“The Perfect Couple.” That’s the subject line on the email with the link to an animated flash cartoon about a perfect man and woman who got married. The perfect man and the perfect woman had a perfect marriage. They went on the perfect vacation, and as they traveled, when they saw someone stranded on the side of the rode, they stopped to give him a ride. That’s what a perfect couple would do after all. The person they found was Santa Clause, and the night they found him was Christmas Eve. The perfect couple knew they couldn’t let the children of the world be disappointed so they committed to help Santa get his toys to the right homes. As they traveled the weather deteriorated. The road became slick, and the car crashed. Only one person survived. Who do you think it was?
Well, Santa Clause is make-believe. So is a perfect man. Since they are not real, the survivor must have been the perfect woman. Of course, since the perfect woman is the only real character in the story, it must have been her who was driving the car when it crashed!
You already know that there are no perfect people. Paul confirmed that for us when he said, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” You come face to face with imperfect people every day. You find them in the mirror, at your work place, where you eat lunch, at your church, and in your home. “… clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:12-13). Joseph Cooke comments “Grace is the face that love wears when it meets imperfection.”
That’s Life at Work!
Monday, July 31, 2006
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Who Is Bringing Temptation
A twelve year-old boy from Alaska died after “voluntarily inhaling gas for nearly twenty minutes” this week, according to the AP. Adults should know that a popular activity in some circles called “huffing” is the inhalation of chemical vapors in order to get high.”
A year ago my wife and I were riding in a car with some friends and their eight year-old grandson. The grandson was talking about a babysitter. He described something she had done that normal baby-sitters do, and then he added, “She’s a cutter.” Cutters abuse themselves with sharp objects.
My guess is that many of you have heard about huffing and have never attempted it. Many of you may have heard about cutting and have never attempted it. Maybe you have even spoken to your children about these activities, warning them sternly. Good for you!
I am very concerned that the children in these stories are so young, yet they have been exposed to dangerous behaviors that a few years ago were exclusive to older kids. The Bible teaches that temptations will come, but harsh judgment is due to those through whom temptations come (Matt 18:7). Who is bringing temptation, including unhealthy knowledge about these kinds of things into your home? Give the time, attention, and instruction to your kids that they need. That’s Life at Work!
A year ago my wife and I were riding in a car with some friends and their eight year-old grandson. The grandson was talking about a babysitter. He described something she had done that normal baby-sitters do, and then he added, “She’s a cutter.” Cutters abuse themselves with sharp objects.
My guess is that many of you have heard about huffing and have never attempted it. Many of you may have heard about cutting and have never attempted it. Maybe you have even spoken to your children about these activities, warning them sternly. Good for you!
I am very concerned that the children in these stories are so young, yet they have been exposed to dangerous behaviors that a few years ago were exclusive to older kids. The Bible teaches that temptations will come, but harsh judgment is due to those through whom temptations come (Matt 18:7). Who is bringing temptation, including unhealthy knowledge about these kinds of things into your home? Give the time, attention, and instruction to your kids that they need. That’s Life at Work!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
The End and the Beginning of the Jesus Perspective
Those sitting on the mountainside who heard the Jesus Perspective knew that there was authority behind what they heard that day. Matthew records that when the sermon was done, “…the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (Matt. 7:28-29). Mark says the same thing about those who heard Jesus teaching in the synagogue (Mk. 1:22). We must understand, then, as we come to the end of the Jesus Perspective, that it isn’t just another set of ideas to consider. My ideas are not on a level with Jesus’ teachings. Yours aren’t either. Plato’s wisdom, Confucius’ wisdom, Mohammed’s wisdom, all shrink into the category of foolishness when compared to the Jesus Perspective. Philosophers taught the Golden Mean, but Jesus taught the Golden Rule, and it is greater! Even the godly men Moses and Elijah are moved to the background in the glorification of Jesus as God said from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love. With him I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Jesus claimed authority. Matthew claimed he had authority. So at the end of the day, Jesus says that you can choose the difficult way that leads to life or you can choose the broad way that leads to destruction. There is no questioning what he means by the difficult way. It is his way as he has expressed it in the sermon.
In case the picture isn’t clear, he illustrates his final point with a story of two builders. One builder was wise. He built his home on a rock, and when the storm came, though it was ferocious, the home stood. One builder was foolish – a bonehead. He built his home on the sand, and when the storm came, because the foundation was weak, the home collapsed with a great crash!
Who is the wise builder whose home can withstand the ferocious storm? He is the man who hears the words of Jesus and puts them into practice.
When Jesus walked away from the mountain, maybe some said, “He’s finished. Let’s go home.” But it wasn’t finished for them. It isn’t finished for us either. Louis L’Amour said, “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.” The words are completed, but the choice remains. Will you take the difficult road or the broad road? Will you build on rock or sand? Will you hear and do, or will you not? That’s Life at Work!
Jesus claimed authority. Matthew claimed he had authority. So at the end of the day, Jesus says that you can choose the difficult way that leads to life or you can choose the broad way that leads to destruction. There is no questioning what he means by the difficult way. It is his way as he has expressed it in the sermon.
In case the picture isn’t clear, he illustrates his final point with a story of two builders. One builder was wise. He built his home on a rock, and when the storm came, though it was ferocious, the home stood. One builder was foolish – a bonehead. He built his home on the sand, and when the storm came, because the foundation was weak, the home collapsed with a great crash!
Who is the wise builder whose home can withstand the ferocious storm? He is the man who hears the words of Jesus and puts them into practice.
