Sunday, February 5, 2012    

I Just Wanted a Toothbrush!

Went to the store last night to pick up a few items we needed since we were so close (okay, we were at Gotcha! with the kids getting some of our favorite yogurt…but it was still close). One of the items on my list of “needs” was a new toothbrush. So I stroll down the toothbrush aisle assuming this will be any easy trip.

Boy. Was. I. Ever. Wrong!

When did toothbrush technology become so advanced? All I wanted was a simple toothbrush…but, no! There are now so many choices it took my the better part of the evening just to recognize the options…vibrating, tooth whitening (in the brush?), left-handed, multi-lingual (okay, I made those last two up, but I bet their coming).

I just wanted a standard, plain-ol’ toothbrush and that was nearly impossible to find.

But I persevered…sort of. Way down at the bottom of the shelves were the “standard” toothbrushes. And yet, the one I got still has more technology than I think is necessary (flex bending head, squishy thumb hold, etc).

When did life get so complicated? I think it started with THIS (click the link to read my last rant).

Okay, I feel better now…back to our regularly scheduled programming…

06.06.2011 | Visits: 285 Humor, Misc Ramblings, Soap Box Add a Comment

Just Ask

I started reading through the Bible at the beginning of the year. First time for me and I’m learning a lot. I’ve read the entire Bible, but never in a single year and with intentionality (I did it in response to the one-year challenge in the book Radical).

Right now I’m reading through 2 Samuel and the live of King David. Great stories. Great man. Great leadership lessons. I noticed something in my reading today…as a result of reading through this section in large chunks. It’s a phrase that has come up several times and is critical to leadership and life in general. This phrase is used seven times in 1 & 2 Samuel:

“David asked the Lord…”

Perhaps more important, every time David asked God what He should do He got the right answer! And David followed God’s direction and was always the better for having done so. Seems obvious doesn’t it? Certainly in hindsight. It’s so easy looking back to say how simple and obvious this is. Ask God. Get the answer. Do what He says.

So why don’t we more often?

I know I’m guilty of several things:

  1. Not asking in the first place.
  2. Not waiting long enough to get the answer.
  3. Not doing what He says to do.

It’s all so simple until I have to it with no 20/20 hindsight vision. Not so easy when the point is to fully trust in what we can’t see is going to happen. That’s faith…and I seem to have so little of it. I shouldn’t worry about God’s best interest, but I do. And I need to stop it. Instead of worrying about what might happen I need to trust God’s heart and follow His plans and directions for my life. He said so…

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!  (John 14:13–14, NLT)

It’s that simple…just ask!

06.02.2011 | Visits: 351 Devotional, Prayer, Spiritual Musings Add a Comment

Busy, Busy, Busy

No excuse…just the facts of life. Life is busy, and it’s gotten even busier over the past month, and even busier than that this past week. I realized today that it’s been over 6 weeks since I last posted on my blog (not a single post in the month of May).

And I also realized that I miss it. It’s a good outlet for me even if nobody else is reading or cares about what I’m writing. It’s good practice. It’s cathartic. And I simply haven’t been doing it. In the memorable words of Kyle when he was 2: “I busy!”

I can’t even promise that this month will be any better. But I do intend to try and fit some writing into my schedule. I’ve been working on a novel for years with little progress…but this isn’t quite that level of effort.

Busy? Yes. Using it as an excuse? A little. Going to do better? We’ll see…

;o)

06.01.2011 | Visits: 1,668 Blogging, Misc Ramblings 3 Comments

Following Jesus – Twitter Style

A professor of mine pointed me to this video from Igniter Media (thanks Prof. Attig).

It’s a must watch as we approach Easter…

04.19.2011 | Visits: 861 Easter, Jesus, Video 3 Comments

Free Consultations

I’m reading about Joshua right now. Great guy to follow and learn from, but once again…nobody’s perfect. Joshua may be as close as anyone, but even he messed up once in awhile. That actually gives me some comfort since I mess up more than the average dude.

This morning I was reading about Joshua’s exploits as he and the Israelites make there way into the Promised Land. They start wiping out everyone and everything in their path because God is fighting for them (quite literally). And word has gotten out to the towns next on the hit list…and they freak out (as they should)!

