Ever tried walking up a down escalator? Totally fun, but oh so challenging!
But what happens if you stop walking...now that is not so fun.
I think the Christian life is much like this. Often I feel myself walking against what seems 'normal' and it is tempting to just stop. But stopping means trouble, it means danger and it means the dangerous possibility of stumbling back and stumbling back hard.
I was challenged this morning by the question "Am I a citizen of heaven or of earth?" My first response was I don't know...
But I am not sure I could really answer?
A.W. Tozer (a smart old dead Christian guy) asked these questions to help us think through our citizenship:
1) What do I desire most?
2) What do I think about the most?
3) Who do I admire most?
Answering and living out these questions probably will make us feel like we are walking up the down escalator!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Get Dirty!
Ever wondered why I don't pursue farming as a career?
Simple, I don't have the patience nor does the idea of getting dirty excite me...I will not ever begin to talk about how much the thought of getting kicked by random farm animals scares the living daylights out of me.
But then I read this strange part of the bible that tells me that evangelism is like farming:
This guy in the Bible called Paul is talking to a local group of believers about who is more important in their lives, him or some other guy called Apollos. Paul responds this way:
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It's not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow."
I have been really convicted about how evangelism or sharing what I believe is about a preparedness to get down and dirty with people. Some people's stories, their lives are messed up, full of dirt and junk...so if I want to share what I believe then I have to be willing to sit in the dirt with some people and get dirty as we do life together.
I don't know if I am planting a seed or digging up soil in preparation for planting or maybe even watering. But one thing I do know is it is time to get down, get dirty and see what happens!
Maybe I was supposed to be a farmer after all!
Simple, I don't have the patience nor does the idea of getting dirty excite me...I will not ever begin to talk about how much the thought of getting kicked by random farm animals scares the living daylights out of me.
But then I read this strange part of the bible that tells me that evangelism is like farming:
This guy in the Bible called Paul is talking to a local group of believers about who is more important in their lives, him or some other guy called Apollos. Paul responds this way:
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It's not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow."
I have been really convicted about how evangelism or sharing what I believe is about a preparedness to get down and dirty with people. Some people's stories, their lives are messed up, full of dirt and junk...so if I want to share what I believe then I have to be willing to sit in the dirt with some people and get dirty as we do life together.
I don't know if I am planting a seed or digging up soil in preparation for planting or maybe even watering. But one thing I do know is it is time to get down, get dirty and see what happens!
Maybe I was supposed to be a farmer after all!
Friday, August 24, 2012
How Much Am I Worth?
If you were to melt you body down and divide up all the elements in our body, the total value would come to $4.50 (approximately).
I was absolutely amused and shocked by the story of the 21 year old who fooled people into thinking he was famous. The story, located here, is an interesting commentary about how desperate we are to either be famous or hang with famous people.
It is sad to say that today I think many of us have become obsessed with the desire for our 15 minutes of fame. Social Media (ha! Bet you thought I was going to name names) has helped us feed that desire for fame.
But I think this desire for our time in the spotlight comes from a need to know that we each have value. We try to find value in relationships, in sports, in academics, in jobs and even in how much money we have.
The cool part is you could lose you starting spot on the varsity football team and have value. You could be horribly deformed in an accident and lose all your "beauty" and still have value. You could have no job, no degree, no money and still have value.
How? Simple God gives value.
You see the Bible says "God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them, male and female he created them"
So you see me value comes from the fact that God created me in his own image. Nothing can add to that value and the even better news is NOTHING can TAKE AWAY my value.
Steven Curtis Chapman has an awesome song called Treasure of You. Read some of his lyrics and remember, GOD SAYS YOU WORTH IS PRICELESS.
The rich man treasures gold and silver
The wise man, his knowledge of truth
Some will hold to memories and some will cling to youth.
But to the one who carved out the oceans
And painted the stars in the sky
You are His prized creation, the apple of His eye
There's no one else in the world who could take your place
Just the thought of you brings a smile to His face
God loves you with amazing grace
I was absolutely amused and shocked by the story of the 21 year old who fooled people into thinking he was famous. The story, located here, is an interesting commentary about how desperate we are to either be famous or hang with famous people.
