Sunday morning church is the highlight of the week for many of us who follow Jesus.  We cannot deny the special effect of joining with other believers in worship.  With that in mind, I want to recommend a few practices to help us maximize our time together.

1.  Begin preparing for Sunday on Monday. 

Corporate worship combines the collective input of individual worshipers in attendance.  The more each worshiper brings, the greater the gift we give to God in worship.  In fact, the impact of each worshiper on the whole is exponential.

During the week, pray daily for those involved in leading worship.  Worship God each day during the week so that you too bring a heightened sense of God’s presence with you on Sunday.

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Psalm 90:12 – “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

At funerals, I’ve often used that verse to preface the recounting of the life events of the deceased.  In those cases I would count the number of days the person had lived, extolling the importance of a single day. For the record, as I write this I am 19,943 days old.

Interestingly, Psalm 90 was written by Moses.  As far as we know, this is the oldest of the psalms in the inspired collection we have in our Bible.  Psalm 90 is a Psalm about the length, breadth, and depth of life.

I believe that Moses’ challenge to “number our days” is more than a mathematical challenge.  More than an accounting of the quantity of days, this challenge is to mark the quality of our days.

Count Our Days

First, in numbering our days, we look back at the days we have lived.  We trace the hand of God guiding us through our lives thus far.  What can we learn from the ups and downs of our lives?  Have we gained insight from our mistakes?  Grown through our pain? Have we given thanks for both the victories and defeats of our lives? 

Taking time out every so often to reflect back gives us perspective on where we are and where are going. 

Additionally, numbering our days means we look ahead to recognize we are finite.  We have a limited number of days on Earth.  We must ask ourselves the question, “what does God want to accomplish with the remainder of me life?”

Do you live your life on purpose?  Are you on a mission, and is your mission Christ-centered?  Or conversely, do you intend to live out the remaining string of days “playing by ear”?  Do you plan to take each day as it comes and go with the flow? 

Let me challenge to you live INTENTIONALLY.  Ask God how you can use your remaining days for HIS purposes.  Then start taking steps in that direction.

Make Our Days Count

Finally, numbering our days reminds us to make the most of today.  A life consists of individual days continuously strung together. We build a strong life by living strong days.

Do you have unfinished business in your life?  Then what are you waiting for?  Get on it.  Take a step toward fulfillment today. Make today count!  You cannot change what HAS BEEN and in the immediate you may not be able to change what IS.  However, you can begin today to change what WILL BE.

Be grateful instead of grumpy.

Encourage rather than discourage.

Yield instead of demand.

Give much more than you take.

Put others before yourself; and make sure to put Jesus FIRST.

Gaining Wisdom

Moses’ goal in his challenge to number our days is that we would grow in wisdom.  Knowledge is knowing stuff.  Understanding is knowing why what you know is so.  But wisdom.  Wisdom is know what to DO with what you know.

Numbering our days will help us to see what God has been doing all along.  We will also see what He will do with us beginning today and for the rest of our days.

It’s not so much about counting the days as it is making the days count.

For further reading:

Living Intentionally

Recently, Georgia and other states have passed pro-life legislation aimed at saving the lives of unborn children.  I don’t think the backlash and criticism has surprised anyone of us who supported such legislation.  Chief among the critics has been the establishment known as “Hollywood.”

No shortage of actors and actresses have expressed their opinions and threatened to no longer bless Georgia with their work.  To be honest, a great deal of filmmaking and TV production takes place in our state.  Of late I have become a fan of the Marvel Comic Universe’s Avengers film series.  Marvel shot a lot of scenes from recent Avengers movies here in Georgia.

A Question of Priority – Pro-Life or Money

Essentially what has happened is that two incompatible viewpoints have drawn their respective “lines in the sand.”  The Pro-Life community has place high-value on the life of the unborn and taken a bold step to protect them.  The Pro-Abortion community has placed high-value on escaping the consequences of an unwanted conception.  Hollywood, in large part, falls in line with the Pro-Abortion community.

These two lines in the sand cannot exist on the same beach.

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According to Greek mythology, Narcissus fell in love with his own image while observing his reflection in the water.  The inability to have what he desired most – himself – led him to eventually take his own life.

I know a lot of modern day Narcissists who have fallen in love with themselves.  However, we there is a way that gazing on our own reflection can benefit us.  Rather than gazing at our “image,” we can benefit from a gaze into our heart.

As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man. – Proverbs 27:19

Reflection of our Heart

Our modern culture has romanticized the part of us that Bible calls our heart.  We tend to think of the heart merely in terms of emotions and feelings. On the other hand, the Bible includes so much more in the human heart.

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Graduation season is upon us. When conferring diplomas or degrees on graduates, the officiant says something to the effect of “having met the requirements of…” One must meet certain requirements in order to complete the course and receive a diploma or degree.

While “spiritual graduation” does not come for the Christian until we get to heaven, we currently engage the course load.  Just as high school or college graduates know the requirements before they begin, do we understand our requirements?

