Thoughts of a Lead Follower

What do you see?

2008-09-07T07:06:00.002-04:00

Don’t you love presidential election years? If you’re like me you’ll be glad when Nov. 5th finally gets here; it will all be over. Both candidates claim to be the candidate for change, and both have “view” of what needs to be fixed and how to fix it. In short, they each have their view of reality…

I’ve often wondered; how can two people see the same thing and walk away with totally opposite conclusions? It’s both a mystery and a common occurrence.

If this is true in politics how much more true is it of real life? In many ways we too live in dual realities; how we view ourselves verses how God views us. It has been my experience that these two “views” are often light-years apart. I suppose there are many reason why this cavernous image difference exists, but what’s most important is how we bring these opposite view together.

Okay, being the simpleton that I am, it boils down to an issue of trust. Whose view of me should I trust; my own, or God’s? Since my view of self is so often influenced by what others think, I choose to live in God’s view and seek to become what he sees in me. This, my friends, takes all the pressure off.

Check it out:

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Whose image do you bear?

2 Corinthians 5:21

God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Note: parenthesis mine

What is God’s view of you?

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

What are we being transformed back into?
What does God see when he looks at you?

Go in peace and walk daily in His image of you…

Ron

Compassion Rules! Live your Life...

Spiritual Dyslexia...

2008-09-01T07:09:00.002-04:00

Dyslectic; the impaired ability to comprehend written words usually associated with a neurological disorder that often manifests itself in the way a person process written material (free online dictionary)…

There are numerous people who wrestle with dyslexia; Oprah being among the most well known. They tell stories of the inability to process written words in an order that helps them comprehend intended meaning. In other words, dyslexia is the tendency to process last things first and it’s a real struggle.

Spiritual Dyslexia; the impaired ability to comprehend first things first as it relates to living what can best be describes a Kingdom life (Ron’s dictionary of words he makes up as he goes along).

There are numerous Christ-followers who regularly wrestle spiritual dyslexia; me being among the most obscure. We tell stories of the inability at times to make sense of life and comprehend what’s going on around us. We wonder why we get thrown curve balls that at first seem to make no sense at all. We tend to interpret life through the grid of the here and now. We want answers and solutions. We’re uncomfortable with the “silence” (lack of response) in our prayer lives and we’re confused when God seems so distant; we interpret it as uncaring. Usually the last thing we do is turn to God and just surrender “it” to him.

It’s a common malady really – it’s the human condition.

After an extended talk about material world issues (e.g. food, clothing, finances and religious activity) Jesus says something that gets to the heart of the issue and speaks directly to those of us who wrestle with spiritual dyslexia.

Matthew 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (NIV); Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (New Living Translation); Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met (the Message).

Questions I ask myself:

• What is it that I seek first?
• What is my default position?
• When facing a crisis what is the first thing that comes to my mind?
• When faced with a huge decision what is the fist thing that I do?
• When I get up in the morning what is the first thing that occupies my time and energy?

As I traverse the day and stand toe to toe with real life who/what is it that guides my motives, my thoughts, my desires, my intentions, my attitude, and my outlook toward others?

Over the years I have discovered that when I manage to keep first things first the “silence” mentioned earlier is not as much of an issue. On those occasional days when the answer to the above questions is Jesus there is “rest” in knowing that regardless of whatever I’m facing He is still the sovereign ruler of it all (I know, it’s seems like such a simple “Sunday School” answer).

Last week I was reminded of the words in an old hymn, “This is my Father’s world and let me never forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong God’s still the ruler yet.”

It’s hard to explain, but there is a (shalom) peace in keeping first things first, but if you need more convincing then read Romans 8:35-39…

Peace...

Ron

Compassion Rules! Live your Life...

True North...

2008-08-23T20:53:00.003-04:00

My coach and training buddy Jim recently purchased a Garvin portable GPS with all the bells and whistles (it was a father’s day gift). When we’re training he straps it to his wrist and it shows you where you are; guides you to where you want to go and then you can download the entire training session and workout information to your computer – incredible!

