“Devote yourself to p___________, being watchful and thankful. And p______ for us too, that God may open a door…” (Colossians 4:2) Once again I have gleaned another nugget of wisdom from C.S Lewis’ wonderful little book The Screwtape Letters. Seeing life from the eyes of a demon is both entertaining and surprisingly insightful. In chapter 13, the affectionate Uncle Screwtape is giving some sage advice to his novice understudy and nephew on how to keep young Christians away from Jesus. Here is one tidbit that is, sadly, so true… “As one of the humans has said, active habits are strengthened by repetition but passive ones are weakened. The more often he (the new believer) feels without acting, the less he will be able ever to act, and, in the long run, the less he will be able to feel.” Now let me tell you, as a person who has been following Jesus for a while now, I wish I would've heard and understood this sooner. James 2:26 puts it like this, “Faith apart from works is dead.” Most of us are masters at talking things to death, or even singing about them. However, it is in the doing where most of us fall short. That is the point of Uncle Screwtape’s advice - - get people excitedly talking about what they are going to do and by the time they are done talking and feeling, they are too tired to do what they have been wanting to do in the first place. We fail to do because we so often mistake words for deeds. And this is especially true when it comes to the most important part of a Christian’s life. The problem is, I don’t want to talk about it. This discipline, or practice is so important that I am choosing not to name it. I am choosing not to name it because in the naming, most likely, we will stop doing. When it comes to this one thing I would like to simply say, “Just do it, don’t talk about it. Do it.” But as a reader, you are probably wondering what it is I think we should do because if I don’t name it you won’t know what it is so you can do it? Do you see my dilemma? I feel like Vizzini from the Princess Bride who is at a logical impasse...well I am at a spiritual impasse, “If I mention it, you will probably not do it. But I have to mention it so you know what to do.” Hmmm… O.k., O.k. I will give you some hints:
You see, if you talk about it I guarantee that you won’t do it. In fact, I have read so many books on it that I feel like an expert in it; but I know that I am not, because reading isn’t doing and I don't just do it because I read about it. I have even waxed eloquent about it (that is an antiquated way to say I preached with power) only to find that most people I just got done preaching to still never do it. Screwtape was right, getting excited about a thing is not doing a thing. So what is the answer? Do that thing. It doesn’t matter how you do it, don’t talk about it with others, just do it. The more you talk about it the less you will do. But you may be wondering, how do I do it? By doing it. The more you do it the more of a habit it becomes. But let’s not talk about it. I’m done talking.
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In my lifetime there has been increasing confusion about what it means to be a man - - and the accepted founts of wisdom in our popular culture don't seem to be helping. The media isn't helping, institutions of higher learning aren't helping, and the entertainment industry definitely isn't helping. Everywhere you look boys are being sent mixed messages about what it looks like to be an adult male: "Do I need to be aggressive like Schwarzenegger and Stallone, or sensitive and artistic like Beiber and Boy George? Should I be a macho-misogynistic creep like every man that is portrayed on Fast and Furious, The Hangover, Ted and any given Adam Sandler movie; or should I be tolerant and accepting toward every trans-gendered, transsexual, and homosexual pioneer like Bruce Jenner, Rue Paul, or Neil Patrick Harris? (That's Doogie Howser to people over 40). The road to masculine maturity seems to have taken a wrong turn onto the highway of ignorance and debauchery...I call this "Man, Interrupted!" Recently a motion picture has come out that features two of the most popular and acclaimed actors of our day, Robert Di Nero and Zac Efron. They have pooled their quite considerable talents together to put out a story that attempts to explore the depths of male relationships between a grandfather and his grandson. The older man just lost his wife and he decides to go on a long trip with his grandson in order to bond; it may be the last time they will have together because the grandson is about to get married. Now this is the kind of plot that should give us some deep insights into what American maleness means, what we as a culture should strive for as men. It's Robert Di Nero after all, one of Hollywood's all-time elites. He surely will lead us bravely on, won't he? According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film they made is so grotesque, dehumanizing, perverse and nauseating that it received 6 tomatoes out of a 100. The title of this movie is Dirty Grandpa, and instead of bringing some semblance of nobility to the masculine gender, it paints all men as a bunch of juvenile sex-driven animals. Just listen to one critic's opinion: "It is a deeply crass, cringe-inducing, spectacularly unfunny movie that this great actor thoroughly embarrasses himself in....They say attendance in churches is down nationwide. If it's ever proven the Devil is tormenting souls by playing "Dirty Grandpa" on an endless loop in Hell, I guarantee America's pews will be filled for however long there is life on this rock. People will not want to be saved from their sin. They'll want to be saved from this movie...It will make you feel bad for yourself, and anyone else who sees it, and anyone else who has to live in the world where it exists as a physical document." Is this what most Hollywood writers think of men - - we are all lust filled frat boys with no fear of God? Is that what boys think a man should be? If it is, we as a gender are done for. No wonder women don't seem to respect us or want us around anymore. I know Hollywood is only trying to make a quick buck, but society at large no longer cares that profit is gained at the expense of losing the male soul. One critic even laughingly accepts our collective slide into the sewer by saying, "The movie really goes for it - like, to a shocking degree. And, well, I laughed. (Ugh.)" The phrase, "I laughed" perfectly sums up where I find most men to be on their quest for maturity. To get any real insight about humanity and the male condition, there is only one place to go, God's word. It tells us the truth. Especially when it comes to what a man should be. When you spend enough time in the bible it will shock you to see just how different men in our world are as compared to the way Jesus lived. He was the ideal man. And he wants all men to be imitators of his life. As I study his life, I find three glaring differences as compared to the modern day ways we view masculinity: (1) Meekness: (2) Mercy: (3) Maturity through Suffering: MEEKNESS: "A bruised reed he will not break." (Matthew 12:20) This is a strange way to describe a man, as a person who will not break a bruised reed. What is a reed? A piece of grass or a stalk of cat-tail blowing in the breeze. In other words it is nothing. Jesus was described as caring for the bruised reed. Strange? This phrase is intended to explain his attitude toward the person who is weak, damaged and broken. A person who is as weak as a blade of grass Jesus wouldn't break. Instead of destroying the weak person, the failure, the loser, by either mocking them or having nothing to do with them; Jesus in contrast, seeks to restore. He sees brokenness in others as an invitation to help. He is drawn to the broken-hearted. A biblical man should be as well. How many men that you know are experts at sarcasm? How many will find that singular flaw in another human being and pick at it until that person falls and fails? How many men want nothing to do with the failures in this world? How many men are only out for themselves? How many men just want to be left alone? Most men I know see a bruised reed and break it, throw it on the ground and trample upon it. That is how they are taught. Jesus is different. He seeks to save. MERCY: "Mercy triumphs over judgement." (James 2:13) This quality is very similar to the previous quality, but it contains something that isn't included in the first: An amazement that I have escaped the judgment of God! And as a result of this new understanding, I must not judge others. Escape is the bi-product of mercy. God had pity on our state and in his kindness he let us go. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. Did you get that? There is only one way of telling if you do, you extend mercy to others. Most men in our culture never let people off the hook. If someone offends a man, we hold grudges, we start fights, we demand payment. We live by the motto, "A real man will never get run over. Don't tread on me." God let the world tread on his Son. And while it happened, he said nothing! He just watched as the world spit upon the face of his beloved. This is called mercy. A real man understands this and is quick to forgive, give another chance, and start relationships over. Men in our culture are allergic to mercy. Play some pick-up basketball and trash-talk is the name of the game. Watch a marriage and swearing and recrimination is the natural order. Because we can stomp on an accelerator in our truck we think we can stomp on the dignity of others without any consequences. This is why a vast majority of men feel alone - -they don't know how to extend mercy to others; therefore mercy is never given to them in return. MATURITY: "We are always given over to death for Jesus' sake." (2 Corinthians 4:11) Real men must win! No one wants to be a loser, right? But it is in the losing we finally learn how to become men. I have been reading a book about Abraham Lincoln and it argues that his greatness came from the overwhelming failure he endured in his life. Listen to this quote from the author of "Lincoln's Melancholy": “Lincoln's story confounds those who see depression as a collection of symptoms to be eliminated. But it resonates with those who see suffering as a potential catalyst of emotional growth. "What man actually needs," the psychiatrist Victor Frankl argued,"is not a tension-less state but rather the striving and struggling of a