June 30: Suffer the Children

"Then were there brought unto Jesus little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence." (Matthew 19:13-15, King James Version)

I was taken aback by the young mom in the orthodontist’s waiting room. She was surrounded by several children, all about the same age. One girl sat two chairs away from the woman. The girl apparently did something that didn’t suit the mother, although unnoticed by the other adults in the room. The woman was suddenly towering over the toddler, voice raised, finger pointed into the young face, demanding obedience. She swatted the girl on the legs and returned to her own seat.

The little one immediately burst into tears and went to her mother hoping for an affectionate hug and comfort. The mother, with a calm and syrupy voice said, “Did you bump your little leg? Come sit with mommy, you should never ever leave me, shame on you for bumping your leg.” It was creepy—physically and emotionally abusive and manipulative. I was uncomfortable, but at a loss as to how I should respond.
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Later in the day I picked up the local newspaper, the Virginian-Pilot, and read an article by Elizabeth Simpson:

“The numbers in a report released Wednesday add up to a picture of the region's children who die of abuse. More than half of the children who died during the past three years were less than a year old. One in five had been injured before by abuse. And 65 percent were in families or with caretakers who had had some contact with social workers.”

“The report” was by the Hampton Roads (Virginia) Child Fatality Review Team, and summed up three years of child abuse fatalities, from July 2003 through June 2006. The study team was composed of regional health and social experts who compiled statistics for 18 cities and counties in the region.

“About 40 percent of the state's child abuse deaths occurred in this region, even though only about 23 percent of the state's children live here. That percentage has stayed fairly consistent during the past decade. The region had higher rates - more than half of the state's total - in 1998 and 2003.”

There's no clear reason why more child fatalities occur here, though child welfare advocates have pointed to the transient nature of the area because of tourism and the military. One professional in Child Protective Services said she thinks local abuse investigators are better than their counterparts in other parts of the state at pursuing and documenting cases.

There were some positive notes from the study, one of which was that the number of deaths also decreased by nine from the previous three-year period.

"People think they should be perfect parents. They take it personally if they can't get their baby to stop crying." The majority of abusers were parents, and the most likely cause of death was a brain injury, often occurring when a baby is shaken or thrown. Boyfriends or girlfriends of parents were the second most likely caretaker in child fatality cases.
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This is NOT what Jesus had in mind when He said, “suffer little children…” (As phrased in the above scripture reference in the old King James English). Statistically, those who are abused today become abusers later on in life.

We must find ways to encourage and pray for the adults and teenagers we know who are responsible for caring for children—theirs or someone else’s—and find ways to help them deal with the pressure. I’m not sure what that looks like just yet, but we’ve got to find a way to stop the abuse and break the cycle.

~ Father, help me to love and care for children the way Jesus did. Give me your peace, patience and self-control. Show me ways to be a real help to those who are struggling. Amen.

June 29: How Low Can You Go?

Today's "thought" is from author and singer/songwriter John Fischer. You can subscribe to his "Catch of the Day" by taking a plunge in the fischtank at www.fischtank.com

If you've ever wondered how far God would go to show His love, look in the mirror and wonder no more. We need not look any further than ourselves to find the most shocking and amazing displays of God’s grace. If we think otherwise, it is only because we have not seen ourselves as we truly are.

It has been said and sung many times: "There but for the grace of God go I." At first this sounds grateful, but such sentiment masks a dangerous pride. It is actually not unlike the statement of a religious leader in Jesus' day as he looked upon a sinner on his knees who was crying out for God's mercy. "I thank you, God," said the Pharisee, "that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there" (Luke 18:11 NLT)!

It is a view that focuses on someone else's misfortune. Someone else is worse than I am. Much better to be thinking and praying, "Here, because of the grace of God, and for no other reason, am I." I am the only person I truly know about when it comes to sin. I am the authority on the subject.

The Pharisee hasn't a clue about the sinner—who he is or what he has done. He has no point of reference to judge the man's life but from his own inflated view of himself. If he had even the slightest clue about his own sin, he would realize he doesn't have any business making the assumption that the sinner is any worse than he is. The only prayer any of us can pray on the subject of sin is: "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner." This is the one prayer that sends heaven scurrying.

It is best to steer completely clear of the comparison game. Any attempt to better ourselves at the mercy of someone else's failure will always bring a twisted view of us and others. The immensity of God's mercy is not displayed in what He did for the world, or for someone else. It is not displayed in someone else’s story about how low they were before Christ picked them up (of course, never as low as we would ever go—heaven forbid!).

