Hello All -
I have shifted my webpage over to www.hoovitorloseit.weebly.com. Hope to see you there.
Thanks.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Does God really confuse you?
"Did you say, Abe Lincoln?"
"No I didn't say Abe Lincoln, I said, 'Hey Blinkin'."
That's about the only line that sticks out to me from the movie, "Robin Hood, Men in Tights". For whatever reason I think of that line often and find myself quoting it out loud, usually to no one in particular. As those goofy lines ran through my head today, I began to think about the idea of being misunderstood.
Two of the most frustrating things are being misunderstood and consistently, not understanding what's going on around you. Regardless of where you find yourself, both ends can leave you feeling like banging your head against the wall. How is it that what seems so clear in your mind can not be manifested into coherent words and sentences that others can comprehend? Why is that everyone else seems to be clicking right along with a particular project or concept and you feel like you are completely in the dark, clueless as to what's happening?
As I've thought about this idea I was reminded of the number of times that Jesus was misunderstood by His disciples, the religious leaders of the day, His own family and really just about everyone He came into contact with while He walked the earth. What was so clear to Christ - His mission, His purpose, His ultimate goal, all were misunderstood by those around Him.
In Mark the 3rd chapter, Jesus' mother and brothers come looking for Him, presumably trying to figure out what He was doing? Of course, the religious leaders had no idea what was going on and even those in His own town of Nazareth demonstrate confusion as to His purposes. The Gospel are full of examples of His own disciples demonstrating complete ignorance as to what Jesus' mission was all about, some of them were looking for an earthly kingdom to be established, others were looking for the power and title that they assumed Jesus would bring them. Confusion all around.
It wasn't until after Jesus' resurrection that the disciples at large finally got what Jesus had been saying all along. Finally something "clicked" inside of them and they figured it out. What was the difference? Why all of the sudden did the disciples finally catch on? Had Jesus started using different words? Did Jesus come up with some new creative strategy to communicate with them? None of the above. The only difference was proof. Jesus was no longer dead. He was alive. The grace was empty. They saw, ate with and talked to Jesus - post resurrection.
It's hard to argue with that kind of proof. I think sometimes we forget about that same proof that is available to us as believers. I've interacted with Jesus on a daily basis for years. I've experienced Him in a very really way on countless occasions. He changed my life in a very real way. My experience with Christ has been more than theory, it's been more than just something I've heard about or read about, I've experienced it for myself. The same could probably be said for you as well. You've been a believer for 5 or 10 or even 20 years or longer and have had dozens or even hundreds of powerful experiences with Christ and yet you still find yourself confused and misunderstanding what God has planned for you. Don't get me wrong, seldom does anyone, including the seasoned saints among us, hit the nail on the head every time with God. The Bible makes clear in Isaiah 55:8-9 that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.
Perhaps we need to entertain the possibility that our lack of understanding and confusion about God's mission, plan and goals for our lives is less about us understanding and more about us wanting to understand. I mean, with all of the interactions that you've had with Christ over the years, with all of the proof that you have experienced first hand, can you still be using the excuse that you're just not sure what He wants? Maybe we know exactly what He wants and we're just not sure that we want the same thing?
"No I didn't say Abe Lincoln, I said, 'Hey Blinkin'."
That's about the only line that sticks out to me from the movie, "Robin Hood, Men in Tights". For whatever reason I think of that line often and find myself quoting it out loud, usually to no one in particular. As those goofy lines ran through my head today, I began to think about the idea of being misunderstood.
Two of the most frustrating things are being misunderstood and consistently, not understanding what's going on around you. Regardless of where you find yourself, both ends can leave you feeling like banging your head against the wall. How is it that what seems so clear in your mind can not be manifested into coherent words and sentences that others can comprehend? Why is that everyone else seems to be clicking right along with a particular project or concept and you feel like you are completely in the dark, clueless as to what's happening?
As I've thought about this idea I was reminded of the number of times that Jesus was misunderstood by His disciples, the religious leaders of the day, His own family and really just about everyone He came into contact with while He walked the earth. What was so clear to Christ - His mission, His purpose, His ultimate goal, all were misunderstood by those around Him.
