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Archive for the ‘Hope’ Category

Sometimes We Need To Listen

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational on May 3, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Last night I got home from work and knowing it would be my only evening at home this week, I decided to mow the lawn.  As I wrapped up the work in the lawn, Kristi got a text that one of our church members was headed to the hospital with a possible heart attack.

As gross as it sounds, I didn’t even take time to shower.  I changed my clothes and headed to the hospital.  I had sent a text to the wife of the church member before leaving the house to find out where he was being taken and so I jumped in the car and headed out.

I got to the hospital and went straight to the ER.  I didn’t see anyone I knew anywhere and no one could tell me anything.  I walked back to the waiting room – no one.  I then walked to the other end of the hospital to another waiting room – not there either.

At that point, I pulled my phone out and re-read the text message . . . I was at the wrong hospital!

In my haste to get to the hospital, knowing that the issue was a possible heart attack, my mind jumped to the conclusion he was headed to the Heart Hospital so even though she had given me the name of the hospital, my pre-conceived idea of what was happening overshadowed it.

How often to do we approach God and God’s word with pre-conceived ideas – or even worse, personal agendas?  Do we ever go to God with our own expectations not really interested in HEARING what God might want to say to us?  Refuse to Listen

Today, I challenge each of us to go to God with a humble heart and a listening ear.  God is present and active in our lives and he has a plan for you for this day.  Will you listen to what he has to say?

By the way, I did get to the right hospital (across town) – but think about the time I would have saved and the frustration I could have avoided had I just listened.

Be blessed today!

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A New Kingdom

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope on May 1, 2017| Leave a Comment »

I was reminded this morning while reading from the Gospel of John, that Jesus came to usher in a new kingdom.  When he was questioned by Pilot during the mock trial he received, his response was that his kingdom is not of this world.

As I have thought about those words, I have reflected on the fact that what Jesus came to do was so revolutionary – so counter-intuitive that it could only be described as something not of this world.

This world would teach us that success is the ultimate goal and success only comes to those who work for it.  And by “work for it” this world would acknowledge that obtaining success by any means necessary is acceptable – even applauded.  The only rule that one must follow is “there are no rules.”

So people are celebrated when they achieve “success,” regardless of how it was achieved.

Jesus, on the other hand, taught that what is truly important in this life is pleasing the father.  What sets an individual apart and makes them stand out is not fighting to get ahead but rather, putting others needs before his or her own.  Jesus illustrated a different kingdom.

He calls us tsurrendero live in this kingdom – to take on this counter-cultural, counter-intuitive lifestyle.  We are to love our enemies.  We are to put others first.  We are to surrender our lives to him.

We spend our lives striving for meaning and fulfillment, peace and happiness.  But my experience has taught me that these things can only be found by following Jesus’ teaching and living in his kingdom.

Live into that meaning and peace today!

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A Model Church

Posted in Church, Community, Formation, Hope on April 26, 2017| 2 Comments »

Last week, we began a new study on Wednesday night.  Over the next few weeks, we will be digging into the letters to the church at Thessalonica.  Paul wrote to encourage the new believers there and he opened his first letter with some glowing words.

He told them that he prayed for them often.  He gave God the praise for what these believers were doing.  He shared that he no longer had to tell other believers about the good things happening at the church in Thessalonica because the believers in other parts of the world already knew.  People were talking about a church on fire for God.

Paul even used the word “model” to describe the believers in 1 Thessalonians 1:7.

As I have continued to study this passage, I have become convicted that I can’t name any churches that I would consider using the word “model” to describe.  Don’t get me wrong, there are wonderful churches in the world full of sincere believers.  But I don’t know of any model churches that fit what Paul described in 1 Thessalonians 1.

In looking at the passage, I think we can point to verse 3 as the goal we should all strive to attain in our churches.  I would summarize it this way:

The work of the church should be a direct product of the faith of the people motivated by a love for God and others and continued, even in the midst of trials, through a living hope in Jesus.

If our faith moves us to serve God in concrete ways, that service will reflect a love for God and others and continue, regardless of circumstances, because of a genuine hope in Jesus.  That is a picture of a healthy church – a model church.

That is a picture of the church we should strive to become – the church the world needs.

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Today Should Be Different

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope, Motivational on April 18, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Another Easter celebration has come and gone – or at least that is often how we see it.  We spent much effort and time planning and organizing worship experiences at our church to help each of us reflect with intention on the sacrifice of the cross and the power of the empty tomb.

I believe our time together as a church family was meaningful and it would seem that the effort did, in fact, create opportunities for people to experience God in fresh ways.  I pray that each of you had opportunities in your church to do the same.

But here we are, two days after the celebration of the empty tomb, and I have to ask myself – and you – does today look differently because of our renewed focus on what Jesus did for us?

I must admit, it is easy to now set our sights on what comes next – the next thing on the calendar.  The world, with its challenges, did not change directions while we were focusing on spiritual things last week.  Today could look very much like the Tuesday of three weeks ago.

But it doesn’t have to!

