Fraught with Peril

The last time I spoke at length to a singles group on the subject of Love, Relationships, and Sex a woman, mid to late 60's, stood up and declared in a loud voice, "Do you mean to tell me that you're asking me to buy a suit without trying it on?" That busted up the crowd and slowed my momentum for sure.

Even though a talk is about relationships, love, and sex everyone and I mean everyone zeroes in on ‘sex’. And we only want to hear those things about 'sex' that don’t undermine the way we live our lives.

Even in the Christian community men and women reserve the right to be 'god' over certain segments of their life. They say 'yes' to God only if it doesn't infringe on what they 'feel' about a certain issue. Truth doesn't matter. God's best doesn't matter. We reseserve the right to do our own thing in our own way in our own timing. We want God but on our terms, not His. I know people who love God but are reckless with their finances. My tendency is to waste time and talent. In the Christian singles community matters of relationships, love, and sex are often off limits to God. Casual relationships, sex outside of marriage, confusing love with infatuation are OK because they bring us short term fulfillment. After all, live for today. Who knows about tomorrow?

And so, this series I’m embarking on is fraught with peril.

Most of the people I work with and love have been divorced. They've experienced, for sure, some physical intimacy in their life. It's a strong drive. A drive that is not easily abated.

Some have told me that easy and frequent sex is expected even in the Christian singles community. The notion is that if it feels good, do it. It doesn't matter what God says. The surge of the sex drive trumps God's guidance. The urgency of the here and now, the temptation of our 'sexy' society, and the drumbeat of secular guru's are loud, incessant voices that often get the best of even the well meaning.

I understand the pull of all of this. So do you. We are sinful people. We turn our back on God in some very habitual ways. We are created for relationship, structured for intimacy. The biblical narrative instructs us to find comfort in a relationship with God and in the community of faith.

The problem is that, at times, this ‘faith’ business is hard work. It requires sacrifice, obedience, and jump off the cliff responses. It’s about trust when we don’t want to trust anybody or anything. And so, we avoid what’s hard and oftentimes just go with what’s convenient. In the process, we ignore the long-term negative consequences that accompany thumbing our nose at God.

The truth is that it's hard to say 'no' unless there's a bigger 'yes' beating in our hearts. I believe that the issues I'm talking about will never get resolved until people 'convert' ...giving themselves completely to a living God who wants the best for their lives, all areas of their lives.

So, what do I say to single adults about love, sex, and relationships? It starts with the themes of biblical text. “Repent, flee from sin, trust God, don’t listen to the gurus of a sex crazed culture, create community, follow Jesus, believe that God is bigger than your desires and circumstances, don’t flirt with temptation …”

Some will buy it. Many won’t. Some will say that God has disappointed them in the past. I will wonder if it was God or religion that disappointed.

The problem is that every time I see someone give in to their desires I see them later regretting their decisions. Men who look at every woman as a conquest never live up to their God-given relational potential. They carry the imprint of every sexual escapade into their next relationship and it keeps them from giving themselves fully to anybody. Women who give themselves away never get what they yearn for deep inside. They crave relationship, safety and intimacy and instead settle for men who don’t want relationship, who aren’t safe and who don’t know what commitment means. Intimacy can't be created in that kind of environment.

So, it’s going to be an interesting series. Fraught with peril. Can’t wait to see what God does with all of this.

Jet-lagged Holy Land Observations

During the week I asked our guide what percentage of Israelis were people of ‘faith’. He told me that 80% of the citizens of the land would label themselves as being secular. That didn’t surprise me but it does disturb me.

Throughout history God has guided his ‘Chosen People’. He’s also disciplined them. Read through any of the prophets and you get a clear picture of God’s call to His people and a sobering reminder of the consequences of failing to heed that call. You see God’s love is coupled with the steely resolve of a God who wants obedience and allegiance. When Israel wanders they are disciplined.

I wonder if Israel is listening to those prophetic voices of Scripture any longer. I doubt that they are. And if they aren’t listening, not obeying, not heeding God’s call …what will God do to get their attention?

And I wonder what God will do to get our attention here in America? How many of us who claim to be people of faith are really far more secularized than faithfilled?
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There were certain sites in Israel that didn’t appeal to me. I wasn’t taken by the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the Mt. of Beatitudes in the Galilee, nor the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Why? They felt like testaments to a dead faith, the worship of stones and not the living God. I’m sure that’s not the case for everyone but that was my take-away.

In the case of the Churches of the Holy Sepulcher and Nativity I was bothered, I think, because both sites claimed to be the ‘one and only place’ where ‘it’ could have happened. To my way of thinking wherever ‘it’ happened isn’t as important as the actual birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

In the case of the Mt. of Beatitudes (and Holy Sepulcher) the people running it were more interested in maintaining order rather than creating an environment of invitation. When a ‘site’ becomes more important than the people visiting then something is a bit out of whack. It got me thinking about what we do in the American church and whether or not we're in the site preservation, image management, and program promotion business instead of focusing on life transformation.
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I was struck by how much I don’t know. I’ve been a Christian for a long time. Been in ministry for a long time. I read the Bible, read about the faith and hang out with knowledgeable people. I even have a graduate degree that indicates I know some things. I know very little. I want to know more. Why? Because knowledge of what has gone on before me can be used by God to help direct my paths in the present.

Despite coming to grips with the fact that I know so little I also came face to face with my strong desire to love God more and to continue to be a ‘player’ in the advance of the kingdom in the here and now.

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I walked away understanding Jesus better. He was a master of using what was within his line of vision to make a point. He spoke the language of the people …challenging them to think, to act, to change, to see life differently and to trust and obey God.