In Mark the 3rd chapter, Jesus' mother and brothers come looking for Him, presumably trying to figure out what He was doing? Of course, the religious leaders had no idea what was going on and even those in His own town of Nazareth demonstrate confusion as to His purposes. The Gospel are full of examples of His own disciples demonstrating complete ignorance as to what Jesus' mission was all about, some of them were looking for an earthly kingdom to be established, others were looking for the power and title that they assumed Jesus would bring them. Confusion all around.
It wasn't until after Jesus' resurrection that the disciples at large finally got what Jesus had been saying all along. Finally something "clicked" inside of them and they figured it out. What was the difference? Why all of the sudden did the disciples finally catch on? Had Jesus started using different words? Did Jesus come up with some new creative strategy to communicate with them? None of the above. The only difference was proof. Jesus was no longer dead. He was alive. The grace was empty. They saw, ate with and talked to Jesus - post resurrection.
It's hard to argue with that kind of proof. I think sometimes we forget about that same proof that is available to us as believers. I've interacted with Jesus on a daily basis for years. I've experienced Him in a very really way on countless occasions. He changed my life in a very real way. My experience with Christ has been more than theory, it's been more than just something I've heard about or read about, I've experienced it for myself. The same could probably be said for you as well. You've been a believer for 5 or 10 or even 20 years or longer and have had dozens or even hundreds of powerful experiences with Christ and yet you still find yourself confused and misunderstanding what God has planned for you. Don't get me wrong, seldom does anyone, including the seasoned saints among us, hit the nail on the head every time with God. The Bible makes clear in Isaiah 55:8-9 that His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.
Perhaps we need to entertain the possibility that our lack of understanding and confusion about God's mission, plan and goals for our lives is less about us understanding and more about us wanting to understand. I mean, with all of the interactions that you've had with Christ over the years, with all of the proof that you have experienced first hand, can you still be using the excuse that you're just not sure what He wants? Maybe we know exactly what He wants and we're just not sure that we want the same thing?
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Stay Hydrated.
In both 2005 and in 2007 I had the privilege of going to South America and specifically the country of Brazil as a part of two teams that were tasked with helping to build and upkeep several churches and a school that our church here in the states, began nearly 30+ years ago. In 2007 I found myself in a sticky situation as I became ill in a foreign country. In reality I wasn't really in a foreign country, I was actually flying over a foreign country.
We had been in Brazil for nearly 10 days working as make shift brick layers as we did our best to assemble the walls of the new school house. If you've ever been nearer to the equator than you find yourself now, you know it's hotter. All throughout the day we would work in the heat, mixing mortar and laying bricks, mixing mortar and laying bricks, mixing mortar and laying bricks, mixing mortar...you get the idea.
By mid morning, the guys would be shirtless hoping to receive some relief from the heat, but none would ever come. Our host missionaries attempted to enforce strict rules about our water consumption fearing for our health, but there was a problem. Right across the street from our work site and home away from home for 10 days, was a little Brazilian convenient store.
If you've ever been out of the country you know that you are immediately drawn to anything and everything that reminds you of home. You're searching for the familiar and when you find it, it's tough to let go. Say hello to little glass bottles of Coca-Cola and Orange Fanta. These things were amazing. Ice cold little gems that not only reminded me of home but refreshed me like no bottle of water could, or so I thought.
Even in the midst of the ever wandering eyes of our missionaries, I would find myself sneaking into my room, digging thorough my luggage for a few coins and making my way to this little oasis of refreshment.
What I should have known was that while I was feeling refreshed on the surface, my body was actually dehydrating. While I was sucking down bottle after bottle of that liquid goodness, my body was in need of something different.
My lack of real refreshment caught up to me on our plane ride home. We were en route from Belem down to Sao Paulo in one of those massive 11 seats across type of jets. I was tangled up in one of the Spider Man movies when suddenly my body just froze. My arms began to tingle, my chest started hurting, I started sweating buckets and everything started spinning. Now, I don't know if you've ever had this type of experience in general, but let me reassure you that everything changes when you are 6 miles above the earth. Unsure of what to do and really having no other options the flight attendants brought me to the rear of the plane and connected me to an oxygen flow. Thankfully, we were only minutes from landing.