Jesus went to the cross to pay the price you and I could not pay for our sins.  Then he rose on the third day after his death, defeating the one thing the writer of Hebrews says holds us as slaves to fear (Hebrews 2:14-15).  We no longer have any reason to fear death because Jesus has shown us – he is stronger and greater!Empty Tomb

So today, we should live differently with this renewed understanding of what Jesus has done for us.  We should live without fear.  We should make decisions based on the desire to honor Jesus and his sacrifice, not wanting to do anything that would bring shame to his wonderful name.

Jesus rose in order to give us the ability to live resurrected lives ourselves.

All things are new!

Live into that truth today!

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The Presence of Relationship

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope on April 10, 2017| Leave a Comment »

We talk a lot about how following Jesus is less about religion and more about a relationship.  You have heard me say or read my words when I have suggested that God created us for relationships – relationship with himself and with others.  We are wired for community – to relate to others.

As we look at this most holy of weeks, think with me about Jesus’ desire for relationship as it became intensely evident in the final days and hours of his time on earth.

As Jesus entered the city on what we now call Palm Sunday, he did so with those closest to him – he did not make the trip alone.  As he celebrated the Seder meal on Thursday – who was there?  Those he loved most personally.  When they left that room and made their way to the garden where they had been before – together – what did he ask of those closest to him?  To stay with him – to pray with him.

In his deepest pain, he wanted his closest friends – yes, he called them friends – to be near.  He asked the twelve to stay close and pray – to be with him.  And those three that he had poured so much into over the previous three years, he asked them to follow him a bit farther and stay with him.  For them to remain present was what he wanted most.

Jesus, in his humanity, drew encouragement from the presence of his friends.  He asked them to be with him on this journey.

He asks the same of us.  Yes, we have the benefit of knowing how that week and the following weeks played out, but he asks us to stay with him.  It is easy to allow ourselves to jump directly to the empty tomb.  But Jesus says, “Go with me – stay close.”

As his follower – as his friend – stay present with him this week, each step.  Listen to his words as he explained his sacrifice in that upper room.  Walk with him down through the valley and back up to the garden overlooking the Temple.  Remain present as he agonizes the path before him.  Follow close as he is led away to a joke of a trial.  Join those gathered as they look on while Jesus is crucified.  Stay close as his body is laid in a tomb.

We do this knowing that tomb couldn’t hold him – but don’t rush through the events that led to that empty tomb.

Relationship means being near when we are needed most.  Will you walk with Jesus this week?

Be present – – stay close!

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The Source of Gratitude

Posted in Formation, Grace, Hope on March 28, 2017| Leave a Comment »

What motivates gratitude?

I’ve been thinking about the idea for a while.  The more I have thought about the concept of gratitude, the more I am convinced that the ability to be grateful comes from a healthy understanding of who we are and what we deserve.

One of my biggest frustrations is to see a sense of entitlement in others.  This entitlement plays out in all areas of life – from cutting in line in traffic to expecting better service at a restaurant to how we act in church.  I get frustrated when I see someone hold up traffic so that they can cut across three lanes to go a different direction – their poor driving skills cause the rest of creation to be placed on hold while they get their way.  Well, alright, maybe that is a little exaggerated – but you get the point.

We all struggle with a sense that we are due – it is our right.

But is it . . . our right?

The truth is, if we were to actually get what we deserve, most of us would not like the results.  What our poor decisions and selfishness deserve would be eternal separation from God.  That does not sound too appealing to me.

But thanks be to God for his grace and provision of salvation.

Last night I shared a brief devotion with our deacon body from the Gospel of Luke.  The story came from Luke 17 – the healing of the ten lepers.  Out of the ten, only one returned to say thank you.  Where were the other nine.  Could it have been that they lived with an expectation that they were due the healing that they received?

We think about that and look down on their unappreciative attitude but let me ask – do we ever take God’s blessings for granted?

Gratitude comes from the realization that what we deserve is death and separation from God but what God offers is an eternal relationship with him.

That is something for which we can all be thankful!

Be blessed today.

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Live Today

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational, Uncategorized on March 13, 2017| 1 Comment »

Last week I finished a little book entitled, The Greatest Salesman In the World.  It is an interesting read and one that causes the reader to think about what is important in life.

About mid-way through the book, one of the chapters begins with these words: “I will live this day as if it is my last.”  The same chapter ends with these words:  “I will live this day as if it is my last.  And if it is not, I shall fall to my knees and give thanks.”

I have continued to ponder those words.  I wish I could say with integrity and a straight face that I make the most of each moment.  But sadly, I fear there are more minutes in the day that go wasted than I would care to count.  Perhaps that is your confession too.

But what if, today, I truly lived this day as if I knew it would be my last?  What if I gave every ounce of effort possible to make sure that this would turn out to be the greatest day of my life?  Would this day look differently?

I am not referring to productivity only.  Relationships could be enriched.  Experiences could be life forming.  Words could carry deeper meaning.  Lives could be changed.

And then, at the end of the day, I could lay my head down in gratitude for the time God has given me.  And tomorrow, if God so chooses, if I wake, I should fall to my knees and thank God for another day to do the same.

