“Courage is contagious.
When a brave man takes a stand,
the spines of others are often stiffened."
Billy Graham
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
the pond
It was a busy day at the pond.
A robin entertained me for several minutes by flying back and forth from the tree in front of me to the pond on my right. And when I say back and forth, I mean back and forth. As in over and over again.
It would fly a foot or two off the ground in a straight line to the pond. Then, a minute or two later, it would return the same way it came. Only now it would have a piece of grass or a twig in its beak.
Yep. It’s nest-building time.
Getting dizzy from all the back and forth, I walked over to the pond where I spotted a huge snapping turtle. Being the big kid that I am, I picked up a small branch and reached out and tapped it on the shell a few times.
I now had its full attention.
The snapper prepared to defend itself by raising its tail and backside in the air and crouching down in the front, its jaws preparing to snip my fingers off if I get too close.
Knowing that it would snap if provoked again, I gently waved the branch in front of it and, sure enough, the turtle lurched forward with its mouth wide open. An air ball all the way.
I knew it was coming—I mean, I knew it was coming, but I still nearly jumped out of my tennies. This guy meant business.
Now a little shaken up, I decided to back away and leave it alone. As I turned around to make my escape, a squirrel stood on its hind legs next to a tree.
Staring at me. I stared back.
We didn’t have to speak—I knew what the squirrel was thinking: “What kind of idiot are you, messing around with a snapping turtle?!”
Being the gentleman that I am, I decided not to respond and merely kept on walking.
Meanwhile, the robin diligently continued its construction project, the snapper stewed quietly as it returned to the safety of the pond, and the squirrel shook its head in disbelief at the dumb human.
That would be me.
day 3: do the math
Editor’s note: This is the third of five articles written during a period of ministry burnout in July 2007.
One million and six. That is how many times I figure I have asked God to take away the thorn in my flesh: migraines. It could be less, but is likely more. One million and six.
The Apostle Paul was not nearly so persistent; he only asked the Lord for relief of his thorn in the flesh three times (2 Cor 12:8). According to my PC’s calculator, which is rarely wrong, that means I have pleaded with God one million and three more times than my esteemed colleague.
1. “Is God’s grace sufficient for me as it was for Paul?”
Answer: I believe that it is, although I am not convinced that it prevents me from seeking medical help.
One million and six. That is how many times I figure I have asked God to take away the thorn in my flesh: migraines. It could be less, but is likely more. One million and six.
The Apostle Paul was not nearly so persistent; he only asked the Lord for relief of his thorn in the flesh three times (2 Cor 12:8). According to my PC’s calculator, which is rarely wrong, that means I have pleaded with God one million and three more times than my esteemed colleague.
God’s response to Paul is short and sweet: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9).
Could it be that the Lord has responded in a similar way to my pleadings but it has fallen on deaf ears? Could it be that my persistence in this matter has been a waste of time?
Like a knight searching for the Holy Grail, I have sought relief from six physicians, including three headache specialists. Together, they have prescribed literally dozens of medications in order to somehow justify my deductible and co-pays.
Like a knight searching for the Holy Grail, I have sought relief from six physicians, including three headache specialists. Together, they have prescribed literally dozens of medications in order to somehow justify my deductible and co-pays.
The number of current meds taken is seven. The good news is that seven is God’s number. The bad news is the headaches have not stopped.
Is God’s “grace” “sufficient for” me as it was for the Apostle? Or did Paul sneak off for a physical and an old fashioned blood-letting from his good friend Dr. Luke?
Is God’s “grace” “sufficient for” me as it was for the Apostle? Or did Paul sneak off for a physical and an old fashioned blood-letting from his good friend Dr. Luke?
Not willing to accept responsibility for harassing the Creator of the universe on this topic of migraines, it is time to change the subject and evaluate Paul’s situation as described in 2 Corinthians. It turns out that his “thorn” was provided by none other than Satan (v 8). And why did God allow the Apostle to be tormented by whatever this “thorn” was? “To keep” him “from becoming conceited” (v 7).