Nor is it discovered through some theological understanding or study of the many nuances of His grace. No, the immensity of God's mercy is revealed finally—and only—in the incredible realization that, lo and behold, it found out the worst of the lot. God’s mercy looked down from heaven and found out me!

June 28: Crazy About ‘Heroes’

My daughter is crazy about “Heroes”. The TV show has soared in popularity. Ordinary looking young adults possess extraordinary powers. All it takes is the mention of the word 'hero'--not even in the context of the small-screen drama—just the mention of the word and she is energetically talking about the different plots and characters and their powers to talk to machines, or regenerate or absorb other heroes’ powers. She is a fanatic about the show.

So I was thinking about people who claim to have “met Jesus”; to have had some kind of personal encounter with the resurrected and still-living Son of God. In the Bible, in the Book of First Peter, chapter two it talks of people’s reaction to Jesus. For many he is a stumbling block and for others he is a stepping stone to forgiveness, freedom and a relationship with God.

"As you come to Jesus, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house… Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, this “stone” causes men to stumble, this “rock” makes then to fall. They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for.

But then Peter goes on to describe those who believe in and follow Jesus:

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the Excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:4-10)

It’s that phrase, “declare the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” that has me thinking about my daughter and her enthusiasm for a television show. That’s how true Christ-followers are: at the mention of his name there is this bubbly excitement where they begin to talk about who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. They can’t help themselves; It’s not scripted are manufactured, it just bubbles out of them.

That kind of enthusiasm is contagious. I’ve never seen “Heroes”, but I can’t wait for the next episode. Why? Because of my daughter’s enthusiasm. She’s got me curious. I want to see for myself.

That’s what happens as people who’ve had a life-changing encounter with Jesus serve other people, meet needs and talk about Him: our enthusiasm breeds curiosity—people want to see Jesus for themselves.

~ Father, thank you for calling me out of the darkness in which I used to live. As I declare your “excellencies”, may my enthusiasm breed a divine curiosity in the hearts of others. Amen.

June 27: Anyone for PETH?

Stem cells, war, the death penalty, animal rights and euthanasia. Arguments over all of the above are heated and escalating. So I figure I’ll give my two-cents worth.

I believe life begins at conception; if not at that point, then when? I believe this fantastic universe was created, and I call that Creator "God". And God has put into every embryo all the “stuff” it needs, the DNA, the potential, for a full and fruitful life. There’s much more there than “just a clump of cells”.

War is horrible and evil. Life is sacred. War involves not just the combatants who choose to fight, but innocent civilians who are not warriors and have no means of escaping the consequences. “Collateral damage” sounds so much more benign than “slaughtered and maimed innocent men, women and children”.

Because I believe life is sacred and valuable I am opposed to the death penalty. I favor life in prison for horrible crimes, although I think the “rights” and freedoms of violent criminals need to be limited far below the standard some enjoy today.

On all these issues some people would simply make the distinction between born life and unborn life, and only recognize the value of the former. They would distinguish between innocent life and guilty life; the former to be protected, the latter to be snuffed out.

What about seeing all lives as sacred and valuable; born and unborn, innocent and guilty?

Abortion continues to be a hot topic, the argument often being reduced to “choice” or “life”.
God gave us both “choice” and “life” and God values both. We have not only the freedom, but the responsibility to make choices; but when the two values collide and one has to choose between “life” and personal preference or freedom, then God says, “Choose life!”

The way we treat prisoners, both military combatants and domestic criminals is a reflection of the value we place on human life. Some people are more concerned with the way animals are treated than the way people are treated. Some will physically beat up or harm a person who doesn’t agree with them about the value of animals. To them animals are sacred, people a little less so.

The area where I live in Virginia is home to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and Michael Vick. For those who don’t know, Vick is quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons football team and has made national news lately when evidence of dog fighting, including dog carcasses, were found on the grounds of a home he used to own in the area. The investigation is still on-going regarding his knowledge and involvement in these activities.

To say that PETA and Vick have different views about the place of animals in our society would be an understatement. To say that PETA is up in arms over these discoveries in their own neighborhood would be an understatement.

I want to start a new movement. Let’s call it PETH—People for the Ethical Treatment of Humans. There would be no registration, membership dues or meeting requirements. Just live out two ideal ideas taught by Jesus: “Love you neighbor as yourself” and “do to others as you would have them do to you.”

What would our families, neighborhoods, nation and world look like if we lived by those two principles and treated all life; born and unborn, innocent and guilty; as though life were sacred and valuable?

