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Monday, January 31, 2005
Back in 1987 I moved to Dallas to begin my seminary studies. Like most single guys I chose to live in the dorms to save money, and included in the payment was a meal plan at the cafeteria.
I spent most of my first day moving into my room in the dorm, like all the guys did that day. We helped each other out and joked around and began making some friendships. Some of the older students asked some of us newbies to tag along for dinner, and I was really glad.
Well, the older guys had a tradition of getting to the table and once the last guy filled up the table they would put both their fists on the table and make a "thumbs up" gesture. The last guy to put his thumbs up was going to have to pray for dinner.
The first day, I was that guy.
Ordinarily, this would've been no big deal. But this was different. These were all older seminary students. From everything I had observed during the moving in day, they had authentic walks with Christ that resulted in servant's hearts. They knew Greek and Hebrew and big words like prolegomena and eschatology and I'd even overheard a discussion of progressive dispensationalism during the move-in.
This was going to have to be one of my better prayers. I mean, it was easy to pray out loud in college since most of my friends weren't practicing Christians and wouldn't have known a theologically accurate prayer from a bad one. But this was real pressure.
This prayer would be judged theologically. These guys knew their stuff and knew their God. It would definitely have to be a good prayer.
So it was.
I prayed for not just one or two, but 5 or so attributes of God.
I prayed for the magnificent day.
I prayed for God to develop our friendships through fellowship.
I prayed for our studies for the semester.
I prayed for about 3 minutes.
I measured every word.
I was sure my new friends would be very impressed by my level of spirituality for being 4 years younger than they were.
I was wrong.
Greg, one of the older guys, looked at the long line that was now fully formed at the buffet. Then he looked back at me.
"Nice prayer," he said.
"Thanks."
"Really theologically accurate and thoughtful," he followed up.
"Thanks." (I gave myself mental pats on the back)
"But listen, not so much at breakfast or lunch, but at dinner, the line can get pretty long here in the dining hall and if you're at the end of it, you haven't finished 'firsts' by the time they call 'seconds' and those at the end of the line have to eat salad if they're still hungry after that. Let's try to keep those prayers a bit shorter next time, okay? In fact, you could pretty much just say 'yay God' & 'boo devil' and that'd be fine. We're just thanking Him for the food, alright?"
We both laughed.
But he was jokingly making a point to the younger guy, too.
And it came from Matthew 6: 5: (From The Message) "And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?"
I had forgotten the whole point.
I had turned the saying of grace into a theatrical production. I cared more about what the men around me thought than talking to God. I was making a show out of my prayer. Hoping to be liked. Hoping to impress. Being prideful.
The whole point was to tell God "thank you" for His provision for us in that meal. Nothing more. Nothing less.
And that's was prayer really is.
Talking to God.
Just the two of you. Sure, sometimes others will listen in. But prayer is nothing more than talking to God.
And if you're doing it simply to impress others, or for any other reason other than developing the relationship between the two of you, then you're like the hypocrites who pray on the street corners looking for attention. And that's all they'll get. That's all we'll get. That's all I got that night at dinner, too.
But start talking to God...when was the last time you did?
We'll be spending two weeks discussing this, so we'll be taking our time going through it, but today, analyze the time you really spend talking to God...maybe write it down in a journal.
Brent 4:17 AM
Sunday, January 30, 2005
In order to get ready for class tonight, we'll be talking about prayer, so it'll be good to read Matthew 6: 5--13 again. We've read it before, but you'll want to read it a little differently this time around.
Take a look at verses 5-7 and try to come up with some VERY practical applications to apply when you pray.
Then, break the Lord's prayer into individual lines, and come up with applications for each one of them:
Our Father
Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy name
Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven
give us this day our daily bread
and forgive us our debts
as we forgive our debtors
and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
And we'll see you in class tonight!
Brent 4:05 AM
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Yesterday, we looked at the results of who we now are in Christ, and I asked you to think about the results of what that would look like in your day to day life if you really had a grasp of that.
For me, the hard-rocking band Stavesacre (www.stavesacre.com) hit the nail on the head with their song Shiv. Here are the lyrics, from their website:
i'm crawling out of my skin
i hope i get under yours
so many times before
but you still wanna know why
i won't just lay down and die
what did you expect
i think that i could guess
but this weight is lifted and i'm like
back from the dead
and i'm feeling kinda strange
i'm not the same, and i think i like the change
nothing lost, just cut away
nothing left to hinder me
pushing on, stronger every day
leaning into the wind that used to carry me
(nothing left to hinder me)(*backing vocal)
the last shot
nearly killed me
eternity lifted me again
(nothing left to hinder me)
oh, how i want to be
an offense, an unsettling presence in this life
why'd you try to take me out
why try to keep me down?
to get my eyes off me
down each ugly street
too many needs, too many
souls on their knees
and where have i been?
too much is me and mine
too much is wasting time
with the cares of this life and now
i understand and i'm
i'm on my way i feel like a man
and i, i think i like the change
nothing lost, just cut away
nothing left to hinder me
pushing on, stronger every day
leaning into the wind that used to carry me
(nothing left to hinder me)
the last shot nearly killed me
eternity lifted me again
(nothing left to hinder me)
oh how i want to be
an offense, an unsettling presence in this life
why'd you try to take me out, why try to keep me down?
See, your new identity has everything to do with how you live your life. What's interesting in this song is the interplay I kind of get from the idea that others (I'm guessing from other Christians) are trying to keep him down, take him out and giving him shots that nearly kill him.
But don't think I don't love the idea that he wants to be an offense...
...an unsettling presence in this life.
And it all comes from his new identity in Christ.
So, I want to ask you again today, because it is so vitally important, to read the verses from yesterday, and ask yourself what your life will be like...
...if the crud is not lost, but cut away.
...if nothing, absolutely nothing, was to hinder you.
...if you pushed on toward maturity instead of staying on a "plateau."
...if you got your eyes off yourself.
...if you stopped thinking about "me" and "mine."
...if you stopped wasting time with the cares of this life and focused on The Kingdom.
I think you'd like the change...
Brent 5:16 AM
Thursday, January 27, 2005
“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.”
--2 Corinthians 5: 17
When you come to know Christ in saving faith, here's a list of some (not all) of the realities that happened to you at that moment...along with the Scripture references.
Baptized into Christ’s body (the church): 1 Corinthians 12: 13
Chosen by God: Ephesians 1:4
Saved by grace: Ephesians 2: 8—9
God's wrath has been satisfied: 1 John 2:2
Reconciled to God: Romans 5: 10
Redeemed: Ephesians 1:7
Freed from the Law: Romans 7:4
Translated out of darkness to light: Ephesians 5:8
Totally forgiven: Colossians 2: 13&14
Washed clean: 1 Corinthians 6:11
Made holy and blameless: Colossians 1:22
Hidden with Christ in God: Colossians 3: 3 & 4
Clothed with Christ: Galatians 3:27
Sealed in Christ: Ephesians 1:13 & 14
Given Christ’s righteousness: 2 Corinthians 5:21
Justified: Romans 3: 23 & 24
Safe from the wrath of God: Romans 5:9
Freed from judgment: Romans 8:1
At peace with God: Romans 5:1
Made holy: Hebrews 10:10
Made perfect forever: Hebrews 10:14
Accepted by God: Romans 15:7
Moved from death to life: John 5:24
Born again: 1 Peter 1:3
Indwelt by the Holy Spirit: Romans 8:9
Made into a temple of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 6: 19
Made into a new creation: 2 Corinthians 5: 17
Made children of God: John 1:12 & 13
Adopted as sons: Romans 8: 14 & 15
Made heirs of God: Romans 8: 17
Made citizens of heaven: Philippians 3: 20 & 21
Made into a holy and royal priesthood: 1 Peter 2: 5 & 9
Given total access to God: Ephesians 3: 12
Made complete: Colossians 2: 9 & 10
We have been given everything: Ephesians 1: 3
So, how do we apply what we now know?
Once you understand the value of the gift…even though you'll never really grasp it all...
Once you understand who you now are…that you are now free to be what you were meant to be instead of a slave to sin...
You are now free, to joyfully develop a relationship…Not practice a religion.
And that's what we'll begin to focus on in the next few lessons...
The application today is to look up some of those verses and simply thank Him that you are not what you used to be...and rest in the reality (not how you "feel") that you are beautifully and wonderfully made.
Brent 11:54 PM
Bedtime at our home, when my children were smaller, was a pretty fun time all in all. We started winding down right after dinner time, which dissolved into bath time, which led into clean-up time. All of this was right before story time, which was the final act before saying prayers and going to sleep.
We read the requisite Dr. Suess stories, tales from the Hundred Acre Wood, Velveteen Rabbits, and even Beatrix Potter stories if we had the time. We thought that was a good habit that would teach our children the joys and value of reading.
