I have been trying to make a point lately to stop saying things like "have a nice day" or "take care" or "take it easy" when I leave someone's company -- particularly when I am dealing with someone I don't really know. And, no, I am not trying to replace those expressions with something more trendy or cool -- partly because I am not really sure what the cool expressions are these days. Instead, I have decided to go with something more like "God bless you today."
I am not out to offend anyone, and I don't think I have. You just never know when someone might need God's touch or a word of encouragement, and I don't think "have a nice day" really cuts it. If you are going to say "have a nice day" you pretty much might as well say something like "later dude." It's really become just an empty expression.
To be honest, most of the people I run into don't seem to react one way or the other when I say "God bless you" instead of something more politically correct. I'm guessing, but I think it's because, as I said before, those parting words from a stranger are just a meaningless social formality, so they are not really paying any attention anyway. But there are exceptions.
When I was at Home Depot last weekend the lady at the checkout told me to "have a nice day." I thanked her and responded "and may God bless you today." She did a double-take and gave me a momentary "did he just say that" kind of look. But then came a big smile.
Yesterday, though, I found out that there are certain times and certain places where "God bless you" apparently is just not the right thing to say. One of those times and places is the funeral of any veteran at the Houston National Cemetery.
I am not all that surprised that one can't say the name "Jesus" on such an occasion. "Jesus" is just too controversial of a name. The mere mention of Jesus, after all, could start a riot. Innocent people could be trampled. I mean, really, is invoking the name of Jesus to comfort a grieving family really worth taking that kind of risk?
But not to be able to say "God bless you" to a grieving family, or to mention God at all? To me that is just going too far. I just don't see any risk that saying "God bless you" at a military funeral will bring down the free world, offend the not-so-free world or cause mass conversions to Christianity. (You can find a link to one of the articles discussing this policy and the resulting lawsuit against the Department of Veteran Affairs at the bottom of this blog.)
In a few days it will be Independence Day, and this "no God allowed" policy got me thinking. It made me wonder what all of the men and women who ever fought, were wounded or died for our freedom would think of some of the things we have become. What if we told the men who were signing up for the Revolutionary War that they needed to fight to keep Americans from being unfairly taxed, to gain freedom from oppression and to make sure that no one says "God bless you" to any of their family members at their funerals?
I'm just asking.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2010015/Veterans-BANNED-saying-God-Jesus-military-funerals.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Love God - Love People - Advance the Gospel
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Random Thoughts While Driving To Home Depot
I have had a lot on my mind lately -- aside the seemingly never ending struggle to discern between what I want for my life and what God wants for my life. It has been a week of great blessings -- the birth of Sailor, a hugely successful "Now Camp" for the kids and spending a couple hours with Lynton Turkington, one of our Pastoral Elders, immediately come to mind. But it has also been a week of a few frustrations, which I won't bore you with.
Anyway, such events naturally lead to a Saturday morning working around the house. When I woke up this morning I offered to clean the kitchen, but Pam said she was going to take care of that herself. (I think she was being nice, but I also know that she objects to the way I stack the dishes in the dishwasher. Either way, I'll have one gold star to go please.) So, I got in the car, turned my iPod to the "God" playlist, and headed to Home Depot to pick up fertilizer for the lawn and some light bulbs.
As I drove down the street I found myself dwelling on the frustrations of this week. These are actually frustrations that have been hanging on for several weeks now (and in some cases longer), and which I have been praying about earnestly. So far, though, my prayers don't seem to have produced anything. No resolutions, no revelations, no apparent progress.
As I continued on my way, though, a song came on the iPod called "Your Grace Still Amazes Me." You may have heard it before. Even if you haven't, you have probably guessed that the song is about the grace of God.
As I drove and listened, I thought about my prayers over the last few weeks. I don't think any of these prayers have been selfish prayers. They have been prayers for my family, for direction in my life, for people who are physically sick and in need of healing, for people and families who are in tough places emotionally, for people in financial turmoil and for people in other circumstances who just need God's touch right now.
But, as I listened to this song about God's grace it occurred to me that, while there was certainly nothing wrong with any of these prayers, God has already done more for us than any of us should ever have expected. I was reminded that God has already done more for us than any of us deserved. Jesus shed his blood as the perfect sacrifice so that we could gain the greatest gift of all -- reconciliation with God for eternity. The Cross was never meant to guarantee that all of our earthly desires -- even the noble ones -- would be met.
So, for today at least, I think I will try to put some of my frustrations aside and focus on the bigger picture. Instead, I think, at least for today, I will just be amazed by His grace and be thankful.
