5 Responses

When I hear a coach, specialist, guru, entrepreneur, leader or pastor I admire offer ways of evaluating beliefs, values, motivation, risk and the like - I tend to respond in one of the following ways and I assume you do as well:

1. That's What I'm Sayin': I fall in agreement as though they beautifully stated how I feel/think about the issue at hand and can now confidently move forward as one supported and sent. Besides, I was already thinking it.
2. I Didn't Need to Hear That: I find myself challenged beyond my comfort zone, understanding or even belief system and so delete, toss out, burn and if necessary defecate on the leaders disagreeable and most likely blasphemous article.
3. I'm All Set, Thanks: These are great thoughts on the topic, I might even recommend them to a friend or two, but I'm good to go. I'm patiently running my race, values in place, vision on hand and need no new encouragement, information or guidance. Thanks.
4. Where Am I: While I don't have a plan, goal, vision or set of values already guiding me on said topic, and while what the specialist is saying challenges me to nearly rethink my current status and trajectory I'll just wait this one out. One of these days I'll write my own article inspiring millions and millions of...what was I saying?
5. Now That's Good: This is a relatively new way of viewing the issue. I need to explore this a bit. I need to see what Scripture says on the issue and how it works into my context of life if at all. This is a timely personal challenge.

As I was listening to a recent TED Talk about changing leadership principles in our culture I took note of the changes of my own response as the speaker continued on. I went from incredulity (#2), as if her 25 years of experiential knowledge and worldwide investigation were worthless - only to find myself traveling onward to #4. Not landing there I continued tracking with her revelation a bit and so on to #3. Now realizing that we have some thoughts in common (she must be intelligent after all) I moved to #1 where I attempted (quite arrogantly I suppose) to land.

The talk ended. I was left with my thoughts on her thoughts. Now realizing that I really didn't have a coherent series of thoughts of my own on the topic leaving me to admit that this new teaching was actually refreshing and enlightening in my current situation, thus propelling me on #5.

While you may not traverse through each in one sitting you will most likely land on one of these general emoti-thoughts.

The Question I Asked Myself Was, am I landing on the one that appropriately challenges my current disposition OR am I simply responding robotically?

Ss...Ss...Synergy

Synergy is an interesting concept. The 'whole' working together is greater than the 'part, individual or localized element' and ultimately more fruitful. If you're like me you have to push aside the cheesiness of such a corporate sounding concept to unlock its deeper meaning (very much a self-help statement...I know).

When the synergistic attitude - a vision for and unity of a body that is larger than any one person - is replaced with selfish motives or personal desires this can give birth to an overarching unhealthy competition within the member and the body.

It's amazing how important clear communication is in creating and sustaining synergy. That the leaders model and profess this attitude daily is vital and they must do it clearly. Perfection isn't the goal here, debates and disagreements are healthy when processed well, but living out a vision is more important than speaking though they're two sides of the same coin.

Think about your parents marriage. Think about the synergistic, holistic, functional, pragmatic, dysfunctional, devastating moments and seasons and for all of us in very different forms. Marriage is divine, it's a symbol, an analogy of the greater relationship not only between us and God but the Trinity at that.

Healthy marriages however aren't perfect. That said, healthy marriages are synergistic. The couple is so intent on clearly understanding the other that grace and humility abound alongside the individual desires to please the other. This interesting combination of give-and-take is ultimately fruitful to the marriage as a whole. Disagreements may abound but love for the other abounds more.

The Apostle Paul taught this. To the Corinthians he described all the members of this new life in Christ as a body. And each person another part of the body until it's completely unified in vision and purpose...that is Glorifying God. Each member of the body with a purpose and the body as a whole with a purpose and these uniting to create something divinely blessed.

Synergy. I smirk when I say it, I don't know why but I can't help it. Yet it describes something that the Scriptures have been teaching for centuries. It provides modern language for an ancient concept. If each member is equipped to unite to both the body and to Christ through the counsel and wisdom of the Spirit and are reminded regularly that this is the most fruitful path to Kingdom living and building...then synergy has done it's job - it has created a language and an ethos of unity in Christ on mission.

Read 1 Corinthians 12 for synergistic thoughts. Study the relationships around you...are you synergized?

