Picking Up Butch

Here's a great video that was shown on ESPN's E:60. It's a great look at a sports program that features the great virtues of teamwork and tradition over the course of a 50 year demonstration of friendship to a very special man named Butch. The story begins right after the Gillette shaving commercial!

Listening to "Outsiders"

"The Outsider Interviews" is a book by Jim Henderson, Todd Hunter and Craig Spinks. It is a collective effort to listen to voices outside (and some inside) the church as they speak out about Christianity. The interviews were conducted in several locations. From Kansas City to Phoenix to Denver young people were asked to share their views about the Christian faith. Why should/would we care what these voices have to say? In fact, I believe there are many reasons. But, one of the primary reasons is to cultivate a skill that we seem to be losing: listening. One of the main observations of the "outsiders" is that Christians are poor listeners. A careful reading of the gospels indicates to me that compassion is very important. In my experience compassionate people are good listeners. Although there is much to share from the book, the authors lift up a thesis that rings true: "the church can no longer proclaim from a distance and do well with young outsiders...we must be with those around us. Our personal, even physical, presence matters." As I reflected on those words I remembered how God directed Philip to go down to a desert road so that he could encounter an Ethiopian who was struggling to understand the gospel. I cannot help but believe that God continues to direct us to individuals that God cares about.

Drawing near to God

Everything in our Christian life and service flows from our relationship with God. If we are not in vital fellowship with Him, everything else will be out of focus. But when our communion with Him is close and real, it is gloriously possible to experience a growing intimacy.J. Oswald Sanders

“Everything” is a strong word. Yet, it is not too strong for the truth that it conveys. Jesus taught that if a branch is not attached to a vine, it will die. In His words, “apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Everything in our Christian life and service flows from our relationship with God. God created us to enjoy relationship, fellowship and communion and He designed us so that ministry flows from Him - through us - to others. As we consider how to minister more effectively, we must begin with our relationship with God.

Mercy

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6

Tempted to be unmerciful today? What’s the difference in this list of ways to relate to God? Why contrast mercy with sacrifice and the acknowledgment of God with burnt offerings? Obviously, burnt offerings and sacrifices are outward measurable acts, presumably done out of obedience to God’s command. Mercy and acknowledgment are a little more difficult to measure. It’s not as though we can check them off of our “to do” list every day. They are expressions of a heart that has been shaped by God. From a merciful heart flows activity that acknowledges the mercy of God we have received. The language of Hosea is piercing yet beautiful. The poetry of the prophet reveals how shallow, how fickle our love for God can be. God says, “Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.” (Hosea 6:4) When our love for God is fleeting and shallow, our offerings and sacrifices are meaningless. When we show mercy, we show love for God through our love for those God loves.