worthwhile goal." Many believe that psychological health comes with the relief of distress. But Frankl proposed that all people-- and particularly those under some emotional weight-- need a purpose that will both draw on their talents and transcend their lives. For Lincoln, this sense of purpose was indeed the key that unlocked the gates of a mental prison. This doesn't mean his suffering went away. In fact, as his life became richer and more satisfying, his melancholy exerted a stronger pull. He now responded to that pull by tying it to his newly defined sense of purpose. From a place of trouble, he looked for meaning. He looked at imperfection and sought redemption.” From a place of trouble, he looked for meaning. This is a man! A man faces failure, trouble and problems and then rises up from the ashes. The biblical word for this is "resurrection." Suffering is not seen as a scourge to a man, but as a catalyst for change and growth. Men plow through the trouble, boys quit. If there is anything that makes a man, it is the ability to persevere. When others stop, when others look for leisure as the endgame; a man uses his failure to become better. Men need a purpose, and it usually is suffering that helps define that purpose. Honestly men, aren't we made for more than watching Dirty Grandpa? And are movie lines all we will have to talk about in heaven when you meet Jesus face to face? Make your life count, push through your failure and find your purpose. When I was around 7 years old my dad took me to his dentist for a check-up. The dentist's name was Chuck and he was my dad's buddy. Chuck was a curious sort of dentist; he smelled like stale tobacco and he swore like a drunken sailor. My dad failed to tell me these two things about Chuck before I sat on the chair. I will never forget the first time Chuck came into the room where I was sweating under the bright light, he was wearing was a white dental smock and he said, "So your are Don's youngest boy? How the he _ _ are you?" I was rather shy at that age and I answered sheepishly, "O.K...I...guess." He smirked a little and said, "O.K. son, open your mouth, let's take a look at your choppers!" Pungent Camel cigarette smoke was the first thing that hit me, he must have just finished off a whole pack before he came to work. And then he stuffed his giant sausage fingers in my mouth - - all I could hear him say was, "G__ d___ it! Holy s___!" And the less offensive "Crap" a couple dozen times. After a half an hour or so, he took his fingers out of my mouth, handed me some water in a small Dixie cup and said, "Rinse." He looked at me sternly, "Well son, you have a number of cavities, don't you brush your teeth?" Once again, I responded with a squeaky little voice, "I think so?" In frustration, Chuck caustically replied, "You think so? Don't you know? Anyhow, I will see you next week and we will take care of those d___ teeth." I left his office wanting to go crawl into a small hole, never to be seen again. I call this moment, "Dental shame!" The result of dental shame is that to this very day (even as a 49 year old man) I loathe the dentist - - it is a hatred that borders on paranoia. My whole life, whenever I hear I have a dentist's appointment, I freeze up and stare into space hoping a meteor will fall to earth and strike me dead. That always seems like the better option than facing the firing squad of a sulfur spewing dentist. Yesterday, I finally went to a new dentist after a fifteen year hiatus. My wife threatened me with various and sundry penalties if I didn't go. So I figured it was time I faced the dental "Great White Throne Judgment Seat" and take my punishment like a man. Enough was enough, so I prepared myself for the worst. Have I mentioned, part of the reason I waited 15 years is that . . . I am ashamed of my teeth. I am overjoyed to announce, I survived! I have a new dentist who doesn't smoke or swear, and he reassured me that everyone has teeth problems. He even knows of people who had to get dentures and they aren't condemned to dental hell. He kept reassuring me, "It will be O.K." I tried running out of office a number of times but he kindly persuaded me to stay. I remember after sitting in that chair after the first 10 minutes, I really had nothing to worry about. I no longer needed to be ashamed. "Wow, a dentist with a great chair-side manner, it is really possible, a dental dream come true!" Driving home after that visit I began to realize, that as a pastor, I am seen as a spiritual dentist to a lot of people. We all are hiding rotten things in our soul: A sin that so easily trips us up or shame that is eating us alive. Many pastors act like my first dentist; quick to judge and condemning. I think this is one of the prime reasons why so many people hate God. I know of people who avoid church like the plague because they feel instantly on trial, a guilty sinner with a ruined soul...a person no longer loved by God. But mercy is my calling as a pastor: I too have sinned, I too have cavities, I too need kindness, love, mercy and forgiveness. I TOO NEED A SAVIOR everyday of my life. The dentist revealed to me just how toxic shame is, it can ruin your life. There is not one person who has perfect teeth, not one! So then why