shawnvandop.com

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.

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! 

Be Careful

It is easy to compromise or settle when it comes to the choices we face.  We will justify our actions by thinking "we can get away with it this one time."  When we do that we chip away at our integrity and weaken our callings.  If you area a leader you risk losing your credibility and influence every time you settle for this approach.

The problem with believing that we can "get away with it" is that we can find ourselves later on in life trying to "get away from the things we thought we could get away with."  The little decisions and the small compromises are the very things that can lead us into a life of bondage.

I know far to many people who because of this attitude are now trying to break free from addictions, regrets, bitterness, and un-forgiveness.  I have lost count of the times that I have sat and talked with people who are desperately wanting to break free from the choices they thought would have no consequences.

If you are a leader - watch your choices.  Guard your life.  Do the wise thing and make sure you don't put yourself in the position where you are trying to get away from the things you thought you could get away with.

"So be careful how you live.  Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise.  Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.  Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do."  Ephesians 5:15-17

Discipline

I read a great prayer by Keith Price a while back in my devotions.  It is a reminder of how we find time for the things we believe are important which often does not include God.  Maybe this prayer can help you put things into perspective when it comes to your personal relationship with Jesus.

O Lord
I always have time
to do
what I think is important,
but mostly
I shortchange You.
Teach me to plan
so that the urgent
no longer conquers
the important.
For one day,
sooner than I may think,
the important
will become urgent!
Give me the wisdom
and give me the will
to put the important
things first.
Amen

God's Not Fair!

Have you ever noticed that life isn’t fair?  My kids remind me all the time.  “He got to sit in the front seat last time – it’s not fair!  I have more chores than she does – its’ not fair!  Dad got more ice cream than us – it’s not fair!”  What my kids want is to live in a world where everything is calculated and where scorekeeping rules the day.  A world where everyone feels good all the time.  As much as we would all love that, you and I know that’s impossible – so we look at them and say, “Sorry kids – but life’s not fair!”

Think about it.  Life’s not fair academically, athletically, financially, physically, professionally… and what about God?  He definitely isn’t fair.  If he was then he would divide things more evenly in this world.  Make the playing field a little more level.  Stop the pain, suffering and loss.  Isn’t that what a fair God would do?  Before you answer you may want to think it through.  Ask yourself, “Do I really want God to act fairly in my life?

What is fairness?  Fairness means we all get the same chance and if we blow it – well, too bad.  Remember all those times you found yourself using the fairness card?  I’m willing to bet you used it when you found yourself on the short end of the stick.  It was probably a time when you failed to measure up because someone else was bigger, smarter or stronger and when you lost your chance for another opportunity you cried, ‘UNFAIR!”  But that’s the very nature of fairness.  It gives everyone an equal opportunity, the same shot – and whoever gets it wins!

If that’s true then we don’t have a chance when it comes to God.  He’s bigger, smarter and stronger than all of us.  He’ll make the shot every time leaving us on the losing end.  But here’s the deal.  God’s unfairness always leans towards our benefit.  Let me explain.  When you and I line up our lives against the perfection of God, we fall short every time.  He’s perfect.  He never misses which means we don’t stand a chance against him.  It’s not fair – but it’s true. 

God knew this was a problem so he did something that was very unfair to him.  He took the shot for us, gave us his position and then placed himself in our shoes.  The Bible says it this way, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”  God went way beyond fairness by giving us the benefit of his shot and paying the price for the one we missed.  He took what we deserved (death) and gave us what we didn’t deserve (life).  I’m glad God’s not fair because it means I’ve been given more chances than I could ever count to get right with God.  That’s better than fair - that’s grace.  That’s mercy.  That’s unbelievable!

Don't Be Afraid of Me, Just Fear Me!

The other day during my devotions a verse jumped out at me.  Here it is:

"Don't be afraid... For God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning."  Exodus 20:2

Israel has just been given the 10 Commandments by God telling them what they could and could not do.  God sets some ground rules in order to help them live more productive and free lives.    While communicating the commandments God puts on quite a show. There's thunder, horns being blown, flashes of lightning and smoke billowing from Mount Sinai.  This freaks the Israelites out as they get a front row seat to the power of God.

That's when Moses tells them 'not to be afraid."  But then in the same breath he tells them that God is doing all this so that they will 'fear him.'

So what is it Moses?  Should we be afraid or not?  Sounds confusing doesn't it.  "Dont' be afraid of God but you should fear Him."  Uhhh, I'm not sure that makes sense Moses!

