July, 2012

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Milk

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

Growing up near Pittsburgh (Go Pirates!) had lots of uniqueness. I grew up in a day when the milk was delivered to your doorstep and placed in a little metal container. How’s that for telling my age? I remember the milk though. It was called Meadow Gold. We also had Bordens mile delivered until mom started buying milk at the store (along with that gag nasty Carnation Instant Milk that she mixed so the milk would double and go farther). After all, 4 boys drank a lot of milk.

HAVE YOU HEARD THE STORY ABOUT WILLIAM BORDEN?

He was born in the late 1800s, the son of a multi-millionaire and an heir to the Borden dairy company. He did his undergrad work at Yale and earned a graduate degree from Princeton. But he left it all to follow Christ. As a high school graduation gift his parents sent him on a tour around the world. As he traveled he felt God’s call to reach out to those who had never heard of Jesus. He wrote 2 words in his Bible on that trip:

No Reserves.

He knew that following Jesus would require a complete commitment. His dad insisted he attend a university so he enrolled at Yale. His passion for the Bible led him to start a Bible study that grew to over 1000 by his senior year. During his time at Yale he founded and funded the Yale Hope Mission in an effort to rehabilitate alcoholics and addicts. His father died while he was at Yale, leaving him a sizable fortune. Upon graduation, he wrote two more words in his Bible:

No Retreats.

There would be no looking back. He planned to go to China, but needed to go to Africa to learn the Arabic language. While there he caught spinal meningitis and died one month later at the age of 25. He was buried in Cairo.

Some might say he was foolish, that he wasted his life, his family’s fortune, and his career, all to follow Jesus as a missionary only to die before realizing his goal of going to China. After his death, they found three phrases written in his Bible. The first two I have already given. The third tells it all:

No Regrets.

No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets. Doesn’t get much more “all in” than those phrases. I’m not going to lie or sugarcoat it: I was moved by that story. Moved because I AM NOT THERE. Nope, not even close. I want to be. I want to follow without reservation. I want to follow not thinking of retreating. I want to end my life with no regrets, without a second thought that I have chosen wisely to follow Jesus. Borden=fool or Borden=wise. Bill=fool or Bill=wise. My choice to make. Yours also.

Your thoughts? Where do you find yourself? How does Borden’s story hit you?

Posted in Christian living, Family, Friendship, Jesus, Just Wondering | 24 Responses »

Plowing

Monday, July 30th, 2012

In one of my recent posts, one of the comments made me think. I appreciated his candor and openness so please do not think this is in any way critical of him. On the contrary, his comment hits home.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is credited with saying, “When Jesus calls a man, he bids him come and die.” (Cost of Discipleship)

It seems that the whole idea of dying to self is long gone in much of today’s church world. Look around and many (myself included) are enjoying a “good life.” Of course, there are those who are REALLY enjoying a good life, especially those who get rich off others. Yeah, I am talking about the TV dudes/dudettes who spout off their aberrant prosperity garbage.

BUT THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER DAMAGING PHILOSOPHY BEING SPOUTED OFF.

It is the teaching that we can do whatever we want-without sorrow, without repentance, without giving up anything. It is the old “license” thing: do whatever you want, ask God to forgive you, and He will. Tragically, ~~many~~ almost all use it as a license to just go ahead and do whatever it was without any consequence. What a crock! What a trap! Allow me to use a biblical example.

In I Kings 19 Elijah came looking for a successor to his ministry. Elisha was the man, but when found he was in the field plowing with 12 yoke of oxen. That gives you and indication of his wealth. I wonder if Elijah approached him with safeguards up and a wary eye. To follow God meant Elisha would be leaving a lot behind-his family, his friends, his wealth, his career. When Elisha heard the invitation to follow, he did some incredible stuff. He slaughtered his 24 oxen. He then got together all of his farm plows and lit them on fire. He BBQd the oxen for the community and served it all up. He was serving notice that he was leaving it all and would not be looking back. I have never plowed looking backwards (I am from Pittsburgh after all), but I have tried cutting grass by looking backwards. That line was as crooked as a dog’s hind leg.

WHEN GOD CALLS A MAN HE BIDS HIM COME AND DIE.

