How you love others…

“How you love others is how you love God.” (Rob Bell in “Bullhorn” a Nooma film)

How are you at loving others? I know I do a pretty lousy job at it. Every day I let people down. I fail to give them what they need from me. I fail to love them unconditionally. I fail to hold others accountable. I fail to encourage and uplift them. If how I love others is a representation of how I love God I have a lot of work to do.

Often we want to think our relationship with God is not interdependent with our human relationships, but what if it our human relationships are a representation of our heavenly relationships? What do your human relationships tell you about your relationship with God? What does your relationship with God tell you about your human relations?

What does your life shout?

What does your life express to others? Do they know your story? Your values? Your priorities? What do you express to others that you love and live for?

This video reminded me that all I do should be done to live for God. Often I am not bold in professing what I live for, and yet if I am living my life with passion and commitment there is a part where my life should speak for itself.

What if God answered?

Our Father Who Art In Heaven.
Yes?
Don’t interrupt me. I’m praying.
But — you called ME!
Called you?
No, I didn’t call you. I’m praying.
Our Father who art in Heaven.
There — you did it again!
Did what?
Called ME.
You said,
“Our Father who art in Heaven”
Well, here I am. What’s on your mind?
But I didn’t mean any thing by it.
I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day.
I always say the Lord’s Prayer.
It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.
Well, all right.
Go on.
Okay, Hallowed be thy name .
Hold it right there.
What do you mean by that?
By what?
By “Hallowed be thy name”?
It means, it means . . good grief, I don’t know what it means.
How in the world should I know? It’s just a part of the prayer.
By the way, what does it mean?
It means honored, holy, wonderful.
Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what ‘hallowed’ meant before.
Thanks.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
Do you really mean that?
Sure, why not?
What are you doing about it?
Doing? Why, nothing, I guess.
I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control,
of everything down here like you have up there.
We’re kinda in a mess down here you know.
Yes, I know;
but, have I got control of you?
Well, I go to church.
That isn’t what I asked you.
What about your bad temper?
You’ve really got a problem there, you know.
And then there’s the way you spend your money –
all on yourself.
And what about the kind of books you read?
Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me!
I’m just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!
Excuse ME.
I thought you were praying for my will to be done.
If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones
who are praying for it.
Like you — for example.
Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups.
Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.
So could I.
I haven’t thought about it very much until now,
but I really would like to cut out some of those things.
I would like to, you know, be really free.
Good.
Now we’re getting somewhere.We’ll work together — You and ME.
I’m proud of You.
Look, Lord, if you don’t mind, I need to finish up here.
This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.
Give us this day, our daily bread.
You need to cut out the bread.
You’re overweight as it is.
Hey, wait a minute! What is this?
Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in
and remind me of all my hang-ups.
Praying is a dangerous thing.
You just might get what you ask for.
Remember, you called ME — and here I am.
It’s too late to stop now.
Keep praying. ( . . pause . )
Well, go on.
I’m scared to.
Scared? Of what?
I know what you’ll say.
Try ME.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
What about Ann?
See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up!
Why, Lord, she’s told lies about me, spread stories.
She never paid back the money she owes me.
I’ve sworn to get even with her!
But — your prayer –What about your prayer?
I didn’t — mean it.
Well, at least you’re honest.
But, it’s quite a load carrying around all that bitterness
and resentment isn’t it?
Yes, but I’ll feel better as soon as I get even with her.
Boy, have I got some plans for her. She’ll wish she had never been born.
No, you won’t feel any better. You’ll feel worse.
Revenge isn’t sweet.
You know how unhappy you are –
Well, I can change that.
You can? How?
Forgive Ann.
Then, I’ll forgive you;
And the hate and the sin, will be Ann’s problem — not yours.
You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned.
Oh, you know, you’re right. You always are.
And more than I want revenge,
I want to be right with You . . (sigh).
All right all right . . I forgive her.
There now! Wonderful!
How do you feel?
Hmmmm. Well, not bad.
Not bad at all!
In fact, I feel pretty great!
You know, I don’t think I’ll go to bed uptight tonight.
I haven’t been getting much rest, you know.
Yeah, I know.
But, you’re not through with your prayer are you? Go on.
Oh, all right.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Good! Good! I’ll do that.
Just don’t put yourself in a place
where you can be tempted.
What do you mean by that?
You know what I mean.
Yeah I know.
Okay.
Go ahead. Finish your prayer.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory forever.
Amen.
Do you know what would bring me glory –
What would really make me happy?
No, but I’d like to know. I want to please you now.
I’ve really made a mess of things.
I want to truly follow you.
I can see now how great that would be.
So , tell me . . . How do I make you happy?
YOU just did.

