We've made it to February so those serious about staying physically fit should be pleased to know that the "rookie's and has been's" of exercise have migrated away from the barbells and back to the buffets.
With every New Year's celebration comes a myriad of resolutions! People find a need to create a more healthy lifestyle of eating, exercising, and educating themselves to promote an image of acceptance and approval.
To be honest, I've never been one to make many resolutions. It's not that I lack motivation, refuse to work hard, or refrain from maximizing my potential. It's FEAR!
Here's the fear; FAILURE. And really, that fear is only internalized when I consider the external consequences I'm afraid others will place on me for not meeting their expectations.
So for those of you that did make a resolution, how do you continue the journey for 2014?
Here are three options:
1. Keep pressing on.
2. Begin again.
3. Choose to quit.
Think about this. In the Gospels, Jesus made it clear that He came to die. Even His disciples grew in disbelief at such a remark. Upon His arrest and ensuing crucifixion, many of Jesus's closest friends abandoned Him.
How would you have liked to been known as Jesus's "beloved disciple?" John, the beloved disciple, was one of Jesus's closest friends. He was there. Present. Constant. Even while Jesus was on the cross, John found himself by His mother's side (John 19:26). He could have questioned Jesus's position and walked away, but he didn't. He was pressing on.
Remember Peter? On the Mount of Olives he said, "I will never fall away." And Jesus's response, "Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times" (Matthew 26:33-34). Unbelievable! Jesus called it! A crowing rooster would sound the alarm of Peter's denial. Yet, after this gut-wrenching realization of letting his guard down, he later became a major player in the early church. He chose to begin again.
How would you like to have the name Judas? For centuries this name has carried the weight of being the guy that sold Jesus out. Ok. So he made a mistake. He betrayed Jesus. He had every opportunity to make it right. Admit he was wrong. Ask for forgiveness. Trust God's mercy. Instead, he pronounced his own judgment. He took his own life (Matthew 27:5). He chose to quit.
So in your attempt to set goals for this year, how are you doing? Do you feel the weight of others' opinions? Are you being too hard on yourself because you think you can't measure up? Does it feel so difficult that you think you would be better off to quit?
Jesus said, "I have come that you may have life and have life more abundantly" (John 10:10). I would suggest it's not really about setting goals. It's not about measuring up to someone else's standard. It's not about winning or losing. It's about the life sustained through Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). This year, choose to move. Move closer to the whisper of the One calling your name.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Saturday, February 15, 2014
What is Love?
Romance? Intimacy? Sacrifice? Commitment? Feelings? Actions? Spontaneous? Planned?
Right out of the gate, I confess, I'm taking a risk entering a debate on love!
Right out of the gate, I confess, I'm taking a risk entering a debate on love!
Authors and directors spend relentless amounts of time and money producing fashionably intriguing plot lines that illustrate love to the masses of readers and movie fanatics.
Guys cringe and ladies adorn the phrase "chick flick" or "romantic comedy" but the experts know, love sells. What isn't predicated by the imagination through a novel is created into a masterpiece appealing to the eyes in theaters worldwide.
Every good love story has a "Prince Charming" rescuing a "Princess." And this becomes the dream of every little boy, to win. And every little girl, to be won. And those of us watching, a "hopeless romantic."
So, why does the "win" wear off? Because the world is convinced that some "wins" in love are better than others. Love becomes an emotional appeal chasing the heart without regard to the principles of love. When the appeal of happiness has evaded we are given permission to find a new love story.
Love isn't accidental as if it's something we fall into or out of. We choose love. We make a decision to act on the vulnerability we experience when the object of our love is held in higher esteem than ourselves. Love is more than spontaneous moments of intimate romance. Love is more than a feeling or chance.
The greatest love story ever told is a man who was willing to face death itself all for the sake of love. God created us to be in relationship with Him but our sin severed that relationship. It was Jesus's sacrificial death to restore our relationship that proved His love for us.