Never, never, never, were we promised an easy path. Never are we told, “Come to me and you would be okay. Everything you touch will be blessed. Everything you try will be blessed.” (Contrary to popular religious thought) Being a Christ-follower is hard. It is meant to cost us something…no make that everything. Everything we hold dear. Everything we aspire for, to be, to accomplish may all be laid to waste. Jesus wants our whole-hearted affection. Confession: I am nowhere near that.

Where do you find yourself these days? Do you struggle with this whole surrender idea? Are you a follower not a fan of Jesus?

Posted in Christian living, Jesus, Just Wondering | 39 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 »

Guilt

Thursday, July 26th, 2012

Several months ago I read this post and decided then I would use it (Please take a moment and read the story) in my sermon on Psalm 51. There is little doubt in my mind that this psalm of David’s is one of, if not the most popular of all. There is also little doubt in my mind as to why.

I seriously doubt there is a person in this world who has not at one time or another lived with or had to deal with guilt. This psalm follows the revelation from Nathan that David’s sin with Bathsheba is known and there would be consequences because of it. David is slain by the sword of truth.

BUT ONE DIFFERENCE LINGERS BETWEEN DAVID’S RESPONSE AND SO MANY OTHERS.

David admits and then repents of his sin. Tired of covering it up, he comes clean. I encourage you to take the time to read 2 Samuel 12 first. Then read Psalm 51 but before you do, please consider this quote I found:

This kind of prayer requires a certain kind of God. No man will go to God just because he knows how poor he is in sin, unless he knows how rich God is in mercy. David Redding

Please…chew that slowly.

Then consider this: Knowing how rich God is in mercy will take away the false humility that some will “show” to others. Gone will be the false sense of security that some will fall back on with “I have done my confessing and I am okay.” Gone will be those who use this psalm to salve their conscience with no thought about repercussion and even use it as a license to do it again.

Repentance literally means “a change of direction.” David had been stricken with the weight of guilt his sin brought him, especially the murder that took place as a result of his cover-up. Oh…I can only begin to imagine the tears he shed as the pounding of the waves kept coming at him.

But I can also begin to see the release, forgiveness and freedom he found. He expressed it in this psalm. A lot of things strike me about this psalm-too numerous to state in this short post- but one stands out. David prays for God to “restore the joy of His salvation.” He didn’t lose his salvation; he lost his joy. Blatant sin takes away joy. Like a child hides from his/her parents when they have done wrong, we try to hide from God. But His offer of joy still stands. But first…cleansing. It comes from repentance. Repentance comes from being open to God’s Spirit as He works and convicts.

I could say so much more (and I plan to). Would you please pray for me/us this weekend? Have you had trouble with guilt in the past? How important was Psalm 51 to you?

Here is an “oldie” and something to think about:

Posted in Christian living, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 20 Responses »

Revolution

Wednesday, July 25th, 2012

“All good things must come to an end.”

Least that is what the saying says. No, I am not ending this blog. Sorry. What is coming to an end is this series of posts on Love Does by Bob Goff. (Please don’t cheer. It would damage my fragile ego.) Blogging about this marvelous book has certainly been an adventure for me. I can honestly say that I am not sure there has ever been a book which has affected me quite like this one. Blogging about it over the past several weeks has brought it to life. I hope it has sparked some thoughts in you, as well as the desire to purchase it. I was blessed to send several copies to family and friends and can’t wait to see their response. One has already emailed me about it. One thing is sure: blogging about the book was like having a sermon series- I never had to wonder what I was going to write about next.

All this talk about Love Does is worthless though unless…love does. Not love thinks. Not love might. Not love considers. LOVE DOES. That has been one of my purposes all along-to spur us on to love and good works (to borrow Paul’s words). There is no doubt the world would be changed IF we took seriously the command of Jesus to love. “By this will all men know you are my disciples if you love one another.” (John 13:35) “This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13) Bob Goff put an interesting twist on it:

I used to think that taking a risk would reduce the number of friends I have, but now I know that love draws more people in.

Double BAM! Imagine the world when love reigns. I know. I know. It will some day when Jesus is King of kings. But we can make a tiny difference here on earth can’t we? Can’t we change one person’s life with love? I think we can. We will never stop all the crime, or the hatred, or the rhetoric, or the massacres, but we can do all we can to love in our little world. One person at a time. Maybe we ought to start a Love Revolution, a Movement.

