Asking the hard questions

It's the end of the year. Not sure why, but resolutions always seem to get all the press. Whatever happened to reflection? I'm not knocking forward thinking. I'm not bashing goal setting. It's just that I can't imagine moving forward without taking inventory. That means it's time to ask some hard questions. Actually, it's just one question. It's a question that I revisit each year. Am I more like Jesus today than I was last year? From God's perspective, everything that happened in 2011 could have worked toward that goal in my life.The good, the bad and the ugly all provided opportunities for me to continue the process of becoming more like Jesus. Of course the big question does lead to other questions concerning the things that have concerned followers of Jesus throughout the ages. Did I desire what God desires? (Affections) Did I see what God revealed to me? (Vision) Did I use what God gave me for His glory? (Stewardship) Am I less selfish? Am I more loving? Was I a positive influence on others? (Salt and Light) These questions help me prepare for 2012.

Twinkle Twinkle little star

Matthew 2:1-2
…Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”


Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are. Most of us can sing along. In fact, Lynn and I used to sing it to Nick when he was a little baby each night when we would put him to bed. But, few people can sing the lyrics of the entire song written by Jane Taylor back in 1806. I like the third verse.

Then the traveler in the dark
Thanks you for your tiny spark;
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!

Such is the story of my life. All along the way, God has provided light for me. First, He provided light through the love and guidance of godly parents. Then, God has been gracious to supply a host of teachers who have helped to illuminate my way. Each spark has been magnified by the presence of the Holy Spirit in my heart. So many times when I could have been the traveler who could not see the way to go, God has been faithful to provide the spark to lead me home to Him. Many paths appear the same in the dark, but only one brings the wise to their knees in worship of the King.

Merry Christmas

Last week, we were finishing up a project on the playground here at church. It required several 80 lb. bags of Quikcrete. I was blessed with the opportunity to carry a few of them. I made the comment that it felt like the first bag weighed 80 lbs. and the last bag weighed 180 lbs. The longer you carry a weight, the heavier it feels! Consider how that relates to the prophetic words found in Isaiah. They are some of the most beautiful in the Bible. During the Christmas season, I love to read about the prophetic anticipation of the birth of the Savior.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

I pay particular attention to the comment about that government that rests upon His shoulders. I have always found it easier to carry a heavy load (like a bag of Quikrete) by resting it on my shoulders. Isaiah reminds us that God’s shoulders are broad enough and strong enough to bear the weight that we cannot. Earlier in Isaiah 9, we read a graphic description of God’s plan to save His children that makes that point.

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. (Isaiah 9:4)

I am unable to bear the weight of my sin. The baby that was born in Bethlehem grew up into the man that carried my sin to the cross. Jesus shattered the yoke of my sin. I no longer carry it. He bore the weight of the consequences. I no longer bear it. He destroyed the rod of my oppressor. I no longer feel the pain. Join with me this week and give thanks to our Savior.

Last Verse

Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them.
Judges 2:18

Judges is a disturbing book in the Bible. It ends on a sour note. The last statement is a summary of the problem: “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes”. The cyclical nature of Judges is well known. Judges 2:18 provides a good snapshot. First, the people would sin and then they would fall under the oppression of their enemies. They would cry out to God and God would provide a deliverer or “judge”. After a period of deliverance, they would fall back into sin. Perhaps what saddens me most is the stark contrast between the long-suffering of God and the short memory of the people. Judges spans over 300 years and during that time we read of very little progress. In fact the last verse sounds worse than the first. As we prepare for the end of another year, what if you penned a “last verse” for this year? Would it read better than the first? What have you learned? If we are breathing, it is evidence of the grace (and long-suffering) of God. It might be beneficial to make a personal list of “lessons learned” during this past year. God has given each of us many opportunities to learn about His character and plan during the past year. Take some time to reflect.

God is reaching

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come to His people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of Salvation for us in the house of His servant David.
Luke 1:68-69

So often, when I read the Bible, I recognize that the Lord is reaching out to me. The message of Scripture is not static. The Word of God is alive. In the words of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, God reaches out “to rescue us from the hand of our enemies and to enable us to serve Him”. Harriet Beecher Stowe once described literature this way. She said, “A book is a hand stretched forth in the dark passage of life to see if there is another hand to meet it.” As we begin to turn our thoughts toward the Christmas season we need to give praise the Lord who has visited us. Jesus reached into our darkness to rescue us. We need to remember the words of the old song “When my Savior reached down for me”.

Once my soul was astray from the heavenly way
I was wretched and blind as could be
But my Savior in love gave me peace from above
When he reached down his hand for me

When the Savior reached down for me
When he reached way down for me
I was lost and undone without God or his Son
When he reached down his hand for me

Be Strong

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

If you’re reading the first chapter of Joshua you should have gotten the message by now. By the time you get to verse nine, the command is repeated three times: “Be strong and courageous”. But, experience teaches us that it’s not enough just to be told to be strong. After all, we already know that strength and courage is a good thing. Usually, this command raises a couple of legitimate questions. (1) Where do I find this courage? (2) How do I muster up this strength? When I studied Joshua this week, I thought of the relevance of a prayer found in the third chapter of Ephesians. Read Paul’s prayer carefully:

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19)

No wonder Joshua 1:9 includes the connection between courage and the presence of the LORD. When Paul prayed for the early church, he understood that without Christ in their hearts they would be weak. He prayed that they would make the connection between real inner strength and the presence of God. In addition, Paul prayed that they would expand their estimate of God’s love. We draw strength from His abiding presence. We find our courage when we embrace the infinite love of God for us.

Discipline

You don’t wait until you’re in an unexpected storm to discover that you need more strength and endurance. You prepare with intensity, all the time, so that when conditions turn against you, you can draw from a deep reservoir of strength.
Jim Collins (2011), Great by Choice.

It’s such an easy thing to forget. God knows what lies ahead. God knows us and God knows the terrain that is before us. Also, we tend to forget just how much God loves us. His discipline is never separated from His holy character. No matter how you slice it, it’s impossible to prepare for the future without discipline. Do you remember the words of Deuteronomy 8:5? Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. This brief verse follows a description of the wilderness journey of the Children of Israel. Moses was reminded them that God did not bring them to the edge of the Promised Land without preparing them for entry. A careful reading of Deuteronomy reveals that God’s discipline included training, instruction and correction delivered by a God who loves his children. We have such a distorted view of God’s discipline that we tend to separate our preparation from God’s plan. What is your response? We can choose to become bitter or better.

Self-destructive behavior

I have a lot of images that come to mind when I think of "self-destructive" behavior. None pretty. As I was reading in Deuteronomy, I was struck with the application of this terminology to our tendency to forget to be thankful to God. Read Deuteronomy 8:7-9 carefully and see if you pick up on it.

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.

Is there any doubt that worship of the god of "self" is rampant today? If all of your thoughts revolve around yourself this week, you probably need to read the warning label in Deuteronomy. God warned His people in Deuteronomy. I don't think it is any less important today. Forgetting to give thanks to God is destructive.