June 26: inseparable

in·sep·a·ra·ble: adjective
1 : incapable of being separated or disjoined
2 : seemingly always together : very intimate

Lyrics of “Inseparable” by Natalie Cole:
Inseparable, That's how we'll always be
Inseparable, Just you and me
It's so wonderful to know you'll always be around me
Incredible, What you are to me
Incredible, You bring out the woman in me
With your style of love
Inseparable, Yes we are

Well like a flower to a tree
Like words to a melody of love
There's no way we could break up
No words that can make us
Blow our thing. We're just

Inseparable, That's how it is
Inseparable, For the rest of our years
It's so wonderful to know you'll always be around.

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I officiated at a funeral service today. The deceased was an 85 year old World War 2 veteran, married to the same woman for 60 years, father of 5, 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren.
Long, full life; well done!

So I’ve been thinking about the 60 years part, the wedding vows “til death do us part”. Inseparable.

There is a love deeper than that, stronger than that, with a reach farther than that--reaching beyond the grave. That is the love God has for you. Consider the words of the Apostle Paul from the Bible:

“And we know that God is working in all situations to bring about good for those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose… What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28-39 (NIV)

~ Father, thank you for your eternal love, which makes you and me inseparable. Amen.

June 24: Fearlessly Facing Eternity

Today's inspirational story is from author and pastor, Max Lucado:

Joe Allbright is a fair and fearless West Texas rancher, a square-jawed, rawboned man with a neck by Rawlings. In Andrews County, where I was raised, everyone knew him. One of Joe's sons, James, and I were best friends in high school. We played football together. (More honest, he played while I guarded the team bench.)

One Friday night after an out-of-town game, James invited me to stay at his house. By the time we reached his property, the hour was way past midnight, and he hadn't told his father he was bringing anyone home. Mr. Allbright didn't know me or my vehicle, so when I stepped out of the car in front of his house, he popped on a floodlight and aimed it right at my face.

Through the glare I saw this block of a man (I think he was in his underwear), and I heard his deep voice. "Who are you?" I gulped. My mind moved at the speed of cold honey. I started to say my name but didn't. Mr. Allbright doesn't know me. My only hope was that James would speak up. A glacier could have melted before he did so. Finally he interceded. "It's okay, Dad. That's my friend Max. He's with me".

The light went off, and Mr. Allbright threw open the door. "Come on in, boys. Food is in the kitchen."

What changed? What made Mr. Allbright flip off the light? One fact. I had aligned myself with his son. My sudden safety had nothing to do with my accomplishments or offerings. I knew his son. Period.

For the same reason, if you align yourself with Jesus, you need never fear God's judgment. Not today. Not on Judgment Day. Jesus, in the light of God's glory, is speaking on your behalf. "That's my friend", he says. And when he does, the door of heaven opens.

Trust God's love. His perfect love. Don't fear he will discover your past. He already has. Don't fear disappointing him in the future. He can show you the chapter in which you will. With perfect knowledge of the past and perfect vision of the future, he loves you perfectly in spite of both.

June 23: Avoiding Entanglements

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Source and perfecter of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1-2)

It was February 16, 2002 at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. There were five finalists in the Men's 1,000 Meter Speed Skating Race. Apolo Anton Ohno of the USA said he was skating the best race of his life. The winner would receive the Olympic Gold medal.

During the final lap, Ohno and the Chinese were out front with the Canadian and Korean skaters hot on their heels. Australia skater Stephen Bradbury trailed behind, obviously destined for last place.

Suddenly, the Chinese skater slightly bumped the American. With no time or space to get out of their way, the tangled mess caused the Canadian and Korean skaters to also spin out of control and join them in a tangled heap of arms and legs, careening into the wall.

The Australian skater, who was dead last, pushed by the heap and crossed the finish line. He won the Gold for no other reason than he crossed the finish line. He finished the race! He was not the fastest. He did not set any records. He simply didn’t quit or get tangled up in the mess around him.

Ohno ended up struggling forward and pushing his left skate over the finish line to get the silver medal. Ohno, who had hopes of getting four gold medals in the speed skating evernts suffered a gash in his inner thigh and had to be taken up to the medal ceremony in a wheelchair.

Yesterday's entry was about "Heroes of the Faith". Who is the hero of faith? The one who becomes extraordinary, the exception to the rule, simply by avoiding the entanglements of this world, and enduring the tests of this life with eyes fixed on Jesus.

