Sitting here, watching the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade, smelling the scent of our holiday dinner, and enjoying time with family, I am very aware that there is so much to be thankful for.
Too often we wait for special events to appreciate the blessings of our lives, yet every day gives us many reasons to give thanks. Even when we face pain and challenges, there are blessings in our lives, we may just need to look a little deeper.
Yesterday, one of the senior members of our congregation went to be with her Savior. As I spoke with her daughter, I was struck by the mixture of emotions. There were tears and expressions of grief, and there was laughter mingled with treasured memories. Even as we made plans, there was a sense of trust in God and the faith that sustained them this far.
A thankful spirit does not deny the reality of pain, suffering and injustice. Instead, it faces such knowledge with the awareness that there is a richness in the moment that we cannot see with just a surface glance. It is when we allow the Spirit to open our eyes to the deeper thing of our lives that we can recognize more of our blessings.
So, today, as you enjoy dinner with family; as you cook, travel and rest, let God guide you to celebrate all your blessings. Celebrate life, health and family. Rejoice in beauty, miracles and wonder. Give thanks for your blessings and the many opportunities you have to be a blessing to others. Remember those people who give of their life to make your life better, and those people of the past who gave to make today possible. Bless God for God's presence in your life, for the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and the love and power of the Holy Spirit.
As you make time to look deeply, celebrate the blessings and build upon them to make life sing. Find strength in the knowledge of what God has done and is doing in your life. Share your blessings with others and encourage one another on the way. You are blessed, loved, and special to God, and that is reason to be thankful.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Good Grace
I grew up watching the Charlie Brown holiday specials. It was a bit of a ritual in the family and a sign that Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were coming. The specials were full of memorable scenes and quotable lines. One of the Charlie Brown-isms that always stands out for me is the classic, "Good grief!"
This was his phrase for every absurd action, every difficult circumstances, and every hurtful comment, and the storyline of every special gave him many opportunities to use it. Of course, this fit Charlie Brown's character: slightly depressed, often teased, and always coming up on the short end of the stick.
I know people like that. Sometimes, I've owned that characterization in my own life. The pathway there is not hard to find or difficult to follow. Something negative happens that grabs our attention and we begin to meditate on it. Soon, we notice other negative things in our lives and in the world around us. We become disgusted, hurt and depressed, and before you know it, life becomes one large and lengthy sigh.
This is exactly where the power of thanksgiving comes in. As we begin to identify the blessings in our lives and give voice to the good things we see; as we open our eyes to the beauty and wonder that surrounds us, is within us, and is us thanks to God, we change the focus of our attention. That simple, but powerful, change opens our eyes to more blessing and beauty and begins to reshape our attitude.
Developing this attitude of gratitude is much more than rehearsing a list of positive affirmations about ourselves. Sure, there is some value to looking at in the mirror, while speaking reminders of our self-worth, but that can easily become a daily narcissistic celebration. Real thanksgiving does more than celebrate us, it celebrates what makes life valuable. It recognizes the power and presence of God, and remembers those who bring goodness into our lives. Thanksgiving affirms the gifts, big and small, that season our lives with grace. It sees what makes life meaningful and gives us the tools to make life sing.
The Bible says that we are to enter God's gates with thanksgiving. When we begin to offer thanks for life, we take the first steps in bringing our hearts closer to God. God still wants to know our hurts and our pain. God still cares about unjust parts of our lives and the world. Thanksgiving does not limit our ability to seek God's answer to evil, but it sets the attitude of our heart in the right place to see what God is doing in the midst of painful circumstances and keeps us from losing ourselves to those circumstances.
This Thursday, as we celebrate the national holiday of Thanksgiving, we will have an opportunity to “say grace.” This moment of thankfulness may be just the ticket to seeing life in a new way. Instead of defining our lives by negativity, we can find our identity in God. Rather than adopting a heart that speaks “good grief” we can embrace a spirit of “good grace.”
A chorus I remember singing in church when I was young said, "Count your many blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done.” This Thanksgiving, may you see, count and name your many blessings and may you be filled with Good Grace.
This was his phrase for every absurd action, every difficult circumstances, and every hurtful comment, and the storyline of every special gave him many opportunities to use it. Of course, this fit Charlie Brown's character: slightly depressed, often teased, and always coming up on the short end of the stick.
I know people like that. Sometimes, I've owned that characterization in my own life. The pathway there is not hard to find or difficult to follow. Something negative happens that grabs our attention and we begin to meditate on it. Soon, we notice other negative things in our lives and in the world around us. We become disgusted, hurt and depressed, and before you know it, life becomes one large and lengthy sigh.
This is exactly where the power of thanksgiving comes in. As we begin to identify the blessings in our lives and give voice to the good things we see; as we open our eyes to the beauty and wonder that surrounds us, is within us, and is us thanks to God, we change the focus of our attention. That simple, but powerful, change opens our eyes to more blessing and beauty and begins to reshape our attitude.
Developing this attitude of gratitude is much more than rehearsing a list of positive affirmations about ourselves. Sure, there is some value to looking at in the mirror, while speaking reminders of our self-worth, but that can easily become a daily narcissistic celebration. Real thanksgiving does more than celebrate us, it celebrates what makes life valuable. It recognizes the power and presence of God, and remembers those who bring goodness into our lives. Thanksgiving affirms the gifts, big and small, that season our lives with grace. It sees what makes life meaningful and gives us the tools to make life sing.
The Bible says that we are to enter God's gates with thanksgiving. When we begin to offer thanks for life, we take the first steps in bringing our hearts closer to God. God still wants to know our hurts and our pain. God still cares about unjust parts of our lives and the world. Thanksgiving does not limit our ability to seek God's answer to evil, but it sets the attitude of our heart in the right place to see what God is doing in the midst of painful circumstances and keeps us from losing ourselves to those circumstances.
This Thursday, as we celebrate the national holiday of Thanksgiving, we will have an opportunity to “say grace.” This moment of thankfulness may be just the ticket to seeing life in a new way. Instead of defining our lives by negativity, we can find our identity in God. Rather than adopting a heart that speaks “good grief” we can embrace a spirit of “good grace.”
A chorus I remember singing in church when I was young said, "Count your many blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done.” This Thanksgiving, may you see, count and name your many blessings and may you be filled with Good Grace.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
The Journey to Harvest
“First the blade, then the ear, then the full corn shall appear.”
These words many of us sing around this time each year, are from the hymn, “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come.” They are also the words from Matthew 4:28. A clear reference to the agricultural process, they are certainly appropriate when we begin to think of Thanksgiving and the harvest season. As we celebrate the blessings of our lives, we can also give thanks for the process that brought us here.
One of the things that I hear in these words is: “process.” In a culture that seeks immediate results, often with little effort, it is important to remember that the order of creation demonstrates the process required to receive those results. The harvest does not just happen, not even when we wish for it very much. The harvest comes after seeds are lovingly planted, nurtured and watered. The results come after seasons of patient waiting for the crops to mature and faithful protection of those crops against a variety of natural dangers.
What makes this agrarian image such a valuable teaching is how closely it parallels the harvest of faith and righteousness in our lives. Our path toward perfection and holiness is a process. Our journey in faith is a process. Our maturity in all aspects of our lives comes as the result of a process. All that is growing in our lives requires patience, perseverance, and persistence. There is no real shortcut, and we should be thankful for this truth, for much of what really matters on our journey is the journey itself.
Many people love to travel and experience new places, but some of the best travel memories they share involve the travel time itself. Simply “getting there” is not the real goal. It is the experience of getting there, being there and coming home that holds the real value.
Education echoes the same themes. It is important to achieve key steps in the process, and moments like graduation are deeply meaningful and significant. However, much of the real leaning, along with the most valuable lessons, happen outside the classroom, and are not found directly in the curriculum. It is the places we struggle with discipline that make us stronger. It is conversations outside of class that help us to learn more than was expected. The relationships we make along the way can be a source of joy and strength for life. The process is as important, if not more important than the product.