The Gibeonites, however, device a cunning little plan. They send a bunch of guys to meet Joshua and pretend that they are from a distant country and have come to make peace. They look and play the part perfectly (including worn clothing, stale bread, and old wineskins). Joshua and his leaders grill them to be sure they aren’t from a nearby town, but they make one fatal mistake…

So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath. Three days after making the treaty, they learned that these people actually lived nearby! (Joshua 9:14-16, NLT)

It was a simple, honest mistake, but one that ended up costing them. They make the treaty…in God’s name…and then they have to stand by their word. The Gibeonite’s plan works and they’re spared (even though the become the Israelite’s slaves for the rest of their lives…still better than death).

The lessons for us? I see at least two (share your own in the comments if you have more):

  1. The obvious…we should consult God when we’re faced with big decisions. I make this mistake all too often. I need to consult Hi more (especially when it really matters). I shouldn’t depend on my own understand; I need to lean on Him.
  2. God will let us live with our bad choices. Too often I think that God will simply step in and rescue me from my bad choices. No so. More often than not (in Scripture), God let’s His people make bad decisions, but He makes them live with the consequences. We should have asked in the first place…sometimes that’s what it takes to learn the lesson.

So, I’m off to do a little consulting of my own now…

04.14.2011 | Visits: 132 Devotional, Spiritual Musings Add a Comment

Kool 105 Distress

This post is mainly for those who grew up in Denver or have lived in Denver for any significant amount of time. If you’re in that boat with me you know that KOOL 105 has always been known as Denver’s “Oldies” station. When I was growing up it played mostly 50′s and 60′s music. Not exactly music I wanted to listen to so I largely ignored the radio station.

Here’s my distress. I discovered it this week. I “accidentally” listened to KOOL 105 last week (thinking I was on Jack 105.5)…and found out that I like the station. A lot! How did this happen? All of a sudden they’re playing music from the 60s, 70s and 80s (and most of that from the last two decades). When did MY music become “oldies”??!?!?!?

So, I’m listening to the station…but I absolutely REFUSE to assign the station a preset on my radio dial. I just can’t bring myself to do it….yet.

;o)

04.05.2011 | Visits: 334 Humor, Misc Ramblings 1 Comment

On His Terms

Our culture has this misguided notion that we get to come to God on our own terms. You hear it in various forms, but here are a few:

“If the good in my life outweighs the bad then God will surely accept me.”

“If God is a loving God how could He send anyone to hell?”

“All roads lead to heaven.”

The problem with each of these statements is that they don’t come from God…they’re our statements. Things we think, hope, and wish were true. But does God get a say in this anywhere? Are we so arrogant to think that we get to come to God…the Creator of the Universe…on our terms instead of His terms?

This hit home with me this week as I continued my reading through the book of Deuteronomy. In chapter 12 God makes this declaration…

Do not worship the Lord your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods. Rather, you must seek the Lord your God at the place of worship he himself will choose from among all the tribes—the place where his name will be honored. (Deuteronomy 12:4-5, NLT)

God repeats this phrase over and over again in the chapters that follow. He commands His children to worship Him…to come to Him in fellowship…on HIS terms, not ours. HE will chose the place where He is to be worshiped, not the other way around. He is very clear on this point…He says it over and over again so that there is no confusion. His children are called to worship Him at a place of His choosing.

But that was then…what about now? Jesus makes a similar statement, but in a different way…

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NLT)

His terms…not ours. Our way to God is only through Jesus. Period. It has nothing to do with how good or bad we are. All roads don’t lead there…only one road. We simply do not get to pick and choose…God chooses. And He chose Jesus.

So should we…

03.31.2011 | Visits: 336 Jesus, Spiritual Musings Add a Comment

Sinner by Trade

I am increasingly convinced that everyone now and again, God chooses to speak to me through repetition. He sends me the same message through various sources. Maybe that’s what it takes to get my attention…and I must confess that it seems to work (is that because I’m just slow?).

This week’s topic? My nature…more specifically, my sinful nature.

The topic came up during a LifeGroup discussion yesterday afternoon (thanks again to Danny & Suzanne for letting me sit in with them). The group started talking about how little we tend to get out of our comfort zone and talk with others about God. Then it turned to how the church has often alienated itself from those who need God (I’ll let you fill in this list).