It is sad to say that today I think many of us have become obsessed with the desire for our 15 minutes of fame. Social Media (ha! Bet you thought I was going to name names) has helped us feed that desire for fame.
But I think this desire for our time in the spotlight comes from a need to know that we each have value. We try to find value in relationships, in sports, in academics, in jobs and even in how much money we have.
The cool part is you could lose you starting spot on the varsity football team and have value. You could be horribly deformed in an accident and lose all your "beauty" and still have value. You could have no job, no degree, no money and still have value.
How? Simple God gives value.
You see the Bible says "God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them, male and female he created them"
So you see me value comes from the fact that God created me in his own image. Nothing can add to that value and the even better news is NOTHING can TAKE AWAY my value.
Steven Curtis Chapman has an awesome song called Treasure of You. Read some of his lyrics and remember, GOD SAYS YOU WORTH IS PRICELESS.
The rich man treasures gold and silver
The wise man, his knowledge of truth
Some will hold to memories and some will cling to youth.
But to the one who carved out the oceans
And painted the stars in the sky
You are His prized creation, the apple of His eye
There's no one else in the world who could take your place
Just the thought of you brings a smile to His face
God loves you with amazing grace
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Which Master Do I Serve?
"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other."
This phrase was not made by some eastern philosopher or even a great social commentator, this is Jesus talking.
Try it and see what happens. This year for me is the first year I will be Fantasy Football free. I must admit it seems a little weird seeing the hype and knowing fantasy drafts will be taking place. But you know what? Fantasy Football was where I would sacrifice my bride, Michelle, every year.
This phrase was not made by some eastern philosopher or even a great social commentator, this is Jesus talking.
Try it and see what happens. This year for me is the first year I will be Fantasy Football free. I must admit it seems a little weird seeing the hype and knowing fantasy drafts will be taking place. But you know what? Fantasy Football was where I would sacrifice my bride, Michelle, every year.
I could not spend any quality time with her from Thursday - Sunday as I would contemplate changes, negotiate trades and try and pick up the best free agent possible.
Now before comment that I had a major problem and should see a therapist, I think there are things in our lives where we try and serve two masters - both relationally and spiritually.
How many times have we said that we have never had enough time to read our bible and spend time just getting to know who God is, yet we have watched hours and hours of meaningless TV.
What about when our pastor challenges us to give 1/10th of our income away and we wonder if that is possible, yet we can easily by tons of itunes downloads and coffee (from wherever)....that starts to add up.
You see I think the point Jesus makes is not about being so crazy that you give up everything because you have to, but you do these things because you just know that life seems upside down when you are trying to be dedicated and committed to 2 different masters.
What Masters do you have in your life?
Now before comment that I had a major problem and should see a therapist, I think there are things in our lives where we try and serve two masters - both relationally and spiritually.
How many times have we said that we have never had enough time to read our bible and spend time just getting to know who God is, yet we have watched hours and hours of meaningless TV.
What about when our pastor challenges us to give 1/10th of our income away and we wonder if that is possible, yet we can easily by tons of itunes downloads and coffee (from wherever)....that starts to add up.
You see I think the point Jesus makes is not about being so crazy that you give up everything because you have to, but you do these things because you just know that life seems upside down when you are trying to be dedicated and committed to 2 different masters.
What Masters do you have in your life?
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Eyes Wide Open But We See Nothing...Ears Open But We Hear Nothing
When was the last time you really stopped at listened? I mean really listen. Have you enjoyed the sounds of birds, or the noise of cars, or even the sound of crickets!
In a digital age when iPods, iPhones, music, texting and Facebook are the way to spend our time, I was challenged to think about how much do I see and hear.
In life it is easy to "use" people for what they provide for me. My hairdresser cuts my hair (or ever decreasing amount), my coffee is usually made perfectly by the Starbucks attendant, and the lady who takes my Sheetz card in the gas station is doing her job. But what do I really know about these people?