Our plans were a bit more sinister, however. We also had this Bible written especially for children. You know which ones I'm talking about: The ones with the cartoon Jesus who always smiles and heavy on stories which also conveniently leave out the PG-13 or R-rated parts of stories like Noah's Ark when Noah got drunk and passed out or David's sin with Bathsheba? Yeah, we read lots of those right before bed. The joy and value of reading wasn't what we were about in that regard.
It was teaching our children about Christ.
Even though they continually chose stories like the Exodus or Paul and Silas, they got a steady dose of Jesus.
While the details of this particular night are a bit fuzzy, I had just finished reading and saying prayers with my 6 year-old. I tucked her in, which had it's own set of laughs and involved a stuffed tiger.
She asked, "Dad, are you a Christian?"
"Yes, Kelsey. It's bedtime."
"Dad, how did you become a Christian?"
"It's a really long story, Kelsey. It's bedtime, now let's turn that light out, okay?"
I figured she was trying to buy a few more minutes of staying up by getting Dad to share his area of enjoyment and expertise.
"Dad, I want to be a Christian, too."
"Whatever, kid. We'll talk about it over breakfast tomorrow if you still want to in the morning. Now, knock it off, go to bed and stop stalling."
Great parenting by the theologian/seminary grad/pastor parent, right? Everything we'd been trying to teach our child was coming to fruition and I'm suspecting her motives.
She stood up in bed.
"Dad, you're not LISTENING to me!"
My wife, hearing most of this, gives me a look that says I might want to go back into her room and start LISTENING to her.
I did.
I got out another Bible. One that didn't have any pictures of a red-headed cartoon Jesus and contained the ugly portrayals of human nature (but I didn't read any of those parts that night...come to think of it, I still don't).
We talked a bit about Romans 3:23 (a much shorter version of what was discussed yesterday), and how everyone sins and has fallen short of the glory of God.
We chatted a bit about Romans 6:23 and how people who sin are apart from God with no hope of relating to Him since holiness and unholiness can't mix, and how this separation from God was forever.
Very bad news...
BUT...
There was some very GOOD news that took place in Romans 5:8, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The problem of holiness and righteousness for us had been solved (see the last half of Romans 3, so I took a few liberties here with her to make sure she understood it) through Christ. If we were to do a Bible study on this now, I'd want to talk with her about the Old Testament versions of atonement and the New Testament propitiation of sin, but she was six.
Anyway, then the moment of truth came from Romans 10:9, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.
I asked her if she really believed this stuff.
"Dad, (pointing to my Bible) the stuff in that book isn't FICTION." (eye roll at me)
We prayed. It's so simple a child can understand it, and yet so complex that the smartest people on the planet can't get their arms around it.
But the spiritual life has a starting point. A very distinct starting point.
My daughter might not remember the details of it as she gets older (one of the downsides of growing up in a Christian home, if that's really a downside), but I can remind her.
The reality is this, from a quote from Francis Schaeffer:
“The first point we must make is that it is impossible even to begin living the Christian life, or to know anything of true spirituality, before one is a Christian. And the only way to become a Christian is not by trying to live some sort of a Christian life, nor by hoping for some sort of religious experience, but rather by accepting Christ as Savior. No matter how complicated, educated or sophisticated we may be, we must all come the same way, insofar as becoming a Christian is concerned.”—Francis August Schaeffer, in True Spirituality.
It isn't about lining up theologically with the "right" doctrine, or cleaning up your life so God will like you better and then getting on God's team. It's simply no longer calling God a liar and accepting the free gift of life He offers through the finished work of Christ on the cross...
And then some even more staggering things happen to us at this moment, which we'll talk about tomorrow.
But for today, what was your experience in crossing over from death to life? Could you tell someone else about it and how to do that themselves?
Brent 4:13 AM
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Ever felt helpless?
REALLY helpless?
One afternoon my youngest daughter was kind of wheezing a bit. She seemed like she was having an advanced case of the sniffles. Maybe a bit of a chest cold. She was one at the time so I didn't think too terribly much of it.
The day went on.
The wheezing turned into "breathing funny." A little bit of concern.
The "breathing funny" got serious over the next two hours. She was now, more or less, gasping to breathe.
My wife's face got this serious look that I'd be lying if I told you I wanted to ever see again. We were off to the hospital emergency room.
We got there and were filling out the requisite paperwork and then they ushered us back to a curtained makeshift room. Tracy and I handed my youngest daughter to the doctor.
"Fix her, Doc." I was urgent. I was desperate. I can't imagine what my wife was feeling. If he'd looked at me and said, "Okay, but it'll cost you every penny you'll ever make in your life," I would've gladly made that trade and signed on the dotted line in full compliance.
I had a problem I couldn't solve.
I knew where the person was that could fix the problem.
But I was helpless.
He took her away. He fixed the problem. Turns out it was an asthma-type thing that reacts to certain things and is easily solved with the correct meds, or maybe a breathing treatment here and there. She still uses a puffer on occasion.
But I was helpless and desperate.
And that's where we are because of our sin.
Check out Romans 3:23: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We all have sinned. Not one of us escapes, and if we're honest, we'll admit that not only have we sinned by what we have left undone but also by intent...or direct rebellion. We fall short of the glory of God. And, since holiness and unholiness can't mix we have a problem.
Check out Romans 6: 22 & 23(from The Message): "But now that you've found you don't have to listen to sin tell you what to do and have discovered the delight of listening to God tell you, what a surprise! A while, healed, put-together life right now, with more and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God's gift is eternal life, delivered by Jesus, Our Master."
Did you catch that? If you "work hard" for sin over your life, the wages are "death." Eternal separation from God.
Eternal...
Separation...
From God.
That's the price. So, let me see if I have this right:
I'm a sinner by both heritage and my own volition. I'm imperfect. God is perfect. The two cannot mix at all. And because of this I'll be separate from God forever?
Yep. That's correct.
We should be desperate.
We should be urgent.
There's got to be somebody, somewhere who can somehow help us.
And 6:23 tells us that there is. Because God can give us real life through what Jesus brought to us.
There is a way to "fix it."
There is a "doctor" in our emergency room that not only has diagnosed the problem, but understands how to treat it.
In fact, He's already done it. All of it.
And that's the very best news on the planet if you think about it. There's none greater.
Tomorrow, we'll talk a bit more about how to take the medicine, but for today, think about if you've every really felt a "need" for Christ that was urgent and real. Think about how your life would be different if you didn't have the answer to the problem of sin. Really, how would your day-to-day, moment-by-moment life be different?
I'd suggest you'd feel hopeless and desperate and want to get it fixed...but what does that "look" like for you.
Brent 4:54 AM
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
In high school one afternoon, me and some friends were killing time after school. We had just finished working out and saw some of our other friends who asked us to help them clean up some of the track and field equipment. Some of my buddies went to help out with the hurdles while I went to help out with the "field" equipment.
I never ran track nor had I ever participated in any of the "field" events so I was intrigued by the different equipment.
There was a heavy ball attached to a chain called a "hammer." You spun around several times to get momentum and then flung it was far and straight as you could.
There was a flat rubber plate called a discuss. Same thing as the hammer.
There was a spear, called a javelin, you threw for distance.
There was the high jump pit and we had to put up the bar. There was also a long jump pit we helped rake. There was even a pole vault pole we were supposed to put up and we covered up the mats with a tarp.
Of course, we put them up AFTER we goofed off with our friends with them. They, of course, whipped us at each and every event. They were good at it. Practiced a lot at most of them and they laughed as we changed from event to event being more ridiculous than the one before it.
Then, we challenged each other...the track team friends were the "judges" and we had our own little decathalon challenge (minus the pole vault, which the coach said something about us "breaking our necks"). It wasn't so silly once the playing field was level and the competition broke out among us "non-track" guys.
There's just something in each of us that we measure ourselves against others. Maybe we do it in athletic competitions. Maybe we do it in a classroom setting or environment. Maybe we do it at our job. Maybe we do it with our siblings. Maybe we compare ourselves with neighbors. Maybe we even do it spiritually.
Which is what Paul knew when he wrote Romans.
Take a look at the end of chapter 1 from The Message:
"Since they didn't bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. And then all hell broke loose; rampant evil, grabbing and grasping, vicious backstabbing. They made life hell on earth with their envy, wanton killing, bickering, and cheating. Look at them: Mean-spirited, venemous, fork-tongued God bashers, bullies, swaggerers, insufferable windbags! They keep inventing new ways of wrecking lives. They ditch their parents when they get in the way. Stupid. Slimey. Cruel. Cold-blooded. And it's not as if they don't know better. They know perfectly well they're spitting in God's face. And they don't care--worse, they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best!"
Sounds horrible, right?
And if we're honest, the thought in our brains is something along the lines of "Man, that list is awful! I'm so glad I'm not that bad. I mean, I might have little bits of my life that aren't polished, but sheesh, those people are HORRIBLE."
And we've just done what me and my friends did with the track team: We knew we couldn't reach the track team's standards so we simply lowered them to make the competition "fair." We felt better about ourselves when we lowered the standard and compared ourselves to one another.