Remember

You may say to yourselves, “These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?” But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear
Deuteronomy 7:17-19

Deuteronomy is a book about “remembering”. Moses delivers a series of messages that warn the Children of Israel against selective amnesia when they enter the Promised Land. When I read it, I am tempted to ask “How do we forget?” I think the answer is simple. We forget, one day at a time. So, “How do we remember?” We remember, one day at a time. C.S. Lewis has some practical advice that helps.

“What is concrete but immaterial can be kept in view only by painful effort…That is why the real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.”
C. S. Lewis (19600) Mere Christianity

It's good for you

Deuteronomy 10:12-13
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

Do this…it’s good for you. Those are words I have heard many times. The sources were varied. Sometimes it was my parents, a teacher, a doctor, a coach. But, I can’t think of a single time when I heard those words that it came from someone who didn’t care about my well-being. By the time we reach message of Moses in Deuteronomy, the great leader knows that he will not enter into the Promised Land with his people. So, he gives them some final words of instruction. Deuteronomy 10:12 provides a good executive summary of those words. Basically, Moses tells them “do these things…it’s good for you”. What fascinates me about these two verses is that we hear them differently depending on our level of maturity. As children, we focus our attention on whether or not we want to do something without considering the impact on our character. After spending nearly forty years in the wilderness listening to complaint after complaint, Moses was well acquainted with the immaturity of the Children of Israel. Thus, before he died, he reminded them of the non-negotiable commands of God. Moses connected the commands with a reminder. All of God’s commands are for our good. What if we reversed the order of the verse? What if we began the verse with a simple question? Ask God, “what will do me the most good in life?” Then, prepare to listen to His reply: “Fear the LORD your God; walk in obedience to Him; love Him; serve the LORD your God with all your heart and soul and observe the LORD’s commands.

Life Building

Hebrews 3:4
For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.

Chapters thirteen and fourteen in Numbers record an event that echoes throughout the Bible. Moses sent twelve spies to explore Canaan. The result is well known. Ten spies allowed fear to overwhelm the vision that God had given. Only two brought back a report that was anchored in the faithfulness of God. The consequences of contagious fear are recorded in chapter fourteen of Numbers. The people refused to enter the land that God had promised and as a result God made them wander until a generation died. Centuries later, the writer of Hebrews writes a commentary about God’s judgment on the faithless generation described in the book of Numbers. The construction analogy is consistent in the Scriptures. Every house (life) is built by someone. Either we are wise and allow the Master builder design our lives or we attempt to follow our own blueprint. Either we build our lives on faith in Christ or we are foolish and attempt to build our lives on shifting sand that is contaminated with fear. The writer in Hebrews provides a vivid description of the difference and reminds us that we are supposed to encourage one another. So, here’s my encouragement for today: “And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.” Hold on to your trust in Christ today!

Overcoming Fear

Numbers 14:9
Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Joshua provided a bright testimony of faith in the midst of fear. When Moses sent “spies” into the Promised Land, ten spies returned with a fearful report and only Joshua and Caleb returned with positive testimony. The message of the ten was a message of fear. They told the people, “We can’t!” Joshua responded with a message of faith. His words provide the recipe for overcoming fear. It is simple, yet easily forgotten. Do not be afraid – the LORD is with us. Because of fear, entry into the Promised Land was postponed for a generation. Several years later, after Moses died, God called upon Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land. What was God’s message to Joshua? “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8) Notice a pattern? Many of us memorized the 23rd Psalm as children. When we face our fears, we must remember “though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me.” (v. 4). Fear paralyzes us, but the presence of God in our lives releases us to move forward.

Faith or Fear

Numbers 14:3
Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?

The book of Numbers begins with a military census. The Lord commanded Moses to count all men who were twenty years old and above except those men who were a part of the priestly tribe of Levi. Then, Numbers continues the narrative of the journey of God’s people from Mount Sinai though the wilderness. The fact that it begins with a military census seems to foreshadow the battles that are soon to come. The battles were not just military battles. They battled fear, discouragement and discontent. Too often, they just complained. It’s a great lesson for us. We may be counted as “soldiers” in the Lord’s army, but are we prepared to fight? The battles on the inside usually determine the result on the outside. In the midst of the book of Numbers is a disappointing answer. When the people came to the edge of the land that God had promised, they refused to go in because of their fear. Faith lost. Fear won. Their complaints are telling. “Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword” (Numbers 14:3). Their view of God became distorted through the lens of fear. Turn the tide today. Let faith overcome fear.

Psalm 24

Psalm 24:1-4
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and a pure heart, who do not put their trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

In this Psalm, David compares the distance between unholy and holy in terms a steep climb up the mountain of God. Who can climb a mountain so steep? An even greater challenge awaits us at the top of the summit. Who can stand in God’s holy presence? The Psalm provides an answer. Only those with clean hands, a pure heart and trust in the true God can ascend. In the next verse, David rejoices in the blessing that comes from God our Savior. Don’t miss the irony of this beautiful picture of grace. We struggle with the climb. God knows it. The Gospels fill in some necessary details about our climb. Rather than make the climb easier, God descended. God came down and made His dwelling among us. He did not forsake His holiness. He brought His glory to where we are and revealed grace and truth in human form. Through His sacrificial death Jesus washes our hands and purifies our hearts. Then, after dying for our sins and rising from the dead, “He ascended”. Jesus came down from the “mountain of the LORD” and Jesus leads the way for us to enter into His holy presence. Now, we are left to answer the question. Will you put your trust in Him?

Holiness

Leviticus 11:44
For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy.

As I make my way through the Old Testament preparing for messages on Sundays, I have arrived at Leviticus. Leviticus can be one of the most challenging books in the Bible. Too often we feel a distance between the details of the sacrificial system contained in Leviticus and our contemporary situation. Yet, in the study of Leviticus, we discover a message that cannot be overlooked. Leviticus offers a stark truth that is often dismissed in our world today. God is holy and His expectation is that we are to be holy. For some reason, we seem to feel comfortable dismissing the standard of holiness along with the details of the priestly service of the Levites. We treat the idea of a holy life as obsolete. But, that is a grave mistake. In fact, I believe we can learn a practical lesson from the details contained in Leviticus. No, I am not advocating a return to the sacrificial system of Leviticus. Jesus has provided a sacrifice for sins once and for all. But, I do believe we need to recover the connection between holiness and our daily life. Jesus prayed that we would be “in the world but not of the world”. His prayer reminds us that holiness is not about isolation. It is a way to commune in a sacred relationship with God even while surrounded by an “unholy” world. It is our privilege and calling to reflect God’s holy character on a daily basis. Impossible? Not really. The Apostle Peter reminded the early church that God has given us “everything we need for a godly life” (2 Peter 1:3).

Trust

Timothy Willard and Jason Locy set the stage for a compelling question about our willingness to trust Jesus on a daily basis.

