A Sign of Maturity July 28, 2016

¹² Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
Philippians 3:12-15 ESV 

When I googled Christian maturity I came across many different descriptors.  These ranged from freedom from deception to the ability to speak the truth in love to maintaining a "childlike sense of wonder and awe".  But none of the lists I read mentioned what Paul addresses in today's verses--a realization that we are indeed not "there" yet in regard to perfection in Christ.  

Paul freely admitted his imperfection in Christ.  He recognized that after all he had been through, all the time spent in study, the countless hours of prayers and meditation had not completed his Christian growth.  But rather than allowing that fact to discourage him, Paul used that knowledge to spur him on.  It became a catalyst for him to "strain forward" and "press on toward the goal".   

Each of us will make mistakes today.  We will commit the same sin we have fought for years.  That spiteful word will slip out of our mouth.  Our thought life will be impure.  Perhaps that bottle will come out of its hiding place this evening.  These stumbles can either discourage us or be the fire that lights anew in us the desire to grow closer to God and renew our relationship with him.

One of the greatest football coaches of all time, Vince Lombardi, must have had today's verse in mind when he said, "Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence.”

Let excellence be our goal today, not perfection.

 

Minutiae Wisdom July 25, 2016

The Beginning of Knowledge

1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

² To know wisdom and instruction,
    to understand words of insight,
³ to receive instruction in wise dealing,
    in righteousness, justice, and equity;
⁴ to give prudence to the simple,
    knowledge and discretion to the youth—
⁵ Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
    and the one who understands obtain guidance,
⁶ to understand a proverb and a saying,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

Proverbs 1:1-6 (ESV) 

Saturday I received a text from our small group leader at church that an emergency had come up and he needed me to teach the lesson on Sunday.  Even though I had not looked at the lesson during the week, I agreed to teach the next day.  As is usually the case, I learned as much or more than the people in the class.

As a consequence of preparing for a lesson on Proverbs, I have completely readjusted my ideas concerning wisdom.  Previous to this lesson, I had prayed for wisdom on occasion, but these times were connected with specific events in my live.  The purchase of a house, an incident at work, investment decisions.  My wisdom prayers would focus on an event or decision that was encased in a specific time frame or a specific object.  

My personal revelation was that wisdom is a lifestyle.  It is a quality/trait/habit/mindset/blessing that permeates all we do each day.  How we interact with people.  What we do with our time.  How we spend our money.  Each day wisdom is called for dozens of times.

To pray for wisdom when a major decision arises, while not foolish, is perhaps a bit presumptive. I cannot imagine an Olympic athlete expecting to run his/her best race if the only training they did happened one week prior to the race.  Our desire and prayers for wisdom should be daily.  Whether we are buying a house or merely visiting with friends, God's wants to give us the wisdom so that all we do each day will glorify His name and allow us to reflect His love and goodness to those in our sphere.

Six Letters July 22, 2016

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:15-16 ESV

This verse is a pivotal point in the life of Simon Peter.  After uttering these few words, Jesus lays some pretty serious blessings on Peter.   

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 
Matthew 16:17-19 ESV

Often times it is Peter's revelation and/or the blessing that follows which receive attention from the pulpit or Sunday School teacher.  However all that would have been worthless without the promise of the one six-letter adjective:  "living".

Throughout history, people have worshiped gods and goddesses which have proven to be false.  Jupiter, Hera, Tlaloc, Yu-huang, and Odin at one time in various cultures were thought to hold the prosperity or destruction in their hands.  Anger one of these deities and pay the price!  But now they are all relegated to popular mythology and ancient stories.

But Yahweh is a living God.  The one true God.  He was with His followers through the cruelties of Nero.  He was with Christians who languished in the Russian gulags.  He was just as knowledgeable about the money changers in the temple as He is with the Dow Jones and NASDAQ.  He gets the internet.  He even understands trickle down economics! 

He is a living God.  His principles and precepts are as relevant today as when they were handed down on tablets from a mountain top.  The ancient set of Beatitudes are perhaps even more important today than when preached 2000 years ago.  God understands today's hurts, habits, and hang-ups. 

