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PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!

I still remember the look on my son’s face the first time he rode a roller coaster.  It was a mix of fear, joy and panic rolled into one. When the ride ended I turned to see if he was OK only to watch him race back to the line so he could get ready to do it all over again.  He was hooked and now there’s not a coaster he won’t embrace.   A few years ago we hit Disney World as a family and got to experience a whole other level of excitement.  Talk about fear and fun wrapped into one.  We zigged, zagged, looped and dove savoring every ride we took.  It never seemed to grow old.  Every day there was a new ride that would drop our throats into our stomachs and cause us to scream like little school girls.  For two weeks we lined up again and again to experience the gauntlet of emotions that came with it all.

 I think if Jesus were walking the earth today He would use a roller coaster ride to describe what it’s like to live in relationship with Him.  But since there were no theme parks two thousand years ago, Jesus had to find another way to explain why He came to earth.  Here’s what He said, “I have come so that you may have life to the fullest.” (John 10:10).  Jesus wants you to know that if you want to live life on full then you better be ready to experience some ups and downs and twists and turns.

 Think about it.  No one spends money to ride something that goes slow and straight.  Instead, we pay money for rides that surface every emotion known to man.  We want to be scared, exhilarated, happy and sick all at the same time.  We want to experience a plethora of emotions, so long as we know we’ll be safe.  We trust the ride because we trust the operators.  It’s the same with Jesus.  No matter what life dishes out, you can trust Him.  He’s the operator and His job is to make sure you stay in the ride.

 Over the years my kids have evolved in their roller coaster abilities.  At the beginning all they did was scream, close their eyes and hang on for dear life.  Now it’s different.  They no longer use their perfectly good arms and hands to hang on.  They have chosen to trust the safety measures built into the ride which allows them to embrace the way a roller coaster was meant to be ridden, with hands in the air.

 That is what God intended for you and me when it comes to this roller coaster ride called life.  He knows that along the way you are going to be scared, sick and upset.  He’s not surprised when you feel trapped, out of control and screaming for the ride to stop.  He knew all along that you would have moments where you would be moving at warp speed, hanging upside down in complete darkness.  That’s life.  He also knows that along the way you will experience some sweet moments of deep joy.  He promises that there will be exhilarating and amazing times where you wish the ride would never end.  That’s what the promise of a full life looks like from God’s view.  It’s a life that’s unpredictable, always changing but definitely never boring.  It’s a life where God positions Himself as your safety bar so that you can enjoy this ride called life the way God intended; with your eyes wide open and your hands in the air.

Religion or Relationship

I grew up experiencing God in two ways, religiously and later relationally.  Religious God had a lot of rules, rules for what I should wear, how I should talk, who I should associate with and even who I should vote for.  Religious God likes to begin most of His sentences with “Thou shall not…”   He’s quite content to point out your short-comings and all though He says He loves you, you’re never quite sure if He means it. 

 The second experience was with relational God.  I discovered that He can be known personally, that He wants to communicate with you, lead you and help you discover His purposes for your life.  Relational God wants to be your friend.  He accepts you just as you are but cares enough about you not to leave you there.

 If you choose religious God you’ll always know where He stands and what He expects.  You’ll know what you should do but not always why you should do it.  He uses fear to dictate your actions, likes it when you keep your questions to yourself and appreciates it when you minimize your doubts and emotions.  He is happy when you look good on the outside, encouraging you to ignore the mess on the inside.   Religious God likes to keep His distance and never actually be known.  That is the goal of religious God - to make sure everyone acts, looks and thinks the same.

 Relational God is very different.  The lines around Him are a lot more blurred.  There is a mysterious dynamic to relational God.  He is approachable and trusting yet commands respect and awe.  He is full of surprises and constantly reveals more about who He is to you the longer you know Him.  Relational God invites you to become His friend.  He welcomes your questions and deals with your doubts.  He forgives, cares, leads and encourages you.  When it comes to relational God, rules don’t regulate the relationship, love does.

 These two views of God have split a lot of people and a lot of churches.  One view breeds familiarity and fear, the other, mystery and wonder.  They both claim to honor God yet offer very different experiences.  They both bring change but with very different outcomes. 