It’s cool alright, but wouldn’t it be really cool if we had something like this for our spiritual lives? What if we could get our hands on a spiritual GPS? One that would tell us where we are and then help us get where we want to go. Many of us don’t realize it but we can.

We have a “compass” if you will that keeps us on track and headed true north; if we let it.

You guessed right, it’s called the Bible. Sometimes, however, in the midst of the craziness we call busy we overlook that which is so close. In our hurried “searching for significance” lives we miss the most significant. It’s the human condition and it’s a quandary we’ve been wrestling with for generations.

Psalm 119:9-16 (the Message)

9-16 How can a young person live a clean life?
By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
train me in your ways of wise living.
I'll transfer to my lips
all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
I attentively watch how you've done it.
I relish everything you've told me of life,
I won't forget a word of it.

Questions:

1. Why do we overlook the incredible worth and immeasurable depth of God’s word?
2. In our search for significance why do we so often miss the obvious?
3. What or who is it that runs “interference” between us and listening to God?
4. Could it be that we have an adversary? Read Ephesians 6:11-17.
5. Are you ready to finally pause, take stock and start heading true north?

Okay, so stop, take a breath, sit on a park bench, paddle a kayak, run a trail, go to the lake, or find a place in the woods, climb a tree or hide under the bed and ask God for help. Do whatever it takes to stop and figure out how you can make the reading of God’s word a regular part of your life. I know it’s a struggle; hey, it’s not easy for me either.

Hmmm, if only I could wear it on my wrist. Now that would be really cool.

You'll have to take it from here, but I have a hunch you know what to do next (if you need a place to start you can read all of Psalm 119)...

Ron

Compassion Rules! Live your Life...

Get out of the boat...

2008-08-16T20:08:00.002-04:00

Last Wednesday I volunteered at the T-Rex sprint distance triathlon sponsored by Running Fit. My job was to help the athletes check in, get their race packet and then find their way to the transition area (the place where they keep all their equipment and make the transition from the swim, to the bike and then to the run). When that job was finished I went over and helped guide the swimmers, then I went over and helped those who finished the race turn in their timing chip. It was fun and I had a great time. It was almost as thrilling as being in the race myself – almost.

Stop and think about this for a while; you’ll never experience the fullness of God unless you take a huge risk and get “out of the boat”…

Do you really believe it?

Read the following:

Joshua 1:1-11…

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea [a] on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." 10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.' "

Joshua had been second in command most of his life because it was the “call” of Moses to lead the people of Israel into the promise land, or so he thought. Moses up and died and God then asked Joshua to “get out of the boat” and lead a nation into the fulfillment of a promise that had been around for thousands of years. It was time for Joshua to stop helping and start leading; time for him to actually “run in the race himself”; time for him to get out of the boat and into the water (how’s that for a truck-load of metaphors?). When he did he experienced the power and grace of God in ways he never dreamt possible.

Dr. Henry Cloud suggests that courage is what we need to face the demands of reality – a reality that reveals to us the plan of God to spread the message of hope, justice, restoration, healing and peace with God in Christ.

What is that plan? You…

Need help getting “out of the boat” and into the water of kingdom service? Let me know and I’ll point you on the right direction.

Does this scare you? Me too, so welcome to the club...

Ron

Compassion Rules! Live your Life...

Endurance = Pain...

2008-08-09T06:18:00.001-04:00

Last weekend I had the privilege of participating in the 6th Annual Steelhead Half-Ironman. My training buddy Jim and I managed to complete the race around the same time (five hours and forty minutes) and as we sat there reviewing the various parts of the race (the highs and lows) it occurred to me; without my dear friend Jim I would have never been able to do this race. It has been said that triathlons are individual efforts because you’re actually racing against yourself; simply trying to set a new personal record. This may be true in a narrow sense, but in a larger sense nothing could be further from the truth.

Last Saturday I learned two significant lessons about endurance: 1) Endurance involves pain. During the last seven miles of the ½ marathon, the last element of a triathlon, my legs and feet were killing me; cramping up to the point where I was forced to walk for 2-3 minutes of every mile. 2) Endurance is not an individual effort. If it were not for Jim who had prepared me for running through the pain, and those along the run course encouraging and cheering us on, I may not have finished.