The most well known verse in the Bible is John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
So, what is love? Love is the pursuit of a deeply woven commitment of trust and truth absorbed in self-sacrifice for the good of another. Love is a willful act of submission to the attributes of God. For God Himself is love (1 John 4:8).
Love is patient, kind, rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things. Love is not jealous, boastful, conceited, selfish, or provoked. Love never fails (1 Cor 13:5-8).
How have you defined love? Is love more than a word? Is love more than a feeling? Do you love others more than yourself? Do the words you speak and the life you live both reflect true love? Do you express love through the current of God's love for you?
Guys cringe and ladies adorn the phrase "chick flick" or "romantic comedy" but the experts know, love sells. What isn't predicated by the imagination through a novel is created into a masterpiece appealing to the eyes in theaters worldwide.
Every good love story has a "Prince Charming" rescuing a "Princess." And this becomes the dream of every little boy, to win. And every little girl, to be won. And those of us watching, a "hopeless romantic."
So, why does the "win" wear off? Because the world is convinced that some "wins" in love are better than others. Love becomes an emotional appeal chasing the heart without regard to the principles of love. When the appeal of happiness has evaded we are given permission to find a new love story.
Love isn't accidental as if it's something we fall into or out of. We choose love. We make a decision to act on the vulnerability we experience when the object of our love is held in higher esteem than ourselves. Love is more than spontaneous moments of intimate romance. Love is more than a feeling or chance.
The greatest love story ever told is a man who was willing to face death itself all for the sake of love. God created us to be in relationship with Him but our sin severed that relationship. It was Jesus's sacrificial death to restore our relationship that proved His love for us.
The most well known verse in the Bible is John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
So, what is love? Love is the pursuit of a deeply woven commitment of trust and truth absorbed in self-sacrifice for the good of another. Love is a willful act of submission to the attributes of God. For God Himself is love (1 John 4:8).
Love is patient, kind, rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things. Love is not jealous, boastful, conceited, selfish, or provoked. Love never fails (1 Cor 13:5-8).
How have you defined love? Is love more than a word? Is love more than a feeling? Do you love others more than yourself? Do the words you speak and the life you live both reflect true love? Do you express love through the current of God's love for you?
Sunday, February 09, 2014
Sochi 2014 (Classic Rocky vs. Drago)
In light of the 2014 Olympics, it seems fitting to share the greatest American/Russian rivalry of all time: Rocky vs. Drago.
The story of an Italian transplant taken to the streets of Philly trying to find his place in life through being beaten senseless in the run down boxing gyms of the inner city.
Whether it's fighting Apollo Creed, Mr. T, or Ivan Drago; we all would agree that each bout pits Rocky Balboa as quite the underdog. Maybe that's the draw for so many men; being counted as never good enough yet having that one guy, Mickey, in our corner just wittingly enough to convince us that with a little luck and determination we can reach the top.
Do you remember Apollo Creed's bout with Russian? The lights, the glitz, the show! Who wouldn't want all the attention created for this fight? Yet, the most daunting thing imaginable happens. Countless blows to the head and body eventually culminate with one final blow and Apollo falls to the floor. And the Russian's response, "If he dies, he dies."
That statement, "If he dies, he dies," has always struck a chord with me. I don't know why! Maybe I'm intrigued by his Russian accent or subjected to the ruthless nature of such a remark. Or maybe the profound inclination to link this drama to the true but dejected reality of the enemy's intent for people's lives today. John 10:10 says, "the thief (enemy) comes to steal, kill, and destroy." While stepping into the ring may seem glamorous and enticing for a moment, the intent of the enemy is to place ultimate defeat in the corner of those not adequately prepared for the fight.
Enter Rocky Balboa. He boards a plane to Russia and begins to train for the fight of his life (You're humming "Eye of the Tiger." I know. We can't help it!). No shortcuts. No delays. No days off. No turning back. It's all business. He's ALL IN.
