One of my sons turns 14 today. Benjamin came into this world at 4 pounds, 15 ounces; he is now a healthy, growing teenage boy with a tender heart for God and a heart for the underdog. He is always looking out for kids who need a friend. Through the years, there have been several situations at school and in the neighborhood in which he has instinctively defended the friendless.
His name in Hebrew means, "Son of my Right Hand." That means that he is also my warrior son, a strong arrow in my quiver.
I affirm this work of God in his life and I give thanks to God for entrusting me as one of his primary caretakers in life. If I was writing this blog post last September or December, or even this March, I would think about my other three children and affirm the work of God in their lives. Or I would affirm the work of God in my wife, who celebrated her birthday a few days ago.
Birthdays are affirmations. They remind us that every year is a precious gift from God. Every relationship is worth nurturing and appreciating, because you never know when it will end.
As a pastor, it seems the care list in my congregation is growing longer and longer. There are older folks who are growing more frail and sick, but there are also several young people who have been killed or at least died this year, long before their time. While I am obviously saddened by losing friends and brothers and sisters in Christ, their deaths and circumstances have also encouraged me to appreciate the moments I have with my wife and children.
They are a gift.
In the Sunday School class that I teach, we are working our way through a powerful poem called The Dash. It invites us to consider how well we spend "the dash" (on our tombstones) between the day we are born and the day we die. The Dash, the poet writes, represents how we love and live our lives.
Today, my son's birthday reminds me to love the gift of today and celebrate the gift of life and family that God has given us.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
What Shall I Fear?
Fear can be a good thing. It alerts us to danger. It kicks our bodies and minds into defense mode when we need it most. It is a primal instinct that continues to serve important roles for us today.
Fear can also paralyze us. Fear casts doubt and uncertainty into our hearts and minds. When you fear something or someone, it can feel like a 10-pound cinder block is resting on your chest.
There are four kinds of fear that cause us problems, according to Paul David Trip, a Presbyterian pastor and teacher. There is the fear of ourselves (once we come to learn our weaknesses and tendencies), the fear of others (those whom we are convinced are a genuine threat to our well-being), the fear of circumstances (What if this happens? What if that happens?), and the fear of the future (What does tomorrow hold for me? For my family?).
There are probably more categories of things we fear, but this is a solid start, if you ask me. I am particularly vulnerable to fear of the future. I want to know where my ship is heading. I feel a need to know if I am on a short trip or a long one, if we are making stops along the way, and what is our port of destination.
Faith, I know with my mind, is the ability to trust that God is guiding the ship where He wants it to go. Faith is a gift that allows us to enjoy the voyage. There is work to do on this trip. There are people to meet. There are challenges ahead. But through it all, faith allows us to trust that the vessel is heading in the right direction and that the ship ain't going down.
I am good at recognizing little tidbits and truths like this in my mind, but allowing it to take deep root in my heart is another story. I am a sinner like anybody else and I have a lot of fears that will crush me if I let them.
Tripp says the antidote for fear is fear itself. When we embrace the fear of God (understood more as an awe of God), the small things in life that we fear are put in their proper place.
Do you agree with these four categories of fear? Can you think of others? Read 1 John 4:8 and learn how fear is also overcome.
Fear can also paralyze us. Fear casts doubt and uncertainty into our hearts and minds. When you fear something or someone, it can feel like a 10-pound cinder block is resting on your chest.
There are four kinds of fear that cause us problems, according to Paul David Trip, a Presbyterian pastor and teacher. There is the fear of ourselves (once we come to learn our weaknesses and tendencies), the fear of others (those whom we are convinced are a genuine threat to our well-being), the fear of circumstances (What if this happens? What if that happens?), and the fear of the future (What does tomorrow hold for me? For my family?).
There are probably more categories of things we fear, but this is a solid start, if you ask me. I am particularly vulnerable to fear of the future. I want to know where my ship is heading. I feel a need to know if I am on a short trip or a long one, if we are making stops along the way, and what is our port of destination.
Faith, I know with my mind, is the ability to trust that God is guiding the ship where He wants it to go. Faith is a gift that allows us to enjoy the voyage. There is work to do on this trip. There are people to meet. There are challenges ahead. But through it all, faith allows us to trust that the vessel is heading in the right direction and that the ship ain't going down.
I am good at recognizing little tidbits and truths like this in my mind, but allowing it to take deep root in my heart is another story. I am a sinner like anybody else and I have a lot of fears that will crush me if I let them.
Tripp says the antidote for fear is fear itself. When we embrace the fear of God (understood more as an awe of God), the small things in life that we fear are put in their proper place.
Do you agree with these four categories of fear? Can you think of others? Read 1 John 4:8 and learn how fear is also overcome.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Finding True Rest
Resting in God's work is not easy.