As soon as we landed, my journey through: hospital infirmaries, ambulance rides at lightning speed through the streets of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo hospital emergency rooms (the use of the term 'hospital emergency room' is in no way connected to anything I had ever experienced prior), and eventually a long plane ride home several days later, began.
Landing back on American soil was an experience that I will never forget. Seeing the faces of my wife and sons and being re-introduced to things that I had once taken for granted was surreal at best.
I tell you this lengthy story for a reason: Often what we believe to be refreshing, is really killing us. There is really only one source of true refreshment. God. Whatever it is that you are trusting for your refreshment is a far cry from the real deal. You may feel refreshed for a little while, but the longer that God isn’t really your true source, as long as God really isn’t the "trunk of your tree", the weaker and weaker you will feel.
So what happens? When we're not really being truly refreshed, we fall into what I like to call, "The Cycle". Much like my Coke and Fanta binges in Brazil, I felt refreshed temporarily and then like clock work, I would come crashing back down. What I failed to understand is that each ride on the cycle resulted in yet another drop in my overall refreshment.
That’s exactly what happens in our spiritual lives. We attempt to make a lot of things the source of our refreshment: church attendance or involvement, just being a good person, money, status, relationships, you fill in the blank for you. It really doesn't matter what we try to substitute, the results are all the same. What God desires from each of us, and what each of us truly needs, is an intimate, passionate, personal relationship with God Himself.
Stay hydrated!
We had been in Brazil for nearly 10 days working as make shift brick layers as we did our best to assemble the walls of the new school house. If you've ever been nearer to the equator than you find yourself now, you know it's hotter. All throughout the day we would work in the heat, mixing mortar and laying bricks, mixing mortar and laying bricks, mixing mortar and laying bricks, mixing mortar...you get the idea.
By mid morning, the guys would be shirtless hoping to receive some relief from the heat, but none would ever come. Our host missionaries attempted to enforce strict rules about our water consumption fearing for our health, but there was a problem. Right across the street from our work site and home away from home for 10 days, was a little Brazilian convenient store.
If you've ever been out of the country you know that you are immediately drawn to anything and everything that reminds you of home. You're searching for the familiar and when you find it, it's tough to let go. Say hello to little glass bottles of Coca-Cola and Orange Fanta. These things were amazing. Ice cold little gems that not only reminded me of home but refreshed me like no bottle of water could, or so I thought.
Even in the midst of the ever wandering eyes of our missionaries, I would find myself sneaking into my room, digging thorough my luggage for a few coins and making my way to this little oasis of refreshment.
What I should have known was that while I was feeling refreshed on the surface, my body was actually dehydrating. While I was sucking down bottle after bottle of that liquid goodness, my body was in need of something different.
As soon as we landed, my journey through: hospital infirmaries, ambulance rides at lightning speed through the streets of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo hospital emergency rooms (the use of the term 'hospital emergency room' is in no way connected to anything I had ever experienced prior), and eventually a long plane ride home several days later, began.
Landing back on American soil was an experience that I will never forget. Seeing the faces of my wife and sons and being re-introduced to things that I had once taken for granted was surreal at best.
I tell you this lengthy story for a reason: Often what we believe to be refreshing, is really killing us. There is really only one source of true refreshment. God. Whatever it is that you are trusting for your refreshment is a far cry from the real deal. You may feel refreshed for a little while, but the longer that God isn’t really your true source, as long as God really isn’t the "trunk of your tree", the weaker and weaker you will feel.
So what happens? When we're not really being truly refreshed, we fall into what I like to call, "The Cycle". Much like my Coke and Fanta binges in Brazil, I felt refreshed temporarily and then like clock work, I would come crashing back down. What I failed to understand is that each ride on the cycle resulted in yet another drop in my overall refreshment.
Stay hydrated!
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Stunned by an inside job.
One of the many joys of being in ministry is the opportunity to officiate the weddings of those that I have grown close to over the years. This weekend, one of my very first students in youth ministry will tie the knot with a wonderful woman he met a couple of years ago.