Walking in the footsteps of Christ helped me realize even more that the meek and mild Jesus we oftentimes portray is quite 'off base'. Meek and mild wouldn't cut it in the day and age Jesus walked this earth. There was a wildness, intensity, and savvy humor that come with the total package of the man we call Lord and Savior.

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My traveling companions were an inspiration to me. Many overcame some fear to even come. Their desire to encounter the living God in the Holy Land strengthened my faith. I felt honored to stand in the River Jordan baptizing a good friend and helping others recommit their life to Christ. How cool is that?

Scary Israel?

Back from Israel. What a great trip. Here's a picture of our group. It's just prior to watching a nifty 3D film at a site near the southern steps in Jerusalem.

So, what was it like in Israel? Well, it wasn't scary but at times it way sobering. Israel is surrounded by enemies. We looked across the border into Lebanon and Syria. We trekked into Bethlehem, passports in hand, because we were leaving Israel.

The middle east is a volatile place. There are deep seated wounds and hatreds. These wounds and hatreds are hundreds and thousands of years old. They're part of the psyche of nations and individuals. That's scary. There seems to be little room for biblical concepts such as repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation. That's sad. It also dooms the region, I think. It's not whether or not war will break out over there sometime ...it's more a matter of when.

We loved Israel. For Anita and myself it was a return visit. For everyone else ...it was a first time look at the Holy Land. It touched people in very deep ways. For that, we're thankful.

Our guide, Shmulik, was very knowledeable and funny. His knowledge of history and the Bible blew me away. Because of his clarity of thought and careful usage of words more and more of the Scripture became clearer to me. Opening God's word in the land of the Bible is an unbelievable experience.

Still a lot to think about ...much to process ...more to come. If you'd like check out the pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/MikeandAnitaMinistry/Israel2009#

Afraid

In the near future I'll be in Jerusalem. The question I'm most asked is "Are you afraid?" It's a good question.

Israel has been in the news. Palestinian/Israeli tensions are high. People assume that 'fear' should stop me from going.

We live in a volatile world. Bombs falling on Israel from the Gaza. Girls sold into slavery in Thailand. The Lord's Resistance Army training young boys to be killers in Africa. Gang violence in Chicago. Abuse in homes. Gossip in every cafe.

All that bothers me. It bothers me alot. Am I afraid? If I was in Israel and bombs were falling I would be afraid. If I was in the Gaza and Israeli troops were on my street I'd be afraid. If confronted by killers my knees would knock.

But am I afraid to go to Israel? Not really. I'm cautious and observant. Not stupid. But I'm not filled with debilitating fear. If I let that kind of fear guide me I wouldn't do anything, go anywhere, or put any words on a page.

Throughout Scripture God tells us to 'fear not'. I'm trying to live into that. because the truth of the matter is that throughout my life I've acted 'afraid' too many times. It's not debilitating fear it's more like 'deep caution'. And because of it I've confronted bullies too little. I've let others fight too many important battles. I've not always followed through in defending some deeply held convictions. I've let people down. That's what fear does. I hate it.

I'm going to Jerusalem. There are 40 people going with me. Some with more fear than others. We will stay away from Gaza, although I'd love to go there myself someday. I'd like to hear a bit more of the Palestinian side of the story. There's a 'truth' in their experience that sometimes get overlooked.

As I travel I will look to encounter the 'living God' in fresh ways. I need that infusion of experience at this time. I also will ask God to open my eyes to ways I can serve a world filled with both fear and evil. And as God answers me I might find 'fear' bubbling up inside me. Then I will need to confront it and claim the 'Be not afraids' of Scripture as my own.

The truth is that as God moves into our life He might ask us to go someplace to confront our deepest fear or anxiety. It's at those difficult places that God wants to guide our steps.

We live in a world that is spiraling somewhere that will take us all into hard places of opportunity. We might have to get out of our habitual cocoons of spiritual safety and walk the road of radical faith and trust. That will require a spiritual innocence and maturity that's currently beyond the reach of most western Christians. In all honesty we spend too much time fearing the 'boogeymen' of our own imagination. We might have to grow up to face some rather sobering realities. And we might get afraid. And guided by our fear we might hide. And when we hide we miss out on God's best. And when we miss out on God's best we have no right to say we are 'living'. That's truly frightening.

Breaking Rules

Alright, who's a rule breaker? I mean, who loves to break stupid, arbitrary, unneeded rules? There's plenty of them.

Illinois, where I live, is known for high profile rule breakers. Just google Blagoevich and see what you come up with. But there's some laws on the books in our state that you'd love to see someone break.

I read that someplace in Illinois that fishing while sitting on a giraffe's neck is against the law. Personally, I'd love to see giraffe neck fishing become an Olympic sport.

Another law forbids eating in a place that is on fire. That ticks me off. It's one of my most favorite things to do.

In one area it is illegal to drink beer out of a bucket while sitting on the curb. Could you drink beer if you were sitting on a giraffe?

Dumb laws, stupid rules. You wonder how stupid rules came into being. What happened to a giraffe one day that caused someone to get so upset that they felt they had to make a law, make a rule?

We live in a culture that loves to sue. That's at the root of some stupid laws. Some municipality pays a hefty dollar amount in a law suit and voila ...here comes a law.

I understand the need for rules, order, and laws. But sometimes I like to go up the down staircase.

There's rules that need to be broken.

Martin Luther King broke rules. It was the only way to get people's attention.

Ghandi, a great fan of Jesus, broke rules. It was the only way to get people to notice.

Billy Graham stretched the rules and his crusades became integrated.

Corrie ten Boom broke the rules. She saved people's lives.

Henri Nouwen broke the rules about what an upwardly mobile life should look like and left a legacy.

Gotta admire Rosa Parks. She broke some rules and helped break the back of injustice.