God, may it be so!

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Lesson Learned On an Airport Floor

Posted in Formation, Hope on March 8, 2017| 1 Comment »

At the beginning of this week, I made another trek to west Texas for a meeting.  And what started out as a simple fly to west Texas, have my meeting, get some work done and fly back turned into an adventurous journey.

I will spare you all the details but due to bad weather in Houston, my plane was delayed just long enough leaving Corpus Christi that I missed the last plane out of Houston.  Of course, when I got to Houston and worked with a helpful gate attendant to re-route my travels for the next day, all stores and restaurants were closed in the airport and there were no rooms in the local inns either due to all the things going on in town.

So there I stood in the middle of Houston Hobby airport with nothing to eat and no place to lay my head for the night.  I will say, I got very acquainted with the layout of the airport and I also got some work done.Sleeping In Airport

But finally at 1:30 am, I had walked and sat all I could.  I found a semi-dark area behind a gate counter and stretched out on the floor.  I am not sure I slept much the hour and a half I lay there.  It was hard to rest on commercial grade carpet laid down directly over concrete.  But the discomfort of the floor was not the biggest thing on my mind.  I kept wondering where all the shoes had been before they walked across this particular 15 square feet of carpet.

As I have thought about my adventure, I have thought about how spoiled I have become.  I have grown very accustomed to the comforts of my life.  I take for granted that I have a warm house with a comfortable bed.  I don’t lack much of anything really.

But sometimes, it is when those amenities are gone that we realize what we miss.  It can also be very revelatory in seeing those things we have that we can do without.

The season of Lent is designed to help us realize that we put many things in our lives that we don’t need.  When we take the time to do a mental inventory and simplify our lives, we might just realize we need very little beyond our relationship with the father.

I was reminded, through my adventure, that God is good – even when things don’t go according to my plans.

I also learned that occasionally we may need a good chiropractor.

Be blessed today!

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Make Room For God

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational on March 2, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Yesterday marked the beginning of Lent. As I was out in the community yesterday, I noticed those who had taken the ash as a symbol of grief. Seeing those who chose to participate in the discipline of Ash Wednesday has had me thinking.ash-wednesday

For those of us outside the tradition that practices this discipline, I think we would do well to think about its meaning. When we think of Lent, we typically think of giving something up. But the season has such a deeper significance – beginning with Ash Wednesday. By receiving the ash, the participant acknowledges the sin in his or her life. The act should be based on reflection of all the ways we have strayed from God’s path as well as reflection on our desperate need for God to be God in our lives.

We have a tendency to try and replace God in our lives with distractions. We place importance on things – often good things – that can dilute our commitment to follow God with our whole heart. Our hearts have a limited capacity. When we fill our hearts with desires for things other than God then our desire for God decreases – it is similar to the law of displacement in physics. When a container is at capacity and something else is introduced, something has to give. If I fill a five-gallon bucket with water and then drop a bowing ball in I am going to make a mess.

Lent is a season in which we reflect on the mess we have made with our lives by allowing things other than our desire for God to take up space in our hearts. And we ask forgiveness and repent. It is a season when we focus on our desperate need for God and we seek him more intently. It is a season when our commitment is renewed to live our lives for God daily.

As we make our way through the next forty days – leading up to Resurrection Day – take some time to reflect. There is only so much room in your life. Make sure God is the biggest part of it.

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We Want To See

Posted in Formation, Hope, Motivational on February 28, 2017| Leave a Comment »

Last night, I had the opportunity to offer a devotion to a group of men who serve as deacons in our church.  The passage I selected was Mark 10:46-52 – the healing of blind Bartimaeus.

Jesus was headed to Jerusalem for what would be his last trip before his crucifixion.  He had already told the disciples a number of times what would happen but they were still not comprehending what was about to take place.

As they passed through the city of Jericho, a man called out for Jesus’ attention.  Jesus was surrounded by a group of people so the man’s cries went unheard at first.  Those nearest the man told him to be quiet but that just made him call out more adamantly and loudly.

When Jesus heard the man, he told him to come near.  At that invitation, Bartimaeus leapt to his feet, through off his cloak and came to Jesus only to be faced with an odd question.

The man’s need was obvious – he was blind.  But Jesus asked him the question anyway, “What do you want me to do for you?”  Bartimaeus did not really need to think about it – his response was, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

There is so much packed into this little episode recorded here.  Jesus asked an obvious question and I think he poses the question to us as well.  Jesus wants us to think about what we need that only he can fulfill.  I don’t see this is as a question of what we want or desire but rather a probing question that causes us to realize our deep and utter dependance on Jesus.

As we each search our own souls today asking ourselves what we need from Jesus, may we, like Bartimaeus, respond – Teacher, we want to see.  

Perhaps our prayer today should be:

Teacher, help us see.  We want to see what you would have us see.  We want to see you and understand you more fully.  We want to become more aware of what you are doing in our lives and in the world around us.  We no longer want to go through the motions, we want to live fully aware of your presence!  Help us to see!

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