 Jesus had to deal with a group of people who embraced religious God.  They were called Pharisees, the spiritual leaders of the day.  Jesus was constantly in conflict with them because He was all about calling people to a relationship with God.  The Pharisees focused on rules, control and blame, which is always the bi-product of religion.  They, like many of us, missed out on the opportunity to actually know God.  They didn’t like Jesus’ offer of relationship because it meant He would no longer fit into their box.  So, they settled for religion instead of relationship.

 Way too many people choose religion over relationship, trading in a fulfilling life for a mundane existence.  Safety, familiarity and control become the order of the day, and when it is all said and done, God is seen only as their religion rather than what He really desires …their relationship.

SHAME!

What or who embarrasses you?  For me, it’s our family dog.  Her name’s Pepper.  She’s about 3 pounds, pure black and is a cross between a Terrier and Poodle.  She’s known as a “Yorkiepoo” - which is hard for me to say with a straight face.  I’m just glad she’s not a cross between a poodle and a Shitsu because that would make her a…..never mind.

 Anyway, Pepper is very small, so small that my wife sometimes carries her in her handbag.  She has her own little house, toys, clothes and will often refuse to eat her food unless she is spoon fed.

 She’s not a man’s dog!

 I realized this the day I took Pepper for a walk at a local park.  The words yelled at me from across the field still make me cringe in embarrassment.   “HEY!  Why don’t you pick up your purse?”

 I don’t walk the dog anymore.

 We all have embarrassing moments, but they usually wear off and become stories that we laugh about later.  However, dig down a few layers and you'll often find something that can do a lot more damage. It’s called shame.  Unlike embarrassment, shame can be lethal.  People never tell funny little stories about their shame.   Why?  Because shame destroys your confidence.  It can crush your spirit and paralyze your relationships.  It attaches itself to who you are.  Shame defines people.

 At the beginning of the Bible we read about God creating this amazing garden for the first man and woman.  We’re told that they were naked yet they felt no shame.  That is until the devil came along, convinced them to eat the forbidden fruit and then whispered in their ear, “hey – you might want to put something on!”

 They look, they blush, they cover up, and then they run and hide.  That’s what shame does.  It causes us to run, hide and separate ourselves.

 Far too many people know the manipulating power of shame and how destructive it can be.  It’s harnessed by parents in order to control their kids.  It’s used by some churches as the primary technique to motivate people's behavior.  It takes hold in people’s lives because of a bad decision that they or someone else made.  Shame is a driving force in many people’s lives.

 Yet, God never intended that you live your life with shame.  The Bible tells us that there is something way more powerful than the control shame can have on us.   Here’s what it says, “No power in the sky above or the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:39).

 Did you catch it?  Don’t miss it, because this truth places you on the verge of a miracle.  Whatever is in your life that holds you captive to shame doesn’t compete with the love of God.  No matter what you’ve done or had done to you, the “shame on you” that your holding can easily be replaced with the love that God offers. It is a love that brings freedom and fresh starts.  It’s a love that connects instead of separates.  It’s a love that lets you hold your head high in spite of your past.   

 So, what’ll it be?  A life defined by shame and separation or a life defined by God’s love.  I pray you’ll make the obvious choice.

You're A Hypocrite!

I have a confession to make.  I don’t always do what I say and say what I do.  I’m a hypocrite!    

 Just like you!

 Contrary to popular belief Christians do not have the corner on hypocrisy.  It’s not only reserved for those who go to church, although church creates a vivid backdrop for hypocrisy to shine.  But the bottom line is this:   If you have a pulse – you’re a hypocrite!

 Not convinced?  Maybe these questions will clear it up for you.  “Do you ever pretend to be something that you aren’t?  Have you ever done something that goes against your beliefs, values and standards?  Have you ever put on a mask to hide who you really are?”

 “What?  You have?  Well then, you’re a hypocrite.”

 Go ahead.  Say it.  “I AM A HYPOCRITE!”  Feel better?  You should.  Jesus said himself, “The truth shall set you free.”  That’s what truth does.  It uncovers and sustains a level of self-awareness that causes you to stop throwing rocks at those who have failed to live up to your expectations.

 Probably the most popular line that I hear as a pastor from people who have issues with church is that they think churches are full of hypocrites. I always make sure I agree with them by telling them that, “for someone who never attends church you sure do have a handle on the people that do.”