We serve a living God.  The Alpha and Omega.  There is nothing that He does not know, has not allowed, and cannot control.  When life seems too big, too fast, and too loud, seek out the living God.  He is just as close today as when Peter made his revelation in Caesarea Philippi.

Siren Call July 20, 2016

¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10 ESV 

Alcohol does not appeal to me.  Drugs do not tempt me.  Adultery is not an option.  However, noise is a battle for me.

I am not talking about a rock band living next door or a train track running through the backyard.  It is NPR, ESPN, Google Music.  The 24/7 access to news, audio books, and music.  This morning is a prime example.  Before I spent any time alone with God, I had watched a few minutes of ESPN's Sports Center, an argument on MSNBC's "Morning Joe", then read 3-4 on-line articles on Yahoo News.  Were any of these programs or stories "sinful"?  No, inane maybe, but not inherently evil.  So what's the problem?

For me they created both a literal and figurative problem.

Too often this summer these short morning forays into the world's noise have taken the morning time that should have been devoted to prayer and Bible study.  The top ten sports plays superseded my a.m. quiet time.  MSNBC trumped a blog post.  While I am an early riser, I still only have a limited amount of time before work beckons.  Choosing the cacophony of media over quiet time with God happens all too often.

For me a God first morning is also a mindset.  Matthew wrote, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33 ESV)  I don't believe that Matthew was referring to first in a sequential time sense, but an attitude and preeminence in our lives. However, I have found that "first" also means before anything else in my day.  First before game highlights, late breaking news, or highlights from around the world.  A "minute" in front of the t.v. too often becomes "I don't have time for prayer" before work.

Noise is my weakness.  Distraction my nemesis.  Ear plugs need to be added to my Armor of God.

Knowledge Elicits Praise July 18, 2016

⁷ I will praise You with a sincere heart
when I learn Your righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:7 (HCSB) 

The Expos.  The Bengals.  The Knicks.  (Up until the last couple of years, the Cubs would have made this list.)  Dismal sports teams.  Ugly w-l records.  Little hope for any change.  But attend any of these teams' home games and you will find dyed-hair, face-painted, season-ticket holding super fans.  Those individuals who year, after disappointing year, get suited up to suffer through another losing season.  They take abuse, shake their heads at management's trades, and cling to the mantra, "There is always next year."

It is harmless and endearing to see these stalwart individuals support teams which may never rise above mediocrity and to watch the local news interviews with them recounting how their fathers had taken them to the games all those years ago.  But there are times in life when we should not support and hold to a particular mind set or allegiance without evidence of strength and success.  

Many of the Psalms focused on praise and thanksgiving.  David wrote of singing, dancing, and celebration.  His words of praise were reserved for his Heavenly Father.  But these accolades were not done as a matter of sentimentality or because of a habitual ritual.  No, David reserved his praise for a God who had proven Himself time and again.

Throughout his life, God guided, protected, and supported David.  From the battle with Goliath to the caves of Adullam, God proved Himself steadfast.  Our praise for God will never be misplaced.  Don't be afraid to examine Him closely.  Recall to mind all He has done.  Learn about Him.  Then when  we praise Him it can be with a much more sincere heart.

Obedience Leads to Wisdom July 16, 2016

⁹ So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil.
1 Kings 3:9 HCSB 

Solomon is known for his wisdom.  Perhaps the most famous story which illustrates his wisdom is of his offering to cut an infant in half to appease two quarreling mothers who both claim the child.  The woman who offers to give up the baby rather than have him cut in half is ultimately deemed to be the real mother and given custody of the child.  

According to 1 Kings, Solomon's wisdom was a gift from God.  When asked by God in a dream what he wanted, Solomon did not ask for "did not ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies", but instead requested an "obedient heart".  Most translations record Solomon's request was for an "understanding" or "discerning" heart.  The Holman Christian Standard Bible is the only translation I found that used the adjective "obedient".  