Intrigued by the potential positive effects of trouble and hardship brought about by Satan, here are some observations made from other parts of Scripture:
- In 1 Cor 5:5 Paul instructs the Corinthian believers to hand an immoral man “over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.”
- In 1 Tim 1:20, the Apostle says that he has “handed” two men “over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.”
- In Job 1:10-12 it appears as if Satan is allowed to mess with Job in order to prove that the latter will not “curse” the Lord when tragedy strikes him and his family.
- In Job 42:5 the result of all of Job’s troubles is a better relationship with God.
1. “Is God’s grace sufficient for me as it was for Paul?”
Answer: I believe that it is, although I am not convinced that it prevents me from seeking medical help.
2. “Has God already answered my plea for migraine relief after one million and six requests and am I guilty of not listening?"
Answer: After one million and six requests, it appears as if the Lord has no intention of removing headaches from my life. Because of that, my ongoing prayer should probably change to asking for help to persevere vs. taking the headaches away.
3. “Are my headaches due to some kind of satanic attack?”
Answer: I have no idea and have no way of knowing.
4. “Are my headaches meant to keep me from becoming conceited?”
Answer: Perhaps.
5. “Are my headaches meant to destroy my sinful nature?”
Answer: Perhaps, but let’s speed it up, okay?
6. “Are my headaches meant to prove that I will not blame God for my troubles?”
Answer: Perhaps, and praise God that it has not happened yet, nor do I intend to let it happen in the future.
7. “Are my headaches meant to draw me closer to God?”
Answer: Perhaps. While their purpose (if they even have a purpose) is unknown, they do have the effect of driving me to my knees in prayer. And that’s a good thing.
As I reflect on day three and do the math, maybe I do hear the voice of God on this subject: “Somebody call a whambulance because Chris has a headache.”
Translated, it is time to quit whining.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
day 2: lessons from a sugar maple
Editor’s note: This is the second of five articles written during a period of ministry burnout in July 2007.
Day two of my forced vacation begins just like the first. Coffee, a little breakfast, a headache and a long nap to let the migraine medicine kick in.
Around noon, now headache-free, I drive to a nearby park. Since I am an outdoors kind of guy, seeking God’s face and spiritual renewal seems most likely to occur in the midst of nature.
Unfortunately, time-tested spiritual rituals of long walks in the woods and sitting beside a creek reading Scripture are of little value today. Not only does the Spirit of God not descend upon me like a dove, spiders and mosquitoes do. Discouraged, I leave the woods with all its critters and eventually come across a picnic table.
On a whim, I climb on top of the table and lay on my back, staring up at the branches of a nearby sugar maple. Does the sight of a fat, middle-aged man lying on a picnic table look silly? You bet it does. But do I care if someone is watching? Heck no.
“Laugh all you want, pal. I’m depressed and seeking God’s face. Now bug off.”
A tree is a tree, right? Maybe, maybe not. The bark on this sugar maple is as gnarly and scarred as I have ever seen. It is covered with deep gashes and grooves that zigzag back and forth and every which way.
“What a mess,” I think. “What a hard life it must have had.”
It is at that precise moment that God’s Word comes bubbling to the surface: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3).
This sugar maple has obviously faced many trials. Not only does its bark look like a pock-marked battlefield, but there are dead branches everywhere. This thing has led a hard life. It is a miracle it has lasted as long as it has.
Yet despite the trials that it has endured, it is enormous, one of the largest trees in the area. And based on my brief observation, it serves as a refuge for squirrels, birds and locusts. The fact that there are three picnic tables—three—under it is a testament to the abundance of shade that it provides.
In short, despite its difficult past this sugar maple tree has more than survived: It is of great value. Despite its many scars, it has somehow persevered. And maybe, just maybe, it is of more value because of what it has endured over its lifetime.
Could it be that my current trial of headaches and depression, while causing a great deal of pain and suffering now, will make me sturdier for the future? Could it be that something good will come of the scars that are tearing me apart right now?
