Each year millions of us set aside our, projects, plans, goals, ambitions, school, or whatever else it is we are working on, and sit down for a little brainless activity we call Tetris. OK, so maybe you are not one of the millions who are still enticed by little funny shaped blocks falling from the ceiling that must be arranged into rows so that they can disappear and be converted into points for you to brag about—but you do know what I am talking about. I will bet dollars to donuts that at some point in your life, whether it be on a video game system, a computer, or the internet (maybe even a cell phone) you tried your hand at the icon of virtual masonry, and probably even played a little longer than you initially intended to.
This year marked the 25th anniversary of those loveable, stackable, addicting blocks, and if you do not already know they were invented by a man named Alexey Pajitnov at the Dorodnicyn Computing Centre at Moscow’s Academy of Science Institute. Apparently, the program must have been so intense that Pajitnov needed something to help him unwind. Either that was the case, or the program was so boring that he invented a diversion to help him pass the time. Either way, Pajitnov can be credited with crafting the world’s most successful decompressing agent since the back massage was invented—Wikipedia does not have a date of conception for the back massage, but I looked just to be sure.
We all have different things we turn to when it comes to resting our nerves and attempting to return to some semblance of normalcy in our life. For some of us recovery involves going to an island in a distant sea and laying out on white sands until our skin looks like a piece of lacquered rosewood, or just a red rose. For others of us it requires something as simple as sitting out on a porch swing with a crisp new hardback and a cup of Starbucks dark roast coffee. There are all types excursions one can choose from when looking for a way to unwind, in fact an entire industry has been built on this basic human instinct, but do any of them really, really, work?
In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says what I believe is one of his most ambitious, and some might even say downright presumptuous, professions of his entire ministry. He says, “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” Often, when we consider all of the roles that Jesus plays in humanity we forget the idea that Jesus helps us relax. We are quick to say that he saves, and forgives, and gives mercy, but rarely do we consider the fact that he helps us by allowing our nerves to take a much needed break. Perhaps the reason we do not consider this attribute of our Lord, is that in light of his other attributes this one does not seem all that significant. However, in my mind this is one of the greatest and most compelling statements that our savior, or for that matter anyone in history, ever made. “Come over to me and I will allow you to just chill for a while.” What an amazing concept that is in a society that seems to have an inherent need for speed, like some obsessed race car driver that started with a Big Wheel at age three. For many of us we have lost touch with the concept of rest like a friend we graduated from high school with and promised we would always be there for.
As we enter into another holiday season full of packed malls and loud households it may be good to not only remind ourselves of the real reason for the season, but also to remember what that reason is offering us for nothing more than a few moments of our time. The turkey will not suffer if it does not get to go into the oven at exactly the time it expected, and the relatives will not mind if the ornaments are not perfectly placed on the tree, or the gifts are not stacked like a Macy’s commercial. Only you will suffer if you do not find time to take Jesus up on one of the greatest offers he ever made. REST!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The Audacity to Believe
When David had the audacity to request his shot at the giant Goliath his brothers became angry with him for embarrassing them, and Saul ridiculed him for what he thought was a boastful claim grounded in nothing more than youthful pretension. At this point most of us would probably have thrown in the towel like a boxer who realizes he should not have tried to make a comeback, and walked off with the words, “Well...I tried, what more can I do?” trailing behind us like a line of crumbs from a child’s cookie. Fortunately, David did not respond the way many of us would have to the disparaging remarks made regarding his worth as a soldier. Instead of being disheartened by the fact that his older brothers, and the king, thought him a precocious young lad with misplaced confidence - stemming from an ability to protect sheep from their predators - he continued to pursue the opportunity to defend his people and fight against their biggest adversary (pun intended).
How many of us would have done the same thing, knowing that we were putting our lives and futures at risk for some people that really were not interested in our services? How many of us would have been willing to fight through the fog of rejection and discouragement and take hold of the task which we knew God had called us to complete?