I have a bit of the 'rebel' in me. It's not about going up the down staircase or fishing from a giraffe's neck. Oh, it used to be. But now I think there's better rules to break.

That's why I admire men and women throughout history who decided to make a point by standing up against stupid rules. But they all paid some price. They had to count the cost.

Sometimes I wonder if we don't need to pray up a whole new generation of rule breakers. Godly men and women who will help the church and the culture as a whole to quit doing business as usual and challenge the status quo, break a few rules, take a stand and become a prophetic voice.

My hero is Jesus. He was a rule breaker. That's why some of the religious types didn't like him. He paid the price. The power elite got even. Or so they thought.

Just on a purely human level, Jesus must have inspired his generation. He took aim against hypocrisy, against man-made stupidity, against anything that kept His people from falling in love with His father and acting with justice, mercy and compassion towards others.. Standing up, breaking the rules, challenging authority was a brave act, an audacious move towards freedom.

So, anyone want to go fishing? I found this giraffe.

More importantly, anyone want to live life boldly. I found this man. His name's Jesus. I've got to tell you His story. He broke rules. More importantly, He offers life.

Better Listen

I like to do my own thing. So do you. Most of us are really good at it. Oftentimes, my own thing is stupid and selfish. And I usually pay the consequences of all that.

I was reading in Jeremiah this morning. Jeremiah is a prophet. He's trying to warn the 'chosen people' about doing their own thing at the expense of doing God's thing.

"Go stand at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for directions to the old road,
The tried-and-true road. Then take it.
Discover the right route for your souls.
But they said, 'Nothing doing.
We aren't going that way.'
I even provided watchmen for them
to warn them, to set off the alarm.
But the people said, 'It's a false alarm.
It doesn't concern us...So listen to this. Here's God's verdict on your way of life: "Watch out! I'm putting roadblocks and barriers on the road you're taking..." (The Message)

I'm running across a fair amount of people who are thumbing their noses at God's guidance. They're not going that way. They'll give lip-service to God's direction but that's it. They go to church, hear the Scriptures being read, listen to pithy sermons but there's no life application. And then when they hit a roadblock or a barrier they get all huffy and puffy and start pointing fingers at God.

I think God's trying to say something to us these days. Pretty simple too. It goes like this. "It's my way, not yours. Don't ignore me this time. I'll do what it takes to get your attention."

Guess what? I believe it. God is trying to call us back to some basic stuff. And it isn't about doing our own thing. It's about doing His thing, in His way.

We're in the middle of some pretty volatile economic and cultural upheaval. We've done it 'our way' for a long time. Look at what's happening. In the midst of all this God is still speaking, trying to get our attention, and attempting to guide us. Most of us pray every week 'your will be done'. Maybe we should listen long enough to see what God is up to and join Him.

God does warn His people. Always has. We ingore the signs at our peril. We pay the consequence for that.

So, is God trying to get our attention - your attention- or not? Hitting any roadblocks, any barriers? Could it be because you put too much faith in yourself, or a standard of living that doesn't have anything to do with God's best for your life? If so, what are you going to do about it? What am I going to do about it?

Take a walk through Jeremiah 6 and beyond. Pretty sobering kind of stuff. It's as current as today's news. Maybe we better listen, change direction, get a new attitude and a spirit shaped focus ...what do you think?

Bionic Man

In December I wrote a an entry on this blog called "Predisposed towards sudden death..." Here's an update.

I have a rogue gene in my body. It could cause my heart to miss a beat for too long a period of time. Good chance I'd die. As my doc says ..."you're predisposed to sudden death." My brother has it. We think my sister might have died because of it. All my kids need to be tested.

What I have is called 'long qt syndrome'. They don't know much about it because it's hard to study. You don't know you have it. So you can't sign up to be part of a control group. You find out you have only after you've died, come close to dying or someone close to you dies or comes face to face with death.

I'm fortunate. I know I have it. Now I have to make a choice. Do I put a defibrillator in my chest or not? That device would restart my heart if that rogue gene shorts out my internal electrical curcuits.

The choice is pretty clear actually. I'll start the process of going bionic.

There's soemthing very sobering about all this. It's not terrifying. It just jars your sensibilities.

It's funny. I cling to life even though I know this isn't my final destination. Jesus said he has a place all prepared for me. That's pretty cool. I believe it. And yet, I cling to life.

You know why I'm clinging to living? For sure, I want to spend a whole lot more time with my wife and kids and friends. But there's something else. I don't think I'm done yet. I mean, it's like deep inside me, I know there's something else I'm supposed to do before I leave planet earth. There's some adventure I'm still destined to take. Some 'assignment' left to fulfill.

What's so exciting about all this is that I think that what's left for me is going to be something right in my sweet spot. I mean, I think it's something that's going to be really, really interesting ...something matching my gifting and passions and intersecting with some deep need in our culture.

In other words, I can choose to grab on to this 'gift' of becoming slightly bionic and choose to really live. Or not.

Maybe that's the crucial question for all of us. Live or not live? Surprisingly, a whole lot of people I know choose to 'not live'. Know anyone who whines, doesn't tap into their God-given passion, who exists only for pleasure, who doesn't give a rip about others, someone who's sloppy, apathetic and lost zest for anything good and noble? They're not living. Not really. They wander through life, die, and are soon forgotten. No legacy. No real footprint left on planet earth.

Could that be you?

I've been given a gift. I've been confronted with the fact that I won't live on this earth forever. I could die tomorrow. So could you. But the odds are that I'll beat you. So, how will I live today? What needs to be put into motion so that I don't live with any more regrets? Maybe it's ego, hopefully it's more noble than that. but I want to leave a legacy. I've often said I want my funeral to filled iwth people crying their eyes out. More importantly, I want to be welcomed into heaven with Jesus looking deep into my eyes and saying "Well done, Mike. Welcome home".

