How to Pick a Fight with a Christian

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The fastest way to start a fight with a Christian is to engage him or her in a conversation about music – music for church as well as what they play on their mp3 player or in their car.  The hymns vs. praise song battles are well documented and that is a can I will leave closed for now.  Most would be surprised, however, to find that many believers are just as defensive about their personal choice of music AWAY from church as they are about the kind of music they prefer IN church.

When King Saul rebelled against God, the Bible says the spirit of the Lord departed from him and a “harmful” spirit from the Lord tormented him (1 Samuel 16).  Without going into the exegesis of the “harmful spirit,” suffice it to say, Saul was miserable.  His advisors suggested someone come and play music in order to soothe his spirit.  By God’s designed, the greatest worship song writer ever, David, came to play for Saul.

“And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.” 1 Samuel 16:23

David’s music affected Saul in three positive ways: emotionally (refreshed), physically (was well), and spiritually (the harmful spirit departed).

Because music has access to the deepest resources of our being, we need to be aware of its effects on our lives and be more discriminating with the music to which you listen.  Worldly music exposes us to worldly values, and Biblical music exposes us to Biblical truth.

I am not referring to style, but rather to message.  Musical tones and sounds are the vehicle in which thoughts and ideas travel to the deepest resources of our being.  I challenge you to pay more careful attention to lyrics.  Do away with junk and instead choose music that exalts Christ, is consistent with Biblical truth, and brings your thoughts captive to Christ.

Turn off the world’s garbage and choose instead to listen to good “Christ-centered” music.  You will find it amazing how beneficial truth accompanied by music can affect your mood, thinking, and ultimately your actions.

 

Spiritual Cancer

Cancer is a most insidious disease.  I’ve read that all of us carry cancer-causing carcinogens in our bodies, and for many those carcinogens lie dormant for years, sometimes forever.  At some point, a trigger activates a particular carcinogen and cancer begins to grow unknown to the person hosting those cancer cells.  By the time a diagnoses detects cancer, it has become dangerous and radical treatment is in order.

Bitterness is to the spirit what cancer is to the body – an insidious but destructive hidden element that grows until it does its carrier harm.  Consider wise counsel from God’s Word:

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled… – Hebrews 12:15

Notice that bitterness begins as a root.  Something happens to me that I do not like, someone hurts me or attacks me, or I harbor ill feelings toward someone that I refuse to resolve.  The negativity inside of me seems harmless, no one knows about it but me, and the few(?) people to whom I express my displeasure, but if I am harboring unforgiveness, and if I do not release the hurt I am feeling, then trouble looms.  My untreated bitterness will result in the hurt of others.  Just as an oncologist proactively and radically deals with cancer, so also we must radically deal with unforgiveness before it becomes bitterness and if it’s too late, then deal with the bitterness before it explodes.

Notice the verse above cautions, “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God…”  Since we have received grace from God, we need to extend grace to others.  If you have been hurt, let go, forgive.  Forgive as often as the hurt tries to return, over and over, daily, several times a day.  Ask God to heal your hurt and live in the freedom of forgiveness.  If you ask God to give you enough grace to forgive those who have hurt you, He will give you enough to have plenty left over for yourself to heal your hurt.

Daily Bible Reading – January 26 – February 1

January 26 – Genesis 27, Matthew 26, Esther 3, Acts 26

January 27 – Genesis 28, Matthew 27, Esther 4, Acts 27

January 28 – Genesis 29, Matthew 28, Esther 5, Acts 28

January 29 – Genesis 30, Mark 1, Esther 6, Romans 1

January 30 – Genesis 31, Mark 2, Esther 7, Romans 2

January 31 – Genesis 32, Mark 3, Esther 8, Romans 3

February 1 – Genesis 33, Mark 4, Esther 9‐10, Romans 4

Review: The Coffee Shop that Changed a Church

CoffeeShopFinalCoverWEBOver the last several years, I have noticed a new genre of leadership books arise in which leadership principles unfold through the narrative of a story creating a mixture of fiction and non-fiction in the same writing.  I find this type of writing helpful because the reader immediately sees explanation, illustration, and application of the principles, making them easier to understand.

Dr. Steve Parr has brought this type of writing to the Church in his newest book The Coffee Shop that Changed a Church.  Dr. Parr’s work is both inspirational and information.  The compelling narrative of a fictional Rev. Mitch Walker of the Stanton Community Church engages all of the elements of a good story, leaving the reader in anticipation of what happens next.

Through Walker’s experiences, the reader learns the value and process of mentoring as Rev. Walker is mentor by older, more experienced, and seemingly “successful” Marc Benton, pastor of a prominent church in the county.  Walker in turn mentors members of his congregation, which results in a surprising twist in the last chapter of the book.

The book also shows the difficulties and blessings of pastoral ministry.  Walker deals with the usual struggles of vision, time, and expectations.  Mean-spirited members challenge him, well-meaning members place unreasonable expectations on him, a lost community burdens him, and his family encourages him. Most pastors I know will identify with most of his experiences.

