I'm Not Afraid of Dying (I Just Don't Want to be Lame)

     I recently had a chance to catch up with some friends from high school. We met up to eat a late night breakfast at the Waffle House. I know, I get it! Not fancy, maybe even down right sketchy!

     I was sitting in the passenger seat when all of a sudden a car pulled out in front of us at a major intersection. The loud gasp (maybe even a squeal like a little school girl) that came from my direction acknowledged that in that moment I had no control over what was happening. Luckily the pilot of our large diesel truck managed to steer clear of the pressing danger of oncoming traffic.

     As we arrived at the restaurant and stepped out into the dimly lit parking lot, I can remember saying, "I'm not afraid of dying, I just don't want to be lame." Let that sink in for a moment. What I was really saying was, "I want comfort, convenience, and control."

How counterintuitive is that to the life we are actually called to live?

Consider some of the claims given to us by Christ:
Love your enemies. (Matthew 5:44)
Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow Me. (Matthew 16:24)
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. (Matthew 19:21)
The first will be last. (Matthew 19:30)

     Nothing about those statements is appealing to the person wanting a more comfortable lifestyle. Nothing about those statements is screaming "This is your best life now!" Maybe I'm much more afraid of dying than I thought. Dying to self. Dying to others' opinions and approval. Dying to pleasure. Dying to the temporary satisfactions of this world.

     "Apart from Me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5). God is trying to tell us that we are the very thing we say we don't want to become; needy, broken, empty, paralyzed, lame. In every instance, unless we give up control to self, we can never truly live. Our sin has caused a separation that we desperately need to be repaired. Life as it was meant to be lived rests in the all-satisfying reach of the grace of Christ toward us.

     How are you doing at admitting you're not really in control? Are you willing to pursue a relationship with Christ even if it means risking comfort and convenience? Are you really willing to die to self? Our true worth rests in a relationship with Christ. "Apart from Me, you can do nothing!"

February Fitness Centers

     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.

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!
 

     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?
 

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.

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?

Character: Connecting the Dots of Life

     Last week we commemorated the life and influence of a man who lived only a few short years in one of the most controversial periods of our nation's history; Martin Luther King Jr and the Civil Rights Movement. 

     After watching his illustrious and most popular "I Have a Dream" speech with my students, I contemplated what I considered to be one of his most profound statements, "that my kids would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

     What, really, does that mean? As I pondered his statement I began to wonder if it was about the color of his skin at all. Clearly, he said he didn't want his children to be judged by the color of their skin. But what is the underlying principle of the rest of his statement, "but by the content of their character?"

So, what is character and how is it developed?

     Character is not defined by your skin color, socio-economic status, social club involvement, personality, level of education, or retirement account. Your character is not an achievement or accolade to be won or lost. We don't place our character on the mantle as a trophy of some accomplishment.

     Our character is the ongoing development of our heart, mind, emotions, and will. Good character, then, is our ability to connect the dots of life's circumstances to a greater purpose than the events themselves.

     For the Christian, good character is recognizing that God's plan for our lives doesn't revolve around our appearance or the opinions of others. Good character is God's handiwork in our lives as we gladly submit to Him to accomplish His purpose in our lives. Romans 5:1-5 says that when we endure in life we are developing character that is producing hope; hope that we will one day see change. And until that day, may we be like Job and "wait until my change comes" (Job 14:14).

     Are you living a life of good character? What's more important, the applause of man or the smile of God? The character that Christ desires is producing a hope to endure the circumstances of this life to one day finally enjoy the eternal goodness of God.

 

Lessons from the Ski Slopes

Black, blue, and green! This is representative of 2 major facets of the weekend; the slopes of a West Virginia Ski Resort and the progression of the color of bruises that surfaced from the various encounters with the snow. However, there were several thoughts from the trip that I hope are insightful for the future.

Life is best lived in community. With five guys (no burger & fries) all traveling together, sleeping in the same hotel room, and roaming the side of a West Virginia mountain made for an outstanding weekend of fun.
 

Have a plan. There are some essentials to making the trip a succes; know where you're from, where you're going, a general idea about time of arrival, fuel in the car, and cash or card on hand in case of emergencies.

Risk is good. Setting out on an adventure with friends stretches your innovation and abilities to the max. The adrenaline rush of skiing at the peek of snow-capped mountains is meant to be kept in check by the accountability of true friends. Know your limits! One of the guys asked a great question, "Where's the line between having fun and being foolish?"
 

Waiting is worth it. The real excitement of skiing down the mountain can be found in stopping to view the sites of others; whether to be impressed by their expertise or entertained by their inexperience.

 

Joy drives endurance. The first few runs are like remembering to ride a bike again and the end of the day always ends with "Last run!" A conscious effort for your brain and legs to unite is needed. Cooperation between your will and your actions is absolutely required. And true success is determined by walking away from the slopes on your own two feet.