Pretty Freakin' Serious

Seriously. That's how I take myself too often. Very seriously.

I often feel as though I intrinsically have something to protect that's so important I need a specialized-overestimated-emotionally-charged-internal-security-system that sounds an alarm when this important aspect of my life is called into question and defends with 'seriousness'.

What's all the more interesting is that in any given circumstance or interaction with anyone other than myself I have to be reminded that I don't have to feel like a child. That I am developing talents and abilities to offer others. That the Spirit of God has actually equipped me with gifts able for building up His kingdom.

How does a person feel like a five yr. old sitting at the adult table and simultaneously take themselves unnecessarily serious?

Pride. The underrating of who God has created me to be destructively mixed with an over-saturated attitude of the worldly self.

Imagine flipping those on their faces. Wringing out the soggy view of self that so drains my spirit and being saturating with the fantastic Spirit of God Who is Life.

Seriously, how awesome that would be to maintain that mindset daily. Pretty freakin' awesome if you ask me.

Read through creation and the cross in the Scriptures - you'll be reminded of the uniqueness of the human and the value and love God has for us in both creation and death and, of course, reconciled creation.

The Malady Mill

According to Dictionary.com, 'malady' may be defined as an undesirable or desperate condition even socially and spiritually.

So I was listening to a song the other day entitled Grist for the Malady Mill. How appropriate a description for some seasons of life. I have experienced two incredibly different ends of the spiritual spectrum in the previous month, experiences that are yet currently spilling over into my heart and soul and mind and effectively shaping my attitude to varying degrees.

I have felt the unexplainable prompting of the Spirit to move in extreme ways causing me to move on from my ministry position, my home, community, friends/family etc. for a new version of everything in a new town with no immediate promise of reward.

I have also experienced, directly related to the move of the Spirit above, that sinking feeling of desperation in dramatic change and loss of all control and concrete plan. A sadness from leaving what I've come to love and a pride in wishing I had more to show for what has burdened my heart in this season.

From prison Paul challenged the Philippians through his immediately personal story. He claimed that 'I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.' This said in the midst of the Malady Mill. His imprisonment itself providing enough grist to cause even the best of us to lose heart. Yet this same grist carrying Paul into the Malady Mill was never void of his faith. A faith founded in Christ who alone gives strength in desperately challenging seasons lacking personal ability to overcome.

What Mill are you tossed about in? What have you come through or foresee in the future? What's your source of Strength in the midst?

Malady. I'm not sure I could put my finger on the social, mental, spiritual malady consuming much of my journey in this season, however, while I look around and see the inner workings of the Malady Mill about me, I also confidently and humbly see the Spirit at work amidst the grist. I am not despondent by any stretch of the imagination. And while I'm not kicking my heels together in excitement I am confident He is at work.

Even I can do anything through Him alone, who provides all I need for life and breath and reason.

Read Philippians - a an encouraging letter written from a prisoner on behalf of Christ. Listen to mewithoutYou's Grist for the Malady Mill.

Commit Myself?...that's right.

Commitment is this interesting ghost of a trait.

It's almost a dirty word in certain circles among my generation on down. It's a heavy idea. In fact that's all that it is for many of us...an idea, a notion, a thought of an ideal that doesn't need to exist.

What's interesting is how this non-committal mindset has entered the Church (though not new). And what's more it has spread throughout all generations, cultures, races, genders, traditions etc. Commitment as an 'idea' has infiltrated the Christian worldview.

Now if we're in Christ and His Spirit is in us and this Spirit is from the Father and the Father promises to continue working in us until the day of completion...and we're called to be like Him...then how did we end up with an 'idea' of commitment in place of actual commitment (which even Christ demonstrated most intently on the Cross Himself)?

'...confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.' 

Commitment is hard. It's messy. It's incredibly sacrificial. It's at the heart of the character of the Lord. It's tangible. It's a mixture of passion and perseverance. Joy and anguish. Sanctification and suffering. Glory and depression. Ultimately redeemed and completed reconciliation.

Commitment is this ghost of an idea for many of us.

