It's raining today. I am coming to understand that this is a daily event in this sub-tropical climate at this time of year. To wake up to a cool rain in the heat of summer is refreshing, to say the least. Rain also slows me down. On a sunny day I spring out of bed ready to tackle the day's obstacles and opportunities. But when I wake up in the dark with the sound of raindrops pattering against the window pane it has a tendency to make me hit the snooze button and roll over for another round of dreams. It sounds pathetic, but the truth is that all of us need a little rain in our lives on a regular basis.
God created the sabbath for man. He even modeled this by ceasing from His labors on the seventh day of creation. He did this for a reason. We need rest to restore brokenness. Our bodies break down from work. Our emotions break down from stress. Our attitudes break down from weariness. Our creativity breaks down from overactivity. Rest restores everything from our body cells to our brain cells.
The opposite of rest is restlessness. Genesis 4:12-14 tells us that restlessness was part of Cain's curse. Whenever we are restless we are operating under the curse. God wants us to be in a state of restfulness (Matthew 11:28-29). He wants us restFULL not restLESS. He is our sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9-11)! For me, rain says "Stop and relax today - contemplate, allow restoration - chill out - don't take yourself so seriously!"
The other day I was reading in Mark's Gospel where the disciples were overwhelmed with ministry and the demands of people. Jesus said to His chosen disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mark 6:31). Jesus understands that we as frail humans have limitations. Jesus became weary Himself several times in His ministry and had to seek reprieve to spend time with His father in restoration. These were battery charging times when He could revive to return and minister some more in the power of the Spirit. If Jesus needed times of respite, what makes us think that we are immune to them?
I used to pray, "Lord, I want to go out in a blaze of glory for You!" I have since discovered that burn out is most unproductive. The "abundant life" - that is, a fruitful life - is a life of balance. The longer I last the more I can do for God. And the sharper I am the more productive my time for Him will be. This means I must learn to slow down and rest on a regular basis. The best way to do this is to spend time every day alone with the Father in prayer and contemplation - quiet time - restful time. If you will give God the first hour of every day, and the first day of every week, He will give you the peace and rest that you need to live in full productivity and abundance.
I don't think I would do well to live in a rainy climate like the Pacific Northwest. I would be in contemplation mode all day long and never get anything done. These early summer days in the Piedmont are perfect. They are filled with sunshine but balanced with a daily thunderstorm that says, "OK, you've worked hard all day, now take a break for a few minutes and restore yourself." So, rather than complain about the lack of sunshine today I'm going to say, "BRING ON THE RAIN!"
Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
ROUGH PLAY
Last night I tried to wear out the "little general" so he would sleep when I put him to bed. Joshua and I frolicked on the floor and "fighted." He is a typical boy and likes to wrestle and be physical. I was teaching the three-year-old how to box (as in punching someone). I know, some of you think that's terrible, but spare me your sanctimonialism - he's a boy! Joshua needs to know how to protect himself from your kids! Anyway, we were boxing and I accidentally cold-cuffed him and knocked him unconscious. Not really. I did, however, accidentally tap him on his rear side a little harder than play (unintentionally - don't call social services!) when he walked away. You should have seen the look on his face. He wasn't sure if the swat on his butt was a spanking or a play swat. He looked up at me with a tear in his eye to see what my reaction was. I laughed and said, "sorry - here, hit me back." When he saw that I thought it was funny and that I was playing he started to laugh and proceeded to lay into me with a flurry of playful punches. If I would have given him a stern look he would have started to cry, wondering what he did wrong. In that moment I thought about our relationship with God. Sometimes God plays rough.
I'm not sure how this plays into your theology, but I believe that there are times when God hits us with some things that aren't easy Like Joshua, at first we are not sure why God allowed that "hurt" in our lives and we look to Him with bewilderment. It is in those times, however, that God smiles down on us and says, "I'm just teaching you something to make you strong. Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I just want to prepare you for what's coming so you can win every battle." Then He affirms us and we feel security in His strength. This is part of the message of Psalm 94:19. One translation reads, "In the middle of my troubles, you roll me over with rollicking delight." We may not always be able to discern the truth of what God is doing in our lives, but continue to look to Him and you will see His smiling face and know that Daddy will protect you, and everything is going to be alright.