Paul advised young Timothy: "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. " (2 Timothy 2:3-4)

The "things that entangle us" spiritually can come in many forms: illness, temptation, worry--the possibilities are endless. Not letting these things "trip us up" in our faith is no easy task. The one who endures, the one who doesn't get tripped up is promised a great reward.

~ Father, guard my heart and guide my steps. Amen.

June 22: The Extraordinary Ones

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Source and Perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

I love chapter 11 of the Book of Hebrews often referred to as “The Roll Call of Faith”. Biblical heroes like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Rahab and Moses are called to mind and held up as examples. As I read that passage a couple of things become clear. First, these “Heroes of the Faith” are the exception, not the rule; that’s why they stand out as unusual. Secondly, most of the heroes are "no-names". These “others” were faithful though imprisoned, flogged, stoned and sawed in two; people who gave everything for the faith, but their names were never recorded for history’s sake.

Heroes don’t have to be extraordinary, just faithful. Anyone who keeps their eyes fixed on Jesus and endures faithfully becomes extraordinary; a hero or heroine of the faith from whom others draw inspiration. Faithful endurance is extraordinary, the exception and not the rule.

The Christian life is more like a marathon than a sprint. Pastor Mike Stover tells the story of the 1986 New York City Marathon in which almost 20,000 runners entered the race. What is memorable is not who won, but who finished last. His name was Bob Wieland. He finished 19,413th—dead last. Bob completed the New York marathon in 4 days, 2 hours, 47 minutes, and 17 seconds. It was unquestionably the slowest marathon in history—ever.

So, what is it that made Bob Wieland’s marathon so special? Bob ran with his arms. 17 years earlier while in Vietnam, Bob’s legs were blown off in battle and he was pronounced DOA (Dead On Arrival). He uses his arms to catapult himself forward one arm-length at a time. He can run a mile in an hour. That is real endurance in the face of adversity.

Spiritual endurance is keeping the faith--staying the course--in the face of difficulty, temptation and persecution. Jesus said, “the person who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)

Endurance, be it physical or spiritual, is the exception to the rule and always heroic. Whatever difficulty you are facing, look to Jesus and keep the faith.

~ Father, give me strength and endurance and help me stay close to you. Use me as an example to encourage others. Amen

P.S. Bob Wieland is a modern-day hero and motivational speaker. For more details and contact info go to www.fivestarspeakers.com/wieland

June 19: Judge Not

"You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. " Romans 14:10-13 (NIV)

It's human nature. We all do it. And we do it about everything. We love to critique and criticize. We are a very judgmental culture. Some christians even justify the behavior by saying, "I'm not judging, I'm just being a 'fruit inspector'." Whatever. Same thing.

The above scripture passage is sobering for several reasons. I like the last line about "stop passing judgment on each other...and not to put a stumbling block in your brother's way."

One way the church places stumbling blocks is by giving the impression that once we become followers of Jesus we should automatically be immune to depression, despair and struggles with sin. The message is sent that if we struggle we are somehow defective. A friend recently shared a story with me about how a minister suggested that her child was dying because she didn't have enough faith. Another friend was once told that his son was born mentally challenged due to the parents' sin. That's not only sad, it's sick.

I often hear stories of people feeling condemned by other Christians over struggles with depression. People can be so hard on themselves because they feel their lives don't measure up to some elusive target set by some of the Christians around them. Over and over the issues of guilt and shame and feeling judged come into play.

Life is tough enough without the added pressure of "trying to be a good Christian". This burden is not necessary and not from God. What makes this even more tragic is that the added pressure is coming from those who should be a source of hope. When the unconditional love of God has strings attached, conditions for acceptance, then it's not God's love that's being offered.

One of my favorite writers, Jon Fischer observes, "We need to come alongside each other and help -- no questions asked -- not run our spiritual Geiger counters up and down everybody's faith." We need to become aware of how judgmental we can be and when we're doing it--learn to "catch ourselves in the act". Then ask God to help change our hearts.

~ Father, help me to be a "path-clearer" for others and not a "stumbling block-placer". Help me to live out the grace I have received from You. Amen.

June 18: Physical Therapy, Day 1

"As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight." Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him." Matt 20:29-34 (NIV)

Today I am hopeful. The doctor has seen the x-rays and hopefully passed them on to the Physical Therapist. A week of muscle relaxers, pain killers, anti-inflammatories and heating pads. No lifting, anything, not even a newspaper. No driving. This past week stunk. I had many things to do and several people I needed to see. Confined. Grounded. Rest. Rust. That was last week.