But what if we actually committed to our families, marriages, vocations, kids, friends, communities, groups, time in the Word, worship, prayer, joyful living, truth, our purpose, the Lord...

Commitment would no longer be an intangible entity but an actual way of doing life...and doing life well. It would bring inner peace, productivity, spiritual growth, emotional wellness, physical health, discernment, healthier/muddier relationships, respect...if done in humility and with the Spirits guidance it brings Christlike transformation. Transformation is anything but easy yet it holds all the good stuff.

Sounds crazy but maybe we need to commit ourselves.

Read Philippians 1:1-11. In fact read through the whole book for a 'chained' commitment to Christ.

Grass, Concrete & You

At this major intersection I'm able to watch the wind blow through the grass on the street corner. I'm inside and so I only know it's windy from the way the grass moves and bends together in waves.
Beyond the grass is a mass of concrete and asphalt. It shows no sign of the wind. No movement. Not even when multi-thousand pound cars roll over it.

Some people are like the concrete. They're strong, immovable, solidified in their ways and confident that they'll be around a while doing just what they do.

The grass on the otherhand flexes and bends. It too is firmly planted and confident yet it moves. Some people are like this. They too are confident but not in their stability or ability. They're confident in the foundation. They're willing to follow the wind without losing their way. Others see the wind move with them and it's quite a beautiful sight. It will be cut and stepped on and yet grow all the more and moved by the wind.

Those likened to concrete never display the effects of wind. Concrete isn't all that beautiful of a sight.

The Spirit moves. Do you move with Him, firmly rooted? Or is your heart concrete - steadfast but not willing to flex and breathe and sway.

This Land is My Land, This Land is...

The land of the Scriptures required a very tangible, very gritty faith. Just follow the Israelites in their wanderings in the desert and you'll see hunger and thirst, suffering and doubt, need and longing beyond much of our personal experiences.

The land was dry, wilderness, desert as if God had forgotten to bring life to this portion of the earth. Then He calls His chosen people to inhabit this land as a gift. A gift! What a cruel gift, right.

The real gift though wasn't the land. It was the calling to personally connect with God. Faithfully trusting Him out to fulfill every need, every desire, every ounce of protection and supplication. To walk through life with Him (Deut 6:4-9).

This land demanded a faith I simply don't tap into regularly. I'm sitting on my IKEA couch as I type this on my Gateway laptop wearing Nautica glasses to see the screen while covered in a ridiculously soft blanket to keep me warm in an already heated apartment...are we relying on the Spirit to guide and care for us so tangibly, so holistically, so unmistakably...or is that a moot point here an now?

'Trust in God, trust also in Me' John 14:1 - This never goes out of style. This is never not relevant.

For those of us not living in the wilderness we must contextualize our faithfulness:
1) Examine your attitude - are you growing in Christlikeness - Phil 2:1-18
2) Examine your lifestyle - are you really a part of the Body - 1 Corinthians 12
3) Examine your worship - are you giving to God all of what's His - Matthew 22:21

Faith never ceases to be a part of the Christian journey - whether it's for literal or spiritual bread it's necessary.

Easy as Love...

What an absolutely awesome topic...

Most of hold an incomplete view of love. We think of marriage or butterflies in the stomach. We think of passion and sex. Parenting and obedience. We think of long suffering or settling. We think of perversions and abuses, pains and heartaches. Some of even think of the Cross.

We tend to think of love as something that strikes our souls out of thin air. Or that it's easy and bubbly and always happy and always there when it's true.

Love is mixed in with all of these things but it is not fully any of them and some of them not at all. True Love has marital, sexual, parental, relational, mental, emotional, physical, verbal, spiritual boundaries that define it as love. Without a definition love is...confused at best.

Love is actually quite simple. That doesn't mean it's easy and it doesn't mean we won't have to meditate and pray and practice and search the infinite number of examples and imperatives to love in the Scriptures on a regular basis.

Two ancient but absolutely original thoughts:

1) 'This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for others.' 1 John 3:16

2) 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind...Love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:37-40

When you have the choice to love another in place of hating or even disliking them...choose love. Mentally think of them as equals in His creation. Emotionally control your initial reactions. Physically serve them. Spiritually mirror the attitude of Christ who did the same to you.