As I pondered the use of "obedient" it dawned on me that with out obedience, all else is doomed to fail.  If Solomon has just requested understanding or discernment without obedience, then his wisdom would have been wasted.  How often does God grant us discernment in a particular situation, but we still select to disobey?  Just because we know what is the right thing to do, does not always mean we will choose the right thing.

Take a look back at Adam and Eve. They both had a wise and discerning heart.  Lack of knowledge of the Tree of Good and Evil was not the issue.  It was an obedience issue.  Yes, we should pray for godly wisdom and insight, but that must be accompanied with an "obedient heart".
 

9 Days of Silence July 15, 2016

It has been nine days since my last post.  Nine days of dodging the keyboard.  Nine days of hitting the snooze button once too often.  Nine days of watching Sports Center before bed.  Nine days of disobedience.

No, I have not been out carousing.  My mornings have not been derailed with mind-numbing headaches from too much drink the previous evening.  Nights have not been spent looking up porn on the internet.  I had just gotten lazy.  I remember the first two mornings of my blog hiatus.  I felt uneasy about not firing up the p.c., reading scripture, and putting my thoughts out there on the Interweb.  Within 3-4 days time alone with God had become just a pesky thought lurking in the corner of my mind, but not something I really missed.

Not coincidentally I found my days at work less productive.  Little things began to become irritants.  "Self" became more and more important.  Joy was fleeting and a feeling of malaise started to creep in.  There is no doubt that in my life time with God and contentment in life have a positive relationship.

Did I want to fire up the computer this morning and get back into my routine?  I am happy to be able to respond to that in the affirmative.  Why?  I am ashamed to admit it was not necessarily because of an outpouring for my Heavenly Father, but because I work up feeling like gum on the bottom of the world's shoe.  My return was to find that peace that follows time with Him.

Maybe my motivation wasn't pure, but I am here.  I am reading, reflecting, and writing.  I have no doubt that my time with Abba with rekindle my love for Him.  He has not gone anywhere.  It was I who left.  What a comfort to know He is right where I left Him.

Illogical Logic July 6, 2016

On July 4 my entry was an indictment of sorts of our lack of Christian value assertion and the fact that we have no one to blame for the current state in America except ourselves.  As I pondered that entry more, I began to wonder if perhaps we were destined to fail as a country regardless of the strength, or lack thereof, of God's children.

Many people believe that before Christ will return again, certain world events must take place.  While I don't even pretend to be able to argue the right or wrong of these prognosticators, one common theme is that the American nation will become so weak and passive that other nations will rise to power and assert their will.  If this is the case, then perhaps we are like Judas in that it is through our weakness Christ will reveal His glory.

If the fall of America as we know it is a precursor to Christ's second coming, they perhaps we are thwarting God's plan by strengthening our nation.

Thoughts?

His People July 4, 2016

Yesterday on Christian radio, a preacher referenced 2 Chronicles 2:14, "¹⁴ if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  He brought attention to two words, "my people".  Not if Hollywood would change.  No blame on Washington, D.C.  Not greedy Wall Street financiers.  But God's people.  His children.

It is easy to expect others to change.  Let's blame the corporate "they" for our country's woes and decline.  But scripture puts the responsibility of our country's future clearly in the hands of Christians.  If we humble ourselves.  If we will pray.  If we will seek God's face.  If we will turn from our wicked ways.

Let's face it Christians.  The decline of America as a world leader, certainly as a Christian nation is not the blame of presidents, senators, actors, liberals, or CEOs.  It is our lack of willingness to sacrifice our time, money, and reputations to sell out for Jesus.  We continue to spend our entertainment dollars on movies that espouse a nonChristian worldview.  Sundays look no different for us than Saturdays with the exception of two hours at church.  While we may not repeat that joke or piece of gossip at work, we are afraid of being ostracized if we take a direct stand.

Christians have no person or institution to blame for where we are as a country.  God's people have let America down.

Oh yeah, Happy Fourth of July.