So like the guys sitting beside the road in the above story, I’m waiting with hopeful anticipation.

What do you do, spiritually, when you’re in an unwanted “holding pattern”?

You can wait graciously or obnoxiously. You can wait with patience or impatience. I choose grace and patience.

June 17: Breaking the Cycle

It's been said that Mother’s Day is a day devoted to honoring moms while Father’s Day is a day to beat men up for not doing a better job! That's not been my experience at all. My family treats me like a king and showers me with affection and appreciation on Father's Day--it's wonderful!

Father's Day can stir up a lot of painful stuff, though. We inherit the pain and consequences of our father’s bad choices and sins. We often repeat the same bad habits generation after generation. My own dad was physically abused as a child. He wanted to break the cycle and in many ways he did, and in some ways he failed. He had a lot to overcome.

It’s time to break the cycle. In the Old Testament the Prophet Malachi spoke for God, "See, I will send one in the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah; he will go before the Lord and will bring many of the people back to the Lord their God. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Malachi 4:5-6, Luke 1:16-17)

God wants to empower dads, to bless them and help them me a blessing to their families. Role models are needed; dads who walk with God and are committed to passing on eternal values to the next generation.

Rick Warren notes that our culture basically values four things - pleasure (I want to feel good!), possessions (I want to make a lot of money!), prestige (I want other people to envy me!), and power (I want to be in control!). The kids you care about can do better than that! We need to help cultivate substantive character and convictions.

Young people need to know we believe in them and that they have our blessing. They need to know we aren't holding on to power, territory, or authority. They need to know we believe in them and their potential to take God's love to the world.

God wants to break the cycle of abuse and resentment, to turn fathers and children’s hearts back to each other. Forgiveness brings freedom from past failure! What’s at stake if we fail?

A little boy who grows up without an involved, affectionate, affirming dad can carry a lot of hurt and bitterness. If you had an absent, preoccupied, passive or mean dad, you are probably an angry man. If you had a father who let you down you have some choices to make: repeat the sins of your father or break the cycle. Carry the pain and bitterness or forgive, and redeem your family line.

God wants to set you and your family free. Are you still bound by the sins of your father, or your father’s father? Let God set you free and set you on a course of godliness and reconciliation for generations to come. If you can reconcile your past you won’t be doomed to repeat the sins of your father or father’s father. You’ll be a good dad to your own kids, or step-kids. You will have broken the cycle. You will be free. Forgiveness brings freedom from past failure!

~ Father, thank you for the fathering I got from my own Dad and from others who helped fill in the gaps. Help me to break the cycle of generational strongholds and set the next generation free. Amen.

June 16: Sight for Blind Eyes

“Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place (61:1-2) where it is written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:16-19)

My friend and colleague Henry, who is 80+ years old and blind in his left eye, had eye surgery this week. His account:

“After 10 hours in hospital I was released and then had to go back on Thursday for the removal of the huge eye patch which covered half my face. That rally got a lot of attention when we went to Wendy's for supper.
The result of the surgery, which had three doctors in attendance and assisting along with 8 others helping, It was my joy to find that I have had up to 75% of my usable sight restored and the hope of the surgeon is that the retina will rebuild itself overtime; If not, there may be more surgery later.
I want to than all those who were praying for me during this time. Two men set the time apart and prayed during the time set for surgery. Several others made a pledge to pray during the day. This is what brought about there return of so much sight. Tell everyone I appreciate their caring concern in this. God loves you and we love you too."

Wow! Having one’s sight restored is phenomenal! That’s amazing. Jesus said that basically we all need our sight restored and He came to do that. Not our physical sight, although there are many accounts of Jesus doing that, but our spiritual sight. Jesus’ desire was that we would see the things of God clearly: His purposes and priorities. God wants us to become passionate about the things which He is passionate. .

In the Book of Revelation Jesus has a message to each of seven churches. "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
'These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!

So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:14-22)

Some say that it as apt description for the church in America today: rich and without need, but lukewarm and spiritually poor, blind and naked—pitiful. Jesus encourages the church to open the door and let Him in! To buy eye salve from Him so we can see. See what? The things that matter most to God because we’ve become distracted and side-tracked with temporary and material things.

Jesus is the Great Physician; he always wants to correct our hearing and eyesight. In spiritual terms, what does that look like in your life?

~ Father, help me to open the door and let you in to make a house call. Restore my spiritual sight and hearing to perceive things from Your point of view. Amen.

