My Boo-Boo

Just over a week ago, I did something stupid. I slammed my finger in the door to my pickup. It really isn't that bad, although, I don't care to repeat the experience anytime soon. As it has healed, I have been able to watch God's magic happen. Each day I can feel the finger get better, I am literally regaining the sense of touch in the tip of my finger where just a few days ago, it was numb. God is a master of restoration. He takes that which is wounded and useless and transforms it into something that is well and valuable.

The awesome thing is that God doesn't just stop at slammed fingers and cuts and bruises. He is a mender of broken, wounded lives. He gives us new lives...

"Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin." (Romans 6:4-7)

Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. (Isaiah 53:4-6)

Thank you, Lord for my little "boo-boo" that reminded me of how you have healed all my big "boo-boos!"

Caution, Challenge Ahead...

I read the following lines this past week, and it has really challenged me at the core of who I am, what I really believe, and what I am doing about it. I just started a new book that falls right in line with what God has been teaching me called, In a Pit, With a Lion, on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson. I haven't read it in this book rather, I read it in an article, but I believe it comes from this book. It is called the Lion Chaser's Manifesto:

"Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from worshiping what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion."

We only believe what we live.

GPS (God's Protection System)

My oldest sister, Sheryl, is coming for a visit! I have been looking forward to her coming. She is working very hard these days as she has a high-responsibility job at a university; plus, she is working on her PhD. So, she has taken some much needed time off and is coming for a visit today.

Before coming here, she ran out to Georgia to see her daughter who lives in a rural community (a.k.a. the sticks) north of Atlanta. I asked her about her trip out there. Sheryl had told me earlier that she had purchased one of those GPS systems for her car that tells you, not only how to get from point "A" to point "B," but also tells when there are traffic issues ahead and how to route around them. She explained that she hadn't quite figured it all out and on her trip she ran into a lot of construction, traffic jams, etc. that prevented her arriving being earlier. I told her it would be wise to get it set so it would help her avoid that stuff when she headed this way.

When I spoke with her this morning, I asked whether she got it working for her. She said it was. Then I asked what she had to do adjust, and she told me, "my attitude." She went on to explain that it had been working right, she just didn't trust it. She placed her faith in it this morning; and lo and behold, it worked and she was able to avoid some traffic jams. Hmmm. I told her that sounded like a good spiritual lesson. She agreed.

She had called while I was spending time in the Word, when we were done talking, I got back to it. In typical fashion, God's Word was very appropriate this morning... what a "coincident!" I am working through the Gospel of John and was in chapter 12 this morning. Following the triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the donkey, verses 35-36 had this to say, "So Jesus said to them, 'For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.'" This is a lesson that God has been teaching me lately. So often, I am heading in a direction in life and want to stay on the straight and narrow, but sometimes life's path gets rocky, and I gets scared, but God's Word tells me to trust and obey. But oftentimes, I don't trust Him, and try to go my own way. Consequently, things end up a big mess. Had I listened to God's GPS, I would have been protected from a lot of pain.

God's Word is always true and will always guide us in the paths around destruction. It is not because God doesn't want us to have fun, but rather He knows what is best, as He has a much broader perspective. I was reminded of a famialiar Proverb that also speaks this very issue, "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (14:12) At times we don't understand God's directions, but we need to follow our GPS, He loves us and He always knows the best way!

Pucker Up

In past posts, I have written about how we must know the Word, and know it well. Over the years I have been a part of some really awesome teaching churches, and I attended a seminary that is world renown for it's instruction on the exposition of the scriptures. God's word itself teaches us clearly that we are to grow in our knowledge and understanding of it, in fact, the writer of the book of Hebrews scolds his readers that they still were only babes needing the milk of the Word instead of the meat, and he tells them to grow up in their faith. (cf. Hebrews 5:11-6:3)

Unfortunately, this true teaching has become a stumbling block for some in sharing the gospel with those around them. I see three errors that has resulted: 1. they don't share because they, "don't know as much theology as those who are educated"; 2. the other extreme, they share too much and go too deep into theological issues and confuse the hearer; or 3. they have such a pre-packaged "1...2...3..." approach to sharing the gospel that it becomes mechanical and disingenuous. I think most of the time, instead, we should use the K.I.S.S. method in sharing the gospel: Keep It Simple Silly!

I was reading in John 6 this morning, and it gives a great example of this. Jesus heals the man born blind from birth, and his followers try to make it a deeply doctrinal issue by asking who sinned the man or his parents. Christ cuts to the chase and tells them it isn't about that stuff, but rather, so that God can be glorified. Later in the passage, the Pharisees in their interrogations of the former blind ask him theological questions about his Healer, and he too cuts to the chase and says this, "Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." He simply shared what Christ had done for him.