Sadly the phrase "how are you?" has become nothing more than an alternative version of hello. God calls me to value each one of these individuals not because of what they can do for me, but because of who God made them to be.
God made people in His image, He gave them value. So maybe it is time for me to start appreciating the soul of these individuals and start listening to their stories so I can share God's story.
Challenge accepted.
In a digital age when iPods, iPhones, music, texting and Facebook are the way to spend our time, I was challenged to think about how much do I see and hear.
In life it is easy to "use" people for what they provide for me. My hairdresser cuts my hair (or ever decreasing amount), my coffee is usually made perfectly by the Starbucks attendant, and the lady who takes my Sheetz card in the gas station is doing her job. But what do I really know about these people?
Sadly the phrase "how are you?" has become nothing more than an alternative version of hello. God calls me to value each one of these individuals not because of what they can do for me, but because of who God made them to be.
God made people in His image, He gave them value. So maybe it is time for me to start appreciating the soul of these individuals and start listening to their stories so I can share God's story.
Challenge accepted.
Monday, August 20, 2012
The Curse of the Blue Rinse!
I was reading an interesting book over the weekend called Think Orange, a challenge for people involved in Youth Ministry to look at how churches and parents can work together to be more effective.
I came across some interesting insights about the dangers of the "just behave" attitude toward young people.
In many churches, youth are usually encouraged to be a part of the church as long as being a part is not being too disruptive or challenging the status quo.
It is like the young teen with the died blue hair (blue rinse) walking through the church foyer and seeing the older lady, dressed up in her "Sunday Best" and them both thinking "Church would be better if there were less people like that around" (although this quote does open another rather large can of worms).
The challenge for parents, schools and churches is simply to see that the new generation, the Millenials, are an incredibly awesome generation. They want to experience, they want to discuss spirituality and even better they want to change the world - if only we would let them.
After an incredibly fun Friday night with over a dozen students hanging at my place, I really learned that this next generation will change the world. Maybe we need a few more people to join the Blue Rinse Club!
I came across some interesting insights about the dangers of the "just behave" attitude toward young people.
In many churches, youth are usually encouraged to be a part of the church as long as being a part is not being too disruptive or challenging the status quo.
It is like the young teen with the died blue hair (blue rinse) walking through the church foyer and seeing the older lady, dressed up in her "Sunday Best" and them both thinking "Church would be better if there were less people like that around" (although this quote does open another rather large can of worms).
The challenge for parents, schools and churches is simply to see that the new generation, the Millenials, are an incredibly awesome generation. They want to experience, they want to discuss spirituality and even better they want to change the world - if only we would let them.
After an incredibly fun Friday night with over a dozen students hanging at my place, I really learned that this next generation will change the world. Maybe we need a few more people to join the Blue Rinse Club!
Friday, August 17, 2012
A Right Way of Doing Good?
Recently it has been evident to me about just how much the words of Jesus are so totally counter revolutionary.
As I read Jesus' word I am astounded at how he tells me to do things as a Christian that seem "upside down".
I was struck this morning by this question:"Is there a right way of doing good?"
On the surface it seems like a stupid question.
The Bible recalls this story:
He was teaching in one of the meeting places on the Sabbath. There was a woman present, so twisted and bent over with arthritis that she couldn't even look up. She had been afflicted with this for eighteen years. When Jesus saw her, he called her over. "Woman, you're free!" He laid hands on her and suddenly she was standing straight and tall, giving glory to God.
The meeting-place president, furious because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the congregation, "Six days have been defined as work days. Come on one of the six if you want to be healed, but not on the seventh, the Sabbath."
But Jesus shot back, "You frauds! Each Sabbath every one of you regularly unties your cow or donkey from its stall, leads it out for water, and thinks nothing of it. So why isn't it all right for me to untie this daughter of Abraham and lead her from the stall where Satan has had her tied these eighteen years?"
I was challenged by the point of this story.
Jesus wants me as a Christian, and all Christians to do good...always!
There might be times when it is inconvenient, or even when it may cause some offense but I should never be afraid to do what's right over what is convenient!
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