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Out of Sync

November 23, 2010 in Christian Life, Health with 3 Comments

At the beginning of October, Tisha and I started the P90X program together. It was everything everyone says about it, as well, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. We new our timing for starting wasn’t going to make it easy. We would be in the last half of the program as the holiday season started. We decided to proceed nonetheless.

Worst of all, I am disappointed that I let us get out of sync. It was just too easy and too convenient. I can’t believe I let it happen. Scratch that… I actually can. It’s been my modus operandi for as long as I can remember. I have great intentions, but I tend to be short on commitment.
We can get thrown off our game with such great ease. It might be a diet, workout regime, a bible study program or something like it, but if we aren’t totally, 100% committed, we’ll slack off and eventually cave. I am so disappointed that I caved, especially, after I was beginning to see some results.
I guess that is why Paul said, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27). I’m not just out of sync; I’m out of control. And that isn’t good.

The good thing is that it’s not like I don’t want to get back to doing P90X consistently. I do. That’s why I am writing this. I just can’t afford to let things, regardless of what they might be, get me off my rhythm.

Of course, I am looking way beyond P90X here. The rhythm and flow of a life with God is much more important to me than my P90X regimen. It needs more attention, as well. I think, at this juncture, I am ready to give it the attention it needs, too!

The Feel of Shame

October 25, 2010 in AGAPE, Christian Life with 7 Comments

I’m convinced that shame is more than a feeling. I think it has shape and density to it. I’m certain I’ve felt it. But I’m inclined to think that the form and density that can be felt isn’t necessarily from the inborn kind that we might possess when we’ve done something we know we shouldn’t have and regret it. It’s best felt when someone around you is ashamed, when it’s not your shame but theirs. Your personal disconnect from it makes it seemingly visible. It’s like that thick fog on a humid morning. You see it. You feel its presence, despite your inability to gather it into your hand.

Shame is resultant of failed action, no action, or regrettable action, and it wears on us like the weight of the world. I’ve experienced it and I know a lot of others who have too. So it pains me to see others shackled by shame.

Last week, I felt it for another. She couldn’t look me in the eyes. She was too afraid to, and I hated that that was how she felt. I also hated that I could so easily see and feel what she was carrying.

I’m certain many of you can empathize with that to which I refer. It may be that you are the one ashamed, or you are the one of whom one is ashamed.

What are we to do? Let go. Make it right. Say I’m sorry. Or, simply let go so that one who is encumbered by shame can do the same.

The story of the Prodigal Son (I hate that that is the title so often given to the parable. After all, it’s not about the son who squandered his father’s inheritance, at all. It’s actually about the elder son. But that’s a totally different subject.) reflects the Father’s attitude about his children. When the father welcomed the prodigal home, he sought not to shame him at all. Seriously. Read it for yourself. No guilt trip. No…”You idiot! What were you thinking?!?” He throws a party of epic proportions. He kills the fatted calf, while never asking for an explanation. That is God!

But is that you? Is that me? Are we people who seek to alleviate the toils of shame born by others, or are we the kind of people who feel it incumbent upon ourselves to pile it on? Think hard before you answer. A lot hinges on it.

I want to be the kind of person who eases pain and shame from others, even when I feel like I’ve been wronged. This is because I’ve felt my own shame, but I’ve also felt the shame that others bear. And I don’t like it.

The Way Up is Down

October 21, 2010 in Christian Life with 4 Comments

Whether we are thinking about going to heaven or achieving success, we mentally frame them and as going up. Scripture would have us relate, as best as our minds are capable, to heaven as upward. Of course, we’ve all heard of climbing the ladder of success. Mixing the two, though, is a dangerous recipe.

In the kingdom of God, accomplishments are not to be pursued. Accomplishments are a result, not a pursuit. God is the one who lifts us up (James 4:10). This, though, is not the result of success, but rather of humility. James makes a point that was best understood in the life and purpose of Jesus. I like to think of it by this maxim, “The way up is down.”

Take some time and read Philippians 2:5-11 in its context. Without becoming consumed by the theological quandary of the 2nd Person of the Godhead divesting himself of whatever he divested himself of, consider the practical side of the example he left. Paul uses these seven verses to illustrate a point about humility… the way up is down. See it for yourself!

This was Jesus’ personal teaching, by the way. Mark 9:35 says it all: “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” (NRSV). His disciples so needed to understand this and so do we. The way up is down.

I’m done with trying to prove points to people. I’m done with trying to prove points to God. He’s already shown me his desire, and I have nothing to prove to him. In fact, my surrender grants me grace and relationship, and that is more than enough. I have nothing to prove to the greatest friend of all!