Paul knew we were going to do that same thing when we heard the list. So, the line of thought continues (remember, there weren't chapter breaks when Paul wrote the letter) in chapter 2:
"Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn't so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you've done. You didn't think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think because He's such a nice God he'd let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness, he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change."
The rock band Chevelle has a song on their self-titled debut CD (the other 2 are good CD's, but the first one is really incredible) called "Point #1" and the theme of the song is that Christ paid for it all, the whole sum, but to magnify pain, is point number one.
And that's what we have to do as followers of Christ. We need to take sin seriously. No longer trifling with it. No longer putting it on a "sliding scale" of comparison against others. But seeing it for what it is: Sin. Missing the mark. Ugliness that is capable of committing the most heinous of actions at any time.
And it separates us from God (see Romans 6:23).
Forever.
It's the worst of all possible news. Which means that there's likely the best of all possible news to come, and more on that tomorrow.
But for today, think through those areas of life in which you trifle with sin. Sweep it under the rug with words like "everybody does it" or "it isn't that big of a thing" or "nobody really gets hurt" and just have some time when you're honest with yourself. And honest with God. He knows it all anyway, has heard it all before, and loves us anyway.
So much so that He provided a way for us to overcome eternal separation from Him...again...more tomorrow on that.
Brent 4:03 AM
Monday, January 24, 2005
I think it would've been so exciting to live during the times of the American Revolution. I don't know if it's because I really do like rabble rousers or whatever, but I love the stories (even if history may have embellished them a bit) about the Boston Tea Party or Paul Revere or John Hancock signing the Declaration of Independence in large letters.
Sure, the colonists would've been pushed around for a while and been tired of having their lives infringed by taxes and soldiers and media bias like we'll never know. And, sure, they'd had enough. So, after a while you come to realize that men like Thomas Jefferson were brilliant, to be sure, but they were voicing what the colonists were already tired of.
Jefferson had ideas.
He wrote them down.
The caused the Revolutionary War. People died, but the cause was worth it in their minds. Words and ideas can change the world.
That's the mindset that the Jewish nation was under in the first century at the time of Christ. They were miserable, waiting for their Messiah, to free them from the oppression of the Roman occupying government. I'd imagine you'd find similar emotions in Iraq today. They were ready to rule themselves in their own land.
So the rabble rousers and outlaws on that hillside listening to the Sermon on the Mount were waiting for some words and ideas along the lines of military overthrow of the ruling government. They wanted the words and ideas of a revolution.
They got them, too.
I've talked plenty about chapter 5. I always will. It's vital to understanding everything that Jesus said and did and continues to do.
But when I talked about Matthew 6 last week, and all the items that make up the spiritual walk included, they fall within the context of everything Jesus said before them.
And, so, waiting on revolutionary words, they were told the needed recruits of the revolution would be meek, poor in spirit, gentle, mourners...all inward traits. You can read those famous words in vv. 3--12.
And these inward traits that should have outward results. You can read vv. 13--16.
And pick up your Bible and finish up reading the chapter and notice the number of times Jesus said, "It is written..."
followed by
"But I say to you..."
And you'll notice that Jesus is talking about how the intent of the Law is much more important than holding the letter of it. This was setting the tone for the outward display of religion being pointless that we read about last week.
So, in effect, there would be a revolution.
Society as they knew it would be changed.
But that revolution would take place in people's hearts and minds, not on the battlefield (although that WILL take place later in history--see Daniel and Revelation for full info).
Words and ideas can change the world.
But you still have to accept the challenge to be a part of it. And inward realities have outward manifestations. That's reality...
So today, be a bit introspective as you mosey through your day/life. Ask yourself what your outward actions tell others about your inward realities. Maybe journal about them. And we'll develop this a little bit more later this week.
Brent 4:20 AM
Sunday, January 23, 2005
In order to get ready for class tonight...
You might want to read Matthew 5. Take note of any common "threads" that you might see in vv. 1--13. Note what the results of these threads should "look like" in verse 14--16.
As you read the rest of the chapter, note the "It is written...but I say to you..." couplets that take up the rest of the chapter. What is Christ saying and why do you think He's saying it this way? How does this lead into what we previously studied in Chapter 6?
Also, take note of Romans 1: 28--2:4. What is Paul talking about in chapter 2 given the list in chapter 1? What would be his logic in doing this? Can this be a starting point for the Christian life?
Then note John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23 and 10: 9 and 10. Can you spot a "thread" among all these that will lead you back to Matthew 5 & 6?
That should get you ready for class tonight...see you at 6:30PM!
Brent 4:18 AM
Saturday, January 22, 2005
At the end of these two weeks of looking at Matthew 6 and some offshoots, and before we dive into our semester study of sanctification (the Christian's spiritual life, but a good SAT word), here's a question from a book I'm reading by Pete Greig:
"Next I invite you to imagine that you are looking beyond the words on this page, into the face of Jesus...He speaks your name...[Him talking to you]
...The question is this:
'Do you love Me?'
That's it. Just four words. Big deal.
And of course you know the answer right away. With a relieved smile, you reply immediately: 'Yes, Lord, You know I do." You've sung it a million times in church, and so, without a second thought, you say, 'yes.' We all say, 'Yes.' Hey--we're people who read Christian books! 'Yes, Lord, of course I love You!'
But the Lord's gaze is unbroken, and He is not mirroring your grin. He seems troubled by your reply. The question is coming again.
'Do you really love Me?'
A second time--does He doubt me? A little offended, you pause before answering, and as you do so, the question begins to penetrate. The intensity of Jesus' eyes is even greater, the dark probing lasers of his question going deeper still. And of course, you know why He doubts your first reply. He of all people sees those sins you've allowed to float to the surface. This is the question God has been want to ask for a while now, and at last you are coming to Him with ears to hear and a vulnerable heart that will not simply dodge the questio without a little thought. It's a real question from a Friend you sometimes hurt and a Lord who knows you deny Him more often than you let on. Hence the pain when He speaks your name. As you reflect on these things--your quick confessions of love, your easy infidelity, and your embarrassment now--you notice Him noddiing very sightly as if reading your mind. And maybe, just maybe, there is the faintest mist of a tear appearing in His eyes.
You whisper your reply.
Perhaps there is a hint of pain and shame in your features now, because something changes in the face before you. You see tears welling up, unmistakeably, but instead of sadness there is now joy. The eyes of your Lord looking at you seem now to have melted into such kind puddles of utter affection that you feel loved as deeply as you realize you are known. Of course, you understand by now that the question must come a third time, but you never expected there to be such surprising vulnerability in the One who asks:
'Do you even like me?'
And this time your anser to the question comes from the depth of your being..."
So...answer the question today. Honestly and succinctly.
After that, we can do business about the spiritual walk with Christ.
Brent 3:58 AM
Friday, January 21, 2005
One of my favorite movies of all time is "Rocky." It's the story of a down and out boxer (Rocky Balboa) who has the chance to fight the heavyweight champion of the world (Apollo Creed). He gets his old trainer (Mickey) to help him prepare.
Mickey is very inspirational to Rocky in that he shows him film of Apollo Creed. He shows him how fast he is. How powerful he is. How quick he is. Mickey calls Apollo a "machine." He's the best fighter in the world. I know. I know. That isn't very inspirational.
But then Mickey starts talking about what it's going to take to beat Apollo Creed in the ring. His eyes light up. He talks about the reality: To get ready for a 45 minute fight, he's got to train 45,000 minutes. He's going to have to live, eat, sleep and breathe this fight...it's going to take discipline.
And Rocky Balboa had it, too.
He got up at 4 AM.
He ate a steady diet of raw eggs for protein.
He ran every morning for three hours.
He skipped rope.
He hit the heavy bag.
He did countless sit ups.
He hit the speed bag.
He sparred against other boxers who resembled the champ.
The down and out fighter gave the champ the fight of his life. It went the entire 15 rounds.
And Rocky lost. It was a split decision, though.
And it wouldn't have been possible without the 45,000 minutes of training.
But what did Rocky get? A few minutes of fame. Some accolades in the sports page. A pay day. A big one for him, too. But all that was gone by the time the first sequel came along...by that time, after he purchased a home and a car, he was back at the meat packing plant earning an honest living.
And when we listen to the words of the Sermon on the Mount, it all sounds so good, doesn't it? "You aren't being salt and light the way Israel's supposed to be...it's supposed to be about the INTENT of The Law, not the LETTER of it. In fact, the way to become one of those people who can be salt and light is to be a person who gives to the needy. A person of prayer. A person who fasts. A person who invests in Kingdom interests. A person who doesn't worry because they know God is in heaven and taking care of His own people..."
How can you argue with that? It's like a politician who promises more money for education and lower taxes...who doesn't want that?
Well, what separates the person who hears the words and has a desire to be someone who walks with God against the person who actually walks with God authentically?
I'd suggest the word "discipline."
That word almost has a negative connotation in our minds. Structure. Order. Rigidity. Denial. Things like that come to mind.
But let's look at how Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 9: 24--27...