When Jesus walked away from the mountain, maybe some said, “He’s finished. Let’s go home.” But it wasn’t finished for them. It isn’t finished for us either. Louis L’Amour said, “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning.” The words are completed, but the choice remains. Will you take the difficult road or the broad road? Will you build on rock or sand? Will you hear and do, or will you not? That’s Life at Work!
Monday, July 10, 2006
A Christian Home
The family was riding home after church one Sunday when the father noticed in the rear-view mirror that his eight year-old son was crying in the back seat. He nudged his wife who turned around to see what was going on.
“What’s wrong, son,” she asked.
He wiped his eyes and responded with trepidation, “The preacher said this morning that it is important that children be raised in Christian homes, and you told him afterwards that you appreciated his sermon.”
The mom was puzzled so she said, “We do agree that you should be raised in a Christian home. What’s wrong with that?”
Glancing over at his little brother to show that he spoke for both, the boy sobbed, “But we want to stay with you and dad!”
It is important that your children be raised in a Christian home, but it’s not just important for kids. It is critical for you to have a Christian home whether or not you have children to rear.
A Christian home is a home in which Christ’s standards are followed, in which godly morals are the goal, in which the focus is on heavenly things, and in which relationships are lived as Jesus instructed.
Develop a Christian home - one your kids can identify as Christ-like, and one that God can use for his glory. That’s Life at Work!
“What’s wrong, son,” she asked.
He wiped his eyes and responded with trepidation, “The preacher said this morning that it is important that children be raised in Christian homes, and you told him afterwards that you appreciated his sermon.”
The mom was puzzled so she said, “We do agree that you should be raised in a Christian home. What’s wrong with that?”
Glancing over at his little brother to show that he spoke for both, the boy sobbed, “But we want to stay with you and dad!”
It is important that your children be raised in a Christian home, but it’s not just important for kids. It is critical for you to have a Christian home whether or not you have children to rear.
A Christian home is a home in which Christ’s standards are followed, in which godly morals are the goal, in which the focus is on heavenly things, and in which relationships are lived as Jesus instructed.
Develop a Christian home - one your kids can identify as Christ-like, and one that God can use for his glory. That’s Life at Work!
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Watch out for the Wolves
Jesus ends his Sermon on the Mount with a call to choose the right way. He uses two pictures to make two points. The first picture is of two roads, one that leads to destruction and the other that leads to life. The second picture is of two builders, one who builds his home on solid foundation, and the other who builds on sand.
The points made by these two pictures are: (1) there is a decision to make from two options, one way is right and the other is wrong; and (2) the reward for making the right decision is great and the consequences for making the wrong decision are dreadful.
Between the word pictures, Jesus warned that there would be some who would try to give us a nudge in the wrong direction. He said:
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” (Matt 7:15-23; NIV)
It’s the fruit produced in the lives of people that is useful in identifying false prophets and those who will “enter the kingdom of heaven.” One can look like a sheep, talk like a sheep, spend time with the sheep, yet be a ferocious wolf out to destroy the real sheep. What would Matthew’s readers have looked for if they needed to distinguish between the wolves in sheep’s clothing and the real sheep around them? They would have looked for fruit like humility, gentleness, hunger for righteousness, mercy, purity, peace making desire, and willingness to endure suffering for Christ’s sake. In short, when they saw someone who did to others what they would have wanted others to do to them, they could know that they were seeing real sheep.
They would have looked to see fruit like angry name-calling; long, lustful stares at women and divorce papers drawn up so that another spouse could be pursued; broken promises, and acts of revenge. They would have looked to see fruit like a powerful desire for recognition, love of money, and hypocritical, harsh judgment. When they saw these things, they could know that they were seeing a wolf in disguise.
One final bit of information was vitally important to determine their response to the fruit they witnessed. When they determined whether they were seeing a sheep or a wolf in disguise, they needed to know whether they were looking at others or looking in a mirror. That’s Life at Work!
The points made by these two pictures are: (1) there is a decision to make from two options, one way is right and the other is wrong; and (2) the reward for making the right decision is great and the consequences for making the wrong decision are dreadful.
Between the word pictures, Jesus warned that there would be some who would try to give us a nudge in the wrong direction. He said:
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” (Matt 7:15-23; NIV)
It’s the fruit produced in the lives of people that is useful in identifying false prophets and those who will “enter the kingdom of heaven.” One can look like a sheep, talk like a sheep, spend time with the sheep, yet be a ferocious wolf out to destroy the real sheep. What would Matthew’s readers have looked for if they needed to distinguish between the wolves in sheep’s clothing and the real sheep around them? They would have looked for fruit like humility, gentleness, hunger for righteousness, mercy, purity, peace making desire, and willingness to endure suffering for Christ’s sake. In short, when they saw someone who did to others what they would have wanted others to do to them, they could know that they were seeing real sheep.
They would have looked to see fruit like angry name-calling; long, lustful stares at women and divorce papers drawn up so that another spouse could be pursued; broken promises, and acts of revenge. They would have looked to see fruit like a powerful desire for recognition, love of money, and hypocritical, harsh judgment. When they saw these things, they could know that they were seeing a wolf in disguise.
One final bit of information was vitally important to determine their response to the fruit they witnessed. When they determined whether they were seeing a sheep or a wolf in disguise, they needed to know whether they were looking at others or looking in a mirror. That’s Life at Work!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
I Will Draw All Men
The salesman was talking to his supervisor about the sales pitch he had just made that had ended without a sale. The salesman sought to dismiss his failed attempt with the adage, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”
His supervisor responded pointedly, “You job isn’t to make him drink. Your job is to make him thirsty.”
Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
Jesus is so attractive. Not in regard to his appearance. Scripture says that Jacob was good looking, but nothing is ever said like that about Jesus. His attraction is in his power, love, justice, holiness, and godliness. Much of his nature was revealed prior to the Golgotha event, but when he was lifted up, all of those attributes were magnified a thousand fold! If people will notice him, they will be drawn to him. When people see Jesus, really see him, they get thirsty.
If people hear what we say, and they are not drawn to Jesus – they don’t get thirsty – could it be that they are not really seeing him? If the picture we paint with our words as we speak about Jesus is consistently ineffective, could it be that we are not “lifting up” Jesus, but something or someone else? There will be those who consider the cross foolishness, but if we rarely see someone who sees in our message the “power of God” and believes to their salvation, we need to rethink our words. Are we trying to make people drink with our reasoning, or are we trying to make people thirsty with the good news?
When we lift Jesus up, he will draw all men to himself. That’s Life at Work!
His supervisor responded pointedly, “You job isn’t to make him drink. Your job is to make him thirsty.”
Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
Jesus is so attractive. Not in regard to his appearance. Scripture says that Jacob was good looking, but nothing is ever said like that about Jesus. His attraction is in his power, love, justice, holiness, and godliness. Much of his nature was revealed prior to the Golgotha event, but when he was lifted up, all of those attributes were magnified a thousand fold! If people will notice him, they will be drawn to him. When people see Jesus, really see him, they get thirsty.
If people hear what we say, and they are not drawn to Jesus – they don’t get thirsty – could it be that they are not really seeing him? If the picture we paint with our words as we speak about Jesus is consistently ineffective, could it be that we are not “lifting up” Jesus, but something or someone else? There will be those who consider the cross foolishness, but if we rarely see someone who sees in our message the “power of God” and believes to their salvation, we need to rethink our words. Are we trying to make people drink with our reasoning, or are we trying to make people thirsty with the good news?
When we lift Jesus up, he will draw all men to himself. That’s Life at Work!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
The Golden Rule
Sometimes my understanding of scripture is impacted by my selfishness. What did Jesus mean when he said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matt 7:7-8)? I have discovered that it’s not about me and what I would petition for, seek out, and knock to enquire about. Matthew connects this saying of Jesus with teaching about God’s goodness as a Father, and then he commands that we do to others as we would have them do to us. That sums up the Law and the Prophets.
God gives us what we need when we ask, seek, and knock. Since God is that way, shouldn’t we be that way. We are so glad that God doesn’t give us stones and snakes when we are seeking bread and fish. If he gives me good things, how could I, as his child, not give good things to people when they ask me?
There are two questions to consider, then, when someone asks me for something. First, would I be like God if I refused this request? Second, how would I want them to respond if the tables were turned?
Do to others as you would want them to do to you. That’s Life at Work!
God gives us what we need when we ask, seek, and knock. Since God is that way, shouldn’t we be that way. We are so glad that God doesn’t give us stones and snakes when we are seeking bread and fish. If he gives me good things, how could I, as his child, not give good things to people when they ask me?
There are two questions to consider, then, when someone asks me for something. First, would I be like God if I refused this request? Second, how would I want them to respond if the tables were turned?
Do to others as you would want them to do to you. That’s Life at Work!
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Believe
Brooks and Dunn released “Believe” a few weeks ago, a song about a young man who was unofficially mentored by an old man in his hometown. The old man had experienced much grief, and the young man was amazed at his sanity. “How do you keep from going crazy?”
He said, ‘I'll see my wife and son in just a little while.’
I asked him what he meant
He looked at me and smiled, said
(Chorus)
‘I raise my hands, bow my head;
I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red.
They tell me that there's more to life than just what I can see.
Oh I believe.’
There will always be something more in the words written in red for you to find in your search for truth. There is an endless supply of living water and bread of life for you. You’ll never be thirsty or hungry, but you’ll never empty the stream or the storehouse. How should I live in these circumstances? How should I treat this person whom I have contacted? How can I have peace in my heart? What does love look like? Why do I feel like God is against me? How could God forgive me for what I’ve done? Why has God blessed me so much? How can I have hope for tomorrow in the darkness of today? How can there be anything better than what I am experiencing with the grace of God right now?
All these questions, and there is truth in the words of Scripture about them. There is more to life that just what you can see. It doesn’t all end in a slow riding hearse. I believe! That’s Life at Work!
He said, ‘I'll see my wife and son in just a little while.’
I asked him what he meant
He looked at me and smiled, said
(Chorus)
‘I raise my hands, bow my head;
I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red.
They tell me that there's more to life than just what I can see.
Oh I believe.’
There will always be something more in the words written in red for you to find in your search for truth. There is an endless supply of living water and bread of life for you. You’ll never be thirsty or hungry, but you’ll never empty the stream or the storehouse. How should I live in these circumstances? How should I treat this person whom I have contacted? How can I have peace in my heart? What does love look like? Why do I feel like God is against me? How could God forgive me for what I’ve done? Why has God blessed me so much? How can I have hope for tomorrow in the darkness of today? How can there be anything better than what I am experiencing with the grace of God right now?
