A Tale of Two Mornings – Nothing Significant?

God is forever using the ignoble for noble purposes. Take me for instance. I have the honor of leading His people in worship, teaching His Word and proclaiming God’s love to those he puts in my path.

This morning I found myself thinking about how God used two insignificant mornings to make a huge difference in life as we know it. The first came in a small insignificant town called Bethlehem, to two insignificant people named Mary and Joseph. The news of the Savior’s birth came to a group of insignificant shepherds—the lowliest of the low. This Savior was wrapped in strips of cloth and later given burial spices as a birthday present. Who would have guessed that which we celebrate this insignificant morning would have been so significant.

Some thirty-three years later, on another insignificant morning, just a few days after the tragic execution of an innocent man, this Savior, who had been, once again, been wrapped in strips of cloth, was again brought a present of burial spices. However, He was no longer in that grave! And once again, the good news was once again announced by an angel to a group of insignificant men and women.

So, here we are, over 2000 years later, and we still celebrate those two “insignificant” mornings. May this time with family and friends be shared and richly enjoyed, not because we have much under the tree, but rather because we who were once insignificant are now heirs of God.

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:16-17

May you and yours have a Significant Christmas!

Big Change from Little Words

Sorry for the change in title and picture but apparently, all I did was either offend or confuse. Perhaps this will suffice. If you have heard me teach, you have likely heard me state that my favorite word in the Bible is the word "but." Grammatically speaking, the word "but" is a conjunction, which describes a contrast from one phrase or clause to another, and in my reading this morning, I ran across one BIG "BUT!" I was reading Paul's letter to Titus when I ran across it.

Paul is writing to Titus, the pastor of the church on the island of Crete and one of Paul's converts. The book's outline and message is simple and straightforward. First, Paul speaks about church leadership, then he addresses how a diverse church should interact with one another, and in the third and last chapter, he instructs on how the church should interact with the world. He reminds them of who they (we) once were: "For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another." (3:3) I don't know about you, but I usually don't have much trouble remembering my past. So, why would Paul bring up the past? However, the thought doesn't stop there...

BUT...

"...when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (vs. 3:4-7)

Can you see why I like the word "but?" And this is a big one! This describes a transformation of identity. This, folks, is the Great Exchange! We go from rebels to being heirs! The awesome thing that this verse declares is that we can do NONE of it! God does it all himself, because He is the only one who can do anything about our plight (go back and look at all the times the words "He" and "His" is used)! The verb forms used here state that this is a done deal! And since it is God who is doing this, it is sealed! (cf. 2 Cor. 1:22, Eph. 1:13)

Shadowboxing

I love movies about boxing. One of my favorites is Cinderella Man, with Russell Crowe. I would even admit that I have watched my share of the infamous Rocky movies. I love how these movies portray great comebacks and I get inspired. I am no boxer, but one of the things I know about boxing is that a boxer, if he is going to be great, must train his body. So, they undergo months and years of exercises that fine tune the fighter to do one thing... box! One of these exercises is called shadow boxing. Shadow boxing is kind of a funny thing to do. It is simply when a boxer practices throwing punches at nothing to refine his technique and warm up the muscles to avoid injury. However, if he never gets in the ring, all his efforts are in vain.

I, recently, reading through the "pastoral epistles" of 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus. I like to visit these passages at least once a year to remind and refresh what it takes to be a shepherd of people. In these letters, in particular those to Timothy, Paul uses an interesting phrase 3 times. "Fight the good fight." The first two are instructional, the last is himself reflecting on his own life. Something that stands out to me when I look at this command is that it assumes that there is a bad or no-so-good fight. He doesn't just say fight the fight, but rather fight the good fight. In the 1 Tim. 6:12, he further describes it as the "good fight of faith."

He is telling Timothy to give himself to that which matters most. I began to think about this and was reminded that we ALL give ourselves to something. But is it the right thing. We are all fighting a fight... but is it the GOOD fight. If I am not giving myself to Jesus daily, I am just shadowboxing. I can chase all sorts of good things (money, stuff, people, family, health, church, etc.) but I will come up wanting every time, because only Jesus truly satisfies. What do we spend our time pursuing? Jesus said where our treasure is, that is where we will find our heart. It's time to stop shadowboxing and to get in the ring... the right ring... and fight the good fight.