Mark 10:6-9 says, “But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
I've always loved the end of that verse, it's common for that last little phrase, "What God has joined together, let no one separate" to be used in weddings just after the new couple is pronounced husband and wife. But here's a thought, with all of the emphasis on keeping marriage free from the outside attack of extra-marital affairs, office romances, old high school flames and the like, what about the possibility of an "inside job". What if we were slowly becoming unaware that our marriages were falling apart, not as a result of an outside force, but because of our own selfishness.
What if we continued to keep the needs of our spouses as the number one priority of our marriages?
What if husbands and wives repeated their wedding vows to one another at the start of everyday?
What if the honeymoon stage was more than that?
What if husbands and wives both committed to loving and forgiving as Christ has chosen to love and forgive?
Mike and Jessica's young love reminds me of a couple of things:
1. I am getting old.
No comments necessary on that point.
2. Marriage is delicate and needs to be protected.
As I reflect back on Sarah and I's journey over the last almost 14 years I can clearly see the stages of our development as a couple. There was of course the "Honeymoon" stage that everyone knows about. There's no arguing, no tension, everything is always perfect. As a new husband or new wife you can do no wrong during this first blissful stage. But here's a question that I've been thinking about recently, "What changes?" Why does the honeymoon stage eventually disappear? Why don't young married couples who constantly seek to out serve one another turn into old married couples that constantly seek to out serve one another? Here's the answer that you're not going to like if I just described your marriage: Selfishness. By nature we are selfish people. We want what we want when we want it. We want to spend money how we want. We want to go where we want, when we want to go. We want to spend our limited free time doing the things that make us happy.
I've always loved the end of that verse, it's common for that last little phrase, "What God has joined together, let no one separate" to be used in weddings just after the new couple is pronounced husband and wife. But here's a thought, with all of the emphasis on keeping marriage free from the outside attack of extra-marital affairs, office romances, old high school flames and the like, what about the possibility of an "inside job". What if we were slowly becoming unaware that our marriages were falling apart, not as a result of an outside force, but because of our own selfishness.
What if we continued to keep the needs of our spouses as the number one priority of our marriages?
What if husbands and wives repeated their wedding vows to one another at the start of everyday?
What if the honeymoon stage was more than that?
What if husbands and wives both committed to loving and forgiving as Christ has chosen to love and forgive?
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
A Revision to the Racists Flyers
Perhaps you've heard of the unfortunate display of hatred and racism that has recently taken place in the Forest Park Community. Check out the link here. A bulk of flyers were distributed on car windshields around the community (apparently at night - no surprise there) that described these slanted, misguided views.
I am thankful that I could not locate the entire letter but rather only an excerpt from the news. As a result, I am only able to make a partial revision. Below is my revision to this hateful letter and a challenge to all Christ followers:
Around Racism ALWAYS Pray!!!
Christian Citizens need to recognize and embrace all racial differences or else suffer the consequences of God. Is being hateful and prejudice worth losing your eternity?
Reality is that "Racial Inequality" is sinful.
What if we as Citizens of the Kingdom of God took to the streets also. Not in a violent way, not dropping anonymous and cowardly flyers on cars, but what if all believers, black, white, latino and every other shade and hue banded together to take back our communities for Christ. What we are dealing with isn't a "black/white" or "race" issue: we're dealing with a sin issue. It's a matter of the heart and not just the hearts of those that would leave hateful flyers on cars. It's a matter of the heart for all of us. We're quick to point out what others need to do but often fail to challenge ourselves and think through what our role should be in the healing process:
What if we prayed for our neighbors?
What if we shared the love of Christ with every person we came into contact with?
What if we were very careful about how we joke and what we laugh at?
What if we were very aware of what we teach our children about those of different skin tones?
What if we remembered that what we teach has little to do with what we say, but rather how we act?
What if this community bonded together around the Cross of Jesus Christ and prayed for healing and the hearts of those that would feel the need to express such sinful views?