I'm not sure how this plays into your theology, but I believe that there are times when God hits us with some things that aren't easy Like Joshua, at first we are not sure why God allowed that "hurt" in our lives and we look to Him with bewilderment. It is in those times, however, that God smiles down on us and says, "I'm just teaching you something to make you strong. Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I just want to prepare you for what's coming so you can win every battle." Then He affirms us and we feel security in His strength. This is part of the message of Psalm 94:19. One translation reads, "In the middle of my troubles, you roll me over with rollicking delight." We may not always be able to discern the truth of what God is doing in our lives, but continue to look to Him and you will see His smiling face and know that Daddy will protect you, and everything is going to be alright.
Monday, March 23, 2009
BEARING ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS
Today is my father-in-law's 90th birthday. Congratulations dad Strand! Unfortunately, John is spending his birthday in the intensive care unit following a massive stroke. The doctors are telling us that John will not recover from this stroke. Ironically, the Father could take John from the earth on the same day that He brought him to the earth ninety years earlier. What a great birthday present for John. What a tragic birthday for us.
Ninety years is a long time on any one's scale. Just think about all the changes that John has encountered in his lifetime. He was among the first to experience indoor plumbing, television, the automobile, and a myriad of other things that we consider common place. When John starting farming with his family, they still used horses to till the soil. My, how times have changed! John was also one of the few remaining World War II veterans. I remember vividly the stories he told about driving an ambulance in Europe while dodging mortars and bullets. Dad Strand had a lot of experiences in life, and he also gave us a lot of experiences and warm memories.
Thank you for all of your prayers for Linda and her family. All of us have felt you carry us in prayer during this difficult time. In times of tragedy I am reminded of the Scripture in Galatians 6:2: "Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law." Our family has truly felt you carry us during this time, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will keep you posted as events unfold with dad Strand.
Ninety years is a long time on any one's scale. Just think about all the changes that John has encountered in his lifetime. He was among the first to experience indoor plumbing, television, the automobile, and a myriad of other things that we consider common place. When John starting farming with his family, they still used horses to till the soil. My, how times have changed! John was also one of the few remaining World War II veterans. I remember vividly the stories he told about driving an ambulance in Europe while dodging mortars and bullets. Dad Strand had a lot of experiences in life, and he also gave us a lot of experiences and warm memories.
Thank you for all of your prayers for Linda and her family. All of us have felt you carry us in prayer during this difficult time. In times of tragedy I am reminded of the Scripture in Galatians 6:2: "Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law." Our family has truly felt you carry us during this time, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We will keep you posted as events unfold with dad Strand.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
MY PERSONAL CODE OF MINISTRY
Over the years I have picked-up little sayings (from others) or formulated statements that represent who I am and what I believe. I put these into a "code of ministry" that I try to live by. I decided to post them on the blog in hopes that they may help some of you. Here they are....
1. WHO I AM IS MORE IMPORTANT TO GOD THAN WHAT I DO.
The quality of my ministry will never rise above the quality of my character.
2. BEING TRUE TO MYSELF IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TRYING TO MEET OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS.
3. MY FAMILY IS MY FIRST PRIORITY OF MINISTRY.
4. I WILL GIVE MYSELF SOME ROOM FOR FAILURE.
Perfectionism is a dead end street. I don't have to be perfect to be worthwhile. "Winners are not those who never fail, but those who never give up." (L. Cole)
5. WHERE I AM GOING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHERE I HAVE BEEN. I refuse to be bound by my past. Every day is a new adventure.
6. MY PERSONAL WALK WITH CHRIST IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY PUBLIC WORK FOR HIM. First and foremost I am a personal disciple of Jesus Christ.
7. RELATIONSHIPS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THINGS.
The two most valuable commodity that I have are time and relationships.
8. GOD'S WILL IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY PERSONAL AGENDA.
9. HOW I TREAT OTHERS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOW I AM TREATED.
10. MY LEISURE/CREATIVE TIME AND RECREATION ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT TO GOD AS MY MINISTERIAL ACTIVITIES.
11. I WILL FOCUS EACH DAY ON THE IMPORTANT AND AVOID THE TYRANNY OF THE URGENT
Stay tuned. There will probably be a "part two" of this code in the future.
MY PERSONAL CODE OF MINISTRY
1. WHO I AM IS MORE IMPORTANT TO GOD THAN WHAT I DO.
The quality of my ministry will never rise above the quality of my character.
2. BEING TRUE TO MYSELF IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TRYING TO MEET OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS.