The same can be said of life; endurance, living through the highs and lows of life, involves pain and it was never intended to be experienced or worked through alone.

Read the following and then think through a few questions at the end…

Romans 8:26-39 (The Message)

26-28 Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

29-30 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.

31-39 So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

Questions:

1. What challenges in your life cause you to want to quit or give up? If think you’re exempt from this you’re not being honest…
2. Why do you think that we all face these types of challenges that can cause so much pain? There are no easy answers here…
3. Who do you turn to for help and encouragement along the way?
4. Are you running your race (life) alone, or do you have a network of friends who help you?
5. How do you let Jesus encourage and sometimes carry you during the painful times of life?

Personal note: One of the most painful times in my life was when my wife and I were turned down for adoption the third time. It was agonizingly painful and I still have vivid memories of the rejection and hurt. Along the way, however, Jesus and some dear friends have come alongside and helped us see that life has much more to offer. Furthermore, we can still play a major part in the lives of children around the world, and the best part is unlike “real” parents we don’t have to pay for their college education (just kidding).

Stay strong my friends and endure; even during the pain. You’re not alone…

Ron

Compassion Rules! Live your Life...

The Celebrity and the towel...

2008-07-27T15:37:00.004-04:00

Not that long ago I was talking with a lead pastor about how he “serves” the community/world and we had an incredibly instructional time. The gist of the conversation went like this; he serves the world by using his giftedness (in his case it was speaking). In other words, he serves those on the fringes of hope by speaking/preaching (very cool). However, I later learned that this particular individual rarely, if ever, goes on mission trips (locally, or anywhere else) when he’s not the featured speaker (I guess he’s a celebrity and has earned the right to make such arrangements). Sorry, my cynicism and sarcasm are leaching out; hey I’m human too – really…

I wonder; what does one’s giftedness/passions have to do with towel bearing – serving the real needs of the poor, lonely, forgotten, and homeless; sharing real hope with AIDS orphans, clothing the naked, coming alongside the disconnected, feeding the hungry and being the hands/feet of Jesus in an unjust world?

Last I checked it wasn't about me or even my giftedness.

Read the following and ask yourself a few questions.

John 13:1-17
1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.[a] 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas,[b] son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”

8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” 9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” 10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet,[c] to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

Questions:

1. What particular skill or ability did Jesus possess to engage in such an act (bearing the towel)?
2. Why does it seem as if we’re enamored by working exclusively in our area(s) of “giftedness (passion)”, sometimes at the expense of those on the fringe? Admittedly, maybe this is just one of my hobby horses…
3. What are some ways we can combine our giftedness and the towel, or can we?
4. Am I way off base here?

Personal note: I love to preach/teach and will do so anytime and anywhere – when asked. However, what if God took away my preaching? What’s left? Towel bearing and serving those on the fringe of the unjust world… This was an extremely hard lesson for me (one I finally learned while in Kenya): lead with the towel and everything else will follow…

Ron

Compassion Rules! Live your Life...

For the love of the game...

2008-07-21T07:51:00.003-04:00

You have to wonder; how many young athletes have walked away from the game simply because they were “driven” to practice, practice, practice, so they could win at the expense of everything else? When my dad introduced my younger brother and me to the game of ice hockey he managed to help us first love the game and then learn how to play. As it turned out it was the love of the game that pushed us to play together for over 50 years (we still love to get out on the ice and shoot the puck around).

In our walk with Christ our spiritual training (the regular use of the many spiritual practices) can be much the same in that it is always best when they are motivated by a “love affair” with Jesus.

Anything less can lead into a performance based type of Christianity; the practice of the spiritual “disciplines” can grow old and when our enthusiasm wanes (which means you’re human) we have nothing left. Worse yet, we’re stuck with a guilt complex because we’re not “doing” what we’re supposed to be doing. Sound familiar?