"Think of Jesus, the Son—God among us. In the Gospels, we see him traveling with his disciples, healing lepers, helping prostitutes, touching blind eyes, telling riddles, celebrating at a wedding feast, weeping for a friend, violently protecting the sacred, praying alone on a mountainside, speaking to the wind and calming the storm, cooking fish for Peter and the disciples on the beach, face to face with Satan, baptized by his second cousin, eating and drinking with the corrupt and wicked, challenging his friends to follow him to death, abandoned by those closest to him, beaten, spit on, condemned, and silent. Is he not someone in whom we can relate? Is he not someone in whom we can trust? Was killing him not enough for us to see his humanity? Was his resurrection not enough to strike our hearts with awe and thanksgiving?"

I can't be still

Exodus 14:14
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

It’s a short verse that paints a big picture. Like so much of the Bible, there is part that we love and a part that we love to ignore. We love to hear that “the Lord will fight for us”. We are not so excited about the command to “be still”. “Be still” is hard for us to receive. When we are in a threatening situation everything within us wants to run rather than to be still. In our distorted way of thinking, movement means relief. Busyness promises relief. This is clear in the context of Exodus 14. The Israelites were trapped between a rock and a hard place. Specifically, they were trapped between an Egyptian army and the sea. Their response was twofold. First, they were terrified. Note to self…I rarely make my best decisions when I’m terrified. Second, they decided that they preferred slavery in Egypt. Again, not the best thought process. Maybe that’s why the Lord wanted them to “be still”. Take time to read Exodus 13. Why were they staring at the sea and the army instead of the pillar of cloud and fire? The Israelites needed to remember that God was with them. We do too. They needed to catch their breath before they ran in the wrong direction. We do too. It’s interesting that the next instruction from the Lord was for the people to “move on”. So, taken in sequence the Lord told them to “be still” and then “move on” in the proper direction. Not a bad pattern to follow in life. Don’t move until you have taken the time to recognize God’s presence. Don’t allow a threatening situation (or any other situation) to set your course this week. First, be still and look to God. Then, follow His lead.

Real Leadership is dangerous

They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
Exodus 14:11-12

I have enjoyed the opportunity to address some doctoral students in seminary regarding leadership this week. It's been great to engage in some rich dialogue about leadership in the 21st century. What is the profile of a great leader? Would you include Moses on your top ten list of great leaders? The Bible provides a substantial historical biography of Moses. What does it take to be a great leader? The list of virtues is long. But, do not forget to include "courage". Leadership requires courage. No matter how noble the quest, how clear the need for change or how large or small the team, the life of Moses shows us why leadership is dangerous. Leadership involves asking people to change. Movement toward a promising future requires a departure from the familiar present. In the words of Ron Heifetz and Marty Linsky,

“You appear dangerous to people when you question their values, beliefs, or habits of a lifetime. You place yourself on the line when you tell people what they need to hear rather than what they want to hear. Although you may see with clarity and passion a promising future of progress and gain, people will see with equal passion the losses you are asking them to sustain.” (Heifetz and Linsky, 2002, Leadership on the Line)

Omnipresence

“I don’t want to talk about you like you’re not in the room.”
Jesus Culture from the song You won’t relent

I am struck by the words of Exodus 2:23-25. Read the passage carefully.

“During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.”

Exodus is a fascinating journal of God’s deliverance. Chapter two announces the birth of a baby boy who is given the name "Moses". We know him as the great deliverer of God's people. But, at the end of chapter two, it seemed that Moses had missed the mark and deliverance was far from imminent. In the midst of the chapter, Moses fled from Pharaoh to Midian. His sentiment is expressed in the name of his son Gershom which means "I have become an alien in a foreign land". Yet, it is at the end of the chapter we read that God “heard”; God “remembered”; God “looked” and God was “concerned” about His people. How often do we ruminate on the presumed distance of God rather than trusting that He is near? In the next chapter of Exodus, God speaks to Moses from a burning bush. Exodus 3:7 is a restatement of the powerful words at the end of Chapter Two. God told Moses "I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt, I have heard them crying...and I am concerned about their suffering" I love the words of the Jesus Culture song “You won’t relent”. Indeed "I don’t want to talk about God as if He is not in the room". I don't want to forget that God sees His people. God hears our cries. The omnipresence of God is beyond our comprehension. It doesn't change the fact that no matter where we are today. God is in the room.

Rookie

We are beginning a journey through the Bible on Sunday mornings. When we dig into the rich message of each book, we should expect to be changed. We should expect to “grow up” a bit in our spiritual lives. It’s football season. Every year coaches talk about the “veteran” players and the young players that need to be developed. When Jesus called disciples to follow Him it’s pretty clear that they were rookies. They were freshmen in the discipleship process. Undaunted by their lack of experience, Jesus proceeded to engage a select group of people on a transformational journey. He has called each of us to join the same journey. The humanity of Jesus’ disciples is well-documented. The characterization of the twelve is colorful and verges on embarrassment. Yet, Jesus invested in their lives. It was an intentional strategic process that resulted in radical and explosive change. When we take the time to read about the process we learn that Jesus faced some challenges that are common to all leaders. Consequently, we can learn from His response to those challenges and His love for His disciples. Probably would make a good leadership book. Mixed with a bit of sarcasm we can come up with some prospective chapter titles. Which chapter is for you?

1. Misguided Passion: Reigning in a quick response instead of raining down fire on others. (James and John: aka The Sons of Thunder)
2. Revelation and Impulse: Jesus, You are the One and Only and You can count on me unless you ask me at the wrong time. (Peter)
3. I doubt it but you can prove-it-to-me. (Thomas)
4. Pre-maturity (How to mix very little prayer and very little fasting and produce very little faith)
5. How to move from Fearless to Fearful and back to Fearless in a day or less.

Prayer

“Lord, where your church is weak through comfort, strengthen us through the necessary trials. Where your church is invisible through fear, make your word known through the boldness of prophets and through the courage of ordinary people like us.”
Common prayer for ordinary radicals.

When I was reading this prayer I was struck with the connection of three words: “necessary” “trials” and “prayer”. Certainly, we love to connect prayer with trials. In fact, our trials usually provide short term improvement in our prayer life. During trials we readily connect “necessary” with “prayer”. Few of us argue against the need for prayer when we are in the midst of a trial. But, how seldom do we request trials in order to strengthen us. How often do we recognize the weakening affects of our own comfort. It doesn’t have to be comfort associated with a life of ease. We grow comfortable with our character, or the lack thereof. We grow comfortable with our lack of boldness when it comes to our testimony. We grow comfortable with our weakness in the face of temptation. As ironic as it sounds, we grow comfortable with our fears. These are the comforts that render the church invisible. Lord, strengthen us through necessary trials. This is our prayer.

Daily Meditation

What did “self help” books look like four hundred years ago? St. Francis de Sales wrote a good one. The title prepares you for the content: “Introduction to the Devout Life”. This is not going to be on the “feel good” shelf. “How can I be my best self?” is not a new question. In fact, it’s more of a quest than a question. The answer engages all of our faculties. In order to live according to God’s plan and purpose for our lives, we need a change of heart and also a change in our desires. Many of the classic writers referred to these desires as “affections”. It’s not easy to change our affections. St. Francis de Sales prescribed mediation in the presence of God. Here is an example of one of the meditations:

God did not bring you into the world because He had need of you…but solely that He might show forth His Goodness in you, giving you His Grace and Glory. And to this end He gave you understanding that you might know Him, memory that you might think of Him, a will that you might love Him, imagination that you might realize His mercies, sight that you might behold the marvels of His works, speech that you might praise Him, and so on with all your other faculties.