So, sometime in the not too distant future I'll get fitted with a defib device in my chest. It will be a pain going through security at the airport but it could prolong my life. That's a gift. What will I do with that gift?

Sometimes I think I'm a slow learner. That's why God sometimes needs to get my attention in some pretty abrupt ways. But He does have my attention. I'm not going to waste this opportunity.

So, God is always about the business of getting our attention. Maybe he's even using these words to speak to you. So, what are you going to do? Live. Or not.

Obama's right

Our new President champions hope in what for many looks like a hopeless time. He stresses individual contributions that advance the common good because he knows government can only do so much. I believe in the concept of hope and I've been thinking a lot about what our role as Christians should be in the present economic and cultural milieu.

Many learned people have said that even the smallest contribution of one well-meaning person can make a difference. One small pebble thrown into a pool creates larger and larger circles of energy. Jesus honored the woman who gave the tiniest bit of money because her heart was good, her action generous. Her giving of the mite caught the attention of the Lord of the Universe.

Barak Obama was elected President because of the selfless acts of thousands of men and women who paved the way for him. Visit the web sites that champion the work of civil rights workers and you'll understand how a multitude of small acts can create a revolution.

At a time such as this we all need to do what we can with a good heart and a generous spirit. What might that look like?

What if we all gave a bit more to worthy causes or started to give something to one? Even if it meant adjusting our personal standard of living.

What if we wrote to companies we hold stock in and asked them not to worry about hitting insane profit projections but instead focus on being just, loyal and honorable?

What if we owned a company and decided to make less and hire one more? or two? or three?

What if we went to management and told them we'd be willing to make less if it meant someone else could keep a job?

What if we had a two bedroom family living in a five bedroom home and decided to rent a couple of rooms out to those who've hit hard times?

What if we owned a bank and decided to renegotiate some loans?

What if we decided to tithe our money, our time, and our talents?

What if we gathered friends together and chose to live more intentionally in community?

What if we intentionally decided to downsize and with our savings invest in those who have real need?

What if????

Now is the time. It really is. This could be the best time to practice our faith, honor God, and to model kingdom living. Scratch 'could be'. This is the time.

What will we decide to do?

Listen carefully. There are echoes all around us of the prophets calling us to justice and righteousness and sacrifice. There is a clarion call to be God's people... to light a torch, to carry a burden, to meet a need. Little acts of courage and sacrifice can make a difference. What will you do?

Rest

Keri Wyatt Kent is really a good author. She understands what it means to have 'real faith' and a 'real life'. She's a church leader, wife, soccer mom,writer, cook, chauffeur, water ski enthusiast, seminar leader, retreat leader, etc.. You get the picture. Keri writes from a real life perspective. That's refreshing.

Keri asked me if I'd feature her recent book Rest:Living in Sabbath Simplicity on my blog. That was an easy 'yes'. This is good stuff especially for those of us who need some practical help in slowing down and getting in on God's best for our lives.

Here's a couple of questions and Keri's answers about the value of Sabbath keeping.

1. How does practicing the Sabbath in today’s busy society differ from the ancient concept of the Sabbath? Why is it so different? Why is it still important?

The ancient Jewish Sabbath had very strict boundaries, but within those boundaries, there was freedom and relationship. The Torah and traditions prohibited what was known as melachah, work that is creative or exercises dominion over your environment. There were 39 specific tasks, such as reaping, lighting a fire, etc., that correlated to the 39 tasks needed to build the temple.

Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath, gave us a new way of following the ancient law. Jesus reminded us that the law was originally meant to invite us into relationship with God. While the Bible makes it clear that we are saved by grace, and not by the law, God’s law still remains a great way to live—as long as we don’t get legalistic or think keeping certain rules will save us.

It’s important for many reasons, which I cover in the book. But here’s just one key reason: it allows us to experience the unconditional love of God in a physical, tangible way. It’s one thing to say he loves us even when we are not accomplishing or performing. But if we never actually stop performing, how can we experience that unconditional love? It allows us to say yes, with our bodies and our schedules, to Jesus invitation in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Sabbath is not so much something you “do” as a gift you receive.


2. You say the Sabbath made you learn flexibility. In what ways? How does Sabbath change throughout different seasons of our lives?

Jesus taught a whole new way of Sabbath, and I devote the entire first chapter of the book to just that. He showed us that Sabbath was for healing, reconciliation, valuing relationships over rules. But like any spiritual practice, we need to let God lead us, to be teachable. That requires flexibility. And it won’t always go perfectly. Again, we have to be willing to recognize that Sabbath Simplicity is a journey, and we’re learning as we go. Just as we learn other spiritual practices, like prayer or Bible study. We don’t have them completely figured out or perfected, but we keep doing them, and keep asking God to help us to do them better.

You also have to adapt your practice to the season of your life. I love that God gives a reason with the Sabbath command. Take a day off, he says, because you were slaves in Egypt. Slaves cannot take a day off, but free people can. Sabbath is a day to celebrate freedom, and to perhaps reflect on the gift of freedom, and to empathize a bit with those who are not free.

In certain seasons, though, we may feel like a slave—to our young children, our career, our needy friends, or aging parents. When I was in that season, it was hard. Ask for help. While you may, for example, still have to change diapers or feed your kids, you can refrain from other things. Don’t run errands on Sunday. It’s a nightmare with little kids in tow anyway. Do it another day, and save Sunday for just relaxing with your family. I have very specific suggestions on how to do this in my book.