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run but only one recieves a prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore, I run in such a way, as not without aim. I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified."
Paul talks about an athlete training for the Isthmian Games (the precursor to the Olympics) and how they exercise self-control in all things. They want to win a trophy, so they do without socializing and certain foods and other desires so they'll have the very best chance to win. A trophy that won't last very long.
And what we're disciplining ourselves for is eternal in nature.
He talks about his specific training, so his time isn't wasted.
And he wants his lifestyle to match up with his preaching.
And that should be our attitude. We should be willing to exercise self-control in all things for the Kingdom.
It won't be easy, and I'll close by asking what will that "exercise of self-control" look like in regard to the lessons we've already learned from Matthew 6?
Brent 4:01 AM
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Yesterday, I threw out a pretty big "IF" in the study of Matthew 6 we've been going through:
"IF" you seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, then "all these things will be added unto you."
That's a very big "IF."
Seeking first His Kingdom? That means, when making any decision that is causing you to feel some anxiety...you throw out there, "What will give God and His Kingdom the most glory?"
Seeking first His Righteousness? That means, when making any decision that is causing you to feel some anxiety...you throw out there, "What will please God the most and give Him the most glory?
And, to be honest, I think that was the motivation behind all the "What Would Jesus Do?" stuff. That little youth group in Indiana wanted to focus on that in their decision making. The only problem with that way of thinking is that most teenagers were a little fuzzy in the "gray areas" about What, exactly, Jesus Would Do.
For example, God's will is pretty clear on some things. Lying. Gossip. Drunkenness. Pre-marital and extra-marital sexual relationships. Witchcraft. Idolatry. Carousing. Inventing evil. There's plenty of lists in which we don't have to worry what will give God the most glory and what will be of most benefit to the Kingdom. In fact, those lists that appear in Romans and Corinthians and Galatians and other places are pretty thorough...and if we take sin seriously, well, there's plenty of times we KNOW What Jesus Would Do.
The problem is not with the black and white...again...it's the gray that gives us trouble. Things like, what college to go to (or not to go to) or what girl to date (or not date) or what sport to drop (or take up) or what clothes to wear (or not to wear) or what movies/music to see/listen to (or avoid), etc. I could go on.
At that point you really have to be a student of Him. Get to know Him at intimate levels.
Ecclesiastes 5 fills us in: (From The Message)
"Watch your step when you enter God's house. Enter to learn. That's far better than mindlessly offering a sacrifice. Doing more harm than good.
Don't shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think.
Don't be too quick to tell God what you think He wants to hear.
God's in charge, not you--the less you speak, the better.
Over work makes for restless sleep.
Over-talk shows you up as a fool.
When you tell God you'll do something, do it--now.
God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it.
Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up.
Don'tlet your mouth make a total sinner of you.
When called to account, you won't get by with 'Sorry, I didn't mean it.'
Why risk provoking God to angry retaliation?
But against all illusion and fantasy and empty talk
There's always this rock foundation: Fear God!"
Notice that the first thing is that it's assumed you'll be "going to the Temple." I mean, you're told to watch your step when you're going. The modern day way to get to apply this is to make sure you're involved in a good church (on a very consistent basis) that teaches straight from Scripture.
Sure, you go there and learn about God. And another bonus is that there are usually, in any congregation, there are opportunities to learn from other people. Usually, they're in large group and small group settings where you can read the Word, ask questions of people who are in all walks of their spiritual life. This is another good way to get to know God.
There's another thing. You've got to understand that the Bible is more than just a book, or even a collection of wisdom letters. It's the very breath of God. It's able to do amazing things in our lives...and no other piece of literature can claim to do that. And the ultimate outcome should be love, for our God and other people. It's not a list of do's and dont's or even a guide to decision making.
It's a book that wants you to get to know the author.
But, like verse 2 says, "Listen." You have to go to the Temple, and when you get there, observe God. Find out what makes Him tick. Don't talk so much. Don't spout off all the stuff you've learned. But "listen."
And, at the end of the section this morning: Fear God.
Understand that there is emptiness outside of understanding the God is God and we're not Him. It's the foundation of everything. Psalm 1 is a good comparative chapter.
So, to seek God first in the gray areas, you need to be developing your relationship with God by being in the Word. Approach it to learn not necessarily facts, but the way you might approach a diary to learn what kind of person the writer is. Kind of like the way you know your parents...how they don't have to necessarily speak to all the decisions you have to make. You just know them well enough to know how they'd want you to respond. It's kinda the same way with God.
A good congregation can help, and you should take advantage of every opportunity that you can to get to know Him and how He thinks. To see the world through God's glasses. Maybe that's a sermon or special class. Sometimes it's CD's. Sometimes it's internet teachings. Sometimes it's small groups. But you need to be around God's people to sharpen others and be sharpened by others.
So, in the gray areas of decision making, there's no magic formula to get an answer. But in order to know WWJD, you have to know Him. Have that relationship with Him...
...and, if we're honest, that's the key...
...so...
...how's your relationship with your Father at the moment? What steps can you take to "deepen" it today?
Brent 4:17 AM
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
The biggest decisions I had to make in my late teens involved two things: What college to go to and what to do when I got there. High school, to me, was always pretty much a stepping-stone as education was highly valued in my family. It was simply assumed that I would go to a university...I mean, I had 7 cousins before me all go to the same one.
My dad went to the rival college. When I was a kid he was always taking me to the college sports of that college. We went to football games and baseball games and basketball games that were on-campus. Sure, the teams won some and lost some, but some of my fondest memories as a child were with my dad at the games.
When my choice for going to college came along, I was walking with Christ and knew that I should be praying about where God wanted me to go...but I didn't really. Deep down, I knew I really wanted to go to Auburn. I had some other options to go and play baseball at some other schools, but nothing I seriously considered. As my grandmother said, "You went to Auburn because there's just something in the dirt down there that draws you to it. You went there because you loved it." She was a little miffed I didn't go to the other school.
But it was hardly a spiritual decision. At least on the surface.
Next I had to choose a major. I chose engineering, despite the fact I finished in the bottom 3% on the country on the math portion of the ACT college test. Everybody said you could make good money. Who doesn't want to make good money?
People that can't do math. So, naturally, I changed majors to...
...accounting.
The family had a tax business so I thought I'd give it a whirl. No dice.
Psychology. Philosophy. English. World Religions. They all got their shot as my majors for one reason or another. My mom became numb to the almost bi-annual changes and said, "Son, just graduate in something." It was her only defense.
During my junior year I realized I wanted to be a youth pastor...and that seminary seemed to be the next logical step. That I had been praying about. So, to choose my major and "graduate in something" I walked into the senior advisor, threw my transcript folder on her desk and asked her to design a plan to get me to "graduate in something" over the next 9 months. She did.
Next, I had to choose a seminary.
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions. How do you make them and keep God primary?
Matthew 6: 31--34 gives us some clues:
"Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we clothe ourselves with?' For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
The verses start with a simple statement: "Do not." Sounds easy enough when you have a decision to make or something to worry about, right? Just don't worry about it. Make a choice. Don't worry. Easier said than done, eh? Yep.
So, how can we do that? Just make that choice not to worry? Remember the example from yesterday's lesson that God takes care of the big picture stuff like food, clothing and drink. See v. 31.
He does so in ways that are abundant because He loves us...and since His impeccable track record reminds us, we can rest easy that our concerns are paramount to God. Even moreso to Him. See v. 32.
Anyway, I think the key is in v. 33: If our minds are on Kingdom business, and our walk with God is genuine...we'll get these things taken care of. We don't have to worry at all.
Fut that's a HUGE "IF," isn't it?
IF we're seeing the world through God's eyes and from the filter of His word...
and
IF we're walking with Him authentically...
You'll understand that you don't have to sweat the details. They're already taken care of.
In fact, tomorrow, I'll talk a little more about seeking first His kingdom and righteousness and how that works hand-in-hand with your own desires.
But for today, ask yourself IF you're viewing the world through the eyes of His eternal kingdom, and if you're walking with Him authentically (and maybe even a bit about what that might "look like"). And if you are, does it help your anxieties? If you're not, does that reality actually show a lack of trust in Him (and maybe even a bit of what it might "look like" if you try to fix that)?
Brent 4:39 AM
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
One of my favorite movies of all-time is entitled "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." The main storyline is Ferris, a high school student, wakes up to a beautiful day and simply can't stand the thought of being in school on such a magnificent morning. He dupes his parents, sister and school administrators so he can go on adventures. Among them were:
Sitting by the pool hanging out.
Going to a Cubs baseball game.
Going to a museum.
Eating lunch in a fancy restaurant.
Going to the Sears Tower observation deck.
And finally, leading the city of Chicago in a rousing rendition of "Twist and Shout" on a parade float.
Ferris was a care-free kinda guy.
