Instant Replay and Humility

I'm a supporter of the introduction of instant replay in the sports world. Even though it slows the game down a bit, I believe it helps officials make the right call. There is a limit to our human abilities on the field of play and now that the armchair quarterbacks at home have the ability to review plays on their own...pause, slow mo, instant replay, etc. it probably lessens stress a little. As you might expect, I have a theological footnote on instant replay. It is a good introduction to the virtue of humility. Instant replay introduces the possibility to the official: I might have gotten it right or I might have gotten it wrong. I ran across a great qote from a great preacher from the 17th century. Richard Baxter wrote
"Formerly I knew much less than now, and yet was not half so much acquainted with my ignorance". I wish had run across that quote a long time ago. Humility allows us to quote Baxter frequently (minus the old English beauty). We should say it this way. "I thought I was right - I was wrong". By the way, we don't need cameras perched at every angle of our lives to know whether we were right or wrong. We have the Holy Spirit.

The Dead Zone

I remember my first cell phone. Actually, it was a "mobile" phone. In Arizona, late 90's it made more sense to speak of "live" zones instead of "dead" zones. There was a strip of coverage about the size of a large biscuit between Dewey and Phoenix which allowed you to say helloI'mfineonthewayhomeloveyaseeyabye. Then as quickly as it arrived it left. Call over, Signal gone. What good is a cell phone if it doesn't work? If James is right, we are struggling with a similar issue. What good is faith if it doesn't work? (Faith without works is dead James 2:17) Be careful with that question, I'm not talking about faith "working" selfishly for our interests (read James again). No, the work that James attaches to faith has to do with unselfishness. It has to do with faithful living that requires loving God and serving others. Too many of us spend too much time in the dead zone of faith. Sadly, it's not because we don't have a signal. Most of the time we have four bars.

The effects of Faith

I am somewhat of an unwilling expert when it comes to things that can affect my vision. I am fairly conversant on the good benefits of well-regulated blood glucose levels in diabetics. Unfortunately, I also learned about the ugly side of diabetic retinopathy. My recent retina exam brought about lots of thanksgiving in my heart. I thank God for my good health and it encourages me to continue to be diligent with my diabetes management - especially now that I need to set the example for Nick (who is doing an awesome job!) Just as a number of things can effect our physical vision, so it is with our spiritual vision. Nothing affects our vision quite like our faith in God. Our faith in God affects the way we see everything. Two people can see the same situation so differently. Recently I was reading a book by Eugene Peterson entitled "The Quest". In it, Peterson writes, "the meaning of the world is most accurately given to us by God's Word". It's a great reminder to pause and consider how God would have us see our situation before we draw our conclusions.

Faith formation

I was reading an article this week entitled "Sharing the Gospel in a Postmodern World" (Sean O'Neal, Evangel, Sept 2009). In the article, O'Neal refers to the importance of community in forming and developing faith. His comments draw from his experience with people who have no background in Christianity. Sometimes we forget that "growing faith" does not occur in a vacuum inside of our heads. Our faith is stretched and matured through real life - in community. Instead of bemoaning the lack of faith in the Christian community, it would be more productive if we invested in faith formation in the people God has put in our paths. It is challenging to invest in people who do not share our background or views about God, but it is rewarding. In the process, our own faith matures.

Where's your faith?

It's hard to overestimate the importance of faith. The Bible has a lot to say about faith. It seems like God has the ability to measure our faith. Sometimes we think in terms of that measure as to whether it is great or small, weak or strong. At times, Jesus rebuked His disciples because their faith didn't measure up. Naturally, I consider the health of my own faith. Faith is dynamic. It changes. It should grow. But, it should also mature. Rather than focis on teh "size" or "strength" of my faith I have been considering the object of my faith. Toward the end of his time with His disciples, Jesus told them to "Have faith in God" (Mark 11). (This was after they noticed an unfruitful fig tree that had withered - the context is worth considering). Lots of attention has been given to the verses that follow this admontion to have faith in God. Jesus spoke of speaking to mountains and having them move. But to skip over to the mountain moving aspect of faith too quickly is a mistake. The older I get, the more I realize the greatest challenge to my faith is not the mountains, it is the two words that come before the mountains..."in God". Will I put my faith "in God" or will I trust in other things? When I see a positive result from my faith, will I remain anchored in God or be tempted to trust in other things? Where's your faith? Great faith, strong faith can only be meaningful if it is faith "in God".

BTS

Back to school? As students return to school, it's good for all of us to remember that we never graduate from our apprenticeship with Jesus. Beginning a new school year brings new challenges and new relationships for our students. New teachers, new classes, new material bring opportunities for development. Students have an advantage in that regard. They do not really have a choice. If they are enrolled in school, they will be confronted with these pathways for growth. Sadly, as we get older, we look for ways to stay in the same class. We look for ways to rehash the same material. We find the same desk and sit down. We have a choice. Let's rekindle our desire to make new relationships, seek to learn new things and accept the challenge to stretch and grow. We tend to forget how refreshing it is to meet new people and experience transformation. I remember entering new classes in school with quite a bit of anxiety - only to discover new friends and learning that enriched my life. Why does it have to be different as we get older?

What's your definition of courage?

What is courage? It's hard for me to imagine courage apart from a need for courage. Does that make sense? Courage is not courage until it is proven in battle. I think about men and women that I know who are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan today. Their courage is proven day by day. I think about many friends who fighting battles with their health and I admire their courage. I have been studying Joshua. This Sunday I will share some thoughts about the Lord's "en-couragement" to Joshua. The Lord told Joshua to be "strong and courageous". Those are words that we need to take to heart. Strength and courage go hand in hand. Psalm 27 explains.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
(Psalms 27:1-3)

Mary and Martha

It's a familiar story. Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha. Luke provides a description of both women. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to His teaching. Luke's description of Martha is not as serene. Here are a few of the words used to describe her: distracted, anxious and troubled (Luke 10:40,41). Which description fits my life? What about you? Is it easy to justify Martha's activity? I can. Somebody has to take care of the details. Is it easy to get join with Martha in her frustration with Mary? I can. How can you sit there when there is so much to be done? Here's a problem my "Martha" attitude. There's an utter failure to gain the proper perspective. What does Jesus think? Fortunately, Luke took care of that for us. He shares the Lord's commentary on the situation. According to Jesus, Mary made a good choice. I'm not sure what bothers me more about my life. Is it my tendency to be busy, distracted and anxious? That bothers me. But, I think what bothers me more is my failure to stop and learn what my Lord thinks about the way I live from day to day.