I want to be a blessing to others—not a burden.

There is often a fine line between the two. Don’t misunderstand me…we are supposed to share our burdens with one another (that part of living in community with other people). But there is a difference between sharing my burden and being a burden.

As I go about my daily life I want to be a blessing to other people (even as I share my life and burdens with them) rather than being a drag on them (people already have enough to worry about). Perhaps the difference is in sharing my burden rather than simply dumping my burden(s) other people…it’s a two-way street, I share mine and help carry another’s.

So that’s my prayer today…that I will be more of a blessing than a burden. I’ll let you now how that goes.

Night and day we pray earnestly for you,
asking God to let us see you again
to fill the gaps in your faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:10, NLT

Paul is writing to Christians here. Persecuted Christians. Christians living out their faith in tough times. And he tells them that he wants to come see them so that he can help “fill the gaps” in their faith. A couple of thoughts here off the top of my head:

1. I don’t often think of my faith like this…having gaps. It makes me ponder where the gaps are in my own faith.
2. It strikes me that the remedy for these gaps, how they “get filled”, is within community. We can’t fill these gaps ourselves. We need on another to fill the gaps in our faith. This underscores just how important we are to one another.

Anyone have some thoughts to add to this one? Do you know the gaps in your own faith? Have you ever been a part of filling the gaps in someone else’s faith?

For the past few days I have been thinking about the objective for small groups. Don’t get me wrong…I absolutely believe in small groups. But what are they all about—really? What’s the purpose of a small group? What’s the goal, the objective? Why do we do small groups?

Most of the groups I’ve been involved in seem topically focused. They are about a specific topic or series the group is working through. This might be a book of the Bible, a marriage series, et al. Relationships are part of the group, but they seem secondary. If “I” don’t  like the study then I sit out a series or two until something comes up that I like…that speaks to me. (Note: I have not actually done that…but I know of others who have and I have certainly done it mentally).

I don’t think that’s what small groups are supposed to be about. They are supposed to be about relationships. Community. Walking through life together…spiritual life and life in general. Which might mean on of two things: 1) The study we do should be secondary (like it or not) or 2) Maybe the study should get tossed out the window and we spend time with each other…getting know one another, learning about each other, sharing God stories, etc. The answer probably lies somewhere in the middle of these two.

In any discussion on this topic I am drawn to the early church. How did they do it? What model(s) do we have in Scripture? The Acts 2 church is our model:

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42-47

They ate together. The learned together. They prayer together. God did great things in their midst. They shared their lives (spiritually and literally). They worshipped together. They grew.

That’s what I call community. And I don’t think they were too worried about what lesson plan they were following. They loved on one another. They walked through life together…and God blessed them for it.

That’s what I want our small group to be. I need to be a better leader and focus on this more and on the other “stuff” less. Maybe we need to put down the lessons and the series and focus on building community. Maybe we just need to be authentic, transparent, and share our God stories (and if we don’t have them figure out why). Just maybe…

Last night was especially good. We have been walking through the book of Daniel for the past two months and I have learned a lot. Daniel is full of great stories and visions. Sometimes the application is simple and sometimes it makes your head hurt, but it’s a great book to study.

Last night our focus was on Daniel Chapter 9…probably my favorite chapter in the book. It has nothing to do with a lion’s den or a fiery furnace. It’s much more mundane than that, but just as powerful. Daniel is at the end of his life (around 65 years old) around the time he got thrown into the lion’s den and he is reading Zechariah’s prophesy about Israel’s 70 year captivity in Babylon (which started when Daniel was a boy and was still going on). A light bulb goes on in Daniel’s head and realizes that he and all of Israel have sinned against God so he prays…hard…for God to forgive them. Then Gabriel shows up to tell Daniel that his prayers have moved heaven (and then he gives Daniel a prophesy about the Messiah). That’s a lot on one chapter and we came up with the following three lessons (submitted for your consideration): 

