I grew up in a family of smokers. Dad was a Camel man who eventually switched to Winston. Mom smokes whatever is cheapest now, but I remember her smoking the True brand for the longest time. Grandma smoked Carlton, Aunt Laurie Marlboro and Aunt Babs smoked Eve Lights. I wondered the other day, why on earth is this one fact, each person's preferred smoke, cemented so firmly in my head?
I think the answer to that question has something to do with consistency. Take my dad, for example. He and I shared 22 years worth of experiences with each other. The number of conversations we have shared is countless. In some of those talks, he advised me to never start smoking, because once you do, it's very hard to quit. Yet, what I can remember even more clearly is that pack of cigarettes that was always in his front shirt pocket, how he could work on a car or bait a fish hook using both hands while his cigarette dangled from the corner of his mouth. Eyes squinting because of the sting, he could even talk out of the other corner of his mouth at the same time.
So, it's probably no surprise that when I was a teenager I picked up the habit as well. Thankfully, I eventually quit. But, the message here is, despite the warnings about smoking that each one of these family members gave me, what they did made a much deeper impression on me than what they said.
With this in mind, I think it's very important that we ask ourselves what it is that we do that is so regular, so consistent that the impression we create in our children is deeper than the impact of our words. Obviously, we'll never be perfect, not even close. But it is helpful for our children to hear us admit our shortcomings and to see our attempts at improvement.
Let's pray that God will help us to see and eliminate behaviors that could be making an unhealthy impression. Also, ask Him to make clear the things we are doing that have a positive impact. Finally, let's ask God to help us lead our children by example, with words and actions that match.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Stick the Landing
One of my favorite athletic events to watch on TV is Gymnastics. I am always amazed by the incredible abilities of these gifted men and women. It’s evidence to me of just how fearfully and wonderfully made we really are.
There’s something that bugs me about gymnastics, though. The commentators are so critical! I’m watching some teenager tumble, flip and twist her heart out. The routine looks just perfect to me. But, the commentators almost appear to be anxiously awaiting the next miniscule error. They seem to take pleasure in pointing out even the smallest mistakes that the average viewer would miss. I realize they are just doing their job and pointing out the things that the judges are looking for and explaining the possible areas where points may be deducted. But, just once, I want a commentator to say something like, “Yeah, so what she did two twists instead of three. Who cares she didn’t keep her arms perfectly straight. Big deal she wobbled a little on the landing. Did you see how awesome that was! Can you believe how high that 5’2” child just launched herself into the air? Judges, I’d like to see you do that!”
The sad thing is, I often imagine God to be like a gymnastics commentator or judge, honing in on every little and big mistake out and then deducting points. “Oooh, she just gossiped about her friend, that’s gonna cost her.” Or, “Wow, Tami was doing so well with her routine until she lost her temper with her kids. She’ll never win the gold now.”
It’s really hard for me to wrap my heart around the kind of grace that God extends. The truth is though, that in the end, God wants nothing more than for me to “stick the landing” and spend an eternity with Him. There are no hoops to jump through or balance beams to master in order for this to happen. All that is required is an exercise in faith; faith in the promise that Jesus has forgiven my errors already.
So, if you are like me and have a hard time with the concept of grace, take some assurance from these verses from Hebrews- “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
There’s something that bugs me about gymnastics, though. The commentators are so critical! I’m watching some teenager tumble, flip and twist her heart out. The routine looks just perfect to me. But, the commentators almost appear to be anxiously awaiting the next miniscule error. They seem to take pleasure in pointing out even the smallest mistakes that the average viewer would miss. I realize they are just doing their job and pointing out the things that the judges are looking for and explaining the possible areas where points may be deducted. But, just once, I want a commentator to say something like, “Yeah, so what she did two twists instead of three. Who cares she didn’t keep her arms perfectly straight. Big deal she wobbled a little on the landing. Did you see how awesome that was! Can you believe how high that 5’2” child just launched herself into the air? Judges, I’d like to see you do that!”
The sad thing is, I often imagine God to be like a gymnastics commentator or judge, honing in on every little and big mistake out and then deducting points. “Oooh, she just gossiped about her friend, that’s gonna cost her.” Or, “Wow, Tami was doing so well with her routine until she lost her temper with her kids. She’ll never win the gold now.”