I hope you have “enjoyed” the series on Love Does. I leave you with this song that ’bout sums it up. (The first 30 seconds or so is a black screen so don’t think it is messed up).

Any thoughts you care to share about love? About the series? Comments? Critiques? I’d love to hear your thoughts. To read more on the series start here.

Posted in Book Discussion, Christian living, Church, Family, Friendship, Jesus, Just Wondering, Leadership | 22 Responses »

Memorization

Tuesday, July 24th, 2012

When I was a teenager, the church I attended with my parents “called” a new pastor. The former pastor had been there for 35 years, which is not bad in and of itself. Longevity is good. However, as you can imagine, he was not much into young people. But our new pastor was since he had 3 (soon to be 4) children of his own. I came alive. He instituted Sunday night youth group. Made Sunday School (remember that?) interesting. And encouraged Scripture memorization. He did it by challenging the youth to a contest on a set Sunday morning. I memorized all the Scriptures. I memorized the books of the Bible so I could “win” the Sword drills (finding-a-Bible-passage-contest). I knew long blocks of Scripture. I knew a lot.

BUT. I. DIDN’T. KNOW. JESUS.

I should clarify. You can see I memorized a lot. But for the longest time, I knew more about Jesus than knowing Him. Many are in that same overflowing boat. Unlike the lifeboats of Titanic that had pitifully less people than they could accommodate, the boat carrying unknowing souls is full to overflowing. What I mean is this:

THERE. ARE. FAR. TOO. MANY. PEOPLE. WHO. KNOW. ABOUT. JESUS. BUT. DON’T. KNOW. HIM.

I am not naive enough to believe you have never heard this before. How many times have you heard a sermon or a lesson on Phil.3: 7-11 (with an emphasis on verse 10)? Hundreds maybe several hundreds? The sad fact is many, even though they hear, don’t absorb. They still look in the mirror and slap themselves on the back for their “religion” or their “fact knowledge.” Bob Goff put it well:

I used to think I could learn about Jesus by studying Him, but now I know Jesus doesn’t want stalkers.

BAM! That is the sound of the 2×4 slamming against my head. All bloggers have stalkers. All FB’ers have stalkers. All Tweeties have stalkers. But Jesus? Sadly, yes. AND HE CAN’T STAND IT!!

Jesus doesn’t just want Bible study. He wants Bible doing.

Jesus doesn’t just want Truth feeders. He wants Truth spreaders.

Jesus doesn’t want people who engage the Truth with their mind. He wants people who LIVE the truth.

So…how do you feel about Jesus? Do you know about Him or do you know Him? Have you found yourself doing any introspection lately about Jesus’ place in your life? I’d like to hear your thoughts.

This is a post in my ongoing series on Love Does by Bob Goff. Tomorrow will be the last.

Posted in Book Discussion, Christian living, Doctrine, Jesus, Just Wondering | 24 Responses »

Prison

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

Only a person living under a rock or just born yesterday has not heard or been affected by the devastating murder spree in Aurora, CO this past weekend. My insides do flip-flops and die just a little more when I hear of scenes like that. Columbine. 9/11. Virginia Tech.

BUT THIS POST IS NOT ABOUT AURORA. IT IS ABOUT SOMEONE I LISTENED TO BEING INTERVIEWED.

It was 1999 when Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold made their way into Columbine High School and eventually began what became known as the Columbine Massacre. Included in the dead were two female students, Cassie Bernall and Rachel Scott. Rachel was the first one killed, having been shot 4 times while sitting outside. Rachel’s father, Darrell, and brother (Craig) later spent a lot of time traveling around talking about Rachel’s Challenge. The other night, during a broadcast of the Aurora tragedy, the hostess talked with Craig about Columbine. Craig admitted to her (and to the world) that while he made appearances with his father, he was being eaten up by anger for Eric and Dylan. He related how he finally came to grips with it and released his anger, quoting the old adage:

“Forgiveness is when you free the prisoner and realize the prisoner was you.”

