Generosity is on everyone's mind these days. It's all over the place--blogs, twitter, newspapers, and TV ads. And it's really cool that people are actually answering the call. The Bible talked a TON about being generous with our resources. Just look at the metaphor of the sheep and the goats in the book of Matthew. Take notice of how Jesus refers to Himself as "the King" here in this passage. The King is the brother to the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned. And in whatever way we help them, we're helping the King.
But here's the thing--you don't have to be a Christian to be generous. Plenty of people who follow other religions, or those who profess no religion at all, are givers. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says, "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing." Giving away your resources is pointless unless you love God and love others. If you give because you recognize that your possessions are not your own anyway, and you know you've been blessed by God, then your generosity becomes something that lays up a treasure for you in heaven. But it's not about laying up treasure. If you're giving for that purpose of getting a treasure, do you really love others?
Sometimes I wonder if this whole generosity is just a fad that's become popular these days. At Grace, with the Generous Life Campaign, we're not trying to start or participate in a fad. We're trying to work together to become people who are characterized by a generous LIFE. A life that is lived as a response to our generous God. One that continues regularly in not just tithing, but giving.
Just like many other habits in life, it's a daily decision. It goes against our grain. So each day we have to renew our commitment to loosen our grip on our stuff. You know that feeling you get when you look at your bank account, or you turn on the news and Charlie Gibson starts out, "More bad news on wall street today..." That feeling is fear. God wants to replace your fear with FAITH. And he wants to do it for the rest of your life.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
I'm Thankful For...
Long naps...
...and big smiles.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I'm grateful for many, many things today. Thank you God for your incredible gifts!
...and big smiles.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I'm grateful for many, many things today. Thank you God for your incredible gifts!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Rescue, Part Deux, A.K.A. Cinemology, Part seven.
Anne and I love Pixar films. The other day I was watching Finding Nemo with Aidan. (Can't wait until he starts babbling and then saying NEEEEEEMOOOOO!!) In the movie, a father having an overly-protective moment makes his son angry, who decides to have a rebellious moment (gee, that's a blog/sermon right there). As you know, Nemo is taken by the "enemy" as an unforeseen consequence of his choices. Nemo's father, Marlin, goes on a LONG journey, filled with adventures, all for the rescue of his son.
I understand that there are a lot of lessons to be learned from Marlin's flaws as characterized in the movie, but I draw the analogy here of him as a loving father who does not think for ONE SECOND about going home and getting his things packed before his journey. He immediately is focused fully on one thing, finding his lost son and bringing him home.
Jesus will stop at NOTHING to rescue his sons and daughters. He has gone through death, hell, and resurrection for our rescue. Even now, we experience rescue through Jesus when he answers our prayers. As Psalm 40 says,
"1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
He rescued us from our sins not only for our sake, but also for his glory--with the plan and purpose that MANY will see and fear (be awed, revere) Him. Are we spreading his fame? Are we living before the world like we've been rescued and set on a rock? Or do those around us see us reliving our experience of wallowing in the slimy pit?
When Nemo was rescued and returned to his home with his father, they had both learned some tremendous things about themselves. Their relationship was forever different. Nemo lived a changed life as a result of his rescue. He loved his dad more than anything because he'd been given a second chance at life.
I understand that there are a lot of lessons to be learned from Marlin's flaws as characterized in the movie, but I draw the analogy here of him as a loving father who does not think for ONE SECOND about going home and getting his things packed before his journey. He immediately is focused fully on one thing, finding his lost son and bringing him home.
Jesus will stop at NOTHING to rescue his sons and daughters. He has gone through death, hell, and resurrection for our rescue. Even now, we experience rescue through Jesus when he answers our prayers. As Psalm 40 says,
"1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
He rescued us from our sins not only for our sake, but also for his glory--with the plan and purpose that MANY will see and fear (be awed, revere) Him. Are we spreading his fame? Are we living before the world like we've been rescued and set on a rock? Or do those around us see us reliving our experience of wallowing in the slimy pit?
When Nemo was rescued and returned to his home with his father, they had both learned some tremendous things about themselves. Their relationship was forever different. Nemo lived a changed life as a result of his rescue. He loved his dad more than anything because he'd been given a second chance at life.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Rescue
A week ago yesterday we first introduced this song to our congregation; I've been listening to it for a while now. It's a very good song, and I want to make a couple points:
1. I believe that in my sin before I knew Jesus, I was utterly incapable within my own power even to cry out (John 6:44)--I didn't think or know that I needed to be saved. I was just fine on my own, thank you very much. When I sing "I called, you answered..." It's even more amazing to know that I only called on God because in his great mercy toward me, He DREW me, he came knocking on my door. When, by his showing me my sin and I realized my need, I cried out to him, and He answered. And he didn't stop there...