Perhaps you have heard the story of Henry Martyn. Martyn was a missionary to India where doctors told him that if he did not leave he would probably die from the heat. So Martyn did leave, and went to Persia, which is actually hotter than India. There Martyn translated the New Testament and the Psalms into the Persian language in only nine months; pretty good considering before he arrived he did not know Persian. After Martyn finished his translation he was told that he was not allowed to hand it out until he received permission from the Shah in Tehran. He then traveled the 600 miles to Tehran were he was told that he could not see the Shah. In desperation he made the 400 mile trek to see the British ambassador whom he found out could do nothing for him. He traveled back to Tehran, at this point beginning to show serious signs of his slowly deteriorating health, and was forced to rest during the extreme heat of the day protected by only a small piece of canvas that shaded him from the torrid sun. When he finally arrived in Tehran he was allowed to see the Shah, and was granted permission to share his translation with the people of Persia. Only ten days later he went home to be with the Lord he had so passionately served throughout his life. One of the final entries in his journal read, “I sat and thought with sweet comfort and peace of my God. In solitude my Companion, my Friend, and Comforter.”
Henry Martyn did not balk at the adversity that the devil put before him. Instead he looked past it to the goal he had of serving his Lord and Savior. Following Paul’s words in Hebrews 12, Martyn had his eyes set on Jesus and was determined to run the race marked out for him. Martyn didn’t wait for someone to tell him where the markers were, he simply went, knowing that as long as he pursued what the Lord put on his heart, he could not go wrong.
Often we choose not to do something the Lord has put on our heart, and unlike David or Henry we choose to excuse our inaction by convincing ourselves that what others are saying about us is true, or that our past failures ultimately determine what we are capable of achieving for the Lord. The truth is that these are words and thoughts being pushed on us by the father of lies, and we must remind ourselves that at the end of the day it is only the person staring back at us in the mirror that convinces us they are true.
How many of us would have done the same thing, knowing that we were putting our lives and futures at risk for some people that really were not interested in our services? How many of us would have been willing to fight through the fog of rejection and discouragement and take hold of the task which we knew God had called us to complete?
Perhaps you have heard the story of Henry Martyn. Martyn was a missionary to India where doctors told him that if he did not leave he would probably die from the heat. So Martyn did leave, and went to Persia, which is actually hotter than India. There Martyn translated the New Testament and the Psalms into the Persian language in only nine months; pretty good considering before he arrived he did not know Persian. After Martyn finished his translation he was told that he was not allowed to hand it out until he received permission from the Shah in Tehran. He then traveled the 600 miles to Tehran were he was told that he could not see the Shah. In desperation he made the 400 mile trek to see the British ambassador whom he found out could do nothing for him. He traveled back to Tehran, at this point beginning to show serious signs of his slowly deteriorating health, and was forced to rest during the extreme heat of the day protected by only a small piece of canvas that shaded him from the torrid sun. When he finally arrived in Tehran he was allowed to see the Shah, and was granted permission to share his translation with the people of Persia. Only ten days later he went home to be with the Lord he had so passionately served throughout his life. One of the final entries in his journal read, “I sat and thought with sweet comfort and peace of my God. In solitude my Companion, my Friend, and Comforter.”
Henry Martyn did not balk at the adversity that the devil put before him. Instead he looked past it to the goal he had of serving his Lord and Savior. Following Paul’s words in Hebrews 12, Martyn had his eyes set on Jesus and was determined to run the race marked out for him. Martyn didn’t wait for someone to tell him where the markers were, he simply went, knowing that as long as he pursued what the Lord put on his heart, he could not go wrong.
Often we choose not to do something the Lord has put on our heart, and unlike David or Henry we choose to excuse our inaction by convincing ourselves that what others are saying about us is true, or that our past failures ultimately determine what we are capable of achieving for the Lord. The truth is that these are words and thoughts being pushed on us by the father of lies, and we must remind ourselves that at the end of the day it is only the person staring back at us in the mirror that convinces us they are true.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Yes or No? That is the question?
We have been going through the book of James for the past couple of weeks and one of the verses, among many, that seems to leap off the page is James 5:13. “Let your “yes”, be yes, and your “no,” no, or you will be condemned.”