What were you thinking?

God Almighty has entrusted us with the use of reason, and we use it to the disorder and corruption of our nature. We reason ourselves into all kinds of folly and misery, and make our lives the sport of foolish and extravagant passions.
William Law, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (1729)

If William Law thought decisions were foolish in the 1720's, what would he think about decisions today? I'm pretty sure our lives are filled with a bit more foolish and extravagant passions today than what Law observed 300 years ago. Before his description of the end result of our abuse of reason, Law took note of the fact that Almighty God has entrusted us with the use of reason. In other words, our ability to make reasoned choices is a gift from God. We are "free" to abuse it if we choose. We can use reason to build our character through choices that honor God or we can choose to corrupt our nature. Sadly, there is no shortage of misery and folly. How much is the result of our own reasoning?

Begin with the end in mind

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

I’m not sure when I first heard or read Stephen Covey’s Habit 2 - “Begin with the end in mind”, but it has stuck in my memory. Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” was a bestseller when it was released back in 1989. It is a catchy phrase that serves as a practical reminder of the power of vision and importance of transformation. No matter what we are today, we are not yet all that we can be. No matter where we are in our journey, our destination has not yet been fully realized. In some ways, Covey was restating the wisdom of the epistle written by the beloved disciple. John begins with an affirmation of “who” we are and “whose” we are. We are the children of God. It’s a great comfort for us to know that we are the children of God today. Yet, our vision has not been fully realized. It’s not possible for us to grasp the full reality of our future with God today. We can look forward with great anticipation to the day that we will see Christ. Now, our perspective is limited. Then, our vision will be clear. “We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is”. Begin each day with the end in mind and be inspired to become more like Jesus.

Prayer for Transformation

I enjoy reading prayers from various writers and traditions. The following prayer from "Common Prayer: A liturgy for ordinary radicals" explores many of the elements of change.

Lord, help me now to unclutter my life, to organize myself in the direction of simplicity. Lord, teach me to listen to my heart, teach me to welcome change, instead of fearing it. Lord, I give you these stirrings inside me. I give you my discontent. I give you my restlessness. I give you my doubt. I give you my despair. I give you all the longings I hold inside. Help me to listen to these signs of change, of growth; help me to listen seriously and follow where they lead through the breathtaking empty space of an open door.

Favorite Food

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
John 4:34

I love to eat. Summer is a great time for eating. I love fresh fruits and vegetables. Yesterday, we had our church picnic. Somehow, fried chicken just tastes better at a picnic. My food experience reaches beyond my taste buds. Really, I do consider the nutritional value of the things I put in my body. Because of my diabetes, there is not a day that goes by that I do not consider the miracle of metabolism at some level. God allows our bodies to translate food into “fuel” and we are able to function because of this miracle. When Jesus said that his food was the do the Father’s will, he was responding to his disciples. They urged Jesus to eat some food. It was a teachable moment. So, Jesus responded with a message through contrast. He contrasted material food, with spiritual nourishment. As always, we can learn from his teaching. It makes me pause. Do I enjoy obedience to the Father as much as I enjoy temporary and tangible things? Am I refreshed and strengthened to the core of my being when I serve the purpose of God on a daily basis? Jesus understood this truth. He shared his understanding so that his disciples then and now could understand. At mealtime today, take time to reflect on the two types of “food” described in John 4.

Listen and Learn

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:19-20

I love the straightforward approach of James. His writing is easily understood, although it is not always easy to practice. Be quick to listen. Be slow to speak. Anger does not produce righteousness. The implication is that listening will produce more righteousness than anger. It’s hard to argue with that – although if you are prone to anger you probably will anyway. Most of the time when I read the words of James 1:19-20, I have applied them to my relationships with others. I believe that is an accurate application of the verses. However, I believe the principle holds true for our relationship with God. George MacDonald writes that “most Christians learn at an early age how to talk to God, but they did not learn to listen as well.” What would happen if I spent more time listening to God today? What will God reveal through His word to me? What will God reveal to me about the world around me? What will God reveal about the condition of my heart? It’s relatively easy to talk to God. It’s challenging to listen. What does this have to do with anger? Many times our anger rises up when others do not behave the way we desire. Through the years I have had a lot of experience with people who are angry with God. Our anger with God is almost always because God is not behaving the way we desire. When we do all the talking, it’s much easier to grow angry. Practice listening to God. What is God saying through these two verses?

Final Request

When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
2 Timothy 4:13

I have heard the question asked many different ways...If you were stranded on an island and could have a limited number of items, what would you want? What about if you were in prison? A careful reading of 2 Timothy reveals that the Apostle Paul knew that death was coming. He was imprisoned and in his own words, his life was being poured out like an offering. His requests are significant. He wants the scrolls and parchments. These were likely copies of the Scriptures along with what could have been early copies of the Gospels. Not long after his request, Paul was martyred. Fifteen centuries later on October 6, 1536 William Tyndale was strangled and burnt at the stake in the prison yard of the castle of Vilvoorden just a few miles from Brussels, Belgium. His principle “crime” was to be the first man to print the New Testament in the English language. Reportedly, when in prison Tyndale made the following request, “Send me, for Jesus’ sake, a warmer cap, something to patch my leggings, a woolen shirt, and above all my Hebrew Bible.” It’s not likely that you are reading this devotional in the cell of a literal prison, but you may be imprisoned by certain habits or destructive thought patterns. You may feel trapped by your circumstances. The Bible provides both comfort and counsel in the most difficult times. When I read how these men requested the Scriptures, it inspires me. Further, when I consider these men, I recognize that Paul wrote much of the New Testament and Tyndale paved the way to make it readable for us. They both died as martyrs. Their sacrifice made it possible for me to find strength in God today. So, the next time we open a Bible or click an app on our phones (and I hope it’s soon), may God help us cherish His Word and find nourishment for our souls.

Refuge

You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.
Psalm 14:6

I have chosen to meditate on the words of Psalm 14 this week. Today, I will remember that the Lord is a “refuge”. In particular, the Psalm identifies God as a refuge for the poor. Why the poor? For me, it is a reminder that I do not seek refuge unless I recognize my need for God. I must understand that God is present. God is my shelter. To put it more bluntly, I must understand that I need God. My first impression may be to consider the poor only in terms of financial challenges. I believe there is a deeper message. God is a refuge for those who need and seek shelter. Before I celebrate God as my refuge I need to consider how God is described a few verses earlier in the Psalm. God is in heaven looking down on us “to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God”. God is well aware of every evildoer and every attack on the poor. Also, God sees me. Really, God sees me. He observes more than my actions. God sees my heart. He sees what is invisible to all others. God sees my spirit. No wonder Jesus declared “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. If I am content with my own kingdom, I will turn aside from the kingdom of heaven. The poor in spirit are blessed with a refuge. The Lord is our refuge.