3. MY FAMILY IS MY FIRST PRIORITY OF MINISTRY.
4. I WILL GIVE MYSELF SOME ROOM FOR FAILURE.
Perfectionism is a dead end street. I don't have to be perfect to be worthwhile. "Winners are not those who never fail, but those who never give up." (L. Cole)
5. WHERE I AM GOING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHERE I HAVE BEEN. I refuse to be bound by my past. Every day is a new adventure.
6. MY PERSONAL WALK WITH CHRIST IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY PUBLIC WORK FOR HIM. First and foremost I am a personal disciple of Jesus Christ.
7. RELATIONSHIPS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THINGS.
The two most valuable commodity that I have are time and relationships.
8. GOD'S WILL IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MY PERSONAL AGENDA.
9. HOW I TREAT OTHERS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HOW I AM TREATED.
10. MY LEISURE/CREATIVE TIME AND RECREATION ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT TO GOD AS MY MINISTERIAL ACTIVITIES.
11. I WILL FOCUS EACH DAY ON THE IMPORTANT AND AVOID THE TYRANNY OF THE URGENT
Stay tuned. There will probably be a "part two" of this code in the future.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
EXCELLENCE
Today I read about the Statue of Liberty. The entire story of how it was built, transported and assembled is amazing. One thing stood out to me in the pictures and was commented on by others - the top of the head of the statue. The writer of one article noted that the sculptor, Frederic Bartholdi, sculpted the head at a time when there was no such thing as airplanes or helicopters. The height of the statue would ensure that no mortal eye would ever see the top of the head of Lady Liberty. And yet, he completed the top of her head with painstaking detail, just like the rest of the statue that would be seen by all. Little did Bartholdi realize that years later there would be helicopters flying over the head of the statue to give paying tourists a birds-eye-view of the statue. In his mind, he must have thought that only pigeons and seagulls would see atop the monument. Why, then, go through all the hard work of detailing the top of the Lady's head, hair strands and all? The answer from the sculptor would be this: "Because God is watching. Man may not be able to see the top, but God can."
This is the very message of excellence that the Apostle Paul was striving to communicate in Colossians:
"Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as working for
the Lord, not for men." (Col. 3:23)
We must remember that we are working for God, not for man. Whatever we do, we must do it with excellence because God is watching. He is the one who will reward us, not man.
In addition to this, we must also remember that when we call ourselves "Christians" (followers of Christ) we represent Him in everything we do. This means that we represent Jesus in our work and our play, at church and at home. So lets all strive for excellence and do our best at whatever we put our hands to because God is watching, and because what we do brings glory (or reproach) to Him in every area of our lives.
This is the very message of excellence that the Apostle Paul was striving to communicate in Colossians:
"Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as working for
the Lord, not for men." (Col. 3:23)
We must remember that we are working for God, not for man. Whatever we do, we must do it with excellence because God is watching. He is the one who will reward us, not man.
In addition to this, we must also remember that when we call ourselves "Christians" (followers of Christ) we represent Him in everything we do. This means that we represent Jesus in our work and our play, at church and at home. So lets all strive for excellence and do our best at whatever we put our hands to because God is watching, and because what we do brings glory (or reproach) to Him in every area of our lives.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
INAUGURATION
Many of us watched this week as Barak Obamma took the oath of office to become the President of the United States of America. In fact, more people watched this inauguration than any other presidential event in history. I was amazed most by the scenes of the crowds. A sea of people as far as the eyes could see dotted the mall on Washington like kudzu covering the trees of southern roadsides. Flags waved. Shouts of joy rang high. Tears rolled down frozen checks. All of this for a man who two-yers-ago was unknown to nearly everyone standing on the mall. As I watched in wonder I asked myself this quesion:"What does this mean?" In response, I have come to several conclusions.
First, I recognize that before me was unfolding the desperate position of our people. America is starving for hope. People are looking for answers. They are looking for someone - anyone - who will stand up and say "There is hope. I can bring change. Follow me." This message of change and hope won Mr. Obama the presidency. He felt the aching heartbeat of a desperate people and spoke to that need. If only my candidate would have done the same! John Maxwell said it best in one of his book: "People don't care what you know until they know that you care." Obama does not have an impressive resume for the office of president. In fact, he hardly has a resume at all. But people, like sheep, are not led by reason or fact, but by emotion and selfish desires. Clinton won his election the same way Obama did. He spoke to peoples needs - "It's the economy, stupid!" Remember? And so we see how a man can rise from political obscurity to the top office in the country by projectng the right message to the masses.