All these questions, and there is truth in the words of Scripture about them. There is more to life that just what you can see. It doesn’t all end in a slow riding hearse. I believe! That’s Life at Work!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Judas, DaVinci, and Jesus
The discovery of the Gospel of Judas and the publication and production of the book and movie The DaVinci Code draw attention to literature from an early Christian period to which few of us give any thought.
So, now that they have drawn our attention, what do you think? The Gospel of Judas, though recently discovered does not reflect ideas that are only recent ideas. Most of what we have heard of the Gospel of Judas involves details about Judas’ relationship with Jesus and how that story differs from the story in the gospels of the New Testament. There are other details in the Gospel of Judas, however, that reflect influence by heretics of the early days of Christianity. The early Christians knew to disregard the philosophies of these teachers, and we should follow their lead. These false teachers were not leaders of a rival Christianity who were put down by the stronger group. They were heretics rejected by Christians who held to the teachings of Jesus as revealed in gospel accounts that they knew were authentic.
Here are three important things to remember in regard to recent exploration of the gospels of Judas, Philip, Thomas, and Mary Magdalene. First, there is little newness here. The agenda to make Jesus what people want Jesus to be is not new. That is what is happening here and we do not need to be disturbed when darkness acts like darkness. Second, the assertion that the books in our Bible are the result of stronger group beating back a weaker group is false. Third, the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are reliable. The early church knew it, and that fact can be demonstrated today. That’s Life at Work.
So, now that they have drawn our attention, what do you think? The Gospel of Judas, though recently discovered does not reflect ideas that are only recent ideas. Most of what we have heard of the Gospel of Judas involves details about Judas’ relationship with Jesus and how that story differs from the story in the gospels of the New Testament. There are other details in the Gospel of Judas, however, that reflect influence by heretics of the early days of Christianity. The early Christians knew to disregard the philosophies of these teachers, and we should follow their lead. These false teachers were not leaders of a rival Christianity who were put down by the stronger group. They were heretics rejected by Christians who held to the teachings of Jesus as revealed in gospel accounts that they knew were authentic.
Here are three important things to remember in regard to recent exploration of the gospels of Judas, Philip, Thomas, and Mary Magdalene. First, there is little newness here. The agenda to make Jesus what people want Jesus to be is not new. That is what is happening here and we do not need to be disturbed when darkness acts like darkness. Second, the assertion that the books in our Bible are the result of stronger group beating back a weaker group is false. Third, the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are reliable. The early church knew it, and that fact can be demonstrated today. That’s Life at Work.
Friday, June 16, 2006
He Used His Authority
Ferdinand I, emperor of Austria in the mid 1800’s, was insane; and according to historical accounts, wasn’t too smart even in his more controlled moments. He knew, however, that his position was one of authority, and he could demand whatever he wished. His one recorded demand that is worthy of note reflects his poor leadership quality. He said, “I am the emperor, and I want dumplings.”
You would hope that a man with an emperor’s authority would at least leave a legacy of notable anecdotes. Ferdinand wanted dumplings.
Jesus said that “all authority in heaven and earth” was his. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Did he know that his position was one of authority? Yes, he did; and he did leave a legacy of notable sayings. Some of the more famous ones are: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” and “Blessed are the merciful because they will be shown mercy.”
Did Jesus do anything significant with his authority? Of course he did! He conquered sin and death! He set the captives free! He’s gone to prepare a place for people of faith, and we will rule with him. Jesus knew what to do with his authority. He is worthy of our trust and discipleship. Have you submitted to his authority? That’s Life at Work!
You would hope that a man with an emperor’s authority would at least leave a legacy of notable anecdotes. Ferdinand wanted dumplings.
Jesus said that “all authority in heaven and earth” was his. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Did he know that his position was one of authority? Yes, he did; and he did leave a legacy of notable sayings. Some of the more famous ones are: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” and “Blessed are the merciful because they will be shown mercy.”
Did Jesus do anything significant with his authority? Of course he did! He conquered sin and death! He set the captives free! He’s gone to prepare a place for people of faith, and we will rule with him. Jesus knew what to do with his authority. He is worthy of our trust and discipleship. Have you submitted to his authority? That’s Life at Work!
You Can Call Me....
The day after Henry Kissinger was nominated as secretary of state in the early 1970’s, he held a news conference. One of the newsmen asked this final question: “Do you prefer being called ‘Mr. Secretary or ‘Dr. Secretary’?”
“I don’t stand on protocol,” Kissinger said without a flinch. “If you will call me ‘Excellency,’ that will be okay.”
I doubt anybody every addressed him “Excellency,” except in jest, perhaps. Nobody has ever addressed me that way. But I, along with other forgiven faithful folks, do have several names or designations that are important to us.
“Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:13-15; NIV)
“However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:16).
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)
Friends, Christians, and Children of God! Notice that no follower is called those things because of his own greatness. Everything we are is by God’s grace. Obey him. Praise Him. Thank him for his wonderful love! That’s Life at Work!
“I don’t stand on protocol,” Kissinger said without a flinch. “If you will call me ‘Excellency,’ that will be okay.”
I doubt anybody every addressed him “Excellency,” except in jest, perhaps. Nobody has ever addressed me that way. But I, along with other forgiven faithful folks, do have several names or designations that are important to us.
“Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:13-15; NIV)
“However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:16).
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1)
Friends, Christians, and Children of God! Notice that no follower is called those things because of his own greatness. Everything we are is by God’s grace. Obey him. Praise Him. Thank him for his wonderful love! That’s Life at Work!