It’s really hard for me to wrap my heart around the kind of grace that God extends. The truth is though, that in the end, God wants nothing more than for me to “stick the landing” and spend an eternity with Him. There are no hoops to jump through or balance beams to master in order for this to happen. All that is required is an exercise in faith; faith in the promise that Jesus has forgiven my errors already.
So, if you are like me and have a hard time with the concept of grace, take some assurance from these verses from Hebrews- “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
Friday, February 12, 2010
A Lousy Situation
Last year, I had my first experience with every parent’s nightmare….Lice. If you’ve never had to deal with this problem, consider yourself highly blessed and favored! Millions of school aged children catch lice every year. And, the treatment is time consuming and tedious. First, you must wash the child’s hair with a special, medicated shampoo. Then, every day for a week you have to use a very fine-toothed comb to remove all of the nits or eggs from the hair.
You also have to go over your home with a fine-toothed comb…washing all bedding and clothing that the person may have come in contact with in very hot water. Carpet and other upholstered items must be vacuumed and things that cannot be washed must be sealed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks. All of this is done to make sure that none of these nits are allowed to mature in to live lice. If they do, they will quickly reproduce and, once again, you’ll have a lice infestation.
Is your head itching yet? Sorry. But, I wanted to share this experience because it reminded me of the way we need to deal with sin in our lives. Think of it like this…sinful behavior, especially when becomes a pattern or a habit, is like lice. It can quickly multiply and become out of control! The first step is to stop the sinful behavior. But, it doesn’t end there because there are so-called “nits” all over the place that you have to get rid of, too. You have to go over your life with a fine-toothed comb, getting rid of the thoughts, people, places and influences that could cause a sin re-infestation.
It’s not easy get out of a sinful pattern of behavior. But, here’s some great news…you have help! Listen to these words of encouragement from 1 Cor. 10:13 - NLT But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you will not give into it.
So, Let’s pray today that God will help us run that fine toothed comb over our lives, praising him for his loving faithfulness as He helps us eliminate out harmful behaviors.
You also have to go over your home with a fine-toothed comb…washing all bedding and clothing that the person may have come in contact with in very hot water. Carpet and other upholstered items must be vacuumed and things that cannot be washed must be sealed in a plastic bag for 2 weeks. All of this is done to make sure that none of these nits are allowed to mature in to live lice. If they do, they will quickly reproduce and, once again, you’ll have a lice infestation.
Is your head itching yet? Sorry. But, I wanted to share this experience because it reminded me of the way we need to deal with sin in our lives. Think of it like this…sinful behavior, especially when becomes a pattern or a habit, is like lice. It can quickly multiply and become out of control! The first step is to stop the sinful behavior. But, it doesn’t end there because there are so-called “nits” all over the place that you have to get rid of, too. You have to go over your life with a fine-toothed comb, getting rid of the thoughts, people, places and influences that could cause a sin re-infestation.
It’s not easy get out of a sinful pattern of behavior. But, here’s some great news…you have help! Listen to these words of encouragement from 1 Cor. 10:13 - NLT But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you will not give into it.
So, Let’s pray today that God will help us run that fine toothed comb over our lives, praising him for his loving faithfulness as He helps us eliminate out harmful behaviors.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Lookin' for Love in All the Wrong Places
I always chuckle when I hear stories in the news about people finding images of Jesus in unusual places. A grilled cheese sandwich, the tailgate of a pickup truck and in a grease spot on someone’s garage floor are just some of the places where Jesus has reportedly been spotted. Jesus’ mother, Mary, has also been known to make appearances in odd places and recently a couple from Pennsylvania cut open an eggplant and found inside the word “God” written in seeds.
Oh, how I love Jesus. And I can understand why people are desperately looking for a personal encounter with Him. But would Jesus really use everything from vehicles to vegetables to show himself to us? So, where can we find Him? According to Jesus, we don’t have to look far. Here are his words:
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'... 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
We’ll definitely find Jesus in the broken and needy. We can have an even closer encounter with Him when we invite Him to live inside of us. Listen to this verse from Galatians:
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
So, put down the eggplant and go ahead and eat that grilled cheese sandwich. Jesus isn’t there. He’s much easier to find, especially for those of us who have accepted his gift of forgiveness and everlasting life. So, look for him today, throughout your day. But, don’t rely on your physical eyes he’s much more easily seen with the eyes of your heart.