did my first dentist swear? He likes power. There is not one person who has not sinned, not one! So why do many pastor's rage at the pulpit? They like power too. I hope if you are reading this that you will allow God to heal your shame with his mercy. Not one of us is immune from soul decay. Everyone needs forgiveness. I know that my job is to convince you to allow the Holy Spirit to gently heal your brokenness and make you new. Listen very closely to these verses: If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 1:8-2:2) Thank You Jesus for cleaning me. only Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:5 Are you stuck? Does your Christian walk feel non-existent? Honestly, on this cold dreary January morning, mine sure does. Prayer is like pulling teeth for me. Bible reading has been a snooze fest. And God seems distant. I know that he is not, but in the quiet of the night I often wonder if I am even pleasing to him? Have you ever had those moments? When I get this way it is usually a sign that I am stuck back in my proverbial cabin again. You are probably wondering what in the world I am talking about? So let me give you some context. Approximately 15 years ago, I was preparing to meet with a student who had questions about the Christian life. He became a believer a couple of years prior and felt he was stuck in his walk with God. So I scoured my resource file to see if I could find a paper or book that would illustrate the Christian walk. All I had were pamphlets and studies on how to get saved, and it never really went further than that. Most every student in my ministry was familiar with the picture of the man who was separated from God because of sin, and the cross of Jesus is the only thing that crossed the great divide. But what if you already crossed it, now what? This was the student's dilemma. So I had an idea: "What if I made my own drawing that added to this original graphic which would give more direction to not just the baby believer but the mature believer as well? So that is exactly what I tried to do. Here is what I came up with... If you notice, I still used the cross illustration but I expanded it to help a person navigate a future life with Christ and his church. Let me quickly walk through it with you.
(1) SIN CITY (Ephesians 2:1-4): this is the land all of us are born into. It is ruined and corrupted by sin and the wrath of God is hanging over it. If we choose to stay here in this condition, we are doomed. (2) THE CROSS (John 5:24): this is mankind's only hope to escape the wrath of God and be included in his love and grace. When I accept Jesus' payment on the cross as my payment, I am saved! This is where most Christian churches spend the majority of their time and teaching. (3) THE LAND OF GRACE (Romans 5:1-10): this new land that is entered by faith puts me on a completely new standing with God. I am his child, and he is forever my God. Theologians call this positional righteousness. I can never lose my standing. But God doesn't want me to just rest; he saved me to bring glory to his name. (Romans 1:5 and Ephesians 2:10). (4) THE STEPS OF DISCIPLESHIP (Romans 12:1-8 & Ephesians 4:11-14): God wants me to grow...so does your mom and dad. Living in diapers your whole life is not a good thing; nor is a Christian life of leisure. God has given us steps: Baptism as a Public sign of belonging, joining a local Body to learn how to learn and grow in community, studying and serving, and then making disciples yourself - - give away what you have learned to others. Now, at this stage in the Christian life, there are many people who are satisfied with simply grazing in the grass of grace which is stage 3. Those who are more responsive to God's work in the Spirit move on to the different steps in stage 4. Very few move on and up to stage 5... (5) THE CABIN (Phillippians 3:12-14): The ones who make it to the cabin are those who have been attending church for years . . Sunday church attendance has been a very important part of your life. Because of that fact, many of you have been involved in a number of ministries, classes, outreaches and church programs. You have seen great things happen in your life and the lives of others. Whether you know it or not, you may be in danger of thinking you have arrived when you haven't...let me illustrate. Imagine you are going hiking in the majestic Rocky Mountains around Denver, CO. On your trip you bring a back-pack, climbing/camping gear, hiking stick and trail mix that will last you for months. After the first couple of weeks you have traversed the foothills, made some daring climbs up steep mountain faces, fought off angry black bear, viewed some wonderful morning vistas, and even crossed some huge chasms in the rock by steel cable. Wow, what an adventure. . .at points you didn’t think you could make it, but through skill and perseverance you steadily make it up and down the magnificent range. Then one day, after climbing a very severe cliff of rock you reach the top of a mountain bluff. Straight ahead is a quaint log cabin. The sign says, “Welcome, all weary travelers. Make yourself at home.” As you take off the heavy gear and turn on the lights you are amazed by the general warmth of the place: Soft couches, stocked