A Heavenly Preview

Jill & I are in the habit of previewing all the movies that our girls watch since there is so much garbage out there that teach a plethora of worldly messages. There is a movie that came out recently on DVD that I have been wondering about, so I rented it and previewed it this weekend. I am not sure of the intention, but not only did I find it to be pretty safe, but even saw some really cool lessons that I could use to teach about Christ.

The movie is Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. At first, I found the main character, Mr. Magorium, a little weird, but as the story unveils, I saw that one of the primary plots was about facing death. Magorium, played by Dustin Hoffman, knows he is about to die, and trying to get Maloney, played by Natalie Portman, prepared to take over the toy store. Maloney is a would-be concert pianist who is stuck writing her first concerto. And although everyone believes in here talent, she can't seem to break through and finish it. I don't want to ruin the story for you, but Maloney learns that she really comes alive once the one she believes in dies and she takes over his work. Not did she believe in herself, but did she believe in this mysterious man who brings toys to life. This immediately reminded me of the verse where Christ is foretelling of His own death and the life that results. "'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.'" John 12:24.

Unless we embrace who we are in Christ, we can never truly come alive to see all that we were created to be and do. If we do, wonderful things can happen! Enjoy the movie. I did.

A Tale of Two Dorothy’s

Yesterday, I found myself talking with Dorothy. Dorothy is my brother's-in-law grandmother. A sweet woman of 80+ who lost her husband of 60+ years several months ago. I pray that the Lord would grant me life that long with Jill. We are almost at 20 years together and I cannot imagine life without her. And yet, as I listened to Dorothy share her pain of missing her beloved, she said something that struck a cord with me. She told me that she longer wanted to live since her partner was gone and yet the Lord wouldn't take her home yet. I think anything I would say to her would trivialize her pain, and yet there is something in her statement that I think most people struggle with. Why are we here?

I have lived long enough to witness hundreds, if not thousands, of people chase the answer to this question. In the old Billy Crystal movie, City Slickers, Billy’s character does this. He encounters an old cowboy who challenges him at the fiber of his being because he seems to have what he lacks- reason for living. Curly, the cowboy, tells him that he has to find his “ONE THING.” Some people try to find the one thing in people. They tie up their identity in their spouse, their kids or friends. For some, it’s stuff, they drive a new one, redecorate the old one and although it never satisfies, they continue to chase the lie. For others, it is their job or a cause. There is only one problem, what happens when, like Dorothy, it goes away? Well, for many they pine away the days wishing for what once was. Some, sadly enough, lose their will for living and go to unspeakable extremes to end the pain.

There is another woman I know named Dorothy. She too, only a year ago, lost her husband of almost 60 years. She misses him dearly. He was a pastor, and she was his partner in ministry. And yet, while she still feels the sting of his absence, she has made the decision to continue on in her life. She has a ministry to those who are shut in and cannot get out. She faithfully visits them and brings God’s love every week. She has figured out the ONE THING. She knows that one day she will stand again with her beloved never to be parted as they share eternity together.

So, what are we here for? Well, I believe the Apostle Paul speaks of this early in his letter to the Colossians. It is at the heart of his prayer for them. He prays that they, “may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” (Col. 1:9-12)

If we cling to that which is temporary, we lose our purpose for living when it goes away. Notice I didn't say "if" it goes away, but "when" it goes away. I have experienced loss, both great and small. I have known betrayal and deep pain. I have known want, and while none of it is enjoyable, God is teaching me the lesson of contentment. For me, reason for living is simple and it cannot be taken away by anyone or anything. It is first, to know Christ, and then to make Him known. 2 Corinthians 5 explains this. God has reconciled us to Himself, and thereby given us the ministry of reconciling others to Him.

I love both Dorothy's dearly. They have lived long and loved well. Pray that Dorothy #1 remembers her reason for living. Pray that we all do.