Read the following and then ask yourself a few questions:

Psalm 86:1-13
Hear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
You are my God; save your servant
who trusts in you.
3 Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

Questions:

1. Why do I engage in the practices of prayer and Bible study?
2. Why do I want to help others who have less and need some TLC?
3. Why do I want to learn and grow?
4. What is my real motivation? Does it need to change?
5. Have I actually fallen in love with Jesus?

Compassion Rules! Live your Life...

Encouragement: it's powerful...

2008-07-13T06:52:00.002-04:00

A few days after receiving my driver’s license my mom and I were riding down the road – I was driving her car. After a few moments of silence she turned to me and said, “Ron, I feel very safe riding in the car when you are driving. You’re doing great.” Looking back I have no doubt that she shared these same words with my five brothers when they received their license, but at that time they were the words that I needed to hear; encouraging words that took the edge off and made me feel really good about myself.

This is my mom’s way. She is truly a voice of encouragement and as such over her life of 87 years hundreds of women come to her for advice and counsel (they still do). Why? Because she has decided to pour into people; to encourage them and help them see the good in themselves and the world in which we live.

King Solomon has much to say about the counsel of friends. Here are just a few:

Prov. 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Prov. 27:9
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Prov. 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Prov. 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

As you read these short verses does anyone come to mind who reflects these verses in your life?
How about you? Are you the voice of encouragement to others?

What a lonely and shallow life it would be if we did not have those in our life who love us enough to encourage and even challenge us when needed. Encouragement, they type found in Jesus, has great power. Indeed, it is the power of life!! Don’t believe me? Then take some time and read John 8:1-11.

Hey, make a decision today. Be an encourager and the voice of hope. People need you more than you know.

Compassion Rules! Live your Life...

July 5th: The "freedom" principle...

2008-07-05T08:04:00.001-04:00

July 4th is an awesome holiday (maybe awesome is overused, but it fits here). As you are well aware, the freedoms we have in our country came at great cost by millions of young men and women throughout the years. It serves to remind us as we celebrate; freedom is not the absence of sacrifice and duty. Freedom is a result of courage, strength, honor and a willingness to live by a law/principle that is larger than life – the principle of embracing a set of standards that transcend personal preference and places the needs of others ahead of our own as individuals.

The same can be said of the freedom we have in Jesus Christ. Like our national freedom, freedom in Christ is not simply the absence of rules, guidelines and principles that define for us how God would have us live. There are two Bible references that bring our freedom and responsibility together…

John 8:31-32…
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Hebrews 12:1-2…
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

Blending these two parts of the Bible together let me ask you to think about a few things:

1. What is the “catch/condition” that Jesus shares in his offer for freedom? How does the truth set us free? How could this freedom be interrupted?

2. If we’re in this "race" called life (living for God) what can get in the way of that life or even disqualify us from the “assignment” we have been given? How does this relate to freedom?

3. Which is really more confining; God’s rules for life or the absence of them? Why?

4. When we do mess up and get off-track (and we all do) what does Hebrews 12 tell us to do?

For years I thought that Christianity was nothing more than an attempt to get me to simply behave and follow the rules. What I have learned (the hard way) is that God’s principles for life are best followed when we fall in love with Jesus first (because of who he is and what he did (see June 29th – he took our place)).

So, I no longer follow God’s guidelines, principles for life, because I “have” to, I do so because I “get” to and therein one finds true freedom.

Hey, let’s enjoy our freedom and continue to live for Jesus. There is a world out there that needs what we have. Let’s offer it to them with kindness and compassion as we fix our eyes on HIM…

Compassion Rules! Live your Life...

Sunday, June 29th; The God-man...

2008-06-27T11:48:00.003-04:00

In the midst of Christ’s creative genius (as God) he certainly took a strange step in his efforts to recapture the hearts and souls of humanity – he became one of those that he created (a man). To try and get a handle on this seemingly odd set of events take a look at…

John 1:1-14 (the before and after mystery)

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

14 So the Word became human[d] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

Read it a few times and ask yourself the following:

1. Who is “the word’ referred to in the first few verses?
2. What was “the word” up to?
3. Did “the word” have a beginning?
4. What does it mean what it says “the word became flesh”?
5. What is Christ’s glory?

