday is a good day to count the cost of having a productive week. In order to have the kind of week God wants us to have it will cost us. Only when we take some time to consider our mission for the week will we be able to make decisions wisely. It is impossible to anticipate every situation for the week ahead, but that is an even greater reason to make sure we have our hearts centered on God in order to be able to adjust on the fly. Make it a great week!

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day is here. Mine has been great. Nicholas cooked breakfast for me. I enjoyed a wonderful omelet. Lynn spoke at church today. I heard a great message. We enjoyed lunch together and now I am reflecting on the blessings of fatherhood. As I have mentioned before, fatherhood is one of the most intimidating challenges in life. If I turn the clock back about 11 years, I can remember how frightening it was to me to think about bringing a child into the world. In the summer of 1996 Nicholas was on the way and I didn't have a clue how much my life would be enriched by a son. To list the lessons I have learned would take more than a decade of blogging. But, I can't help but list two. First, I have learned so much about a Father's love for a son. My understanding of God has changed dramatically. More specifically, my perspective on God's grace, forgiveness, discipline and love is completely changed. Second, being a father has changed the way I think about time. Time is more precious. Every day is special.

Father's Day is Coming

I remember the Father's Day practices of days gone by. Every year in the church of my childhood we would honor the oldest Father. One year the competition was heated. Two "senior dads" were pretty close in age. When it was time for the decision, one of them announced that fact that he was "86 and 1/2 years old". Usually it is a child that adds the "1/2" to their age. After all there's a big difference between an 8 1/2 year old and an 8 year old. But at 86 and 1/2 years he was just as proud of his age as a kid. After his announcement the oldest father made his way up front and received his ugly neck tie and responded to the applause of the congregation. Now that I have been a father for 10 years I have noticed that each year seems shorter and at the same time more significant. Time passes so quickly and the need for me to be a godly role model for Nicholas intensifies. There is no greater leadership challenge in my life than to be the father that God wants me to be. The words of Paul the Apostle describe the challenge: "follow me as I follow Christ".

How's your heart?

I was studying about the life of King David today. When David was chosen to be king over the Israelites God gave a special instruction to the prophet Samuel. He reminded Samuel that we tend to look at outward appearance to decide who should be "king". God looks at the heart. Now to be fair God sees hearts a lot better than we do. But, what happens when we turn that advice inward and apply it to ourselves? When we think about what impresses God in our lives do we start with the condition of our heart? When we think about our qualification to serve God do we focus on the outside or inside? Maybe it's easier to survey the outside because we don't want to invest the time it takes to inventory the inside. I have a routine doctor's appointment tomorrow. I am certain that at some point in the exam someone will put a stethoscope up to my heart and listen to my heartbeat. Naturally that will require me to be still and quiet. The same thing is required in order for us to check our own heartbeat for God. We must be still and quiet. It is necessary to know God in order for our hearts to be transformed by God. In the words of Dallas Willard, "God does not ordinarily compete for our attention".

Sabbath

What is Sabbath? Biblically, it is mainly a day, once a week, when we "do no work". It was also a year once every seven years when God's covenant people did not sow seed, prune vines or store up harvest (Leviticus 25:4-7). Even though Jesus taught that the Sabbath was made for us (Mark 2:27) our hearts rebel against it. Our rebellion is much deeper than a failure to take a day off. It is our failure to "rest" in God. We find it difficult to trust God. It's no surprise that God anticipated our struggle. In regard to taking a year off from the harvest God knew that people would ask "How are we going to eat in the seventh year?" God's reply is especially beneficial in our performance oriented world. God said, "I will order my blessing for you in the sixth year, so that it will yield a crop for three years". When we rest in God there are blessings that are far greater than a triple crop year. Dallas Willard suggests that the Sabbath principle should invade our lives daily. In a practical sense Willard says the Sabbath is "casting all your anxiety on Him" to find out that "He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

You can be a star

In general I am not a big fan of the NBA. For the most part professional basketball seems like a different sport than college basketball. Some of my disinterest may have something to do with the way the "stars" outshine the game. I watched about 2 minutes of the second game of the finals. The Spurs thumped the Cavs. I think the Cavs were down by 20 plus points before the first half ended (a real nail-biter). Something that I have noticed at the college level and the pro level is that when a foul is called the expression on the face of the guilty party is priceless. A picture paints a thousand words. The facial expressions begin with "who me?", "I'm shocked and surprised" and continues with "I can't believe you called a foul on me!" and a gracious acceptance of the fact that the referee made a mistake and "I will forgive you this time". That's star power. What wonderful acting. This is quite a contrast to how Philippians 2:15 describes star power. "Do all you have to do without complaint or wrangling, show yourself guiltless and above reproach...in a warped and crooked generation in which you shine like stars in a dark world".

Theological Research

Have you done any theological research today? I'm not talking about standing at the front door of church with a clipboard and survey. I'm talking about prayer. Dallas Willard describes prayer as "genuine theological research". He developed this description because he believes that prayer is "the method for understanding what and who God is". I agree. Prayer is God's open door policy. He invites us to discover who He is and what He is doing. He invites us to witness, discuss and participate in His work. We are more than "shadows" at work with our Father. We are apprentices learning the family business. As we discover more of God through prayer we are changed by His presence and we reflect more of His grace in our lives.

I do

I'm preparing to do a wedding ceremony this afternoon. Whenever I conduct a wedding I always reflect on my wedding...almost 19 years ago. Lynn was so beautiful with her big hair. I was so handsome with hair. The rain that is falling outside today reminds me that we picked the first day of October for our wedding because it is "always beautiful weather" in early October. Of course, it rained all day. We still can't predict the weather, but I have gotten better at predicting relationships that will flourish. As I meet with couples prior to the wedding day, I have learned to look for some simple predictors. A strong commitment to build a marriage on the words of John is helpful: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:18-19) As our love grows and is tested and perfected, our fear diminishes. We grow in freedom to be honest. To love. To give and receive. Our love is anchored in Christ's love for us.