God's not confused or conflicted.  He's making a point and sending a message.  The Israelites are learning that God is on their side.  He is 'for them' and 'with them.' They don't have to be afraid because He has their best interests in mind.  But He also wants to show them and teach them that He is God. He is Holy.  He is perfect. He is BIG!

I think a lot of people forget that.

You see, to fear God is to understand who He is.  It's recognizing that He is way bigger than us.  It's understanding that although He is our friend, He is not our buddy.  It's recognizing that although He is all about love He is also all about justice.

I fear God not because I am afraid of Him but because
I recognize who He is and what He is capable of.

That was the lesson that God was teaching the Israelites.  It's why they had to wander in the dessert for 40 years.  That was God's discipleship plan for them to learn who He is.

Along with fearing God comes a blessing for our lives.  Fear of God keeps us from sin - "...your fear of him will keep you from sinning."  That is the fruit of fearing God.  Fearing God keeps ME in perspective.  It helps me to see myself clearly in comparison with God. 

That's what hit me when I read this verse.  I don't think I fear God the way I should.  I know and embrace His love but ignore His wrath and justice.  Yet wrath and justice are key ingredients to God's love.  They remind me that I fall short and knowing this truth is when I can fully embrace His love - which makes it that much more incredible.

It means that I can be holy just as He is holy (1 Peter 1:13-16 ) giving me perspective and keeping me from sin.

Lord, thank you that I need not be afraid of you.  Thank you for your love and your pursuit of me.  Thank you that you want me to know you more which means I need to learn to fear you more.  Move me beyond only respect and honor for you and take me to that place where I see your holiness, your power, your strength and your might.  Give me clear picture of who You are so that I can expereince the blessing of a life that fears God - one that does not sin against you.

Amen.

 

The Fuel of Unbelief

At first glance it seems that most people were impressed with Jesus.  He was a great communicator, full of wisdom, large crowds followed him around.  He was a strong leader who displayed power in performing miracles and said amazing things.  But it never seemed to last...

"Jesus... returned to Nazareth, his hometown... he began teaching in the Synagogue and many who heard him were amazed... then they scoffed..."
(Mark 6:1-4)

Sooner or later, what Jesus did and where He was from caught up to Him.  All of a sudden Jesus vocation as well as His location disqualified Him in the eyes of many.  The miracles were forgotten and His words ignored.  All that mattered now was what they could criticize Him about and for.

I think that often happens for anyone who steps up and leads.  In any form of leadership there will be those who will initially be enamored with you.  They will listen, encourage and follow you until they learn about where you come from and what you've done or haven't done.

Most of the time it will be the religious people.  Religious people have a real knack for getting 'deeply offended' and offense always fuels unbelief (see Mark 6:3).  It's true.  Think about it.  You will never believe or follow someone who you allow yourself to be offended by.  That is why offense is one of the greatest tactics of the enemy.  If the Devil can get you living with offense he will easily put you in a position of unbelief.

"I can't believe that church didn't help that person"

"I can't believe that I should have to forgive them for what they did.'

"I can't believe that God would allow them to suffer."

The list of descriptions and reasons to be offended are endless - but they all result in one thing:  Unbelief in a person, situation, or God.

A person who chooses to live with offense, no matter how much they spritualize their stance will at some point be offended with God Himself.  I know this because the Bible tells us that God is perfect and full of truth - which automatically sets me up to be offended by Him.  Anyone who is perfect and always tells the truth is sure to offend those of us who fall short. Yet God is never insensitive, condescending or insincere.  When we allow ourselves to be offended it is because we have become insensitive, condescending and insincere.

If you are living with offense today you need to know that you do not have to live that way.  You can live your life 'offense free!"  Simply give your offense to Jesus and make the choice not to hold it anymore.  Choose to forgive that person and move on.  This means no longer talking about the offense or harboring it in your heart.  You choose to free that person from what they did or what you think they did.  If you do need to talk about it - then make sure you talk only to the person who has offended you. 

Whatever choice you make puts you on the edge of a spiritual breakthrough where you can experience the joy of belief in an awesome God and in those who God has placed in your path.  Don't let offense drain you of belief, rather be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) so that you can live a rich and satisfying life just like He planned (John 10:10).

 

 

The Solution to Fear

What you don't know or cannot control is what you fear the most.  We don't fear the past, we remember it or we regret it.  We don't fear the present, because we know it.  We may not like it but we don't fear what we know.  The only option left to us when it comes to fear is the unknown.  The only thing unknown is your future. 