 You see, churches, at least the one I get to lead is full of hypocrites.  Every day I get to journey with hundreds of people who struggle to live and be what God wants them to be.  There are people in church  who cheat on their taxes, who are unfaithful to their spouse, who get drunk on the weekends, who yell at their kids and then sit with a smile on their face Sunday morning agreeing with everything God says about how they should live their lives.  Every weekend hypocrites fill the seats of our services and frankly, I would have it no other way.  That’s why the church exists.  So that hypocrites have a place to gather and discover how to stop pretending and become what God intended them to be.

 What is a hypocrite anyway?  Here’s my definition.  A hypocrite is someone who has gotten lost on their way to living God’s best for their life.  A hypocrite is someone who is holding a broken mirror.  Someone who’s not able to see who they really are and what they were created to be.  A hypocrite is someone who clings to a faulty reflection and attempts to fill in the gaps by pretending.

God has a heart for those kinds of people.  God loves hypocrites. People who mess up, fall down, disappoint, disregard, ignore, run, pretend, and who do one thing when they should be doing another.  Those are the kinds of people that God changes.  People just like you and me.  In fact in Luke 19:10, Jesus said that He came to earth to “seek and save the lost.”

 Jesus came to show hypocrites that there is a better way to live.  That they don’t have to be something they aren’t and do things they don’t want to do.  How?  Two words: Grace and Truth.  They are the remedy for overcoming hypocrisy.  Grace reminds you that you don’t have to live your life pretending and truth equips you to confront the lies that you are tempted to believe about yourself. 

 Now I know these two words are not always the norm in churches – but what do you expect from a bunch of hypocrites?  So as the old saying goes, “if you can’t beat them why not join them.”  Why not go to church this weekend and align yourself with other “recovering hypocrites” who are discovering the God who accepts them just the way they are – yet loves them way to much to leave them there! 

WHAT HAROLD CAMPING GOT RIGHT

Great article from Phil cooke on the whole end of the world craziness that has been going on.  Here is an excerpt...

"...when it comes to telling his story and getting that story heard, fringe radio preacher Harold Camping and his small band of followers have embarrassed the largest denominations, churches, and Christian ministries in America.

This morning, his story was on the front page of the Los Angeles Times – and most likely every other major paper in America.  His story leads CNN and other news networks today.  His story is being talked about on Twitter hashtags, blogs, social media sites, and on the street.

Why?  Because Harold Camping and his followers really believe their message. When that happens, you’re not afraid to spend money, creativity, passion, and energy to make sure your story impacts people’s lives.

It’s just a shame that it’s the wrong message."

YOU CAN READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE BY CLICKING HERE

 

 

Church Math - Part 3 - Division

Division rarely gets talked about in a postive light within churches and organizations.  Yet it is probably one of the most common and positive functions all through out Scripture.  Division  is often the catalyst for peace making.  In order for peace to rule, dividing combatants and individuals are often nescessary.  What about dividing things in order to achieve greater goals?  Organizations are filled with different divisions each doing their part in order to accomplish their common purpose. Division plays a key role in moving a mission forward.

Although division can result in disunity it's not the norm.  In most cases division is the very thing needed in order to succeed (i.e., forwards and defense; management and labor; fire department and police department; etc.).  The common factor in all these cases is that each example is better equipped to reach a goal and be more efficient for and within an organization.

What about God?  Has He ever divided people or things?  Absolutely.  Right from the beginning He divided humans into male and female.  The human body is a unit divided into many different parts according to 1 Corinthians.  He took 12 tribes and formed the Nation of Israel by dividing them into specialized units.  He divides people to accomplish different tasks such as Peter (who was called to reach Jews) and Paul ( who was called to reach the Gentiles).   When he saves us it is a call to seperate ourselves from the world. In fact to be holy means to be 'set apart.'  Bottom line: you can't serve or follow God if you don't embrace the power of division.

Division is a very positive and effective strategy for having a greater impact.  Division can strengthen a church by increasing it's effectiveness and broadening it's diversity when people are aware of their unique role in the ultimate goal.  Division only turns negative when we put a focus on our own desires instead of our ultimate purpose.  When we become selfish instead if selfless.  When we become competitive instead of cooperative.