Needless to say, through many hard fought rounds inside the ring with the Russian, Rocky Balboa prevails victorious. He made preparations for the fight. He overcame adversity. He endured to the end and held the banner of a real Champion!
And so it is with the Christian life. The real followers of Jesus must cut out this glamorous view of Christianity. Realize that fighting for and following Jesus Christ is costly. Realize that it may require even the greatest cost; our very lives. But the payoff for enduring through the final round is undoubtedly worth encountering any affliction for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ.
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body" (2 Cor. 4:7-11).
So, today, how will you battle with the enemy? Be mindful of the death of the One who went before you, Jesus Christ, that you may aspire, in His strength, to stand firm on the enduring promise of His Word to reign victorious.
The story of an Italian transplant taken to the streets of Philly trying to find his place in life through being beaten senseless in the run down boxing gyms of the inner city.
Whether it's fighting Apollo Creed, Mr. T, or Ivan Drago; we all would agree that each bout pits Rocky Balboa as quite the underdog. Maybe that's the draw for so many men; being counted as never good enough yet having that one guy, Mickey, in our corner just wittingly enough to convince us that with a little luck and determination we can reach the top.
Do you remember Apollo Creed's bout with Russian? The lights, the glitz, the show! Who wouldn't want all the attention created for this fight? Yet, the most daunting thing imaginable happens. Countless blows to the head and body eventually culminate with one final blow and Apollo falls to the floor. And the Russian's response, "If he dies, he dies."
That statement, "If he dies, he dies," has always struck a chord with me. I don't know why! Maybe I'm intrigued by his Russian accent or subjected to the ruthless nature of such a remark. Or maybe the profound inclination to link this drama to the true but dejected reality of the enemy's intent for people's lives today. John 10:10 says, "the thief (enemy) comes to steal, kill, and destroy." While stepping into the ring may seem glamorous and enticing for a moment, the intent of the enemy is to place ultimate defeat in the corner of those not adequately prepared for the fight.
Enter Rocky Balboa. He boards a plane to Russia and begins to train for the fight of his life (You're humming "Eye of the Tiger." I know. We can't help it!). No shortcuts. No delays. No days off. No turning back. It's all business. He's ALL IN.
Needless to say, through many hard fought rounds inside the ring with the Russian, Rocky Balboa prevails victorious. He made preparations for the fight. He overcame adversity. He endured to the end and held the banner of a real Champion!
And so it is with the Christian life. The real followers of Jesus must cut out this glamorous view of Christianity. Realize that fighting for and following Jesus Christ is costly. Realize that it may require even the greatest cost; our very lives. But the payoff for enduring through the final round is undoubtedly worth encountering any affliction for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ.
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body" (2 Cor. 4:7-11).
So, today, how will you battle with the enemy? Be mindful of the death of the One who went before you, Jesus Christ, that you may aspire, in His strength, to stand firm on the enduring promise of His Word to reign victorious.
Saturday, February 01, 2014
A Bicycle on a Snowy Day
It was 20 degrees and with snow falling to the ground the man pushing his bike politely said, "No thanks."
Everyone in the South is well aware that the weather man has been wrong before. So I, like many others, approached last Tuesday like every other day. The morning routines were the same. The morning drive was the same. The kids were the same. And, then, snow began to fall.
Snow in the South creates chaos. All of a sudden we lose our ability to reason, function, and in some cases, breathe. What seemed to be a normal day now called for schools and businesses to run their 'hurry up offense.' Get home as soon as you can. No time for milk and bread. Get your car in drive and move on your way!
The problem is, when you don't practice your 'hurry up offense' (why should we? It's Georgia!) everybody does their own thing and runs in the wrong direction. Result: gridlock.
Now, back to the opening line. As I was driving home I noticed a man pushing his bike with his sleeping bag and essentials strapped to his back. Did I mention it was 20 degrees and snowing?