Listen friends, there is no amount of legislation that will change this community and ultimately our country for good. What we are in desperate need of is the Presence of the Almighty God. God alone will change hearts. #prayforforestpark
I am thankful that I could not locate the entire letter but rather only an excerpt from the news. As a result, I am only able to make a partial revision. Below is my revision to this hateful letter and a challenge to all Christ followers:
Around Racism ALWAYS Pray!!!
Christian Citizens need to recognize and embrace all racial differences or else suffer the consequences of God. Is being hateful and prejudice worth losing your eternity?
Reality is that "Racial Inequality" is sinful.
What if we as Citizens of the Kingdom of God took to the streets also. Not in a violent way, not dropping anonymous and cowardly flyers on cars, but what if all believers, black, white, latino and every other shade and hue banded together to take back our communities for Christ. What we are dealing with isn't a "black/white" or "race" issue: we're dealing with a sin issue. It's a matter of the heart and not just the hearts of those that would leave hateful flyers on cars. It's a matter of the heart for all of us. We're quick to point out what others need to do but often fail to challenge ourselves and think through what our role should be in the healing process:
What if we prayed for our neighbors?
What if we shared the love of Christ with every person we came into contact with?
What if we were very careful about how we joke and what we laugh at?
What if we were very aware of what we teach our children about those of different skin tones?
What if we remembered that what we teach has little to do with what we say, but rather how we act?
What if this community bonded together around the Cross of Jesus Christ and prayed for healing and the hearts of those that would feel the need to express such sinful views?
Listen friends, there is no amount of legislation that will change this community and ultimately our country for good. What we are in desperate need of is the Presence of the Almighty God. God alone will change hearts. #prayforforestpark
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Have the Homeless Become Invisible?
I came across this video the other day and was struck by its power.
Share your comments on what strikes you the most.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Schizophrenia 2.0
As we think about the idea of schizophrenia (see below) I am wondering how many of us can truly identify with this type of feeling. Here are some questions to consider:
How often do your thoughts not line up with reality?
How often do you say one thing and then do another?
How often do you walk around feeling like there is a target on your back (real or imagined)?
How often do you feel like the world revolves around you (real or imagined)?
How often do you feel like every corner conversation is somehow about you?
Who would be brave enough to leave a comment and share an example of how you might identify? Perhaps we could be an encouragement to someone else who is struggling with this same idea.
Who's First?
How often do your thoughts not line up with reality?
How often do you say one thing and then do another?
How often do you walk around feeling like there is a target on your back (real or imagined)?
How often do you feel like the world revolves around you (real or imagined)?
How often do you feel like every corner conversation is somehow about you?
Who would be brave enough to leave a comment and share an example of how you might identify? Perhaps we could be an encouragement to someone else who is struggling with this same idea.
Who's First?
Friday, May 9, 2014
Feeling a little Schizophrenic?
Okay, I admit it: I am not really a schizophrenic. At least not one of the technical, psychological type. However as many of you may or may not choose to admit, I can identify with many of the characteristics of a schizophrenic. If you’re anything like me you have experienced at least one moment in your life where you were confident that you were the target of a massive conspiracy. Everyone was out to get you. Every conversation was about you. When you walked into a room, all conversation ceased and every shifty eye focused on you. Sound familiar?
What about this scenario? Have you ever felt like you were the lone survivor on a planet that was recently visited by aliens on a mission to harvest brains. As you wade through the average day, you become convinced that everyone has completely lost their minds or perhaps, never had a functioning mind to begin with. Have you ever convinced yourself that you’re the only sane one left?
Have you ever felt like you were the right man or woman for the job? Of course you have, who hasn’t right? But have you ever felt like you were the right man or woman for every job? Is everything in your wheelhouse? Are you the expert at everything? Have you become convinced that your ideas are always the best ideas? Is your motto, “My way or the highway”? While you are likely gifted and talented in a whole host of areas, it’s unlikely that you’re the best at everything. If any of this describes you, welcome to the club of average schizophrenics.
Still not convinced? Check out this definition below, but before you skim over it in an effort to dismiss any potential conviction, read it through the lens of your work environment, your family environment or wherever else you sometimes feel like life and everyone around you is coming apart at the seams.