Change

I am a Vol fan. Right now that means I am a women's softball world series fan. Last night Arizona defeated the Lady Vols to force a final game in the World Series. It was a great game. A classic duel between two great pitchers. Tennessee's Monica Abbott was dominant as usual. Arizona's pitcher Taryne Mowatt came away with the victory. Her "change up" pitch was a source of great frustration for the Tennessee batters. Whether in life or softball we struggle with the unexpected. When the speed of a pitch changes by 20 mph it is hard to adjust. How well do you adjust when things don't happen at the speed you expect? I am not a sports star, but I do know the importance of attitude. My attitude toward change makes a big difference whether or not I grow through it or suffer through it. I am hopeful that the Lady Vols will adjust tonight and capture their first national championship.

Need Help?

Why is it so painful to admit we need help? If you are female and reading this you may not struggle as much as we "men" do. By the way, there is a scientific explanation. We have the XY chromosome set - you have the XX. When men are asked if they know what they are doing, the "Y" chromosome pops up uncontrollably and answers "Yep" for us. "Yep I know what I'm doing". When asked if we know where we are going. Same thing happens. "Yep" I know how to get there. Although men may be worse at this, we all struggle against hypocrisy. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus repeatedly said "don't be like the hypocrites". When Jesus taught us how to pray, there is a reason he taught us to begin by acknowledging God as our Father. Real relationships destroy hypocrisy. Intimacy forces us to get real. God knows our needs before we ask. He knows what we know and what we don't know. There's no bluffing God.

Keeping it Real

Too often we are the money changers: giving short change in spiritual things to many who seek the true coin: making the Church an institute when you want it to be a chaos of uncalculating love.
George MacLeod

As I was saying in a previous post...many in the current generation cry for authenticity. I love the expression of MacLeod "uncalculating love". It is a not so subtle reminder that love should be an outflowing of our hearts rather than a calculated effort for a desired effect. Of course this should be the case in "the church". Nothing speaks the truth quite like a life of integrity.

Get Real

Literature that describes this generation, the next generation and the last generation abounds. Who gets to name generations anyway? It seems everybody has a description of what makes us tick. If you're a boomer, buster, Xer, nexter. millennial, best generation or worst generation you know what I'm talking about. I think we should only name generations after they pass. Then we could be more accurate. For example, there are 165 Starbucks within a five mile radius in Manhattan. How 'bout the coffee buzz generation? I have picked up a common theme that pervades most writing about our culture today. It is a cry for authenticity. A desire for "real people". I am convinced that when we "get real" we recognize our need for God's help more than ever.

Car Cleaning

I decided to vacuum my car. It's something I try to do every other year. It's amazing how much stuff you can accumulate over time. In general I try to keep the seats clear enough to accommodate a few passengers. But, with the help of Nicholas the back seats are a little risky. So in my vacuum adventure I discovered some lost items: Green lantern's head, a miniature light saber, wood chips from landscaping timbers, a roll of string (don't have a clue) and the usual assortment of writing utensils. On the bright side I could probably survive most any unsuspected natural disaster or attack. For those of you not old enough to remember McGyver - ask your parents. I believe we all have a tendency to collect junk without realizing it. That's why David asked God's help. His prayer is a reminder that we get to comfortable with the stuff that creeps into our lives.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you,and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

(Psalm 139:23-24)

Lightning bugs

Summer's here for sure. I know that because lightning bugs are out. If you have never stopped to thank God for creating an animal you really should. Actually, I think parents through the ages have given thanks for lightning bugs. Long before game boy, game cube, Playstation, Wii...there were lightning bugs. No battery, no plug in, no cheats, nothing required. All parents had to say was "go catch lightning bugs". Two hours later kids return: fascinated, exhausted and ready for bed. Of course kids of a meaner sort returned with fluorescent goo all over their hands, wiffle ball bats and other things (so I have heard). Sometimes I think lightning bugs remind me of our spirituality. On again off again. Jesus said that his followers are the light of the world. The light that is needed is a consistent steady light and not a light that flashes on and off and is only present for a season and then disappears.

Remember

Memorial Day. Is it about BBQ? Is it about yard work? Is it the unofficial start of summer? There's nothing wrong with any of those things (except yard work). But they miss the mark of Memorial Day. At some point during the day it's important to pause and remember. Pause to honor the veterans who have died serving. Pause to express gratitude. By my measure gratitude is one of the most important virtues. It is a mark of character that affects all others. Deuteronomy is one of my favorite Old Testament books. Over a dozen times Moses pleads with the tribes that were preparing to enter the land that God had promised. His pleading is not complicated. He charges them to remember. Sadly, I am convinced that he knew they would not. It seems to be our nature. When things get good we forget those who sacrificed to bring us the good. Remember and be grateful.

Life according to Captain Jack Sparrow

In the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie Captain Jack Sparrow has a crazy compass. It shows up at various times during the movie. Typically, the compass spins around in what appears to be an unpredictable manner. Finally, Sparrow explains the usefulness of the compass. The needle does not point north. It points toward what the holder "wants" the most. In the ebb and flow of the movie, the direction of the needle changes several times. Seems to me that this compass could be really useful. What if I had a visible indicator of what happens within my heart. How often do my desires change? What do I desire the most today? Obedience? Faithfulness? An authentic relationship with God? Wisdom? Knowledge? Power? Wealth? Comfort? We seldom pause to think that God's assessment is much more accurate than Jack Sparrow's compass. God's assessment of my heart is precise.