Fathers and Leaders
Leadership Journal’s website featured an article titled “Like Father, Like Leader” that revealed some great thought that are worth sharing. The entire article can be read at http://www.christianitytoday.com/leaders/newsletter/2006/cln60612.html. The Christianity Today website is good to have in your list of favorite sites anyway. Check it out.
Gordon Dalbey suggests three things to remember in your role as a dad and as a leader in general:
Watch for what God is doing in people and bless it.President Kennedy once recalled, "If I walked out on stage and fell flat on my face, Father would say I fell better than anyone else." Good fathers look for opportunities to encourage their children, not with false praise, but with honest appraisal.
Our tendency is to be quick with criticism and slow with praise. We forget that even our kids need to hear words that build up instead of tear down. Is your attention to what your kids do right at least as keen as your attention to what they do wrong. By the way, you may want to ask them instead of asking yourself. Remember that even if you don’t agree with their assessment, it is still their perspective and “perspective is reality.”
Don't coerce behavior, no matter how righteous, but lead into deeper relationship with Jesus.Trying to force "proper behavior" without a loving hand of grace stirs rebellion because it violates the child's heart, which God has already oriented, if not to do the right thing, certainly to do what Dad does. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children" (Eph. 5:1).
Surely the command to avoid embittering your children in Ephesians 6 should cause us to reconsider manipulation and browbeating to coerce good behavior. Go out of your way to model integrity, compassion, generosity, and honesty to your children. God’s primary way of changing you is not via threat of punishment, but calling you to imitate Christ.
Recognize your faults, but don't pass them on.
All of us are going to make mistakes in front of our kids and our children will likely imitate us in it at some point. When you mess up, admit to you children, apologize and vow to do better. Why should your kids respect their mother when you speak disrespectfully to her in front of them and never apologize? Why should your sons respect females when they see you gawking at the Victoria Secret ad? Apologize today. Don’t pass on your faults!
Gordon Dalbey suggests three things to remember in your role as a dad and as a leader in general:
Watch for what God is doing in people and bless it.President Kennedy once recalled, "If I walked out on stage and fell flat on my face, Father would say I fell better than anyone else." Good fathers look for opportunities to encourage their children, not with false praise, but with honest appraisal.
Our tendency is to be quick with criticism and slow with praise. We forget that even our kids need to hear words that build up instead of tear down. Is your attention to what your kids do right at least as keen as your attention to what they do wrong. By the way, you may want to ask them instead of asking yourself. Remember that even if you don’t agree with their assessment, it is still their perspective and “perspective is reality.”
Don't coerce behavior, no matter how righteous, but lead into deeper relationship with Jesus.Trying to force "proper behavior" without a loving hand of grace stirs rebellion because it violates the child's heart, which God has already oriented, if not to do the right thing, certainly to do what Dad does. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children" (Eph. 5:1).
Surely the command to avoid embittering your children in Ephesians 6 should cause us to reconsider manipulation and browbeating to coerce good behavior. Go out of your way to model integrity, compassion, generosity, and honesty to your children. God’s primary way of changing you is not via threat of punishment, but calling you to imitate Christ.
Recognize your faults, but don't pass them on.
All of us are going to make mistakes in front of our kids and our children will likely imitate us in it at some point. When you mess up, admit to you children, apologize and vow to do better. Why should your kids respect their mother when you speak disrespectfully to her in front of them and never apologize? Why should your sons respect females when they see you gawking at the Victoria Secret ad? Apologize today. Don’t pass on your faults!
Thursday, June 01, 2006
God Has Spoken
“If we are going to have answers for the twentieth century world, we must not only have a God who exists, be we must have a God who has spoken” (Francis A. Schaeffer).
I read that first from the preacher’s perspective. It’s likely that you didn’t. I read it as if someone has asked me a question. I know that if I have any answer to offer, I must go to God’s word to offer the answer from heaven.
But not everyone asks the preacher. And often, the preacher has questions himself about God and heavenly things related to him. It’s not enough at the time of questioning to know that God exists. If I am going to find the true answer to my most significant questions, I’ve got to know that God has spoken and that his truth is found in scripture.
The writer of Hebrews confirms, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). I believe that careful contemplation of our universe can direct an individual toward belief in the existence of God and even the truth that he rewards those who seek him. However, to know how to seek him, we must have a God who has spoken. He has spoken. He has the answers for you and for me. That’s Life at Work!
I read that first from the preacher’s perspective. It’s likely that you didn’t. I read it as if someone has asked me a question. I know that if I have any answer to offer, I must go to God’s word to offer the answer from heaven.
But not everyone asks the preacher. And often, the preacher has questions himself about God and heavenly things related to him. It’s not enough at the time of questioning to know that God exists. If I am going to find the true answer to my most significant questions, I’ve got to know that God has spoken and that his truth is found in scripture.
The writer of Hebrews confirms, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). I believe that careful contemplation of our universe can direct an individual toward belief in the existence of God and even the truth that he rewards those who seek him. However, to know how to seek him, we must have a God who has spoken. He has spoken. He has the answers for you and for me. That’s Life at Work!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Enemies of the Sheep
Sir Walter Scott and his wife were enjoying a stroll around the grounds at their home and passed by some lambs in a field playfully enjoying the spring day. Scott remarked, “It’s no wonder that poets from the earliest of times have made lambs the symbols of peace and innocence.”
His wife agreed that lambs are special, yet with something quite different in mind. She said, “Delightful creatures indeed, especially with mint sauce.”