In a culture that prides itself on adaptability and tolerance, which undoubtedly can be positive qualities when exercised at the appropriate time, it seems to fly in the face of conventional wisdom that our “yes” cannot sometimes - under certain circumstances - become our “no”, and that our “no”, cannot likewise, sometimes change to a “yes.”
Recently, it was reported in the news that a senator was changing party loyalties. A Republican for 43 years he decided that it was time to make a switch to the party he had once been identified with, but had for a much more formidable tenure been opposite of. Undoubtedly, many of the people who voted for him believed that he would continue to be a Republican since it was under that assumption which he garnered their vote, and thus kept his seat in office. But alas, it was not to be. On April 28, 2009 he announced to the nation that he was trading in his red jersey for a blue one, because, in his own words, “The prospects for winning the Republican primary [in his home state of Pennsylvania] are bleak .” Now he should be commended for being honest, something we often do not give politicians credit for, but in the same breath he should also be scolded for making a decision that so clearly rests on some statistical analysis of his constituency rather than an overwhelming concern for what is best for his country.
This is a perfect example of someone changing their “yes” to a “no”, or their “no” to a “yes”. When a man is elected to office under the assumption that he is committed to certain beliefs and practices of a specific party, and then decides one year before he has completed his term that he is going to change parties, because he feels it would be a positive career move, it simply does not speak very highly of his character, regardless of what one can say about his achievements or his political prowess.
A question that is bound to come up in the minds of Christians more and more often as we continue to go through these difficult times is - and it may sound a little funny at first - How committed am I to my “yeses” and my “nos”. Take for instance a Christian who believes that under normal circumstances it is wrong to sell someone a car without first telling them the car’s complete history, and everything that has gone wrong with it before. But now, being in hard financial straits, the Christian seller may convince himself or herself that it is OK to sell the buyer the car under false pretenses because he or she is not telling a blatant lie, but just remaining silent. This is a perfect example of someone letting their “no” become a “yes.”
Jesus said in Matthew 5:37 that, “This comes from the evil one.” Are we going to let the evil one take control of our minds and hearts, simply because we are struggling financially, or because we believe that God would understand if he were in our position. Somehow those excuses do not seem to line up with what the Word tells us. In Romans 14:5 Paul says, “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” In other words, “Do not sway from what God has fully convinced you of.” Some Christians may think it is OK to sell someone a car without giving them its history, “There’s always Carfax.” they might say. But a strong Christian knows in their heart what is right, and what is wrong. Say “yes” to what is right, and “no” to what is wrong. It may sound simple, but then again, most good things are.
In a culture that prides itself on adaptability and tolerance, which undoubtedly can be positive qualities when exercised at the appropriate time, it seems to fly in the face of conventional wisdom that our “yes” cannot sometimes - under certain circumstances - become our “no”, and that our “no”, cannot likewise, sometimes change to a “yes.”
Recently, it was reported in the news that a senator was changing party loyalties. A Republican for 43 years he decided that it was time to make a switch to the party he had once been identified with, but had for a much more formidable tenure been opposite of. Undoubtedly, many of the people who voted for him believed that he would continue to be a Republican since it was under that assumption which he garnered their vote, and thus kept his seat in office. But alas, it was not to be. On April 28, 2009 he announced to the nation that he was trading in his red jersey for a blue one, because, in his own words, “The prospects for winning the Republican primary [in his home state of Pennsylvania] are bleak .” Now he should be commended for being honest, something we often do not give politicians credit for, but in the same breath he should also be scolded for making a decision that so clearly rests on some statistical analysis of his constituency rather than an overwhelming concern for what is best for his country.
This is a perfect example of someone changing their “yes” to a “no”, or their “no” to a “yes”. When a man is elected to office under the assumption that he is committed to certain beliefs and practices of a specific party, and then decides one year before he has completed his term that he is going to change parties, because he feels it would be a positive career move, it simply does not speak very highly of his character, regardless of what one can say about his achievements or his political prowess.
A question that is bound to come up in the minds of Christians more and more often as we continue to go through these difficult times is - and it may sound a little funny at first - How committed am I to my “yeses” and my “nos”. Take for instance a Christian who believes that under normal circumstances it is wrong to sell someone a car without first telling them the car’s complete history, and everything that has gone wrong with it before. But now, being in hard financial straits, the Christian seller may convince himself or herself that it is OK to sell the buyer the car under false pretenses because he or she is not telling a blatant lie, but just remaining silent. This is a perfect example of someone letting their “no” become a “yes.”