This is in stark contrast to his best friend, Cameron. Cameron was continually worried about all sorts of things. When Ferris called him to join the escapade, it took him a few minutes to decide. He worried about his health (he felt the flu coming on so he was staying home anyway). He worried about whether or not their principal would catch them. He was highly concerned (and, rightfully so) about Ferris taking out his dad's Porsche. Even after going on all the adventures with Ferris, at the end of the day, he moped that he ditched school and didn't "get to see anything good today." (Which prompted Ferris to hop the parade float)
Anyway, I don't want to take the analogy too far, but I think a lot of followers of Christ have this innate ability to be like Cameron with regard to how they live their lives. They worry about where they're going to get money for stuff. They worry about their homework & grades. They worry about what their parents think. They worry about their relationships with friends. They worry about what college they're going to (or not going to). You name it. There are very few "Ferris Bueller" types out there...at least in my experience.
Should there be?
Well..let's look at Matthew 6: 25--30.
"For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, an dyet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single moment to his life's span? And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow. They do not toil nor do they spin. Yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not do so much more for you, O men of little faith?"
Remember that this is smack in the middle of Jesus' manifesto...and telling Israel that they were doing a lousy job of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Apparently, worrying was one of those things that caused them to do a lousy job of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
They worried about food.
They worried about clothing.
And Jesus told them this was unnecessary by observing some things about nature.
God even gave the birds food, even though they didn't work like people work.
God gave flowers beautiful clothing, even though they just stuck in the ground and sat there.
Oh, another thing: Worrying doesn't help. See verse 27 again.
So, what's the big deal about worrying? I mean, so what if somebody wants to worry? All it'll do will maybe give them a stomach ulcer or forehead wrinkles, right?
Well, it isn't so much about the "results" of the worrying as it is the "reason" for the worrying. Jesus points out in the last verse we read:
A lack of faith.
See, it makes sense that Cameron wouldn't have faith in Ferris. I mean, Ferris had an observable track record in both academia as well as his relationships. Cameron knew that it was possible that the whole plan could fall apart in a second. Cameron's decade-long worrying about his realtionship with his father also caused him to push his father's Porsche down a cliff.
But we're to have faith in God to provide for us. His track record is impeccable. We can see it by how he takes care of birds and adorns flowers and that we're much more important to Him than either of those. But it goes beyond that, too. In my suburban lifestyle, we don't miss meals. We have plenty of clothes. In fact, our danger is that we have too much of those things. But we don't have to worry about those things. In fact, we really don't have to worry about anything. We simply have to trust God that His plan is best for us and figure out what that plan is (which we'll discuss more tomorrow).
But for today, make a list of the short-term things you're worrying about. Maybe it's a big test. Maybe it's a schedule change. Maybe it's about getting a job. Maybe it's about your parents getting a divorce. Maybe it's about how you're going to get transportation. Maybe it's about your relationship (or lack thereof) with your boyfriend/girlfriend.
Then tell God that you trust Him.
And then give Him the list. Trust Him to show you enough of the unknown path. And stop worrying about it.
Brent 4:39 AM
Monday, January 17, 2005
When I was in high school, I had two jobs that seemed to pay well (despite the reality that minimum wage was $3.35 per hour). I'm not sure if that good pay was actually because of the salary or because my first job required a 6AM start time and I was too tired to spend what I made and offered overtime after 40 hours per week (which we easily hit in the summer). The second job was at a movie theatre that had a video game arcade, so I was able to make lots of money (they opened early and closed late on the weekends) and I got free movies/popcorn/games for me and my girlfriend, so I pocketed my money and spent time there.
But it was expendable income. Marketers still use the term to try to grab teen dollars.
You know. Teenagers don't have to spend their money (generally speaking, of course) on rent and utilities and such. They have a bit more freedom to spend on X-box games or CD's or car stereos or "date-type" expenses or fast food or trendy clothes or whatever else a teenager would spend their money on. Sure, they save here and there for trips they want to go on or even put some away for college or proms or whatever, too. But there is a teen market.
But the stakes get raised as you get older. There's an adult market, too.
Buy a nicer house and get into the better school district. Buy a nicer car now that you got that promotion. Make sure to get the latest and greatest of television upgrades/cell phone/computer gadget now that there's a little breathing room in the budget. Make sure your kids have the lessons/clothes/gadgets. It's the same principle, and the adult market is just a more expensive version of the teen market.
It isn't that those things aren't nice to have. I'm a firm believer in the Biblical principle of enjoying the fruits of your labor because God does the providing. That's not at all what I'm saying.
I'm saying that the "marketing" in each case creates a desire for the "Bigger and Better Stuff." And the desire for bigger and better stuff, or financial security (whatever that is, like that even exists), takes our focus off God and puts it in temporary, worldly things.
We start to make decisions on jobs based on the reality it'll provide more money even though it requires more overnight travel. We choose a college because it'll give us the best shot at getting a good job instead of helping us learn. We try to make good grades in 9th grade because if we don't finish in the top 20% of our class we won't get into a good college and we won't be able to get good jobs that require overnight travel so we can have enough money to get bigger and better stuff.
And we lose sight of God in the process. We have a comfortable life without God...which I'd suggest brings a mental discomfort that might not be worth the money. In fact, author Douglas Coupland (who I'm not sure of his religious convictions or lack thereof) had a quote in his book "Poloroids from the Dead" that has stuck with me:
"A collapsed view of heaven is the price you pay for your comfort."
He was speaking of money, and I think it echoes Matthew 6: 19--24:
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where theives break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where theives do not break in and steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The lamp of the body is the eye, if therefore your eye is clear your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness, how great is the darkness!" No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."
It's interesting that the eye is the lamp of the body. The marketers know what they're doing when it comes to appealing to you buy getting you to take a good long look. When you see something, it can really cause you to want something...and it won't be soon before you're devising a plan to obtain it. It could be something as simple as trying to buy a car stereo. It could be something as complicated as choosing a business school to get to Donald Trump status.
But Donald Trump's stuff will eventually get bulldozed by the next guy. Or whither because of old age. Or maybe stolen. Even if he dies a rich man it simply goes to whoever he leaves it to. It's all stuff. No matter how shiny and all, it's still just stuff. Or places to keep his stuff. But it all involves "just stuff."
And it should scare the pants off us that we're supposed to make eternal investments. It should scare us spitless that Jesus said these eternal investments are an indication of what's really in our hearts.
Think about that for a second.
The things we spend our money on are a way to measure the state of our heart towards God.
Wow.
So, I'd challenge you for a week to keep up with every penny you spend. Just save the receipts starting today. Then take some time at the end of the week...say Sunday...and ask yourself the question: What does where I put my treasure say about myself?"
Sometimes you'll be pleased with the answer to that question. Sometimes it'll startle you. But Christ, in His manifesto, pointed out that you have to make the choice to pursue money or God, but you can't serve both. You're going to be a slave to something no matter what...
..and the perspective you have will influence an awful lot of your life choices.
And life contentment.
Which may be much more valuable than a big pot of gold. Think about it.
Where does where I put my treasure say about my spiritual life?
Brent 6:20 AM
Friday, January 14, 2005
...Peripatetics is taking the weekend off. We'll resume Monday with a continuation of Matthew 6.
Brent 2:46 PM
I've had very limited experience with fasting. You know, giving up something of significance in order to focus on God? Usually, it's giving up food for a day or lunch for a week, or the radio in your car...things that, whenever you had the urge to do those things, it would trigger your thoughts toward God.
There was a time in high school when I first tried it at the request of my Bible study leader. The thing was we all showed up for Bible study one night and he taught on it, and then we all agreed to fast two days later. I'm not sure I got the full benefit of the fast, largely in part because I couldn't think of some big decision or some deep dark sin I was supposed to get God's help on. I was very young in my faith at the time.
I tried it again later in college...again, I'm not sure what I was after.
I even tried teaching on it in my first year of teaching Bible studies to my guys. Hey, it was in Matthew and we were studying Matthew, so we were going to do it. I don't think I did a very good job of teaching on the subject because my guys kept calling me from the pay phone at their school asking questions like, "I'm starting to get a little lightheaded. Are crackers cheating?" The task seemed like and end to them, not a means, since they went to Subway at 4:30PM after school in order to wait the half an hour to break the fast since they were "starving."
Then...
...I had mouths to feed. I had a wife. I had two children. We were young in youth ministry and that "poverty" thing that seemed like a really cool trend (my wife and I were both from suburban upbringings) appeared to be a lifestyle. Paychecks were being missed. The ministry was growing by leaps and bounds, but the "business" end of it was struggling very much. Hours were increased. Searches for other jobs were coming up empty. After 6.5 years of ministry, I was losing jobs to young guys right out of seminary with no experience. I decided to seek God's will by a concentrated focus on what He would have for me.
I chose to fast my lunches every day until I felt a firm leading from God on whether or not I should stay put or should I attend seminary. Seminary felt like such a sell-out, too. Leave this great ministry to a bunch of kids to go and study for a couple of years? But, hey, if you're gonna starve, may as well be because you're a student and students are supposed to starve, right?