You get a strange mix of the metaphor in the Bible because sheep are people, but the greatest enemies of sheep are also people. When the Psalmist writes, “You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies,” the enemies are people. When Jesus warns about those who would steal, kill, and destroy the sheep; the thieves are people. When Paul told the shepherds of the church in Ephesus to protect the flock of God from the savage wolves, the wolves were people.
Shepherds that protect you, fellow sheep that fellowship with you, and enemies who would destroy you can all look very much alike. So Jesus offers one more warning in metaphor: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Be as innocent as sheep, but be shrewd, too. It is likely that someone is thinking about you with mint sauce. Know the difference between those who will protect you and those who would destroy you spiritually. That’s Life at Work!
His wife agreed that lambs are special, yet with something quite different in mind. She said, “Delightful creatures indeed, especially with mint sauce.”
You get a strange mix of the metaphor in the Bible because sheep are people, but the greatest enemies of sheep are also people. When the Psalmist writes, “You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies,” the enemies are people. When Jesus warns about those who would steal, kill, and destroy the sheep; the thieves are people. When Paul told the shepherds of the church in Ephesus to protect the flock of God from the savage wolves, the wolves were people.
Shepherds that protect you, fellow sheep that fellowship with you, and enemies who would destroy you can all look very much alike. So Jesus offers one more warning in metaphor: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Be as innocent as sheep, but be shrewd, too. It is likely that someone is thinking about you with mint sauce. Know the difference between those who will protect you and those who would destroy you spiritually. That’s Life at Work!
Monday, May 15, 2006
Balanced Preaching and Listening
Preaching (March – April 2006) features a cartoon in which two preachers are standing by the signs in front of their respective side-by-side church buildings. The signs advertise the titles of the sermons upcoming in each church. The preacher on the left is preaching momentarily on the topic “Taking Sin Seriously.” The preacher on the right is preaching a sermon titled, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.” One preacher looks excitedly happy because he has a standing room only crowd waiting to enter. The other preacher looks distraught because no one is entering through his building’s doors. Guess which sermon people line up to hear in the cartoon. You probably guessed right. They are not lined up outside the door where “Taking Sin Seriously” is the topic for the morning.
I understand jokes like that. Jokes about the people in pews can be humorous without truly revealing the hearts of people in the pews. Likewise, jokes about preachers can be humorous without truly revealing the hearts of people in the pulpit. But when I saw that cartoon it caused me to consider my own preaching. Right now, I am preaching through the Sermon on the Mount. I’m preaching a series of sermons on a sermon.
The people lined up to hear Jesus were called to take sin seriously. Jesus warned his hearers about anger, lust, divorce, hatred, and dishonesty, in the end telling them if they failed to do what he said they would experience a “great fall.” Take sin seriously. Yet in the same sermon, he said, “Don’t be anxious about tomorrow.” Don’t sweat the small stuff.
We all need to hear a balance of sermons about the kindness and sternness of God. Preachers can probably do a better job of balancing them. I’ll try. Will you? That’s Life at Work!
I understand jokes like that. Jokes about the people in pews can be humorous without truly revealing the hearts of people in the pews. Likewise, jokes about preachers can be humorous without truly revealing the hearts of people in the pulpit. But when I saw that cartoon it caused me to consider my own preaching. Right now, I am preaching through the Sermon on the Mount. I’m preaching a series of sermons on a sermon.
The people lined up to hear Jesus were called to take sin seriously. Jesus warned his hearers about anger, lust, divorce, hatred, and dishonesty, in the end telling them if they failed to do what he said they would experience a “great fall.” Take sin seriously. Yet in the same sermon, he said, “Don’t be anxious about tomorrow.” Don’t sweat the small stuff.
We all need to hear a balance of sermons about the kindness and sternness of God. Preachers can probably do a better job of balancing them. I’ll try. Will you? That’s Life at Work!
Monday, May 08, 2006
Happy Mother's Day!
Sunday is Mother’s Day! Make your mom happy. Do something special for her! Teach your young children to do something surprising for their mother by leading the way – involve them in the fun, in other words.
Proverbs is full of blessings for various people. Occasionally there will be a blessing for someone, but the happiness is generated in the life of another. Here’s what I hope for you:
May your father and mother be glad;
may she who gave you birth rejoice! (Proverbs 23:25; NIV)
Rejoicing isn’t just going to happen. In Proverbs, a mother rejoices because her teaching is not forsaken by her children, and her children wisely work diligently to help the poor. Mothers rejoice when the discipline they hated to administer is effective at the time of application and into old age. Mothers rejoice when the children they made secure, return that security when the mother is old.
Whether your mom or the mother of your children has a Happy Mother’s Day is largely up to you. Make it happen. That’s Life at Work!
Proverbs is full of blessings for various people. Occasionally there will be a blessing for someone, but the happiness is generated in the life of another. Here’s what I hope for you:
May your father and mother be glad;
may she who gave you birth rejoice! (Proverbs 23:25; NIV)
Rejoicing isn’t just going to happen. In Proverbs, a mother rejoices because her teaching is not forsaken by her children, and her children wisely work diligently to help the poor. Mothers rejoice when the discipline they hated to administer is effective at the time of application and into old age. Mothers rejoice when the children they made secure, return that security when the mother is old.
Whether your mom or the mother of your children has a Happy Mother’s Day is largely up to you. Make it happen. That’s Life at Work!