Ultimately, it is our faith journey that can benefit most from our attention to the process. Too often we are so busy trying to “get there,” wherever there happens to be, that we miss what God is doing in and with us on the way. Frequently, when I talk with pastors who are in the process toward ordination, I hear them say things that imply that they cannot wait to be ordained so that they will be able to minister. I understand and remember those feelings, but the truth is, we all have the opportunity to minister every day, not just when we achieve a particular goal. We are all ministers of the Gospel.
Likewise, we would all like to come to the place where we have fully matured in our faith, but honestly, it will not happen, for we will always be maturing. With each new accomplishment, there will be at least one new opportunity calling us forward.
As we celebrate the harvest this year, let’s not lose sight of what it took to bring that harvest to fruition, and while we are sharing thanksgiving for all we have, let’s remember to be thankful for the process that brought us here. Then, when we look toward the future, we can celebrate our goals, but we can also celebrate the process that will take us to them, and then we can enjoy the journey as we go.
These words many of us sing around this time each year, are from the hymn, “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come.” They are also the words from Matthew 4:28. A clear reference to the agricultural process, they are certainly appropriate when we begin to think of Thanksgiving and the harvest season. As we celebrate the blessings of our lives, we can also give thanks for the process that brought us here.
One of the things that I hear in these words is: “process.” In a culture that seeks immediate results, often with little effort, it is important to remember that the order of creation demonstrates the process required to receive those results. The harvest does not just happen, not even when we wish for it very much. The harvest comes after seeds are lovingly planted, nurtured and watered. The results come after seasons of patient waiting for the crops to mature and faithful protection of those crops against a variety of natural dangers.
What makes this agrarian image such a valuable teaching is how closely it parallels the harvest of faith and righteousness in our lives. Our path toward perfection and holiness is a process. Our journey in faith is a process. Our maturity in all aspects of our lives comes as the result of a process. All that is growing in our lives requires patience, perseverance, and persistence. There is no real shortcut, and we should be thankful for this truth, for much of what really matters on our journey is the journey itself.
Many people love to travel and experience new places, but some of the best travel memories they share involve the travel time itself. Simply “getting there” is not the real goal. It is the experience of getting there, being there and coming home that holds the real value.
Education echoes the same themes. It is important to achieve key steps in the process, and moments like graduation are deeply meaningful and significant. However, much of the real leaning, along with the most valuable lessons, happen outside the classroom, and are not found directly in the curriculum. It is the places we struggle with discipline that make us stronger. It is conversations outside of class that help us to learn more than was expected. The relationships we make along the way can be a source of joy and strength for life. The process is as important, if not more important than the product.
Ultimately, it is our faith journey that can benefit most from our attention to the process. Too often we are so busy trying to “get there,” wherever there happens to be, that we miss what God is doing in and with us on the way. Frequently, when I talk with pastors who are in the process toward ordination, I hear them say things that imply that they cannot wait to be ordained so that they will be able to minister. I understand and remember those feelings, but the truth is, we all have the opportunity to minister every day, not just when we achieve a particular goal. We are all ministers of the Gospel.
Likewise, we would all like to come to the place where we have fully matured in our faith, but honestly, it will not happen, for we will always be maturing. With each new accomplishment, there will be at least one new opportunity calling us forward.
As we celebrate the harvest this year, let’s not lose sight of what it took to bring that harvest to fruition, and while we are sharing thanksgiving for all we have, let’s remember to be thankful for the process that brought us here. Then, when we look toward the future, we can celebrate our goals, but we can also celebrate the process that will take us to them, and then we can enjoy the journey as we go.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Awesome Generosity
Autumn’s beauty is upon us, drawing our attention to the wonders of God in the creation that surrounds us. Trees blaze with leaves of red, orange and yellow. Skies capture our vision with drastic shifts between brilliant blues and black foreboding clouds. The smell in the air, the sounds of geese beginning to move away and busyness of birds and squirrels as they make ready for the cold winter all remind us of the beauty, wonder and blessings that God brings into our lives.
This month, our attention turns toward thankfulness and generosity. As we begin to decorate our homes, make plans with our families and bring in the stores for our harvest celebrations, we also begin to make ready our hearts to offer our thanks and praise to God. We recall the journey we took to get to where we are and the many ways God led and protected us along the way. We take inventory of our lives and celebrate the numerous divine gifts and blessings we received: life, health, family, friends, community and our salvation through Jesus Christ. We heighten our awareness to God’s great generosity and we ask the Spirit how we should respond.
Eugene Peterson, in his biblical translation “The Message,” translates the words of Luke 6:38 to read, “Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” As we encounter the awesome, generous heart of God, what other response can there be but to be generous ourselves? As those who know the joy and wonder of being blessed, we want to see those gifts developed in the lives of those around us. Instead of focusing more on what we can “get,” we look for God’s guidance to understand how we can give.
Too often, giving is only discussed in terms of money and pledges, and we easily begin to feel that our giving is really only about what others think they can get from us, but real generosity is not only about a check or some currency. Instead, it is about a lifestyle where we seek to demonstrate the heart and attitude of God in everything we say and do. God’s loving, giving Spirit is extravagant, should ours be anything different in response?
This month, as we consider thankfulness, let us demonstrate it with more than words. Beyond a few memories and words prayed before our Thanksgiving meal, let’s take action to offer God our sacrifice of praise through acts of extravagant generosity. Our actions will speak volumes to those around us, will strengthen our spirits in the process and, most importantly, will bless the heart of God.
You are blessed by God. Be thankful! Be generous! Be extravagant!
This month, our attention turns toward thankfulness and generosity. As we begin to decorate our homes, make plans with our families and bring in the stores for our harvest celebrations, we also begin to make ready our hearts to offer our thanks and praise to God. We recall the journey we took to get to where we are and the many ways God led and protected us along the way. We take inventory of our lives and celebrate the numerous divine gifts and blessings we received: life, health, family, friends, community and our salvation through Jesus Christ. We heighten our awareness to God’s great generosity and we ask the Spirit how we should respond.
Eugene Peterson, in his biblical translation “The Message,” translates the words of Luke 6:38 to read, “Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” As we encounter the awesome, generous heart of God, what other response can there be but to be generous ourselves? As those who know the joy and wonder of being blessed, we want to see those gifts developed in the lives of those around us. Instead of focusing more on what we can “get,” we look for God’s guidance to understand how we can give.
Too often, giving is only discussed in terms of money and pledges, and we easily begin to feel that our giving is really only about what others think they can get from us, but real generosity is not only about a check or some currency. Instead, it is about a lifestyle where we seek to demonstrate the heart and attitude of God in everything we say and do. God’s loving, giving Spirit is extravagant, should ours be anything different in response?
This month, as we consider thankfulness, let us demonstrate it with more than words. Beyond a few memories and words prayed before our Thanksgiving meal, let’s take action to offer God our sacrifice of praise through acts of extravagant generosity. Our actions will speak volumes to those around us, will strengthen our spirits in the process and, most importantly, will bless the heart of God.
You are blessed by God. Be thankful! Be generous! Be extravagant!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Acts of God
Last night, a band of dangerous thunderstorms moved through our area and brought with them high winds and tornados. It was a harrowing time for some people and the damage while isolated, was significant. As is typical of these times of natural destruction, the pain and destruction were deemed, "an act of God," by media and others.
It is interesting that God gets the blame for these events when, in fact, they are more directly acts of nature. It seems easy to lay the responsibility with God as if God said, "Let's send some damaging storms their way and see what happens." God ends up looking like the ancient Greek and Roman gods who often found pleasure in playing with and tormenting humanity, and nothing could be further from the truth.