Jesus said in Matthew 5:37 that, “This comes from the evil one.” Are we going to let the evil one take control of our minds and hearts, simply because we are struggling financially, or because we believe that God would understand if he were in our position. Somehow those excuses do not seem to line up with what the Word tells us. In Romans 14:5 Paul says, “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” In other words, “Do not sway from what God has fully convinced you of.” Some Christians may think it is OK to sell someone a car without giving them its history, “There’s always Carfax.” they might say. But a strong Christian knows in their heart what is right, and what is wrong. Say “yes” to what is right, and “no” to what is wrong. It may sound simple, but then again, most good things are.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Sword and the Rolling Stone
Tim had been driving for hours and needed a place to stop. He was extremely hungry and the large bag of Doritos he had bought at the Citgo station back in Kansas City had been eviscerated like a child’s present on Christmas morning, and sat empty on the passenger seat. His stomach felt as if it was trying to curl into a fetal position. Unfortunately, there was nowhere to stop as he surveyed the small town he was passing through. Part of him wished he would have stayed on the highway, but the sign just before he got off said the next town was more than 70 miles, and by that time he figured his metabolism would probably have gone after vital organs. He surveyed the landscape, which wasn’t much since the town he had entered had only one stoplight, and saw a little sign on the side of a building that said Henry’s. He couldn’t tell if it was a restaurant for sure, but figured it was worth a try since the only other things he saw were a small hardware store and hair salon, which by the looks of it had not had a customer since the Ford administration. He pulled up in front of Henry’s and put his car in park. He knew there probably were not going to be very many people, if any, in the restaurant, if it even was a restaurant, and he didn’t feel like talking to anyone so he grabbed his Bible and his reading glasses out of the glove compartment. As he entered Henry’s one thing became very apparent. He did not belong there. There was a small table in the corner with a few men playing backgammon, and one large burly biker man sitting at a table in the middle of the restaurant with a large glass of what looked to be ice tea. There was only one other table, and he realized that this table was his future, even though he did not want to admit it to himself at the moment. He pulled out a chair and sat down. He set his Bible on the table, and began to look around for some sign of service. It was while he was looking around that he heard the man at the table next to him say, “hey.” He started to turn, but then reminded himself that the man could be talking to anyone, and the word hey did not necessarily require a response on his part. Much to his dismay a few seconds later her heard the word again, “hey.” This time he turned towards the man, and did his best to put on a surprised face. “Mind if I borrow your sword?” the burley man asked in a gruff but not threatening tone. Tim tried to act normal, but he was at a loss for words. What was the man talking about? Was “sword” slang for something? His mind raced, and as it did he saw the man point to the Bible. Ahh, Tim understood now. “Sure, no problem” he managed to squeak out. He picked up the Bible and handed it to the man. The man reached out with his thick hand and took the book. He set it on the table and began to read to himself. Tim was not sure what to do now. Should he sit and watch the man, or do his best to begin a conversation. He could not decide, and as a result sat there staring at the man while he read the Bible and sipped his ice tea. After what seemed like about 15 minutes the man shut the book and handed it back to Tim. “Thanks man, I needed that” he said. “No problem”, responded Tim, “We all do.”
Tim’s story is not unlike many of the stories we have in our own lives. Stories where God has used us at certain times, and specific places to touch someone’s life with His power. In Tim’s case it was pretty obvious, but often we do not even recognize these opportunities, or what are sometimes referred to as divine appointments. I encourage you this week to be on the lookout for these divine appointments so that, as the apostle Paul says, you may make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16).
Tim’s story is not unlike many of the stories we have in our own lives. Stories where God has used us at certain times, and specific places to touch someone’s life with His power. In Tim’s case it was pretty obvious, but often we do not even recognize these opportunities, or what are sometimes referred to as divine appointments. I encourage you this week to be on the lookout for these divine appointments so that, as the apostle Paul says, you may make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16).