Schizophrenia (/ˌskɪtsɵˈfrɛniə/ or /ˌskɪtsɵˈfriːniə/)is a mental disorder characterized by a breakdown of thinking in correct perceptions of reality. Common symptoms include delusions such as paranoia, hearing voices or noises that are not there, disorganized thinking, a lack of emotion, and a lack of motivation. Schizophrenia causes significant social and work problems.
If you read that definition with honesty and healthy dose of transparency then you’ll admit that sometimes your thinking is not always in line with reality. I call it the “intellectual hangover”. Think about it, have you ever had a thought that was completely off the charts, completely crazy. Have you ever worked yourself up into a frenzy with thoughts of irrational ideas only to wake up the next morning embarrassed by your previous night’s line of thinking. You find yourself lying in bed, rubbing your forehead unable to remember exactly what happened the night before. Welcome to the “Intellectual Hangover”. Even on our best days you and I can think things that sound just plain crazy when you say them out loud.
- Why is everyone starting at me?
- Why is everyone out to get me?
- I bet there talking about me, aren’t they?
- Why is my plan always the best plan?
- Why does no one else understand what is so clear to me?
There are millions of us all around the globe. Because of our sheer numbers there are likely many others just like you and I that make up the members of our families, co-workers, class mates and church members. Some, you have even come into contact with through silent glances of, “Are these people crazy?” or “Can you believe he just said that?” Or maybe you’ve spent some time commiserating with other pseudo schizophrenics as you wallow in your own self pity and exchange alleged war stories. Even in light of our numbers, still others remain in the shadows, alone and wondering when the aliens will return to steal the balance of the population’s brains or perhaps just decide to name them ruler of the universe, a position they’ve always known they’ve deserved.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Thankfulness
I've been thinking about thankfulness lately. I know it's not November, which is of course our traditional time of reflecting on our level of thankfulness, but nevertheless it's been on my mind. Two aspects of thankfulness jump out to me:
1. How good are we at giving thanks when we should?
We're quick to ask, "God where are you?" in the midst of the tough times but why do we not ask that same question in the midst of the good times?
When relationships are struggling...God where are you?
When finances are tight...God where are you?
When we'd rather not share a last name with our kids...God where are you?
When we're being downsized...God where are you?
Why is it that God is always at the forefront of our thinking when times are lean and tough? When something isn't going right, it's God fault. We deceive ourselves into thinking that God hasn't been holding up his end of the bargain. Perhaps we've not properly understood God's role in the world. God is not our genie. God is not our butler. God has never promised that as a Christ follower our lives would be free of suffering or pain or disease or heartbreak. What if we started thanking God even in the midst of the rough patches? What if we started viewing our setbacks as setups for God to move in our lives?
What if we viewed our heartbreak as a new opportunity for thankfulness as God begins the process of healing our hearts? What if we viewed our tight financial picture as opportunity to thank God when He provides for our needs? What if we viewed our kid's mistakes as a chance to model thankfulness for the forgiveness of sins? What if we viewed our downsizing as yet another opportunity to thank God for His faithfulness?
2. How good are we at giving thanks to whom we should?
Isn't it interesting that God's role in our lives can seem ever so slightly diminished when we become super successful? Why does God take a backseat when things are coasting along free of the bumps and bruises that life can so often throw at us?
Here's a question to consider, in the quietness of your mind free from all judgement and Sunday School answers: attempt to answer this question with complete honesty:
When you achieve, when you succeed, when you thrive: who gets the real credit? Ultimately, God may be the one to receive it, but who gets the credit first?
What if we peeled back the layers of our thankfulness and really came face to face with the possibility that we don't give God the thanks that He deserves? You see, too often we forget that God is the source of all the we possess. He created us in His image and every ability, gift, talent, knowledge and know how originate in HIM. What if we got into the habit of giving God the "First Fruits" of our thankfulness?
What if our first response, regardless of whether or not the situation was big or small, good or bad, ordinary or extraordinary, what if our first response was thankfulness to God?
