Power of Self...And My Two-Year-Old

I've had the unexpected privilege over the past several weeks of spending my days at home with my beautiful two year old daughter.  Incredible.

Cuddling, laughing, reading, playing, disciplining, overwhelming, exhausting, training, teaching, praying...there is no area of life off limits to her.  She is all consuming!  During this time I've witnessed her begin to thoroughly tap into her inner inability to share, restrain and simply exude kindness around every turn.  She's unlocked the power of self.

Interesting isn't it?  There are untold numbers of books published on unlocking our self-will, self-power, self-realization...and my two year old discovered it naturally and adapted quite quickly.  Yet, it's this very self-powerization that has simultaneously unlocked the ugly: whining, disobedience and all the belly-sliding-across-the-coffee-table-tantrums self-power affords.

To be honest I think she's been a bit selfish since the day she was born.  Needing food.  Needing changed.  Needing bathed.  Needing cuddled.  Needing clothed.  Needing loved. Needing, needing, needing!  And now a whole new area of needing has been unlocked:  her toys, her plug (pacifier), her snack, her space, her show, her story, her daddy, her mommy...

I love her.  If you have kids you understand that taking-part-in-creation-sort-of-love.

I'm not sure we need help discovering our inner will, unlocking our inner power, our hidden-strength.  It appears to be quite natural to want to reach out and grab what's 'mine.'

No, she's got that down.

It seems that my divine role is to steer that very realized power.  To shape and clarify for her the very purpose of her abilities, her awareness, her desires.  It's my role to train her to both harness self-control in order to enjoy her strengths, and realize that actual power is first of all external, it's a gift, it's the Spirit of the Living and Active God who endows, fills, realizes, powerizes.

That her very breath was from the start His.  That it's the Pneuma who sustains her heartbeat now.

Nah, she doesn't need anyone telling her how to unlock her inner-self...she's got that down and honestly it's naturally self-centered.  If you know a two year old you know what I mean, OR better yet if you know a 32 year old who continues to act on the power of the inner self without restraint you know just how absurd that inner compass really is.

Yet there's so much beauty as well right?  She's absolutely adorable, she growls like a monster, throws her hair back, laughs at random, draws us into her world and shares what brings her joy...so how does this parallel reality factor into that other ugly inner power?

I have an incomplete thought...

Self(ishness) tends to be about absorbing, about taking more and more from others for personal gain.

True Beauty on the other hand, while inherent in who she is as an image bearer of God, is an immediate display of all that is selfless.  I wonder if it works a bit like this; the beauty my little lady offers benefits me and those who witness it.  Her sweetness, laughter and intelligence cause me to delight in her and her Maker as I realize her blessing upon us.  Her beauty in all it's facets offer those around her something to delight in and thus fosters more beauty: laughter, smiles, joy.  While her selfish nature causes those around her to close up, step away, tune-out...

Scripture both teaches and demonstrates this personal, familial, social beauty in action through healthy 'one another' living.  A community that supports, cares for, prays for, equips, shares, disciplines = loves, those around them.  And this is all powered by the eternal/external Holy Spirit who when invited into our lives enters in and transforms.

Beauty is mysterious.  But it's a divine mystery sourced in the Creator.  Beauty offers something other, something more, something for us all, something to lean into.

Self is also mysterious.  It's also a divine mystery sourced in the Creator, yet tends to be realized on our strength, smarts and inner person hood.  It tends to either force people in or out.  It's divine mystery dissipates and is swallowed up by the mere physical, lustful and sensational.

Regardless the people group, social structure or belief system around the world it appears that at some point every group notes that the individuals self-power, selfishness, self-desires might actually do more harm than good and so ought to be suppressed.

On the other hand, every group, culture, people, system will acknowledge, invite into and celebrate the one who controls the self, offers more to life, invites others in to experience joy and beauty and simply share in all seems right.

Maybe it's true, that every good gift truly is from the Lord, an overflow of His being.  That beauty is all around us, in many forms and ultimately unites.  That true self-realization involves releasing what we think we know, what we desire in our guts, to the very God who gives desire, to the Spirit who fills to His fullness those who seek His reality.

An incomplete thought...not a treatise, not a defining document...a thought.  We know the sweetness of true beauty because we also know bitterness.  Others know a soured life because they've tasted that sweetness.  However you see it, there are very real, very sourced powers at work.

Oh, and if you're able, I'd recommend spending a couple months at home with your kids and witness a microcosm of Gods universe at work.

Discipling a Kindergartner

The moment my wife broke the news that I was a father-to-be I immediately started pondering ways I might communicate the truth of the God of the universe to that little creature growing in her belly.  Income, shelter, clothing, college-fund, retirement...none of these entered my mind in that season.  I wanted to find the special sauce to the spiritual development of my little dude.