I urge you to check this book out. Great message. Down to earth. Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity provides practical ways to slow down and simplify. It offers the gift of Sabbath, as a lifestyle and a spiritual practice. If you’d like to be included in a drawing for a free copy of Rest, leave a comment or question below. If you leave a question, Keri will be glad to try to answer it. We’ll select a winner next Wednesday, January 21st.

Rest: Living in Sabbath Simplicity is available at bookstores everywhere, and on-line.

Here's a link to Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Rest-Simplicity-Keri-Wyatt-Kent/dp/0310285976/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229546292&sr=8-1

Here's one to Christianbook.com http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=285977&netp_id=550382&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers


For more information about Keri Wyatt Kent, visit her website at www.keriwyattkent.com or www.sabbathsimplicity.com

Bad Attitude

Woke up yesterday. Snowing again. The weather reports said
‘snow all day’. Ugh.

I couldn’t stay in bed. We had a meeting at the church. It wasn’t something I was particularly excited about going to. I felt it was an ‘add on’ at a time when my calendar was already filled. I was going out of loyalty to support another staff member who I really believed in and to the people I talked into attending.

The roads were slick. My self-talk was bad. My thinkin’ was stinkin’. Mumbling all the way to church I knew, just knew, that one of two things were going to happen. 1. When I got there the parking lot would be empty. All the sane people weren’t going to risk life and limb. 2. There’s be a big note on the door saying ‘Cancelled’.

Funny thing. I turned into the parking lot. It was quite full. No cancellation. Oh, there was lots of weather related mumbling but people were there and were engaged.

Bad attitude turned in the direction of an attitude adjustment. A badly needed adjustment.

My circumstances were dictating my attitude. My circumstances stood in the way of some ‘God things’ happening in my life. My ‘self talk’ was heading towards a predictable outcome until God opened my eyes, adjusted my attitude, and redefined reality.

It was a good morning. I had some good interactions with people. Our presenter, Mindy Caliguire, spoke about Soul Care and I had an ‘aha’ moment or two. I walked away feeling ‘blessed’.

So often in my life I let my circumstances and the thinking that envelops it to get in the way of something good. How many times have I rolled over, dug myself a deep attitude rut, and stayed away from what ultimately turns out to be an appointment with God? More than I count.

Sometimes you just got to gut it up, face the less than favorable circumstances, and do what you said you were going to do. We all know that. I just need constant reminders. And as we turn towards loyalty, responsibility, agreements, and ‘have to’s’ God can use even the most grudging turn to the ‘good’ to do something necessary in our lives.

I’m glad I got out of bed and did what I promised to do. Even though I was sowing seeds of a bad attitude God didn’t let those seeds take root. Instead, he chuckled and showed me that despite my stinkin’ thinkin’ He’s quite capable of still doing something good in my life.

Authoritative source???

Just had an interesting exchange with a reader of my blog. Got me thinking.
Here's something to consider.

The other day I was with a small group of guys. We're reading a book called 'The Shack'. It's an interesting read. Helpful, I think. It's easy to get caught up into the story. You find yourself saying, "Well, according to the Shack ...". In one easy to say phrase we take a piece of fiction and elevate it to an authoritative place.

Sometimes I get e-mails from people. In it, they quote the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. They hold these documents very close and very dear. So do I. However, they're not my ultimate authoritative source.

I've had people quote lyrics from songs, get misty eyed, and tell me that they're living their life by the truth of those words. Oops.

Have you ever had someone say ...??

According to C.S. Lewis ...

John Piper said....

I was listening to Christian radio and Tony Evans...

Went to conference and I heard Andy Stanley ..

Anne Graham Lotz told us ...

I heard Margaret Feinberg say ...

Erwin McManus's take is...

The latest Nooma raises this point ...

I listened to a conversation on Midday Connection (I know, I know …a shameless plug for my wife’s show)

Charles Colson says…

All of the above have influenced me and my guess will continue to influence me in some important ways. And I do use the 'arguments and insights' of thoughtful people. But I don't want thoughtful people to do all my thinking for me. I want them to inform me, to help me, to raise great questions, to offer interesting interpretations and to inspire me when I am down. But I don't want them to become more than they would ever want to be. Bottom line is that I have to do some of the heavy lifting myself.

So, what's your authoritative source? The guiding light by which you lead your life? A lot of my friends say it's the Bible. Yet, they don't know it really well, if at all. In fact, when push comes to shove they really have a spiritual guru who interprets truth for them. That guru is a famous author, preacher, or commentator. They live life according that person's interpretation of scripture.

Truth is we do a lot of hitchhiking off of other people's ideas. We let others do the work for us. And when push comes to shove we take a book like 'The Shack' and elevate it to a higher plane than we should, we confuse being a good American with being a Christ follower, and we only listen to people who we agree with. And then we quite growing and learning.

Maybe we should take a break from letting others think for us. For sure, keep reading, keep listening ...but do it with some discernment. Read 'The Shack' but have your Bible open as you read it, develop a healthy skepticism and don't be afraid to ask discernment questions no matter who you’re listening to. Even the best and most thoughtful speaker can be wrong, have blind spots or be deeply opinionated about something that really doesn't matter.

We really have to be careful. Where's the line between being a patriot and being a follower of Christ? Does an emotional lyric in a song contain any kind of guiding truth and if it does where's the soil that allowed it to grow? Where does my political opinion end and God's guidance and truth take over? What does it say about me if I only listen to certain interpretations of important issues? How important is it for me to read Scripture through something more than just an American middle-class value system?

Stuck left and right.

So, we went to a wedding. Pretty nifty wedding too. Lovely couple. Great service. Solid families behind them

The wedding was deep in the hinterlands of Michigan. Conservative church. Lots of salt of the earth types of people. Some home schoolers. Very nice people. Some of the literature I saw in the rack made me wince though.