cupboard and frig, soft downy bed, and a roaring fireplace. You notice on the mantel there are trophies and plaques commemorating your hard work at the climb. As you sit there you notice that there is a door that is barely open with a cold draft of icy air pouring through, you go to close it and as you look out the back the giant mountain is waiting for you!! Most of us who made it this far in the church like to sit. We have done enough, let others pick up the slack. We remember stories and retell the exciting memories. But we are not in heaven yet, and as long as we are still above the grave God is calling us out of the cabin to go climbing up his mountain some more. (6) THE DOOR OF INVITATION (Revelation 3:20): People often use this verse for salvation when it really is a call for more intimacy. This requires discipline and denial of self. Get up off of that thing!! To go deeper with God, it will cost you something. He doesn't give away his most precious treasures to just anyone...he only will give it to those who most want it! (7) THE MOUNTAIN (2 Corinthians 3:18): It is time to keep climbing. Ask yourself this: "What areas of discipline do you need to get serious about again (devotions, tithing, serving, prayer)?" Or this, "What do you think will be the reward if you choose to keep climbing?" And finally, "What kind of a relationship do you want to have with God?" Are you stuck in the comfort of the cabin? Instead of making January 1st the beginning of new resolution, start today afresh. God is inviting you out of the cabin and up into his intimacy. Will you come? There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28) Yesterday was snowy day, That is how Januaries are in Michigan. I just got out of my car and was heading into my office. At the same time a white car was pulling up next to me, and I noticed it was Carol Cheyne, she was trying to get my attention. So I waited for her to pull up and then roll down the window. "Hi Carol, how are you today?" "Great! Hey Pastor, I have something I bought for you. It is a book I thought would be important for you to read." Carol is a book lover like myself, and over the years she has given me quite a few really good books to devour. She pulled out from the front seat a new hard covered book and the title was, "Under Our Skin." She said, "I loved this book and after I read it I thought of you." I looked at the cover and it said, "Getting real about race." Oh boy, a book about racial reconciliation, just what I need. Maybe it was the cold January temps, but I think I Carol could read my impression of the book--I thought I already knew everything that needed to be known about race relations. I even muttered in a short tone, "It probably is a book about how we don't understand the black struggle, and how blacks and whites are so different, when in actuality we are not different at all, right?" She looked at me in a look my mom use to give me when she thought I had something to learn and said, "Just read it." And then she drove off to see some ladies for Bible study. So as I walked back to my office feeling a little guilty for my snarky comment, I started reading the introduction. . . 2 hours later I was more than 3/4 done with the book feeling rebuked and repenting of my coldness toward the real issues behind our race wars. Carol forgive me. This Sunday I am going to talk about four important biblical areas we need to take deadly serious to turn our culture back to righteousness: Sanctity of . . . Life, Marriage, Property, and the Dignity of human existence. After reading this book the issue of race relations follows closely behind if we are ever going to be a truly civil and kind society. This book is written by Benjamin Watson, a pro-football player who is both a true believer and a person broken by the racial divide he sees in our country. He is also a black man. His insight is compelling and convicting, and I believe his voice needs to be heard by all of us. He became famous after posting his ideas during the riots in Ferguson, after Micheal Brown was shot dead on the street by a police officer. The day after it happened he put his opinion on Facebook and it was liked by over 800,000 people. It is from this posting that the book "Under Our Skin" was written. Here is what he posted on Facebook, something we all need to wrestle with: At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. Here are my thoughts: I'M ANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes. I'M FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get young men killed in real life, away from safety movie sets and music studios. I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a "threat" to those who don't know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt. I'M EMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breaking only confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes and thus the inferior treatment. I'M SAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we may never know the truth about what happened that day. I'M SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an officer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self defense like any of us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job. What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael and ignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering the young man to prove a point. I'M OFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I've seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others. I'M CONFUSED, because I don't know why it's so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I don't know why some policeman abuse their power. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lord over the populace. I'M INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take "our" side without looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like it's us against them. Sometimes I'm just as prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And that's not right. How can I look at white skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made about me? That's not right. I'M HOPELESS, because I've lived long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. I'm not surprised and at some point my little children are going to inherit the weight of being a minority and all that it entails. I'M HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents. I see it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And it's a beautiful thing. I'M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I'M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that's capable of looking past the outward and seeing what's truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It's the Gospel. So, finally, I'M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope. Please, don't be like me when Carol handed me the book, acting like I had it all figured out; please wrestle with your own heart and ask, "Do I really love my neighbor as myself, even if he or she is a different color?" My wife made a brilliant observation this afternoon, "We have a really smart dog, don't we?" She's right. He is. As Yogi Bear would say, "He is smarter than the average bear." He knows what a bucket is, a ball, a water hose, his cage, popcorn, football and he can ring the bell on the back door when he has to go outside to take a whizz. This afternoon after we got home from running our normal Monday errands, I decided to pull my dog aside to see just how smart he is. I talked to him about squirrels and snow, two things he loves to chase, and he ran right to window in anticipation of some immediate outdoor fun. I talked to him about my two sons, Gio and Joe, and he ran to the front door to look. And then I said, "Cheese." Yep, right to the fridge with dreams of tasty delights. In that brief encounter with my dog, it struck me, I can learn a lot from this seemingly simple minded brute. (1) He is an immediate responder. When I tell him to do something, he instantly jumps up and is ready for action. No argument or uncertainty. He trusts my word, and he wants to do what I ask. This is hard for me. I know God wants me to pray, to be kind, to read his word, to love my wife and to listen to my kids...but I delay. I procrastinate. I question and argue while wondering, "Why should I?" My dog rarely hesitates, he wants to do what I say. (2) He is not affected by other people's bad moods, nor slights against him. When he stinks from rolling in the mud, my sons yell at him and send him back outside. He doesn't pout or crumble under insecure thoughts, he leaves and waits patiently to be allowed back in. And when he finally can come back he never withholds his affection, he never plays emotional games. He looks past insults. I don't, I get mad when people slight me. When my wife sends me away for not showering enough it hurts my psyche. I pout. (3) He finds joy in almost everything and everywhere. There is bliss in a small piece of cheese, a run in the grass, in a snowball to bite. And when I am there, his master, he is happy. What makes me happy? I am sorry to say that hardly anything does. I can eat an expensive meal and still expect more. I am not content. And is the presence of God enough? Or do I need to be entertained? Two days ago I asked my dog who he is going to vote for. No response. I then asked him if he thought we needed to have more background checks. He shut his eyes. I gave it one more try, I asked him who will win the Super Bowl: He stretched. Rolled to his side and muttered in a low tone, "the Panthers, of course!" "Jargon, not argument, is your best ally ..." Your affectionate Uncle Screwtape Last night I couldn't sleep. I needed a good book to read, something to get lost in. For the first time in my life I have grown tired of reading about Hitler and his Nazi's. So I ventured over to the bookshelf to see if there was anything there that looked a tad bit intriguing? A small little book in the left corner of the bottom shelf caught my eye, "The Screwtape Letters." I haven't read that short whimsical tale in 15 some odd years. I forgot most of it - - and what a joy that is. Nothing like being reacquainted with an old friend. The cover has a simple white background with red borders, a gargoyle drawing at the top and C.S. Lewis' large signature scribbled across the middle. It was time to read. Wearing my black plaid pajamas, I poured myself a dark cup of Jo. Ah, nothing liking reading in a quiet house with a