Oh, how I love Jesus. And I can understand why people are desperately looking for a personal encounter with Him. But would Jesus really use everything from vehicles to vegetables to show himself to us? So, where can we find Him? According to Jesus, we don’t have to look far. Here are his words:
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'... 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
We’ll definitely find Jesus in the broken and needy. We can have an even closer encounter with Him when we invite Him to live inside of us. Listen to this verse from Galatians:
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
So, put down the eggplant and go ahead and eat that grilled cheese sandwich. Jesus isn’t there. He’s much easier to find, especially for those of us who have accepted his gift of forgiveness and everlasting life. So, look for him today, throughout your day. But, don’t rely on your physical eyes he’s much more easily seen with the eyes of your heart.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Fat Day
Have you ever had a day when you just felt fat? You slip on your favorite jeans and they’re a little more snug than usual. You check the mirror and the image staring back at you looks a little thicker through the middle than you remembered. “Oh great”, you say to yourself, “the fat fairy must have paid me a visit last night. She could have at least left some money under my pillow. Or chocolate, maybe.” You decide to survey the damage, and summoning all the courage you have, you timidly step onto the scale. Eyes cringing, you glance down, prepared for the worst. But, much to your surprise, you haven’t gained an ounce. Maybe you’ve even lost a pound or two. Your feelings were misleading; they didn’t match up with the reality of your actual weight.
The same kind of thing happens sometimes when we don’t feel the presence of God in our lives. How is it that we can go from a time of real communion and relationship with Him to a time of distance and separation? Where has God gone during these times?
The reality is, despite our feelings of distance, God hasn’t gone anywhere! He hasn’t changed either. In Malachi 3:6, God tells the Israelites, “I, the Lord, do not change”. Hebrews 13:8, says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” And, in Hebrews 13:5 we are reminded of this promise from God, “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.”
Many times, when it feels like God is absent, we’re the ones who have moved away. When I feel distanced from God, I usually don’t have to think about it long before I realize that I’m the one who hasn’t been making time for Him. Other times, I find that it’s my own bad mood that has me feeling far away from Him. During a downward mood swing, I may feel distant from everyone in my life, God included. Once I realize that it’s my own feelings that I’m projecting on God and not the other way around, it doesn’t take too long before our relationship is back on track.
The same kind of thing happens sometimes when we don’t feel the presence of God in our lives. How is it that we can go from a time of real communion and relationship with Him to a time of distance and separation? Where has God gone during these times?
The reality is, despite our feelings of distance, God hasn’t gone anywhere! He hasn’t changed either. In Malachi 3:6, God tells the Israelites, “I, the Lord, do not change”. Hebrews 13:8, says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” And, in Hebrews 13:5 we are reminded of this promise from God, “Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.”
Many times, when it feels like God is absent, we’re the ones who have moved away. When I feel distanced from God, I usually don’t have to think about it long before I realize that I’m the one who hasn’t been making time for Him. Other times, I find that it’s my own bad mood that has me feeling far away from Him. During a downward mood swing, I may feel distant from everyone in my life, God included. Once I realize that it’s my own feelings that I’m projecting on God and not the other way around, it doesn’t take too long before our relationship is back on track.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Spiritual Cesspool
One of these days, I’m gonna learn to say no to my kids when they ask for a pet. So far, we’ve shared our home with a bird, guinea pigs, cats, a dog, and 2 gold fish. The kids always promise to feed and take care of the critters they bring home, but I’m often the one left doing most of the pet care.
The most recent addition to our pet family is an African Dwarf Frog named Ribbons. Everything I’ve read about caring for this type of pet tells me that their care is very simple. As long as we feed it every other day and change out the water in it’s tank every couple of weeks, it should be fine. However, knowing already the level of dedication my kids are likely to show to taking care of Ribbons, the water in his tank will be a lovely shade of green and stinking up the rest of the house before I finally give in and clean the tank and change the water.
This stagnant, smelly water reminds me of what happens to our insides when we regularly allow ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but never do anything to pour into others lives. There is a dangerous inclination among us, as Christians, to be great consumers of Christianity, but poor disciples of Christ. This leads to spiritual death. Yes, Jesus is Living Water, when we drink of him, we will never thirst again. (John 5) However, I don’t believe for a second that this means we are to keep those eternal springs bottled up.