In tragic situations, I frequently hear people ask, "why did God do this?" Such a question is understandable in the midst of crisis, but it betrays an underlying belief that God is directly responsible for the bad things that happen. Yes, there are biblical stories that show some natural disasters as expressions of God's judgement, but these are very specific instances. Nowhere, do we find every bad experience the result of a direct action from God. I suppose, part of this struggle comes from our understanding of God's power and direction in our lives, but these attitudes often separate God's power, direction, and judgement from God's mercy, grace, and love, and that is a serious flaw.
Yes, bad things happen, but God's creative power is at work in the darkest of moments bringing illumination. The power of the resurrection can transform our experiences of pain and suffering into something amazing and life-giving. Sometimes, bad things happen. Evil exists in the world, yet the Spirit of God is always at work in and through us to overcome evil and bring forth life from death.
Instead of naming disasters "acts of God," maybe we should begin to declare unmerited blessings and healing as those holy acts. In moments of grace, forgiveness, and hope, we see the acts of God. With expressions of love, kindness and community, we see the acts of God. In places of sacrifice, service, and salvation, we see the acts of God.
This is the great message of the Gospel, not that God is a punitive, angry deity, but that God is gracious and long-suffering, full of mercy, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. The revelation of God is not to be found in thunderstorms and tornados, but in places of providence and protection, and in the lives of those who bring healing and love. In these places of compassion, we see the tender heart of God acting in love toward humanity.
People may never stop referring to disasters as, "acts of God," but we have the opportunity to be the body of Christ; the representatives of God, and show the world what God is really like. We can be the hands of action that show compassion. We can be the voice of peace, hope and love. We can offer the ministry of our presence that reflects the truth of God's presence with us. We can align our heart with the heart of God and, allowing the Spirit to work though us, make our actions, expressions of the real acts of God.
Opportunities are all around us. Where will we begin?
It is interesting that God gets the blame for these events when, in fact, they are more directly acts of nature. It seems easy to lay the responsibility with God as if God said, "Let's send some damaging storms their way and see what happens." God ends up looking like the ancient Greek and Roman gods who often found pleasure in playing with and tormenting humanity, and nothing could be further from the truth.
In tragic situations, I frequently hear people ask, "why did God do this?" Such a question is understandable in the midst of crisis, but it betrays an underlying belief that God is directly responsible for the bad things that happen. Yes, there are biblical stories that show some natural disasters as expressions of God's judgement, but these are very specific instances. Nowhere, do we find every bad experience the result of a direct action from God. I suppose, part of this struggle comes from our understanding of God's power and direction in our lives, but these attitudes often separate God's power, direction, and judgement from God's mercy, grace, and love, and that is a serious flaw.
Yes, bad things happen, but God's creative power is at work in the darkest of moments bringing illumination. The power of the resurrection can transform our experiences of pain and suffering into something amazing and life-giving. Sometimes, bad things happen. Evil exists in the world, yet the Spirit of God is always at work in and through us to overcome evil and bring forth life from death.
Instead of naming disasters "acts of God," maybe we should begin to declare unmerited blessings and healing as those holy acts. In moments of grace, forgiveness, and hope, we see the acts of God. With expressions of love, kindness and community, we see the acts of God. In places of sacrifice, service, and salvation, we see the acts of God.
This is the great message of the Gospel, not that God is a punitive, angry deity, but that God is gracious and long-suffering, full of mercy, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. The revelation of God is not to be found in thunderstorms and tornados, but in places of providence and protection, and in the lives of those who bring healing and love. In these places of compassion, we see the tender heart of God acting in love toward humanity.
People may never stop referring to disasters as, "acts of God," but we have the opportunity to be the body of Christ; the representatives of God, and show the world what God is really like. We can be the hands of action that show compassion. We can be the voice of peace, hope and love. We can offer the ministry of our presence that reflects the truth of God's presence with us. We can align our heart with the heart of God and, allowing the Spirit to work though us, make our actions, expressions of the real acts of God.
Opportunities are all around us. Where will we begin?
Monday, November 14, 2011
Simply World Changers
Our church is currently in the midst of our annual stewardship program. This is an important part of our life together where we consider what it means to be a steward of all God gives us, and where we encourage each other to embrace more of what the Holy Spirit is asking of us. This is not about “getting people’s money,” instead; we are looking to embrace a servant’s heart and learn to use all of our resources wisely and to the glory of God.
Yesterday, one of our seminary interns preached the sermon for our Sunday Worship. It was a wonderful service and a great message that challenged us to move beyond our worry and fear and look for ways we can be servants of God in ministry to the world. At the heart of the message was this simple, yet profound question: “What do you have that can be put to use for God?”
It is a question well worth pondering by anyone working to make their heart resonate with the heart of God. God gives us so much: time and money, skills and talents, faith and spiritual gifts. Each of us is made to be a special and unique part of the body of Christ so that together, we can represent the fullness of God. If we understand that we are blessed to be a blessing, then it is important to ask why God made us the way we are and gave us what we have. Certainly, part of the answer is the joy our blessings bring to God and to us, but there is surely a place for the joy, healing and witness our blessings can bring to the world through us.
Too often, we address stewardship as if it is just another annual fund raiser to get money for the coming year’s ministry. We reduce the role of faithful stewards to check-writers for programs and events, but that is not the definition of real stewardship. Instead, stewardship is about celebrating and sharing what we receive from God so that God will be glorified and others cared for, blessed and strengthened.
So, this brings us back to the question. What do we have right now that can be put to use for God? Is it money that can be used to enable outreach in God’s name, or to be the outreach to someone in need? Is it time that can be given in the service of others, or in prayer? Is it our skill that can empower others by assisting them with challenges that restrict them or by teaching them new ways to identify and use their own God-given gifts and talents?
These are just the beginning. The list of possibilities is as endless and the creative power of God at work within us. As we enter this new week and begin preparing for the coming new year, let’s ask ourselves the question and ask the Holy Spirit to help us identify our gifts and empower us to use them in new ways. Let’s keep looking to embrace the new possibilities God presents to us, letting go of the fear of failure, or of change, and stepping boldly into the future by faith. There is real excitement ahead of us and wonderful opportunities to make a difference for God.
What do you have that can be put to use for God right now? What is God asking you to do? What might happen if you step out in faith today? Imagine, there are people waiting right now, for you to step forward in faith and be the answer to prayer. What a wonderfully awesome opportunity and responsibility. We do not have to be, or have, what someone else is, or has, to make a difference. We only need to be available to God and together, we can change the world. Let’s make the investment together and be the world changers we were meant to be.
Yesterday, one of our seminary interns preached the sermon for our Sunday Worship. It was a wonderful service and a great message that challenged us to move beyond our worry and fear and look for ways we can be servants of God in ministry to the world. At the heart of the message was this simple, yet profound question: “What do you have that can be put to use for God?”
It is a question well worth pondering by anyone working to make their heart resonate with the heart of God. God gives us so much: time and money, skills and talents, faith and spiritual gifts. Each of us is made to be a special and unique part of the body of Christ so that together, we can represent the fullness of God. If we understand that we are blessed to be a blessing, then it is important to ask why God made us the way we are and gave us what we have. Certainly, part of the answer is the joy our blessings bring to God and to us, but there is surely a place for the joy, healing and witness our blessings can bring to the world through us.
Too often, we address stewardship as if it is just another annual fund raiser to get money for the coming year’s ministry. We reduce the role of faithful stewards to check-writers for programs and events, but that is not the definition of real stewardship. Instead, stewardship is about celebrating and sharing what we receive from God so that God will be glorified and others cared for, blessed and strengthened.
So, this brings us back to the question. What do we have right now that can be put to use for God? Is it money that can be used to enable outreach in God’s name, or to be the outreach to someone in need? Is it time that can be given in the service of others, or in prayer? Is it our skill that can empower others by assisting them with challenges that restrict them or by teaching them new ways to identify and use their own God-given gifts and talents?