In our 60 second conversation I asked him, no, I told him to put his bike in my truck and I would take him as far as he needed to go. Rejected. He rejected my offer. A warm truck, out of the elements, saving the energy in his legs for another venture. And he said, "No thanks." What causes a man to decline such an invitation?
But consider how true this to be in our own lives? Running in circles. Chasing our dreams. Moving from relationship to relationship. Running our 'hurry up offense' in life trying to accomplish more, be approved by more, and accumulating more. Result: gridlock.
How does this happen? When the agenda of pride and selfish ambition becomes ultimate in our lives we begin taking credit for our successes and shifting blame for our failures. So, the guy pushing his bike maintained that his self-sufficient 'I can do this myself, I don't need your help, thanks but no thanks' attitude would somehow pay dividends for his accomplishments.
Don't you get it? It's not about what you can do. It's about what's already been done.
In the Gospels, Jesus extends two important invitations: Come to Me and Follow Me. He tells His followers to 'Come to Me' to find the rest that He alone can provide amidst a life of physical, emotional, and spiritual fatigue (Matthew 11:28-30). He bids us, 'Follow Me,' knowing that in Him is a path marked by Christ's sufficiency that will free us from the disillusion of needing to work harder to gain the acceptance and approval of some 'functional savior' (Luke 9:23). And Jesus can make such a bold claim and extend such an invitation because He alone is that Savior.
The invitation is there. Will you choose to work harder to earn your spot on the roster of the "Who's Who Among Those That Work Harder" or will you answer the call and accept the gift that's already been paid by way of Calvary's Cross?
Everyone in the South is well aware that the weather man has been wrong before. So I, like many others, approached last Tuesday like every other day. The morning routines were the same. The morning drive was the same. The kids were the same. And, then, snow began to fall.
Snow in the South creates chaos. All of a sudden we lose our ability to reason, function, and in some cases, breathe. What seemed to be a normal day now called for schools and businesses to run their 'hurry up offense.' Get home as soon as you can. No time for milk and bread. Get your car in drive and move on your way!
The problem is, when you don't practice your 'hurry up offense' (why should we? It's Georgia!) everybody does their own thing and runs in the wrong direction. Result: gridlock.
Now, back to the opening line. As I was driving home I noticed a man pushing his bike with his sleeping bag and essentials strapped to his back. Did I mention it was 20 degrees and snowing?
In our 60 second conversation I asked him, no, I told him to put his bike in my truck and I would take him as far as he needed to go. Rejected. He rejected my offer. A warm truck, out of the elements, saving the energy in his legs for another venture. And he said, "No thanks." What causes a man to decline such an invitation?
But consider how true this to be in our own lives? Running in circles. Chasing our dreams. Moving from relationship to relationship. Running our 'hurry up offense' in life trying to accomplish more, be approved by more, and accumulating more. Result: gridlock.
How does this happen? When the agenda of pride and selfish ambition becomes ultimate in our lives we begin taking credit for our successes and shifting blame for our failures. So, the guy pushing his bike maintained that his self-sufficient 'I can do this myself, I don't need your help, thanks but no thanks' attitude would somehow pay dividends for his accomplishments.
Don't you get it? It's not about what you can do. It's about what's already been done.
In the Gospels, Jesus extends two important invitations: Come to Me and Follow Me. He tells His followers to 'Come to Me' to find the rest that He alone can provide amidst a life of physical, emotional, and spiritual fatigue (Matthew 11:28-30). He bids us, 'Follow Me,' knowing that in Him is a path marked by Christ's sufficiency that will free us from the disillusion of needing to work harder to gain the acceptance and approval of some 'functional savior' (Luke 9:23). And Jesus can make such a bold claim and extend such an invitation because He alone is that Savior.
The invitation is there. Will you choose to work harder to earn your spot on the roster of the "Who's Who Among Those That Work Harder" or will you answer the call and accept the gift that's already been paid by way of Calvary's Cross?
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