If you’re spinning your wheels in pursuit of fame, status, or something akin to them, just stop. It’s not worth it. Give yourself over to God in complete surrender, serve your fellow man and God will exalt. Why? Because the way up is down!

Thirst

September 9, 2010 in Christian Life with 0 Comments

Tisha and Jasmine come down from The Lighthouse

On Labor Day, Tisha and I took 6 kids whose ages ranged between 6 and 14 on a 6 mile hike in Palo Duro Canyon State Park in triple digit heat. The sign at the trailhead suggested that in making the hike each person needs a minimum of one gallon of water. That seemed reasonable to us, but after having completed the trek, I’m convinced that quantity is lower than I’ll ever take, should I return. I’m not convinced you can take too much water, to be honest.

We were heading back to the trailhead and we had about 2.5 miles remaining. We were out of water that we were carrying on us and I wasn’t liking what the rest of the walk back to the van was looking like. I told Tisha, “Why don’t you guys continue to walk, taking it easy as you go, and I am going to jog to the van and get two gallons of water and bring them back. I’ll meet you all somewhere between here and there. How does that sound?” She thought it was a good idea, so I hit the trail running.

I got two gallons of water and made my way back towards my crew. Along the way, though, I noticed two different individuals who were obviously thirsty and feeling the effects of the heat. I didn’t think twice about asking either, “Do you need some water?” Both said, “Yes” and I let them both have as much as they needed. One of them even said, “God bless you, man!”

I didn’t know either of these guys. I’d seen both of them at The Lighthouse, a rock formation that is the focal point of this trail, but that was the extent of it. Out there, though, under the hot Texas sun, that didn’t matter. What was mine was theirs! They couldn’t thank me enough, but they didn’t have too. Desperation like that dissolves so many inhibitions we have about dealing with people we don’t know.

Tisha and Cottage 3 atop The Lighthouse

I couldn’t help but be reminded of two stories from the gospels. John 4 came to mind as I thought about Jesus and the woman at Jacob’s well. Jesus used water as a metaphor for eternal life. The thirst many possessed that day was strong. Would to God we possessed a similar thirst for the zoe of Jesus!

The story of the Good Samaritan came to mind, as well. How could it not? Two guys were in need, and I could have ignored them. I could have pressed on and looked the other way, but I refused to do so. That I didn’t know them didn’t matter. They were in need, and Jesus tells me I am not to ignore one in such a need.

I met back up with my crew about a mile from the trailhead. They were fine, and I still had a gallon and a half to divide between us all to get us back to van. I was a wonderful experience, one I’ll never forget. I came face to face with the power of thirst and I got to make the story of the Good Samaritan my story. Those are life-lessons that get to the heart of Jesus, and that’s right where I need to be!

He Got It…

June 29, 2010 in Christian Life, Ministry with 12 Comments

He had a bodybuilder’s physique, tattoos that covered the entirety of his massive arms, and a shiny, shaved head. By all appearances, he might not be the kind of person you’d think would get it. But he did. That’s what we get for thinking in terms of common stereotypes.

I’m sure, for some of us, his job description might not help. After all, he cleaned carpets for a living. He might have been the owner for all I know. That’s inconsequential. What matters is that he got it.

He was cleaning my carpets in conjunction with my residential lease agreement. There were several companies to choose from; I made the call; he came.

He, though, asked the question: “Why are you moving?” Here’s how the conversation went.

“New job,” I responded.

“Military?”, he inquired.

“Nope… I’m in ministry.”

“What kind of ministry?” he probed.

“Well I was a pulpit minister, but now my wife and I are going to work with a children’s home in Portales.”

He developed a look on his face that said it all. He smiled with a particular look on his face, shook his head, and we continued to converse about which home we were working with. But as we parted company, I couldn’t help but think to myself…that guy got it. He really got it.

My decision to give up pulpit work for something else hasn’t been well received by all. There are not few who believe that pulpit work is about the only to do ministry. I use to think that myself.

I knew there were a variety of spiritual gifts one might use, and they weren’t necessarily connected to a preaching ministry (Romans 12: 6-8), but I still thought pulpit work was the only legitimate way to serve. Youth Ministers were a waste of money. Family Life Ministers were silliness. Both might be “unauthorized.” Looking back, I wound up being the one with the silly thinking.

Real ministry happens when service takes place in the name of God. It might be at a church building, a homeless shelter, and/or a children’s home. Scratch that…I’m now 100% certain that it happens at a children’s home. It is odd, though, to see who really gets it.
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