Needing Eye Surgery

It has been a number of years now since I was first diagnosed with myopia. Myopia is defined in Wikipedia, as "a refractive defect of the eye in which collimated light produces image focus in front of the retina when accommodation is relaxed." Now before you begin prayer vigils for me and my "critical condition," let me assure you that I am going to make it. As a matter of fact, it is most likely that my condition will not result in my demise. For those of you, like myself, that are not as well versed in medical terminology (I had to look this stuff up)... I am nearsighted. In the most simplest of explanations, I can only see clearly when things are close. Much farther than a couple feet, I require corrective lenses, and until God gives me my glorified body or we can save the small fortune Lasik would require, I am doomed to wear eyeglasses.

I am, unfortunately, stricken with a spiritual myopic condition as well. I think most folks are, really. We can only see the here and now, and truth be known, we don't do so good with seeing up close and should have spiritual bifocals because what we see right now is pretty blurry too. I tend to see things most often from a very worldly perspective. I focus merely on what I think I see, but God's desire is that I begin to develop what I will call "forever eyes." I believe that when we receive Christ by faith, God gives us a new set of eyes. And, like getting new glasses, we must use them frequently in order to adjust to seeing with our new sight. If we used our forever eyes regularly, it would give us a tremendous amount of perspective on the here and now.

There's an old Alfred Brumley gospel song whose chorus sings:

"O Lord you know I have no friend like you

If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?

The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore."

Too often, we spend our time looking at where we are now and trying to set up shop here on earth, but, like John Ortberg describes, that is as foolish as trying to redecorate a motel room when we are staying there-- this place is not our home. Oftentimes, I get discouraged because I focus on that which is temporary. But God wants me to fix my eyes on Jesus and on my eternal destiny. Listen to what God describes for us through his prophet Isaiah in chapter 65:

"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;

And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind." (v.17)

Some versions translate the word "behold" as LOOK, SEE or even PAY ATTENTION. The chapter finishes with a vivid description of where our eternal perspective should be focus.

I especially like that way Eugene Peterson renders this passage in the Message. In this verse, he says, "All the earlier troubles, chaos, and pain are things of the past, to be forgotten." God has SO MUCH better in store for us. If only we could learn to use our "forever eyes" we would know exactly know what Paul was saying when he said, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known."

Until then, I will be needing daily eye surgery.

I've Got a Secret

It would only take one look at me to realize that I was never much of an athlete. I played a little soccer in elementary and Jr High, but for the most part, none of my yearbooks were not filled with accolades of Athletic prowess. Truth be known, I was one of those who was usually picked last for teams. The feeling of rejection followed me through much of my life and even now, when I witness this today whether in person or on a movie, there is a sinking feeling in my stomach. There is one thing that I believe is at the heart of every human being... the need for acceptance and intimacy... specifically with God.

Look around you and you will see people, Christian and non-Christian alike, clamoring for that which is but a hollow shell of what they desire the most. Don't believe me, well then logic would say that if material wealth and popularity is what satisfies, then one would assume that those who live in Hollywood and Washington would be the most emotionally stable and healthy. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that that couldn't be farther from the truth.

Last night in our small group we talked about this at length. We have been talking about the two parts of the Gospel: 1. Christ's death on the cross dealt completely with our sin, 2. Christ rose from the grave to give us new life. And it was no surprise to me that as I shared my heart in this second area from my own experience, the look on their faces told me they had never really fully grasped this part of their identity in Christ. This is one of the most important and yet I feel one of the most neglected aspects of the Gospel in the church today. And I have come to realize that, unlike Oprah's new fad cult "the secret,"this topic truly is the "The Secret" to the abundant life Christ refers to in John 10:10. I will admit that some can articulate these two parts, but so few in the Church really live in the truth of the second part.

This morning, I was reading and found this Thomas A Kempis quote that describes what we talked about: "The one who loves flies, runs, and is glad; he is free and not bound. He gives all for all, and has all in all, because he rests in one who is supreme above all things, from whom every good thing flows and goes forth." It wasn't until just a few years ago that I realized that although I was a follower of Christ, I was not free, but bound in slavery to my guilt and sin that Christ had overcome by His death. I was not living in the rest that is described here.

I remember growing up in the church and watching people get baptized, I would hear the pastor quote Romans 6:4 as he dunked them into the water, "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." That odd little phrase was never explained to me, not really. I mean I understood that as a Christian I was to stop doing bad things, but it never was explained to me that my identity had changed and I actually had the power to do that. I was a new creature in Christ. (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17).