These are just the beginning. The list of possibilities is as endless and the creative power of God at work within us. As we enter this new week and begin preparing for the coming new year, let’s ask ourselves the question and ask the Holy Spirit to help us identify our gifts and empower us to use them in new ways. Let’s keep looking to embrace the new possibilities God presents to us, letting go of the fear of failure, or of change, and stepping boldly into the future by faith. There is real excitement ahead of us and wonderful opportunities to make a difference for God.
What do you have that can be put to use for God right now? What is God asking you to do? What might happen if you step out in faith today? Imagine, there are people waiting right now, for you to step forward in faith and be the answer to prayer. What a wonderfully awesome opportunity and responsibility. We do not have to be, or have, what someone else is, or has, to make a difference. We only need to be available to God and together, we can change the world. Let’s make the investment together and be the world changers we were meant to be.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Jump In!
What would you do if you truly believed all things are possible with God?
Early this morning, while I was still up wrestling with the symptoms of a sinus infection I am fighting, I made a decision to jump into the middle of the river. No, I am not planning on literally getting wet, but figuratively, I am in up to my neck and it feels great!
Since my second year of college, I wanted to write. I would occasionally toy with the idea, read a few books and scribble a few words, then the words of high school teachers and my own inner monologue would begin to remind me of what I could not do well, and I would lose heart. I enjoyed writing my term papers, newsletter articles and for a season, wrote a regular inspirational column for our college paper, but I could not see myself as a writer.
Recently, I gave myself permission to write and to fail, but to enjoy a passion I believe God put within me. It started with some poetry, then the first pages of this blog, and this morning, I made the decision to jump into the NaNoWriMo. So everyone understands, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel between November 1st and November 30th, and yes, I am starting 11 days late, but I want to try.
Too often, we are afraid to take risks. Something deep within us wants to step out in faith and experience more, but our fear encourages us to settle where we are and let go of our dreams. That does not sound much like the abundant life Jesus promised and it does not reflect the heart of someone who claims the words, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Walking with God is all about taking risks and believing all things are possible.
Sure, there are numerous excuses that range from “I don’t have the talent, resources, or time” to “Why set myself up to fail, when I can succeed at what I am already doing,” but are those the words we want to listen to? Sometimes, our words sound very believable, but they lack the music of faith that stretches us to be all that we were meant to be in Christ.
When I was in one of my interviews for the ordination process, I was asked what I do to keep my mind sharpened. I told the team that I made a commitment when I finished seminary to read a book every week. My schedule was full during my education and I was able to maintain that amount of reading, so why stop when the formal training was over?
One of the interviewers suggested that since I might not make 52 books in a year, maybe I should set my goal for twelve. That way, I would always achieve my goal and I would feel better about myself. While I understood the sentiment, my response was simple: aiming for twelve and achieving it, was still not as successful or enjoyable as aiming for 52 and reading 40. It was safer, but not better.
What would you do, if you believed God is with you and you could not fail? What passion is burning deep within you waiting for you to embrace the risk and take the first step? Even if you do not make your goal, wouldn’t it be worth trying?
God made you unique and put dreams inside you. Maybe, now is the time to trust God and take the first steps toward achieving those dreams. It could be that you begin with some small actions and build momentum or, like me this morning, you may just decide to dive right into the middle of a flowing stream and enjoy the ride. What I know is that I have a smile on my face and I am having fun. I am following a dream and that brings joy. I may not finish, but I’ll still be glad I tried and now, I only have 49,210 words to go.
Whatever your dream, let me encourage you to; “Come on in! The water’s fine and it is fun! Best of all, God is here!” Be blessed as you walk by faith today.
Early this morning, while I was still up wrestling with the symptoms of a sinus infection I am fighting, I made a decision to jump into the middle of the river. No, I am not planning on literally getting wet, but figuratively, I am in up to my neck and it feels great!
Since my second year of college, I wanted to write. I would occasionally toy with the idea, read a few books and scribble a few words, then the words of high school teachers and my own inner monologue would begin to remind me of what I could not do well, and I would lose heart. I enjoyed writing my term papers, newsletter articles and for a season, wrote a regular inspirational column for our college paper, but I could not see myself as a writer.
Recently, I gave myself permission to write and to fail, but to enjoy a passion I believe God put within me. It started with some poetry, then the first pages of this blog, and this morning, I made the decision to jump into the NaNoWriMo. So everyone understands, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel between November 1st and November 30th, and yes, I am starting 11 days late, but I want to try.
Too often, we are afraid to take risks. Something deep within us wants to step out in faith and experience more, but our fear encourages us to settle where we are and let go of our dreams. That does not sound much like the abundant life Jesus promised and it does not reflect the heart of someone who claims the words, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Walking with God is all about taking risks and believing all things are possible.
Sure, there are numerous excuses that range from “I don’t have the talent, resources, or time” to “Why set myself up to fail, when I can succeed at what I am already doing,” but are those the words we want to listen to? Sometimes, our words sound very believable, but they lack the music of faith that stretches us to be all that we were meant to be in Christ.
When I was in one of my interviews for the ordination process, I was asked what I do to keep my mind sharpened. I told the team that I made a commitment when I finished seminary to read a book every week. My schedule was full during my education and I was able to maintain that amount of reading, so why stop when the formal training was over?
One of the interviewers suggested that since I might not make 52 books in a year, maybe I should set my goal for twelve. That way, I would always achieve my goal and I would feel better about myself. While I understood the sentiment, my response was simple: aiming for twelve and achieving it, was still not as successful or enjoyable as aiming for 52 and reading 40. It was safer, but not better.
What would you do, if you believed God is with you and you could not fail? What passion is burning deep within you waiting for you to embrace the risk and take the first step? Even if you do not make your goal, wouldn’t it be worth trying?
God made you unique and put dreams inside you. Maybe, now is the time to trust God and take the first steps toward achieving those dreams. It could be that you begin with some small actions and build momentum or, like me this morning, you may just decide to dive right into the middle of a flowing stream and enjoy the ride. What I know is that I have a smile on my face and I am having fun. I am following a dream and that brings joy. I may not finish, but I’ll still be glad I tried and now, I only have 49,210 words to go.
Whatever your dream, let me encourage you to; “Come on in! The water’s fine and it is fun! Best of all, God is here!” Be blessed as you walk by faith today.
Friday, November 11, 2011
The Power of Canceled Sin
I have many favorite hymns, but one of them is definitely “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing.” The hymn always touched me but recently, it became even more meaningful.
There is a stanza in this classic hymn that includes the words, “He breaks the power of canceled sin, he sets the prisoner free.” I cannot begin to imagine how many times I sang these words throughout my life, but I remember the day they broke through my filters and I heard them with fresh ears.
In the midst of my own struggle with parts of my past, the idea that canceled sin could still have power gripped my heart. Certainly, God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ is complete, but we can allow those forgiven sins to affect the way that we live. If we choose to perpetuate those former sins, or if we choose to live under their guilt, we will not experience the fullness of life God intended for us.
Too often, we get lost in our past and we miss what God is doing in the present to prepare us for our future. We wallow in self-condemnation, self-pity, or some other burdensome understanding of our lives, while we neglect the freedom that comes from laying such burdens on the Lord. It is a tremendous tool of the enemy to keep us bound in false chains and away from living our destiny in God.
Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, “neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” Clearly, there was forgiveness and a call to a better way, but there is also the promise that living beyond sins of the past is truly possible, especially in light of the power of God to make it so.
While at a pastor’s prayer retreat, the leader of one of our sessions offered the following insight:
Anytime the devil brings up your past it is because…
1) He hopes you are ignorant of the truth
2) He fears your future
3) He wants to rob you of God’s best
There is powerful truth in those words. Just like the truth found in the words of the hymn reveals the power of cancelled sin to imprison us, the revelation shared at that retreat reminds us that our past is in the hands of God and through his mighty acts of salvation, we are no longer a slave to that past. We need to know the truth that we are delivered from our past, that God has a future for us, and that evil is always working to steal God’s best from our lives, but we do not have to surrender it.