And I took it seriously, too (Matthew 6: 16--18, from The Message):
"When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; He'll reward you well."
So, I practiced the appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God. It went on for close to two weeks...no lunches. I won't go into all the details, but I did make it a very private affair. And, at the end, I was convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that I needed to go back to school, and even convinced about which particular school, too.
The plan looked very strange to everyone else around us, too. "Why would you walk away from a ministry that so many teens are growing in Christ? Why would you leave now after just getting a promotion to Executive Director? Why would you leave an organization that has such a penchant for developing incredible leaders for the Kingdom, starting with Billy Graham and moving forward? Why would you go to the most expensive of all the seminaries when you could do that work closer to home, and for lots cheaper?
But I was convinced.
We sold a home and moved 6 weeks after we made the decision. It was evident that God's hand was in it from selling a home only 6 hours on the market in a neighborhood where homes had been on the market for months to His provision for a company to move us to getting a job in youth ministry after only 4 weeks in the Dallas area the helped pay for seminary. It was the right move, in retrospect.
I fasted again about leaving the great student ministry we started at that church we got the job in 4 weeks after moving here. It had grown, it was exciting. Teens were growing, and the fruit from that ministry has proven long-lasting and very Kingdom-driven...which I could see at the time the Lord working in so many hearts and minds. So, why would we leave?
I wound up here at Crossroads. I was so sure it was where God wanted us after my fasting that I resigned my other job before I had anything firm, and on paper, from CBC. It was a very peaceful move, and I've been very content here.
So, I profess that I'm not much of an expert on fasting. I'm not even sure that to undertake that disicpline is something I should do daily, monthly, weekly, yearly or whatever. I mean, I really only employ it at those times when I need to make some large decision.
I'm not sure I can teach on it effectively.
What I will say is that it's clear from Scripture we're supposed to do it.
And we're supposed to make no production out of it when we do it.
But it has a place in the life of the believer. What place will it take in your life?
Brent 4:40 AM
Thursday, January 13, 2005
My spiritual beginnings were very different than my current state.
Now, my church is light and airy and roomy. We have four services to accomodate the crowds. We have the latest in technological advances. We have a praise band and upbeat songs. We have land on which to expand our facility should we need to do so. We have great programs from the nursery all the way to our senior citizens.
Then, my church was dark. It was small. It was cramped. We only had one service. There were permanent pews with kneelers. We had a pump organ in which volunteers played very old hymns each week. The only technological advances were lights...and they were dimmed most of the time. We were landlocked but it didn't really matter as the church was dying anyway. The only program was the service itself and some nursery helpers who volunteered each week.
Now, the service is designed around the teaching of the Word. Sure, there are a few announcements and almost half the service time is the worship and praise time. No hymnals. No prayer book. Communion is out of plastic cups with grape juice and crackers, distributed with precision by a team of people.
Then, the service never changed from week to week. Or year to year. There was an order of things, and each week the songs were chosen by some yearly arrangement published by the denomination, as were the Scripture readings...which was just that: readings. Communion was serious business, with classes to attend and there were gold and silver chalices and wine and bread and candles. There were times when we were supposed to "respond" to readings from the prayer book (a service manual of sorts).
I can do that still to this day. I attended services with my mom from the time I was old enough to be taken out of the house until I was 13. I know the service in my brain right now. I know what to say, when to say it, when to kneel, when to get up, when to bow...the whole works.
And that was my spiritual life. Prayers included. I can still recite the prayers at the proper time with the right inflections and breaks. One of them went like this (from Matthew 6: 9--14):
"Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen."
In fact, that prayer was a common occurrence in my youth. The sports teams I was on always prayed that before games. I said it every night with my parents before I went to bed. I prayed it myself.
It was the only prayer I knew.
It was the only way I knew.
I'm guessing that I never read one of the previous verses, verse 7 right before it.
You know, the one about meaningless repetition.
That's what that prayer really was for me. Sure, it gave me comfort to do it. Sure, it was what I truly thought I was supposed to do. But I missed the point.
It's supposed to be a MODEL of prayer...NOT our prayer.
So, we can make some observations about the content of our prayer from this model. Among them are: We should take the time in our prayer to adore God...to praise Him because He is so worthy and we are so unworthy; We should pray for the time when God will set His creation back in order in His Kingdom; We should pray for His will to be done in the prayer (ugh...to be honest, most of the time, I want Him to answer my prayers the way I want them answered); We should pray for our needs, and the needs of others within the framwork of His will; We should ask for forgiveness, and the reality is that we should forgive others; and We should pray for an awareness of His presence with us (I always wonder why we somehow pray for God to be with us when we know He's already with us all the time).
And we should pray.
In fact, we should pray without ceasing (interesting, right?).
But we shouldn't take this as a prayer at all, but rather a model of how to pray. And if you take these principles and apply them to your honest conversation with God, I'm sure that you'll find your prayer life enhanced and your relationship with Him grow.
But, like so much of the spiritual walk with Christ, there's no real formula. Just speak from your heart. Talk to and with God. Listen to Him through Scripture...but there's really no formula. And I think we'd grow at a faster rate than if there were a formula.
At least that way my experience.
But, pray. Without ceasing.
Brent 4:38 AM
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
It's another very funny movie scene (see yesterday's entry). This time from the movie "Meet the Parents" starring Robert DiNiro and Ben Stiller. As the title suggests, a young man (Greg) is in love with a girl and he is going to visit her home in order to meet her parents. In this case, he intends to ask the father for his blessing as he wants to marry his daughter.
Early on, after a very rough and awkward first impression in which the jokes don't go over and it's obvious the two don't get along, the family is having dinner together. The father asks Greg to say a prayer.
The daughter tries to save him the embarassment by telling her father that Greg is Jewish, to which he responds that Jewish people pray...Greg jumps in and volunteers to say grace over the meal.
He was trying to impress the family.
He folded his hands in a classic prayer position, then changed them nervously.
He used plenty of big words...even thanking God for the smorgasborg set before them.
The used dated references of God, like "Thee" and "Thou."
He repeated phrases.
He quoted hymns.
He opened his eyes and looked around to see how it was going.
It was a disaster. Funny...but a disaster nonetheless within the context of the movie.
Chevy Chase did the same thing praying during a eulogy for a great-aunt's death (who, of all things, they were leaving her on the back porch of her son because he wasn't at home) in the original "Vacation." He even said something about "Lo, back in the time when you were with us in the land of the Canaanites." His wife chided him to be serious to which he replied that he was doing his best and he wasn't an ordained minister.
But it's interesting in both cases how the prayers were affected because they weren't actually toward God. They were both prayers designed for those standing around listening...and that's the next thing Jesus, in His manifesto, was going to call the Israelites to reform.
In Matthew 6:5-8, we read, "And when you pray, you are not to be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your father who is in secret, and your father who sees in secret will repay you. And when you are praying do not use meaningless repitition, as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore, do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him."
First, notice that the word "when" is used when referring to prayer. It doesn't say "if" you pray. Prayer is expected to be a part of the spiritual life.
Second, notice that we are given a contrast between the hypocrites (play actors with false faces) and the true person of prayer. The hypocrite will use prayer primarily in public forums, and the bigger the forum, the better. His prayer didn't just take place in the church, but also out in the street corner. Those prayers offered for the hearing of people around them...well, their reward is that people heard their prayer and have a good opinion of them. That's it.
The contrast comes when Jesus tells us to do so in very private settings...in this case, an inner room with the door closed. Just talking to God...simply the two of you.
We also aren't to use meaningless repitition, either. The volume of the words has nothing to do with it. So, we're to speak from our hearts, giving the words meaning and value. Not simply talk using phrases and stuff we've heard from others.
There's much to say about prayer, so this will take a few days...
But for today, ask yourself, how are we like Greg or Chevy with regard to our prayer lives? Are we people of prayer? What can we learn about saying what's on our hearts to God?
Prayer doesn't have to be a forced attempt at showing others we have a relationship with God. It's supposed to be a natural outflow of our relationship with God, which reiterates 6:1, that "inside out" view of the spiritual life.
Brent 4:28 AM
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
My friends in the band "Lost and Found" have a song that I really enjoy, entitled "The Kingdom." Here are the words:
© 2001, LOST AND FOUND AND LIMB RECORDS, BOX 305 LEWISTON, NY, 14092. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
(Chorus)
THE KINGDOM'S BIG ENOUGH FOR YOU
YOU WERE MADE TO BE HERE TOO
THE KINGDOM'S BIG ENOUGH FOR YOU
WHERE YOU ARE
AS YOU ARE
So many people pushed away
Ones that are loved told they can't stay
The question is what would Jesus say?
(Repeat Chorus)
God's own people close the door
The loud and the angry take the floor
We know what you fear
But what are you for?
Furthermore . . .
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
I think, in many ways, that's what was going on in the early first century with regard to the daily spiritual life of the Jewish followers of God. There were a group of "have's" and "have-not's." The "have's" were generally wealthy, and well-educated, and often used their position to societal advantage.