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you…?” Micah 6:8a

A Caveat Concerning Requirements

A student does not have to meet the graduation requirements to enroll.  They enroll to begin working toward them.  Enrollment comes with a different set of requirements – GPA, entrance exams, and, of course, application fees and other financial concerns.

In like manner, the verse above does not introduce requirements to entering into a covenant with God.  These requirements apply to those already in covenant relationship; explain how God expects His people to progress through life’s course.  We enter into a covenant relationship with God, not through our deeds, but through Jesus His Son.  Works do not earn our way into God’s favor. We receive it through our repentance and faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross.

However, God does expect us to follow a certain course of life on our way to heaven’s graduation ceremony.  What we find in Micah 6:8 provides a summary of those “graduation requirements.”

Electives Are Not Requirements

Every degree comes with a specific list of required courses.  Those required courses constitute the majority of the hours earned toward the degree. Additionally, a student can fill other hours with classes of their own choosing called “electives.”  If a student only took elective classes, however, he or she would not fulfill the requirements for the degree.

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My dad died 10 years ago today.  I miss his physical presence, his words of advice, and the comfort of a father’s love. 

Last night, our family went to see the latest Avengers blockbuster movie, End Game.  Don’t worry, no spoilers for those who want to see it and haven’t had the chance yet.  But there was one scene that I silently pondered as I went to bed last night, and continued this morning.

One of the movie’s heroes, Tony Stark (Iron Man), traveled back in time and had an encounter with his father.  Much of the Iron Man saga involves Tony’s struggles coping his dad’s death when Tony was a child.  During the exchange, Tony had a chance to let his dad know how much he appreciated all he had done for him.

That scene led me to think about what I would say to my dad if I had the chance to speak to Him today.  I thought of all the life lessons I learned from my dad. I didn’t realize what I was learning from him until much later in life.

So I want to share three life lessons I retrospectively learned from my dad.

Moments Matter

I have a lot of memories of doing things with my dad.  Some of those were the big events like vacations, significant life events, and celebrations.  But many of my memories today are of simple moments my dad and I spent together, just the two of us. 

I remember conversations we had while riding down the road, just the two of us.  Also, I remember sitting together while watching ballgames on TV. I can remember working together on projects around the house.

I remember the time my dad showed me the old church and the spring fed pool where he was baptized.  I remember going to work with him when I was little and getting to eat out for lunch.  Hadden’s Cafeteria. Ponderosa Steakhouse. Long John Silver’s.  So many others.

If you are a parent, the simple times we spend with our kids will one day matter more than the stuff we bought them.  Time is our most precious commodity.  Why not invest most of it in the people that matter the most.

Today Does Not Define You

My dad and I were a lot alike.  I was a smart-mouthed and cocky kid.  (No surprise, I’m sure). My dad was also a bit, uhm, impetuous and would speak before thinking.  You can imagine the interesting “extreme family fellowship” that combination created.  Sadly, I look back and recognize that same impetuousness in me produced similar consequences in my family. 

But as my dad aged, he mellowed.  Or maybe I grew up and didn’t push his buttons as much. I like to think it was a grand combination of both.  Whatever the cause, with age for both us came sweeter memories.

I hope I mellow with age like my dad did.  I hope that as I grow older I recognize better what does and doesn’t matter. By God’s grace, I want to be able to see the big picture better and act accordingly.

Parents, let’s take stock of the things that push our buttons.  Are they really that important?  Do they really matter that much? Do they matter more than the person involved?

You Can’t Be Perfect, So Be Good

I know my dad was not a perfect man.  He had many flaws.  Not as many as I do, but he had his fair share.  But his lack of perfection did not keep him from being good.  He was a committed Christian who lived life the right way.  He sinned like all of us do.  But at the end of it all, the story arc of his life showed that he allowed God to grow him.

I wonder if my dad laid in bed at night troubled by his lack of perfection?  Did he lose sleep grieving over his “screw ups”?  I know I do with mine.  Whether or not he did that, he did NOT allow them to keep him from growing as a person.

I saw many of my dad’s flaws, and I am not so naïve to believe there were many I didn’t see.  But in my eyes, his imperfection never obscured his goodness.  Imperfections and all, I sit here to day and assess his life as good. This imperfect man had a superlatively positive impact on me.

Parents, you aren’t going to be perfect.  You know it, and your kids know it.  Therefore, quit trying to be perfect and just be real.  Don’t let the inevitability of your imperfection keep you from being your best YOU.  You are making a greater impact than you realize.  Your kids may not realize it until you’re gone.  But they will realize it.

Concluding Thoughts

Wow.  This was more difficult to write than I imagined when I started.  I am glad to know when my dad entered the presence of Jesus, he heard “well done, good and faithful servant.”  He deserved to hear it.  I wish I had the chance to tell him myself.

I hope to be 10% of the man my dad was. My prayer is my daughter will look back later in her life I remember moments. Consequently, I hope she will realize that in spite of my besetting imperfection that I love her and want God’s best for her.