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Fruit That Got Away
The other day I was at the bakery waiting in line during what I thought was going to be a quick trip to pick up some cookies. However, I started to lose hope when I realized the first woman in line was doing some type of specialty order that was requiring the attention of both of the ladies behind the counter. She was pointing this way and that, and I could tell she was being very specific about what she wanted, like a photographer during a photo shoot. When she finally finished I breathed a sigh of relief like one does when they are in traffic and all of a sudden the car in front of them picks up speed. I got even more excited when I realized the two men in line behind her were together; that meant my wait just got even shorter. Unfortunately, my jubilation was short-lived. As the two men stepped up to the counter one of them asked, “Can I see the cookies?” See the cookies? See the cookies? I said to myself. The cookies are in a glass case, you’ve had ten minutes to see the cookies. What more is there to see? Then the man asked, “Do you have any peanut butter cookies?” Peanut butter cookies, peanut butter cookies! I said again to myself. All of the cookies are marked, so if there are any peanut butter cookies they would be marked, and there are no cookies marked peanut butter, and this is a bakery, not a warehouse, so there is no chance of their being a pile of peanut butter cookies in the back that just haven’t been put out on the shelf yet. The man in front of me, the only one left in line besides myself, and the two cookie coinsurers up front, turned around and smiled at me, as if to say, we’re in this together you and me, and we’re going to make it out of this, just like Robin and Batman.
Fortunately we did make it, and I got my cookies I had been waiting all week for. But I left feeling like I had failed a test; a test that God had used to see if I could handle being inconvenienced for a few moments; a test he had used to find out if I was becoming a more patient person; a test he had used to see if I practiced what I preach. And the results came back negative. I got the same feeling I had in college after a couple of calculus tests were returned to me with a, let’s just say, less than refrigerator worthy grade. I felt sick.
Patience is something that many of us struggle with, and it would not be such a big deal except for the Bible says it is a big deal, and that makes it kind of important. Galatians 5:2 says, “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” There it is, smack dab in the middle, and hard to miss. Patience is not usually the first quality that comes to mind when we think about living a virtuous life, but according to God it is just as important as many of the other qualities that do come to mind. Why is it then that we are able to brush patience aside like it is a branch that gets in the way while we are trying to mow the lawn, or an annoying cobweb that gets in our eyes while were are trying to find something in the attic? Maybe it is because a lot of times we really are in a rush, or because our impatience does not seem like it hurts other people. Whatever the reason is, it might be helpful to remember that Moses was probably making the same excuses when he took his stick and hit the rock because he was becoming impatient with the Israelites, and because of that he wound up wandering the desert for forty years. I do not think God would make us wander a dessert, but just to teach us a lesson he might make us wait in line a little bit longer at the bakery before we get to the promised land of cookies.
Fortunately we did make it, and I got my cookies I had been waiting all week for. But I left feeling like I had failed a test; a test that God had used to see if I could handle being inconvenienced for a few moments; a test he had used to find out if I was becoming a more patient person; a test he had used to see if I practiced what I preach. And the results came back negative. I got the same feeling I had in college after a couple of calculus tests were returned to me with a, let’s just say, less than refrigerator worthy grade. I felt sick.
Patience is something that many of us struggle with, and it would not be such a big deal except for the Bible says it is a big deal, and that makes it kind of important. Galatians 5:2 says, “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” There it is, smack dab in the middle, and hard to miss. Patience is not usually the first quality that comes to mind when we think about living a virtuous life, but according to God it is just as important as many of the other qualities that do come to mind. Why is it then that we are able to brush patience aside like it is a branch that gets in the way while we are trying to mow the lawn, or an annoying cobweb that gets in our eyes while were are trying to find something in the attic? Maybe it is because a lot of times we really are in a rush, or because our impatience does not seem like it hurts other people. Whatever the reason is, it might be helpful to remember that Moses was probably making the same excuses when he took his stick and hit the rock because he was becoming impatient with the Israelites, and because of that he wound up wandering the desert for forty years. I do not think God would make us wander a dessert, but just to teach us a lesson he might make us wait in line a little bit longer at the bakery before we get to the promised land of cookies.
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