Discovering God

Lenten Reading:  Matthew 4:1-11

"If you are the Son of God..."

Have you ever struggled with your identity? Have you ever questioned your role as a friend, a student, a parent or an employee? Maybe you have said, "If I am a great student then I would make straight As or score perfect on the ACT." Maybe you have said, "If I am a good friend then I would not be bullied, right?" Maybe you have said, "If I am an exceptional employee then I would get a raise." Or, maybe you have said, "If I am a good parent then my child would be different."

Here in this passage, I am reminded that Jesus knows who he is by remembering whose he is. Might it be that a part of being human is being aware that we are insufficient. As Christ followers and as beloved sons and daughters of God, our identity is rooted in Christ. It is not rooted in our identity as a student or friend or a parent. Blaise Pascal once described the essential condition of humanity as having a God shaped hole. This story for me illustrates that my relationship with Christ (having his peace, joy and love) is the only thing that will fill that hole.

When we are tempted to chase after an identity other than one rooted in a relationship with God through Christ, the hole will not be filled. Success and power in any position we hold (whether parent, coach, friend, employee) will leave us restless until we find rest in God.

I'm thankful Jesus refused to establish his own worth and identity on his own terms (by turning the stone into bread, jumping from the temple, worshiping another) but instead remained dependent on God!

You see, every time we place our complete trust in God and not in ourselves - we discover God amid our needs and learn that God's Grace is sufficient.

Saying No; Saying Yes

Ash Wednesday Meditation

Rising from the ashes...

The kind of Lent Jesus desires for us is the kind that prepares our hearts for a Savior who rises from the ashes of death to bring new life.

The ashes on the forehead remind me that human life has limits, that it comes to an end, that we all die. The ashes speak of my need for a Savior, my need for God.

Lord I need you, oh I need you, every hour I need you.....

Many people see Lent as "giving up something." But I think it's more than saying "no" to chocolate or sodas for a few weeks.  When we answer Christ's call to say no, we should answer his call to say no to destructive practices. Saying no means there is energy to say yes to positive disciplines. We can fill the space and time left by our saying no with some positive disciplines to help us respond to God's love more intentionally. John Wesley called them the means of grace: prayer, searching the scriptures, fasting, acts of kindness aimed at justice, and regular attendance at corporate worship where we participate in the sacraments of baptism and communion and meet God as the scriptures are read and proclaimed.

Will you prepare your heart for the Lenten Journey?

Examination

Examination.  When I hear the word examination, I usually think about about my yearly "physical" given by my primary care doctor or my son's sport's physical or my son's final exams at school.  What about you?  I wonder if anyone upon hearing the word examination thinks of a spiritual check up - a soul detox if you will.  I was reminded today that our prayer life can be the place where we examine our lives.  I enjoy praying.  I enjoy when prayer brings about the ability to meditate on God's Word, God's goodness and God's creation. I enjoy praying for my family and for others.  But, I don't enjoy  examining my life - my heart.  It's uncomfortable.  It's difficult.

Martin Luther advised regular mediations on the Ten Commandments. Google "the Ten Commandments" if you have forgotten them or find your Bible and read Exodus 20.  Luther's method of meditation included thinking out the way in which you have been violating each commandment in deed and attitude of the heart.  Then, consider the free grace of Jesus. (Prayer by Timothy Keller)

Another guide, other than the Ten Commandments, for self-examination could be the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-24.  This requires that one studies and understands what each of the spiritual fruits are, whether love, joy, patience, humility, self-control or some other.  Then, one examines what each fruit looks like in his or her own life and also what its absence of looks like.  

Examining the Sabbath, a commandment, may look like this...

Sabbath. Examination.  Have I ordered my life in such a way that I no longer have time to rest in God's love and grace?  Is my health declining because I am not resting?  Am I so busy that I can't  find time to honor God on the Sabbath?  Have I been "on the go" with my family and kids that I am no longer productive or finding joy in the everyday? Consider the free grace of Jesus - find joy and balance in my life. Consider the free grace of Jesus - commit to honor God on the Sabbath and find rest in him. I reflect upon the free grace as I think of how to reorder my life so that I preserve time for God. 

Examining love, a fruit of the spirit, may look like this...

Love. Examination.  Have I spoken or thought unkindly of anyone?  Am I justifying myself by caricaturing someone else in my mind?  Have I been impatient and irritable?  Have I been self-absorbed, indifferent, and inattentive to people?  Consider the free grace of Jesus - think of the sacrificial love of Christ for me. Consider the free grace of Jesus - think of his patience with me.  I reflect upon the free grace as I think of how to love as God first loved me.  

Would you like to give this type of spiritual examination a try during 2017?  Examining your life is essential to your growth.  But, be careful not to let the self-examination  pull you down into self-condemnation and despair. We all need God's love.  No one is perfect. His grace is enough.

God's Best to you in 2017 

Entertaining Angels

I have always been blessed as families in Russia, in Costa Rica and in Honduras have invited me into

their home. On all of these occasions,  I came away from the experience having a richer and deeper understanding of those 8 beautiful Beatitudes told by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.  And, I would never be the same.

