Monday “I Needed That” Moment

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Quitting

Sunday, March 31st, 2013

“I’m taking my ball and going home!”

“If you can’t play by my rules then fine. I’m done!”

We have all heard them. We probably played with a few of them. Shoot, those very words may have come out of our mouths. But those are minor compared to these:

“I can’t trust God. I quit.”

“I can’t believe in all the chaos and junk that there is really a God who cares. I am done with Him.”

“I am tired of the whole church thing. Time for me to check out.”

Unfortunately, we have all probably heard those somewhere along the line as well. After just celebrating the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, it seems unfathomable to me that we can use those excuses for turning our backs, i.e. quitting. But it happens. I am ashamed of the times I have wanted to throw my hands up in despair because God’s answer was not immediately forthcoming. G-r-r-r-r.

I. FEEL. LIKE. QUITTING.

Then I remember the goodness of God and how He has never let me down. On time. Slow time. Hesitation time. But never late time.

You may have heard the story of Polycarp, the pastor of the church in Smyrna during the time Marcus Aurelius was ruling Rome. He found out they were coming for him he fixed the soldiers breakfast. He then asked for an hour to pray, and the story says they were so moved by his prayer they apologized for arresting him.

Brought before the proconsul, he was found guilty and sentenced to be executed by being burned at the stake. At his inquisition, the proconsul offered freedom if he would denounce Christ.

Polycarp is said to have answered, “Eighty and six years have I served Him and He has never wronged me. How can I blaspheme by king?” When they staked him to the “tree” to be burned, they tied his hands instead of nailing him because he assured them he would not try escape. The fire formed a ring around him, but would not burn HIM, so the executioner put a spear into him. The blood was so much it put out the fire. Eventually the Jews made sure his body was burned. Source: Foxe’s Book of Martyrs

Quitting was not an option for Polycarp. Quitting was not an option for many of the early Christ-followers. Quitting should not be an option for me. For you. For anyone. The Easter story reminds us quitting should not be part of our vocabulary. The cross couldn’t stop Jesus. The grave couldn’t hold Him.

AND IN KEEPING WITH MONDAY’S “HISTORY”…THAT IS NO FOOL’S STORY

Hope you had a blessed Easter and found renewed hope for your journey. What lesson did you take away from your weekend?

Posted in Christian living, Church, Easter, Monday "I Needed That" Moment, Sunday Meanderings | 19 Responses »

Mulligans

Sunday, March 3rd, 2013

Have you ever played golf? If so, you know what a mulligan is.

DON’T YOU WISH THERE WERE MULLIGANS IN LIFE?

I do. I have plenty of regrets I would like to avoid. Perhaps that is one of the reasons I have been captivated by the whole Back to the Future trilogy. The idea of traveling back through time to change things intrigues me. I know I would tell my 5th or 6th grade self not to touch that magazine. I would tell my high school self…nah never mind. Anyway, the idea of taking a mulligan, of having a second chance sort of “rings our bell.” Least it does mine.

In preparation for my sermon this past Sunday, I read a story of a man whose name was inadvertently printed in the obituary column of his local newspaper. It may have been the result of a prank or just an accident. But, one day, this woke up and read his own obituary. You can imagine how that would ruin your day. There he was, minding his own business, drinking his coffee and munching on his Captain Crunch cereal (or if he is older his Fiber 80). He opened the newspaper and, lo and behold, he was listed as now deceased.

Not amused, the man got into his care, drove down to the newspaper office, and demanded to see the editor.

The editor came out and said, “Yes sir, Can I help you?”

“I am outraged. You printed my name in the obituary column. As you can see, I am very much alive and well. This is going to be a cause of great embarrassment for me. I will probably even lose business.”

“Sir, I’m sorry. It was an error, but there is nothing I can do.”

Naturally, that explanation did not appease the victim. He continued to rant and rave and even threatened to sue the paper.

Finally the editor said, “Cheer up, buddy. Tomorrow, I’ll put your name in the birth column and give you a fresh start.”

That about says it all don’t you think? Who of us wouldn’t like to have a fresh start? We will take that second chance. We will scream out “Mulligan!”

While the whole idea of going back in time is mere fantasy (bummer!), the idea of a fresh start is not. Jesus offers us that fresh start. He takes our need for mulligans and says, “Here. I’ll take care of that for you.”