Now, five years later, I've discovered, created and chosen a few key practices that my wife and I enjoy utilizing as we disciple our children.  I make no effectual promises as to the long term fruit of these practices...I mean, he's only five at this point!  Here are a few:

• Story/History:  We read, tell and invent so many stories that sharing another Bible 'story' allowed for no 'set-apartness' in his little mind.  Instead we began sharing the 'history' of Gods works, people and movements.  We note our past, our ancient family lineage, the histories associated with the Creator through Christ.
• The Bible Says:  I've nothing against this phrase in and of itself.  The Word is living and active, it breathes Truth, fosters wisdom and develops healthy discernment.  While my children will begin to understand the value and worth of Scripture over time, I much prefer to say 'Jesus said,' 'Paul said in his letter,' 'the Prophets taught,' - the Bible says a lot of things, but to my kids it's another book on the shelf.  I'd much rather him envision God proclaiming these truths and not simply another book on his shelf.
• Modern Parables:  As Jesus promised in Johns Gospel we know that the Spirit will offer remembrance and understanding as it comes to Him and His life and teachings.  That said, as it pertains to Jesus' method I like to point out aspects of nature, social interaction, household work-projects etc. as elements for modern parables to teach Truth.  Sure we're always reading and discussing Scripture - yet making it personal in the moment regularly provides immediate context for crazy questions and revelations.

My son regularly asks for 'God Stories.'  He's aware that God has moved and is moving and wonders what He's up to both in the past as well as the present and so on the walk to school, in a car ride to Target, sitting in a hot tub on vacation he's always prodding for more.

What do you do that fosters a healthy discipling of your kids?  How are you creating an environment that fosters a regular interest in the Gods work through time and space?

Of course my kids are young.  They will rebel, stumble, turn away, grow, mature and hear and know the truth of Christ.  That said, while I proclaim no magic pill in discipling my kids, success is not going to be in the distant outcome but is current through the intentionality of walking Deuteronomy 6:4-9'style with my chillin's.

Enjoy the road.  Share your practices, techniques, tools and joys with one another, it's a long, tumultuous and ultimately joyful parenting journey.

Word of Beard

Often I forget the simple nature of words as tools.  That most of the time they either build up or tear down.  That when James describes this tool, language, he uses rudders and sparks - very beneficial tools in the hands of the healthy.

A rudder, when utilized by a true pilot, safely and productively steers the ship and its goods to the desired location, even amidst storms and waves and sirens and sea monsters.

A spark also, when placed in the hands of the wise, non-pyromaniac, builds a fire for warmth, for meals, for innovation and production.  Little things that are designed to build up and bear fruit.

It's true James notes the evil nature of our tongues which inevitably are an overflow of our collective soul (not the band) and while I can't deny it, I wonder if more often than not with the existence of so much social media, technology and narcisim (I'm aware of the irony says the guy writing a post on his personal blog with a picture of himself and titled after a notable facial feature of his own) that the average bear isn't so much set on speaking evil but simply incapable of shutting-up?

Self control is difficult, it takes practice, it takes discipline, it takes intentionality and accountability.

Even good things such as expressing dreams and desires, plans and visions and missions and goals...all very good things but done without an understanding of the weight and accountability of such expressions we may, albeit naively, find ourselves leading others, challenging others, designing expectations and stirring movement in others lives that we never truly committed to ourselves...simply because our words, our tools, were naively used.

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts...

Read James 1:19 and 3:1-12 and 4:13-17 and 5:13-20...ah, just read the whole letter, it's worth it.

Redeeming the Sacred Night of the Candy

Oh sweet hallows eve.  Some thoughts for incarnational living on this most...religio-sacro-spirituo-holish-day.

It's that strangely universal celebration of after-hours-candyholics.  One that draws your neighbors out of their homes once a year - so hand something out and connect with them.  (If you don't agree with candy do something cool like temporary tattoo's, please avoid the rice cakes, please.)

1. Why not walk around and chat it up around fires, glowing pumpkins and bowls of sugar with the rest of the neighborhood?  In fact, make it point to connect on a deeper level with at least one other family on your journey.  (I've not yet been accused of anything more than having a sweet beard and a lot of fun on Halloween.)
2. Join up with your missional community, small group or extended family and have a party in your front yard handing out candy to neighbors.  Why not add some sweet music and a barbecue and I promise you'll not only connect with the unknown hermits down the street, but you might enjoy it yourself!
3. If you simply must redeem the night through blatant Christianization from the commercialized-pagan-holish-day, and if you must dress up as your favorite patriarch of the faith, and if you  must quote copious amounts of Scripture...then please, please, please at least do it with some serious pizzaz, drama and fanfare as though you actually believe and enjoy the dramatic ancient beauty of the text, the heroic people, and the their powerful God.

Oh, and whatever you choose to do with the night, model for your children what it means to glorify God through missional candy collection, proliferation and neighborhood connects...and for those of you staying indoors with your kids, demonstrate healthy fasting from what you believe to be all-too-close identification with and worship of the worlds gods without condemning the rest of the Body.

Party on Wayne...Party on Garth.