Freedom

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
Romans 6:22

Today is a good day to awaken and give thanks for freedom. First, I give thanks for freedom from sin that Jesus has provided. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36). Also, I give thanks for the freedom we enjoy in America. My appreciation for freedom is coupled with a deep awareness of the responsibility of living a “free” life. I enjoy the benefits of freedom because many have paid and are paying a significant price. So, today is a day to be grateful and it is a day to consider my responsibility. In Romans 6:22, the apostle Paul reminds me that the benefits of freedom touch my everyday life and stretch into eternity. Among those benefits, I must not forget about “holiness”. Holiness is the fruit of freedom. Paul provides a framework for life. He says I am free from sin and free to live a life that is pure. In Christ, I am no longer a slave to sin. Consequently, my relationships with others are transformed from selfishness to service. Any form of freedom that celebrates an individual expression apart from the God’s plan for our relationship with Him and others is diminished. To be sure, 21st century freedom in America has taken on an individualistic flavor. The result can be devastating if we fail to discern how easily our pursuit of individual desires can turn into unbridled selfishness. The relationship between selfishness and arrogance is well documented. D. A. Carson has identified the “worst form of the perennial human sin”. He calls it “the arrogance that wants to be God”. Ultimately, I must never forget that freedom is a gift from God.

Psalm 19

But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
Psalm 19:12

I have been reading in Psalm 19 the past few days. In some ways Psalm 19 reads like a “mini” version of Psalm 119. You might recall that Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm and it contains references to God’s Word throughout each verse. Whether references speak to God’s precepts, ordinances, decrees, statutes or law, the message is the same. God’s Word provides a standard that is both righteous and dependable. In Psalm 19, we are told that God’s word is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey (v. 10). Then, suddenly, we are hit with the question in verse 12: “Who can discern their own errors?” The stark question seems a bit of a turn from the beauty of God’s word. But it fits, doesn’t it? Without the light of God’s word, how will we ever recognize our own faults? Without the illumination of truth, how will we discern error? Not to mention the fact that apart from God, we suffer from the malady of personal “blindspots” when it comes to what the Psalmist labels as “hidden faults”. So, if the word of the Lord exposes our faults and helps us discern our errors, than how does that bring joy to the heart? We don’t often relish the joy of having our hidden faults exposed. But, there is comfort. The things that are hidden can damage the soul. God exposes them so that they can be healed and forgiven. If ignored, a small wound can do great damage.

Awareness

We search for God in many ways. Through our sculptures and our scriptures. Through our pictures and our prayers. Through our writing and our worship. And through them He reaches for us. Our search for God and His search for us meet at windows in our everyday experience…In a sense, it is something like spiritual disciplines for the spiritually undisciplined. In another sense, it is the most rigorous of disciplines – the discipline of awareness.
Ken Gire

The Psalmist prayed, “Show me the wonders of your great love” (Psalm 17:5). When I read the prayer and reflect for a moment, I realize that God has shown His great love to me in so many ways, in so many places on so many occasions. But, do I possess the discipline that Ken Gire describes as “awareness”? God demonstrates His love toward me every day. Sometimes I move through the day relatively “unaware” of the many expressions of God’s love. More and more I am convinced that “awareness” is a spiritual discipline. I must cultivate my willingness to see what God reveals. I must be willing to acknowledge His work in my life and in the world around me. And I must be willing to combat the distractions of life that threaten my awareness.

Distractions

I have been studying the life of Gideon this week. Gideon's story is found in the Bible in Judges 6-8. The short biographical sketch provided in these three chapters reveals many facets of his leadership development. Overall, it is a fairly positive picture. His primary military campaign is a success. Not only that, Gideon demonstrates a keen ability to respond to distractions with wisdom and grace. Despite the temptation to be caught up in the emotions of conflict with his "allies", Gideon did not forsake his mission. That is exemplary leadership. However, in the end, his legacy is not positive. It seems that after the military campaign was over, Gideon lost some of his focus. It is a valuable lesson in the importance of purpose. Gideon was commissioned by God to fulfill a purpose. When he was executing his commission, he avoided distractions. When he "finished" his mission, Gideon allowed his decision-making to create a "snare" for his family and his legacy is tainted. Clarity of mission (both personally and organizationally) provides a strong basis to avoid distractions.

Humility or Pride

Judges 7:2
The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’

God understands us. Our tendencies are obvious to God. As you make your way through the Bible, it’s not hard to pick up on one of our worst tendencies. Before Moses died, he warned the people…”when you have eaten and are full and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them…then you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth” (Deut 8:12,17). If you read Deuteronomy, the words of Judges 7:2 should not come as a surprise. We love to boast. We tend to take credit for what God has done. We tend to forget what God has done in the past. The Lord knew that Gideon’s army would say “My own strength has saved me” unless he trimmed the forces down to the point that it would be undeniable that God brought the victory. So God “helped” Gideon reduce an army of thirty two thousand soldiers to three hundred. We can learn some valuable lessons from Gideon’s experience. Pride grows when we take credit for God’s work. Humility grows when we trust in God and cultivate our trust in His provision and gratitude for His blessings.

Preschool Graduation

Today was a very special day for me. It was Heritage Preschool graduation. I am so proud of these graduates. During the graduation they shared many things they have learned. In addition they each shared a snapshot of their dreams. It's a common question that we ask children. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Their answers were inspiring. It was my favorite part of the ceremony. Even more inspiring to me than their answers is the deep truth behind their answers. Though they do not fully understand how it will happen, they anticipate "becoming". They plan to "grow up". If only we would hold on to our passion for development as we get older!

Promises of Progress

The progress of the technological world allows us to escape the real. Our computer screens and avatars simulate the life we want but not necessarily the life we have. The true us becomes hidden in exchange for our brighter online projection. But what does it mean to believe the promises of the world?
Timothy D. Willard and R. Jason Locy
Veneer, Living Deeply in a Surface Society

I’m not bemoaning the “progress” of technology. I’m not longing for the days when I could ink a devotional thought on a papyrus and commission a courier to carry it to you. I am stung by the closing question. What does it mean to believe the promises of the world? Our “progress” offers “promises”. These promises have created an evolution in thinking. Here’s my take. In recent times, we fought a battle over identity. It was the contrast between “who we are” and “what we do”. That’s a battle that continues to rage. But, technology has introduced another insidious battle. It is the battle between “who we are” and “what we have”. I’m not referring to material possessions. I am referring to information. “What we have” is an ever-expanding excess of access. It has never before been so easy to create, extend and receive messages about “who we are” with so little thought and care. Gone is the realization that identity is precious. The fingerprints of God quickly become smudged. That’s not progress. Instead, as stewards of the times, we must seize the opportunities that progress offers and hold fast to our true identity. I could never wish to be anything other than a child of God.