There are universal experiences of love and perversions of it. It is very real, and very intentionally shaped by YHVH. Love.

The Static Bearer: Electrifyingly Connected

When did you lose that electrified connection between what you know to be true spiritually and what is physically being lived out in your life?

Like at one point after being made aware of your true human nature, and a transformed life in light of Christ's holiness, you desperately wanted to align yourself with His righteousness, His standard of living, His gracious love...no matter the personal cost.

'Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you,' Peter said to Jesus. All the other disciples said the same. I believe they genuinely meant this. (Matthew 26:35)

They were living alongside their Messiah. They had experiential knowledge of the Christ and became frustrated at the news that they would turn their back on their Teacher. They would never break away from Him and wanted to reassure Him of their zeal.

And yet soon enough they scatter - they deny - they run and hide - they disown - they become confused and depressed - they become the jokes of their neighbors...they lose that electrified connection that at one point in time was so strong and powerful and divine.

You've run. You've scattered. You've disconnected from the Divine that so powerfully redeemed you. Reconnect. Continue shedding the old and taking on the new:
Like in salvation - dying to self.
Like in baptism - along with Christ.
Like in sacrifice - loving others more than self.
Regeneration - from the old to the new.

Are you willing to live deeply, electrifyingly connected to Christ? His static-bearer.

Read Romans 6 - dead to sin, alive in Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 - wisdom of God over mans. Jeremiah 17:7-8.

We Know Cain

There are pains that are unexplainable even when good explanations abound. There are unacceptable offerings we give to God that externally appear beautiful and sacrificial...and yet they pain Him as dirty, unacceptable.

Why did Cain murder his brother. Why was his sacrifice unacceptable to the Lord.

There are pains that exist and that is simply that. Seasons of struggle emotional, mental, etc. Hurts that sting for moments, days, years...both us and the Lord.

Our typical immediate response, our initial coping mechanism is to take matters into our own hands. Our hands are fallible, small, fragile...dirty. And we know this. We know Cain. And we respond again and again with the same frail tools.

Yes, I believe many of our pains can be traced to our own co-missional sins...I believe Cain would be in this camp whatever the root.
Yet sometimes things just hurt and there is no one to blame. Maybe not even ourselves. No finger to point. No shaking fists at God. No matter to take into our hands. No acceptable explanation. Not that God is uninformed or lacking control, but that we would not and could not understand.

Sometimes we simply need to meditate on the way of Cain and wonder if we are acting on his behalf.

Always, however, we meditate on the way of Yeshua and ponder whether we're following in His steps. Living an attitude of set-apartness, an attitude that is honoring to our God in the midst of our unexplainable and unacceptable pains.

Read Matthew 11:25-30 for rest from the pain. Read Genesis 4 and 1 John 3:11-12.

Kingdom Cycle

The Kingdom is not simply a 'then and there' locale that will one day replace our worldly system - the Kingdom is the original creation fused together with our current fractured one.

Miracles, truth proclamation and Gospel living are avenues for experiencing the original creation. Avenues for knowing that the divine nature the of eternal God is here and that His Kingdom is redeeming the earth and reforming it to its natural state - perfection. This is not replacement but reconciliation.

This is our Kingdom.

We have entered into it so we must continue to reveal it's true nature in all we do, say, believe. We are the firstfruits of restoration. Yes there will be an end - Yes it's incredibly horrifying that many will not live within the eternal kingdom. That is why we must be willing to live with a Kingdom mindset here and now. Without exception.

As our worldview transforms so do our beliefs and subsequently our actions. In the diagram above we see the cyclical rhythm to a life living out the Kingdom attitude. It flows as such:

Preaching Kingdom is a catalyst for proclaiming King

Proclaiming King is a catalyst for teaching Kingdom values

Teaching Kingdom values is a catalyst for living on mission

Living on mission is a catalyst for Preaching Kingdom...

Read Tim Kellers 'The Prodigal God' for more on the Kingdom.
Read Matthew's gospel chapter 4:12-25 to catch the beginning of this rhythm of life. Jesus Teaches, Preaches and Demonstrates Miracles.
Listen to my recent teaching 'It Begins' for a more in depth look at this cyclical idea of following Jesus in the Kingdom.