Of course, the best way to not need a mulligan is to not live a life of regret. We can’t change our past-we all know that. But we can have a say in our future. How do you plan to live your future?

Posted in Christian living, Monday "I Needed That" Moment, Sermon Series/Topic, Story | 23 Responses »

Impression

Sunday, February 17th, 2013

AS IN SILENT IMPRESSION…

This will begin with a confession: I am going back on my word. That doesn’t bode well, I know, but in this case I think it is good. Last week in this post I raved about a book by my friend, Artie Davis. I also stated that I was going to begin working my way through it on a daily basis beginning March 1. Aaaaah, I ~~lied~~ ~~fibbed~~ changed my mind. After reading the responses I had begun to think about changing my start date. Then I read a devotion Saturday morning from Tony Dungy’s book The One Year Uncommon Life. Here is the gist of it:

Tim Tebow has received about every award a football player can get in college (and he names them). His father, Bob, tells the story that at the end of one season, he was helping Tim pack up his belongings in the locker room when Tim asked him to carry a box to the car. When he peeked inside the box it was full of trophies, plaques, and certificates, most of which his dad never knew he had won. His parents are amazed at how many people will come up to them expressing their thanks for a phone call, note, or visit they or someone they knew received from Tim. All without fanfare. Visits to the hospitals that would often take hours…all without fanfare or publicity. (How about that for ~~so-called faith healers~~ hucksters?) When working on a book, Tim excused himself to make a phone call that lasted 10 minutes. The author found out the next day back in Florida Tim’s phone call was to someone battling cancer. But it didn’t come from Tim’s mouth; it was from the person himself. A friend of a friend has asked him to call.

Say what you will about Tim’s football ability in the pros (frankly I think he needs a chance), but you cannot say a word about the impression he makes on people…all without fanfare and publicity.

Artie’s book, Craveable, is subtitled The Irresistible Jesus In Me. I want that. I don’t want a flashy, showy faith that draws headlines. I don’t want the bright lights of the media or accolades to rain down. Artie used a bumper sticker in the introduction: “Lord, please save me from Your followers.” Yep, gotta go along with that. And I be one of them. As I see it, God is not interested, nor is He impressed by our flash. He is not impressed by our “dance moves.” He wants our hearts. He wants our consistency. He wants us to be craveable. So my journey begins Monday, February 18th. I’ll keep you posted along the way. Join me if you want.

Any thoughts you want to express? Have any thoughts about “publicity hounds”, especially those who call themselves Christians?

Posted in Christian living, Church, Just Wondering, Leadership, Monday "I Needed That" Moment | 18 Responses »

Chance

Sunday, February 10th, 2013

If you like westerns and read Al Lacy’s books, Chance is the name of a horse in this book.

If you like to test your “luck” and play the lottery or gamble, chance is a “friend.”

If you are a daredevil, you will take chances. I had a friend in college who could never pass up a dare. Recently I took a “double dog dare you” from two brothers to the stage with me. Their mother had made one a hat that looked like dreadlocks and the other brother had one that looked like a Mohawk (although Maximus came more to mind). You can probably already see the picture in your mind. I wore them both and got a big hoot out of the peoples’ laughing.

But the chance I want to focus on for this post was inspired by a story I used in my sermon Sunday. You may have heard it before.

The story is told that in 1983 John Sculley quit his post at PepsiCo to become president of Apple, a role he served for ten years. He took a big risk (chance) leaving a very secure job with a fantastic income for one that offered no guarantees, except fulfilling the vision of the founder. Sculley says he made his move after Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs, goaded him with a question: “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water or do you want a chance to change the world?”

The rest, as they say, is history.

I have recently renewed my interest in John Eldredge’s book and “movement” Wild at Heart. We are starting a men’s ministry at the church (led and dreamed about by someone other than me…yeah!) and it piqued my interest again in “men things.” So, while working on a puzzle and then riding my bike inside (Ugh!), I have been watching Eldredge’s Boot Camp Live on DVD. No matter what people have said about his book or theology, John’s basic theme has been that men have been passive too long and need to get their heart back for adventure, and ultimately for God. Frankly, we aren’t going to change our world if we don’t have a passion for life. We aren’t going to make a difference if we don’t take chances (more than gambling or games of chance).