June 15: Fatherly Advice

I miss my Dad. He passed away just over five years ago, and with Father’s Day coming up he’s been on my mind a lot this week. We shared a love for baseball and gospel music. I miss his advice, his wisdom. I would give just about anything to argue politics and catch a Rangers game with him.

I’ve been reminiscing about him and some of the lessons he passed along, both intentional and accidental. I am reminded of the Book of Proverbs, wise sayings, where the father is reminding his son of what matters most:

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. (So “live long and prosper” wasn’t original with Mr. Spock)

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” (Proverbs 3:1-12)

My favorite part is “Let love and faithfulness never leave you”; those two things always seem to be in short supply in our world. Faithfulness: dependable, reliable, worthy of another’s trust. If, when people think of you these are the first two words to come to mind then you’re living life on the right track.

To be known as a man who loves people and who is faithful, who is true to his word, who is loyal to a fault…you can’t do much better than that. How do you want to be remembered by those closest to you?

~ Father, thank you for the gift of a Dad who taught lessons of lasting value. Help me to honor my Dad by putting into practice the best of what he passed on to me. Amen.

June 14: WWJK?

"The war in Iraq is out of control." A sixteen-year-old's observation. Many would concur. The rhetoric and division intensifies daily. For some, if you’re against the war you must be against the troops and unsupportive of the President. Some would say that to speak against the war is an act of treason.

In thinking about yesterday’s “thought” about Jesus-followers “turning the world upside down” and being contra-cultural, I spent some time last night re-reading the “Sermon on the Mount” as recorded in Matthew 5-7. I couldn’t help wondering how Jesus would respond to some of the issues facing America today: immigration, racism, war, same-sex marriage, etc.,

His words about how Kingdom People respond to their “enemies” continue to cause me to struggle:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-45)

Does that mean loving your enemy is pre-requisite to becoming a child of God? Yes, that’s exactly what it means.

“You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39)

Yea, I’ve heard the old saying about turning the other cheek, and if they strike that one then they better duck! Since we’ve only got two cheeks Jesus only wanted us to turn twice, right? Wrong. If you're struck a second time then you turn the first one back again, and if they strike that one, you turn the second cheek a second time. If they strike that you turn the first cheek a third time.

What you don’t do is back down. You don’t give up your position. Jesus prescribes for us neither a passive response, nor an aggressive response, but a response that stands our ground without becoming like our enemy. Jesus calls us to wage peace.

I don’t know the answer to the war question. As to the current conflict in Iraq I think it’s clear by now that there was plenty of misinformation and mismanagement. When do we get out? How do we leave without leaving a bigger mess than the current state of affairs?

I don’t know, but I keep reading the Sermon on the Mount and asking the cliché question, “What would Jesus do?”

Jesus followers are called to be people who wage peace, not war. For me the question has moved from WWJD? To WWJK? Who Would Jesus Kill? I’m having a hard time putting any names on that list.

~ Father, for those of us who try to follow the Way of Jesus, give us wisdom and courage and teach us to wage peace. Amen.

June 13: Upside Down

When we follow Jesus we go against the grain of the culture—whatever the culture. The values and “The Way” of Jesus is always contra-cultural. The word church literally means “the called out ones”.

The problem is that many churches and church folks have ceased to have an impact as “salt and light” because we are indistinguishable from the culture around us. My friend Charlie recently reminded me that “Christians will never make a difference in the world by walking, talking, dressing and drinking like the masses.”

Things haven’t changed much since the early days of the church some 2,000 years ago. The Apostle Peter reminded his readers:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, nobodies, but now you are “The People of God”; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from fleshly lusts and desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the unbelievers that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day Jesus comes again in judgment,” (1 Peter 2:9-12)

On one occasion the crowds who heard Paul and Silas preach started a riot, accusing them of being troublemakers and “turning the world upside down”. (Acts 17:1-8)

We are “aliens and strangers” in the culture, and as we live out the values of Jesus we will have the effect of turning the culture upside down, challenging its values, habits and assumptions about life—kind of a far cry from the prosperity-gospel-televangelists whose messages dovetail with the American Dream of material gain and self indulgence.

Jesus forgives us and makes us Somebodies, and then we go around singing the praises of this One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Our lives then reflect His light and we stand in contrast to the culture around us. Does Jesus make a noticeable difference in the way you live, talk, dress and drink?

~ Father, help me to live an upside-down life following The Way of Jesus. Amen.

June 12: Leaving the Nest

“I’m 18! I’m an adult, I can do what I want.”
“As long as you live under my roof you live by my rules!”
Ah, the age old battle of wills between parents reluctant to let go of control and children eager to test their wings and establish their independence.

