Money and a Mountain April 20, 2016

⁴⁹ Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
I Corinthians 15:49 ESV

What does a quarter, a mountain, and a dollar bill all have in common?  Each of these items host the image of George Washington, America's first president.
  


Good ol' George.  Wooden toothed George.  Father of our Country George.  At least for my generation and those preceeding mine, facts/fables about George were part of our public school education.  Lived at Mt. Vernon: fact.  Chopped down a cherry tree: fable.  Planned a daring Christmas eve attack on the British: fact.  Threw a silver dollar across the Delaware River: fable. 

Regardless of whether or not all we were taught about George was historical fact or popular myth, one thing remained constant, his image.  Take a look at the images above.  Same powered wig.  Same slopped nose.  One look and there is no doubt it is a representation of George Washington.

Paul reminds us that our lives should have the image of Jesus Christ.  Just as one glance at the dollar bill reminds the view of George Washington, one glance at our lives should remind us of Jesus Christ.  Our conversation, our actions, our demeanor should all carry the image of our Lord and Savior.

Will it be a perfect representation?  No.  I am sure that George's appearance varied from the relief of the quarter and the sculpture of Mt.Rushmore, but the image is close enough those who view recall the Father of our Country. 

Our goal each day should be to more clearly "bear the image of the man of heaven."

Different How, Same Result April 15, 2016

²⁰ So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.
Joshua 6:20 ESV 

²¹ And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had captured the city, and that the smoke of the city went up, then they turned back and struck down the men of Ai. ²² And the others came out from the city against them, so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side. And Israel struck them down, until there was left none that survived or escaped.
Joshua 8:21 ESV

In chapters 6 and 8 of Joshua, we see the nation of Israel face the same problem- a fortified city.  Before gun powder and siege machinery, a city with strong enough walls and ample supplies could withstand a siege for months, even years.  As the nation of Israel moved into the Promise Land, they encountered several well-defended cities.  A prolonged siege at each of these cities was not possible for the fledgling nation.  But they were not fighting these battles alone.  El Shaddai was with the Hebrews.

Two cities.  Two approaches.  Two victories. 

At Jericho God instructs Joshua to use an unconventional method of warfare.  In fact to historians, a seemingly impossible plan of attack.  March around the city for several days.  On the last day, march around multiple times, they blow horns and shout.  To the world, this would seem to be a laughable plan to defeat a highly fortified city.  March and yell?  But as with all thing in life, obedience to God led to victory.  Walls tumbled.  Victory achieved.

Fast forward to the second attack on the city of Ai.  Here God instructs Joshua in a much more conventional method of warfare.  Deceit.  Ambush.  Pincher movement.  Chaos.  Victory.

It is interesting how God choose to achieve the same end with two very different approaches.  Why?  Dunno know.  Could He have directed another march and shout campain at Ai?  Sure.  But He chose not to.  

When we come up against fortified cities in our lives, it is important we look back at previous victories, but not assume God will expect the same response each time.  God will provide victory, but the path to that victory may look much different in 2016 than in 2015.  A January victory may be achieved with Plan A while Plan B may be required in May.

How God chooses to work is not our concern as much as being obedient to whatever He calls us to do.  If Joshua had chosen to march and shout at Ai, I imagine the walls would have reminded standing.  By the same token a campain of deceit and ambush at Jericho would have resulted in an Israelite defeat.

Obedience to God's leading is the only sure pathway to victory.  March and shout or ambush and pincher.  The how is unimportant.  Our obedience will lead to His victory.

Leadership 101 April 14, 2016

One of the many amazing aspects of the Bible is how it contains not just spiritual insight and guidance, but principles for the day-in day-out life on this planet.  We find one of these instances in the sixth through eighth chapters of Joshua.

In the sixth and eight chapters of Joshua, Israel is victorious against opposing people groups, Jericho and Ai, respectively.  However things don't go so well in chapter 7.  In chapter 7 we learn that Achan has disobeyed a directive from God and as a result He removes his hand of protection from the Hebrews as they attack Ai.  This results in a rout of the Israelites.

The scripture is very clear about why the nation of Israel was defeated on their first attack of Ai- the sin of Achan.  I do not dare dispute the inspired word of God, but within the stories of Jericho and Ai, I found a leadership principle that was ignored by Joshua.

In the account of the attack on Jericho, the author wrote, "Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord." (Joshua 6:12)  He accompanies the fighting men and priests in the attack on Jericho.  Later in chapter 8, "So Joshua and all the fighting men arose to go up to Ai."  (Joshua 8:3)  Once again, Joshua is marching with the soldiers.  These two accounts differ greatly from the unsuccessful first attack on Ai.  

Joshua 7:4, "So about three thousand men went up there from the people."  No where is there a mention of Joshua accompanying this contingent of soldiers.  At Jericho, Joshua was there.  For the successful attack on Ai, Joshua is in the field.  However, Joshua would seem to be resting on his laurels and hanging in his tent in chapter 7.

As a leader it is tempting to close the door and catch up on paperwork.  There are phone calls to return.  Emails to answer.  Reports to write.  But leadership happens on the floor of the plant, the classrooms, the hallways.  As I am watching the Golden State Warriors make NBA history this season, I am reminded of this princple each game.  Whether it is Steve Kerr or the opposing coach, the coaches are sitting on the bench with the players.  They are gathering in the sweaty huddles.  They are not sitting in a VIP box calling in plays on their iPhones.  