"Your Grace Still Amazes Me"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNClAJO2tnQ
Anyway, such events naturally lead to a Saturday morning working around the house. When I woke up this morning I offered to clean the kitchen, but Pam said she was going to take care of that herself. (I think she was being nice, but I also know that she objects to the way I stack the dishes in the dishwasher. Either way, I'll have one gold star to go please.) So, I got in the car, turned my iPod to the "God" playlist, and headed to Home Depot to pick up fertilizer for the lawn and some light bulbs.
As I drove down the street I found myself dwelling on the frustrations of this week. These are actually frustrations that have been hanging on for several weeks now (and in some cases longer), and which I have been praying about earnestly. So far, though, my prayers don't seem to have produced anything. No resolutions, no revelations, no apparent progress.
As I continued on my way, though, a song came on the iPod called "Your Grace Still Amazes Me." You may have heard it before. Even if you haven't, you have probably guessed that the song is about the grace of God.
As I drove and listened, I thought about my prayers over the last few weeks. I don't think any of these prayers have been selfish prayers. They have been prayers for my family, for direction in my life, for people who are physically sick and in need of healing, for people and families who are in tough places emotionally, for people in financial turmoil and for people in other circumstances who just need God's touch right now.
But, as I listened to this song about God's grace it occurred to me that, while there was certainly nothing wrong with any of these prayers, God has already done more for us than any of us should ever have expected. I was reminded that God has already done more for us than any of us deserved. Jesus shed his blood as the perfect sacrifice so that we could gain the greatest gift of all -- reconciliation with God for eternity. The Cross was never meant to guarantee that all of our earthly desires -- even the noble ones -- would be met.
So, for today at least, I think I will try to put some of my frustrations aside and focus on the bigger picture. Instead, I think, at least for today, I will just be amazed by His grace and be thankful.
"Your Grace Still Amazes Me"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNClAJO2tnQ
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A One Talent Guy
I have had the privilege over the last several weeks of leading a Bible study on the Parables of Jesus. (The study is every Wednesday night at 7:30 if you care to join us!) We have been focusing so far on what some of the parables tell us about the nature of faith, about justification and about sanctification.
I really enjoy leading the study but, to be honest, teaching the Bible is still a bit intimidating for me at times. The Bible has some things to say about teaching sound doctrine, and I really want to get it right. (See, for example, 1 Timothy 6:3 and Titus 2:1) So, I try to spend a good deal of time in study and in prayer before I open my mouth.
I don't really know how much the folks in our group get out of these studies, but I can say that without fail the Bible speaks to me in new ways every time I prepare for a lesson. I may start with the idea of getting ready to teach and lead, but it seems to always end up with me being the student -- learning just a little bit more about the nature of God, about my relationship with Him and about my own Christian walk.
One of the parables we have been studying is the "Parable of the Talents." You probably know this one, but for those who don't check out Matthew 25:14 - 30 (which I have copied below). The gist of this parable is that the master went on a journey and entrusted his money to three servants. To one servant the master gave five talents, to one servant the master gave two talents and to the last servant the master entrusted one talent.
While the master was away the servant who was entrusted with five talents and the servant who was entrusted with two talents each doubled the money they were given, and each was rewarded for his efforts. The servant who was entrusted with one talent, though, had a very distorted perception of who the master was and, put simply, did not trust Him. As a consequence the last servant buried his talent for fear he would lose it and be treated harshly.
We spent a great deal of time discussing this particular parable, and I really can't cover that entire conversation in this blog. But, I do want to share with you this revelation that came to me as we were talking through this last Wednesday: I was reminded that when I first came to Heartland Church eleven or twelve years ago I myself was a "one talent" kind of guy. It's true -- I was doing absolutely nothing to serve God. And, even as I grew in my faith the prospect of someone like me serving God in any meaningful way just seemed absurd.
Somewhere along the way, though, I began to feel God's call on my life, and I decided to stick my toe in the water. Before I knew it I was in neck deep and, as you might imagine, I had a lot of questions. Questions like "why me?" or "am I really qualified?" or "what if I don't know how to swim?!" In many of those moments Sherry Ferris would remind me that if God could use a donkey then God could probably use someone like me. (See Numbers 22:21 - 34)
I am not by any means saying that I am a five talent guy today -- or anything close to it. What I am saying is, well, if God can use a donkey (or someone like me) He can use you too.
If you are a five talent guy (or girl) or a two talent guy (or girl) that's great. God has high expectations of you. But, if you are a one talent kind of guy (or girl), this is not the time to despair. I am confident that if the servant with one talent had just trusted the master, if he had truly put his faith in God, and if he had put his shoulder to the wheel, that one talent would have become two (or maybe four or five!). And, the same is true of you. We serve a God who has set us up to succeed -- not to fail. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10.