Social Security: One

There exists this constant tension in my mind and heart regarding the idea of 'Social Security'.

That if only I could achieve the appropriate title or degree or home...that I would then be socially and thus personally secure.

That the security I desire for my beautiful wife and fantastic kids might be found in societal norms, acceptance, comforts. Worse that I have a right to a certain level of social security.

I know I'm not alone in this tension, how many conversations I've had with others who struggle to find actual security in life. Who chase after temporary structures, philosophies, finances and people and end up with more positive and negative experiences yet still without security.

Social Security isn't wrong, it simply depends on what society, what kingdom, what 'norms' that sense of security emanates from. If the leader of said society is imperfect - society follows and security impaired. On the other hand, if the leader is also the Holy Author, Creator, Savior, Redeemer, Lord and King...well then security isn't so much a notion as it is a reality to be entered into.

The tension is only intensified on my end because I have been made aware of this alternate society. I have seen the light of this other kingdom. I have experienced it's peace. I have breathed in it's spirit and tread it's path. I have professed it's King. I know of this definite source of security.

As a follower of Christ I have to wrestle with the already/not-yet tension. That while the Kingdom can be seen in the Church, the fruit of the Spirit, the Word and even nature...it isn't fully integrated with our lives yet. We live in a season in time where the imperfect (you, I, our world) is in spiritual/physical tension with the perfect (God, His Kingdom). Where we can taste the divine but cannot consume it fully. We can know it and experience it...yet only in part.

I rest in the eternal security of an Eternal God. I rest in His truth. I rest in knowing that the imperfect isn't the end - that perfection is and was and will be.

Social Security. Interesting notion. What society are we attempting to find security in?

After all 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.' If Christ called no place 'home' while here. Should I find security in the here and now...

Read Matthew 8:18-22 - not a direct response to this notion of security but a challenge to what's important.
Read Matthew 5:1-12 for a greater understanding of Kingdom social 'norms' and securities.

Word of Beard

'The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first.' Job 42:12

Light recap on Job's story: Dude was wealthy and wise - Crap hit the fan big time - He sought Gods response.

After reconciliation we find Job holistically better off than before. Faith and suffering go hand in hand (Philippians 1:29) and it appears, at least in Job's story, that God's desire was to save the best years of Job's life for the latter half.

With a little grace let me stretch that idea a bit - Is this your attitude? Whether you've been blessed up to this point in your life or you've been suffering. Whether you've passionately served the Lord or regretfully run. Whatever you're story, are you willing/planning on allowing God to glorify Himself through you in the latter part of your life and in turn be infinitely blessed?

My wife and I have decided to seek out joy in the Lord and in life. That is our 'latter half' New Year resolution. To experience joy.

Blessing happens in many forms and even aids in the healing process. Whatever His eternal storehouse pours out on you, are you willing to step up to partake in it.

'Back in '82, I used to be able to throw a pigskin a quarter mile.' Uncle Rico wasn't able to move on and experience authentic joy for most of the latter half of his life - he lived obnoxiously in his past 'glory days'. Know that the Lords 'glory days' never end and you and I are eternally a part of them. Now is a great time to make the latter half of life significantly more worthwhile.

Read the story of Job. It's heart wrenching and a fantastic display of how God interacts with those who truly know Him. Watch Napoleon Dynamite for more on Uncle Rico.

Guts Falter...

'How long has your gut been around?' I once heard a pastor ask this question in regard to decision making. Particularly those decisions that butt against Truth.

Those heart-felt, gut-confirmed decisions that seem oh so right in the heat of the moment with current information, understanding, knowledge...and yet in acting upon them we in some way, shape or form deny Christ's Truth.

Our guts lead in many areas. From believing we're called to one particular college (seemingly innocent) to claiming that the moral nature of God found in Scripture is outdated. We may become emotionally connected to someone who lives contrary to His Divine Nature (innocent). Yet in our emotion, our empathy, our limited understanding of True Love we follow our gut in place of Truth - we trade Truth for gut. Holy Spirit guidance for gut instinct.

How long has your gut been around? 30 years. My gut has been around a little over 30 years.