 

How does this apply to the Christian life? I'm not sure there's a more appropriate passage of Scriptures that exemplifies this story like Hebrews 12:1-2. There's community in the cloud of witnesses. There's a plan to lay aside distractions. We embrace the risk when we choose to run the course set before us. Waiting and relying on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, is always worth it because He saw the joy beyond enduring the cross.

 

What does community look like for you? Are you being intentional with your plan to run toward the things that God is passionate most about? Are you finding joy in Jesus?

A Falcon and a Follower

I listened intently as a friend described with such enthusiasm his hobby of training a falcon to hunt small creatures in the wild. I was so enamored by the work he put into training this bird that I continued to ask questions.

The description of catching the bird, giving it proper care, rewarding good behavior, and disciplining unwanted habits are all part of the process to training the bird to obey his commands. Over and over he continued to mention that the key to successfully training the bird, nonetheless, was actually placed on the bird itself.

I can remember him saying multiple times, "the bird's hunger must become greater than his fear." What fear? I suppose there may be a discontented fear to retreat. Instinctively, the bird has a fear that this man wouldn't have the bird's best interest in mind.

This bird that once lived in the wild, suited with incredible instincts to position itself to attack its prey is being fed from the hand of its keeper. Now, the bird lives under the authority, supervision, and subjected rule of his master.

There is no doubt that my friend is doing and will continue to do whatever is necessary to provide not only the necessities for this bird but also the perks of being a well-trained subject of his falconing endeavors. 

How familiar does that sound to being a follower of Christ? God, in Christ, has called us out of the darkness where we attempted to prey on the things of this world, realizing that we have never really been satisfied by the temporal things of this earth.

This Christian life requires radical obedience to our master. We must submit to His leadership in our lives. Our faith must defy the fear of the unknown and trust Him to provide for all the needs we have as His servant.

Matthew 5:6 says "blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be satisfied." Our appetite must crave the righteousness of God. Philippians 4:19 says that "our God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory." We must trust that His hand and provision for our lives is enough.

Is your hunger for God overcoming your fear? Is He becoming the treasure that truly satisfies the deepest longing of your soul?

What's your AIM?

I recently had the difficult task yet distinct honor of speaking at the funeral of a 17 year old young man who many would say died much too soon. As the various speakers stood to share of the many memories created with this young man I couldn't help but ponder the scene I had encountered in the parlor just days before.

While stories of his inquisitive spirit, his daring antics, and his passionate pursuits all rang throughout the chapel I continued to set my gaze on the orange plastic coated archery target placed on a table alongside the many photo frames that recollected so many of the memories created in such a short span of time.

What did that archery target resemble? Why did it re-direct my attention and thoughts as to what I could say? What kind of picture could it be used to portray of this young man's life? What pondering thought could it produce for the rest of us gathered in the chapel that day?

With every hole punctured deep within that orange plastic covered piece of foam was an attempt to take AIM. This kid had placed an arrow on the string, pulled back the bow, and released that arrow toward a particular mark. And this action really personifies both his life and all of our lives.

All of us, including him, find ourselves taking AIM at various marks in life. For some, it's taking AIM at being smart, cute, athletic. For others, it's entering into a relationship, choosing a career, or planning for financial success.

You see, every one of the those attempts to hit the bull's eye on that target was an attempt to hit the mark. And in life, there is a bull's eye that we all find ourselves seeking to AIM. For many of us, we are hitting all around the bull's eye by living a good moral life, helping people in need, donating money to great causes. The problem is that our sights are not set to AIM at the right target.

Psalm 121:1 says, "I lift my eyes up to the mountains, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord." The target for which we should take AIM is none other than Jesus Christ. He draws us to Himself, He helps us set our sights on Him, and He provides the means for hitting the target--true obedience--in the midst of all the distractions in this world.

What is your target? Where are your sights set? What is your AIM?

Yes Lord, now what is the question?

Isn't it amazing the thoughts and responses that go through our heads when someone asks us a question?!!! Like "Honey, will you take out the trash?" "Son, can you please pick up your toys?" "Can you stop by the store and get some milk?" "Can you please talk to your son about getting in trouble at school today?" Or "Do you think your friend has any idea about who Christ is by the way you live your life?" 

I mean, come on, think about our responses to those questions! "I'll get the trash right after this commercial!" "I don't wanna get my toys!" "I'm sorry I forgot the milk, it completely slipped my mind!" "Boys are gonna be boys, he'll grow out of it!" "Surely he knows I go to church every Sunday and if he wants to know more I'm sure he will ask!"

Insert our response to the questions God is asking. "Do you love me? Do you trust me? Will you follow me? Will you tell others about me? Will you direct the glory toward me?" The motivation of our response is generally led by us asking, "What's in it for me? And how will this affect my level of comfort and achievement?"

How do we become more intentional with situations like these in our life? As spouses, parents, colleagues, and Christians, we must voice the truth into the lives of others by the natural flow of God's word through us.

This intentionality must be prefaced by us initiating this question to God, "Yes Lord, now what is the question?" No matter what He says, where He leads, or what may come, we place our "Yes" on His table of goodness believing it's always better.