Leadership is about being present.  Leadership is walking beside.  Leadership is joining, not telling. 

Who's Your Advisor? April 11, 2016

Yesterday's small group lesson was from Joshua 7 and 8.  In the sixth chapter of Joshua, the Jewish people defeated the city of Jericho thanks to God's divine intervention.  Now they were up against a much lesser foe, the people of the city of Ai.  Several spies came back and told Joshua, "Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.”

Based on the advice of this group of spies, Joshua sent a small contingent of about 3000 men to attack the city of Ai. Scripture records the Israelites were soundly defeated and sent running back to their camp having lost the lives of 36 men.  The rest of chapter 7 recounts the story of Achan, his sin, and punishment.  It was the sin of Achan that had caused God to remove his protective hand from the Jews which led to their defeat at Ai.

When I was studying for the week's lesson about Ai and Achan, one thing struck me.  That was Joshua's failed leadership.  Joshua relied on the advice of the spies he had sent out.  He made the decision to attack with a small force.  I  understand he had trusted his spies to bring back information and in this case that information was interpreted incorrectly by the spies.  Where Joshua failed the people is in his apparent lack of going to God for insight and wisdom.

Prior to attacking Jericho, Joshua receives confirmation from God.  Joshua 6:2, "And the Lord said to Joshua. . ."  Before attacking Ai a second, this time successful, time, "And the Lord said to Joshua. . ."  Joshua 8:1  These two verses contrast sharply with Joshua 7 where the spies report and Joshua sends out a small army. No where is there "and the Lord spoke" prior to the failed first attack on Ai.

Joshua relied on the advice of men.  Good men.  Godly men.  But men nonetheless.  I wonder if the rout and lost lives could have been avoided if Joshua had spent time on his knees consulting with God before moving forward with an attack on Ai.  

   

Set April 6, 2016

 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 ESV

Too often the obedience part of my Christian walk in service activities end when I begin the activity.  My "set mind" is more set on getting to the activity rather than focusing on Christ during the activity.

Each week I spend Sunday evenings as a volunteer at at homeless gathering place.  We serve a light snack, engage in conversation, and provide a safe, comfortable space for our homeless friends for a part of the evening.  But today's verse helped me realize that my focus during the time there is engaging in conversation, serving coffee, and listening, but not sharing the Gospel message.  I have slipped into a mindset of physical obedience (showing up) and neglected the continual obedience (sharing the Gospel message).  

The thinking of many of the volunteers is that if we show up and are kind and loving, people will naturally be drawn to Christ.  The Holy Spirit will lead the homeless to engage us in those spiritual conversations that will open the door to sharing the Roman Road.  After several years working with the homeless and seeing many of the same faces, I can attest to the falseness of this mind set.

For me I have set my mind just on getting there.  I don't enter each evening praying for the courage and opportunity to share the Gospel message.  "Hey, God, at least I am showing up.  Shouldn't that be enough?"  It's certainly the necessary first step, but should not be last step.

My mind should be set on the Spirit throughout each evening.  Conversations should be turned to things of the Spirit.  Probing questions asked.  Prayers prayed.  Follow up conversations had over multiple weeks.  

Silence = Agreement? April 2, 2016

Last night I watched a documentary, "Cartel Land".  This documentary focused on two separate citizen's groups who were taking up arms to combat the drug cartels.  One group was deep in Mexico while the other was a group of Americans operating on the Arizona border.

In one of the opening scenes shot deep in Mexico, the viewer witnesses several men cooking up a large batch of methamphetamine.  Through a face mask, he tells the cameraman, "We know what harm we do with all the drugs.  But what are we going to do?  We come from poverty.  . . . But if we start paying attention to our hearts, then we'll get screwed over.  We will do this as long as God allow it.  And every day we make more, because it is not going to end, right?"

As a principal of an elementary school, I often have to enforce the rules of the building.  No running in the halls.  Yelling in the cafeteria?  Let's not do it.  Can't allow you to hit each other.  If the teachers and I did not enforce rules and redirect students in their behavior, we would be giving tacit approval to those behaviors.  If I watch a child kick a classmate and do not intervene, then that child assumes it is okay to kick another.  If cheating on tests is not addressed, then the message is that it is okay to copy someone else's work.

I wonder how often this logic is used each day by people who know but don't care about the negative consequences of their actions?  An adulterous affair that is undetected.   A porn web site visited in the dark hours of the night.  The venomous gossip spewed to a friend.  "Well if God wanted me not to do this, He could stop me.  I will continue as long as He allows."

What a frightening thought process, but in a warped way a logical one.  God can do all things  God sees all things.  God allows this.  Therefore, it is His fault since He chooses not to drop the hammer.

This thought process can take root only if we view God through a human lens.  We are reminded in Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts that your thoughts."

It impossible to understand all of God's plan.  All of the reasons He does/does not allow/cause events to happen on earth are beyond the scope of our understanding.  Our belief in God is predicated on faith.  Our salvation is based on faith.  So must our acceptance of the good and evil in our world be based on faith.  Faith that He is in control.  And faith that the sin will be dealt with in His perfect timing.  "All things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose", and silence does not give consent.