...Yet the wisdom of God has guided men and women from the first breath in the Garden, wanderings in the deserts, wars and factions and reunification's, tribes and languages and cultures diverse, centuries and millenia, writings in stone on through digital fingerprints...

My gut may have another 30 years. His Truth has already outlived my gut. The Truth of God never ends or changes or falters. My gut has faltered numerous times. My gut has changed (spiritually and physically). My gut will end. And so will yours.

Our gut, our heart, our seat of emotion and response. It's wickedly selfish one day and compassionate the next. It's overflow may build up or tear down. It allows peace within our inner being and it twists us up with immense anxiety.

Are you following the moral standard formed by your gut? How long has your gut been around.

Or is your gut bowing down to unchanging Truth, the standard of God? It's His 'divine power [that] has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him' (2 Peter 1:3-11). Though imperfectly I truly desire to lay my gut before His throne. It's His divine power that gives life's purpose, direction, knowledge and godliness...not my gut which moves depending on meals, news articles, inspiring songs, confrontational documentaries, abuses in the church, favorite speakers or emotional responses to friends.

In other words, 'Does your Gut Win or does Christ Win out in your decisions and discernment?' What's your gut telling you right this moment? Maybe you need to do the opposite in response.

Now, now, now...

'Now, now, now, now, now think about it like this...'

It seems this is what Jesus is saying during much of His three and a half year teaching and touring ministry in the Middle-East. Redefining, clarifying, simplifying and reconciling new realities based on ancient truths about Himself.

The Beatitudes - clarifying the blessed.

Initiating the 'born-again' - this is completely out-of-the-current-box.

Dying to the flesh in order to gain eternal life - completely turning the wisdom of man upside down here.

Oaths, divorce, revenge, adultery and the mind, idolatry and the heart, sabbath and law and...grace.

It's as if Jesus was saying to Israel, 'Now, now, now, now, now think about YHVH this way now.'

The Church must continue in Jesus' footsteps saying, 'Now, now, now...'; readdressing, according to His New Covenant, our habitual attitudes toward our 21'st century version of Christianity.

As a friend always notes, 'be cautious when dealing with ancient boundary stones,' I would echo that most of them need not be removed. Often we simply need to re-examine why they were put there in the first place without altering Jesus' precepts.
'Now, now, now, now, now think about it like this...'

Read Matthews Gospel for a refresher course on thinking anew.

Actual, Genuine...Belief

Does genuine belief in Christ actually play a major role in salvation? Do we actually have to believe in this guy?

Jesus, teaching a crowd of Jews being riled up by the Pharisees, said this to the few who believed and put their faith in Him, 'If you hold to my teaching, you really are my disciples. Then you'll know the truth, and the truth with set you free.' John 8:30-32

Considering Jesus claimed to be the Light of the world in the midst of this discussion and the heated resistance to His testimony - I would say actual, legitimate, personal, rational belief intersects with salvation in a direct way.

The author of Hebrews follows up on this topic by noting that all those under Moses who disobeyed, rebelled and sinned ultimately died in the desert physically and spiritually 'because of their unbelief.' Hebrews 3:16-19.

To those who read, hear or see the message of Christ, Jesus is saying, 'Today...do not harden your hearts.'

Salvation is a vital gift. You and I don't have to accept it, but if we do...we have to believe it's real.

Jeff Bridges and Jesus...

Jeff Bridges explained to Jay Leno the other night that acting burns him out. After shooting a film he's always 'bushed' - ready to bunker down in seclusion to recoup. He noted that for him, acting uses some strange muscle that gets wrecked during the stretch of a movie.

Pretending is exhausting.

Pretending to be someone/thing you're not is exhausting.

Professional actors find contextually creative ways to be someone else. However, I wonder how many of us act, cover-up, pretend or simply lie about who we are on a regular basis?

Hiding the details about a surprise party for your wife is tiring but rewarding when it's over (unless she hates surprises).

Hiding the details about a financial loss, drug binge, character flaw, inappropriate relationship or even an unnecessary purchase can wreak havoc on our hearts, minds and physical health - ultimately our souls and the relationships we're tied to.

Lying is exhausting.