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” – Luke 23:34 

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Father, forgive them.  Who are they? A lot of different groups, witnessed (and surprisingly didn’t witness) Jesus’ crucifiction. Today, let’s think about the soldiers.

They were soldiers

The Bible gives no definitive description of the deployment of Roman soldiers thought the arrest, trial, and burial of Jesus.  We may safely assume that as Jesus passed through the process that a diferent detachment of soldiers took responsibility.  If that was indeed the case, the soldiers around the cross were more than like “crucifixion specialists.” 

That day they were just doing their job The cruelty of crucifixion.  These soldiers had served this detail so many times, it had become to them just another part of the job. They mocked Jesus and made sport of His tragic death.  All the while they knew “not what they did.”

What they thought was just another routine execution was the single climatic event to which all creation pointed.  This was not ordinary day.  This day would change the kosmos forever.  What seemed to be another sap on a cross was the Lamb of God on the altar.  The crucified was not paying for his crimes, the sinless Son of God was paying for the sin of all mankind. And all the while, they missed the significance of THIS crucifixion.  

When WE Become THEY

How easily we become jaded by the routine of life.  How often we miss the spectacular because we only look for the familiar.  But in the end something changed.  Matthew’s account of the crucifixion accounts for a change of heart among the soldiers on Calvary that day. 

When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” – Matthew 27:54 

Because of a popular movie, we tend think of only one Centurion (played by John Wayne) having a heart change.  But the Matthew account shows us that like their leader trhe soldiers were filled with awe and had a heart change.  Jesus has a way of tenderizing even the hardest of hearts.

Reflection

Reflect: In what ways has the everyday give and take of life hardened your heart?  Have you stopped looking for the miraculous?  Have you stopped noticing God’s extraordinary activity around you?  Ask God to open both your eyes AND your heart to see and experience Him in new and fresh ways. 

“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, pave yourself a new one.” 

I saw that painted on the side of a building this morning, and initially I liked the statement. But when I started thinking about it a little more deeply, I began to see a different angle.

As I researched the quote later in the day, I discovered it was a quote from Dolly Parton.  I think I understand the gist of what she was saying.  When we are walking a difficult path, we do not have to believe it will always be that way.  To that degree, I can agree with the statement. But I also believe there is an underlying danger in such a sentiment.

A Call to Steadfastness

In our culture these days, we too quickly look for an easy way out of the first difficulty we encounter.  An old saying used to encourage us: “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.”  Many people, when their going gets tough, they get going – as far away from the difficult circumstance as possible.

But what if that difficult situation in which we find ourselves is the very thing God sent for our good?  Think about Jesus’ disciples in a boat during a stormy night on the Sea of GaliIee.  I am sure they would have preferred to skip the storm all together.  However, had they not experienced the storm, Peter would have never experienced walking on water.

The Bible reminds us that difficult circumstances develop steadfastness. (James 1:2-3) Sometimes, we are too quick to curse our hardships and seek to escape them.  But those very trials may be the tool God sent to grow us and strengthen us.

The Importance of Steadfastness

The writer of Hebrews calls us to run with endurance the race that is appointed to us. (Hebrews 12:1)  The word translated “race” in Hebrews 12:1 is the word from which we derive the English “agonize.”  Sometimes God’s appointed route is hard. Paving a new road when you don’t like the one you’re on could take you off God’s course for you.

Hebrews 12 immediately follows a chapter we refer to as the “Hall of Faith.”  That chapter recounts the heroics of Biblical men and women who demonstrated great faith through adversity. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that we cannot please God without faith.  If we never need to exercise steadfastness through difficult circumstances, we cannot prove that we really believe God.

So the call to steadfastness in Hebrews 12:1 is our opportunity to do as men and women of old.  We demonstrate we believe that God rewards those who seek Him when we remain steadfast under trial.

Help for Steadfastness

Back in James 1, James encourages us to joyfully face our trials.  He did not call us to enjoy them, only to count them as joy.  We find joy not in the experience of trials, but in knowing the result those trials will produce – steadfastness.

James tells us that we have help while walking that difficult road.  He said that when we don’t know what to do – when we need wisdom – we should ask God.  Just as He came to His disciples on the stormy sea, He will come to you to help you navigate that rough patch of road. The more you experience that help of God in your trials, the more you learn to trust Him in future difficulties.

See also, Where is God In My Trials?

I am heartbroken, to say the least the decision by New York legislators to legalize the infanticide of yet-to-be born people.  The only thing worse than the decision itself was the reaction of the legislature when the bill passed.  Regardless of one’s position on abortion, how in the name of decency can people applaud the procedure.

I am heartbroken for young girls who feel there’s no other alternative than to take the life of the child they conceived. My heart breaks for unborn who did not ask to be brought into this world conceived, and who are killed before they seeing the light of day. My heart breaks for the spiritual condition of our country that would see this as a “good” thing.  I cannot conceive of any way abortion can be defined as good.

But… (you knew that was coming, didn’t you?)

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