This morning, as I was praying, I found myself praying a unique prayer for my children.
Anyone who knows me knows that I hate to lose. I don't dislike it, I HATE to lose. Yet, I found myself praying for God to help my kids win enough to be confident that they can win any fight or struggle. But not to win so much that they get arrogant and proud, thinking that they can handle life without God.
This prayer finds its roots in a conversation I had with another dad at a basketball game recently. He has a great son, but he has some natural "weaknesses" to becoming a great basketball player. As we were talking I reminded him that my goal is to raise a great man, not a star basketball player. Neither one of our sons will play in the NBA. So, at some point, it ceases to be about sports and about character and physical training.
I wonder if this is how God views our struggles. He wants us to win every battle, but winning isn't nearly as important growing character. Maybe this struggle you are in isn't one for you to win, but one for you to GROW CHARACTER through!
Stay tough and stay in the fight!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Attitude Adjustment
I have a problem with my attitude!
If someone pushes me, I want to push them back harder. If I am wronged, I feel entitled to hold a grudge. If things don't go my way, I feel that I should be able to pout in an attempt to get my way.
Yesterday, I was on a phone conversation with someone with all those attitudes. They sounded so childish.... so entitled...... so ugly..... Then a realization hit me straight in the mouth. That is how I sound when I let my attitude go.
It was to people like me that Jesus spoke the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 4-6). He starts with the "BeAttitudes" which outline the attitudes of a person who is truly happy. Unfortunately, those don't look very much like my attitudes. According to Jesus, the person who is blessed is the one getting kicked around and taking it.
Then, he goes on to say that isn't so much the action, but the attitude behind the sin. Adultery is a matter of the heart; lust is committed long before sex happens. Murder is a matter of the heart; your anger reveals that you think you are better than the other. Swearing isn't about words; it is a desire to control God and humans.
I don't have time to talk about "giving to those who ask" and "turning the other cheek." And, I am not really sure that I want to.
My point is that we all have this entitled two year old inside us. And Jesus informs us that the only way to live a truly happy and fulfilled life is to reject that selfish person and become a giving, loving person.
I guess now we know why most people are really miserable!!!
If someone pushes me, I want to push them back harder. If I am wronged, I feel entitled to hold a grudge. If things don't go my way, I feel that I should be able to pout in an attempt to get my way.
Yesterday, I was on a phone conversation with someone with all those attitudes. They sounded so childish.... so entitled...... so ugly..... Then a realization hit me straight in the mouth. That is how I sound when I let my attitude go.
It was to people like me that Jesus spoke the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 4-6). He starts with the "BeAttitudes" which outline the attitudes of a person who is truly happy. Unfortunately, those don't look very much like my attitudes. According to Jesus, the person who is blessed is the one getting kicked around and taking it.
Then, he goes on to say that isn't so much the action, but the attitude behind the sin. Adultery is a matter of the heart; lust is committed long before sex happens. Murder is a matter of the heart; your anger reveals that you think you are better than the other. Swearing isn't about words; it is a desire to control God and humans.
I don't have time to talk about "giving to those who ask" and "turning the other cheek." And, I am not really sure that I want to.
My point is that we all have this entitled two year old inside us. And Jesus informs us that the only way to live a truly happy and fulfilled life is to reject that selfish person and become a giving, loving person.
I guess now we know why most people are really miserable!!!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Crazy Faith
I am trying to get Life Insurance. My old policy will run out soon and it is time to renew for the next 15-20 years. So, after getting a quote, I have to go through their questions.... have you ever used tobacco, alcohol, had an MRI, drove a race car, take any prescriptions, have high cholesterol..... yadda, yadda, yadda. The question that got me was, "do you have high blood pressure?" My answer, "I didn't when I started this phone call!"
So, last night I spent nearly an hour giving details about nearly every activity in my life. Why? Because they have charts to determine if I am likely to live to 66.
After that, I took three young men from our church out to dinner. Each one feels called by God into full time ministry. As we talked, I heard the same kind of stuff coming from them that I did the insurance company. (I am not picking on them, I do the same stuff.)
Before we make an investment, we like to make sure it is safe. We ask questions and make plans to cover our loses. Why? Because all of us have an aversion to stepping into the risky unknown.
