Got Him!

So we finally got our man. It took ten years and two different presidents but Usama Bin Laden is dead.
I must admit, however, that it felt strange for me to watch Americans celebrating in the streets all because we had managed to kill a man. I’m rather used to seeing that sort of thing broadcast from other countries. But this time the people looked just like me and lived just down the street. I was not comfortable as it was described as a wonderful day and a great victory.
Now don’t get me wrong. I am fully in favor of the government bearing the sword as Paul describes in Romans 13:1-7. It is clear that one of the prime responsibilities that God has given to those who govern is to see that evil is held accountable.
But here’s the rub… I am a follower of Jesus first and then an American. As a follower of Jesus I have been instructed to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. That’s Matthew 5:44. Romans 12:17 instructs me as a follower of Jesus to leave the matter of vengeance up to Him. Verse 21 of that same chapter tells me that my response to evil is to overcome it with good.
My heart remains heavy as it appears that 5 more people entered eternity without Jesus. Just doesn’t make me feeling like celebrating…

Holiness… Wow!

I encountered an article by Mike Yaconelli today.  It was titled “Lessons from a Holy Man.”  You can find the article here.

http://www.immersejournal.com/2010/02/22/lessons-from-a-holy-man/

Here’s an excerpt that I’m still trying wrap my heart and head around.  Wow!

“Holiness is about our capacity for compassion.  To be holy in ministry is to accept fully who you are. No pretending. No hiding. Confess what is broken, without shame. Confess what is gifted in you, without false modesty.  To be holy in ministry is to like people. To struggle to see the humanity of people, the divine spark within those we’re drawn to as well as those who irritate and repulse us. To enjoy the company of people—even people who are strange or different.  To be holy is to struggle to feel compassion for others. It means trying to see the world through another person’s eyes. It means struggling to find what’s likeable, what’s good, what’s vulnerable in another—even if that person appears violent, mean, or troubled.  To be holy is to feel blessed. It means to live the Christian life, not as a burden, but as a way of life that’s open and receptive to all the gifts of love that God and other people offer us.  Finally, to be holy is to enjoy the moments we get alone with God. It means that we fall into prayer during those moments. It means we fall back into the One who loves the world into being.”

From C.S Lewis

My dad has a tumor.  Those words are even hard to type.  Not sure where this is taking us but the journey has begun. 

Right away I was reminded of a quote from C.S. Lewis  in a book titled A GRIEF OBSERVED.

“You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you.  It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box.  But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice.  wouldn’t you then first discover how much you really trusted it?  …Only a real risk tests the reality of a belief.”

That this journey holds real risk cannot be denied.  Not a journey we would have chosen.  A path I have walked with dozens of others but always as an adviser.  This time such convenient distance is not allowed nor desired.  I will be immersed as much as they need me to be.   

By the way… I fully expect to find that the rope we hold to (that is Jesus) will be just as trustworthy in this season of difficulty as He has been for many seasons of ease.

Not Again…

A few months ago I wrote about a sports celeb who lost his life as a result of marital unfaithfulness.  Now it seems that another of our “sports heroes” is coming undone.

The list seems to grow longer by the day as one woman after another is lining up, claiming to have had a sexual relationship with Tiger Woods.  After so much of this kind of behavior from the “stars” of our day I guess I am not surprised.  Maybe just disappointed.  One more example of how little we value the promises that we make in marriage.

I have also been disappointed with how casually it has been viewed by members of the media.  I heard one show quote Chris Rock… “We are only as faithful as our options.”  Basically saying that anyone would have done the same thing if women had made themselves available as they had to Tiger.

One more time I intend to call you to be different.  To stand apart as a city set on a hill.  To demonstrate to Chris Rock and Tiger Woods that promises really matter.  Integrity and commitment can position us to be faithful in spite of whatever the devil might dangle in front of you.

Value of Trust

I’ve been thinking a lot about trust lately.  And I’ve come to the realization about just how much I value it. 

I gladly pay more for service from someone who I trust.  As a matter of fact, I often don’t even think about doing the whole comparison shopping gig, because trust is just huge in my life.  Once it has been earned with me, then we are good to go. 

Someone says “You could have gotten a better deal over there.”  That might be true but the flip side of trust is loyalty.  I’m going to go a long way with someone who I trust before I make a change. 

I know it doesn’t always make sense from a purely pragmatic viewpoint.  At times it makes me seem naive or puts me in a place where I seem to be getting shafted.  But it just seems to be how I’m wired.  If you have bothered to earn my trust then you may be assured of my loyalty. 

Just thinkin…

Power of a Promise

I doubt that it comes as much of a surprise to anyone who knows me to hear that I enjoy sports.  I enjoyed playing them as a younger man and certainly continue to appreciate the athleticism of today’s competitors.

As a result it was shocking to hear that Steve McNair had been found shot in a condominium in Nashville.  He had played quarterback for the Tennessee Titans and was known to be tough among footballers.  What I didn’t know about as much was that his reputation in the community was also good.  Family man and always one to help the local charities.

But then the rest of the story began to unfold and along with it the disappointment and disillusionment of learning another side of Steve McNair.  It has since come to light that McNair was involved in a relationship with another woman and she was found responsible for his death.

We were recently reminded on a Sunday morning that any of us are capable of anything.  So the purpose of these words is not to drag Steve McNair through the mud.  Rather a simple lesson… 

If only Steve McNair had been at home with his wife where he had promised to be…

Incredible Courage

It isn’t often that you are lucky enough to see courage in action.  Usually you hear about it after the courageous act is over and often not until it has become a part of history.  Sunday at Salisbury was an exception.  Before our very eyes we saw men and women willing to courageously declare their intentions to confront their personal brokenness.

The topic at hand was our sexuality.  Together we confronted how perverted our culture has become when sex is considered.  Nearly anything goes and what was shocking yesterday is often accepted today.  We know that we are not immune from this collapse.  It is happening all around us and we often willingly participate.

Sunday was a time for people to recommit themselves to purity.  To stand up and declare their intentions to “battle on” and claim victory in the gospel of Jesus Christ even in the area of our sexualtiy.  That’s where the courage was required.  The call wasn’t to say “I need to pray more” or “I need to be more patient.”   It was… “I intend to see my sexuality honor Jesus in every way!”  It took guts to meet me in the aisle to be affirmed as a fellow struggler before a house full of church family.  And many of you answered that call.  AWESOME.  There just is no other way to say it.

Now, one more challenge.  You’ve taken a first step, just don’t stop there.  Learn to apply the faithfulness of God and be encouraged by the faithfulness of community to access that “set-apart sexuality.”  To make it all God’s, you will need lots of support.  Get in the Word and into encouraging, honest relationships.  Refuse to allow this issue to settle back into what it was before.

A Great Afternoon

This past Sunday I was privileged to be involved in a sacred event.  A room full of us gathered at the church in Hutton to share together the ritual of baptism.  What made this so special was the make-up of the group.  The eleven people who were baptized were all part of our 5th and 6th grade youth group!  I walked out of that baptistery almost an hour after we started with hands that looked like prunes but a heart that was bursting.

Here was a group of young people that stood together before a room full of people to announce that they had trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Can you grasp the eternal implications of eleven young people getting it in order this early in life?  What will God have produced from that group in the next 20 years.

It is our privilege and responsibility to be a part of seeing that they are groomed to become all that our Savior intends.  And not just those eleven but to all that our Father gives us opportunity to impact.  What part will you play?  Are you living for more than just you?

By the way…  WAY TO GO 5TH & 6TH GRADE LEADERSHIP!!!  YOU GUYS ROCK