A Key Ingredient to an Ancient Message

'Adam, here's Eve. Love her.'

'Eve, here's Adam. Honor him.'

Brooke and I dated for three years before marriage.  I've uncovered a type of love not experienced with another along the journey through life together.  All in all I've known my wife for over a decade, nearly 1/3 of my life.

We love one another.
We had thought this might become true as we dove into a relationship.
We proclaimed it's truth at the onset of our united life together.
We experience this truth as we travel together daily as a family.

'This is message you heard from the beginning. We should love one another.'  John wrote this in the midst of describing the life of one who truly demonstrates the love of God on a daily basis.  Habitually.  Daily they become more like Christ than they do the devil.  Pretty direct.

As we discover and experience a healthy love for one another we're demonstrating a Truth as old as anything we understand.  This was and is Gods message.  Love one another.

Personal observation here:  Our current age, current culture desires immediate knowledge, quick decisions, immediate fulfillment.  In everything from vocational success to how we want to view the world.  While we might be quick to proclaim a willingness to love another, to proclaim it honestly and experience it habitually takes time.  Love is slow, and just as a river slowly moves and grooves into the land, love moves likewise.

This concept flows way beyond marriage and into the array of relationships all about us.  Within friendships, neighbors, working acquaintances, disciples, bosses, professors, pastors...move slow, with hope and not skepticism, move slow.

Decisions may be quick but nurturing the outcome takes time.  Knowledge comes in waves yet discerning slowly how to utilize it is vital.  I'm not attempting to write a prescription for the appropriate speed to obtaining relational depth...I'm simply saying there are key ingredients.

What relationships are you rushing?  Why?  Who are you intentional with?  Is there a toxic relationship that doesn't allow for a reciprocal one-another love you ought to step back from?  Is there a hard heart you ought to steadfastly, patiently share that very message from the beginning with?

Read 1 John 3 for some thoughts on what it means to love well with a love eternal.

re-Training Me Up...

My son, a kindergartner, noted recently how orange a tree was as we drove past it at 45 mph. Until recently I hadn't noticed the tree's. To be honest I'd sort of forgotten about them.

I'm in North Eastern Ohio, surrounded by millions of beautiful trees, woods, forests. It's Fall at that. And I'd not noticed the colors of the trees until my 5 yr. old described them as we drove by unnecessarily fast.

In the past I'd taken time to notice them. In fact, I would have been the one to point them out to my children, my friends, my wife. I would have pointed out the individual leaves, noted the depth of color, divine art in organic motion. I would regularly, daily even, walk with my family through town, through parks, neighborhoods, the city and we would speak of and enjoy the movement of the Spirit yet partaking in creation as He did in the beginning (Genesis 1:1-2).

Now, once again, I'm able to take in the trees amidst the forest.

The Patriarch Moses noted years before that our role as fathers, as parents, is to raise our children to journey with God. My 5 yr. old, in pointing out the trees and noting how God had made them turn his favorite color orange (just for him!), was simply doing what I had trained him to do: note Gods work, point it out to others, and give Him Glory.

It not only feels good to see the trees again, but all the more I'm able to hear my son give God Glory as well.

Read Deut. 6:4-9 - How would you raise your children to glorify God all the more if you could do it again? Start that rhythm tomorrow.

One in a Million

Paul was miraculously reconciled to God by Jesus post-resurrection. That isn't typical.

He was then specifically set-apart with Barnabas, by God, to do a specific work. Atypical as well.

He even received strange visions, one of a Macedonian man calling out to him for help. Standard? Not sure.

Many factors shaped Paul's journey: Gods specific ordination (Acts 13:2), need (Acts 27:3), time (Romans 13:11-12), location (Acts 17:1-2), finance (Philip. 4:14-16), vision (Acts 16:6-10), circumstance (2 Cor. 6:3-10), division (Acts 15:36-41), etc...

Yet the narratives above aren't prescriptive for all believers. Luke simply describes the role of Paul in the spreading of the church as appointed by God. We are all most definitely ambassadors of the Kingdom, yet each one of us is not appointed to live out a Pauline story.
 

So while Paul may have been called by God to a specific place here or there, think of the general mass of believers who are called to love and worship and serve out of their homes, in their neighborhoods, as mechanics and CEO's.

There are many spiritual Patriarchs of our faith...and many more bodies of believers:

1 Moses / millions of Israelites
1 David / millions of Jews
1 Peter / 3000 nameless converts heading home
1 Paul / thousands in church plants

Clearly He calls some to specific roles in time and space. Since you nor I know who will be appointed where and when:  pray, live open-eyed to His workings in your life, be active with your gifts, love your neighbor, wisely and humbly plan for the future, beware of reading the shapes of the clouds looking the right sign to move here or there.

God does have your days numbered. He is God omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient. He knows your every step. He also knows that you and I are imperfect. Don't focus on the missed opportunities and failures...focus on being like-Christ here and now.

You have a story. It will not be Paul's. What is it?