2. He came to my rescue. He suffered and died. He has given his whole life that I (and billions of others) would be saved from myself, my sin, and it's consequences. Now I'm alive to him (Galatians 2, I Cor. 5:17-21). The truth of these lines impacted me deeply as we sang this during communion last week, and I watched someone do the sign of the cross over themselves. The cross was for me. For my rescue.
3. Much of the song focuses then on the proper response to such an amazing gift from God our Father. Falling on my knees... humbled I bow down... giving all I am to seek your face... I want to be where you are. In my life, in our love, in our world...BE LIFTED HIGH!
Do you want God to be lifted high? What does that mean? Dave Paul mentioned something yesterday, that God's deal should be above my deal. That I seek him first. That I focus on being fully alive to him, living like a person who has been rescued. God has not rescued me just to have me live a lukewarm, lackadaisical faith toward Him and others. It starts with realization, brokenness, change, movement, and bold, passionate love and desire for Him.
I think I just preached a sermon to myself. 'Cause He knows I need alot of this cultivated in me. Maybe overhearing it will impact you too.
1. I believe that in my sin before I knew Jesus, I was utterly incapable within my own power even to cry out (John 6:44)--I didn't think or know that I needed to be saved. I was just fine on my own, thank you very much. When I sing "I called, you answered..." It's even more amazing to know that I only called on God because in his great mercy toward me, He DREW me, he came knocking on my door. When, by his showing me my sin and I realized my need, I cried out to him, and He answered. And he didn't stop there...
2. He came to my rescue. He suffered and died. He has given his whole life that I (and billions of others) would be saved from myself, my sin, and it's consequences. Now I'm alive to him (Galatians 2, I Cor. 5:17-21). The truth of these lines impacted me deeply as we sang this during communion last week, and I watched someone do the sign of the cross over themselves. The cross was for me. For my rescue.
3. Much of the song focuses then on the proper response to such an amazing gift from God our Father. Falling on my knees... humbled I bow down... giving all I am to seek your face... I want to be where you are. In my life, in our love, in our world...BE LIFTED HIGH!
Do you want God to be lifted high? What does that mean? Dave Paul mentioned something yesterday, that God's deal should be above my deal. That I seek him first. That I focus on being fully alive to him, living like a person who has been rescued. God has not rescued me just to have me live a lukewarm, lackadaisical faith toward Him and others. It starts with realization, brokenness, change, movement, and bold, passionate love and desire for Him.
I think I just preached a sermon to myself. 'Cause He knows I need alot of this cultivated in me. Maybe overhearing it will impact you too.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
If Starbucks Marketed Like the Church
Alright church. What can we learn from this video? What can you relate to?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Go Mode
I have been quite busy in the last week and have just not been in the mood to blog. I've sort of been in go mode since Sunday, and go mode is not blogging time for me. When I'm in go mode, I'm task oriented, my emails are to the point, I don't stop to enjoy the little things in life, or to think and reflect. I'm about getting things DONE, or at least delegating things. I also tend to be more impatient. Good for the details, bad for relationships.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Our Little Cutie
If you haven't checked out Aidan's Flickr account lately, you simply must! He's been so photogenic lately.
Monday, November 10, 2008
What's a Guy Gotta Do?
...To get a decent night of sleep? Wrong answers:
1. Go on a date and stay out too late.
2. Eat lasagna 2 hours before bed
3. Take a sunday nap
4. Have a cat that refuses to sleep in one corner of the bed but must sleep exactly where my long legs go.
5. Have a big Sunday and continue processing it.
6. Have a Monday morning 6am group leading into a big day of processing and accomplishing church stuff.
Ironically, having a 3 month old has nothing to do with it...he sleeps just great.
1. Go on a date and stay out too late.
2. Eat lasagna 2 hours before bed
3. Take a sunday nap
4. Have a cat that refuses to sleep in one corner of the bed but must sleep exactly where my long legs go.
5. Have a big Sunday and continue processing it.
6. Have a Monday morning 6am group leading into a big day of processing and accomplishing church stuff.
Ironically, having a 3 month old has nothing to do with it...he sleeps just great.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Is God's Sovereignty Circumstantial?
Several friends on social networks have made updates similar to "despite the election results, trusting in the sovereignty of God." If the election had turned out differently, would you have made that statement today? We often make that kind of statement when we are in the middle of circumstances we see as BAD. The fact is, God is in control no matter who is president. If McCain had won, we would still need to trust in the sovereignty of God. Don't put your trust in princes, but in the King of Kings.
Another Spiritual Discipline
Over the past month I've been leading a small group focused on a teaching from Andy Stanley called How to Be Rich. Last week as we wrapped up, one of the people in our group began to speak of managing our money as a spiritual discipline. I like this definition of what a spiritual discipline is. When I begin to view my money in light of God and eternity (Matt. 12:13-21), I end up entering into deeper focus on my relationship with God. I end up asking him to help me make wise choices instead of being the fool Jesus spoke about. Andy points out in sermon four that the man Jesus was speaking to was a fool because he made financial decisions based on this life alone.