Looking for Grace
The actor W.C. Fields was an agnostic. A fellow actor once walked unannounced into his dressing room and found Fields reading the Bible. Like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar, in embarrassment, Fields shut the Bible quickly and explained, "Just looking for loopholes." Philip Yancey in What's So Amazing about Grace commented, "Probably, he was looking for grace."
The Bible reveals the God who loved his creation so much, he gave his Son to rescue the creation from eternal punishment for sin. There has never been a greater love, nor will there ever be. If you want to experience it, there is only one place -- in Christ. There has never been a greater gift; nor will there ever be. There is only one place to learn about it -- the revelation from God in your Bible. People hunger for kindness directed toward them. In this world, kindness is rare. When someone reads about the loving kindness of God as revealed in Jesus, one can't help but be impressed. God wants us to be so impressed that we love him back. Do you know of his love for you? Open your Bible, but don't look for loopholes. That would be wasting time. Look for grace. That will be easy to find. That's Life at Work!
The Bible reveals the God who loved his creation so much, he gave his Son to rescue the creation from eternal punishment for sin. There has never been a greater love, nor will there ever be. If you want to experience it, there is only one place -- in Christ. There has never been a greater gift; nor will there ever be. There is only one place to learn about it -- the revelation from God in your Bible. People hunger for kindness directed toward them. In this world, kindness is rare. When someone reads about the loving kindness of God as revealed in Jesus, one can't help but be impressed. God wants us to be so impressed that we love him back. Do you know of his love for you? Open your Bible, but don't look for loopholes. That would be wasting time. Look for grace. That will be easy to find. That's Life at Work!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Selfless Prayer
I have a book called Golden Moments of Religious Inspiration. It is a collection of inspirational writings from way back. One of the most interesting to me is an article by Homer Croy called "We Thank Thee 0 Lord." In this article, Croy recorded a prayer that he found in The Charleston (South Carolina) Courier of April 4, 1837. The prayer was copied from a London paper and may have been originally uttered by John Ward, a Member of Parliament from Hackney. This is the prayer he prayed:
"0, Lord, thou knowest I have nine houses in the City of London, and likewise that I have lately purchased an estate in fee simple in the county of Essex. I beseech thee to preserve the counties of Essex and Middlesex from fire and earthquake; and as I have a mortgage in Hertfordshire, I beg Thee to have an eye of compassion on that county; as for the rest of the counties, Thou may'st deal with them as Thou art pleased. 0, Lord, enable the banks to answer all their bills, and make all my debtors good men.
"Give me a prosperous voyage and give return to my sloop, the 'Mermaid,' because I have insured it; and as Thou hast said that the ways of the wicked are short, I trust that Thou wilt not forget that promise, as I have purchased an estate in reversion, which will be mine on the death of that profligate young man, Sir John Lawson."
Quite a prayer, isn't it? Humorous obviously, and shocking! It's also scary, though, because I believe that it is strikingly similar to many prayers offered in this twenty-first century. “How,” you might ask.
Many pray today, thanking God for all the ways that he has blessed them. After the thanks, come the petitions for more blessings. And there is nothing wrong with that. Yet, what the prayer above verbalized, many act out in their lives. They often go about with their attention focused on themselves, and still worse, on their own worldly possessions. When it comes to looking after someone else, being concerned about someone else, they are blind.
There are times when we need to forget about that boat, forget about those homes; forget about the things that our selfishness brings to mind. Forgetting those things, let’s pray that God will bless others, not only through his work and providence, but also, through us. We would do well to follow Paul's example who, though while he in jail, was concerned not with himself, but with the Philippians.
What do you need to pray about today that is more about someone else than it is about you? That’s Life at Work!
"0, Lord, thou knowest I have nine houses in the City of London, and likewise that I have lately purchased an estate in fee simple in the county of Essex. I beseech thee to preserve the counties of Essex and Middlesex from fire and earthquake; and as I have a mortgage in Hertfordshire, I beg Thee to have an eye of compassion on that county; as for the rest of the counties, Thou may'st deal with them as Thou art pleased. 0, Lord, enable the banks to answer all their bills, and make all my debtors good men.
"Give me a prosperous voyage and give return to my sloop, the 'Mermaid,' because I have insured it; and as Thou hast said that the ways of the wicked are short, I trust that Thou wilt not forget that promise, as I have purchased an estate in reversion, which will be mine on the death of that profligate young man, Sir John Lawson."
Quite a prayer, isn't it? Humorous obviously, and shocking! It's also scary, though, because I believe that it is strikingly similar to many prayers offered in this twenty-first century. “How,” you might ask.
Many pray today, thanking God for all the ways that he has blessed them. After the thanks, come the petitions for more blessings. And there is nothing wrong with that. Yet, what the prayer above verbalized, many act out in their lives. They often go about with their attention focused on themselves, and still worse, on their own worldly possessions. When it comes to looking after someone else, being concerned about someone else, they are blind.
There are times when we need to forget about that boat, forget about those homes; forget about the things that our selfishness brings to mind. Forgetting those things, let’s pray that God will bless others, not only through his work and providence, but also, through us. We would do well to follow Paul's example who, though while he in jail, was concerned not with himself, but with the Philippians.
What do you need to pray about today that is more about someone else than it is about you? That’s Life at Work!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
No Mistakes
William Mart Miller used to tell a story to sad story about a Civil War veteran.