slumbering family safely tucked away. I opened the front page and started slow, word by tasty word, line by wonderful line. After the first terse paragraph into the book I came across a well-worn phrase that has always struck me as a classic tidbit of Lewis' wisdom. It reads like this: "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils (a.k.a.: demons and Satan). One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight." Sublime wisdom. You know, as I pondered this statement, a new thought crossed my mind. This same deep current of truth can also be applied to our modern day political arena. On one hand there are many who regard politics as irrelevant and absurd. They "disbelieve" in finding any hope for honesty and integrity, not caring a lick who governs or wins the nomination for each respective party. They have given up. Then there are those on the other side, I call them the obsessed. Every move the president makes will either spark an uncontrollable fire of rage, or send a shiver of delight running up their thigh. They are ravenous political animals living off of cable news and reading biased right and left wing blogs. They also are easy prey for jargon, political slogan and silly generalizations. As Lewis quips, "they can feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in" jumping into the political fray. Both of these approaches are juvenile. When it comes to how your country, state and town are run you should care, but not be consumed. It is like walking the ridge of a steep rooftop, if you lean too far one way or the other you could topple off and hurt yourself and others. This is exactly the reason why people are warned never to talk about "politics and religion" when sitting at a table of strangers. Once the phrase "What think ye of the President?" is let out of Pandora's locked box - you will experience all manner of demons and devils let loose. So then, should we avoid politics all together? In 1 Timothy 2:1-3 Paul commands us to care, "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." It really does matter who is leading our country, that is why Paul wants us to pray. And in order to pray, you must care. Do you care enough to pray? But if you are not careful in your caring, the demon named politics desires to possess you. It is rather easy for him to push you off the roof. The clearest way to tell if you have lost a balanced bearing is by asking yourself, "Do I care so much that I am beginning to hate those I disagree with? Do I view people across the isle as villainous and vile? Have I grown so callous toward my political rivals that I don't even want them to know and experience the love of God?" It is natural and healthy to argue and debate ideas, in fact it is necessary! But the moment you slander, demean and despise another human it is a sure sign that you care far too much. I know this firsthand because I have fallen off the roof many a time. The Spirit of God will confront me in the quiet of night and ask me, "Chris, you think it is hard being a pastor of a relatively small church, try running a country?" He has shown me that I have actually hated people. When I see certain politician's faces on a television screen I instantly fume. This is not healthy. . . God forgive me! So if the president wants to go golfing again, who am I to begrudge him some downtime in the most pressure filled job on earth? We all are a part of this country, "We" are "the People." And as a Christian it would do the U.S. of A. some good to have you and your God given compassion for others involved in the decisions that are being made. If you disagree with that last statement, go live in Russia for a year and see what 70 years of atheism has wrought on the innocent. It is sad and devastating. I think the biggest problem with the downward slide of our country is that a whole bunch of godly Christians have simply given up. They left the discussion, their voices have been reduced to silence. This reminds me of one more quote in "The Screwtape Letters" that I believe is germane to this discussion on politics and the lack of involvement of the good man: "Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." We can choose not to care hoping problems will all go away. We can hide away in our home, stay away from the polls, turn off the media and simply let it be. But it isn't that easy - - God placed you in the world where we are to care about it. To love your neighbor. To help the needy, and elect people who create laws to be fair for all. So, this political year, don't let the devil win and push you off the ridge of the roof. Stay steady, and pray. I know I need to begin there. acquiescence - the reluctant acceptance of something without protest. Humility is a character quality that looks good on paper, but is easily ignored and abused in the real world. This is especially true when humility runs into a proud and controlling person. I know because by nature I am compliant and one of the kindest and most humble people you will ever meet. See how humble I am? Over the years in my desire for peace I would often cave in to the shoddy arguments of the proud and authoritative manipulation of bad leadership. Probably one of the most used and abused verses aimed at bringing the