If we are walking with God, it is time to lay down the heavy weight of our past and its sins. It is time to embrace the freedom and newness of life given to us by God while we walk in its joy and wonder. It is time to allow the Holy Spirit to break the power of canceled sin and set us free from our self-made prisons. It is time to live the abundant life that is already ours.
Today is a great day to leave the weight of our past behind, choose life and walk in it toward the future divinely created for us. May it be so.
There is a stanza in this classic hymn that includes the words, “He breaks the power of canceled sin, he sets the prisoner free.” I cannot begin to imagine how many times I sang these words throughout my life, but I remember the day they broke through my filters and I heard them with fresh ears.
In the midst of my own struggle with parts of my past, the idea that canceled sin could still have power gripped my heart. Certainly, God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ is complete, but we can allow those forgiven sins to affect the way that we live. If we choose to perpetuate those former sins, or if we choose to live under their guilt, we will not experience the fullness of life God intended for us.
Too often, we get lost in our past and we miss what God is doing in the present to prepare us for our future. We wallow in self-condemnation, self-pity, or some other burdensome understanding of our lives, while we neglect the freedom that comes from laying such burdens on the Lord. It is a tremendous tool of the enemy to keep us bound in false chains and away from living our destiny in God.
Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, “neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” Clearly, there was forgiveness and a call to a better way, but there is also the promise that living beyond sins of the past is truly possible, especially in light of the power of God to make it so.
While at a pastor’s prayer retreat, the leader of one of our sessions offered the following insight:
Anytime the devil brings up your past it is because…
1) He hopes you are ignorant of the truth
2) He fears your future
3) He wants to rob you of God’s best
There is powerful truth in those words. Just like the truth found in the words of the hymn reveals the power of cancelled sin to imprison us, the revelation shared at that retreat reminds us that our past is in the hands of God and through his mighty acts of salvation, we are no longer a slave to that past. We need to know the truth that we are delivered from our past, that God has a future for us, and that evil is always working to steal God’s best from our lives, but we do not have to surrender it.
If we are walking with God, it is time to lay down the heavy weight of our past and its sins. It is time to embrace the freedom and newness of life given to us by God while we walk in its joy and wonder. It is time to allow the Holy Spirit to break the power of canceled sin and set us free from our self-made prisons. It is time to live the abundant life that is already ours.
Today is a great day to leave the weight of our past behind, choose life and walk in it toward the future divinely created for us. May it be so.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Redemption Journals
When I lead mission trips, one of the key tools I take with me are journals. I encourage each member of the team to keep a personal journal where they can write memories and insights then reflect upon them in prayer to see if they can sense the Holy Spirit leading them to a deeper understanding of themselves, of God and of their experience.
I also bring along two other journals for the team. The first is a group travelogue that includes morning and evening reflections and rotates through the entire group. The second is my favorite. It is a complaint journal.
On our last trip to Brazil, I described the journaling process to the team. When I came to the complaint journal, there were many puzzled faces and the obvious question, “What’s a complaint journal?”
I shared how a good friend who led the first international mission trip I participated in taught me the value of this tool. It is a place vent frustration and concerns so that they stop weighing you down in your ministry. “Who reads the Complaint Journal,” they asked, and I replied, “no one.”
The point of this journal was to give a tangible way to express inner turmoil without burdening the entire team with negativity and without trying to keep such corrosive feelings bottled up inside. Here was a place to whine about the food, the lack of hot water, and the snoring in the next bed. It was a safe place to vent feelings of helplessness and loneliness, all mixed with a little homesickness. It was a means to honestly address what we felt and thought without the destructive results other forms of expression could have.
I still keep a complaint journal. Now it is most likely found in my freewriting, as I seek to limber up my thoughts, mind and skill. Occasionally, it seeps over into my daily journal as well. Life is hard and hurtful, and it is important to have a place to address those challenges openly, to say what is really on our mind and “lay it all out” before ourselves and God. Once we do, then we can begin to seek solutions. I often use my venting as the foundation for my prayers so that I can listen for God’s answer to speak life into challenging moments.
One of the most powerful words in our faith vocabulary is “redemption.” God likes to redeem things. It is the message of our faith history and we see God’s acts of redemptions time and again throughout the biblical story, culminating in the redemption brought by Jesus Christ. It is the power of this redemption that allows us to speak wholeness and healing into places of brokenness and pain. It is the knowledge of redemption that keeps us grounded, knowing that no person or situation is too far gone for God to do something beautiful and amazing with them. It is the source of our hope, and the hope of the world.
No one needs to hear our words of frustration; they need to hear God’s words of redemption. People do not need our expressions of anger and death; they need God’s gift of peace and life. The world needs hope and God chooses to use us to give it to them. It is easy to join the masses drowning in negativity, but there is such joy in being a prophet of hope; a messenger of life though Christ.
The Gospel really is “good news!” It is not just the story of Jesus, nor is it just the promise of heaven. Instead, it is the proclamation of hope, life and peace available to all who will receive it, even now. The good news is that God is present and powerful and nothing in heaven or on earth can separate us from his great love. Redemption is real, and it is available now.
The world needs good news. The world needs the Gospel, and we have the joy and privilege of being the means by which God shares this blessing. It is a great responsibility, but also the greatest honor we will receive. We can keep the complaint journals to ourselves, but let’s write the redemption journal on the lives of others and see the true power of the Gospel.
I also bring along two other journals for the team. The first is a group travelogue that includes morning and evening reflections and rotates through the entire group. The second is my favorite. It is a complaint journal.
On our last trip to Brazil, I described the journaling process to the team. When I came to the complaint journal, there were many puzzled faces and the obvious question, “What’s a complaint journal?”
I shared how a good friend who led the first international mission trip I participated in taught me the value of this tool. It is a place vent frustration and concerns so that they stop weighing you down in your ministry. “Who reads the Complaint Journal,” they asked, and I replied, “no one.”
The point of this journal was to give a tangible way to express inner turmoil without burdening the entire team with negativity and without trying to keep such corrosive feelings bottled up inside. Here was a place to whine about the food, the lack of hot water, and the snoring in the next bed. It was a safe place to vent feelings of helplessness and loneliness, all mixed with a little homesickness. It was a means to honestly address what we felt and thought without the destructive results other forms of expression could have.
I still keep a complaint journal. Now it is most likely found in my freewriting, as I seek to limber up my thoughts, mind and skill. Occasionally, it seeps over into my daily journal as well. Life is hard and hurtful, and it is important to have a place to address those challenges openly, to say what is really on our mind and “lay it all out” before ourselves and God. Once we do, then we can begin to seek solutions. I often use my venting as the foundation for my prayers so that I can listen for God’s answer to speak life into challenging moments.
One of the most powerful words in our faith vocabulary is “redemption.” God likes to redeem things. It is the message of our faith history and we see God’s acts of redemptions time and again throughout the biblical story, culminating in the redemption brought by Jesus Christ. It is the power of this redemption that allows us to speak wholeness and healing into places of brokenness and pain. It is the knowledge of redemption that keeps us grounded, knowing that no person or situation is too far gone for God to do something beautiful and amazing with them. It is the source of our hope, and the hope of the world.
No one needs to hear our words of frustration; they need to hear God’s words of redemption. People do not need our expressions of anger and death; they need God’s gift of peace and life. The world needs hope and God chooses to use us to give it to them. It is easy to join the masses drowning in negativity, but there is such joy in being a prophet of hope; a messenger of life though Christ.
The Gospel really is “good news!” It is not just the story of Jesus, nor is it just the promise of heaven. Instead, it is the proclamation of hope, life and peace available to all who will receive it, even now. The good news is that God is present and powerful and nothing in heaven or on earth can separate us from his great love. Redemption is real, and it is available now.