Are you a porcupine?

“The German philosopher (and pessimist) Arthur Schopenhauer once compared human beings to porcupines trying to gain warmth from each other on a frigid night. “The colder it gets outside, the more we huddle together for warmth; but the closer we get to one another, the more we hurt each other with our sharp quills. And in the lonely night of Earth’s winter eventually we began to drift apart, wander out on our own and freeze to death in our loneliness.”

Isn’t that a picture of how the body of Christ can function at times?  Yeah, we will sometimes poke each other with our quills of selfishness, anger, or pride.  But with the healing power of Jesus, the church can learn how to forgive, stay close, and keep warm in the fellowship of Christ.” (Bring ‘Em Back Alive by Dave Burchett)

How are you and your community of the church functioning? Are you being porcupines who poke and injure others, or are you walking in the grace and mercy Christ gave us and taught us to share? What keeps you from loving, caring for, and accepting others? Let God change your heart and grow your love today.

Search me…am I willing to hear the truth?

In the church we talk about the truth a lot and tend to profess that we know and speak the truth, but are we willing to really hear it? Are we willing to stop professing we know it long enough to listen and hear that there is more to learn?

Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

We sing a song at church that always makes me deeply uncomfortable because of the truth it speaks: “And I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.” If you allowed God to open you up and search you, what would he find? If he tested you, tried you, molded you, and lead you how would it turn out? What are your offensive ways that cost Christ so much upon the cross? If God pointed them out to you, would you be willing to deal with them?

I have a sign that hangs on my door to remind me of a key concept every day before I leave my home. It reads “Whatever It Takes”. I want to follow God….whatever it takes…even through those times when what it takes is having God show me my offensive ways. Are you willing to follow God even if he searches you, knows you, and shows you your offensive ways? Are you ready to hear the truth? The truth is we need a savior, some days more than others, but we are always in need. The truth is we have one!

Are you safe or out?

Romans 9:2-3 “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race.”

What an incredible love Paul had for others. Not only did he allow his heart to feel sorrow and pain, but he actually wished pain and loss for himself for the sake of others. Love like that is incredibly rare.

As I read that scripture last week my mind wandered to those I look past every day. Every day there are co-workers I just want answers or resources from, but never show genuine care to. There are people at my church every week that I smile at or even speak to, but never ask how they are doing or how I could be involved in their lives. There are people in need all over the world that I know about but refuse to reach out to support and care for.

Paul was willing to give up not only his life here on earth, but his eternal life for others. What are we willing to give up to even see someone have the chance to grow closer to God or have a small need met. I have been challenged this week to step out of my mediocrity and to live a life that is truly worthy of the call God made on my life. Are you playing it safe and protecting all you have, or are you willing to step out, love someone, give something, and share what you have?

100% convinced

A few weeks ago in a sermon my pastor mentioned once being asked what he was 100% convinced of. I have been thinking of that a lot over the last few weeks. What is it that I am 100% convinced of? There are a few things, like the existence of God, which I was glad to say I was convinced of. There were also a few things that I found I was surprised I was not 100% convinced of.

Tonight I have someone in my life who leaves me questioning what I am convinced of. They are someone I have chosen to allow myself to care deeply about, to risk for, and to reach out toward in friendship. This person has deeply impacted my life, yet unfortunately today that relationship lies broken and hurting. Trust has been deeply damaged and only through God’s grace will it be restored, but pain like that doesn’t stop love. Love overcomes it. Hopefully love heals the brokenness. Am I convinced of my love for this person? Yes, 100%. Would I be willing to go to great risk, cost, or work to restore things? Yes. Does that stop the pain and hurt and heal the wounds? Unfortunately no, but hopefully it won’t stop the healing.