The "have-nots" were pushed away.
The "have-nots" were told they couldn't stay.
The question, in the manifesto that is the Sermon on the Mount, is what would Jesus say?
We catch a glimpse of this in Matthew 6: 2-4, which follows a general statement Jesus made in 6:1 to walk with God in such a way that your inner realities show an outward change...and not to practice your righteousness before men.
"When, therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you."
Apparently, the loud had taken the floor.
Apparently, they had closed the door.
I can't imagine Jesus was making up a scenario to illustrate a point here. I firmly believe that those in power in religious circles were organizing parades and trumpet fanfares to make sure that everyone would see them give alms.
So, you plan to give a few bucks to the needy to help them out, so you organize a band and parade through the streets to make sure that everyone can see you do it. And, who wouldn't applaud that parade, at least inwardly? At least they were GIVING to the needy, right? At least they were trying to make a difference, right? At least, the bottom line is the poor get help, right? And, man oh man, look at how MUCH that guy's giving! Wow!
Jesus called these people "hypocrites." The Message translates it "play-actors." They would act compassionate while someone was watching, but it was really all about them and what they were doing. They'll get applause and acclaim...but that's pretty much all they get.
Jesus talked about how giving should be done: In secret. Behind the scenes, so much so that one hand wouldn't even know that what the other one was up to, and they're generally within 6 feet of each other! Just helping people because you love God...and because He loves people (especially the underdogs), you love people. So, because you've been blessed, you can bless others.
So, today, ask yourself how you can give to others because of your love for God. It may be a tsunami cause or one of a bajillion other needs around the globe who need financial help. It might be that you decide to sit with the guy at lunch who nobody sits with, not out of pity but because of love for people. It might be going on a mission trip at great expense to you to help build homes, or build a church, or present the Gospel...even though there are some other ways you could be spending your time and money this summer. Whatever.
And ask yourself if you have a plan for giving that is based in grace, and is consistent. Not giving because your have to, but because you love people that God loves. Sometimes it's giving to your church. Sometimes secretly to someone else in need. It's a part of the spiritual life that sometimes can get neglected...especially by young people.
The Kingdom is big enough for you.
And it's big enough for others.
And we should do what we can financially and with our time and other resources to help ensure that the others who were made to be here, too, where they are, as they are, aren't pushed away. Told they can't stay.
Not to make ourselves look good.
Brent 4:16 AM
Monday, January 10, 2005
It's a really funny scene in a Monty Python movie. I've referenced it many times before. They are doing a comedy bit about a bunch of people who are at the back of the Sermon on the Mount, and they can't hear what Jesus is saying. By the time the words like, "Blessed are the peacemakers" get whispered back through the crowd to the folks at the back it's been translated, "Blessed are the cheesemakers."
What makes the scene funny is that they begin to question each other about theology, like, "I wonder what's so special about a cheesemaker?" The intellectuals are saying things like, "It isn't just ONE cheesemaker. Jesus is referring to all workers in the dairy industry."
The reason the scene resonates with movie watchers all over the world is because Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is familiar to almost everyone in the world. It is often studied by people who aren't religious at all because of it's beauty and idealism.
Unfortunately, that idea of beauty and idealism is likely very far from what was really going on up on that mountain when that sermon was delivered. If you've ever done any reading on the nature of 1st century Judaism...
...okay. You probably haven't done any reading on the nature of 1st century Judaism, but suffice to say that the listeners of that sermon were likely outlaws and revolutionaries with their eyes open for the Messiah, who would help them overthrow the occupying Roman government and establish His kingdom. Of which, this bunch of ruffians could hope for, on the basis of having been a part of the movement from the beginning, an abundant life in the Kingdom.
It wasn't at all uncommon for people to go up in those hills and try to start revolutionary movements (read the writings of N.T. Wright for very detailed descriptions of these). They were there that day to hear Jesus' plan to overthrow the government and what they had to do to help out.
And then Jesus blessed all the wrong people.
The meek.
The persecuted.
The gentle.
The hungry and thirsty for righteousness.
and among other things, the peacemakers.
Then His manifesto actually gets more offensive. In 13-16, he not only blesses the "wrong" people, but he tells the listeners that they're supposed to be salt and light to the world.
And they were doing it oh so very poorly.
They were hidden. They were a light under a peck-measure basket.
The rest of chapter 5 is Jesus reiterating The Law, and the problem is that they were holding the letter of The Law, and completely missing the "intent" of the Laws. He finished by saying they were even supposed to love the tax-collectors.
What a lousy manifesto, right? His big chance to give the political speech of His 30-year life to date, and he offends his audience. Told them that the Kingdom may be coming, but not at all like you think it's supposed to be. In fact, there won't be revolution today. Nope. Just love those who work for that government. The only revolution that's to happen today is then one in your own heart and mind.
And who among us hasn't felt that way? That we've tried so hard to do things for God. To do things that will help out in some small way. That we've tried to do all those things that will make us spiritual and walk with God and it isn't "working" for me. That we really would like a revolution in our own heart and mind.
We would like to walk with God in all honesty and integrity and...
...well...
...reality.
Then, in 6:1, Jesus gives us a clue as to what that's going to look like in His Kingdom:
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise, you have no reward with your father who is in heaven."
An important step is to avoid practicing our righteousness before men to be noticed by them. Hmmmm. I wonder why this is so important. I wonder how much of my day is spent concerning appearing righteous before others instead of simply "being" righteous in the eyes of God.
So think about that as you go about your day today. How much of what we do is for the audience of the world around us instead of the Unseen Audience of One?
Brent 8:45 AM
Sunday, January 09, 2005
In order to get ready for Sunday School tonight, read over Matthew, chapter 6 today and ask a few questions like,
Matthew 6: 1, "what does this tell us about God?"
Matthew 6: 2-4, "what is the 'reward?'"
Matthew 6: 5-15, "what practical hints are found here on the nature of prayer?"
Matthew 6: 16-18, "how could fasting really help my life?"
Matthew 6:19-24, "how does God view money, and how are my attitudes the same? how are they different?"
Matthew 6: 25-34, "how are we supposed to view our day-to-day lives?"
You might also want to review all of the Sermon on the Mount, which would be chapters 5 and 7 also, simply to give you some context for what we'll be talking about in chapter 6.
See you in class tonight!
Brent 4:24 AM
Saturday, January 08, 2005
It's a truly funny scene.
In the movie "Meet the Parents," Ben Stiller's character is asked to say grace over a meal. He's not a spiritual person, but in an effort to establish a better relationship with his future in-laws, he agrees to pray. What follows is a rambling prayer, all over the map of religious phrases...complete with quoting a traditional well-known hymn. We laugh because it's true in our lives. We know we're supposed to pray, so we do, and it can be awkward.
It's another truly funny scene.
In the movie "Vacation," Chevy Chase's character is told to say a prayer over the death of his wife's aunt, who they (of all things) are leaving on the back porch of his wife's brother. His prayer goes all over the map, too. He actually uses the phrases like "beseech Thee" and "land of the Canaanites" before winding up singing a Gregorian chant of some type before his wife gets on to him. When she does, her tells her to give him a break because he isn't an ordained minister.
It can be awkward.
Yet, In John 15: 4--5, we come across a word that we came across earlier this week: Abide. To live there.
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing."
Imagine that.
Apart from Christ we can do...
...nothing. Not even breathe.
In fact, going backwards through the verses, we see a contrast. That, if we're apart from Christ we can do nothing. However, if we abide in Him, we bear "much fruit." So, the way I see it, we're either bearing much fruit, or doing nothing. There isn't much wiggle room there.
And we also learn that we can't create the fruit ourselves. The tree has it's own thing going inside of it that most people never see the process. They just see that in due time, the tree has fruit hanging on it. There has to be a process at work within us that we don't do in order for the fruit to show.
And the key to that is abiding in Christ. We've already learned that we're to abide in the Word...and now we're supposed to live with Christ.
That can be difficult to do in 2005, right? I mean, Christ isn't here physically on earth at this moment...and He's seated at the right hand of the Father. So, how do we live there?
It's prayer.
And it can be awkward.
But it doesn't have to be...
All you need to know for today is that we are supposed to abide in Christ. And that we do that in 2005 through the vehicle of prayer. Talking to God and listening to God are going to be the vehicle through which the vine bears much fruit.
And we'll begin talking about that tomorrow.
Brent 8:40 AM
Friday, January 07, 2005
Sometimes I get very discouraged by walking around in a Christian bookstore. Not necessarily because of the nature of retail establishments...I have no problem with a shop owner making a profit, especially since these particular places carry a lot of books and music that I enjoy and can't always purchase at just any bookstore.
I also don't care much if they have to charge a bit more for pencils and wristbands and t-shirts that have "Jesus" stuff written on it if it keeps them in business. I mean, grocery store owners do the same thing marking up some items knowing you'll come in to get more. I mean, it is a business, not a church.
