I used to play a lot of golf. However, I found myself spending time and money getting frustrated. I never was satisfied with my results. Once I left the course frustrated with a score of 75 because I remembered 3 putts that just missed keeping me from scoring even par or 72. I confess struggles with the demon of perfectionism since I was a kid. There is merit in always wanting to improve and get better but frustration and despair results from never being satisfied with the current situation. The Apostle Paul shares a remarkable word in his letter to the Philippian church as he says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” What a gift and goal for all to learn to be content no matter whatever the circumstances. Attaining this stage in life was even more remarkable considering these words were penned in prison. Paul had not committed a crime, other than preaching truth when people in power wanted to avoid dealing with God’s truth.
The world in which we live promotes dissatisfaction with our lives. We are constantly bombarded with newer and better things touted to make our lives more complete if only we would obtain them! When we listen to the world, we compare lifestyles and possessions of others with our own, and often become dissatisfied. If our contentment comes from possessions, activities, or other people, these can be altered or removed. If our contentment comes from our relationship with Christ, there is absolutely nothing that can take that away.
Dr. Henry Blackaby says, “Contentment frees you to enjoy every good thing God has given you. Contentment demonstrates your belief that God loves you and has your best interest in mind. Discontent stems from the sin of ingratitude and a lack of faith that God loves you enough to provide for all that you need. Strive to be grateful for all that God has given you. A grateful heart has no room for envy.”
Envy, ingratitude and desire for things and relationships that we do not have can lead to discontent. We begin to think we deserve more than we have. Scripture reminds us we actually have more than we deserve. Romans 3:23 tells us all we all fall short of what we have been created to be. Romans 6:23 tells us what we earn by falling short is death. The fact that we have breath to express discontent should remind us to be appreciative. Each breath is a gift of grace from God. When we become grateful for what we have rather than focused on what we desire we begin to enjoy the life all around us rather than lose the blessings of the day.
After I learned to enjoy the round of golf rather than be frustrated by the score I found it a nice way to spend some time. I also enjoy time in my kayak. Kayaking gives a good parallel to enjoy life and find contentment on a daily basis, as did Paul, no matter the circumstances. There are three basic rules I read posted on the Snake River. They are as follows; 1. Go with the flow & don’t get addled-lean back. 2. If worse comes, let go of everything you’ll come up. 3. Danger is part of the trip. Enjoy the ride!
When we completely trust all our lives to Christ by faith we can find contentment each day as we go with the flow. When the worst happens we can let go of things we thought we needed and survive as He brings us up. Finally, when we lose anxiety and worry seeking safety and security in things of this world we can find contentment each day. Helen Keller said it this way, “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” So don’t get addled-lean back and enjoy the ride.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Off Camera
Candid pictures can reveal quite a bit about. When one knows they are going to have a picture made one usually makes a pose. We will always try to put the best face forward when we have fair warning. However, a candid shot catches you in your normal pose of life, what you look like off camera when you think no one is looking. I took my staff on a mission vision trip. Pictures were taken to make presentations when we got back to the church. I was surprised when I saw one picture with me included as I thought I was being careful to stand well out of camera range.
The picture was one of a teacher who is involved in a ministry that provides food to needy children. I have known and worked with her for years. We share several things. We are dedicated followers of Jesus, we love to help people, we have a zest for life and we both have been miraculously saved from an early death. More about that in a moment, back to the picture where I thought I was standing out of the picture until I saw the presentation at my church. It was a complete surprise. I thought I was well out of camera range. The picture would just be of her. There I was standing in the edge of the photo. looking away with a big grin on my face.
As the pastor of the church I am somewhat public, like it or not, and my picture pops up often. I do think we could do something more attractive to draw members but that is another matter. A member once remarked, “You are always smiling!” I hadn’t thought about it but, I guess they were right. I smile a lot. I don’t know what I was smiling about in this shot; my wife says it looks like I was up to something. I admit, I am often ‘up to something’. Often I’m thinking of a way I can do something to bring a smile to the other person in the room, I think joy should be shared.
As a believer there is no reason NOT to smile a lot. Life does have its troubles. Jesus tells us it rains on the just and the unjust. However, when one has faced their own mortality as Jenny and I both have done you learn not to sweat the small stuff. When you are a follower of Christ, as we both are, the WORST that can happen is you die, and go to heaven forever! How bad is that? You just gotta smile!