I have said it before: I am 60 years old and I know I have a lot less years left to live than I have lived (unless God decides to fool me). No matter how many of those years I have left, I don’t want to go out whimpering. I want to go out with a bang, a shout, or some form of noise. I still believe I have something to offer and want to be a world-changer, not a sameness-hugger or a poser (as John is want to say).

Where are you at these days?

Posted in Christian living, Just Wondering, Leadership, Monday "I Needed That" Moment | 34 Responses »

Bluster

Sunday, February 3rd, 2013

Webster’s online dictionary defines bluster this way:

“to talk with noisy swaggering threats.”
“to blow in stormy noisy gusts, to be windy and boisterous.”
“to utter with noisy self-assertiveness.”

I am writing this before the Super Bowl happens, so take what I am going to say with that in mind. One of the things that is common in all sporting events, political arenas before a big vote, and other such events, is the amount of bluster that takes place. While not all that thrilled with the outcome of the previous election, I am s-o-o-o-o-o glad it is over! The amount of unnecessary verbiage was totally annoying and mind-boggling. Since I am writing this before the Super Bowl, the past two weeks seem to have been quiet compared to what will take place the closer the game gets and afterwards. I realize some of this is pure hype. Some of it is the excitement of the moment. But I can’t wait to hear how many times I will hear “The greatest game ever” or “one of the greatest to ever play in the SB.” I gottta admit I can handle a bit better than when someone is tooting their own horn.

I have been reading Tony Dungy’s Uncommon Life Daily Challenge as part of my morning devotional time. Appropriately, his February 2nd devotion was about patting ourselves on the back. He gave an excellent quote his high school coach often quoted:

Talent is God-given- be thankful. Praise is man-given- be humble. Conceit is self-given- be careful.

BAM! He also tells the story of Tim Tebow’s parents, who would not allow their sons (Tim included) to tell about their own feats unless they were asked about them. Apparently there was a lot of bragging going on among Tim and his brothers and subsequently to others, and their parents wanted it to stop. So Tim and his brothers were forbidden to talk about their exploits, unless asked. Perhaps that is why Tim is reluctant to toot his own horn in press conferences.

Proverbs 27:2 says, “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” Those are good words. They are words of warning. They are words of exhortation. They are words of conviction. Sometimes it is hard to bite our tongues and let others do the talking. It is hard not to seek recognition, but allow someone else to recognize and bring it to the front. But the words of the coach; the words of Tim Tebow’s parents; and most definitely the words of Proverbs are wise ones.

Do you find blustery people hard to stomach? What do you when people start bragging about themselves? Have you ever had someone stop you in mid “blustery” sentence and put a check on you?

Posted in Christian living, Just a Quote, Just Wondering, Monday "I Needed That" Moment | 22 Responses »

Quitting

Sunday, September 23rd, 2012

I am tired. That is spelled T-I-R-E-D. No make that T.I.R.E.D.

If I could magnify that word a bit more I would maximize to its fullest. I am writing this Sunday afternoon and if there is such a thing as being deliriously tired, then I am it. It has been a long month getting ready for today’s celebration of God’s gift to us. We had a good crowd, a good spirit, a good worship, a so-so message, and an “I-ate-way-too-much- pitch in dinner. Fortunately I kept that down to a mild roar. Because my mind is sort of lost somewhere in the nether regions, I thought I would share a story with you I read recently and then let it speak for itself.

Jim Ward was a late bloomer. He was known as one of the best-known triathletes in the world. What’s unusual about Jim is that he started triathlons at the age of 68. He died at the age of of 83- five miles into a bike race! It was Jim’s goal to complete the Ironman Triathlon as an octogenarian, and he almost made it. The Ironman is a contest held in Hawaii once a year. The challenge includes a 2.4 mile swim in the ocean; a 112 mile bicycle race; and a 26.2 mile run in that order and without a break. You do them in a 17 hour span.

Jim Ward was a ten-time triathlete world champion in his age group. In his seventies, he became the oldest athlete to finish the Ironman. He was planning on doing the same in his eighties.

His motto was “I’m just not going to quit.”