Moving from childhood to adulthood is a process, not a singular event. If the Space shuttle, upon returning to the gravitational pull of earth after floating care-free in outer space, doesn’t pentrate the earth’s atmosphere at just the right speed and correct angle it can burn up or “bounce” into oblivion.

So it is with making the transition from a carefree childhood to the world of weighty adult responsibility—if the transition is not handles correctly….

We’ve seen many relationships crash and burn because this transition to adulthood was mishandled; sometimes too fast, sometimes too slowly. Either a "failure to launch" or the parent and/or child too eager to escape the bounds of parental authority.

God made woman from Adam and brought her to the man…Adam said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Gen 2:20-24

Biblically, when does a child become an adult? The Bar Mitzvah (Bat Mitzvah for girls) at one’s thirteenth birthday is a ceremony where the community marks the passage from childhood into adulthood. Biblically, when does an adult child shed the restraints of parental authority? No matter how old you get you’re always someone’s child.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise-- "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Eph 6:1-3

Honor and obey your parents for how long? As long as they live. Eli was a priest who was held accountable for the misbehavior of his adult children (see 1 Samuel 2).

Parental authority is like a protective umbrella that God provides. Parents and young adult children need to be careful. Don’t rush to remove the protective umbrella of parental authority.

Becoming an adult is a process, not an event. while getting one’s driver’s license, turning 18 or graduating high school does not automatically make one an adult, they are mile markers on the road to adulthood. Adulthood is not marked by an age, but when one is able to be financially self-sufficient and maintain their own job and household.

Parents would do well to remember what it was like when they were preparing to leave home and learn to adapt to an adult-to-adult relationship with their child.

The goal is a smoother transition to adulthood. Be careful not to rush the removal of the protective umbrella of parental authority. Parents and children alike are ready to launch at age 18 or “going off to college”. When they launch they will latch onto something or someone to be like a surrogate family—don’t rush to remove the umbrella of parental authority; it is a gift from God and should be in place until a person is ready to establish their own family.

~ Father, we live in a culture that over-values, and is even addicted to, independence. Teach us interdependence and the value of parental authority. Amen.

June 10: I’m Lovin’ it!

“Last year at school I fell in love with Bible class.” On Awards Day at my son’s school the young lady told her story as to how she enjoyed learning about the Bible for the first time. She spoke of an energetic teacher who used creative teaching methods to make the stories come alive.

“But this year”, she continued, “I fell in love with the Bible.” She spoke of how this ancient text still spoke with relevance to her circumstances today. She spoke of the people whom God used over the centuries to write, translate and protect—sometimes with their own lives—these sacred texts. She spoke of how she could “feel” and “hear” those things that matter most to God.

As she spoke it became evident as well that she had come to love the God that the Bible reveals.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man (or women) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The longest chapter in the Book of Psalms consists of 176 verses extolling the virtues and value of God’s word. A sampling:

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

This young woman has come to appreciate, value and even love the word of God much like the ancient song-writer had. I sat there finding myself envious. As one who has given his life to studying and teaches the Bible, often with great frequency, I must admit that sometimes it becomes mechanical and routine.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

~ Father, help me to hear your word afresh. God, daily renew my passion and excitement about hearing You speak through your Word. Amen.

June 9: Running Alongside

I mentioned in yesterday’s blog that I was at Awards Day for my son’s school. It was an unexpectedly emotional morning. It was not tears of pride for my son as he strolled across the stage, for that was not to be this year. What blew me away and had the tears rolling down my cheeks was the P.E. awards. That’s right, P.E., gym class. Go figure.

For a brief time in my life I was a middle school coach and P.E. instructor. That was 23 years and nearly 100 pounds ago.

But I digress. So, yesterday the lady coach is handing out awards and she tells the story of this one student, a young lady in 7th grade who finished running her required mile for the Presidential Fitness Awards and she kept running. She wasn’t showing off. She would run alongside a peer who was struggling, slow to their pace, and encourage them on.

When that person finished their mile, she would zero in on someone else. This girl is quiet and shy, and not one to call attention to herself. This was not about self-promotion. Everyone needed to do a mile in at least 13 minutes, a "piece of cake" for some, a struggle up Mt. Everest for others.

She ran alongside, whispering, “We can do this. Keep it up. Almost there.” She continued this, helping one classmate to finish, and then finding another who was about to run out of gas. She did this until the track was cleared, everyone had finished…and within the allotted time. Wow! Yes, I’m leaking again as I write about the episode.