It Ain't About Me July 3, 2016

⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6 ESV 

This verse is one of the first adult-selected, self-selected memory verses for me.  If you know me, you know I worry.  I agonize.  I awfulize.  This sin in my life causes me to lose sleep.  Make poor decisions.  Eat poorly.  It is generally a very unhealthy life choice.  But this morning, I was struck with the realization that my person sin, has a negative affect on those around me.

When I worry I don't sleep well.  When I don't sleep well I get irritable to those around me.  When I don't sleep well I make poor decisions which can negatively affect others.  When I don't sleep I get careless at work which leads to mistakes.

When I worry I can't focus.  When I don't focus I don't finish projects.  When I don't focus I miss deadline (or have to rush to meet them).  When I don't focus, time with God becomes disjointed and infrequent.

God has revealed to me that what I used used to view as a personal, internal sin of worry, is much more.  It affects those in my family as well as those at work.  There are no "personal" sins.  Each time we disobey our Heavenly father, there is fallout that has a negative affect on those around us unless we are quick to confess and correct.

The Saul in Me July 1, 2016

²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. ²⁴ For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
James 1:23,24 ESV 

One of my recent post focused on Israel's first king, Saul.  One aspect of his life that stood out was Saul's willingness to allow man's opinion to trump God's command.  Those around him were more important to him than God.  Having read, reread, and written about this destructive behavior pattern in his life, one would think I would be on guard against such a damaging mindset.  Not so.  I am James' guy in the mirror.

Yesterday I had to visit the DMV to renew a license on a vehicle.  Since the holiday weekend was coming up, several of the offices were closed the next day, so I had to make it to one of the locations before closing time.  I rolled into the parking lot of a local DMV at 4:59, one minute before closing time, rushed to the door, and made it through the door with another last-minute patron.  When I entered the door, the lady behind the counter fifteen feet away announced, "Sir, we close at five."

I checked my cell phone and saw the time was just then five o'clock so I responded, "Okay."

"I won't be able to serve you since you came in after we closed at 5:00."   

"It is just now five o'clock."

"Sir, we had the door locked.  We were closed."

"How could I have gotten if the door was locked?"

Back and forth for perhaps 30 seconds.  The other people in line were witness to this frustrated exchange.  When I realized that I was not going to get the plates renewed, I headed for the door, fuming.  As the door was closing behind me, I heard a sarcastic, "Have a nice day" from the DMV counter.  Unfortunately the door was still open which allowed me to stick my head back inside the door and say, "That remark was unnecessary" to the DMV employee.  (Keep in mind, this is at a distance of fifteen feet of more which allowed all others in the room to be privy to my immature retort.)

Within seconds, I realized how foolish and embarrassing my actions were.  The arguing and last-minute retort were not appropriate for an adult, Christian or not.  I had acted like a child that did not get their way.  "Waaaaaa!"

My worry was that perhaps someone already in line knew me either personally or professionally.  What would they think?  What if it was a parent of a child at my school were in line and recognized me?  Maybe another principal.  Would they talk to others about my actions?  I might have tarnished my reputation. 

When I recounted the episode later that evening to a friend at church and about my subsequent worries of the possible reputation fallout, he remarked, "Or what if they knew you were a Christian."  Uh-oh!

During all my time of worry after the event, I had focused on me, my, and mine.  Not once had I considered the possible damage I may have done to God's reputation.  His name might have been tarnished by my actions, but I had only considered man's opinion toward me.  How Saulian of me.

Even after all the time spent reading and writing about Saul, I had fallen victim to the same mind set of elevating man over God.  I wonder how much different my actions would be if I were to make God's opinion of my thoughts, words, and actions more important than the opinions of family members, friends, coworkers, and strangers.  "Will this please God" as opposed to "I wonder what __________ will think about _________."  

/The Bible is our instruction manual for life.  It contains what we need to navigate through our days on this planet.  Both explicit and implicit lessons are contained within.  However, its benefits are not recognized unless we put its words into action. 

June 14 blog entry