So fellow one talent guys, what do you say we get to work?!
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
I really enjoy leading the study but, to be honest, teaching the Bible is still a bit intimidating for me at times. The Bible has some things to say about teaching sound doctrine, and I really want to get it right. (See, for example, 1 Timothy 6:3 and Titus 2:1) So, I try to spend a good deal of time in study and in prayer before I open my mouth.
I don't really know how much the folks in our group get out of these studies, but I can say that without fail the Bible speaks to me in new ways every time I prepare for a lesson. I may start with the idea of getting ready to teach and lead, but it seems to always end up with me being the student -- learning just a little bit more about the nature of God, about my relationship with Him and about my own Christian walk.
One of the parables we have been studying is the "Parable of the Talents." You probably know this one, but for those who don't check out Matthew 25:14 - 30 (which I have copied below). The gist of this parable is that the master went on a journey and entrusted his money to three servants. To one servant the master gave five talents, to one servant the master gave two talents and to the last servant the master entrusted one talent.
While the master was away the servant who was entrusted with five talents and the servant who was entrusted with two talents each doubled the money they were given, and each was rewarded for his efforts. The servant who was entrusted with one talent, though, had a very distorted perception of who the master was and, put simply, did not trust Him. As a consequence the last servant buried his talent for fear he would lose it and be treated harshly.
We spent a great deal of time discussing this particular parable, and I really can't cover that entire conversation in this blog. But, I do want to share with you this revelation that came to me as we were talking through this last Wednesday: I was reminded that when I first came to Heartland Church eleven or twelve years ago I myself was a "one talent" kind of guy. It's true -- I was doing absolutely nothing to serve God. And, even as I grew in my faith the prospect of someone like me serving God in any meaningful way just seemed absurd.
Somewhere along the way, though, I began to feel God's call on my life, and I decided to stick my toe in the water. Before I knew it I was in neck deep and, as you might imagine, I had a lot of questions. Questions like "why me?" or "am I really qualified?" or "what if I don't know how to swim?!" In many of those moments Sherry Ferris would remind me that if God could use a donkey then God could probably use someone like me. (See Numbers 22:21 - 34)
I am not by any means saying that I am a five talent guy today -- or anything close to it. What I am saying is, well, if God can use a donkey (or someone like me) He can use you too.
If you are a five talent guy (or girl) or a two talent guy (or girl) that's great. God has high expectations of you. But, if you are a one talent kind of guy (or girl), this is not the time to despair. I am confident that if the servant with one talent had just trusted the master, if he had truly put his faith in God, and if he had put his shoulder to the wheel, that one talent would have become two (or maybe four or five!). And, the same is true of you. We serve a God who has set us up to succeed -- not to fail. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10.
So fellow one talent guys, what do you say we get to work?!
The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14 - 30 [NIV])
14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’
26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28 “‘Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Sacred Cows, Mavericks and Cowboys.
Before you get too excited just hear me out -- and get your toes out of the way! I like sports as much as the next guy. Actually, that may not be true. Let's just say that I am an average to slightly below average sports fan. I will definitely watch the Super Bowl and the BCS Championship game (although we need a playoff system in college football -- if you want my humble opinion). I will most likely watch part or all of the NBA Finals and at least part of the World Series. The Stanley Cup? Sorry hockey fans -- that's a big "no can do." To me, hockey must be seen live or not at all. Oh, and I do like college basketball; let's not forget that.
If you live in Dallas right now, or if you're just a Mavericks fan, it's a pretty exciting time. The NBA finals can be pretty amazing. I've yelled at the TV on more than a few bad calls (James and Wade can really sell a flop). I have also gotten pretty excited by some of the "down to the wire" finishes. So, maybe this is not a good time for this particular blog. Or, maybe it's exactly the right time. Either way, here we go.
My question to you is: "what does being too much of a sports fan look like?" Obviously, there is a practical issue here -- particularly if you are married. Sports can divide a husband and wife. In fact, any hobby, interest or even a career can divide a husband and wife if one or the other goes overboard. (For men, it seems like there is a fairly limited list of things that usually capture our attention that way -- like eating, sleeping, sports, and ... well, you get the point. I guess these days we need to add video games and the Internet to the list.)
But, in addition to the "practical" issues, there is a very real spiritual issue here too. The Christian life is supposed to be new and focused. As Paul says in his second letter to the church in Corinth, Jesus "died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:15 Watching sports, as opposed to actually playing, is at the very least a diversion. I will concede that a diversion every now and then is probably a good thing -- especially if we choose diversions that can be used to glorify God.