You see when we become new creatures in Christ, God actually gives us a new life. We are born again. That is not just a religious phrase, it is a new identity. The trouble is few people ever learn how to actually walk in that identity. Oh, they may do a lot of trying, but how many people in the Church do you know that are actually living the life of rest in the Supreme one that Kempis refers to? I sure wasn't. I thought the Christian life was hard-- it's not! It is impossible. Jesus describes eternal life best for us in John 17:3. It is about relationship with the Father. That is the Secret! Once I learned the Secret, I was set free by the Truth! Do I always hit the mark? Absolutely not, but I can rest in the fact that I don't have to because He is the One that has completed the work required for complete acceptance before the Father. I can now remain intimate with Him as long as I abide in him. I will spend the rest of my life sharing the Secret with those both in the Body and out.

Now you know the Secret! Go walk in newness of life by the power of Christ in you!

Realigning Personal Identity

Today's post comes out of George Barna's book, Revolution. I do, however, totally resonate with what he said. As a matter of fact its content, although I read it this morning, I shared with the church yesterday and frequently. This is what he said,

"Let me also point out that a major reason why most local churches have little influence on the world is that their congregants do not experience this transformation in identity. Our research indicates that churchgoers are more likely to see themselves as Americans, consumers, professionals, parents, and unique individuals than zealous disciples of Jesus Christ. Until that self-image is re-oriented, churches will not have the capacity to change their world."

Making this change in my own thinking, was one of the most pivotal points in my life since my coming to Christ decades ago. What we do comes from our attitudes. You have heard it said, that attitude is everything? Well, we derive our attitude from making a conscious decision to hold to a mind set based on our identity. This is a mantra that you will hear from me again and again. If your identity is rooted in something that is temporary that can die, be stolen, leave or be lost in a moment, then you are asking for an identity crisis. Far too many end their lives prematurely because they have reached this same crisis. My identity is found in Christ alone. So my primary purpose in life is finding our more about who I am in Christ and aligning my behavior to be consistent with my identity. So the question remains. . .Who are you?

Missional Living

This week was a long one. Jill & I spent from Sunday evening to Wednesday at the SBC Convention in San Antonio. It started Sunday afternoon with my getting sick, and still recovering to this day. It was long primarily because sitting through a 2 1/2 day Baptist business meeting is hard enough trying to keep focused, but when your head is pounding and you are battling a upper respiratory infection, the days really drag on. Nevertheless, we survived. I have little patience for this type of convention, and found myself remembering why it was that I left the Baptist church years ago. In spite of this, I find myself once again serving in a Baptist church.

This convention did have a couple of redeeming points. The most significant being an after hours session which included an 1 1/2 hour worship set of awesome contemporary music followed by a teaching session by a pastor I have been following in recent months by the name of Bob Roberts. It was a powerful and challenging time as he spoke on something he is on the leading edge of- "Missional Living." Missional living is essentially a postmodern alternative to the ecclesiology and missiology of Evangelical Christians. Is is a relatively new concept and has been a topic I have found myself studying recently. There is much debate on the topic, but guys like Roberts, Dan Kimball, and Ed Stetzer are leading the way on the more conservative evangelical side of things. In short, it is a mindset of outside the box thinking on missions and how to do church- a mindset I find myself embracing. Roberts defined missional living in this way, he stated that it is living your life in Christ in "total abandonment." Living here and now as if you were a missionary wherever God has you. He went on to say that to live missionally is to live not caring whether you live or die pursuing this kind of life. I kept waiting for a comic or sarcastic remark to soften the blow, but it never came. As I meditated further on this, my first response was, "wow, that is extreme!" However, the more I thought about it, the more I found myself accepting the validity of this statement, especially when the Spirit reminded me of a familiar passage where Paul says, "to live is Christ to die is gain..." When I looked up the passage in Philippians, it was even further driven home. Listen to the his words:

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!" -- Phil.1:20-22

It IS extreme, but true nonetheless. The conviction and shame that followed was heavier than I have experienced in a long time. I began to realize that although he was not saying that we must adopt an evangelical version of jihad, the attitude of total abandonment is a willingness to sacrifice all for the sake of Christ. It is wear the rubber meets the road. It is not the "touchy feel-ly churchianity" that I and most fo the American church has grown accustomed to. Even in the midst of my own frequent disgust with status quo religion, it was a wake up call to ask what do I really believe? I can't say that I have had this same conversation that Paul had with the Philippians, and that I have lived much of my existence trying to satisfy the desires of my flesh.