1. We need to be praying for our nation (Daniel 9:1-19): Daniel recognized very quickly that Israel had sinned against God and was paying the price. He immediately started paying for his nation and we should follow his example.
2. Our prayers have impact (Daniel 9:23): Gabriel tells Daniel that as soon as his prayer start that a command was issued in heaven regarding the Messiah! Now that’s a powerful prayer (and it wasn’t even what Daniel was praying about). Daniel’s heart, words, and actions had an effect…God responded. Our prayers are promised to have the same effect.
3. Our hearts should be in heaven, not on earth (Daniel 9:20): This one isn’t so obvious, but you’ll notice in this verse that Daniel is praying for the sins of Israel and for his own sins. What did Daniel do wrong? He was a man of integrity and passed every test put before him. It wasn’t his fault they were in captivity. BUT…as an Israelite his heart was supposed to be set on Jerusalem, on God’s temple, where God’s presence was. Daniel had become comfortable in Babylon. That is what Daniel repents of. And we have the same danger. We are supposed to store up treasures in heaven, where our heart is, but too often our hearts are comfortable right where it is…in the here and now.

It was another great night with a great group of men. They inspire me. They encourage me. I thank God for every one an pray for them often! Thanks men!

Last night I went to the bookstore to look around and found a new book to read (just what I needed). Last night I read the first chapter and the author referenced one of the passages I highlighted in my devotions that morning…and a light bulb went on. See…it takes repetition, but at least I listen eventually (well…sometimes anyway).

The passage is one that even many who don’t know much about Scripture can recite…at least the first part of the passage. I’m going to share it with you “in reverse” because it’s the second part that has me thinking this morning:

This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:12b

That’s a mouthful. Jesus gives us “the essence”, the core, of the entire Biblical teaching in one short sentence. Must be packed full of deep, theological teaching right? Must be complicated and hard to understand. Must be for those with formal training and the wisdom of the ages…right?

Wrong! Here it is…

Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.
Matthew 7:12a

We even have a fancy name for this verse: The Golden Rule. Think about this for a second. The Golden Rule is the essence of everything taught in the law and the prophets. What? Yep…once again God shows that He is more concerned with relationships than anything else. He wants to have a relationship with us and He wants us to have good relationships with one another.

So, how about it…are you living out the Golden Rule? I must admit I don’t get an “A” in this territory. I don’t always treat others (at least not everyone) like I want to be treated. I’m still working on how to do better…so forgive me while I work on it.

 I am having “one of those weeks”. They happen to me every now and then…I hope they never happen to you. It’s been one of those weeks when nothing seems to be going right with the world. Now mind you, it’s not true (and I know it’s not true)…but to me that’s how it feels.

Not sure what triggers it. Not sure exactly how to stop it.

Frankly, I’m hoping writing about it helps a little bit since nothing else I’ve tried (aside from time) seems to work. I have just simply been down in the dumps all week. And my poor wife is stuck bearing the brunt of it. I just hope she realizes it’s not her I’m down in the dumps about…not sure what shape I’d be in without her.

This week the cause seems to be friendships (I’m never sure what the main cause will be). At the risk of sounding petty, whiny, and flat out self-centered and immature…it just doesn’t seem like I can develop really good friendships. And sometimes it just depresses me. Maybe I’m too needy? Maybe not needy enough? Maybe not friendly enough? I’m not sure.

It’s not that I don’t have friends…just not close friends. On most weekends and holidays we don’t have anyone ask us to hang out. Can’t actually remember the last time it happened. Makes me wonder what’s wrong with us. Is it our kids? Is it me? Is it us? Kind of frustrating because I hear all the time how lonely society is nowadays. Is that true? If so, why is it so hard?

And I’m actively involved in ministry (maybe too many right now in fact)…but I’m not connecting like I’d like to be. I think my ministry is effective…but is it really building community when I feel so isolated? Or is this just the enemy doing a number on me?

I pray about it, but nothing seems to change. Maybe that’s the problem…maybe I need to change.

Something to think about. Not sure I feel better now…maybe a little stupid and embarrassed for venting like this. But that’s supposed to be the point of this blog…the good, the bad and the ugly along the journey. Thanks for listening to my rant (if you’re still listening). If you’ve ever felt this way before…please share. Misery loves company right??