I like that: “I’m just not going to quit.” Quitting is easy. The path gets too rough…quit. The talk gets too tough…quit. The hills get too steep…quit. The mountains too tall…quit. Yeah, quitting is easy. Staying tough…hanging in there…refusing to hang your head? Not so easy…but well worth it in the end.

I have no clue what you are/might be going through. I just want to encourage you today not to give up. Not to quit. Trust the ONE who numbers your steps and knows who you are and what you are going through.

Okay…now for a Sunday afternoon nap.

Posted in Christian living, Friendship, Miscellaneous, Monday "I Needed That" Moment, Pick me Up | 36 Responses »

OutaHere

Sunday, August 12th, 2012

The plan is to take a Sunday evening and attend this church in Terre Haute.

The next plan is take Monday and goof off and have no plan while spending the day with Jo. I think we might see The Bourne Legacy. We like the Bourne Trilogy with Matt Damon so I reckon we will check this one out.

All the to say:

MY POST TODAY WILL BE SIMPLE:

“The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.” Pr.10:7 Gives new meaning words like “legacy” and “reputation” and “tombstone markings.”

If you get a chance, please check out these posts:

http://www.lifeofasteward.com/developing-reading-strategy/

http://deuceology.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/gods-got-this/

http://theregoi.com/finding-floyd/daydreamer/

A couple of weeks ago I was browsing the music section of a Christian bookstore and came across a CD. I have never heard of the band but it caught my eye. I did the “15 second listen thing” and walked away. One day later I bought it. Here is the one song that keeps playing in my head (and you know how ~~annoying~~ good that can be). This is a good CD. Give it a listen.

Now you: Have you seen Bourne Legacy? Any thoughts? Any links I ought to read? Any new music I should listen to? I will not have much time to comment but will approve from my phone. Have a great week.

Posted in Christian living, Little Bit of Fun, Miscellaneous, Monday "I Needed That" Moment | 22 Responses »

Potpourri

Monday, August 6th, 2012

Yesterday (Sunday) was anything but normal. I woke up at 3:00 like I do every other Sunday morning. Made my way to the office and began studying. After about 15 minutes, pitch black. All power went out. Computer. Gone. Lights. Gone. Studying. No way. Seeing my way around. Tricky. I used my phone to get around until I could get to my car and find a key fob that had a light to use. Hey, what can I say? I am a real high tech genius. So I made my way home, but not before heading to the church building we are currently using while ours is being renovated. Two words: pitch black. So I began running through the scenario of “unplugged.” Long story short, I decided to come back to the office after it got light and found the power had come back on after about an hour. (Our house is with a different company). The afternoon was spent working…moving, lifting, sanding, as we continue preparing for our move back into our own building. I finally went home at 7:00, deciding to leave some things (like this blog) undone. But my day did end rather well with a small bowl of ice cream and the good news the Pirates had finally beaten the Reds.

Since I have a thousand and one things to do, and don’t really feel like thinking all that much (which does not bode well for sermon prep time), I thought I would highlight some blogs I read lately.

FROM THE “LAUGH YOUR HEAD OFF” VIEW: I have stayed out of the Chick-Fil-A fiasco on purpose. This has nothing to do with it, except a song parody. Enjoy. http://www.christiandroid.com/2012/08/god-bless-you-chick-fil-a.html While there, check out the rest of Sele’s blog.

FROM THE “I AM SO PROUD OF YOU” CORNER: If you have been reading my blog for any amount of time you will see quite often a comment from Jan. She even wrote her story here. We have been through a lot as pastor and friend since we met in 1987. She and her (now) husband, Michael, have recently moved because of his job with CVS. Jan has been blogging for about 2 weeks or so at Uniquely Me. Do me a favor. Do her a favor. Check it out here.

FROM THE “HOW PRACTICAL IS THAT?” DEPARTMENT: I read the following verse this morning during my Encounter Time- “For jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge.” That ’bout sums up the actions of jealousy in my book. Oh, that is from Proverbs 6:34

FROM THE “THIS GUY HAS THE FATHER’S HEART” CORNER: We have plans to meet some day when his son returns to college in Indiana. It can’t happen too soon for me. I am continually amazed at this man’s father/Father heart. See it here.