I confess that is not word-for-word so please don’t quote me. However, I had tears rolling down my cheeks as I saw a young man (now age 29) tell the world that anger and hatred will ruin a person’s life. It puts a person in a prison that has no physical walls. I think a prison in our spirit can be even more devastating than one of four walls and a locked door. The guard opens the cell door. Only a person willing to let go of hurt and anger can open the door of his own making. Let me rephrase that: a person willing to let go of hurt and anger can allow the Holy Spirit to release him from the prison of his own making. Is it easy? Absolutely not. Does Craig have no thoughts anymore of Rachel and the loss of his sister? I highly doubt it. But his freedom came when he forgave Eric and Dylan for killing the one student who never turned her back on Dylan. I thought of that interview when I read these words again from Bob Goff:

I used to think there were some prisons you couldn’t escape, but now I know there’s no place I can go where God can’t rescue us.

Craig found that release from prison. As Bob says, “God pursues us into whatever dark place we land and behind whatever locked door that holds us in. “ (p.181) We all have dark places. We might all have locked doors in our heart. God pursues us there, not to beat the door down, but to lift us into freedom…the freedom of His love, His grace, His purpose, and His life.

Do you find yourself in prison from anger and hatred? Do you have a story to tell how God brought you out of one? I’d love to have you share it in the comments.

This is a post on my ongoing series based on Love Does by Bob Goff.

Posted in Book Discussion, Christian living, Jesus, Just Wondering, Pick me Up | 25 Responses »

Talking

Sunday, July 22nd, 2012

Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying, “It is better to keep your mouth closed and thought a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt.”

The converse to that is found in Proverbs 10:19: “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”

Bob Goff in Love Does puts it this way:

I used to think I should talk about everything, but now I know it’s better to keep some things a secret.

Yeah, Bob, where were you when I was younger? I grew up with a terrible disease. It oozed out of my past. It “rained” on my present. It clouded my future.

IT. IS. CALLED. FOOT-IN-MOUTH. DISEASE.

Tragedy is? I am not completely cured. You know those kind of people. Maybe you are one. Speak before you think. It is almost like I needed a mechanism that slapped me upside the head with the words: “Engage brain before mouth.” In an effort to hide much of my insecurity, I joked. Okay, so they weren’t funny to the people I hurt, but I thought they were. I teased…mercilessly at times. I rubbed it in…not too far…just down to the heart. I once had someone describe my condition more accurately than I had ever heard it before: “I assumed a familiarity that was not there.” OUCH! That hurt! But it was true. Assuming a “friendship” that was not there; assuming a “likability factor” that definitely was not there, I blistered people with my off-handed, sometimes off-color risque’ remarks. I am not proud to say those things about myself. I cringe at some of the ways I expressed myself and embarrassed those I love.

I also shared things with people I had no business sharing. That is the gist of Goff’s quote. There are just some things that ought not be told to anyone, especially in public. Some things need to remain private, unless, of course, you are seeking help or being accountable to a trusted friend.

Something else needs to be a secret: when you do something for God, especially when it is for someone else. No need to hang a banner. No need to seek recognition. No need to look for accolades, pats-on-the-back, or even remuneration of some kind. Better to be kept a secret. God knows and He is the only One who really needs to know.

Have you ever struggled with foot-in-mouth disease? Have you conquered it? How? Do you have trouble opening your mouth without an invitation?

This is part of my ongoing series of posts on Love Does by Bob Goff. You can read others by starting here and reading further. No need for me to keep talking about it.

Posted in Book Discussion, Christian living, Family, Friendship, Just a Quote, Just Wondering | 35 Responses »

GreenerGrass

Thursday, July 19th, 2012

We have all seen them. Cows. Horses. Sheep. Buffalo. (I want to say some humans but that might be taking it too far). Safely ensconced behind a fence, plenty of grass around them, but no-o-o-o-o they have to stick their neck over, under and through the fence to try reaching the grass on the other side. Sometimes watching them is almost comical. They will go through all sorts of gyrations trying to reach “the forbidden.”

Yeah…you know where I am going with this.