It got me thinking about the various type of Christian I know.

I know some really, really, really conservative folks.
I know some untra-liberal folks.
I know some moderates.

I know people who think they're liberals but they're really not. They just try to fit in. Peer pressure is alive and well.

Most conservatives I know really are disciples of Rush Limbaugh more than followers of Jesus. At least they know more about Rush.

I know folks who have closed their mind to anything contrary to what they already know. Can't figure out who's most stubborn about that. Is it the really conservative or the really liberal?

Plenty of people who call themselves believers couldn't articulate a defense of their faith if needed. There's a hugh 'knowledge gap' out there.

Many I know are defending their faith all the time even when they aren't being attacked. But their enemies aren't anybody they have ever personally encountered. They just believe what others tell them. So, to their way of thinking there is an enemy of Christianity behind every corner.

Others don't buy into the 'friend and enemy' type of thing. They just want everyone to 'just get along'.

Some are almost universalists believing that because of God's love everyone is getting into heaven.
Others believe that unless you have a real specific time and place where you met Christ the door of salvation is closed to them.

Most of the really conservative vote Republican. The Jesus they serve looks an awful lot like Ronald Reagan.

Most of the more liberal types vote Democrat. The Jesus they serve looks and acts a lot like (pick one) a. Barak Obama b. Mother Theresa c. Jim Wallis.

I know a whole lot of folks are believers who believe the gospel is incomplete without social justice.

Others think social justice is an add-on to the Gospel. It's really suspect if you think doing socially good stuff buys you brownie points with God and somehow competes with grace.

I know believers who are egalitarians (relates to biblical roles of men and women). Others are complementarians. (Most people don't care much about this whole thing but in some circles it is a litmus test for orthodoxy)

Some Christians I know speak in tongues. Others believe that 'tongues' is a thing of the way distant past.

Some dunk. Others sprinkle.

So, do you know any of those types? Sure you do. You're probably one of them.

Here's what sometimes gets crazy. Sometimes I don't like being around either group. The really conservative seems to get mad if I use my brain. The really liberal seem to get mad if I actually believe in something or someone. Sometimes, and this is to my detriment, I do what I can to fit in. I lean to the left when it's helpful. I lean to the right when needed. I think to myself ...wow, I don't want to say too much because then it's going to get ugly. Therein lies my problem.

I need to speak up. The really conservative need to hear an articulate 'other voice'. So do the really liberal. Those who claim to 'believe' but just come to 'sit and soak' need a fire lit under them. Those who don't know how to 'sit and soak' and are always doing need to learn how to 'be'. Anyone who equates Christ with either political party should have their head examined. But me ...I need to speak up, to use my voice, to exercise my influence. Maybe you do too.

You see, there's something in Scripture about the unity of the body of Christ. I don't think that means we walk in lock-step like Stepford wives. But there is something about us sharpening each other. I really liked the conservative folks I met at the wedding. I just don't agree with them on everything. But I do admire a whole lot about how they live. I'd love to speak into their lives and have them speak into mine. That can't happen unless I take the risk of interacting. Sometimes I choose a lazy path, keeping to myself. I lose. They lose. There is never going to be much unity until we learn to talk to each other. That won't happen until someone or a whole bunch of someone's take some risks and start talking.

Maybe I'm supposed to be that someone. My hunch is that you are too.

No More in 2009

1. No more irrational thoughts except that 2009 will be the Cubs year.
2. No more annoying habits except for biting my fingernails and blaming everyone else for my failures.
3. No more majoring in the minors except when it comes to the things I know a lot about.
4. No more highs and lows unless they're tied to my emotions.
5. No more pithy political comments unless Congress does something stupid.
6. No more making the Bible say what it doesn't mean unless I'm backed into a corner and need to 'proof-text' something to death.
7. No more satiric jabs at anything religious unless I just can't resist the opportunity.
8. No more cracks about the weather until at least January 2.
9. No more interactions with irrational people unless I'm conversing with myself.
10. No more making to-do lists I can never keep up with unless I need to do something really painful for Lent.

And on the serious side.

1. No more backing down from a needed confrontation.
2. No more putting up with religious bullies.
3. No more standing back and waiting.
4. No more wasting my gifts and talents.
5. No more putting up with gossip.
6. No more of keeping silent when my voice is needed.
7. No more tap-dancing around the truth.
8. No more settling for less than the best.
9. No more being busy for the sake of being busy.
10. No more of not being the leader God has called me to be.
11. No more being afraid to claim my 'future'.
12. No more waiting when I should be on the move.
13. No more being on the move when I should be waiting.
14. No more saying one thing and doing another.
15. No more knowing a lot about God at the expense of really knowing Him.

Writing checks

We wrote some checks this week. I'm not trying to draw attention to ourselves. Not at all. But I am trying to draw attention to the fact that a lot of non-profits need our help.

We wrote checks to fight AIDS and poverty, to help people experience some of our nation's history and journey towards justice, to align ourselves with our church, and to get on board helping the oppressed in our own region. We wrote checks because we have been blessed. It was the right thing to do.

Many of you have been blessed too. A friend gave us $2000 recently to help those who have been impacted by the economy. Nice. People cried when they heard some money was coming their way.

You can make a difference. Now. Maybe it's $10. Maybe it's $10,000. Maybe it's more. This economic crisis is real. For some, it's more real than you realize. People all around us are impacted. People all around the world are dying. You can make a difference.

Write a check. Write two. How about three? Maybe four?

See what God does with the seed you plant. You'll never regret it.

Shoveling in Chicago

Another snow. More snowblowing and shoveling.