The world needs good news. The world needs the Gospel, and we have the joy and privilege of being the means by which God shares this blessing. It is a great responsibility, but also the greatest honor we will receive. We can keep the complaint journals to ourselves, but let’s write the redemption journal on the lives of others and see the true power of the Gospel.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Blame or Bless?
We exercised our right to vote and now we face an even bigger responsibility: supporting our leaders and becoming a part of the solution. Our commitment to God and country reaches far beyond a day here or there when we cast an informed ballot. We are called to build community, work together for the common good and seek God’s direction on how to lift up those elected to serve and build up the place where we are planted in this season of our lives.
The Bible does challenge us to be a prophetic voice to the world, including our nation and our local communities, but it also reminds us that judgment begins with the house of God. So, we must be sure we’ve removed the log from our own eye, before we go after the splinter in someone else’s eye. We need to speak out against injustice, but nowhere are we called to complain, deride and malign others. In fact, the scriptural call is quite the opposite. We are commanded to pray for our leaders so it will go well for us in the land. We are to be the emissaries of the Kingdom who actively work to share the love, grace and peace of God in all we do. We are servants of God who with speech seasoned with grace, speak life to the world around us.
The problem is, we like to blame and complain. We want to deal with our frustrations and concerns, but frequently do so by spewing all forms of negativity and anger that only fractures an already broken society. Sometimes, we even feel like we are doing something constructive while we are actively participating in attitudes and actions that destroy.
Let’s face it, not much is required to gripe and complain about things or people. That is the common, ordinary response, but we are an uncommon and extraordinary people. We know that far beyond our elections and votes, God is weaving a master plan that leads to something amazing. We know that God is fully invested in that plan, offering himself in Jesus Christ to heal our human brokenness, grant us forgiveness of sin, and restore us to right relationship with him. We have the Holy Spirit living in us to teach us everything and empower us to accomplish all God sets before us. With such knowledge and empowerment, should we really settle for whining and complaining?
Wouldn’t it be so much more powerful if we took the biblical call to pray for our leaders seriously and did so every day, even on the days they fail or make choices we disagree with? What a witness it could be if we treated others the way we want to be treated. I know how much it hurts in my own life when people speak critically about me. I would much rather engage in dialog and work toward a common understanding. I recognize that I will never be able to please everyone, but I still want to work with those who dislike my leadership for the glory of God and the good of the world. If I want people to respect and seek to understand me, then I ought to offer the same grace to others. The same is true for everyone.
We are given so many gifts in Christ: grace, love and freedom to name a few. What an impact it could make if we shared those same gifts with others, including our leaders. So, I invite you to join me in a choice to be different, to consciously decide not to engage in petty bickering, gossip and hurtful comments; to choose to bless instead of blame and offer the same grace we would like to receive. Let’s watch our words and think carefully about what they create and who they bless, or curse.
I recently found an inspirational image on Facebook that I believe sums things up nicely. Using the acronym THINK it read:
Before you speak: THINK
T – is it True?
H – is it Helpful?
I – is it Inspiring?
N – is it Necessary?
K – is it Kind?
If it passes the test, then maybe we should speak it. If not, maybe we should just talk to God about it.
The Bible does challenge us to be a prophetic voice to the world, including our nation and our local communities, but it also reminds us that judgment begins with the house of God. So, we must be sure we’ve removed the log from our own eye, before we go after the splinter in someone else’s eye. We need to speak out against injustice, but nowhere are we called to complain, deride and malign others. In fact, the scriptural call is quite the opposite. We are commanded to pray for our leaders so it will go well for us in the land. We are to be the emissaries of the Kingdom who actively work to share the love, grace and peace of God in all we do. We are servants of God who with speech seasoned with grace, speak life to the world around us.
The problem is, we like to blame and complain. We want to deal with our frustrations and concerns, but frequently do so by spewing all forms of negativity and anger that only fractures an already broken society. Sometimes, we even feel like we are doing something constructive while we are actively participating in attitudes and actions that destroy.
Let’s face it, not much is required to gripe and complain about things or people. That is the common, ordinary response, but we are an uncommon and extraordinary people. We know that far beyond our elections and votes, God is weaving a master plan that leads to something amazing. We know that God is fully invested in that plan, offering himself in Jesus Christ to heal our human brokenness, grant us forgiveness of sin, and restore us to right relationship with him. We have the Holy Spirit living in us to teach us everything and empower us to accomplish all God sets before us. With such knowledge and empowerment, should we really settle for whining and complaining?
Wouldn’t it be so much more powerful if we took the biblical call to pray for our leaders seriously and did so every day, even on the days they fail or make choices we disagree with? What a witness it could be if we treated others the way we want to be treated. I know how much it hurts in my own life when people speak critically about me. I would much rather engage in dialog and work toward a common understanding. I recognize that I will never be able to please everyone, but I still want to work with those who dislike my leadership for the glory of God and the good of the world. If I want people to respect and seek to understand me, then I ought to offer the same grace to others. The same is true for everyone.
We are given so many gifts in Christ: grace, love and freedom to name a few. What an impact it could make if we shared those same gifts with others, including our leaders. So, I invite you to join me in a choice to be different, to consciously decide not to engage in petty bickering, gossip and hurtful comments; to choose to bless instead of blame and offer the same grace we would like to receive. Let’s watch our words and think carefully about what they create and who they bless, or curse.
I recently found an inspirational image on Facebook that I believe sums things up nicely. Using the acronym THINK it read:
Before you speak: THINK
T – is it True?
H – is it Helpful?
I – is it Inspiring?
N – is it Necessary?
K – is it Kind?
If it passes the test, then maybe we should speak it. If not, maybe we should just talk to God about it.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Great Grace
Recently, my wife and I went out for a lunch together at a local restaurant. It was wonderful to spend some time together. What was not as wonderful was the discovery of a hair in my sandwich just as I finished eating the first half. The waitress was very understanding when I explained the situation and immediately went to get the manager. When she arrived, I could tell her defenses were up, as if she was holding a shield to protect herself from my frustration, even though I was not feeling that way. After she offered numerous apologies and the assurance that my meal was removed from the bill, I finally had an opportunity to speak. I told her, “It’s okay, mistakes happen.” She was dumbfounded for a moment, and then said, “Thank you, your understanding makes our job so much easier,” and with that her whole demeanor relaxed.
It would have been easy to spew out anger and frustration, but accidents really do happen, and the easy path is typically not the Christ-like path. Who knows how many people shared their anger with her before I arrived, or what was happening in the rest of her life. She did not need another angry customer, she needed to experience grace, love and forgiveness, just like we all do. It can be challenging to extend grace and forgiveness, but since we need it in our own lives and continue to receive it from God, shouldn’t we try to share it with others?
Jesus told a story about a man who owed his employer an excessive sum of money, an amount he could never fully repay. When he was brought before his employer he appealed for grace and in an unexpected act of love, his entire debt was forgiven. It is a wonderful expression of unmerited favor, and a beautiful illustration of God’s loving grace. If the story ended there, it would be great, but Jesus went on to tell how this man, forgiven of a great debt, received such grace only to search out a man who owed him a small sum, accosting him and demanding he repay the money immediately. His fellow workers were so disturbed by his actions they went to the employer to report what happened. The story ends with the employer calling the man “wicked” for receiving great grace and yet, being unwilling to share grace with others.
You and I receive great grace from God. We experience divine love and forgiveness, when we do not deserve it. God forgives our grand debt and then sends us forth to represent that same grace to others. It can be difficult to share, but when we recognize the great grace we receive, the difficulty seems to vanish, and we go forth to comfort others with the same comfort we received from God.