Lord, please forgive me. Your servant Jim Elliot was right, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

Passing Through

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.

-- C. S. Lewis

Settling For Less

"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

- C.S. Lewis

Connecting the Dots

There is a phrase I use on occasion that usually annoys my wife. Probably because I often use it around her in a less than uplifting context. This phrase is "connect the dots." Like the famous puzzles that my oldest daughter is beginning to enjoy, you see a series of numbered dots on a page that when followed in the correct order combine to form a hidden picture that you cannot see otherwise. I believe sometimes God gives us the dots on certain truths throughout scripture, and His Spirit reveals the whole at times that He deems we will be most receptive to them; He "connects the dots" for us.

This morning, he did that for me as I have continued my reading through The Journey of Desire. In Genesis 1:26-27, we read that we are created in His image. Often times we see this expressed when we watch children at play. Os Guinness notes that, "Sometimes we human beings are never happier than when we are expressing the deepest gifts that are truly us." Eldredge goes on to explain that our children have various gifting specialties. "But whatever their specialty, all children are inherently creative." Later he writes, "It comes naturally to children; it's in their nature, their design as little image bearers." That may be the reason that we see pictures of Jesus loving kids; He could see what was first intended for us before it is lost with age and "maturity." Maybe that is why He says we must come to Him in childlike faith.

After He created man, He set them down in "a paradise of unlimited potential." In turn, we are most at home when we are doing what we were created to do and doing it to bring Him glory. I know I always feel closest to God when I am engaged in music. Something in me takes over and I find myself lost in an almost ethereal plane and I am connected to my Creator, and this does not happen to me in any other action. For you, that may be teaching, painting, building, or for whatever you were wired. Nevertheless, we bear His image in the unique way that is ours and ours alone.

Maybe I am missing this altogether, but it really causes me to realize the significance of being made in the image of God.

Hiding In Plain Sight

I recently read that the newly released hit Spiderman 3 has broken box-office records with its revenues it has generated. While I was unable to make my own contribution to the film-makers collection yet, I am sure I will frequent the silver screen in due time.

I grew up, like many boys, in the comic book scene. Superheroes were my thing. As I grew older, I realized that my childhood fantasies were more than just fun and games. Often, my friends and I would pretend to BE one of these characters. In my adolescent years this turned to fantasy-role playing games such as D&D and video-gaming.

The reality is that I had no hero in my life, and I definitely did not want to be who I was. I could get lost in day-dreaming of being someone special, with superhuman powers and good looks. I would hide in my fantasy world thinking that if I pretended to be someone else, I would not have to deal with the hurt and pain of what was real in my life.

As a pastor, it is now evident to me that this issue is still rampant and a core part of who we are as a society. Maybe you don't hide in a fantasy world of video gaming and super heroes, perhaps your hiding place was through addiction to sports, fashion or the pursuit of the finer things in life. And although we find a temporary cover in the experience or acquisition of things, it always seems to fall short and the lights come on and like cockroaches, we run scurrying for the darker corners lest we have to deal with the real "me."

Although I grew up in church and trusted Christ at a young age, sadly it wasn't until a few years ago that I actually learned who I really was... I am a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. That give me incredible worth. I do not not have to fight, kick and scream to make myself acceptable before God and man, because my sufficiency is found in Christ alone. He is not only my Savior, but he is my hero. And even though, I am still unable to walk on walls or shoot lasers out of my eyes, I cling to the one whose strength is perfected in my weakness (2 Cor. 12) he is my rescuer (Psalm 34:4-7). If you have forgotten who you are in Christ, I invite you to walk thru' the book of Ephesians and take note of all the times it He describes who you are "in Christ" or "in Him."