Guidance System

Our business is to present the Christian faith clothed in modern terms, not to propagate modern thought clothed in Christian terms…Confusion here is fatal.
J. I. Packer

When I pondered Packer’s statement, I was struck by the force of the final words, “Confusion is fatal”. It’s a reminder to me that our faithfulness to mission matters. When we drift from mission we drift from God. The two cannot be separated. To love God and honor God is to remain true to God. Presenting Christ in modern terms requires a dynamic faith. It is a living connection to a living God. I am learning more and more just how dependent I am upon the Holy Spirit. We need real-time help in order to see and respond to the growing complexity in the world around us. Without the guidance and discernment that God provides, confusion is inevitable. It’s much more than an ability to provide “answers” when our faith in Christ is assaulted with questions. It is the ability to reveal Christ in every situation. We face a choice every day. We will see the world through the lens of God’s truth or we will develop our own lens, our own interpretation. As a result, “we propagate modern thought” in Christian terms”. Modern thought, apart from God, can be temporarily soothing to a hurting soul, but it cannot give life.

The Discipline of Remembrance

Remembering is hard work, especially in a world like ours. The information era teaches us to forget yesterday’s news, so that we can cram in today’s…we drown ourselves in mindless media diversions that enthrall us for the moment but are as memorable as potato chips are nutritious. Remembering takes time and space, and remembering takes practice. We have to search hard for those free zones in which we can remember again that we are really children of God. No remembering won’t come easily or automatically. On the contrary, we will fill our days with other thoughts and lose ourselves in other tasks unless remembering becomes a discipline, a way of life, for us.
John Burgess

Sunday, as I was preparing several people to be baptized in water, I charged them with the importance of remembering the day. Water Baptism calls for reflection and remembrance. No doubt, Jesus understood that we have the tendency to crowd out the sacred moments in our memories with the cares of this world. That’s one reason He called us to “remember” Him when we come to the Lord’s table and share communion. Be disciplined today. Every day of our lives should include moments of remembrance. Remember what God has done. Remember we are really His children. Choose a moment today to hit the “pause” button in life and remember.

Missionary Force

Here, then, is the great timeless truth. The best argument for Christianity is a real Christian; and, therefore, whether we like it or not, every Christian is an advertisement for Christianity. By his life he either commends Christianity to others, or he makes others think less of Christianity. The strongest missionary force in the world is a Christian life.
William Barclay

What would happen if I awakened each and every day with the realization that my life is a “missionary force”? Too often our images of mission are restricted to someone else-somewhere else. When we limit our view of mission we may be tempted to relieve ourselves of the daily responsibility to “advertise” Christianity. Commercial advertising is sold based upon exposure. Who will see the ad? In my daily life, that is a difficult question to answer. Today, my life will be viewed by some who know me and some who do not. I will be aware of some who are watching and unaware of others. Furthermore, I will not be aware of the spiritual condition of those who are watching. In the end, it really doesn’t matter. Wherever I go today, my feet will tread on my personal mission field. Barclay’s words still matter. My life will either reflect the true character of Christ or not.

Longsuffering

Wednesday is a great day. Every Wednesday morning is Preschool Chapel time. It's a time for me to have a blast singing and dancing with an energetic bunch of kids. This morning I was continuing to teach them about the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23). It's a great subject for two, three and four year olds. The last three weeks have gone pretty smoothly. Love, Joy and Peace are fairly easy to explain to them. But, how do explain "longsuffering" to a child? Preschoolers are not always known for their patience. But, so often we underestimate their understanding. After I shared, they began to share examples with me to confirm that they were beginning to grasp the occasional need to wait (and to show love, joy and peace in the meantime). One little child shared that her mommy was going to have a baby - very appropriate in the context. Before long, at least 10 children had raised their hands and shared examples from their daily lives that required patient endurance. I'm finishing the day wondering if it's easier to get preschoolers on board with longsuffering than it is adults? It seems with each passing year we get more demanding and impatient. Does impatience impact love? joy? peace? I suspect the relationship between these virtues is fairly strong in our lives.

Step into the Light

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9

One day last week, I stepped out of a dimly lit room into the sunlight. Immediately, I became aware of the need for my eyes to adjust to the light. Our eyes are one of God’s greatest gifts to the human body. When we move from darkness to light (or from light to darkness) our pupils automatically adjust to control the amount of light that passes through the lens to the photoreceptors in the retina. As I know from past experience, we cannot see color or details when light cannot reach the retina. In our spiritual lives, God calls us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Only when we move into the light are we able to see clearly. God’s marvelous light changes everything. Peter gives us a picture of what the light reveals. First, we see ourselves differently. God’s light clarifies our identity. We are “chosen”. We are “royal priests”. We are “holy”. We are cherished by the Creator of the universe. Second, our mission is illuminated. As “royal priests”, we exist to declare His praises and make Him known to the world around us. Thank God for the light. If we try to see ourselves or our world without the light that God provides today, then our vision will be distorted. I don’t want to miss the brilliant color and detail of God’s plan for our lives.

Living Stones

As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by human beings but chosen by God and precious to him – you also, like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4,5

It seems a subtle detail, but I think it matters a great deal. I’m referring to the fact that Peter reminds us that Jesus is a “living” Stone and we are “living” stones. Although Peter knew Jesus had ascended into heaven and he was present when Jesus disappeared, he knew that the vitality of His relationship with Jesus had not changed. Likewise, Peter knew the teachings of Jesus are not static. They are as dynamic as our relationship with the living Savior. Earlier in this passage Peter taught us that our development as followers of Jesus depends on the nourishment we receive from the Word of God. Like "newborn babies" we are to crave the nourishment that God's Word provides. Studying the Bible is important. But, “how” we read the Bible is very important. God’s word is alive. Eugene Peterson highlights the difference. Peterson writes that we must transition from reading the Word of God as a kind of reading that is “dead” to a way of reading that is “alive”. He compares reading the Bible to being with a “company of friends who are listening to, accompanying and following Jesus alive”. We need to recover the fact that Almighty God is speaking to us. When we do so, God’s master design is evident in our lives. The living Word impacts our lives. We, as living stones are shaped into the likeness of Jesus.

Craving

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

Psalm 42:1-2

Hundreds of years after this Psalm was born, Peter encouraged the early Christians to "crave" spiritual nourishment like a baby craves milk. (1 Peter 2:2). Although it's been a while since Nick was a baby, my memories are still pretty fresh. In fact, for the first 14 years of his life, he has always been very good at letting us know when he is hungry. As a baby, he would cry to let us know he was craving nourishment. The image that Peter provides is a great reminder that each of us has a cry inside of us. Our hearts yearn for nourishment. There is a craving inside of us that demands satisfaction. Often the problem is not the craving, it is the various places we turn to remedy the craving. The Greek text of 1 Peter 2:2 provides a descriptor for our nourishment. It is "pure". The Word of God, the nourishment that God provides for us is "pure". There is nothing like it. We crave peace. We crave acceptance. We crave healing. We crave hope. We crave belonging. Where can we find these things? There is no substitute for the pure nourishment that comes from God. Indeed, our souls pant for God like a deer thirsts for water. But how will we answer the craving today? The question of the Psalmist need not go unanswered. Where can I go to meet with God today? Why not meet with God by turning to His Word. Spend some time with God today drinking in the truth of His Word. Feed your heart with His Word.