What happened in the restaurant was a small thing that required only a small sacrifice on my part. Considering the significant forgiveness I needed, and continue to need from God, it was the only reasonable response. I only wish I recognized it more frequently. Too often, I respond with my emotions, rooted deeply in a false view of what I am entitled to and a distorted sense of my importance. Like the man in Jesus’ parable, I celebrate God’s grace, only to withhold it later when it should have be freely given.
Grace really is too great a gift not to be shared. When we humbly recognize our need for grace, we can offer it to others in the same spirit and trust that God will use the moment to bless the giver as well as those who receive. With our attention turned outward, maybe we will see the “grace moments” all around us and lovingly share the amazing grace we love to sing about and receive. Then, others will have the chance to experience the gift with us.
It would have been easy to spew out anger and frustration, but accidents really do happen, and the easy path is typically not the Christ-like path. Who knows how many people shared their anger with her before I arrived, or what was happening in the rest of her life. She did not need another angry customer, she needed to experience grace, love and forgiveness, just like we all do. It can be challenging to extend grace and forgiveness, but since we need it in our own lives and continue to receive it from God, shouldn’t we try to share it with others?
Jesus told a story about a man who owed his employer an excessive sum of money, an amount he could never fully repay. When he was brought before his employer he appealed for grace and in an unexpected act of love, his entire debt was forgiven. It is a wonderful expression of unmerited favor, and a beautiful illustration of God’s loving grace. If the story ended there, it would be great, but Jesus went on to tell how this man, forgiven of a great debt, received such grace only to search out a man who owed him a small sum, accosting him and demanding he repay the money immediately. His fellow workers were so disturbed by his actions they went to the employer to report what happened. The story ends with the employer calling the man “wicked” for receiving great grace and yet, being unwilling to share grace with others.
You and I receive great grace from God. We experience divine love and forgiveness, when we do not deserve it. God forgives our grand debt and then sends us forth to represent that same grace to others. It can be difficult to share, but when we recognize the great grace we receive, the difficulty seems to vanish, and we go forth to comfort others with the same comfort we received from God.
What happened in the restaurant was a small thing that required only a small sacrifice on my part. Considering the significant forgiveness I needed, and continue to need from God, it was the only reasonable response. I only wish I recognized it more frequently. Too often, I respond with my emotions, rooted deeply in a false view of what I am entitled to and a distorted sense of my importance. Like the man in Jesus’ parable, I celebrate God’s grace, only to withhold it later when it should have be freely given.
Grace really is too great a gift not to be shared. When we humbly recognize our need for grace, we can offer it to others in the same spirit and trust that God will use the moment to bless the giver as well as those who receive. With our attention turned outward, maybe we will see the “grace moments” all around us and lovingly share the amazing grace we love to sing about and receive. Then, others will have the chance to experience the gift with us.
Friday, November 4, 2011
A Good, God Thing
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” – Proverbs 18:22
Twenty-seven years ago, I awoke in a Pittsburgh hotel a married man. The previous day was a flurry of activity leading up to our wedding, and after celebrating with family and friends, and making time to visit a few of our relatives who could not come to the ceremony, my wife and I set off to begin our honeymoon and our new life together. We did not know all that was ahead of us, but we knew that God brought us together, that we loved each other and that we were committed to sharing the journey as one.
The days and years since have been an amazing adventure. We went to college together, traveled through the ordination process, served in ministry, became parents and now grandparents. There were times of sickness and health, times that were better and worse, and certainly lean times as well as prosperous times. Just as our vows declared, there were challenges and celebrations, but through it all, we had each other and we had God.
I know some people are called to singleness, and that sometimes relationships break, but I also know, that following God’s plan leads to the blessings that really matter. When the author of the proverb says that the one who, “finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” I can say that it is undeniably true in my life. Looking back, I cannot imagine traveling this path without the woman God chose for me. I know that the hard times were made better because of her presence and good times were all the sweeter because they were shared with her. There is no question I receive God’s favor through my relationship with her.
Relationships can be challenging, but they are also the source of great blessing. Too often, I meet with couples who have lost sight of the blessing of God found in each other. The challenges and obstacles of life slowly drained the joy from them and instead of joining hands and hearts together; facing those challenges with love, commitment and the power of God, they allowed them to come between them. Then, wounded from without and within, the life of their relationship slowly faded. We too, have been through the valleys. We felt the pains of life, and we wounded each other, but we never completely lost sight of the blessing of God found in each other.
The places of God’s blessing are like that. They will be tested and tried, and it takes great effort to remain committed to overcome the temptation to walk, and even run away. It is easy to lose sight of how blessed we are, and in the midst of pain, we can even feel like the source of our blessing is the source of our pain. If we remain committed to God and to God’s work in our lives, and if we will keep the faith even when it is hard, we will be able to look back and see the provision and blessing of God, and we will walk into the future with greater strength and promise. When my wife counsel other couples, we tell them that marriage is a tough job, but worth all of the effort. Walking with God is like that. It is not always easy, but it is definitely worth it. The richness of my life found in my relationship with God and with my wife is worth so much more than the investment I have made. I look forward to the joy of the next 27 years together and beyond.
Take a moment to look at the blessings of God in your life, especially in your relationships. Tend to those special places, even if it is difficult. Do not let them be overcome by life’s challenges, but find strength in them to be the one who overcomes. Make the investment in your relationships, with God and in the places created for your blessing, so that you will receive favor from the Lord and be blessed.
Twenty-seven years ago, I awoke in a Pittsburgh hotel a married man. The previous day was a flurry of activity leading up to our wedding, and after celebrating with family and friends, and making time to visit a few of our relatives who could not come to the ceremony, my wife and I set off to begin our honeymoon and our new life together. We did not know all that was ahead of us, but we knew that God brought us together, that we loved each other and that we were committed to sharing the journey as one.
The days and years since have been an amazing adventure. We went to college together, traveled through the ordination process, served in ministry, became parents and now grandparents. There were times of sickness and health, times that were better and worse, and certainly lean times as well as prosperous times. Just as our vows declared, there were challenges and celebrations, but through it all, we had each other and we had God.
I know some people are called to singleness, and that sometimes relationships break, but I also know, that following God’s plan leads to the blessings that really matter. When the author of the proverb says that the one who, “finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” I can say that it is undeniably true in my life. Looking back, I cannot imagine traveling this path without the woman God chose for me. I know that the hard times were made better because of her presence and good times were all the sweeter because they were shared with her. There is no question I receive God’s favor through my relationship with her.
Relationships can be challenging, but they are also the source of great blessing. Too often, I meet with couples who have lost sight of the blessing of God found in each other. The challenges and obstacles of life slowly drained the joy from them and instead of joining hands and hearts together; facing those challenges with love, commitment and the power of God, they allowed them to come between them. Then, wounded from without and within, the life of their relationship slowly faded. We too, have been through the valleys. We felt the pains of life, and we wounded each other, but we never completely lost sight of the blessing of God found in each other.
The places of God’s blessing are like that. They will be tested and tried, and it takes great effort to remain committed to overcome the temptation to walk, and even run away. It is easy to lose sight of how blessed we are, and in the midst of pain, we can even feel like the source of our blessing is the source of our pain. If we remain committed to God and to God’s work in our lives, and if we will keep the faith even when it is hard, we will be able to look back and see the provision and blessing of God, and we will walk into the future with greater strength and promise. When my wife counsel other couples, we tell them that marriage is a tough job, but worth all of the effort. Walking with God is like that. It is not always easy, but it is definitely worth it. The richness of my life found in my relationship with God and with my wife is worth so much more than the investment I have made. I look forward to the joy of the next 27 years together and beyond.
Take a moment to look at the blessings of God in your life, especially in your relationships. Tend to those special places, even if it is difficult. Do not let them be overcome by life’s challenges, but find strength in them to be the one who overcomes. Make the investment in your relationships, with God and in the places created for your blessing, so that you will receive favor from the Lord and be blessed.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Celebrating Saints
Yesterday was All Saints Day. Admittedly, this is a day created by the church of the past to offer a more Christian focus for celebrating the transition from October to November. It never quite eclipsed the celebration of Halloween, but it did add an important day of remembrance to the church calendar.