In a funny way, I don't mind it. You see, when I shovel and then survey my work I get a sense of pleasure and accomplishment. It's one of the few things I do that acutally seems to get finished (at least until the next snow). I can see the result of my labor.

I live in a world where there's lots of unfinished projects. My to do list gets longer, never shorter. There's always something more to do.

-When someone comes in for pastoral counseing rarely do I have an A+B=C formula all ready for them. I can give some suggestions but they always leave knowing that they're going to have to work some things out ...that we'll need to touch base again. I offer no magic bullet or pill.

-When I'm challenged by or challenge a colleague on something things don't magically fall into place. If feelings get hurt time has to be spent to patch things up.

-A couple comes in for marriage help. What ails them is not easily fixed. Pushing snow around is a piece of cake. Putting a marriage back together is a lot tougher job.

And so, snow shoveling gives me instant gratification. I need that sometimes. So do you...even though we know, in our heart, that it's not done. Nothing ever is. The driveway I clean today might be snowfilled tomorrow. It's Chicago.

Instant gratification is nice. Rare, but nice. The truth is that I didn't sign up for instant gratification. I signed on to a journey.

I'm a Christian. It snows a fair amount on my faith journey. There's always some shoveling that needs to be done. Even though I'm on a narrow path ...there's snow. I either have to shovel it out, walk through it, or play amidst it. Each day is different. I love the play days.

Some people make the Christian journey pretty formulaic. Say ABC, do DEF, and voila ...it's all good. Doesn't work like that.

Here's the truth. The joy of the Christian faith isn't in a formula. The joy is in the journey. And why shouldn't it be? I have good traveling partners. I've learned some kingdom perspectives. I cling to the hope and promise of all the Jesus stuff I really, really believe in. The people I encounter, the problems I deal with is the stuff of real life. The storms I encounter can dump some big snow. It's OK. Because the people and situations I'm involved with matter to God.So let it snow ...let it snow.

Absurd

Remember Hawkeye, the sarcastic, cynical doc in the TV show 'Mash'. He had an uncanny ability to look life straight in the eye and see both the truth and the absurdity in whatever situation he was in.

Because he could see the absurdity he could cope with what turned out to be some very disturbing truths. After all, he was stuck in a war zone, thousands of miles from home, fighting a war he really didn't believe in and surrounded by a few rather inept colleagues. If that's your truth you gotta be able to laugh because the truth will make you cry.

I wonder if we laugh enough. Good laughs. Not the kind that prey upon innocent victims, or cheap shots from the rear seats. But healthy giggles, knowing grins, deep belly laughs. We need it you know.

It's been said that some people don't laugh well. They can't see the absurd. It's hard for them to see the weird, the crazy, and the preposterous all around us. Why is that?

Well, some people are control freaks. Laughter sometimes gets a bit out of control. A sense of humor isn't easily corralled.

Some people spend a good deal of time pointing fingers. When you're busy pointing at someting or someone it's hard to keep eyes and ears open to the humorous.

Some people feel responsible for everything. The responsibility is so heavy, it's taken so seriously that laughter and fun can't find a place to rest and joy runs and hides.

Control, finger pointing, and heavy loads of unrealistic responsibility are the enemies of joy. It's hard to see the absurdity in certain situations and the fun of life when one is so preoccupied with protecting the order and welfare of the universe. How can you laugh at what's truly amusing if you can't laugh at yourself?

How can one live without laughter?

I don't think Jesus did. It's hard for me to believe that three years around campfires with his motley crew didn't produce a few laughs. Read Scripture sometimes looking for the humor. It's everywhere you look.

Laughter is good medicine. It's 'holy' stuff. 'The joy of the Lord is my strength.' Sure, some humor is crude and exacts a price. But there's more than enough good stuff all around us ...look for it ...you'll smile. Your troubles will seem less heavy. You'll see the truth for what it is and isn't. You'll gain perspective. There's too many dour faced people these days. Laugh a little. You'll feel better.

Been Done Wrong?

Ever been accused of something you've never done? Ever had someone misinterpret your motives? It's happened to us all. When it happens to me or someone I love my sense of 'justice' really kicks in. I want to explain, argue, and fight for the truth. The problem is that lots of people think the explanation, the argument, the fight is nothing more than a smokescreen. They're thinking ...'you're protesting too much. You must have done it. Your motivations were bad.'

There's a whole lot of people who aren't interested in having their opinions of you changed. They want to be right even if they're wrong.

Over the past couple of years I think some things I've done and said have been misinterpreted. I don't like it. But trying to change someone else's opinion of me or a particular situation is very, very difficult. Can I live with that? Do I have a choice?

We've all been wronged. No matter what we do or don't do we oftentimes can't get back into the good graces of someone else. So then what do we do?

I know some things not to do ...

Carry a grudge
Conduct a behind the back revenge attack
Sulk
Get all red-faced and launch a counterattack

Too bad these are off limits, huh?

As I'm getting older I'm starting to recognize that when things hurt I need to start taking a look at what's really happening. Is it about truth or is something stirring inside me that's never been dealt with like some deeper wound, some misplaced priorities, some unnecessary need to save face, or the reemergence of a memory that I thought was successfully buried?

Maybe when I'm 'wronged' I'm being given the opportunity to respectfully confront, to heal a deep wound, to examine my priorities, and/or to carefully examine something I thought was dead that's come back to life. And maybe when I'm wronged or someone I love is wronged I need to go to war to set it straight ...but it's not over everything. You see, we really do have to pick our life battles wisely because if we don't we'll be battling all the time.

I learned awhile back that it's impossible to fix everything. All I can really do is walk with integrity even when life is throwing some tough things at me and take responsibility when I need to own something.