During this discussion, it struck me that maybe the issue is that we think a little too highly of ourselves. We’ve convinced ourselves that we’ve “arrived”…that’s we’re “holy” and “righteous”. None of that is true. At our core, we are sinful creatures that God has redeemed to Himself (Romans 3:9-26). I didn’t do it…God did.

With this perspective, who am I to think for one nano-second that I have the right to withhold God’s love from others (even for my own comfort)? I can’t fix myself much less anyone else. It’s just my job to love on others and let God the rest. My fear and my own self-righteousness too often gets in the way.

And then this quote from my reading today in Richard Foster’s book on Prayer:

We are not sinners because we commit sinful acts; rather, we commit sinful acts because we are sinners. (page 46)

I get this one backwards all the time. It’s good for me to remember that God has saved me from myself. Being a pastor doesn’t change my condition. Being a good person doesn’t change my condition. Only Jesus can change me (or those He’s placed in my life). I just need to accept His free gift and follow Him with everything I’ve got (which I often fail at doing because of the above truth).

I needed this reminder this week. I think I was getting a little too big for my own britches.  =0)

03.28.2011 | Visits: 89 Faith, Spiritual Musings Add a Comment

New Wineskins

I’ve read the following passage many times and it’s always been intriguing to me. I’ve even preached on the passage before. But as often happens, I read it this morning and saw something new once again. Here’s the passage:

Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment.

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.”

(Luke 5:36-39, NLT)

For the longest time I struggled with what Jesus was saying with all the discussion about new patched, old patches, new wineskins, and old wineskins. I understand now that He’s talking about the new kind of relationship He was ushering in. No longer where God and His children going to be separated. Jesus came to bring something new…a close, personal relationships with Him. He’s the new patch and the new wine. And he doesn’t fit into the old way of doing things (Law, Pharisaical ways, our old thinking, etc.). It was brand new and He was bringing an entirely new package to us…wine and wineskins.

So why do I bring all this up? What’s new for me today?

That last sentence: “But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.”

Jesus is talking about us being set in our ways. Too often we can’t accept His new way because we’re too used to the old way…our way. I don’t want to be one of these people Jesus us talking about who think “the old is just fine”. It’s not just fine. Jesus’ way is so much better than my way…but am I too afraid to give it a try (even when others tell me how good it is)?

I want the new wine. I want the new patch.

I want Jesus.

03.23.2011 | Visits: 193 Jesus, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

Talking Donkeys

It’s been awhile since I’ve read the story of Balaam and his donkey. It’s a humorous story with a serious message. If you haven’t ever read it (or if it’s been awhile) I highly encourage you to do so (the entire story is in Numbers 22).

The long and short of it is that Balaam is a “hired gun” who performs blessings, curses, divining, and any other sort of soothsaying for the right price. At this point in the story, Israel is trying to cross through Moab, peacefully. However, King Balak doesn’t like that idea because he’s afraid of how many Israelites there are. So he tries to hire Balaam to curse Israel before attacking them.

But God gets a hold of Balaam first. He tells Balaam not to go…Balaam agrees but hopes God will change is mind (there’s a lot of cash on the line)…God tells Him to go…Balaam goes, but has a little incident with an angel and his talking donkey (that’s the funny part of the story)…Balaam gets his head screwed on right and proceeds to meet with King Balak with a strict understanding that he’s only to do what God instructs him to do.

It’s a great story.

But it’s also got an important message…at least for me (and anyone else who speaks to others about God…this includes every disciple, but especially those doing it as their vocation). Here’s the lesson that Balaam learns and proclaims to King Balak:

Balaam replied, “Look, now I have come, but I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message that God puts in my mouth.” (Numbers 22:28, NLT)

That’s such an important lesson and reminder. It’s my goal every time I speak in a Sunday morning. I want to “speak only the message that God puts in my mouth”. I think I do that most of the time…but not all of the time. I just hope God doesn’t have to send a talking donkey my way to be sure I get the message.

03.15.2011 | Visits: 137 Ministry, New Pastor Journal, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

Previous Entries
Newer Entries