That’s a picture of what Jesus does for us through the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13)

The word for Holy Spirit in the original language literally means “the one who walks alongside.” So Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, does for us everyday what that young lady did for her classmates: He walks alongside us, encouraging us, correcting us, and teaching us. He is our Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace.

As you’re running (the rat race?) today, feel His presence; hear His encouraging words. He is alive! And He is your running mate. “Since we have life by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)

~ Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit. Help me to stay in step. Amen.

June 8: Awards Day

Today is the last day of school for my eighth grade son. They have finished their final exams, the test books have been returned and the lockers cleared out. All that remains is Awards Day. It is quite the celebration. They try to keep things high-spirited and moving as they recognize those with perfect attendance, academic and athletic excellence and announce scholarships being awarded to the graduating seniors.

God will have an Awards Day one day. “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)

Now that’s an award—a crown. A prize reserved for kings. For those who long for His appearing and keep the faith. What shall the faithful do with such an award? Is there a trophy case in which to display it? Wear it with pride daily?

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." (Revelation 4:9-11)

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon the throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but it’s own.
Awake, my soul and sing for Him who died for me,
And hail Him as thy matchless King throughout eternity!

All hail the power of Jesus’ name, let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all.

~ Father, help me to always be in the habit of casting my crowns at your feet—giving credit where credit is due, for I am nothing were it not for You. Amen.

June 5: Spinning Wheels

He was stuck. Life had become a rut, an endless cycle of predictable and unfulfilling routine. Wheels constantly spinning but never going anywhere. Sound familiar? Statistics show that the majority of Americans dislike their jobs, feel stuck, under-challenged, unappreciated and unfulfilled.

God will take us on an incredible, fulfilling adventure as we follow His will and learn His plan for our lives. “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

I don’t remember the speaker. He was at a conference in Richmond a couple of years ago. But I will never forget the teaching about living into God’s future and living a rut-less life:

The Bible teaches us that “without faith it is impossible to please God,” (Hebrews 11:6) Without trusting Him and obeying Him we can’t bring Him pleasure. What does faith feel like? It feels like risk. When we are following Him we are out of our comfort zone, eyes wind open, wind-in-the-face, uncertain, heart-pounding, fully alive—and totally dependent on Him. It’s scary and exciting all at the same time.

Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)

God speaks, we step. God speaks, we step. That’s the pattern. Learning to listen for the voice of God takes patience and practice. Learning to follow what He shows us takes trust and courage. It’s dangerous. It’s life-altering. It’s the only way to really live.

~ Father, help me to discern your voice in the midst of all the noise. Give me the courage to trust and obey. Amen.

June 4: First Things First

I’m back. Yes, these daily devotionals, or inspirational ramblings, or whatever they are will continue; although, for a while I wasn’t so sure. I seriously considered discontinuing this endeavor and shutting down the blogsite. The problem was I was spending too much time in front of screens, be it computer or TV, and not enough time involved in face-to-face relationships with human beings.

Part of it was avoidance on my part, the old procrastination demon, and not wanting to deal with some of the people and issues in my life. The excuse of “having to do some work on the computer” was just a smoke screen. Do you ever do that? Feign a heavy work-load or other obligations to put off and avoid what really needs your attention? Nah, I’m the only one, right?

Anyway, I have spent the last few days re-connecting with people. Real life, flesh and blood, complicated and sometimes frustrating, people whom God loves dearly and for whom Jesus died. People. When it comes down to it relationships are what matter most (see blog for April 23). Why is it God has to repeat the same lessons over and over and we are so slow to “get it”?

So the last few days this site has been silent while I’ve been trying to put first things first. Friday I spent the morning talking with my friends who were having a tough week (see May 31 blog). Saturday we had “Summer Fest ‘07”, a big carnival type event that our church gives to the community free of charge. It was a blast and we made lots of new friends. I overdid it and the back is out of whack once again. I think it’s time to make friends with a chiropractor.

People matter most. I often get so wrapped up in my thing-to-do-list, so task-oriented, that I forget to put people first. I was reminded yesterday by my friend Steve that we are human BEINGS not human DOINGS. Maybe you see yourself in these reflections. People matter most and people, not things or activity, need the best of us—the best of our time and energy.

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:36-40)

Who do you know that could benefit from your undivided attention today? Let’s you and I push back from the screen now and put first things, I mean people, first.

~ Father, thanks for the reminder that people are always your highest priority. Help my life to reflect that. Amen.