One of my favorite quotes says, "I want to get the most out of this life because I am going to be dead a long time." That is not saying that I am not looking forward to the next life, Heaven, which will be better beyond description than this life that has been marred by sin. For me that quote speaks of all the things and experiences I enjoy from this life that I want to maximize by making the most of each day I am here.
I usually try to have fun each day with most every experience. I know that every event in life is not always fun. As a pastor, I am involved with crisis, sickness, tragedy and death on a regular basis. I have also had my own personal dealings with life's difficulties, both personal loss and health issues. My next surgery will be my tenth. However, there are many who are half my age who have trouble keeping up with me, physically and emotionally. It comes from a deliberate attitude to focus on the joys that God has given each of us each day. The Scriptures teach me that I fall short of God's plan (Romans 3:23) and my remuneration is death (Romans 6:23). However, that same verse tells me that God gives me the gift of eternal life in a relationship with Jesus. So each day I wake up with breath and life is a gift, and by following Jesus I have eternity when this life is over. Why not be happy? Ecclesiastes 3:4 says, there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." In my heart I am a great dancer!
Years ago, I taught a Bible study using Minirth & Mier's book, "Happiness Is A Choice". Rick Foster & Greg Hicks have written an excellent book entitled, "How We Choose To Be Happy". However, long before those good books were published a guy named Paul wrote a book we call the book of Philippians where he wrote, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation." Remarkably, this sentence and the rest of this fascinating book was written from prison. Paul had not committed a crime, in fact, he was in prison on false charges and completely innocent. Yet he never complained but found reason to rejoice as he realized he was exactly where God wanted him and God was with him. He knew he could do whatever he needed to do and face whatever he needed to face as long as he knew Jesus who gave him strength.
As you go through the uncertainty of the day make a deliberate decision to make the most of each day and rejoice as often as you can. Make a deliberate decision to know Jesus on a personal basis, forgetting all the bad in the past and pressing on to all the good that is ahead, as did Paul (Philippians 3:10-14). Make a deliberate decision to rejoice always (see I Thessalonians 5:16). This is the only chance you get at this day. Why waste it not being happy?
Friday, August 13, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
What's Wrong With This Picture?
From time to time I read disturbing statistics concerning the church. Millions leave the church each year. 75-80% of the churches are not growing. Serving as a pastor in today's church creates so much stress that half of those who are serving as pastors considered leaving the ministry in the last few months. 50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years. 90% will NOT retire as a minister. Over 1,700 pastors quit each month. 90 percent feel they are inadequately trained to cope with ministry demands. As a professional minister of some 30 plus years and a believer of some 50 years I often wonder, “What is wrong here?” Not only do I have degrees in theology but I have a degree in marketing. To use marketing terminology, we have the best ‘product’ one can offer; eternal life, forgiveness of ALL sin, love of fellow-man and a personal relationship with the God of the universe. Why should we have such stress, conflict, anger and misery that drive people away?
Could it be that we are doing some things wrong? Ya think? The more I read the Bible the more I fail to recognize its influence and life changing truth in much of what we call church today. The Bible speaks of life changing peace that passes all understanding, love and grace for our brothers. There are and have long been many misunderstanding about church. Jesus only used the word twice (Matthew 16 & 18) in the New Testament. Once he spoke of the church when he founded it (16) and then he talked about the way we should relate to one another (18). The church He established is a gathering of transformed people who worship Christ and follow His mission. Transformation happens when God takes hold of a life. We are moved from darkness to light, orphan to adopted child, sinner to saint by the work of Christ. Every thought & action begins to change (II Corinthians 5:17). Values & attitudes soon follow. Our mission in life changes. This does not happen when one 'joins the church' as one does any other organization. The church Jesus established is a living body of transformed people who think, behave, relate, love, forgive & get along in a way the world cannot do nor understand.
Jesus did not establish religious institution, organization or denomination. He used the Greek word ECCLESIA in Matthew 16 when establishing His church. An Ecclesia was a political term, a call out assembly; an assembly called out for a purpose. We, followers of Jesus; His church are called out of our everyday lives to assemble for his purpose. His purpose is simple yet profound and life changing, to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and love our brother as we love ourselves. We are then called out to teach everything He commanded as we make disciples wherever we go. We are called out to be the living body of Christ on earth. As His church we are to be His loving hand, smile and word wherever we go.
We are to be more like a mission outpost being missionaries wherever we go rather than a religious institution that is likened to a permanent structure or an earthly organization. One of the best analogies I heard compared the church, a mission outpost, to a M.A.S.H. Unit rather than a sterile hospital, a permanent structure as a religious institution. The Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H.) goes wherever hurting people are, spending time near the front lines, operating near the end of its resources to help those who can’t get help any other way. The permanent structure uses much of their recourses keeping the building ready to help those who are able to come in the doors. The mission outpost operates by faith, as the pastor equips workers to serve and release their Spiritual gifts so each one can do their part. The religious institution operates by tradition, rules, majority, constitutions, business models, Pastors & deacons serve as executive officers & directors. Actions are a priority. They are always busy. They want others to be busy, join and be ‘like us’. In a mission outpost relationships are the priority. One becomes a part of the family by having a relationship with Jesus as we become like Him. In His church we grow in relationship with Him and others by becoming real in our walk with Him as we are open and honest with others in accountable growing relationships. This church, His Church, is not failing. It just has not really been tried or practiced as much as we think.