The teacher in the picture where I am caught smiling is a sister in Christ who shares an easy smile because she survived a severe allergic reaction that placed her in a coma where she could not breathe, use her muscles or communicate but could hear the doctors say that she would not make it. She fooled them. She had to learn to talk, walk and eat again as well as smile. I had three aneurysms and a rare renal artery disease that were undetected apart from a rare & unusual kidney stone that led to other tests. My doctor told my wife, “This is what we normally discover during the autopsy as we wonder what causes a man to die in his sleep or suddenly drop dead seeming healthy in mid-life. God has something yet for him to do!”
II Corinthians 1:4 tells us God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we have received from God. The Greek word for comfort literally means ‘stand beside’. God may not remove troubles in this sin-scarred world but he promises to stand beside us. Then he connects us with others who walked through similar troubles or are may be walking through similar troubles so we can stand beside them as their comfort.
When you truly realize each day is a gift and God is standing beside you it is a joy to stand beside others and have them stand with you. Every day he gives us breath is filled with purpose. When troubles come, God is standing beside us helping us learn and grow. You are going to make it. Even in the midst of darkness, someone named David called it the valley of the shadow of death, God is there. You can manage a smile knowing God is with you. He promises in Hebrews 13:5 never to leave or forsake you. When we learn and grow from those valleys he leads us to stand beside others in their troubles to help them learn and grow. You just gotta smile!
The picture was one of a teacher who is involved in a ministry that provides food to needy children. I have known and worked with her for years. We share several things. We are dedicated followers of Jesus, we love to help people, we have a zest for life and we both have been miraculously saved from an early death. More about that in a moment, back to the picture where I thought I was standing out of the picture until I saw the presentation at my church. It was a complete surprise. I thought I was well out of camera range. The picture would just be of her. There I was standing in the edge of the photo. looking away with a big grin on my face.
As the pastor of the church I am somewhat public, like it or not, and my picture pops up often. I do think we could do something more attractive to draw members but that is another matter. A member once remarked, “You are always smiling!” I hadn’t thought about it but, I guess they were right. I smile a lot. I don’t know what I was smiling about in this shot; my wife says it looks like I was up to something. I admit, I am often ‘up to something’. Often I’m thinking of a way I can do something to bring a smile to the other person in the room, I think joy should be shared.
As a believer there is no reason NOT to smile a lot. Life does have its troubles. Jesus tells us it rains on the just and the unjust. However, when one has faced their own mortality as Jenny and I both have done you learn not to sweat the small stuff. When you are a follower of Christ, as we both are, the WORST that can happen is you die, and go to heaven forever! How bad is that? You just gotta smile!
The teacher in the picture where I am caught smiling is a sister in Christ who shares an easy smile because she survived a severe allergic reaction that placed her in a coma where she could not breathe, use her muscles or communicate but could hear the doctors say that she would not make it. She fooled them. She had to learn to talk, walk and eat again as well as smile. I had three aneurysms and a rare renal artery disease that were undetected apart from a rare & unusual kidney stone that led to other tests. My doctor told my wife, “This is what we normally discover during the autopsy as we wonder what causes a man to die in his sleep or suddenly drop dead seeming healthy in mid-life. God has something yet for him to do!”
II Corinthians 1:4 tells us God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we have received from God. The Greek word for comfort literally means ‘stand beside’. God may not remove troubles in this sin-scarred world but he promises to stand beside us. Then he connects us with others who walked through similar troubles or are may be walking through similar troubles so we can stand beside them as their comfort.
When you truly realize each day is a gift and God is standing beside you it is a joy to stand beside others and have them stand with you. Every day he gives us breath is filled with purpose. When troubles come, God is standing beside us helping us learn and grow. You are going to make it. Even in the midst of darkness, someone named David called it the valley of the shadow of death, God is there. You can manage a smile knowing God is with you. He promises in Hebrews 13:5 never to leave or forsake you. When we learn and grow from those valleys he leads us to stand beside others in their troubles to help them learn and grow. You just gotta smile!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
More Than a Gardener
Mary Magdalene went to find the body of Jesus on that first Easter morning. She wanted to express her tremendous grief, anoint his body with burial spices and just to be near the man who freed her from numerous evil spirits that previously had dominated and controlled her life. She found an empty grave and began weeping thinking the body had been removed. She did not take much notice of the others at the grave who asked why she was weeping. She saw another whom she thought was the gardener. He spoke her name and immediately she knew it was Jesus; ALIVE! The joy was indescribable. Imagine visiting the fresh grave of most important beloved person in your life and seeing them standing beside it!