Living in fear of the future results in a life of suspicion, assumption, stress and lack of control.  It's the exact opposite of how God wants you to live your life.  A fear filled life is a life absent of faith.  When we live with fear we're telling God that He is incapable of taking care of my life, my family, my job, or whatever other situation you can think of.  Entertaining fear is a lousy way to live your life.

So how do you overcome fear?  The solution is one word - LOVE!

There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  1 John 4:18

Stop controlling and begin releasing.  Stop being suspicious and start trusting.  Don't assume but accept.  Perfect love casts out fear.  What is perfect love?  Actually the answer is not 'what' but 'who.'  1 John 4:8 says that God is LOVE.  He is perfect and when you embrace Him you end up with nothing to fear.  Why?  Because He holds your future in His hands and He has your very best interests in mind. 

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

 

Broken and Beautiful

It has been a few day now since I have returned from Africa where I got to spend some time getting to know our strategic partners in Uganda.  We are partnering with them to build infrastructure for abused and abandoned children.  The ministry is called Noah's Ark Children's Home.

Their focus is on receiving and raising children between 0 and 2 years of age.  Children who have been abandoned by their families, abused in ways you could never imagine and orphaned for all kinds of reasons including the death of their parents to AIDS.

I got to see the ministry in action first hand.  Our first day there they received a call from the police in Kampala asking them to take an infant who had been abandoned on the side of the road.  We drove the one and half hours to the city and picked up a beautiful little girl who we estimated to be about 2 months old.  Right from the start of our trip I saw how God uses the broken moments to high lite the beautiful moments.  In fact, I am learning that they go hand in hand

Walking into that police station we came face to face with the brokenness of humanity.  A little baby abandoned on the side of the street.  Why?  How? Who?  Those are the questions that raced through my mind but in the end I realized I'd never know the answers on this side of heaven.  You see, you can ask questions till you are blue in the face but it changes nothing.  In the end you still have to do something.  You still have to act.  You have to make a decision and respond to what is before you.  It is at those moments in our lives that you end up discovering that beauty is often painted on the canvass of brokenness. 

There in front of us was a beautiful little girl who was about to get a second chance in life.  There in that police station were the eyes of Jesus communicating the truth of what He said 2000 years ago,  "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these... you are doing it to me."  (Matthew 25:40).

Suddenly the words of Jesus became crystal clear.  It was a moment of clarity that left me standing there with no excuses.  Jesus knows how the power of being confronted with brokenness is the very thing that brings clarity to the beautiful.

I watched Pieta, our partner take that little girl and dress her, talk to her, love her and name her.  She called her Huldah after the prophetess in 2 Kings 23.  We took Huldah home that night knowing that she had a future, a hope and a family.

Often God will take us out of our comfort zones in order to help us see what He sees.  I had to go to the other side of the world to learn this truth in my life.  The fact is, whatever your situation, whatever your pain, whatever it is that is broken in your life or around you - look closely.  God has painted some rich colors.  He has made some vibrant strokes and is forming something beautiful.  That is what God does.  That is what God did.  He takes the broken and He makes it beautiful.

A few days later I was given the privilege of dedicating Huldah to the Lord.  What an awesome experience to offer up this precious little girl to the Lord, praying that she will encounter Him at a young age and give her life in surrender to His love and grace.  What a beautiful baby girl she is and what a beautiful Savior we serve.

(You can click on the photo's for full size images)

Thoughts from a Lion Chaser

I have been reading a great book by Mark Batterson called "In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy  Day."  It is based upon a passage of Scripture that you can read about in
2 Samuel 23:20-21.  Here a few thoughts/quotes I have gleaned so far from this book:

• God is awfully good at getting us where He wants us to go.  But here's the catch: The right place often seems like the wrong place, and the right time often seems like the wrong time.  (p.12)
• Spiritual maturity is seeing and seizing God-ordained opportunities (p.17).
• Sometimes God won't intervene until something is humanely impossible (p.23).
• Most of our problems are not circumstantial.  Most of our problems are perceptual... Our problems seem really big because our God seems really small (p.28).
• Nothing you do right will go unrewarded (p.36).
• Half of spiritual growth is learning what we don't know.  The other half is unlearning what we do know (p.45)
• Courage is putting yourself into defenseless positions (p.52)
• Maybe prayer is less about changing our circumstances than it is changing our perspective (p.65).
• Don't let what wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God (p.67).
• If you don't have any problems you don't have any potential (p.74).

I'll list some more thoughts once I finish the book.  In the mean time chew on these or better yet - read the book!