Our family has been reading through the book of Genesis in our nightly devotions. This time through, I have been struck by the FAITH of Abram (or Abraham). He was living comfortably in the Chaldean area (it is known as the Fertile Crescent). There was culture, food and the comforts of life. Then.... God called him to leave Ur of the Chaldeans and "go to a land I will show you."
What was Abram's response? He got up and left.
And when He got there, he had some hallucinations that made him think God told him to take a knife to his MANHOOD!!! And He DID IT!!!! This is why Abram is called the father of those who have faith.
So, what is God wanting you to do? What crazy action do you need to take by faith.... no safety net, no 5,000 questions first, no guarantees. Just faith!
So, last night I spent nearly an hour giving details about nearly every activity in my life. Why? Because they have charts to determine if I am likely to live to 66.
After that, I took three young men from our church out to dinner. Each one feels called by God into full time ministry. As we talked, I heard the same kind of stuff coming from them that I did the insurance company. (I am not picking on them, I do the same stuff.)
Before we make an investment, we like to make sure it is safe. We ask questions and make plans to cover our loses. Why? Because all of us have an aversion to stepping into the risky unknown.
Our family has been reading through the book of Genesis in our nightly devotions. This time through, I have been struck by the FAITH of Abram (or Abraham). He was living comfortably in the Chaldean area (it is known as the Fertile Crescent). There was culture, food and the comforts of life. Then.... God called him to leave Ur of the Chaldeans and "go to a land I will show you."
What was Abram's response? He got up and left.
And when He got there, he had some hallucinations that made him think God told him to take a knife to his MANHOOD!!! And He DID IT!!!! This is why Abram is called the father of those who have faith.
So, what is God wanting you to do? What crazy action do you need to take by faith.... no safety net, no 5,000 questions first, no guarantees. Just faith!
Monday, January 7, 2013
The Message of Hebrews
So last Friday, it was my day off and I was the only one in my house awake. The kids were off school for Christmas break... and I can't sleep in.
I know that I have an hour or two of silence, so I started reading the Bible. When I reached my bookmark in the book of Hebrews, I read the chapter. Oddly, I noticed that the author of Hebrews is telling people that we should be faithful to Jesus because he SUFFERED.
A little background will help here. The book of Hebrews is written to people who were undergoing some pretty severe persecution for the cause of Christ. They were being ostracized from the community, were having their houses confiscated and were not able to participate in such activities as buying food.
So, when thinking about what I would tell these people, I thought to myself that my message would be "Jesus is alive, so you too will Overcome." That caused me to start at the beginning of the book and read the entire book of Hebrews looking to locate the message of the resurrection.
Imagine my angst as I work through the first THIRTEEN CHAPTERS.... without even one reference to Christ's resurrection. By now, my mind is working overtime. Why isn't the author mentioning the resurrection? Doesn't he really believe that Jesus is alive? Why is his message only that Jesus accomplished great things through SUFFERING?
Then, I find it.... just five verses from the end of the book.
Why not take a few minutes and read Hebrews this week!
I know that I have an hour or two of silence, so I started reading the Bible. When I reached my bookmark in the book of Hebrews, I read the chapter. Oddly, I noticed that the author of Hebrews is telling people that we should be faithful to Jesus because he SUFFERED.
A little background will help here. The book of Hebrews is written to people who were undergoing some pretty severe persecution for the cause of Christ. They were being ostracized from the community, were having their houses confiscated and were not able to participate in such activities as buying food.
So, when thinking about what I would tell these people, I thought to myself that my message would be "Jesus is alive, so you too will Overcome." That caused me to start at the beginning of the book and read the entire book of Hebrews looking to locate the message of the resurrection.
Imagine my angst as I work through the first THIRTEEN CHAPTERS.... without even one reference to Christ's resurrection. By now, my mind is working overtime. Why isn't the author mentioning the resurrection? Doesn't he really believe that Jesus is alive? Why is his message only that Jesus accomplished great things through SUFFERING?
Then, I find it.... just five verses from the end of the book.
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)It wasn't that the author of Hebrews didn't know Jesus was alive. It wasn't that he was rejecting the resurrection as the reason for his faith. He was intentionally highlighting the suffering of Jesus as an EXAMPLE to us that suffering accomplishes a great work before God.
Why not take a few minutes and read Hebrews this week!
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