We all have a 'public' profile. Anytime you get involved, have an opinion, take a stand or grab some responsibility you're opening yourself up to criticism, ridicule, gossip, and misunderstanding. It goes with the territory. You gotta live with it. Sometimes you can effectively confront it and work it out. Most of the time you can't.

If I understand this Christian life the right way Jesus promises to be there during the good and the bad. He's always teaching,always alongside ...reaching out. So, when I've been done wrong ...Jesus needs to be there and is. If together we can't get it fixed maybe it isn't meant to be. In the midst of the discomfort of brokenness He's still there. Will I recognize His presence?

Anchored

Interesting. We look for life anchors, hoping to find safe harbor and a sense of security. We put faith and trust in the government, in trusted instituions, in public figures, and even in sport franchises. Opening my e-mail over the past couple of days I've discovered that the Chicago Trib is being restructured, our Governor is in federal custody, and the economy is still 'iffy'. The Cubs might be making a trade for another starting pitcher ...so 2009 will be the year, finally. Then again, it's the Cubs.

Anchors.

Maybe we're not supposed to be anchored. Maybe we're created to 'sail'. Our eyes might need to be on the horizon ...that which beckons us ...not gazing on the shore of yesterday or the institutions built by the 'people of the harbor'.

Oh, I love safe harbors. Maybe too much.
I love to anchor. Maybe too long.
I love shore leaves. Lasting into monotony.
I love institutional strength. And trust it too much.

Maybe I'm wrong.

Inside, I long for open waters. Not to escape. No, open waters that take me where the wind longs for me to go.

Our society is being restructured. What gave strength to so many for so long ...our business, our industry, our place in the world, our leaders ...well, much of that is failing. We look around and are discovering that what anchored us before is sinking us now.

So what's next?

Maybe we need to set sail. Build a good boat and 'go'.

Where?

To that dream God has planted in our hearts. To follow the chart leading to our 'divine adventure'. To a place where you can learn to trust once again ...anchoring yourself in the sweet breeze of Holy Spirit leadings.

There you will find life.

Predisposed towards sudden death ...

"This patient may be predisposed towards sudden death."

That's what my cardiologist wrote on a note that is going to persuade my insurance company to pay for some genetic testing. Why? There's a genetic flaw we've found in our family. It's called long qt syndrom. We think my sister may have died from it. My brother's heart stopped beating last summer. Now he has a machine in his chest that can jump start his heart if it happens again. The long and short of it we're trying to find out if I have this rogue gene and if I do then my kids need to be tested. Sobering, isn't it.

Even if I have it how will that impact the way I live my life?

Maybe it's not the worst thing to live knowing you could die at any instant. Keeps you on your toes I bet.

We cling to life. We fight for last breaths. Even those of us who believe in heavenly reward know that whether we want to or not we're going to take a plunge into something that's well ...unknown.

In June, when I was in an emergency room dealing with a heart attack I dealt with that...this death thing. There was a sense of peace amidst the anxiety and fear. When push comes to shove I trust Christ at His word. He has a place all prepared for me. Even knowing that, I'm not naive enough to say that I won't deal with it again. I will. We all will.

It got me thinking yesterday when I read that phrase 'predisposed towards sudden death'. I love my doc. He shoots straight. I just don't want that 'sudden death' thing to define me. What I really want is for people to write something like this. "Mike is predisposed towards sudden living. Watch out. Get around Mike and you'll want to really live."

My guess is sometimes people sense that. Not always. Those who know me well know how preoccupied I can get. I'm not very life-giving in those situations.

Big question. Do I give off the vibe of 'life'as often as I'd like? Another big question. Do you?

I'm around people all the time and they give off all kinds of vibes ...paranoia, irriation, apathy, meanness. You know them. You are them occassionally.

When you are predisposed to sudden life I think you give off the vibe of thoughtfulness, caring, love, joy, mercy, care compassion, fun, spontaneity. You know people like that. You are them occassionally.

So join my new club. It's called Sudden Life ...it's for those of us who want to be known for breathing life back into a world that sometimes feels a bit suffocating.

Too Safe

There's an old Belgian proverb that reads something like this:

"If you're waiting for your ship to come in ...make sure you've sent one out."

It's a good word. We're in a 'play it safe' time in our history. The economic slide has people hunkering down and battening down the hatches. People are sitting on whatever money they have. They're staying close to home. They're staying with the tried and true. And they just might be missing the ship that needs to go out. Because if It doesn't go out there's no chance it will ever come back in.

I have a hunch that the real winners in today's economic climate are going to be the 'risk takers'. There's still money to be made. It's going to take some vision and gumption to make it happen.

Now, making more money isn't what rings my bell. But I am asking myself some questions about my 'vision and gumption'. Do I have what it takes to make a difference in today's economic, political and overall cultural climate? I think so. I want to.

Do you have what it takes? Are you playing it real safe these days? Hearing any God whispers in your ear? Is there a boat you need to send out in the hopes it's going to come back in? Have you had a vision check lately? How's the 'ol intestinal fortitude these days?

As a Jesus follower I know that God isn't done with me yet. As far as I can tell Jesus hasn't returned? There's still some work that needs to be done. So, what do I do in these interesting times? How safe do I want to play it? Is there an opportunity out there for me ...and for you?

I think now's the time to blow the whistle on playing it 'too safe'. Maybe we ought to be asking each other some interesting questions about listening to God, his call on our life, the possibilities for some risky ministry and some journeys to the edge of adventure.

Lots of folks are hoping and wishing that these crisis times will pass quickly. What if they're meant to be? Maybe it's a wake up call. A chance to seize the day. To dream again. To take a chance. To trust God and see what he can do with some stuff buried deep in our heart. This is the time ...don't play it too safe.