Credibility

Organizations don't act; individuals do. Organizations don't save lives; individuals do. Organizations don't defraud; individuals do. It's important to make this distinction, because ultimately every one of us must take personal responsibility for what we do. Actions have consequences, and we all have to account for our own. What organizations do is create cultures. Culture is the organizational equivalent of a person's character. The behavior that is modeled becomes the behavior that is followed...It really does matter what you choose to believe in.James Kouzes and Barry Posner
Credibility: How Leaders Gain and Lose It, Why People Demand It

I first read Kouzes and Posner over a decade ago. Their research and writing about "credibility" is strong. The relationship between individual action and organizational culture is worth considering. Over and over again I have observed this relationship played out in terms of an individual member of the body of Christ and the Church. Although Kouzes and Posner were not writing about churches, the relevance is clear. We cannot depend on the "Church" to take action apart from our own willingness to act. Likewise, we cannot expect the "Church" to be pure apart from our own commitment to holiness. When we break it down on the local level, it reminds us that organizations do create culture. Cultures are created through the behaviors of the individual members. Love is evident in the culture of a "Church" when the members are actively extending themselves as the hands and feet of Christ. Grace and Hope are evident when the members model the heart and mind of Christ in daily life.

Destiny

Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words
Be careful of your words, for your words become your deeds
Be careful of your deeds, for your deeds become your habits
Be careful of your habits, for your habits become your character
Be careful of your character, for your character becomes your destiny
Anonymous

I ran across this old poem today and it made me think. We do not become who we become by accident. I hear the word “random” used in a lot of different ways. Sometimes it is just a sarcastic way to describe what we can’t explain about life. When I turn to God for perspective, I discover that the development of my character is anything but random. I’m not saying that I have a grip on everything that happens or affects me. But, I am saying that my thoughts, my words, my deeds and my habits have a cumulative effect on the person I become. Destiny is another word that gets tossed around a lot. God’s plan for our destiny has never been in doubt. In fact, I can describe it in one word. Home.

Worst Deal Ever

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. (Matthew 24:15-16)

As we approach Good Friday this week, I will revisit the betrayal of Jesus. Judas accepted 30 pieces of sliver in exchange for "handing Jesus over" to His enemies. No matter how many times we read about it, it's very difficult to believe. How could Judas do it? Matthew makes it clear that Judas was filled with regret and attempted to return the silver (Matthew 27:3) when he saw that Jesus was condemned. What seemed like a good deal was clearly a mistake. The Bible is filled with "bad exchanges". Esau exchanged his birthright blessing for some bread and stew (Genesis 25:34). Making decisions based upon what satisfies us in the moment is seldom a good idea. It's a good week to ponder what it means to choose to follow Jesus. It's not a short term decision. It's not a decision we make based upon some momentary benefit. The consequences are eternal. In order to choose Jesus, it is helpful to weigh the competition wisely. Do we really think we will be better off following something or someone other than Jesus? While pondering his fate in the belly of a fish, Jonah yields some wise counsel. "Those who cling to idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs" (Jonah 2:8).

Palm Sunday

This Sunday we will celebrate. Many people will turn to Matthew 21:9 and read about the shouts of "Hosanna" from the crowd as they laid their cloaks on the road when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. What a contrast. The scene in Matthew is one of excitement, anticipation and revolutionary expectation. Yet, this mighty revolutionary leader was riding on a donkey. As I have studied for my "Palm Sunday" message, I turned back and looked at a old passage in 2 Kings 9. It's a description of the anointing of Jehu as King of Israel. After Jehu was anointed with a flask of oil by the prophet of God and proclaimed to be the next king, his fellow officers spread their cloaks out before him and blew a trumpet and shouted "Jehu is king!". It's a good cultural reference to what we see in Matthew 21:9. In the remainder of 2 Kings 9, Jehu does some damage. Kings are slaughtered and a Queen is thrown from a window and eaten by dogs. Perhaps that is the kind of revolution that the people in Jerusalem expected. But, Jesus was not the leader they "wanted", Jesus was the leader they "needed". Jesus was on His way to the cross. His revolution is far reaching. Jesus did more than damage His enemies. In the words of Paul, Jesus conquered death, hell and the grave. It's a victory he shares with us. It's a great reminder: Jesus may not provide "victories" the way we want, but He continues to provide the "victories" that we need the most.

Generous Justice

I have been reading in Timothy Keller's "Generous Justice". Keller notes "there is a direct relationship between a person’s grasp and experience of God’s grace, and his or her heart for justice and the poor". It is a comment that hits home with me. I have recently commented to a group of students that the greatest change that I have experienced in my faith has been my understanding of grace. I can only hope that Keller's statement is true in my life. He makes a good point. As we experience God's grace and understand how God saturates our lives with gifts that we could never earn or deserve, it should cultivate generosity in our hearts. I say that "it should" because we have to combat our tendency toward selfishness. As we grasp and experience God's grace, we must choose to recognize the nature of His grace. His grace makes us ambassadors. The Bible makes it clear that we are "stewards".

Peace

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

I was studying in Philippians this week. This particular verse has been a favorite of mine for a long time. The idea that God's peace can guard our hearts and minds has been a source of great comfort to me in some of my most difficult times in life. Along with the comforting message of this verse, I have often recognized that God's peace is so amazing that it is indescribable. In other words, God's peace is beyond "my understanding". As I read this passage this week, I thought about the deep truth in that statement. Not only is God's peace beyond measure, it really is beyond undertanding. At first, this may sound like subtle twist on the message of this verse. However, at times this can be a hindrance to the peace we crave. Sometimes our desire to "understand" our situation or "understand" how God can give peace actually hinders us from receiving God's peace. If I require "understanding" in all things, I will forfeit God's peace. I'm not saying that we shouldn't seek to gain understanding. But, if we wait until we understand everything we will never discover what it means to trust God.

Oh No

I must confess that I was reading highlights from Gabe Lyons' book "The Next Christians" electronically when I came across the following quote: "More technology leads to more distractions from faith practices". OK Gabe, but I bought your book on my Kindle. All kidding aside, (mostly) I agree with Gabe. Technology has a real tendency to creep up on us and steal our quiet moments. It can consume our opportunities to be still and meditate. Too often the promises that technology will simplify are veiled enticements of complication. So here I am sharing my thoughts on a blog. Yet, I think I have Gabe on this one. My blog is a "faith practice" for me. Writing is a way to journal my thoughts and ponder my spirituality. Not only that, it is a way to share with a community. What does this mean? Well, with every blessing comes responsibility. We must become more and more intentional about preparing the next generation for technological stewardship. Technology can take us away from God or become an increasingly useful tool to develop our relationship with God and share with others.

Cross Cultural

Last night I began a course on Ethical Values and Principles in Strategic Leadership. I am grateful for every opportunity that I have had to teach outside of the U.S. When I teach I pay particular attention to the aspects of leadership that resonate. Are there issues that are common to leadership across cultural lines? How can these aspects open the door for the message of the Gospel? I began a series of lectures last night by drawing attention to the importance of leading from within. Unfortunately, a great deal of leadership development seems to focus on skills and behaviors without giving attention to the heart. I take it as a personal mission to tip the balance toward issues of the heart. This message did in fact resonate with the Ecuadorian leaders. They engaged in a vibrant discussion of some of the foundational questions about integrity and intentionality. Though this was a course at a "secular" University, I was able to describe leadership relationships in Biblical terms. I shared that my Christian faith has revealed some significant principles for accountable leadership. I was able to teach the importance of "speaking the truth in love" and share what it means to bring together diverse gifts and talents, yet unite them together as "members of a body". I am thankful for the many ways God gives us to be "salt and light".