And finally…from the I HAVE SAID ENOUGH gallery: I hope you have a great day. I read tons of blogs every day. Far too many to highlight them all. Please don’t take offense if you are not here. Any you think I should have on my radar?

Posted in Friendship, Little Bit of Fun, Miscellaneous, Monday "I Needed That" Moment | 26 Responses »

Enough

Sunday, July 29th, 2012

I have been reading not a fan by Kyle Idleman, one the pastors of megachurch Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. Not only am I reading it for myself, but I plan to offer it as a sermon series/small group starting late September. I read the following story from it:

An elderly missionary was returning from the foreign field to the US to live out the days he had left with his married daughter in the Midwest. Upon arriving on the California coast he boarded a bus to begin his trip across the country. The first night the bus stopped in Las Vegas. He had been out of the States for more than thirty years. He had never been to Vegas. He checked into a hotel room and took a walk down the strip. Although it was close to midnight, it looked like midday, because of all the lights. As he walked down the strip he heard the loud music, saw the amazing hotels, and even went to a car show where he saw the world’s finest automobiles. He saw the games being played in the casinos and heard the money coming out of the slot machines. He saw the marquees announcing amazing entertainers. He saw the drink specials announced and the amazing food advertised in the restaurants. Eventually he went back to his room in the highrise hotel where he was staying. He entered the room but didn’t turn on the light. He walked across the room and opened the curtains. In the quietness of his room he got on his knees in front of the window, looked down at the Vegas strip, then into the more impressive lights of the heavens, and prayed this prayer, “God, I thank you that tonight I haven’t seen anything I want more than I want you.”

Simply put: God was enough. God is enough. I know that is simplistic and someone is bound to lambaste me for being so naive. That’s alright. Guilty as charged. There is an old song: “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold/ I’d rather have Him than have riches untold/I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame/I’d rather be true to His holy Name.” There is more to that song, of course, but it is too lengthy to put here. One of the truths I am remembering all over again is how great His love is for me. I love Him because he first loved me. [I John 4:19]

What about you? Is God enough? What is one thing you are learning that is new or that you are remembering in a whole new light?

Posted in Christian living, God, Jesus, Just Wondering, Monday "I Needed That" Moment | 25 Responses »

Sowing/Reaping

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

Several years ago I clipped a story I used yesterday in my message. I thought I would share it with you.

One stormy night an elderly couple entered a lobby of a small hotel in Philadelphia. They approached the desk, asking for a room. The clerk, a friendly man with a winning smile, explained that there were no rooms because of three conventions in town. In the same breath though, he told the couple that he could not send them out into the weather and offered his room. “It isn’t much, but it will be good enough to make you folks comfortable for the night.” Despite their protests of taking his room (“I will be fine”), they agreed. The next morning as he paid his bill, the elderly man said, “You are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I will build one for you.” The clerk smiled, they had a good laugh, and the couple went on their way.

Two years later, having almost forgotten the incident, the clerk received a letter from the old man. It recounted that night and also included a round trip ticket to New York. The old man met him in New York and proceeded to take him to the corner of Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. He pointed to a new building, a palace of reddish stone. “That is the hotel I have just built for you to manage,” he said. “You must be joking.” “I can assure I am not.”

The old man’s name was William Waldorf Astor, and the magnificent structure was the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The young clerk who became the first manager was George C. Boldt. (see disclaimer in comments)

You may have heard that story before. Whether you consider it a story of “entertaining angels unaware,” or of “kindness returned sevenfold,” it strikes at the heart of what I blogged about here, and what I preached about Sunday. Never, ever, ever think that kindness shown goes unseen. While we need to be careful of our motives for doing things, i.e. to get in return, I think it is wise to always consider how we can help someone else. In keeping with the theme: how can I be generous to this person?

Generosity is not based on “how good I am.” Generosity finds its roots here: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” 2 Cor.8:9 God is our example! If we sow bountifully, we will reap bountifully. The opposite is also true.

So…how are you doing in this area of your spiritual walk? Is there someone you need to show generosity to right now, someone you may have shrugged off? Challenge: use this week to show generosity to one person. I’d love to hear what you intend to do.

Posted in Christian living, Church, Just Wondering, Monday "I Needed That" Moment, Sermon Series/Topic, Sunday Meanderings | 25 Responses »