In James 2: 14-17 the point is clearly made that we are to give as freely as we have received. It says, “14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Pouring into others is a sure-fire way to keep your faith alive. Ask God today to point out opportunities to give, places to serve and people to love.
The most recent addition to our pet family is an African Dwarf Frog named Ribbons. Everything I’ve read about caring for this type of pet tells me that their care is very simple. As long as we feed it every other day and change out the water in it’s tank every couple of weeks, it should be fine. However, knowing already the level of dedication my kids are likely to show to taking care of Ribbons, the water in his tank will be a lovely shade of green and stinking up the rest of the house before I finally give in and clean the tank and change the water.
This stagnant, smelly water reminds me of what happens to our insides when we regularly allow ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but never do anything to pour into others lives. There is a dangerous inclination among us, as Christians, to be great consumers of Christianity, but poor disciples of Christ. This leads to spiritual death. Yes, Jesus is Living Water, when we drink of him, we will never thirst again. (John 5) However, I don’t believe for a second that this means we are to keep those eternal springs bottled up.
In James 2: 14-17 the point is clearly made that we are to give as freely as we have received. It says, “14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Pouring into others is a sure-fire way to keep your faith alive. Ask God today to point out opportunities to give, places to serve and people to love.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Trendy Christianity
Guess Jeans, Neon Shirts and Cabbage Patch dolls. These are just a few of the things that were fads when I was growing up. Every generation has it’s own set of trends that will define it in the years that come.
As a Christian, I’ve experienced lots of fads within the church as well. For example, churches used to have fellowship halls. Now we call them Family Life Centers, and they usually can be converted from a dining hall to an auditorium or a basketball court at a moment’s notice. Fish emblems on cars, WWJD and FROG bracelets and those little fish-shaped mints with scripture on the containers are a few more examples of trendy Christianity.
For the most part, these fads are harmless, and in many cases beneficial for the body of Christ. However, I think these things become a problem when religious trends are confused with theology. Think about all the controversy that broke out when contemporary Christian music started becoming popular. Protesters yelling and holding signs saying things like “Rock Music is from the Devil” were regular fixtures for many years at concerts featuring bands like Third Day and Audio Adrenaline. As I write this, the Newsboys are playing in the background, singing, “Amazing Love, how can it be, that you my King should die for me, Amazing Love, I know it’s true, in all I do, let me honor you.” From the Devil, eh?
I wonder if the people who so strongly stand against this music have ever actually listened to it. More importantly, I wonder if they have ever checked to see if there is any scripture that supports their opinion. And, that’s the real point of my message. Hopefully, all Christians hold deep convictions about certain things. But those convictions should be based upon scriptural fact and not just our own opinions.
In John 7:16-18 Jesus says, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
I encourage you to take some time to examine your convictions and compare them with scripture. Pray that God will help you discern those things that are in line with His truth.
As a Christian, I’ve experienced lots of fads within the church as well. For example, churches used to have fellowship halls. Now we call them Family Life Centers, and they usually can be converted from a dining hall to an auditorium or a basketball court at a moment’s notice. Fish emblems on cars, WWJD and FROG bracelets and those little fish-shaped mints with scripture on the containers are a few more examples of trendy Christianity.
For the most part, these fads are harmless, and in many cases beneficial for the body of Christ. However, I think these things become a problem when religious trends are confused with theology. Think about all the controversy that broke out when contemporary Christian music started becoming popular. Protesters yelling and holding signs saying things like “Rock Music is from the Devil” were regular fixtures for many years at concerts featuring bands like Third Day and Audio Adrenaline. As I write this, the Newsboys are playing in the background, singing, “Amazing Love, how can it be, that you my King should die for me, Amazing Love, I know it’s true, in all I do, let me honor you.” From the Devil, eh?
I wonder if the people who so strongly stand against this music have ever actually listened to it. More importantly, I wonder if they have ever checked to see if there is any scripture that supports their opinion. And, that’s the real point of my message. Hopefully, all Christians hold deep convictions about certain things. But those convictions should be based upon scriptural fact and not just our own opinions.
In John 7:16-18 Jesus says, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
I encourage you to take some time to examine your convictions and compare them with scripture. Pray that God will help you discern those things that are in line with His truth.
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