That emotion is the eternal passion of Easter as well as the abundant life knowing the risen Lord as your savior and redeemer. Often lost in that incredible feeling is the fact that she originally thought he was the gardener. Nothing is scripture is placed there without reason. There is a striking contrast in the work of a gardener and that of the risen Lord. A gardener goes about making things look better. Jesus makes all things new (Revelation 21:5). A gardener dresses up things temporarily (he has to keep trimming, pruning and cutting but his work is short-lived. His garden will keep growing and he will have to keep at it.) Romans 6:9-10 tells us the work of Jesus was one time for ALL time! When we place our faith in Him the work of salvation is complete. We just need to continue to grow in our relationship with him becoming like him by faith. This comes through the power of the Holy Spirit, His word and fellowship with the body of Christ (other believers).
Mary knew the gardener was Jesus when He called her name. John 10 tells us the Good Shepherd “calls his own sheep by name and leads them”. When Jesus calls us by name there is no mistaking His voice. We are often too distracted to hear His voice. Like Mary who was too caught up in her own grief to see and recognize angels or Spiritual beings we can get caught up in our own feelings and emotions and walk past God’s ‘angels’ or messengers everyday. The word angel comes from the Greek word "angelos" which means messenger. So and angel is literally a message or messenger from God.
Every Easter (and on other Sundays as well) many people do as the gardener. They try to ‘make things look good’. We can dress up, act a certain way but it will only be temporary without Jesus. Religion and church can make things look good for a while but only Jesus can transform hearts and make things new forever. II Corinthians 5:17 speaks of becoming new creatures by being IN Christ NOT in a building with a steeple. No matter how pretty or impressive, it is just a building without Jesus. I tell our folks, “We don’t come to church, we ARE the church!”
Mary went looking for Jesus that morning and thought she had missed Him until He called her. He is sending ‘angels’ or messengers and calling us daily. Let us not get distracted in our own feelings, agenda or thoughts to miss Jesus as He stands before us ALIVE!
That emotion is the eternal passion of Easter as well as the abundant life knowing the risen Lord as your savior and redeemer. Often lost in that incredible feeling is the fact that she originally thought he was the gardener. Nothing is scripture is placed there without reason. There is a striking contrast in the work of a gardener and that of the risen Lord. A gardener goes about making things look better. Jesus makes all things new (Revelation 21:5). A gardener dresses up things temporarily (he has to keep trimming, pruning and cutting but his work is short-lived. His garden will keep growing and he will have to keep at it.) Romans 6:9-10 tells us the work of Jesus was one time for ALL time! When we place our faith in Him the work of salvation is complete. We just need to continue to grow in our relationship with him becoming like him by faith. This comes through the power of the Holy Spirit, His word and fellowship with the body of Christ (other believers).
Mary knew the gardener was Jesus when He called her name. John 10 tells us the Good Shepherd “calls his own sheep by name and leads them”. When Jesus calls us by name there is no mistaking His voice. We are often too distracted to hear His voice. Like Mary who was too caught up in her own grief to see and recognize angels or Spiritual beings we can get caught up in our own feelings and emotions and walk past God’s ‘angels’ or messengers everyday. The word angel comes from the Greek word "angelos" which means messenger. So and angel is literally a message or messenger from God.
Every Easter (and on other Sundays as well) many people do as the gardener. They try to ‘make things look good’. We can dress up, act a certain way but it will only be temporary without Jesus. Religion and church can make things look good for a while but only Jesus can transform hearts and make things new forever. II Corinthians 5:17 speaks of becoming new creatures by being IN Christ NOT in a building with a steeple. No matter how pretty or impressive, it is just a building without Jesus. I tell our folks, “We don’t come to church, we ARE the church!”
Mary went looking for Jesus that morning and thought she had missed Him until He called her. He is sending ‘angels’ or messengers and calling us daily. Let us not get distracted in our own feelings, agenda or thoughts to miss Jesus as He stands before us ALIVE!
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