Maybe Jesus' yoke of eternal truth, living in the light and sharing in the freedom from the expectations that our culture, jobs and families place on us (directly or indirectly) truly is lighter than what we're currently acting out? Do your actions line up with your words - do your words line up with your beliefs - do your beliefs line up with Biblical Truth?

Bridges is bushed at the end of making a movie. At least he gets a break. Do you?

Passages in context: Matthew 11:28-30, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Go Ahead...Point that Finger

'Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?' Job 40:8

'If this God allows ________ to happen he is clearly not a God I want to follow.' Many of us have heard or even said this regarding some offense or pain that affects us personally, philosophically, emotionally. That God is unfair, unjust or simply blind and ineffective in real life...this is usually our own attempt at making sense of life yet in the process putting our wisdom and worldview far above the Eternal God.

My view of justice is based on 30 years of life in Midwest America, a democratic-republic, ideas of equality, tolerance, rational explanations and a loving God in a naturalistic environment. I have one legal, cultural, social, religious point of view in world full of views. Who am I to corner the market on justice? Who am I to stand outside creation and point a finger, scolding the Lord for living out to a system I don't fully understand?

But our thoughts are not like His. Our ways are not like His. (Isa. 55:8)

We will never understand each and every action taking place upon the earth and beyond. Though when we're united with Christ our minds/attitudes/hearts/worldviews are renewed and can begin to fathom His total sovereignty over the good and the bad, the righteous and the evil.

'Good teacher,' says a young man to Jesus who immediately corrects him, 'No one is good - except God alone.' If no one is inherently virtuous but the Lord can we really justify our imperfect actions and thoughts and beliefs in light of perfection? Now if you don't believe in God then who cares about justification right? But if there is a God, as all of creation signifies, then discrediting His righteousness is a far more dangerous undertaking.

Aaahh - 'to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.' (Tim. 1:17)

Lord of...what the!?

Is it possible to be a follower of Christ, called to BE Christ-like - and yet hold to a low-commitment, low-involvement, low-investment attitude and lifestyle in the body, in your faith?

Now I'm not so sure this is a question of salvation, though that alone is a matter to be dealt with in 'fear and trembling.'

If Jesus is Lord of All 'with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him' (1 Peter 3:22) - and if true disciples are called to such a high commitment as to hate their 'father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters' and thus 'carry their cross' after 'counting the cost' (Luke 14:26-28)...then a low view of Christianity isn't much of an option is it.

He is either Lord of all in which you count all as nothing or He is Lord of nothing in which you count yourself as all.

Have you counted the cost of discipleship? If you have concluded that you can fit Jesus into your schedule then I will boldly challenge that your calculator sucks. Your count is off. What if Jesus only half commited himself to his mission, to salvation, the kingdom, to you? What if Paul only squeezed in holiness when it fit into his schedule...sounds depressing and illogical right?

Check your: use of time - gut honest desires - legalistic tendencies - pragmatism in the church - cynical attitude - materialistic cravings - spiritual hunger and knowledge - love of God/others...

If you have counted the cost, or are wrestling with the price of salvation in a sanctified life...then the call to be a 'living sacrifice' is terrifyingly refreshing. Your schedule is shaped by Him. Your purpose abounds. Your heart transforms. Your passion grows. Your grace overflows. Your love for God and for others is on display. You are carrying the cross. You aren't perfect. You won't be perfect on earth. You will hit a low spiritual season. However you are highly-committed.

Starflyer, My Son & the Kingdom

My son ran into the kitchen the other day ridiculously excited about finding a toy saxophone. In and out of every room. Under the couch. Beneath his bed. Digging deep within a toy-box...and there it was.

He earnestly sought after it.

We had been listening to a favorite band of mine - Starflyer 59 - and he wanted to partake. He wanted to contribute to the song.

His excitement and joy reminded me of my own passion to be a part of what God is doing right here and right now. That I get to be a part of His story, His people, His work here on earth and into eternity. His song of creation, redemption, kingdom.

I don't always hear the song. It dissipates amidst clanging symbols, anxious groans and my own music charts. My son heard the music.

I don't just want to hear the music either. Like my son, I want to be a part of the band.