Finally, fulfilling the purpose of the story, the book presents a method of saturating a community with the Gospel of Jesus through six principles collectively called The Net Effect.  The story relates Walker’s efforts to engage Stanton Community Church in each of the six principles.  Dr. Parr has always been his best when training leaders to share their faith.  The Net Effect is simple enough for any church to engage, and practical enough to adapt to any community or context.

I commend the book to pastors of every church – large, small, or in between.  I also believe every lay leader would benefit from the book in two ways.  First, the leader will gain an insight into the struggles of a pastor in a typical church.  Then the leader can see better ways to encourage pastors.  Second, the leader will learn principles that he or she can use along side of the pastor to help the church engage the Great Commission in their community.

Thank you, Dr. Parr.  You have given a great gift to the Church.

Disposing of Disposable Living

flash cubeWe live in a disposable world. I shave with a disposable razor, we use disposable batteries in our electronics, when our printer runs out of ink, we dispose of the cartridge and replace it with a new one. Out with the old, in with the new.

One of the first disposable items I remember from my childhood was the disposable flash bulbs in our family camera. It was in the shape of a cube and attached to the top of the camera. When you used the flash, the cube rotated a readied a fresh bulb for the next flash. Once you used it four times, you could pop it out, dispose of it, and replace it with a new one.

One of the greatest disposable inventions is the disposable diaper. Thankfully, I began my parenting responsibilities in the disposable age. I can’t imagine rinsing out a soiled diaper and taking it to the wash pile. Now, when Precious makes a boo-boo, you pop off the soiled diaper, dispose of it, and replace it with a new one. Viola! Powder fresh!

Unfortunately, the disposable mentality has bled over into areas of our lives where permanence should prevail. If our car no longer pleases us, all we have to do is dispose of it (via trade-in), and replace it with a new one. Never mind the increasing monthly payments. If we get tired of a relationship or it no longer serves our purpose? Too easily we can dispose of it, and replace it with a new one. Never mind the messy emotional destruction left behind. If our religion or church no longer makes us happy, all we have to do is dispose of it, and replace it with a new one.

Let me encourage you not to give up when that seems to be easiest thing to do. When you’re test or tried, hang in there. Stay faithful and let God finish the work He started in you. How many times have we given up on something when God was on the verge of showing us His breakthrough? Hang in there, whatever you are tempted to give up, don’t dispose of it, and replace it with a new one. Let God finish.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6

Why Jesus Is Better Than Krispy Kreme Donuts

We all find ourselves sometimes dissatisfied and disappointed.  The trick is to make sure we do not develop  a terminal case as have some.  You know the type – never happy about anything, and it is always someone or something else’s fault.  These are the people who are writing sentences in the their life story using nothing but the objective voice.

We develop this dissatisfaction when we seek satisfaction in something or someone other than Christ.  We get dissatisfied in a relationship and we break it off to look for another one.  Our church no longer satisfies, so off we go to one that seems to be more appealing.  We our possessions, so we trade them in on one newer and potentially more satisfying ones.  The trouble with this routine is that the new relationship, church, or possession eventually ceases to satisfy and we start the routine all over again.

Jesus told at crowd who followed him looking for food that He is the Bread of Life.  He compared himself to the manna God supplied his people on their journey through the wilderness. (John 6:31-35) It’s hard to imagine the people growing weary of manna.  Numbers 11:8 describes manna as tasting like a pastry cooked in the finest oil.  Sounds like a donut to me.  Imagine getting to eat donuts every day and not only did they NOT harm you, but rather they benefited you.  Who could possibly grow weary of donuts?   When the people complained God sent them quail, so much so that they soon grew sick of quail.  They sought satisfaction from some other source than God’s provision and it turned out noxious.

If you find yourself dissatisfied, you are expecting someone or something else to fill a role in your life only Jesus can fill.  Return your focus to Jesus. Read His Word, pray, serve Him. Find your sense of belonging and purpose in Him.  Look to Him as the source of all that is right and good in your life.  You will NEVER be disappointed or dissatisfied.

Preaching My Own Funeral

Since preparing to make some remarks at the home-going celebration of a dear saint of God last week, one question has stuck with me, “What do I want the preacher to say about me at my funeral?” 

In the chorus to their hit song “A Good Man,” country band Emerson Drive sings this lyric:

I want to be the one when all is said and done who lived a good life, loved a good wife and always helped someone in trouble, on the day they lay me down I want everyone to gather ’round and say, “He was a father, a brother, a neighbor, and a friend… he was a good man.” 

Preaching in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, Paul had the following to day of King David: 

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption. – Acts 13:36

We can find a plethora of good things with which to occupy our lives. It is a noble intention to be good spouses, parents, teachers, workers, friends, and citizens.  In the end, however, will we be able to say honestly, “I have served the purposes of God for my lifetime”?  Have we lived our lives in a self-serving manner, doing what we want, when we want, and how we want to do it; or have we given our lives to discovering and fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives?

Take some time today to ponder the direction your life is going.  God has set your life on a trajectory of His choosing.  His purpose for our life has both “big picture” elements as well as everyday carpe diem elements.  Ask God to reveal what He wants from you today, and set about serving His purpose.