When sharing the gospel, one of the most important elements we need to share is not just the doctrine and theology, which is powerful in itself, but we must share what Christ has done in our lives. Our personal experiences can be powerful, and we are to be witnesses, but in order to be a witness we must bear witness of what He has done in OUR lives, not just the facts.

So, keep studying, keep preparing so that you may be ready to give an answer, but don't wait till you have all the answers. Read and grow in the Word. Share what you know. Pucker up and keep it simple silly!

Overcoming Spiritual Gluttony

I recently added to my repertoire of Pixar flicks seen. Melody and I enjoyed a Daddy/daughter date and took in the newest movie, Wall-E. While it was probably my least favorite of their productions, I found myself reflecting on some parallels I saw in the movie with the Christian church in America. I won't belabor nor ruin the plot for you, but in the movie, earth civilization has evacuated the planet due to excessive waste and pollution. They all board an "ark" of sorts to escape sure demise, leaving robots behind, of whom Wall-E is the last, to clean up the mess while the eco-system returns to normal.

While in space, the humans, being the consumers that they are, are encouraged to relax, take it easy and let the ship and all automated services do everything for them, chores, all movement, spoon-feeding them among others. The result after 500+ years of inactivity, is hoards of massive people floating around in hovering lounge-chairs who, when they fall out of the chairs, need robots to help them back into their chairs!

One of my primary responsibilities as a minister, and a follower of Christ, is to make disciples. However, the church today has taken on such a consumer mind-set. Many people go to church to be fed, but they don't want to learn to feed themselves. The result is what I would call spiritual gluttony. We have at our finger tips a vast amount of resources, and yet we are probably one of the most spiritually illiterate cultures in history. It's like they want spiritual growth by osmosis. That is not what scripture teaches. Spiritual maturity comes at the price of exercise and suffering. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." (Hebrews 6:12-14)

Having been a believer, myself, for over 30 years, I am ashamed that I am still as immature as I am. God's patience and grace in my life has sustained me, even in those days, weeks, and years that I wasn't hotly pursuing Him. I think we all get into dry times in our lives where we don't sense growth happening; nevertheless, it is the constant practice of spiritual disciplines that yields growth and strength. John Ortberg, in The Life You've Always Wanted, likens this to the difference between trying to run a marathon verses training.

So, there they are, both of them on the coffee table. The remote and the Bible. Everyday we get to choose. We can either try or we can train. And don't forget... it ain't about the knowledge, it's about the transformation. If all our training does is make us more versatile at Bible trivia it is useless. We only truly believe, what we live. (cf. James 2:26)

A Love Letter...I Choose You!

July 14, 2008

Dear Jill,

I can’t believe it has been 18 years. I would have never dreamed that anyone would have put up with me for 18 years. Sometimes, I don’t even think I want to be around myself that much. And then I stop and think about what we did 18 years ago, without fully realizing it. We made a commitment to each other. “To have and to hold,” “for better for worse,” “in sickness and in health,” “till death us do part.” What it all comes down to is a choice to love each other. Because sometimes, I know I am not so loveable. Sometimes, I don’t feel so warm and fuzzy around you. Sometimes, I deliberately do selfish and say hurtful things. But you chose to love me, in the best time and the not so glamorous, and I have chosen to love you the same. It is no surprise we had some folks, along the way, say that we wouldn’t make it. But just as you chose to love me in spite of, I choose to love you in spite of.

18 years is a long time, and yet I am still getting to know you. Each stage of life brings a new set of challenges and a new set of opportunities to trust God. Really, with all the things that we have faced, it really doesn’t’ surprise me that marriages fall apart. But two things have kept us together. Our love for God through a relationship with Jesus and our choosing to love one another.

Thank you for an awesome adventure in life. I know that our life has not turned out how we expected, but whose has? All I know is that I wouldn’t trade the world, and all it offers, to do it over again with someone else.

Thank you for loving me through it all. I love you, Jill. I always will.

Happy Anniversary!
Tony

Letter or Intent

If you are like me, when I was younger in my faith and understanding, I believed that the New Testament showed God's grace and the Old showed His wrath and the Law. Since then, I have learned more about what the scriptures really do teach and what they don't. I have learned that in reality the Old Testament is filled with example after example of God's grace. Many of the Jews erroneously believed that it was following the letter of the Law which brought the pleasure of the Lord. I read a great example this morning that God's intent was something entirely different.

The next good king in Judah's line of kings was Hezekiah. His story begins in 2 Chronicles 29 and continues for several chapters. Now, Hezekiah was a king of great reform. He called together the priests to renovate and restore the temple to prepare it for worship. Once complete, he issued an invitation to all who would come and worship the true Lord, even those Jews who were in the now pagan northern kingdom of Israel and many came enduring scorn and ridicule. They prepared to celebrate the Passover; however, it was not in the right time of year but they desired to worship God with their whole heart. It is clear that his motivation was to honor God.