Today when we speak of spiritual disciplines, we don't like the term because we view it as restricting, or we associate it with the idea of punishment. But one girl in our group spoke about it as "tempering your spirit." This phrase it seems is associated with modern new age writings, but I think it has applications for the Christian. It's the idea of tempering as "learning to control" yourself. Learn self-control. Instead of maxing out your capacity and reducing your margin to zero, be wise and purposeful. Instead of being vigilant and on-guard and always doing and spending, try resting, being content. Measure and ration things out, instead of grabbing as much as you can as often as you can. You'll find you have time for relationship, and serving, and giving and loving.
Today when we speak of spiritual disciplines, we don't like the term because we view it as restricting, or we associate it with the idea of punishment. But one girl in our group spoke about it as "tempering your spirit." This phrase it seems is associated with modern new age writings, but I think it has applications for the Christian. It's the idea of tempering as "learning to control" yourself. Learn self-control. Instead of maxing out your capacity and reducing your margin to zero, be wise and purposeful. Instead of being vigilant and on-guard and always doing and spending, try resting, being content. Measure and ration things out, instead of grabbing as much as you can as often as you can. You'll find you have time for relationship, and serving, and giving and loving.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Read This Before You Vote
We've got to keep this perspective! It's been a little hard to see how many Christian leaders have endorsed candidates from the pulpit. Came across this blog and LOVED this quote:
Something might be wrong in the Church when we...
- are more passionate about a political party, than about the Church
- boldly tell our neighbors about our candidate, but don't tell them about our Savior
- joyfully give money to a political campaign, but don't tithe or give to missions
- pray for our candidate's victory, but not for our neighbor's salvation
- transfer our trust from God's word to a political system.
Yea, something is wrong when we put our hope in the messianic promises of candidates. It's called idolatry, and folly.
There's been a lot of passion and excitement during this campaign season. I would love to see that kind of passion about the Kingdom of God - about things that are more eternal than temporary.
Something might be wrong in the Church when we...
- are more passionate about a political party, than about the Church
- boldly tell our neighbors about our candidate, but don't tell them about our Savior
- joyfully give money to a political campaign, but don't tithe or give to missions
- pray for our candidate's victory, but not for our neighbor's salvation
- transfer our trust from God's word to a political system.
Yea, something is wrong when we put our hope in the messianic promises of candidates. It's called idolatry, and folly.
There's been a lot of passion and excitement during this campaign season. I would love to see that kind of passion about the Kingdom of God - about things that are more eternal than temporary.
Anyone Who Says he Doesn't Need Friends..
...is in denial. I'm very pumped about my Monday morning group jumping into a module called "Standing with a Friend." Today's first week discussion was an eye-opening look into the masculine psyche when it comes to male friendships. Lots of men relate to the old Simon and Garfunkel song "I Am a Rock." Me, most men (and women) would consider to be a "sensitive" person. I don't care who you are, you have a heart, and no person can deal for a long time with no relationships. Just look at all the songs out there about friendships and having "someone to lean on."
A good friend (ha) in the group proposed these questions that absolutely floored me, they're very worth considering. Note, for women this tends to come easier on the whole, so I'm asking men to consider only relationships with other men in the following. Aside from my wife being my best friend, I need to examine these questions in terms of my friendships with other men:
1. Who would you call if things in your life really went south?
2. Who would call you in those same kind of circumstances?
3. Who are your three closest friends (Jesus had Peter, James, and John)? Do you completely trust them and share your whole self with them, or do you hold back?
4. Who would you put in your circle of twelve-ish, people you consider to be good friends, you enjoy, and are willing to share most aspects of your life with?
The rest are the relationships that you hold onto more loosely, some you are friendly with, while others are acquaintances.
For me, people come and go within these circles (Inner three, 12, and acquaintances). This morning I found myself mourning a little over some of those who have moved out of my life somewhat and further out in the circles. It takes intentionality to find people to replace those who've moved out. And it takes trust. And forgiveness. And...
A good friend (ha) in the group proposed these questions that absolutely floored me, they're very worth considering. Note, for women this tends to come easier on the whole, so I'm asking men to consider only relationships with other men in the following. Aside from my wife being my best friend, I need to examine these questions in terms of my friendships with other men:
1. Who would you call if things in your life really went south?
2. Who would call you in those same kind of circumstances?
3. Who are your three closest friends (Jesus had Peter, James, and John)? Do you completely trust them and share your whole self with them, or do you hold back?
4. Who would you put in your circle of twelve-ish, people you consider to be good friends, you enjoy, and are willing to share most aspects of your life with?
The rest are the relationships that you hold onto more loosely, some you are friendly with, while others are acquaintances.
For me, people come and go within these circles (Inner three, 12, and acquaintances). This morning I found myself mourning a little over some of those who have moved out of my life somewhat and further out in the circles. It takes intentionality to find people to replace those who've moved out. And it takes trust. And forgiveness. And...