It’s true; God’s mission is to seek out and restore/rescue humanity. This was his mission then and it’s his mission today. Jesus took the first step when led with compassion and became one of us.

While on earth Jesus repeatedly expressed compassion on those in the margins (the poor, lonely, rejected, homeless, imprisoned, widowed, orphaned, greedy, and assorted misfits); this compassion ran so deep that he took their place on the cross, and then asked them to take his place on earth.

It’s true for us too.

To love and serve means that we, like Jesus, address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people regardless of where they live, what they believe, their economic status, country of origin, or religious background; those living in the margins.

The compassion of God is meant to be shared and expressed in the way we live. No speeches, no lectures, no sermons, no handouts, no memorization, no formal training, no theological expertise, no judgments, no condemnation, no expectations, no religion; just love.

Just live as Jesus wants us to live.

This is the cool part; along the way, curiosity is peaked. People want to know why you are doing what you do giving you a chance to share the compassion message, and hopefully others will join us in our desire to help those who need to experience a living hope. His name is Jesus…

Compassion Rules! Live your Life...

www.compassionrules.com

Sunday, June 8th 2008 Holy, yet empowering…

2008-06-09T07:50:00.001-04:00

It’s humbling if you stop to think about it; Jesus in all of his glory, in the fullness of his deity, in the heavens that he left to become one us for a time being is actually praying for us. Even as you read this He is interceding on our behalf before the living God – God the Father. Unbelievable; his love and concern for us never stops.

Do you ever feel alone? Lonely as if no one is around who really cares about you? I feel this way occasionally, I think it’s only human. It’s hard to accept; Jesus’ love is so deep that he stands in the gap for us everyday. Even when we think we don’t need the help. Again, it’s a bit overwhelming if you think about it.

While this realization may be new to you it’s really just an extension of who Jesus was while he was here on earth. We see this in one of his prayers. A small part of this prayer is below. As Jesus was preparing to go back to God because his mission was about to end, he interceded on behalf of those he loved…

John 17:13-21 (New International Version)

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

While this prayer has many facets that are worthy of discussion, I want to focus on the part where he mentions that we are “not of the word” and yet “we are in the world.” Seems a little odd, but like Jesus was in the world we too are in the world. Yet, at the same time we are not to be part of the world.

What do think about when you read this? What comes to mind? How can we be in and not of the world around us? Is it an issue of separation (non-engagement) as some would have us believe? Is it that we set ourselves in a position of judgment and therefore condemn those who may not live like us? What does it mean?

Maybe it’s just me, but I think the idea of being “in and not of” has been misunderstood for the past few decades. To me it suggests that we live differently while on this earth so others can see the love of Jesus in our actions. It means that we live by a different set of standards that point to Christ as the one who cares about those who are hurting and suffering. It means that we engage the world by making the sound moral choices that affect real change, but “morality” actually goes much deeper than you may think (e.g., when you think of “immorality” what come to mind?).

Unlike the dominant conservative evangelical church has behaved for the past few decades, making sound moral choices transcends sexual issues and means that we can also choose:

• Generosity over greed (personal or corporate)…
• Moderation over indulgence (mine or yours)…
• Reestablishing our priorities for the sake of family (workaholics in the church or anywhere else)…
• A life that is more about serving others and less about serving self (it’s not about you)…
• Down-shifting over consumerism (living on less so more can be shared)…
• Caring for our planet by accepting an eco-friendly way of life…
• Engaging the issues of social justice rather than avoiding them (making things right instead of turning a blind eye on the poor, the orphaned, the hungry, homeless and thirsty)…

Talk about this stuff with your friends and start making the hard choices – choices that will let others know how much Jesus really cares about them.

Hey, I’m gone for a few weeks (with a team in Guatemala), so think on these things and let Jesus work on your heart. I’ll update the blog when I get back.

Remember, you not doing this alone; Jesus is praying for you right now and he will guide you around every corner.