The thing that jumped out to me is that not all those who came from far and near had followed the letter of the Law in preparation to participate in the festival, but their hearts had been captivated by God and they desired to be restored to the God of their fathers. Hezekiah realized they had not been consecrated, and he lifted up an awesome prayer on behalf of these wayward followers of God. "'May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.'" (2 Chron. 30:18b-19) This is in stark contrast to Uzziah's attempt to skirt the rules. And watch God's response in verse 20, "And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people." WOW, the poeple realized that God is what made them right, not the law!

David, the man after God's own heart knew well what it was all about. After his fall with Bathsheba was revealed, he threw himself on the mercy of God, "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (Psalm 51:16-17) I believe that the first step to a transformed life is brokenness. We must come to the end of ourselves. Sometimes this comes at the expense of tragedy. For others the light just comes on. Make no mistake, God wants your heart, and He is willing to do anything for it. Even send His only perfect Son to take the punishment that we deserve. It's only by grace. It was always by grace alone. Once the light came on for me, I began the journey of really beginning to understand how depraved I really am, and how awesome God 's grace is. And now, that is my motivation. Paul tells Titus this in chapter 3 of his letter to him. I really like the way Eugene Petersen renders this passage:

"It wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this."

We can NEVER be good enough, it is only by grace, that is His intent.

Dee-luxe Occomoda-shuns!

My family and I had the blessing of a few days off. While we were gallivanting around North Dallas, we had the privilege of staying at the illustrious Chateau Shaw. This fine establishment pictured here boasts fine sleeping and exquisite dining. the proprietors take pride in their establishment and maintain a high level of excellence in ambiance and service.

Should you ever have opportunity to be a guest Chateau Shaw, you will no doubt enjoy your stay. I would post the number for reservations, however it is a private establishment and open only by invitations.

Thanks again Steve and Judy for your hospitality! We had a great time!

When the Fall Comes

God has blessed us with a few days off and I finally get a chance to record a few thoughts. This morning I was drawn quickly to a topic that I am all too familiar with. It is not just because we sat around the table discussing this last night after dinner. It's not just because my reading in 2nd Chronicles dealt with this topic, but it is also because I have experienced this bitter taste in my mouth first hand. It is mornings like this that I am reminded that God's word is not archaic and irrelevant, but like Hebrews says it is "...living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword...able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

In the line of Judah's kings, there lived a man named Uzziah. Now in the grand scheme of things. Uzziah was a great king. So, great that his death marked a time of dispair that the prophet Isaiah alluded to it in his famous heavenly encounter with the Lord, "In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted..."(Isaiah 1:6) There was great reform and victory under Uzziah's leadership. I even noticed that Uzziah was credited with inventing a war machine for shooting multiple arrows and large stones! (cf. 2 Chron. 26:15).

However, one of the most powerful words in the Bible follows this verse: "But." The word "but" is a conjunction which creates a contrast. Simply put, it is a word that tells you something is about to change. What is about to change is what happens all too often especially amongst those in leadership in God's church. What happens is what, all too often, has caused many to fall by the wayside. What happens is what causes many to doubt the truth of the gospel. What happens is the primary example why God tells us that those in positions of leadership and teaching will be judged with a harsher judgement. "But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly...". Proverbs 16:18 says it best, "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. "

Uzziah thought because he had done so much good stuff, he didn't need to follow God's laws for worship etiquette. He arrogantly went into the temple to burn incense before the Lord, and that wasn't his job. The result was that he was struck with leprosy, and had to live out the remainder of his life in isolation.

Pride is a dangerous thing. It can give us a sense of accomplishment when we have worked hard for something and the results are excellence. However, when pride turns into arrogance and self-reliance, the results can disastrous, especially when it happens to a leader in the church. I heard someone once say that the true test of a man's heart is success. There is a tendency to begin trusting in our own ability rather than God's grace and mercy. I think over the times in my life that I fell the hardest it occurred when I, "got too big for my britches." Everything that we are, have or do is a result not of our own ability, but rather God's goodness and lovingkindness. Don't think so, I don't recommend trying God on this one. Everything we have and are can be taken away with one bad decision, an accident, or a tragedy.

We have been created with the purpose of bringing honor and glory to God. When we become center stage or think that we are indespensible, God always has a way of reminding us otherwise. I made this mistake, and it resulted in several years of God reminding me that I was not as important as I thought I was. Sometimes, I still find myself slipping into that mindset, but I catch myself before I go down that path again. I do not want to go there again. I am still paying for it, and my family is still paying for it.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones."
-Proverbs 3:5-8