On July 3, 1863, the body of Ansell Fassett, a twenty-one year old boy wearing the Blue, was picked up for dead on the field of Gettysburg, and was listed as dead in the records. Before the burial party could reach him, however, he showed signs of life, and was rushed to the field hospital where he eventually recovered and was discharged as incapacitated for further service. He applied for a disability pension, but the record of his death was an insurmountable barrier. Struggling with his disability and the problem of making a living, he had misplaced his discharge papers. Finally, with advancing years, he sought admission to the Soldier's Home in Sawtelle, CA, but again the record of his death shut him out and he was forced to eke out a living in the most humble way. For him, Gettysburg lasted 63 years! Again he fell, and this time no moan from him interrupted the burial party. The day after his funeral in 1926 the missing discharge paper was found, but it didn't matter. The mistaken records had done their worst.
The Hebrew writer taught us, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Heb 9:27-28; NIV).
All of us will stand before the judgment seat of God. We will await the news of our admission into the home Jesus has prepared for his own. There will be no lost or mistaken records. Everything will be correct, everything will be in order, and everything will be eternal. That’s Life at Work!
On July 3, 1863, the body of Ansell Fassett, a twenty-one year old boy wearing the Blue, was picked up for dead on the field of Gettysburg, and was listed as dead in the records. Before the burial party could reach him, however, he showed signs of life, and was rushed to the field hospital where he eventually recovered and was discharged as incapacitated for further service. He applied for a disability pension, but the record of his death was an insurmountable barrier. Struggling with his disability and the problem of making a living, he had misplaced his discharge papers. Finally, with advancing years, he sought admission to the Soldier's Home in Sawtelle, CA, but again the record of his death shut him out and he was forced to eke out a living in the most humble way. For him, Gettysburg lasted 63 years! Again he fell, and this time no moan from him interrupted the burial party. The day after his funeral in 1926 the missing discharge paper was found, but it didn't matter. The mistaken records had done their worst.
The Hebrew writer taught us, “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Heb 9:27-28; NIV).
All of us will stand before the judgment seat of God. We will await the news of our admission into the home Jesus has prepared for his own. There will be no lost or mistaken records. Everything will be correct, everything will be in order, and everything will be eternal. That’s Life at Work!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Jesus Perspective: Disciples and Money
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matt 6:19-21
He thought he had it all, and so did a lot of other people. We call him the rich, young, ruler. He was wealthy and he was righteous (in his own eyes). He had treasure everywhere except where he needed it most! Jesus told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor, then he would have treasure where it would really do some good He went away sorrowfully, though. He considered having treasure here more important that having it in heaven.
We are in danger of making the same decision. Oh, we don’t make it face to face with Jesus in the way the rich, young, ruler did; nevertheless, the decision is still made, and the consequences are the same. There are rich people who, like that young ruler, are too interested in their wealth to be interested in the things of God They will walk away from opportunities for eternal life just like the young man did. There are also those who barely make it between paychecks who spend their lives just trying to pay that next credit card bill, or that next car note, or that next house payment They are so busy in fact, that while not rich, the buck has become their god. They have as much interest in possessions as the guy who already has the possessions.
The two messages from those Matthew 6 and 18 are: (1) God can tell where our hearts are by the treasures that we lay up for ourselves and (2) the only treasures that will last forever are the ones deposited in heaven.
Marcus Cicero called "Out of this Life” to illustrate these truths:
Out of this life I shall never take
Things of silver and gold I make.
All Om I cherish and hoard away
After I leave, on earth must stay.
Though I call it mine and I boast its worth,
I must give it up when I quit the earth.
All that I gather and all that I keep
I must leave behind when I fall asleep.
And I wonder often, just what I shall own,
In that other life when I pass alone,
What shall He find and what shall He see,
In the soul that answers the call for me?
Shall the great Judge learn when my task is through
That my soul had gathered some riches too?
Or shall at the last, it be mine to find,
That all I had worked for, I had left behind?
That’s Life at Work!
Matt 6:19-21
He thought he had it all, and so did a lot of other people. We call him the rich, young, ruler. He was wealthy and he was righteous (in his own eyes). He had treasure everywhere except where he needed it most! Jesus told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor, then he would have treasure where it would really do some good He went away sorrowfully, though. He considered having treasure here more important that having it in heaven.
We are in danger of making the same decision. Oh, we don’t make it face to face with Jesus in the way the rich, young, ruler did; nevertheless, the decision is still made, and the consequences are the same. There are rich people who, like that young ruler, are too interested in their wealth to be interested in the things of God They will walk away from opportunities for eternal life just like the young man did. There are also those who barely make it between paychecks who spend their lives just trying to pay that next credit card bill, or that next car note, or that next house payment They are so busy in fact, that while not rich, the buck has become their god. They have as much interest in possessions as the guy who already has the possessions.
The two messages from those Matthew 6 and 18 are: (1) God can tell where our hearts are by the treasures that we lay up for ourselves and (2) the only treasures that will last forever are the ones deposited in heaven.
Marcus Cicero called "Out of this Life” to illustrate these truths:
Out of this life I shall never take
Things of silver and gold I make.
All Om I cherish and hoard away
After I leave, on earth must stay.
Though I call it mine and I boast its worth,
I must give it up when I quit the earth.
All that I gather and all that I keep
I must leave behind when I fall asleep.
And I wonder often, just what I shall own,
In that other life when I pass alone,
What shall He find and what shall He see,
In the soul that answers the call for me?
Shall the great Judge learn when my task is through
That my soul had gathered some riches too?
Or shall at the last, it be mine to find,
That all I had worked for, I had left behind?
That’s Life at Work!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)