Peace out…

PS – if this blog is useful to you please let me know via email – rgelaude@connexionscc.com

Sunday, June 1st, 2008 All powerful, yet ever so trusting…

2008-06-01T06:29:00.001-04:00

I remember on many occasions when my dad, who was gentleman farmer and skilled in many areas, would ask me to do something for him. This is not uncommon with young boys who had a dad who loved projects, but what I found interesting was that while he was more than able to get the job done much quicker and with more skill, he still wanted me to do it.

He trusted me to do the best I could do, and if I needed help all I needed to do was ask. As I reflect back I see this as an example of how God desires to do the same. In all of his power, his holiness and his perfection he still asks us for help. He trusts us to share his message of hope, peace and reconciliation.

It’s a mystery to me…

Don’t believe me? Read and think through the following:

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (New International Version)

18-20 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:16-20 (The Message)

16-20 Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.

Here are a few questions to ponder:

What are the best ways we can share the hope that we have?
What are the often practiced and least effective ways people share Christ?
What is an ambassador? How does this role play out in life?
Why do you think that God asks us to join him in his plan to extend true hope to the world?
What it is that God is looking for in a person?

Personal note:

For the longest time I’ve noticed that the fabric of a person character is revealed not in the words of their speeches (or sermons), nor in the promises they make, but in their actions and deeds. It’s one thing to say you’re a follower of Jesus and wear the façade of Christianity; it’s wholly another to live as he lived. In large part our devotion to Christ is measured by our willingness to just follow him wherever it takes us.

It’s funny really. I’ve been part of “church” for about 20 years, and I’ve just recently come to this conclusion: we have not been placed on this blue marble planet to serve an institution called the Church, but to serve our King and those he loves so dearly. We are to do so at any and all costs.

But then, maybe it’s just me…

Peace…

Sunday, May 25th and the Great Exchange...

2008-05-25T06:52:00.001-04:00

Ever so often I reflect back on life and how it came to be that God would find it in his heart to invite someone “like me” into his adventure. Those feelings of “worthlessness” are real and they revisit the soul if I let them. In the continuum of God’s holiness/perfection and the reality of my own failures (sin) is a cavernous gap that seems impossible to navigate. So like so many, there I sat with empty feelings of hopelessness only to fill those voids with the pursuit of career and what it brings to the table. Not a bad thing really, but nothing less than a spiritual diversion that buries those original feelings and thoughts.

When money, success and recognition show their face it’s a great feeling, but what remains is an itch that has yet to be scratched. You know that place in the middle of the back that you can’t reach on your own. It never goes away. It was so with me and God. He never went away…

How does He deal with my sin? How does this perfect God handle my imperfect life? Does he simply forgive and forget? If so, why then do I still remember? If not, how do these seemingly polar opposites get reconciled?

Then one day, for reasons I can’t remember, I read the following:

Revelation 5 - The Lamb Opens the Scroll (New Living Translation)

1 Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
4 Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. 5 But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. 7 He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. 8 And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 And you have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 12 And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
14 And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

John 1:29 (New Living Translation)

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

2 Corinthians 5:21 (New Living Translation)

21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Here are a few more questions to ponder:

How do these verses answer the questions posed earlier?
What’s the difference between feeling unworthy and feelings of worthlessness?
How does this affect the healing process?

Personal note:

I’m okay. Because of what Christ did for me I can move on and live for him. My reflections today are ones of gratitude, and those feelings of worthlessness are gone; carried away by the Lamb of God. New chapters are being written and the healing is ongoing. That itch is gone, but the journey continues…

Peace and Hope…

Sunday, May 18th The Majesty of God…

2008-05-17T07:05:00.004-04:00

Ask yourself; over the years what have I been taught about God that has lead me to view Him as something less than he is? Or, what experiences have I had that have done the same?

We all come to the table with a view of God. Fortunately or unfortunately, this “view” is framed, shaped and molded by our surroundings, experiences, parents, teachers, pastors, spiritual leaders and our culture. Whether we like it or not, this “view” in more ways than we care to admit determines how we see the world, how we treat others and how we live our lives everyday. Our view of God is the “filter” or “lens” through which we “do life”…

I was thinking; for one reason or another we allow almost anything and everything other than God to shape our view of him. Weird, maybe it’s just me…

This week we want to look at the Majesty of God; the idea that he is so magnificent and majestic his is beyond our comprehension, and yet in the midst of this majesty he longs to whisper into our ear; whispers of encouragement, hope, support and direction. How cool is that?