Football Coaches, Bad Guys, and Grace

Last week, the University of Louisville hired Bobby Petrino to be it’s football coach…for the second time.

Bobby Petrino was previously the coach at Louisville from 2003-2006, before leaving to coach the 2007 Atlanta Falcons and beginning what would become an incredible story of self-destruction.  Thirteen games into the 2007 season, Petrino abruptly resigned as the Falcons’ coach to become coach at the University of Arkansas.  He left without addressing his players, only leaving them a typed note in their lockers at their practice facility on a Tuesday morning.

He coached for 3 seasons at Arkansas before again being caught up in scandal.  He admitted to an affair with a female staffer after taking her for a ride and subsequently wrecking his motorcycle, and was fired after school officials learned he had engaged in other questionable activities while their coach.

On January 9, 2014, Louisville announced Petrino had been hired again to coach their football team.  So…why the blog about him?

One side of me cynically cries “foul” that one with such a nefarious track record could be given this opportunity.  It just doesn’t seem fair that one of the “bad guys” caught a break.  In reality, however, I’ve come to remember that we are ALL “bad guys.”  Romans 3:10 reminds us that there is none righteous.

God’s grace gives all of us bad guys a shot at redemption.  The Petrino hiring serves as a vivid reminder of the grace upon grace that I have received from God.  God gave me a second shot… and a third shot… and a fourth shot…and  a 5000th shot.  I now must learn to extend grace to other bad guys like me.

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
    O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,
    that you may be feared. – Psalm 130:3-4

Shrinking Me

January is the most profitable month for fitness centers and other health related businesses. Many people flock to the gym to pursue their New Year’s resolution to rid themselves of the additions gained during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.

Truth be told, though, there needs to be a lot less of me. Not just in weight, but in actions, attitudes, affections. One verse weighing heavily on my heart already this year is a very simple one, yet very convicting:

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30

John’s disciples were beginning to feel a little threatened by Jesus’ new ministry that was on the rise. However, John had spent his entire ministry preparing for this time, and reminded his followers that now was the time for all of them to become Jesus’ followers. After all, it wasn’t about John, it was about Jesus.

I am still struggling to remind myself of a similar truth as well: it is not about Jim, it is about Jesus. If I am not careful, I fall into a deep “me” pit. I begin to view my life as if I am the central point.

These attitudes and all other selfish thoughts are as dangerous to the spiritual heart as cholesterol, triglycerides, and trans fats are to the physical heart. They weigh us down with excess spiritual fat and jeopardize our health.

The four most dangerous people in my life: I, me, my, and mine.

The fact remains – we cannot look inward and upward at the same time. How about you? Have you gotten spiritually fat and out shape from overindulgence in selfish pursuits and perspectives?

Resist the urge to be self-seeking, but rather seek nothing less than to please HIM with everything you do.

My New Year’s resolution for this year – MORE JESUS, less Jim. What about you?

Thankful for My Limp

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You would have thought he had experienced enough pain. Because of his deceitful ways, Jacob had infuriated his family and had to run away from home to escape his brother’s wrath. He went to live with a distant relative, fell in love, and planned to marry, only to experience deceit himself when his uncle tricked him into marrying the older, less attractive sister. Finally, he got the wife he wanted, but after fourteen years of living with his uncle, the tension was already at a boiling point and it was time to leave again.

He took his wives and his belongings and decided to head home hoping to make amends with his family. This man who took pleasure in getting his way by deceiving others now bore the soul pain of being deceived. For once in his life, he knew how those he had deceived felt, and finally he was remorseful. Nevertheless, he wondered if his brother would be gracious or vengeful.

The evening before the last leg of his trip home, he sent his family, his possessions, and the peace offering to his brother on ahead, and he stayed back to prepare himself and to reflect. As he slept that night, a stranger awakened him and a wrestling match ensued that lasted the whole night. Jacob held his own, and his sparring partner finally asked to be released. Jacob refused to release him without a blessing. This wrestling match changed Jacob’s life; a change signified by a name change from Jacob, which means “deceiver” to Israel, which means “one who struggled with God.” The rest of the story of course is that Jacob and his descendents finally settled and inhabited Palestine and became the nation of Israel.

However, if we read the story too hastily, we miss a subtle blessing in the story. During the wrestling match, Jacob’s opponent dislocated Jacob’s hip. Genesis 32:31 tells us that Jacob was “limping because of his hip.” He got his blessing, but in the process, he received a permanent reminder of this encounter with God: a gimpy hip. Every step he took, he lived with the memory of this life-changing encounter. I could think of a better souvenir – maybe a tee shirt, mug, or pin, but Jacob had a painful and constant reminder of the struggles he went through, lest he forget that the blessing of God comes at a cost, the cost of humility and sacrifice.

I have a few gimpy joints in my soul too. People have hurt me, circumstances have disappointed me, sins have beset me; but through it all, God has brought me through and given me a blessing while in the struggle. I am learning to see my limp as a reminder of the goodness and grace of God. Yes, I am thankful to walk with Jacob’s limp. It reminds me that I am not what I want to be, but praise God, I am not what I used to be.