When the Bible refers to “saints” it is clearly a reference to all Christian believers. There is no use of the word in scripture that suggests a specific person or group of people set apart within the faith community. The early church however, chose to use the word as a way of identifying those whose lives reflected the life of Christ and the best of Christian teaching. It was a way to lift up good examples of the faith so that people could know what Christian faithfulness looked like.
There is a lot of debate about how the church should embrace the theology of saints in our day, but the idea of looking for great examples of the faith is certainly a good one. As I continue to think about ways to better organize my life and make time for everything that matters, I am drawn to those people in my life whose lives demonstrate virtues, values and actions that I can replicate to make my life better.
I think of my grandfather who clearly understood that all of life was lived in connection to Jesus Christ and that even the most mundane acts could be expressions of faith. I think of a former parishioner who served as a missionary for many years and whose life reflected a profound ability to trust God even when circumstances seemed insurmountable and resources unavailable. I think of my wife who patiently offers her best in all of the details of life letting her family know they are loved by the attention to the multitude of “little things,” all the while, sharing the love and joy of her faith.
These and so many others including, my mother, family, teachers, colleagues, friends and countless other people in my life, are sources of inspiration for my Christian faith and examples for ways to face difficult challenges. They are “saints” for me, who point the way to successfully navigating the waters of life in the light of Jesus Christ. But, I am not the only one with such saints. All of us have people who, as gifts of God, bless our lives. They illustrate by practice, what God teaches us through the Word and the Spirit.
Who are your saints? What do they teach you about successful Christian living? How can their example strengthen you when you are week and direct you when you are lost? Take time to appreciate these gifts of God in your life and learn from them the lessons they have learned from God.
When the Bible refers to “saints” it is clearly a reference to all Christian believers. There is no use of the word in scripture that suggests a specific person or group of people set apart within the faith community. The early church however, chose to use the word as a way of identifying those whose lives reflected the life of Christ and the best of Christian teaching. It was a way to lift up good examples of the faith so that people could know what Christian faithfulness looked like.
There is a lot of debate about how the church should embrace the theology of saints in our day, but the idea of looking for great examples of the faith is certainly a good one. As I continue to think about ways to better organize my life and make time for everything that matters, I am drawn to those people in my life whose lives demonstrate virtues, values and actions that I can replicate to make my life better.
I think of my grandfather who clearly understood that all of life was lived in connection to Jesus Christ and that even the most mundane acts could be expressions of faith. I think of a former parishioner who served as a missionary for many years and whose life reflected a profound ability to trust God even when circumstances seemed insurmountable and resources unavailable. I think of my wife who patiently offers her best in all of the details of life letting her family know they are loved by the attention to the multitude of “little things,” all the while, sharing the love and joy of her faith.
These and so many others including, my mother, family, teachers, colleagues, friends and countless other people in my life, are sources of inspiration for my Christian faith and examples for ways to face difficult challenges. They are “saints” for me, who point the way to successfully navigating the waters of life in the light of Jesus Christ. But, I am not the only one with such saints. All of us have people who, as gifts of God, bless our lives. They illustrate by practice, what God teaches us through the Word and the Spirit.
Who are your saints? What do they teach you about successful Christian living? How can their example strengthen you when you are week and direct you when you are lost? Take time to appreciate these gifts of God in your life and learn from them the lessons they have learned from God.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Give Yourself a Break
“In the coming days, I will be sharing some suggestions to help encourage and empower your study.” I remember writing those words, surprisingly weeks ago. I would love to tell you that my time was filled with study; digging into great spiritual depth, but that would be a lie. In the days that followed my last post, church life, family life, even community life became amazingly busy. Significant and meaningful ministry opportunities arose, major family accomplishments were achieved and there were numerous important connections made. Time, however, was all too easily comsumed.
The experience did raise an important question, “How do we make time for study and spiritual growth while living busy, sometimes over-full lives?” There are many tools to help strengthen our study, but if we lack time, how can we put them into practice?
Too often, the responses to this concern are guilt-laden comments about our priorities and commitment; suggesting that if we were only a little more serious and willing to work a little harder, we would not be facing any struggle. The truth is, we can be seriously committed and yet remain challenged in our attempts to achieve what God put on our hearts to do.
Journeying through these past weeks, dreaming of making time for everything, I realized that many things were suffering from my frustration over my inability to fit it all in. Greatest among these were my own peace and the peace of my family. I became aware that I was increasingly defining my life by what I was accomplishing, or not accomplishing. Not only did this increase my frustration, but it is no way to steward the gift of life God gives.
As I sought God in prayer, in the moments I could carve out, the words of John 10:10 kept coming to mind, “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” What powerful words from Jesus. He came to give life, not consume it. It was clear that I was sacrificing his gift of being able to fully live to instead, be bound by the trappings of doing things. Instead of celebrating the beauty and wonder of each day, I was buried in my extended list of things to do.
It is true that we all have things that must be done. It is also true that there will be seasons when much will be asked of us and our schedules will be overfull. However, even in these moments, maybe especially in these moments, we must not lose sight of what it means to really live the abundant life of Christ. We may not be able to commit the time we would like to our study, but that is precisely when the study we did in other seasons can bear us up, strengthening and empowering us to find life in our lists of obligations. We will have to make choices, sometimes very difficult ones, about how we use our time, but trading the joy of life for a few tasks completed will never be the right one. Maybe, we simply need to give ourselves a break and trust God.
Wherever you are today, remember you are not alone. God is with you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You have purpose and destiny and more ability than you know. You may not have the time for study and action you originally hoped for, but you have the Holy Spirit who will, as Jesus said, “remind you of all that I [Jesus] said to you and teach you everything,” and who will give you all the power you need.
The experience did raise an important question, “How do we make time for study and spiritual growth while living busy, sometimes over-full lives?” There are many tools to help strengthen our study, but if we lack time, how can we put them into practice?
Too often, the responses to this concern are guilt-laden comments about our priorities and commitment; suggesting that if we were only a little more serious and willing to work a little harder, we would not be facing any struggle. The truth is, we can be seriously committed and yet remain challenged in our attempts to achieve what God put on our hearts to do.
Journeying through these past weeks, dreaming of making time for everything, I realized that many things were suffering from my frustration over my inability to fit it all in. Greatest among these were my own peace and the peace of my family. I became aware that I was increasingly defining my life by what I was accomplishing, or not accomplishing. Not only did this increase my frustration, but it is no way to steward the gift of life God gives.
As I sought God in prayer, in the moments I could carve out, the words of John 10:10 kept coming to mind, “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” What powerful words from Jesus. He came to give life, not consume it. It was clear that I was sacrificing his gift of being able to fully live to instead, be bound by the trappings of doing things. Instead of celebrating the beauty and wonder of each day, I was buried in my extended list of things to do.
It is true that we all have things that must be done. It is also true that there will be seasons when much will be asked of us and our schedules will be overfull. However, even in these moments, maybe especially in these moments, we must not lose sight of what it means to really live the abundant life of Christ. We may not be able to commit the time we would like to our study, but that is precisely when the study we did in other seasons can bear us up, strengthening and empowering us to find life in our lists of obligations. We will have to make choices, sometimes very difficult ones, about how we use our time, but trading the joy of life for a few tasks completed will never be the right one. Maybe, we simply need to give ourselves a break and trust God.
Wherever you are today, remember you are not alone. God is with you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You have purpose and destiny and more ability than you know. You may not have the time for study and action you originally hoped for, but you have the Holy Spirit who will, as Jesus said, “remind you of all that I [Jesus] said to you and teach you everything,” and who will give you all the power you need.
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