So, take some time this week to read the following and then ponder through a few questions listed below. If you can, set aside any “caricatures” of God that you have in your head. Have fun, let God speak to you, open your mind and heart to what he has to say…

Psalm 139:1-18 (New International Version)

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to [b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

Psalm 86:1-13 (New International Version)

1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you.
You are my God; save your servant
who trusts in you.
3 Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, O LORD;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you,
for you will answer me.
8 Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
9 All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Here are a few more questions to ponder:

How do you see that distance and closeness of God working in your life?
What parts/attributes of God seem unimaginable to you?
What parts/attributes have of God you experienced personally?

Will you sit with Him this week and allow him to whisper into your ear?

Personal note:

For the longest time I viewed God has this cosmic judge who really enjoyed sending people into a fiery hell, and that one of his biggest pleasures was to make sure that I never had any fun; if I simply obeyed the rules then I was a good boy. I’m not sure where this came from, but this was my view of God. So, after high school, which was a struggle, I took the path of least resistance – it was party time.

But then at the age of 35, I discovered the real God; the real Jesus who loves a party, but this party was different. It’s was an adventurous party of abandoning self and following Him to the ends of the earth. It’s almost reckless, but at the same time it’s calming.

You see, the majesty of God reveals his trandsendence (above all things) and at the same time it reveals his immanence (ever so close) as well. How cool is that...

Sunday, May 11th Child-like faith…

2008-05-11T06:43:00.005-04:00

Oh how we manage to make life complicated at times. Wouldn’t you agree? Last week (May 4th) Aric talked about how “religion” usually seems to run interference with our relationship with the living God, and more often than not, those self-inflicted rules and regulations just make matter worse. The end result is a complicated life of staying between the lines and simply following the rules so we can “please” God (or at least the ones who created the rules).

On May 11th we talked about how Jesus simply asks us to come to him “like a child” and in doing so we find hope, peace and a way of life that leads to freedom. So, ask yourself;

 How have I complicated my relationship with God?
 What could I remove from my life that would strengthen my walk with Him?

Take a look at Micah 6:6-8 and read it a few times; at least until you could recount the story from memory (I’ve included two different translations)…

Micah 6:6-8 (New International Version)
6 With what shall I come before the LORD
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:6-8 (The Message)
6-7How can I stand up before God
and show proper respect to the high God?
Should I bring an armload of offerings
topped off with yearling calves?
Would God be impressed with thousands of rams,
with buckets and barrels of olive oil?
Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child,
my precious baby, to cancel my sin?
8But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.

Here are a few more questions to ponder:

 What does it mean to walk humbly with God?
 What questions of God do I ask that get in the way of deepening my walk with him?
 Would an answer to the question really make a difference? If so what difference?
 Why is it so hard for us to trust God with the details of life?
 What are some barriers to faith with which I have wrestled?

Personal note:

One of my wrestling matches is making hard decisions when fearing a not so exciting outcome (e.g., a relational loss). I’ve recently learned that making, or not making, a decision based on fear is usually grounded in mistrust – not trusting God for the outcome. Leaning on Him, as a child trusts a parent, is the better way to live…

First Blog

2008-04-19T13:47:00.004-04:00

I'm really excited about my first blog and my hope is that it will stimulate some discussion about the topics at hand, so let's begin...

Sunday, Arpil 27th and we talked about making counter-cultural choices. If you read Luke 10:25-37 (below) you'll read about a guy who was afraid to do so.

What was the nature of his question in verses 25 and then in 29?
What was his real fear?
Which of the three people described in the story Jesus told lived counter-culturally? Why?
Why was it odd that Jesus chose a "samaritan" to offer compassion?
Which of the "three" would descibe you? Really?
What fear holds us back from "doing likewise"?

Btw, for me it's usually the fear of not getting a response that "I" would like to get...

Luke 10:25-37...

25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[a]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b]"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." 25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"

27He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[a]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[b]"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' 36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."