So, when my friend Melissa asked me to host 3 Ugandans from Parental Care Ministries in my home, I was really nervous.  I thought ... how in the world will they understand those beatitudes in a deeper way after spending time in my home? I mean we are all so spoiled as Americans. Then I breathed a sigh of relief (while cooking dinner) as they walked into my home after their music concert with Graeters Ice Cream.  Max was putting on his soccer cleats and let out a big sigh and said "My parents don't buy me Graeters Ice Cream. It's too expensive they say. Dad will only take me through the McDonald's drive thru."  (True Story)  

Javanon Soccer Practice

God worked it all out as he always does. The thank you card left on my counter will be treasured forever.  I am just glad that God allowed my family to entertain Pastor Emmy, 2 American PCM Staffers and 2 Ugandan boys - Joshua and Mark.

Pastor Emmy lives out the amazing love of Christ in Uganda.  He once sold his van and his home to build a school so that children would have an education. He and his wife, Supermom, are parents to over 70 orphaned children.  And, there have been days that Supermom just had to joyfully say "Today, we will fast."  Pastor Emmy and the PCM Staff (under the direction of Mark Barret MD) faithfully live out the beautiful but difficult picture of obedience and sacrifice.  

I am just thankful to have had the opportunity to entertain such a beautiful group of people!

Learning a new card game after dinner

For more information on PCM - visit www.parentalcareministries.org

The Book of Common Prayer

Beginning August 1 of this year, I committed to engage daily The Book of Common prayer. This has been a rich experience!

The Book of Common Prayer is a prayer book that allows readers to greet each day together, remembering significant dates and Christian heroes in church history, as well as important historic dates in the struggle for freedom and justice! There are daily prayers, songs and scripture readings that help us see ourselves as part of a holy people being "set apart" from the world around us to bear witness that a new world is possible!

Today's prayer: Steadfast God, perhaps one of the greatest mysteries is why you continue to entrust the work of your kingdom into our clumsy hands. But we are forever grateful that you do not want to change the world without us.

Takeaways from #GLS16

Global Leadership Summit 2016  Highlights

PASSION

Passion is like PROTEIN for the team! It energizes and sustains! - Hybels

Whose job is it to fill your passion bucket? It is your job! Figure out the things that fill up your passion bucket and do them. The top three ways I fill my passion bucket: 1.  Go to places that stir my soul (The outdoors, Costa Rica, Loma de Luz, working with the underserved and under resourced.) 2.  Mentoring 3.  Reading

LEGACY

What is your legacy? Make sure it is one that honors God and one your children will be proud of! Don't ride the leadership drug to make you feel better about your legacy.  - Hybels

Great Quotes

We do not find love in achievement. - Sheila Niequist

Be present over perfect.  - Sheila Niequist

It's probably not burn-out; it's not being challenged! - Bishop Jakes

Don't go to your phone first thing in the morning - Go to God! - Melinda Gates

Don't let earthly practicalities cause you to lose sight of heavenly possibilities. - Jossy Chacko

Trust what God has put inside you! - Jossy Chacko

Faithfulness is multiplying what you have been given! - Jossy Chacko

Execution doesn't like complexity. - Chris McChesney

Add value to people's lives! - John Maxwell

Start connecting with people instead of correcting them! - John Maxwell

Keep a compelling scoreboard - people play differently when they are keeping score! It helps them see they are winning! - Chris McChesney

The ideal team player is smart, hungry and humble! - Patrick Lencionim

If You have a dream that you can accomplish on your own then your dream is too small! - Bishop Jakes

We must cultivate the discipline of self reflection! - Hybels

Critic or Coach

My last sermon preached at Middletown Christian Church as Associate Minister. Here are some highlights...

Critic or Coach; the last message in a sermon series called "You Asked For It"

Our churches need more coaches and less critics!

A critic is an energy vampire - someone who can just suck the life right out of you.  He's one who likes to give unwanted opinions and desires to get involved in every little detail so that he can offer all of the worse possible outcomes of any situation.  A critic wants to limit potential!

A coach on the other hand is an encourager and an instructor.  John Wooden, UCLA Legendary Basketball Coach, says that a good coach is someone who can give correction without resentment.  A coach on the other hand wants to help you be the best version of yourself and live up to your potential.

One of the best coaches I see in scripture is a guy by the name of Barnabas (Joseph).  His nickname was "Son of Encouragement."  Barnabas played a major role in the early church. His ministry was one that gave birth to others! I believe he was instrumental in helping the Apostle Paul establish his ministry as he accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey. Acts 11 says that Barnabas was a "good man" and full of the Holy Spirit!

I believe that in order to be a great coach - you have to be a great encourager.  Encouragement is not flattery and it is not spouting off motivational quotes. Encouragement means to come alongside.  It is close and intimate. It is not distant.  Encouragement is simply to "put courage in."  It means to be close to someone in their suffering, in their struggles, in their hardships and in their joys. Encouragement in the Biblical sense always points people to God - to his faithfulness - to his goodness - to his loving kindness.

Here are 4 practical ways you can be a good coach/encourager in your homes, your churches and your circles of influence:
1.  Allow people the space to grow!
2.  Affirm the capabilities you see in other people.
3.  Point people toward the "opportunity."
4.  Speak prophetically to one another. (Let people know how God is speaking to you.)
5.  Be committed.

Remember that being Christians doesn't mean "Me and Jesus" - it means "We and Jesus."