My prayer for today is a simple one, Lord: I want to be like this tree. I want to pass this test and persevere.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
day 1: bird droppings
Editor’s note: This is the first of five articles written during a period of ministry burnout in July 2007.
“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.”
“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.”
That is it. Nothing more, nothing less. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.”
And so day one of my week-long vacation begins. Desperately needing rest and spiritual renewal, the backyard is an inviting place to start. Getting reacquainted with my Creator seems more likely in a lawn chair next to a cornfield rather than a Lazy Boy with a remote control within reach.
So here I am in the great outdoors, ready to seek the Lord and find out where oh where has my energy and positive attitude gone? What is the deal with the almost daily headaches? And then there is the depression, the straw that broke the camel’s back. Are the headaches causing the depression or is the depression causing the headaches?
While the amateur doctor in me really wants to know the root cause of these health problems, the bottom line is it does not really matter. Only one thing matters this week, and one thing only: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.”
It is surprisingly cool in the shade and everything I need is in the grass at my side: My favorite Bible, a glass of ice, a bottle of water and sunglasses. Oh, and then there is the Sudoku book in case Scripture and the presence of the Lord are not enough.
It becomes clear early on that the theme of day one is that of birds: Just a few minutes into seeking God’s face a bird poops on my arm. Looking up, the culprit is nowhere to be found. When healthy, this dastardly act would spark anger (righteous anger, of course). However, being mentally, physically and spiritually exhausted, the only emotion that comes is amusement.
Determined not to be sidetracked, I wipe the stuff off my arm and begin looking up all the cross references for Matt 6:33, the key verse of the week. While many verses and passages are encouraging, none seem to meet the cry of my heart.
Then bird number two enters the picture: A hawk soars effortlessly overhead, not once flapping its wings. Like a sailboat on a windy day it uses the wind and uses it well. Who needs to flap when God provides all the energy that is needed?
At that moment I instantly know what God wants to communicate to me. Hawks make me think of eagles and eagles make me think of a passage in Isaiah 40.
Isa 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Isa 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isa 40:30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
Isa 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (v 29). There it is in a nutshell: I am currently “weary” and “weak” and desperately in need of “strength.” Now, more than ever, my mission is to “hope in the LORD” (v 31).
It is clear that in terms of ministry I need to be more like that hawk. Yes, he flaps his wings in order to become airborne, but once there he relies on the wind that God provides to propel him. By relying on the wind vs. his wing power the hawk can fly for great distances. I, too, want to fly great distances for the Lord in terms of ministry.
Perhaps I have been guilty of doing too much flapping and not enough soaring. Maybe that is why I find myself in this position of weariness and weakness. Maybe that is why I am in such urgent need of spiritual renewal.
While reflecting on this insight, I am reminded of my three areas of God’s giftedness: Preaching, teaching and writing. In order to soar more and flap less, it is important to focus primarily on these areas at the expense of others. While ministry in a small church like mine requires a diverse skill set, using one’s spiritual gifts is of utmost importance.
But then there is the challenge of flapping less and soaring more when doing these three activities. How, exactly, does that work? While it almost certainly means more quiet time with the Lord vs. sitting in front of a computer screen, does it not also logically mean that less ministry is done? Could it be that while quantity may suffer quality and effectiveness actually goes up? Is that what it means to soar like a hawk in ministry?
In addition to much-needed strengthening, there is also much to learn over the next several days. The key to success in both areas is the same as before: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness."
Fornately, the rest of the verse goes like this: "And all these things will be given to you as well.”
Monday, May 9, 2011
be wary of bible teachers who...
Claim to have the power to heal and/or miraculous powers.
While the Lord can certainly empower humans to do miraculous things as He did in Bible times, it wasn’t prevalent back then and we shouldn’t expect it to be here in the 21st century either. I’m of the opinion that it’s wise to have a healthy skepticism of such claims.
Talk a lot about donating money to their ministries and use phrases like “sow a seed.”