We work hard each day. We sow seeds. It seems that if we stop working for one moment, the widgets will pile up in front of us and we will never catch up, like an episode of I Love Lucy. Or, the fear may be that everything will come crumbling down if take one breather.
Many of these fears, you may be surprised to hear me say, are not unfounded. This is the way the world works. These are the rules for the road. If titles, accolades, positions of power, and success are your only motivators in life, you indeed need to keep up the pace or the widgets will pile up! Your kingdom may indeed come crashing down if you quit for one moment.
When we work with God as our inspiration and incorporate the discipline of Sabbath rest into our weekly routine, we find refreshment from this conveyor-belt mentality. We find a new understanding of vocation and rest. But what is Sabbath rest?
Sabbath rest is more the attitude of your heart than anything else. It is not watching Saturday afternoon football for hours on end. It is not a fancy weekend vacation or a game of golf on Sunday mornings. Sabbath rest assumes that you rest from your normal labors (whatever it is that you "do" vocationally), but what brings refreshment is the spiritual process that transpires as you desist from your labors.
When we participate in Sabbath rest, we come to realize and trust that God is at work -- nurturing the seeds we have sown throughout the week -- even as we sleep and rest. It is not an attitude of "I don't care" what happens to my fields on my day off, I just need a day off! (Although we all feel like that by the end of the week) The attitude is one of gratitude and joy as we come to truly rest in God's work, because God never takes a day off! He is always at work in this world and in our lives, and we can rest in this knowledge.
Are you tired? Do you need refreshment in your life -- a tree to shade you from the heat of the work day? Read Isaiah 55:1 and Matthew 11:28. How do you spend your "day(s) off"? What activities help lead you into genuine Sabbath rest?
We work hard each day. We sow seeds. It seems that if we stop working for one moment, the widgets will pile up in front of us and we will never catch up, like an episode of I Love Lucy. Or, the fear may be that everything will come crumbling down if take one breather.
Many of these fears, you may be surprised to hear me say, are not unfounded. This is the way the world works. These are the rules for the road. If titles, accolades, positions of power, and success are your only motivators in life, you indeed need to keep up the pace or the widgets will pile up! Your kingdom may indeed come crashing down if you quit for one moment.
When we work with God as our inspiration and incorporate the discipline of Sabbath rest into our weekly routine, we find refreshment from this conveyor-belt mentality. We find a new understanding of vocation and rest. But what is Sabbath rest?
Sabbath rest is more the attitude of your heart than anything else. It is not watching Saturday afternoon football for hours on end. It is not a fancy weekend vacation or a game of golf on Sunday mornings. Sabbath rest assumes that you rest from your normal labors (whatever it is that you "do" vocationally), but what brings refreshment is the spiritual process that transpires as you desist from your labors.
When we participate in Sabbath rest, we come to realize and trust that God is at work -- nurturing the seeds we have sown throughout the week -- even as we sleep and rest. It is not an attitude of "I don't care" what happens to my fields on my day off, I just need a day off! (Although we all feel like that by the end of the week) The attitude is one of gratitude and joy as we come to truly rest in God's work, because God never takes a day off! He is always at work in this world and in our lives, and we can rest in this knowledge.
Are you tired? Do you need refreshment in your life -- a tree to shade you from the heat of the work day? Read Isaiah 55:1 and Matthew 11:28. How do you spend your "day(s) off"? What activities help lead you into genuine Sabbath rest?
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Almost Heaven
"Small Town" Texas is something beautiful to behold.
I officiated at a graveside service this morning for a man from Roxton, Texas (population 635), located in the northeast corner of the state. When you pull into town, there is a welcome sign that reads, "Near to Heaven." And who can argue? There is one cafe in town where everyone eats. There are grain elevators in "downtown" Roxton still in operation. And there is an old refurbished train station.
Why is this place near to Heaven?
This may seem a strange reason, but when you walk into the cafe, there is a serve-yourself tray of homemade biscuit sandwiches with saugage-and-bacon. It is up to each customer to put their biscuit on a plate, zap it in the microwave, and heat it to your liking.
Payment, of course, is all on the honor's system.
There are also a few churches in town and even a "mission center" guest house, for all of those missionaries that must come rolling through town.
And of course there is the history. Cotton was king in Roxton in the early 19th century, when the man from my congregation lived there as a child (with his nine siblings).
There are other places Near to Heaven, but I have to agree with the sign. Other neighboring towns - Pecan Grove, Ben Franklin, and Hickory Grove -- don't seem to far from Heaven either.
It was a refreshing, two-hour visit to paradise, but now it is back to the hustle-and-bustle of life in the Dallas Metroplex. I don't think I am ready yet for my residency in Heaven, but it was nice to visit for a day.