What are you willing to care for that deeply, risk for that extremely, and allow God to heal? Do you have people in your life that you care for deeply enough that you would do anything for them? What if it cost you everything? What if it cost you relationship with them? Is there anyone you would die for? Could you die for something you were 100% convinced of?

Receive the kingdom of God like….

I was speaking to my elementary school aged nephew this week. I asked him how school was going, and how he liked growing up. He told me it was hard because he is realizing that each year he gets older there is just more and more work.

Christ told us “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:14-15).

Have you lost your childlikeness? I have been around a lot of adults lately that are always serious, responsible, overburdened, and weighted down. The scripture says we need to receive the Kingdom of God like a child. How are you doing that? Do you need to spend some time with children to have that passion, focus, energy, heart, laughter, playfulness, and joy restored?

 I love going to play aunt for a day because I get to spend time with a group of kids that remind me that life is about a lot more than I sometimes make it, and I need to carry a lot less weight than I sometimes lug through life. May you today find some of that heart like a child and receive the Kingdom of God like a little child!

What do you get to do today?

 

In the movie The Rookie (2002) there is a turning point for teacher/pitcher Jim Morris. He has already made it to the minor leagues and is pitching, but he has lost focus about why he is there and what he is doing. He is ready to call it quits but his wife encourages him to give it one more try. Through that, Jim Morris’ perspective and attitude change. He once again realizes why he is there, what he loves, and what he wants to do. The next morning he walks into the locker room and looks at another player named Brooks and says, “Do you know what we get to do today Brooks? We get to play baseball.”

Do you know what we get to do today? We get to follow and serve God! Can you feel the excitement and passion about that? Does it inspire you and bring you joy? If not, what is standing in your way of that focus, perspective, and attitude?

Today millions of children are starting over with a new school year, and millions of others are staring new jobs, marriages, homes, commitments, etc. Will you join them?

Today, I started my day with a brand new commitment to my life with God. Today I started my day knowing with all that I am that I get to live for God. That will shape all I do, say, believe, and accomplish today. I started over in my commitment to God and in my commitment to life. I am refusing to pick up the old life, the old beliefs, the old way of doing things. Today, I get a new life. Will you join me? Do you know what you get to do today? The choice is yours.

Looking for content…

“It has taken an act of Congress to make the public accept HDTV, because consumers don’t really want better picture quality. They want better content.” (Digital Storytellers: The Art of Communicating the Gospel in Worship by Len Wilson & Jason Moore)

If the general public is looking for better content in their entertainment, what are Christians looking for in a worship service? Pastors, worship leaders, and other church staff often focus on the presentation of the content, but maybe it is the content itself that needs to be reshaped. Did you ever have a class in school where the teacher didn’t really know and understand the content, at least on a deep level? Did you have one where they did? The difference for the students in the classes can be tremendous. What would happen if our church services were lead and presented by leaders who knew both the content of the story of God and relationship with him intimately and passionately. How can we be a part of improving the content of the messages, communication, and presentation in our church services?

Like a spider’s web, the message may be strong, but we must know it is there to really see and experience it. Only when we see and experation a message will it have the impact to change our lives.

Allowing God to wash over us

I have been a part of a series of discussions lately around reshaping church gatherings, setting the tone for worship, telling a story, and creating an atmosphere where God can take down the barriers so his heart can touch ours.

I remember one summer camp I was a part of where we dramatized portions of the life of Christ, including the carrying of the cross and the crucifixion. All three men who hung on the crosses were some of my closest friends, but the man playing Jesus was a very dear friend. Never had the sacrifice Christ made for me been so real and personal. Standing in a crowd on a sand dune, watching as he carried the cross, was “nailed” to it, and then was placed upright to die changed my understanding of what God’s love meant.

Have you ever had God’s spirit wash over you? What do you remember specifically about that experience? Are there images, words, smells, sights, sounds, or actions that touched you and opened the door for you to allow God to cover you? Do you desire for God to do this again?