What I mean is I get discouraged more by the titles of books that are "best sellers." I won't list any here because, generally, the authors are trying to help out, but any book that has a number in the title or hints that there are "steps" to follow to be a disciple...
...well...
...let's just say they're off the track a bit. At least from the ones I've seen.
As I've stated the case in my earlier postings on this topic, the only way to grow spiritually is to change the way you think. The goal is not to conform to this world, but to transform by "THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND." (emphasis mine)
So, as I see it, in order to grow spiritually we have to go from thinking like we think in the flesh to thinking like God thinks. The obvious questions would be "how" and "why" do we do this?
Grab a Bible and turn to John 8. Read verses 31 & 32.
"Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you abide in my word then truly you are disciples of mine.' and 'You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'"
First of all, notice who Jesus was talking to: Those who had believed in Him. It's very possible to be a believer and not be a disciple. There's something that separates the two...so what is it?
We find it in the "if...then" statement that follows. If we abide...
...live there, not just keep our stuff there...
...in His word, then we're truly disciples.
So, we have to live in the words of Jesus. And, in 2005, the only way I know to live in Jesus words (since we can't sit at His feet and here the sermons anymore) is to read the Bible. It says that it's the very breath of God. It says that it's profitable for helping us mature. It tells us it's able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. It tells us that the goal of itself is love...both for God and for each other.
It's a special book...and while Shakespeare or whoever is your favorite brilliant author may move you emotionally, their works never make the claim to give you your own personal life revolution. Nope. The Bible makes some pretty outrageous claims, alright, and changing your life by showing you "truth" is one of those claims.
So, somehow, someway, you're going to have to find ways to live in the Word. And, frankly, it's easier now than ever before. With CD's, different translations that make it easier to read, on-line stuff, well-learned teachers in almost every city and church, and even reading on your own, all you have to do is read a passage of the Bible and ask yourself, "What does it say about God, and what does it say about/to me?" If you think about those things, you'll find yourself living in truth in no time...and, in reality, there are plenty of ways to get truth these days.
The other question was "why" bother? Well, verse 32 has the answer. Truth sets you free. And who, if given a choice, doesn't want to be free instead of being held captive? And, if truth sets us free, the opposite of truth (lies) holds us captive. Everybody is going to be one or the other...and if you hold to any lies of the world (the opposite of the truth of God) then that lie will keep you from living the truly abundant life no matter how "good" that lie may seem.
So, for today, try to think of ways to get more in God's Word so that you can "live" there instead of merely "keeping your stuff there." Because no one wants to be held prisoner by anything, right?
Brent 5:03 AM
Thursday, January 06, 2005
I remember my three "bosses" from my high school part-time jobs.
First off was Bill, who was my boss at the golf course. I was on the crew that worked on the course, making sure the grass was mowed, sand traps raked, tees marked, trash emptied, holes replaced and flags in the right place. One time our golf course was going to have a professional event that was going to be on television and my boss was having a rough summer with the greens. It was his decision to paint the greens so they'd look good for TV. He also had us rip poison oak off some trees without giving us gloves. He made us weed eat around the creeks without boots or anything and we were in constant fear (real or imagined) of snakes. Bill also cussed at us if we goofed up (which was often) and had us work for club members on company time.
It was hard to take orders from Bill. So, I told my mom I wanted to quit. She said I could as soon as I lined up another job.
Enter Mary. She managed the movie theatre I worked at for the rest of my high school years. At least for a couple of months. Mary wrote pornography for magazines to make extra money in her spare time(no kidding). She didn't care much for company policy, which was both good and bad. Good in that we could pretty much let all our friends in free and give them free sodas and popcorn, bad in that people wouldn't show up when they were scheduled and wouldn't call so Mary would guilt me into staying. We really didn't respect Mary, which made it hard to take orders, so it wasn't long before she was fired. Two months she was there, I think.
Then came Jeff. He was a college student and a good guy but he was also a pushover for the home office. The reason they hired him was to "clean up" all the bad habits that Mary caused. The reason we didn't like him was that he was one of "us" and then got promoted, and now he was having to be our boss with all the real policies in place. He was hard nosed about it...and I guess we understood, but we didn't like him much, or respect him much after the promotion. He was there the last year and 3/4ths I worked.
I mean, we all have those authority figures that we don't like too terribly much. Maybe it's a parent who constantly says things that amount to "do as I say, not as I do" moments. Maybe it's a school teacher who is too lenient. Maybe it's a coach that's too rigid and structured. Maybe it's a boss that has no clue. Maybe it's a politician that is crooked. Maybe it's a member of the clergy who doesn't live out what they preach. I could go on and on with examples of authority figures we don't like.
I wonder why that is. My suspicion is that we like to be the boss of ourselves. There's something within us that naturally resists anyone telling us what to do. We like to be self-made. We like to do our own thing. We don't like to be judged, so we like to do what we want to do when we want to do it.
There's a problem with that.
It's foolish. Really foolish.
Check out Proverbs 1: 7.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
Fools despise wisdom and instruction."
First of all, you need to understand that "fear" of the Lord here doesn't mean that you should fear Him the way you might fear a ruthless authority. Not at all. The word really means to "revere" or to give proper respect to. Now, if we saw God I'm sure it would involve shaking and other signs of real fear...but the idea here is to understand that God is God and we are not Him.
God has the right to be our sovereign because He is precisely Who He says He is.
And if you grasp this, you are at the very beginning of learning. It's the foundation of everything else. Because, if this premise is off, all our findings will be off (more on that later when we discuss John 8:31 later this week).
So understanding that God is God is the first step. That's wise.
However, there's a consequence if we don't. If we do try to live our own lives, be our own boss, do things our way, well...
...the Bible calls us fools.
Note that fools despise two things:
First, wisdom. They despise it. They look down on it with contempt. They regard it as worthless.
They also despise instruction. They don't want to change.
In other words, the mark of a fool is somebody who tries to live the way they want to live, making their own rules...and then doesn't want to learn, grow and change.
I've used the quote before: "The greatest lie I have ever contended with is this: That life is a story about me." Donald Miller said that. And if we live that lie, we're fools.
I guess the problem I have is that we all have areas of our lives we want to make the rules for. So, thinking through today, why not find one of those and give it over to Him?
That's the very first step in transforming your mind...thinking like God thinks...is to realize He is God and I am not...and He is, indeed, my "boss."
Brent 4:04 AM
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
I heard in a speech once that America comes around to admiring, and rewarding, those who "burn bridges of convention and safety and light up the sky in the process." That people look to those who many would refer to as "rabble-rousers." Think about it for a second.
Who do you really admire? Why do you admire them?
Some of the people I admire were some of my teachers and coaches.
Some of them were athletes.
Some were musicians and/or rock stars...maybe other celebrities.
Some were pastors or other "professional" Christians.
Some were figures from history.
But what was so special about the ones that I liked? I mean, everybody has a teacher they really liked more than others. Lots of people have a favorite athlete. Most really admire musical talent. There's lots of pastors to like. Everybody has those historical figures they liked better than others.
Mine were Coach Giangrosso and Mrs. Swindle.
I really admired Willie Mays Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson (they're old major league baseball players who made the Hall of Fame)
I loved The Ramones and Kurt Cobain.
Duffy Chase and Mickey Park were highly influential in my spiritual growth.
I was always drawn to Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and Martin Luther King, Jr.
And after I heard the speech, it dawned on me that all those people went against the grain in some way. They did things we were all used to seeing, but they did them in a unique way.
My baseball coach was huge into sacrificing yourself for the good of the team...and in the 1980's, nobody was doing it that way. Mrs. Swindle was my senior English teacher who was able to make a dork like me see the importance of reading and writing...which was definitely against the grain growing up in Alabama.
Those baseball players all did things "wrong." Their batting stances weren't "by the book" nor was how they fielded. But they took the game to new levels...ones that people criticized at the time but now try to imitate.
The Ramones were influential in changing music...as was Kurt Cobain. And at the time they were both highly criticized.
Duffy and Mickey were both teaching me about grace as a lifestyle which was unlike anything I'd ever heard before.
And I don't think I have to mention about my history choices.
But my point is that people do indeed admire those who go against the grain. Those that go against the status quo are admired.
And there's a right way to go against the grain, too. If you read Romans 12: 2, it says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
If you fail to conform to the world, then you are transforming by thinking like God thinks. In other words, the "world" and "God" are mutually exclusive...you are either thinking like one or the other.
And if you think like God you "prove" what the will of God is. Think about that for a second. How you think will change the way you act...and others will see it.
And others will see life as it was meant to be lived. The things that are good. The things that are acceptable. The things which lead to maturity. You'll be "proof."
Sounds a lot like "salt & light," right? Yeah...Jesus said that.
People will see your life...and wonder how you got so different. You'll be someone who "burns bridges of convention and safety and light up the sky in the process." You'll be one of those that others refer to as a "rabble-rouser."
And you will be "proof" and salt and light...
and God will be glorified. And others will be drawn to Him. All because of how you think. Hmmmmm.
Brent 4:02 AM
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