I officiated at a graveside service this morning for a man from Roxton, Texas (population 635), located in the northeast corner of the state. When you pull into town, there is a welcome sign that reads, "Near to Heaven." And who can argue? There is one cafe in town where everyone eats. There are grain elevators in "downtown" Roxton still in operation. And there is an old refurbished train station.
Why is this place near to Heaven?
This may seem a strange reason, but when you walk into the cafe, there is a serve-yourself tray of homemade biscuit sandwiches with saugage-and-bacon. It is up to each customer to put their biscuit on a plate, zap it in the microwave, and heat it to your liking.
Payment, of course, is all on the honor's system.
There are also a few churches in town and even a "mission center" guest house, for all of those missionaries that must come rolling through town.
And of course there is the history. Cotton was king in Roxton in the early 19th century, when the man from my congregation lived there as a child (with his nine siblings).
There are other places Near to Heaven, but I have to agree with the sign. Other neighboring towns - Pecan Grove, Ben Franklin, and Hickory Grove -- don't seem to far from Heaven either.
It was a refreshing, two-hour visit to paradise, but now it is back to the hustle-and-bustle of life in the Dallas Metroplex. I don't think I am ready yet for my residency in Heaven, but it was nice to visit for a day.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Musical Meditations
“May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable
in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
When we listen to our car radios, watch television programs, read books, or just sit and wonder, our hearts (and minds) are in meditation mode, for good or bad.
If ESPN Radio is on in my car, I am absorbed in the storylines, commentaries, and sports analyses of the day. When we watch movies, we are fully immersed in romance, horror, or the funny and absurd. If we allow our minds to wonder down memory lane, we drink in again the positive or negative episodes from our past.
In short, we have a great deal of control over the meditations of our hearts.
I enjoy sports radio or a weekly whodunnit on TV like Castle. I enjoy a good historical non-fiction book; I am currently in the thick of Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. I enjoy entertaining a memory from time-to-time. The challenge is making sure these meditations of our hearts are acceptable in God's sight, that we are feeding ourselves a spiritually nutritious diet of words, images, and sounds.
Despite my recent criticism of contemporary Christian music, I have returned to it on my car radio. Whatever criticisms I may have of Christian radio, it is because I think it is an awesome thing that has so much potential. It can ground of our hearts and minds daily in meditations on Christ.
The more I hear the songs of the faithful, the more I hear others lifting their voices in praise, the more I hear songwriters and musicians praising God, the more my heart meditates upon God.
Christian radio cannot fill me completely with the spiritual diet that my life needs, but it is becoming more of a main course in my life.
When we listen to our car radios, watch television programs, read books, or just sit and wonder, our hearts (and minds) are in meditation mode, for good or bad.
If ESPN Radio is on in my car, I am absorbed in the storylines, commentaries, and sports analyses of the day. When we watch movies, we are fully immersed in romance, horror, or the funny and absurd. If we allow our minds to wonder down memory lane, we drink in again the positive or negative episodes from our past.
In short, we have a great deal of control over the meditations of our hearts.
I enjoy sports radio or a weekly whodunnit on TV like Castle. I enjoy a good historical non-fiction book; I am currently in the thick of Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. I enjoy entertaining a memory from time-to-time. The challenge is making sure these meditations of our hearts are acceptable in God's sight, that we are feeding ourselves a spiritually nutritious diet of words, images, and sounds.
Despite my recent criticism of contemporary Christian music, I have returned to it on my car radio. Whatever criticisms I may have of Christian radio, it is because I think it is an awesome thing that has so much potential. It can ground of our hearts and minds daily in meditations on Christ.
The more I hear the songs of the faithful, the more I hear others lifting their voices in praise, the more I hear songwriters and musicians praising God, the more my heart meditates upon God.
Christian radio cannot fill me completely with the spiritual diet that my life needs, but it is becoming more of a main course in my life.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Musical Sustenance
Contemporary Christian radio is a mixed bag.
Some of what airs on the radio is worshipful and meditative and points listeners to the grandeur and majesty of God.
Praise God for these songs and song-writers!
A significant portion of it, though, is loaded with therapeutic, me-centered anthems. God is portrayed as nothing more than the Savior who sole purpose is to rescue us from the messy circumstances of life. It feels like chewing bubble gum, or like eating a chocolate chip cookie for breakfast and expecting it will satisfy us until lunch.
During Christmas 2012, KLTY in Dallas also felt a need to flood the airways with sentimental, secular holiday music. There seemed to be more songs about "Jack Frost nipping at your nose" than Jesus and his birth.
Each of us, no doubt, is free to turn to a different station. Markets and target audiences are certainly a reality in the Christian music industry and it makes sense that radio stations and Christian record labels would court the loyalties of teenagers and families who want "safe" alternatives on the radio. But many times, it seems like the best alternative in my vehicle is to tune in to ESPN Radio or country music stations, or perhaps invest in satellite radio.