There’s nothing wrong with ministries asking for money, but if it’s a frequent topic our spiritual antennas should go up. The sad reality is there are people who are in ministry for the primary purpose of financial gain. Be discerning and use the Lord’s money wisely.
Frequently use phrases like, “God told me.”
While this may be a harmless phrase (i.e., “God told me, using such-and-such verse, to do such-and-such thing” or “God told me via a prompting of the Holy Spirit”), it could be an effort to convince hearers that the communicator has some kind of special connection with God. The result can be undeserved attention and credibility.
Never talk about sin.
While not every sermon or teaching time needs to mention sin, if it’s a rarity we should be cautious. After all, the basis of the Christian faith is that Christ died on a cross for our sins. Oops: There’s that word. The good news of Jesus Christ is only good news if sin is a reality. And it is. Therefore, it needs to be mentioned from the pulpit at least time-to-time. If not, well, I’m thinking it’s time to find yourself another Bible teacher.
Claim that God wants us to be healthy and wealthy.
While God does want the best for us, the reality is we live in a sin-stained world that includes pain, suffering and financial hardship. The Bible never promises believers in the one-true God health and wealth. Those who claim it does are either misinformed or not being honest with the text. Remember Jesus’ words? “Pick up your cross and follow me.” That doesn’t exactly sound like the easy life.
Advocate the worship or exaltation of anyone other than God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
This is a clear indication that you should plug up your ears and run for the hills. Only the triune God of the Bible is worthy of our worship and adoration. And that includes Mary, the mother of Jesus, who, despite being a godly woman, was nonetheless still a woman. Thus, she was a sinner—and unworthy of worship—like everyone else. Let’s save our adoration for the only one who is worthy of it: The Lord our God.
Only the Christian Bible is God-breathed and thus reliable. Whatever is not from God’s Word may indeed be valid and of benefit, but there’s no guarantee. If a communicator believes that something other than the Bible is spiritually-authoritative, my advice is to get out of town.
Say that rule-keeping and severe bodily discipline is necessary for the Christian life.
Legalism and treating our physical bodies in harsh ways have no place in Christendom. We’re saved and kept saved by the grace of God, not through following a list of do’s and don’ts. Likewise, self-abasement is of no value in the spiritual realm. Once we choose to follow the Lord our obligation is to love Him and other people. There’s no mention of harsh treatment of the body. Find another Bible teacher and fast.
Claim to have secret knowledge and/or had a vision.
There is no secret knowledge when it comes to the Christian faith. The Lord has revealed what He wanted to reveal to us in the pages of Scripture. And while God can certainly appear to people via a vision, it was rare in Bible times and it should be considered equally rare here in the 21st century. Personally, I’d steer well clear of people like this.
Live extravagant lives with an abundance of wealth and possessions.
While the Lord has certainly blessed some Christians with wealth and many possessions, those who spend an inordinate amount of money on themselves vs. sharing it with others in need should expect to have some doubters. Count me among them, especially if those communicators are described elsewhere in this list.
Are personally immoral and/or teach no moral restraints.
Immorality in one’s personal life is a sure sign that the communicator has a sin problem, and a destructive one at that. If that’s the case, use extreme caution since the person’s relationship with God is impeded. And if the person actually teaches that believers can sin because our sins are forgiven, well, do you really need to be convinced to move on?
Are obsessed with end-time prophecy.
This one may surprise you or make you question whether you should be wary of me. The fact is there are many godly men and women who “specialize” in the area of prophecy and are worth listening to. That said, in my experience people who are obsessed with it are often out of balance when it comes to the Christian life. That is, in their fervent pursuit of their particular viewpoint they sometimes neglect other important parts of the Christian life (i.e., personal holiness, evangelism, discipleship). Worse still, I’ve met a few who have adopted bizarre and borderline heretical viewpoints, and crashed and burned when it comes to the faith. All I’m saying is be very cautious with so-called “experts” on prophecy. And please don’t send me hate mail.
While the Lord can certainly empower humans to do miraculous things as He did in Bible times, it wasn’t prevalent back then and we shouldn’t expect it to be here in the 21st century either. I’m of the opinion that it’s wise to have a healthy skepticism of such claims.