Could it be that we are doing some things wrong? Ya think? The more I read the Bible the more I fail to recognize its influence and life changing truth in much of what we call church today. The Bible speaks of life changing peace that passes all understanding, love and grace for our brothers. There are and have long been many misunderstanding about church. Jesus only used the word twice (Matthew 16 & 18) in the New Testament. Once he spoke of the church when he founded it (16) and then he talked about the way we should relate to one another (18). The church He established is a gathering of transformed people who worship Christ and follow His mission. Transformation happens when God takes hold of a life. We are moved from darkness to light, orphan to adopted child, sinner to saint by the work of Christ. Every thought & action begins to change (II Corinthians 5:17). Values & attitudes soon follow. Our mission in life changes. This does not happen when one 'joins the church' as one does any other organization. The church Jesus established is a living body of transformed people who think, behave, relate, love, forgive & get along in a way the world cannot do nor understand.
Jesus did not establish religious institution, organization or denomination. He used the Greek word ECCLESIA in Matthew 16 when establishing His church. An Ecclesia was a political term, a call out assembly; an assembly called out for a purpose. We, followers of Jesus; His church are called out of our everyday lives to assemble for his purpose. His purpose is simple yet profound and life changing, to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and love our brother as we love ourselves. We are then called out to teach everything He commanded as we make disciples wherever we go. We are called out to be the living body of Christ on earth. As His church we are to be His loving hand, smile and word wherever we go.
We are to be more like a mission outpost being missionaries wherever we go rather than a religious institution that is likened to a permanent structure or an earthly organization. One of the best analogies I heard compared the church, a mission outpost, to a M.A.S.H. Unit rather than a sterile hospital, a permanent structure as a religious institution. The Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H.) goes wherever hurting people are, spending time near the front lines, operating near the end of its resources to help those who can’t get help any other way. The permanent structure uses much of their recourses keeping the building ready to help those who are able to come in the doors. The mission outpost operates by faith, as the pastor equips workers to serve and release their Spiritual gifts so each one can do their part. The religious institution operates by tradition, rules, majority, constitutions, business models, Pastors & deacons serve as executive officers & directors. Actions are a priority. They are always busy. They want others to be busy, join and be ‘like us’. In a mission outpost relationships are the priority. One becomes a part of the family by having a relationship with Jesus as we become like Him. In His church we grow in relationship with Him and others by becoming real in our walk with Him as we are open and honest with others in accountable growing relationships. This church, His Church, is not failing. It just has not really been tried or practiced as much as we think.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Fenced Dogs Yapp Most
Someone asked me how should one respond to when others make negative comments and share or hold negative opinions about you. I guess they knew me well enough, as a pastor and a plain spoken person, that I must have had plenty of people who have had negative comments and negative opinions about me. First, we should not live our lives being concerned or directed by other opinions. There is only one that will judge me. As long as God is pleased with me I should be OK and not worry about what some other person says or thinks. As I love God with all my heart and I seek to share His love with my fellow man I will seek to treat all with the same love and respect. However, all will not respond in kind and will not hold the same opinion of me.
I once read that opinions are like arm pits, we all have more than one. Preachers are often like football coaches who get more praise than they deserve when the team does well and more blame than is theirs when things do not go as well as people think they should. All of us who do anything will receive comments and criticism from others. One should keep an objective ear to comments but never let the negative comments discourage you or keep you from doing your best.
I learned an important lesson from my pets several years ago. I owned Cocker Spaniels that I kept in our fenced back yard. Early one morning I heard them barking loudly and aggressively. I went to the back door to investigate. I saw a large dog walking leisurely through the unfenced area of my back yard. My dogs, imprisoned by the fence, were yapping loudly at the free dog as he enjoyed his walk. He walked their way and looked, which drove them wilder, and casually walked away never barking once.
I walked away smiling at the lesson God gave me. Those who often ‘bark’ loudest are those who are least free. I try to live my life as the one who barks least and enjoys the free walk God gives through His grace. So, next time you hear the ‘yapping’ of those negative voices, think of my dog story. Walk over, sniff at them in their fence then turn and walk away. You need not respond to all the yapping. The negative voices of those yapping in their fences will grow more faint and distant as you walk away enjoying your freedom.
I once read that opinions are like arm pits, we all have more than one. Preachers are often like football coaches who get more praise than they deserve when the team does well and more blame than is theirs when things do not go as well as people think they should. All of us who do anything will receive comments and criticism from others. One should keep an objective ear to comments but never let the negative comments discourage you or keep you from doing your best.
I learned an important lesson from my pets several years ago. I owned Cocker Spaniels that I kept in our fenced back yard. Early one morning I heard them barking loudly and aggressively. I went to the back door to investigate. I saw a large dog walking leisurely through the unfenced area of my back yard. My dogs, imprisoned by the fence, were yapping loudly at the free dog as he enjoyed his walk. He walked their way and looked, which drove them wilder, and casually walked away never barking once.
I walked away smiling at the lesson God gave me. Those who often ‘bark’ loudest are those who are least free. I try to live my life as the one who barks least and enjoys the free walk God gives through His grace. So, next time you hear the ‘yapping’ of those negative voices, think of my dog story. Walk over, sniff at them in their fence then turn and walk away. You need not respond to all the yapping. The negative voices of those yapping in their fences will grow more faint and distant as you walk away enjoying your freedom.
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