I know it does not sound like it, but I am thankful for Christian radio. There are moments -- when I drive to worship services on Sunday mornings for example -- when I can catch some live worship songs from Michael W. Smith or Chris Tomlin. But these days, it doesn't seem like there are many consistently "safe" stations on the radio dial.
The radio airwaves are better off with Christian music stations in the mix, for sure. And instead of lumping all of them into the same category, maybe I just need to try something different than KLTY.
Some of what airs on the radio is worshipful and meditative and points listeners to the grandeur and majesty of God.
Praise God for these songs and song-writers!
A significant portion of it, though, is loaded with therapeutic, me-centered anthems. God is portrayed as nothing more than the Savior who sole purpose is to rescue us from the messy circumstances of life. It feels like chewing bubble gum, or like eating a chocolate chip cookie for breakfast and expecting it will satisfy us until lunch.
During Christmas 2012, KLTY in Dallas also felt a need to flood the airways with sentimental, secular holiday music. There seemed to be more songs about "Jack Frost nipping at your nose" than Jesus and his birth.
Each of us, no doubt, is free to turn to a different station. Markets and target audiences are certainly a reality in the Christian music industry and it makes sense that radio stations and Christian record labels would court the loyalties of teenagers and families who want "safe" alternatives on the radio. But many times, it seems like the best alternative in my vehicle is to tune in to ESPN Radio or country music stations, or perhaps invest in satellite radio.
I know it does not sound like it, but I am thankful for Christian radio. There are moments -- when I drive to worship services on Sunday mornings for example -- when I can catch some live worship songs from Michael W. Smith or Chris Tomlin. But these days, it doesn't seem like there are many consistently "safe" stations on the radio dial.
The radio airwaves are better off with Christian music stations in the mix, for sure. And instead of lumping all of them into the same category, maybe I just need to try something different than KLTY.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Leadership is Hard
Frontline aired a compelling public television documentary last week of Michelle Rhee, former chancellor of the Washington D.C. School District. The PBS camera crews followed Rhee through her three-year, unprecedented effort to overhaul a fledgling, if not anemic, school district.
Rhee was given unparalleled authority by the Mayor and the City Council. She could do basically whatever she wanted to do. How did she use this authority? In short, she embarked on a crusade to increase standardized test scores and held principals, teachers, and administrators accountable for those test scores. More than one-third of all employees in the district were fired under her watch, and as you might imagine, she made more than a few enemies.
By the end of her three years, angry mobs (in the hundreds) pleaded and campaigned for her ouster. She was eventually canned after a new mayor was elected and she had expended all of her political capital.
The effectiveness of her work can and will be debated for years to come. Test scores indeed improved, but there is some indication that schools found a way to cheat the system and manufacture improved scores on standardized tests.
What is most compelling and inspiring about Rhee is her commitment to the cause. Say what you will about her results, but Rhee laid it all on the line to make positive change. She was willing to be a three-year flash in the pan. She was willing to have people disagree with her, threaten her, and hate her guts. It is not far-fetched to say that she put her life on the line.
Leadership -- true leadership -- is tough. Effective leaders are willing to lead others without counting the costs. Leaders are hurt emotionally and spiritually when others gripe and complain; they are humans like anyone else. Leaders grow frustrated when change does not happen the way that leaders want it to happen, but they are undeterred in their efforts to affect change.
The old saying proves true, that the results are all in God's hands. We cannot control the results. The only thing we can ensure is that we are faithful to the cause that He has given us.
Rhee was given unparalleled authority by the Mayor and the City Council. She could do basically whatever she wanted to do. How did she use this authority? In short, she embarked on a crusade to increase standardized test scores and held principals, teachers, and administrators accountable for those test scores. More than one-third of all employees in the district were fired under her watch, and as you might imagine, she made more than a few enemies.
By the end of her three years, angry mobs (in the hundreds) pleaded and campaigned for her ouster. She was eventually canned after a new mayor was elected and she had expended all of her political capital.
The effectiveness of her work can and will be debated for years to come. Test scores indeed improved, but there is some indication that schools found a way to cheat the system and manufacture improved scores on standardized tests.
What is most compelling and inspiring about Rhee is her commitment to the cause. Say what you will about her results, but Rhee laid it all on the line to make positive change. She was willing to be a three-year flash in the pan. She was willing to have people disagree with her, threaten her, and hate her guts. It is not far-fetched to say that she put her life on the line.
Leadership -- true leadership -- is tough. Effective leaders are willing to lead others without counting the costs. Leaders are hurt emotionally and spiritually when others gripe and complain; they are humans like anyone else. Leaders grow frustrated when change does not happen the way that leaders want it to happen, but they are undeterred in their efforts to affect change.
The old saying proves true, that the results are all in God's hands. We cannot control the results. The only thing we can ensure is that we are faithful to the cause that He has given us.
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