humble heart to subservience is Romans 12:18. It says, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." If possible? In the mind of the humble it is always possible to be at peace -- all you have to do is give in and let the other person have their way. Have you ever noticed, the proud man never gives in? In his arrogance and conceit he usually thinks he is right. That is the danger of pride, when you think you are right you rarely give any credence to other people's arguments and reasons. Or you tell yourself that a person thinks the way they do because they are so far below you that their ideas don't even deserve to be listened to. What if the proud person isn't right? What if he simply is pushing his selfish agenda? What if he is deluded in thinking he is right, but he is way off target? A major crisis takes place in the mind of the humble, “If I disagree with them then we will not be at peace. And God tells me that I need to do all I can to be at peace. But I don’t agree. Shouldn’t I be willing to take one on the chin for peace? How come they never take one on the chin? And plus they are wrong.” So then after the humble person rouses up his courage and disagrees, the proud person cries foul. And in their anger from not getting their way they will throw disparaging thoughts and remarks back on you. Let me give you a few examples:
So if you are one of the few and proud people of humility, learn to stand up on your convictions and go ahead, make your argument. Don’t let the proud convince you that they are right just because they can yell louder or intimidate through name calling. Peace is hard to come by, and remember is never can be reached through the swamp of acquiescence - - you will only be stuck in a never ending game of control and manipulation. Stand up for yourself. "If salt has lost it's taste, it is no longer good for anything...Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket." Matthew 5:13-16 2016, what am I to do? First we must answer the question of why am I even here? It all depends upon if I really believe what I claim to believe. Let me explain... One of the biggest differences between a Christian worldview and Atheistic worldview is the issue of "Intelligent Design." An atheist argues that human beings are products of chance and random occurrences. As Frank Peretti, the Christian writer, once joked, "One day a monkey looked at his reflection in the water and then decided to shave." To boil it down, there is no reason why we are here, so why do we worry so much about significance and worth? An honest atheist will simply say, "Lighten up and let it go; stop worrying about why you are here. It just doesn't matter." Isn't that freeing? The Christian on the other hand, believes we have been made in the image of God. We have been created with meaning and purpose. We are intelligently (God is quite smart you know?) designed. Psalm 139 says he created us in our mother's womb with "fear and wonder." It suggests that he took his time because he wanted to get you and I just right! On a side-note there are some Christians that try to walk the fence on this issue and say that God made us but let evolution do the work. I am not convinced an intelligent God would use non-intelligence to create marvelous image bearers of a brilliant God. Rather silly and idiotic thinking, if you ask me. So, if we are indeed made 'fearfully and wonderfully' that implies purpose. If you were to search the scriptures you will find that God does want us "to do and be" a specific kind of person. One of Jesus' greatest messages ever given, The Sermon on the Mount, specifically deals with purpose. In the middle of this message (Matthew 5:13-16) Jesus uses two metaphors that are intended to open our eyes to our design: He calls us "Salt & Light." These two images are familiar to all of us, they are earthy and easily understood. With these images there is much that Jesus wants Christians to glean. Preachers love to wax eloquent on how salt preserves and light reveals. But they often miss the most obvious things about these two ideas - - they must be used to be any good. You light a lamp to let it shine. You store salt to shake it on food. If you don't, having them is only an exercise in futility and foolishness. "Hey Martha, look at my new lamp." "It's pretty, but does it work?" "No, I bought it because it goes with the decor. And do you like the french fries I served you? Those white specs are a new brand of tasteless salt. Less calories you know?" Ridiculous and useless. How many Christians only sit in a church to add to the numbers but never shine on a broken world? How many Christians not only watch the world spiral out of control, but are actually adding to its putrefaction? Not this year, not at this time! We can't afford to be a community of ridiculousness. Uselessness is not our calling. You were made with exquisite genius. Not to sit on a shelf and look pretty like a ceramic doll (over time they only become objects of horror), nor to eat grass like hungry cow. You are to shake and shine. Taste good and light up the world. So that... "people will see your good works and glorify God in heaven." Now that is something to live for. |
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