Talk a lot about donating money to their ministries and use phrases like “sow a seed.”
There’s nothing wrong with ministries asking for money, but if it’s a frequent topic our spiritual antennas should go up. The sad reality is there are people who are in ministry for the primary purpose of financial gain. Be discerning and use the Lord’s money wisely.
Frequently use phrases like, “God told me.”
While this may be a harmless phrase (i.e., “God told me, using such-and-such verse, to do such-and-such thing” or “God told me via a prompting of the Holy Spirit”), it could be an effort to convince hearers that the communicator has some kind of special connection with God. The result can be undeserved attention and credibility.
Never talk about sin.
While not every sermon or teaching time needs to mention sin, if it’s a rarity we should be cautious. After all, the basis of the Christian faith is that Christ died on a cross for our sins. Oops: There’s that word. The good news of Jesus Christ is only good news if sin is a reality. And it is. Therefore, it needs to be mentioned from the pulpit at least time-to-time. If not, well, I’m thinking it’s time to find yourself another Bible teacher.
Claim that God wants us to be healthy and wealthy.
While God does want the best for us, the reality is we live in a sin-stained world that includes pain, suffering and financial hardship. The Bible never promises believers in the one-true God health and wealth. Those who claim it does are either misinformed or not being honest with the text. Remember Jesus’ words? “Pick up your cross and follow me.” That doesn’t exactly sound like the easy life.
Advocate the worship or exaltation of anyone other than God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
This is a clear indication that you should plug up your ears and run for the hills. Only the triune God of the Bible is worthy of our worship and adoration. And that includes Mary, the mother of Jesus, who, despite being a godly woman, was nonetheless still a woman. Thus, she was a sinner—and unworthy of worship—like everyone else. Let’s save our adoration for the only one who is worthy of it: The Lord our God.
Only the Christian Bible is God-breathed and thus reliable. Whatever is not from God’s Word may indeed be valid and of benefit, but there’s no guarantee. If a communicator believes that something other than the Bible is spiritually-authoritative, my advice is to get out of town.
Say that rule-keeping and severe bodily discipline is necessary for the Christian life.
Legalism and treating our physical bodies in harsh ways have no place in Christendom. We’re saved and kept saved by the grace of God, not through following a list of do’s and don’ts. Likewise, self-abasement is of no value in the spiritual realm. Once we choose to follow the Lord our obligation is to love Him and other people. There’s no mention of harsh treatment of the body. Find another Bible teacher and fast.
Claim to have secret knowledge and/or had a vision.
There is no secret knowledge when it comes to the Christian faith. The Lord has revealed what He wanted to reveal to us in the pages of Scripture. And while God can certainly appear to people via a vision, it was rare in Bible times and it should be considered equally rare here in the 21st century. Personally, I’d steer well clear of people like this.
Live extravagant lives with an abundance of wealth and possessions.
While the Lord has certainly blessed some Christians with wealth and many possessions, those who spend an inordinate amount of money on themselves vs. sharing it with others in need should expect to have some doubters. Count me among them, especially if those communicators are described elsewhere in this list.
Are personally immoral and/or teach no moral restraints.
Immorality in one’s personal life is a sure sign that the communicator has a sin problem, and a destructive one at that. If that’s the case, use extreme caution since the person’s relationship with God is impeded. And if the person actually teaches that believers can sin because our sins are forgiven, well, do you really need to be convinced to move on?
Are obsessed with end-time prophecy.
This one may surprise you or make you question whether you should be wary of me. The fact is there are many godly men and women who “specialize” in the area of prophecy and are worth listening to. That said, in my experience people who are obsessed with it are often out of balance when it comes to the Christian life. That is, in their fervent pursuit of their particular viewpoint they sometimes neglect other important parts of the Christian life (i.e., personal holiness, evangelism, discipleship). Worse still, I’ve met a few who have adopted bizarre and borderline heretical viewpoints, and crashed and burned when it comes to the faith. All I’m saying is be very cautious with so-called “experts” on prophecy. And please don’t send me hate mail.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
divine leaf blower
Pneuma: Greek word used in the New Testament 350 times.
