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.