Worship in Ambato, Ecuador

This morning I was invited to speak at a church in Ambato, Ecuador. What a great experience. It was exciting for me to worship together with my brothers and sisters in Ambato. Pastor Rolando Quiroga was such a gracious host. The church began a little over a year ago. The service was full with an atmosphere of heartfelt worship. As I was singing with them this morning, my mind went to the words of Simeon when he saw the baby Jesus. Simeon praised God on that day as he prophetically recognized Jesus as the Savior "prepared in the sight of all nations as a light" (Luke 2:30-13). This morning I thought about how the light of salvation has reached into my community in North America and this community in Ambato. At the close of the morning service, a man named Eduardo came forward spontaneously to accept Jesus as His Savior. The light continues to shine. It's been a good day.

Winter Retreat 2011

I have been preparing for the Winter Youth Retreat. Looking forward to forfeiting some sleep in order to spend time with a bunch of rowdies with an energy level that I can only dream about (pardon the reference to sleep). When I consider the opportunity to share some truth from God's Word, it's sobering. Today, students are overwhelmed with so many messages. Many outlets target them. They know that they are a generation that is more connected to multiple sources of messages than any other before. It's difficult for someone my age to grasp what a difference 30 years has made in the life of a teen. The game has changed. But, the truth has not. When I roll back the clock the core issues that I wrestled with as a teen are the same. They ask the same question, "Who am I...Where am I going...How will I get there?" I pray that God helps me etch a clear picture of who their Creator says they are. When that is established, the road ahead is much brighter for them and us.

National Signing Day

In the world of media hype, it's a big day for college football fans. Today's the day when many announcements are made by recruits. In recent years the attention that high school student athletes receive has skyrocketed. It leads up to a big announcement. Sure, many of the students have committed to the college of their choice long ago. But, the power of the moment makes for good video for news outlets and the internet. One trend has continued to grow. The young men put on a cap representing their choice. Often, there is a dramatic build up to that moment. It signals the start of a relationship with a school that is packed with expectation. It's the stuff that dreams are made of. Just for fun, I have thought about some of the dramatic "signing day" moments in the Bible. Matthew stepping out of the tax collector booth as an overlooked talent; the woman at the well after her encounter with Jesus may have run a record 40 yard dash as she rushed back to the city to tell others; the criminal hanging on the cross beside Jesus was a late commitment that nobody saw coming. What about you?

Freedom

In responsibility both obedience and freedom are realized. Responsibility implies tension between obedience and freedom. There would be no more responsibility if either were made independent of the other.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I have an opportunity to teach a course on ethics next month in Ecuador. In my studying, I ran across this quote from Bonhoeffer. As I consider changes in our culture, I couldn't help but ponder the accuracy of his statement. I see the tension that Bonhoeffer described. For the most part it seems that freedom is pulling away from responsibility. Our ability to have so much information available at our fingertips has contributed to an indiviualistic sense of freedom that erodes our responsibility for our choices and for one another. Freedom as described in teh Bible is the "freedom" to live for God. It is the "freedom" to be an instrument of righteousness. It is the "freedom" to fulfill our divine purpose and love God and others and serve.

Our Father

When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, He began with an emphasis on our relationship with God. That is an emphasis that we should carry with us in our prayers. Sometimes we request help or answers without an appreciation for the relationship that God offers. God answers prayers in a personal way. Consider the words of David Platt, in his book Radical:

"Suppose...you are making a big decision in your life, and you need help. You have a couple of different options before you, and you need guidance to decide which way is best. So you ask God for help. But he doesn’t answer with guidance. Instead he answers by sending the Holy Spirit, who is our Guide. God sends the Helper, who will live in you and not only tell you what decision to make but also enable you to make that decision."

Nehemiah

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 1:4

Over a decade ago, Daniel Goleman began introducing the idea of "Emotional Intelligence" in leadership literature. At the top of his list of qualities, Goleman lists "Empathy". According to Goleman, effective leaders should "sense what others are feeling". In simpler terms, leaders must care about others. When Nehemiah heard about the condition of Jerusalem from some of his "brothers", he sat down, wept, fasted and prayed. Nehemiah's response provides a great lesson for us. "Prayer" and "Care" go together. If we do not care about our relationship with God and others, our prayer life will likely reflect apathy rather than empathy.

The Psalms

Followers of Jesus have been praying the Psalms for centuries. The Psalms introduce us to a broad array of prayers. Scot McKnight describes the Psalms as "surprisingly honest and open and frank". Could the same desscription be applied to your prayer life? Esther de Waal shares her thoughts about praying the Psalms in "Seeking God". She observes, "In the Psalms I find myself at my worst and my best. Here I can acclaim God with warmth and confidence and hope, but here also I can give vent to...thoughts that might otherwise lie hidden in the dark and angry corners of my heart." Along with McKnight and Ester de Waal I have enjoyed praying the Psalms. It is a way to join together with Pilgrims throughout the ages and pour out your heart before the LORD.

More thoughts about Prayer

On Sunday I will continue to take a look at the prayer of Jesus in Matthew 6. In particular, I want to consider what we can learn from His prayer to the Father, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven". If we fast forward from the teachable moment of Matthew 6 to the Garden of Gethsemane we can hear Jesus pray again, "Your will be done". The context is different. The prayer is the same. God's will was an agponizing death on the cross. Even though we may never be required to endure a trial before Pilate and a scourging like Jesus, I can't help but consider how we sometimes turn prayer around. How often do we pray as if it is about convincing God that He should faciliate the coming our our "kingdom" and our "will"? Thankfully, I believe Jesus teaches us that prayer can help us recognize (and desire) the Kingdom of God and understand how it differs from all other "kingdoms", including our own. The will of the Father is always best.

Prayer

Just as our flesh is covered by clothing, and our blood is covered by our flesh, so are we, soul and body covered and enclosed by the goodness of God. Yet the clothing and the flesh will pass away, but the goodness of God will always remain and will remain closer to us than our own flesh.
Julian of Norwich (1343-1413)

Here at the beginning of the New Year I sense a call to pray. It is not merely a call to duty, though prayer is a spiritual discipline. It is not a call to routine, though prayer should be habitual. It is natural evidence of a relationship with our God. Julian of Norwich was an English mystic who was known for her writings about “joy”. (Interesting when we consider that she experienced a serious illness at the age of thirty and she lived during a time when fear of the “Black Plague” was rampant.) When we began to recognize that the “goodness of God” remains closer to us than our flesh, it changes our view of daily prayer. Just as we discovered in Psalm 121 yesterday, God is near. God keeps, protects, and watches over us. He never sleeps. He surrounds us 24/7 and preserves our soul. Enjoy speaking to your heavenly Father today. Enjoy listening.