So what are you dividing?  Is division an intentional part of your leadership strategy?  I hope so as division may be the part of the equation that moves your church or organization forward.

When it comes to your church or organization where do you see the function of division working?  Are there areas where you need to implement the power of division?  Take some time and think through how division is working in a positive way in your church.  

Church Math - Part 1

I have to admit, math was my least favorite subject in school. I'll take a blank piece of paper with a bucket of crayons over a spreadsheet any day. Yet, the Bible is full of math. It even has book called Numbers. God adds, divides, subtracts and multiplies all throughout Scripture just like we do with our lives. We are constantly adding and subtracting things. We give away old clothes and then add new clothes to our wardrobe. We divide things like our finances by spending our money on different things and if we are prudent we do all we can to multiply our money so that we can keep adding things. Math is a huge part of our lives.

Let's begin with addition. If you read the Bible you will discover that God was constantly adding His vision through dynamic means and to diverse people. Proverbs 29:18 tells us that people perish without vision which means that we need God to add to our life His power, direction, provision, leading and the list goes on. Without addition from God, power runs out and people perish.

I think that is the state of a lot of churches and Christian's. They haven't experienced the addition of God's power and vision for years. They haven't added anything to their ministries, vision or environements.  Their relationship with God is exactly the same as the day they gave their heart to Him.  They know how to talk about God but they don't really know Him. Part of the reason is that if you are going to embrace addition, you have to embrace change. Addition always changes the outcome.  Addition entails risk which can create conflict and even failure.  Addition upsets the norms and can create a lot of work.  Maybe that's why so many people and so many churches fear addition. 

Failure to embrace addition will always result in stagnation and stagnant people always struggle in their relationship with God.  People who live in the past are people who never expereince the excitement of addition in their lives.  They believe that when God says "I never change" that they are supposed to do the same.  The problem though is that only perfect people have no need for change.  Last I looked - God is the only one who fits that description.

What is it that you need to let God add to your life today?  Do you need Him to add some of His power?  Do you need more grace?  Do you need to have Him add a greater understanding of His mercy and forgiveness?  Maybe you need him to lead you into a difficult decision or circumstance so that He can add more faith to your life?   The bottom line is this, you, your church or your organization will never grow if you ignore the principle of addition. 

A Few Questions I'm Pondering

• Why do we often think we have to do more to reach more?
• When it comes to stress and struggle in your life who are you more prone to blame; yourself or the people around you?
• Who do you think hinders your ability to walk in faith more: your friends or your enemies?
• What do you think is more effective; to delegate responsibility or to delegate authority?

 

Loving Your Enemies

I have been reading through some of the obscure and often forgotten books of the Bible.  One of them is Obadiah.  It is about a prophet named Obadiah who has to pronounce judgment on a group called the Edomites.  They were  the descendants of  Esau and they didn't like the Israelites very much because of the original struggles between Esau and Jacob.  It was a classic case of family history never dealt with.   

In this episode of Scripture, Edom has an opportunity to extend grace towards Israel during their time of wandering in the wilderness.  They had a chance to bury the hatchet and extend a hand of restoration.  Instead they choose to repay evil with evil and God notices and then God deals with them.

As I read through this short book I could not help but notice some key phrases and statements that come from the prophet Obadiah as he speaks to the Edomites about their heart issues and actions.  Here are just a few of them;

• "I will cut you down to size."  v.2
• "You have been deceived by your own pride." v.3
• "Your allies will turn against you."  v.7
• "Your trusted friends will set traps."  v.7b
• "Everyone...will be cut down." v.9b

Once again - sin always loses.  There are never any winners when we choose to do things our way.

As I read through this book I was reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:44 where He says, "But I say, love your enemies!  Pray for those who persecute you!  In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven."

Jesus shows us that it is forgiveness that sets us free, that brings us health, that restores us - just as Israel would be restored (See Obadiah v.15-21).   Loving your enemies is not an easy thing to do.  In fact it is one of those things that I wish Jesus never said.  However, His commands are always for our benefit.   

Tomorrow we'll look at what a right response to our enemies should look like.

Good Financial Advice

If you got five and half minutes then watch this teaching clip from Dave Ramsey.  He is a financial talk show host who gives some of the best common sense insight to the issue of money and how we should handle it.  If you watch it - take some notes and watch it to the very end.