1. How good are we at giving thanks when we should?
We're quick to ask, "God where are you?" in the midst of the tough times but why do we not ask that same question in the midst of the good times?
When relationships are struggling...God where are you?
When finances are tight...God where are you?
When we'd rather not share a last name with our kids...God where are you?
When we're being downsized...God where are you?
Why is it that God is always at the forefront of our thinking when times are lean and tough? When something isn't going right, it's God fault. We deceive ourselves into thinking that God hasn't been holding up his end of the bargain. Perhaps we've not properly understood God's role in the world. God is not our genie. God is not our butler. God has never promised that as a Christ follower our lives would be free of suffering or pain or disease or heartbreak. What if we started thanking God even in the midst of the rough patches? What if we started viewing our setbacks as setups for God to move in our lives?
What if we viewed our heartbreak as a new opportunity for thankfulness as God begins the process of healing our hearts? What if we viewed our tight financial picture as opportunity to thank God when He provides for our needs? What if we viewed our kid's mistakes as a chance to model thankfulness for the forgiveness of sins? What if we viewed our downsizing as yet another opportunity to thank God for His faithfulness?
2. How good are we at giving thanks to whom we should?
Isn't it interesting that God's role in our lives can seem ever so slightly diminished when we become super successful? Why does God take a backseat when things are coasting along free of the bumps and bruises that life can so often throw at us?
Here's a question to consider, in the quietness of your mind free from all judgement and Sunday School answers: attempt to answer this question with complete honesty:
When you achieve, when you succeed, when you thrive: who gets the real credit? Ultimately, God may be the one to receive it, but who gets the credit first?
What if we peeled back the layers of our thankfulness and really came face to face with the possibility that we don't give God the thanks that He deserves? You see, too often we forget that God is the source of all the we possess. He created us in His image and every ability, gift, talent, knowledge and know how originate in HIM. What if we got into the habit of giving God the "First Fruits" of our thankfulness?
What if our first response, regardless of whether or not the situation was big or small, good or bad, ordinary or extraordinary, what if our first response was thankfulness to God?
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
What if we all empowered other people?
I've been reflecting today on my role as someone who empowers others. I think we've falsely limited the use of this word to the church setting. We speak of empowering others for ministry, equipping people for works of service, delegating jobs and tasks to other people to get them involved in helping to accomplish the mission of the church. These are all good things and should happen within the local church. But what about the other areas of life? What about my family? What about my friends outside the church? What about your co-workers? What about your neighbors? This is the photo that has served as my desktop since my dad's passing in early January. As I've looked at it over the last several months I am reminded of the need to empower. Here's one man (the one clearly sucking his stomach in) empowering three other men to live life.
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| Sure, my dad could have just done everything for us. He could have cut the grass himself, he could have fixed the hole in the wall after one of our many angry brother fights, by himself. He could have changed the oil alone, he could have built the barn or the deck all by himself without any help from us at all. Likewise, he could have forced us to create our own school projects all by ourselves without any help at all, he could have chosen to not show us how to handle a gun properly, he could have left us in the dark when it came to roofing a house, he could have left us all by ourselves, groping around in the darkness to figure out life on our own. But he didn't. He empowered us. He showed us the ropes, he guided our hands, he laughed when we made a mess of things, he likely cried when we really made a mess of things, but he knew, as we should also learn that it's all just part of empowering. My father could have just plugged one hole. He was even good enough to plug several holes at once. But he realized that by empowering us, he was able to multiply his hole plugging ability. One man chose to divide his time in order to multiply his effectiveness and ultimately his impact. Here's the even greater part about multiplication, it's hard to stop once it's rolling. |
Think for a minute about the lives that will be impacted by those that are represented in just this photo alone. One man's impact on three lives now impacting eleven other lives. You see empowering people has a trickle down effect. Those that have been empowered can't help but want to empower others. It feels great to be empowered but an even greater feeling exist when you're the one doing the empowering.
So what about you? Who are you empowering? Empowering shouldn't be limited to the church setting. We can empower neighbors, co-workers, class-mates, anyone and everyone we come into contact with. Teach, develop, train, better others, guide people. Learn to divide and then multiply.
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