Depending upon the context, it can mean Holy Spirit or wind. [1]
Depending upon the context, it can mean Holy Spirit or wind. [1]
Some hang on for dear life and then, finally letting go, drop like rocks. Others float, soar or spin like tops until they reach their destinations.
Such is the life of a leaf when autumn winds come. Such is also the life of a minister of Jesus Christ when the Holy Spirit blows through his congregation.
Following the Spirit of God’s leading is not always easy, especially when it means significant changes for a local church. Yet, our divine leaf blower is trying to get our attention whether we like it or not. How we react to the inevitable breath of God determines the length and effectiveness of our spiritual flights.
There are three possible options when faced with God’s will for us and our congregations:
1. We follow the Spirit’s leading and go with it.
2. We resist the Spirit’s leading and go our own way.
3. We waffle and do a little of both, a little following and a little resisting.
Most of us would agree that the first option is the only feasible one in which to pursue. It makes no sense to do the latter two—spiritual success is only achieved by following God’s leading. Yet, some of us in ministry are guilty of dabbling with the latter two options.
Most leaves fall to the ground near the tree itself. While some spin like tops, others drop as if they have rocks tied to them, typically stem first. But some—not many—soar or float far from the tree itself.
Ministers who are sensitive to the Spirit’s leading in their lives and the lives of their congregations are like the latter. Knowing that the wind of God is coming, they are prepared to react to His leading when it happens. Once they recognize what the Spirit is doing and wants to do, they follow, no matter what the cost. Instead of staying close to the tree, they allow themselves to be divinely blown to new heights in ministry.
In Acts 16, the Apostle Paul and his companions provide a biblical example of what it means to set aside plans and ambitions to follow the Spirit’s leading.
Acts 16:6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.
Acts 16:7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
Acts 16:8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.
Acts 16:9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."
Acts 16:10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
It is clear from verse seven that the men have plans to minister in “Asia," specifically “Bithynia.” But that is not God’s will. After discerning what His will is, they obey and instead minister in Macedonia.
Paul is willing to do God’s will, no matter where it takes him and no matter what it costs. That includes abandoning previous plans and personal ambitions.
The question, of course, is “Are we willing to do God’s will?” If so, we are like the leaves who allow God to blow us—and our congregations—in whatever direction He wants. His will be done. We go with it.
The alternative is our wills be done. We hang on to the branch, the familiar, as long as we can. When the inevitable gust of divine wind comes, we leave the safety of our branch but deliberately fall as close to the tree as possible. Instead of allowing God to blow us and our congregations in new, divinely ordained ways, we short-circuit His will and end up in a pile of rotting leaves at the bottom of a tree.
Metaphorically speaking, no one wants to suffer the latter fate. The trick, then, is to spiritually discern where God is working, where He is leading. Since “no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Cor 2:11), we need to pray fervently that the Lord will open our eyes and ears to His will.
For instance, a church’s leadership team may recognize that God has been bringing many unchurched adults to its worship services in the past few months. Recognizing what God is doing in its midst, the church makes a point of presenting the Gospel to these newcomers clearly and consistently. It also chooses to focus primarily on expository sermons and preaching through entire books in an effort to mature them. While these changes may not be embraced by everyone in the church, the leaders conclude that they are needed in order to accommodate what the Lord is doing among the people.
Ultimately, each of us must decide who is in charge of our ministries and how far we will go in doing God’s will. The reality is we do have a divine leaf blower who does want to lead us.
Some hang on for dear life and then, finally letting go, drop like rocks. Others float, soar or spin like tops until they reach their destinations.
Such is the life of a leaf when autumn winds come. Such is also the life of a minister of Jesus Christ when the Holy Spirit blows through his congregation.
________________________________________
[1][1] pneuma, Online Bible Greek Lexicon.
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