One of the things I have always appreciated about the Bible is its refusal to hide the warts of people. I once read that Oliver Cromwell, the great British leader, was sitting for a portrait. It is said he had an ugly wart on his face and the artist wanted to cover it. Cromwell is reported to have said, “I want you to paint me, warts and all.” Now, there was a man who was comfortable in his own skin! Tragically, that is not the case with many followers of Christ today.

But…back to my original thought. (It is a random thought day). The Bible paints its heroes warts and all. David is one of them. His reach for greener grass is legendary. From movies to print, his sordid affair with Bathsheba is the stuff of story after story. Even non-believers (or is that especially non-believers) jump all over his story with both feet.

Times haven’t changed much have they? People still like to hear the gossip and run to the “rags” to read, hear or pass on the latest “dirt” of someone who fell. Pastor. Teacher. Secretary. Leader. CEO. It happens. I am not excusing that. Not in the slightest. But even when it happens grace needs to be shown. (I know someone is going to shoot me for even suggesting that). Now, there has to be consequences for the failure (be it moral, sexual, financial, etc). But even confrontation can be done with a right spirit.

That is a little off the subject of David. But I do think David does show us the danger of being lax in our awareness. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Pr.16:18) Why was David at home and not at war with his troops? Had he seen Bathsheba before, and knowing Uriah was going to be at war, did he stay home? Or had he just become too comfortable? What we do know is that David saw greener grass and went for it. Let me rephrase that: he thought he saw greener grass.

As you might imagine this is a topic that hits close to home for many. We all know someone who has been the victim/perpetrator of the greener grass syndrome. I say this carefully: tread lightly with both-the victim who has been hurt; and the one who thought an outside experience would solve the issue. I want to close my thoughts with this verse.

This will be a sensitive topic Sunday. It goes without saying that I covet your prayers in a big way. Thanks. By the way: any thoughts you care to share?

Posted in Christian living, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 22 Responses »

Puppet

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

NEVER LET ‘EM SEE YOU SWEAT!

I am not sure where that came from. I want to think some deodorant commercial, but I can be wrong. You are probably thinking, “What a way to start a blog post!” And I suppose you may be right, but there really is a method to my madness.

LET. ME. TELL. YOU. A. STORY.

I am probably close to twice as old as many of you are. For your information that number is considered on the downside of life’s good things. For you who are really curious, I am 59 and won’t be 60 until October 9th. (Write that down. Money “for retirement” is accepted). So for all you who are mathematically-challenged (as I am) that means if you are 30 or under, I am twice as old as you. My closest competitor is Ed, who is actually older than me. I’ve also just been told that this man is close to my age. Since I am twice as old as many of you, that should translate into being twice as wise. Dreams and illusions never stop.

Okay, seriously, enough of that nonsense. Why do I say that? Are you ready? I was raised in a church and ultimately a leader environment in which the first phrase I used could have been applied. Let me translate it another way:

DON’T BE REAL. COVER UP. DON’T SHOW WEAKNESSES. PUT ON A FRONT THAT ALL IS WELL. NEVER CRY. TRY NOT TO SHOW EMOTION.

Sounds sort of sick don’t you think? Do you know how hard it was to maintain a facade? I remember going to the hospital once in just a pull-over collared shirt. I identified myself as a pastor and overheard one of the ladies say to the other, “Boy, they sure don’t dress like they used to.” That was back in the late 70s! I wonder what those ladies would be thinking now. But in reality, dress is minor. What I really like about this current generation is the emphasis they place on being real. I realize that approach is fraught with danger and I have seen it. But there is tremendous value in being authentic. Bob Goff says it well:

I used to be afraid that if I was authentic I might take a hit, but now I know that being real means I will take a hit.

The sad fact is there will always be people who try to fit us into their mold. Pastors. Educators. Engineers. You name it. Society, while not saying so, is big on puppeteering. Frankly, these days (and those I have remaining), I refuse to ~~be a puppet~~ conform to someone’s standard of what I should be, look, or act like. I figure Jesus has first dibs on my life. The Bible says “don’t be conformed, but be transformed.” I like that a whole lot better.

Do you have trouble being a puppet? Do you find yourself sort of expected to be one? What is your reaction to being one?

This is another post in the series on Love Does by Bob Goff.

Posted in Book Discussion, Christian living, Church, Just Wondering, Leadership | 36 Responses »