Of course, at the extreme sports fanaticism can be a form of idolatry. Colossians 3:1-5 reminds us to set our hearts and minds on "things above" and not on earthly things, and tells us to "[p]ut to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."
Having said all of this, there is no doubt that sports can be used for God's glory. I have a friend who played baseball in college and now spends a great deal of time coaching his son's baseball teams. I have no doubt that, whether my friend ever mentions God in his role as a coach, he is ministering to the young men who play for him just by his example. In other words, I am confident that he is not just a good coach, but that he is also the salt and light to those young men that Jesus called him to be.
In fact, one man's diversion can be another man's ministry. There is a man at Heartland who spent most of his adult life coaching at the high school level. I cannot even imagine the number of young lives that coach Bob impacted -- and continues to impact today. God gave Bob an incredible platform to reach young men, and I am sure he took full advantage of that opportunity.
But, using coaching as an opportunity to mentor to young men is a far cry from spending countless hours in front of the TV set watching games. I am also concerned about what message our obsession, particularly with professional sports, sends to young people today. There are certainly professional athletes who are of high character and make good role models -- but that seems to be the exception and not the rule. More often the "news" about professional athletes is filled with stories of moral failures and self-destruction. Failures which we, the professional leagues and associations, the television networks and the advertisers are all too quick to overlook. What does that say to our kids?
This what it boils down to for me. I just think that we need to strive to make every aspect of our lives consistent and in harmony with our faith. Even our diversions should glorify God in some way. While there is nothing inherently wrong with being a sports fan, I just think going overboard can be a real problem. Going overboard not only distracts us from our own God-given purpose, but can confuse others about our priorities. Sorry, but I just don't see Jesus wearing a Mavs jersey. Am I wrong?
Oh, and one last thing --- GO MAVS!
If you live in Dallas right now, or if you're just a Mavericks fan, it's a pretty exciting time. The NBA finals can be pretty amazing. I've yelled at the TV on more than a few bad calls (James and Wade can really sell a flop). I have also gotten pretty excited by some of the "down to the wire" finishes. So, maybe this is not a good time for this particular blog. Or, maybe it's exactly the right time. Either way, here we go.
My question to you is: "what does being too much of a sports fan look like?" Obviously, there is a practical issue here -- particularly if you are married. Sports can divide a husband and wife. In fact, any hobby, interest or even a career can divide a husband and wife if one or the other goes overboard. (For men, it seems like there is a fairly limited list of things that usually capture our attention that way -- like eating, sleeping, sports, and ... well, you get the point. I guess these days we need to add video games and the Internet to the list.)
But, in addition to the "practical" issues, there is a very real spiritual issue here too. The Christian life is supposed to be new and focused. As Paul says in his second letter to the church in Corinth, Jesus "died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:15 Watching sports, as opposed to actually playing, is at the very least a diversion. I will concede that a diversion every now and then is probably a good thing -- especially if we choose diversions that can be used to glorify God.
Of course, at the extreme sports fanaticism can be a form of idolatry. Colossians 3:1-5 reminds us to set our hearts and minds on "things above" and not on earthly things, and tells us to "[p]ut to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."
Having said all of this, there is no doubt that sports can be used for God's glory. I have a friend who played baseball in college and now spends a great deal of time coaching his son's baseball teams. I have no doubt that, whether my friend ever mentions God in his role as a coach, he is ministering to the young men who play for him just by his example. In other words, I am confident that he is not just a good coach, but that he is also the salt and light to those young men that Jesus called him to be.
In fact, one man's diversion can be another man's ministry. There is a man at Heartland who spent most of his adult life coaching at the high school level. I cannot even imagine the number of young lives that coach Bob impacted -- and continues to impact today. God gave Bob an incredible platform to reach young men, and I am sure he took full advantage of that opportunity.
But, using coaching as an opportunity to mentor to young men is a far cry from spending countless hours in front of the TV set watching games. I am also concerned about what message our obsession, particularly with professional sports, sends to young people today. There are certainly professional athletes who are of high character and make good role models -- but that seems to be the exception and not the rule. More often the "news" about professional athletes is filled with stories of moral failures and self-destruction. Failures which we, the professional leagues and associations, the television networks and the advertisers are all too quick to overlook. What does that say to our kids?
This what it boils down to for me. I just think that we need to strive to make every aspect of our lives consistent and in harmony with our faith. Even our diversions should glorify God in some way. While there is nothing inherently wrong with being a sports fan, I just think going overboard can be a real problem. Going overboard not only distracts us from our own God-given purpose, but can confuse others about our priorities. Sorry, but I just don't see Jesus wearing a Mavs jersey. Am I wrong?
Oh, and one last thing --- GO MAVS!
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