The second thing I see in this inauguration is the fraility of desperate humanity. Jesus spoke to this issue when He viewed the large crowds that came to follow Him. He said that they were like "sheep without a shepherd." Desperate people are vulnerble people. It seems that the masses will follow a pied piper to hell if they thought he was going to solve their problems. You see it in the crowds of people at the services of healing evangelists, or in food lines in poverty-stricken countries, or in the millions of poor who play the lottery or send in their stickers to the Publishers Clearing House Sweepsteaks. It scares me to think of the implications of a leader with such support taking us to the wrong places. President Obama has a big oportunity but also a big responsibility. I pay that he will do wat is right and what is good.
Finally, I must admit that my spirit man has awakened at the sight of sudden global acceptance of a man of obscurity. Obviously this overflow of support and man worship is not simply the result of good campaigning. Something is taking place in the spirit realm here, and I'm not sure that all this good will is summoned by God, but perhaps by His adversary. I se the spirit of antichrist at work blatantly! Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that Obama is the antichrist (don't get me started here!), but it is the spirit of antichrist that is spreading and preparing these lost masses to acept a man who will have all the answers. What's next?
First, I recognize that before me was unfolding the desperate position of our people. America is starving for hope. People are looking for answers. They are looking for someone - anyone - who will stand up and say "There is hope. I can bring change. Follow me." This message of change and hope won Mr. Obama the presidency. He felt the aching heartbeat of a desperate people and spoke to that need. If only my candidate would have done the same! John Maxwell said it best in one of his book: "People don't care what you know until they know that you care." Obama does not have an impressive resume for the office of president. In fact, he hardly has a resume at all. But people, like sheep, are not led by reason or fact, but by emotion and selfish desires. Clinton won his election the same way Obama did. He spoke to peoples needs - "It's the economy, stupid!" Remember? And so we see how a man can rise from political obscurity to the top office in the country by projectng the right message to the masses.
The second thing I see in this inauguration is the fraility of desperate humanity. Jesus spoke to this issue when He viewed the large crowds that came to follow Him. He said that they were like "sheep without a shepherd." Desperate people are vulnerble people. It seems that the masses will follow a pied piper to hell if they thought he was going to solve their problems. You see it in the crowds of people at the services of healing evangelists, or in food lines in poverty-stricken countries, or in the millions of poor who play the lottery or send in their stickers to the Publishers Clearing House Sweepsteaks. It scares me to think of the implications of a leader with such support taking us to the wrong places. President Obama has a big oportunity but also a big responsibility. I pay that he will do wat is right and what is good.
Finally, I must admit that my spirit man has awakened at the sight of sudden global acceptance of a man of obscurity. Obviously this overflow of support and man worship is not simply the result of good campaigning. Something is taking place in the spirit realm here, and I'm not sure that all this good will is summoned by God, but perhaps by His adversary. I se the spirit of antichrist at work blatantly! Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that Obama is the antichrist (don't get me started here!), but it is the spirit of antichrist that is spreading and preparing these lost masses to acept a man who will have all the answers. What's next?
Friday, January 9, 2009
McDonalds
I love McDonalds. Actually, I don't like their food (with the exception of the worlds greatest french fries and their fish sandwich). I like McDonalds because they are an American icon. Truthfully, at my age (forty-something) I probably wouldn't frequent McDonalds as often as I do, but most people my age don't have a three-year-old son. Three-year-old boys need two things to grow adequately: food and fun. McDonalds provides both at a reasonable price.
Have you ever considered how McDonalds continues to thrive even when other burger chains have fallen through the cracks? What makes them so successful? The answer is that McDonalds stays relevant. It stays up with the times. Whatever is popular McDonalds is on it - the latest entertainment craze (from Barney to Batman), to the latest food craze (from burgers to bagels to latte's). And McDonalds are not only relevant, they are regal. They allow for constant change in their menu while maintaining their classic iconistic giants like the Big Mack and the Big Breakfast. Go into any McDonalds on a weekday morning and you will find it packed with pepper-haired pancake poppers. And of all the Starbucks and coffee-house craze going around I still think McDonalds has the best coffee in town (except, of course, for the Fills Coffee Shop at Union Road). McDonalds has something for everyone.
Chances are that I will still be going to McDonalds well into my eighties. That is, as long as McD's is still relevant, still filling me up, still making me feel wanted, and still serving french fries. Now isn't there something the church can learn from that?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)