I Doubt It part 1

Do you like nicknames? I do. I alway secretly wanted a cool nickname. I was even jealous of friends that had awesome nicknames. However, I came across a guy once that had a nickname that I wasn't envious of. The guy's name was Thomas and people called him "Doubting Thomas". How would you like that for a nickname? His friends has really cool nicknames that made his seem that more lame. There was Peter, aka The Rock, and the brothers James and John, aka The Sons of Thunder. I especially like that last one.

To be forever known as the man who doubted the reality of Christ's resurrection must have been demoralizing for poor Thomas but personally I'm glad he was because it gives me someone I can relate to. Like Thomas I have found myself doubting God. In times of trial or tragedy I have felt so weak and alone that I wondered if a far off God even cared about little old me. I began to doubt wether or not God was even real.

It took some time for be to overpower the feelings of doubt with the confidence of trust. In fact I still have little battles within my heart from time to time where I know that God is real and he does care, but my faith is shaky enough to make me doubt how much. That leads me to my goal for 2011. This is my year of complete trust. This is the year that I beat down doubt with the power of the Holy Spirit and say, "I may not understand God, but I am going to trust you!" I feel that 2011 is going to be different. For more on Thomas' story grab a Bible and read John 20:24-29

Life Lessons Through a Ford Taurus

Have you seen the new Ford Taurus? I was asked that question while on my way to pick up my rental car the other day. I was told repeatedly that it was worth the $5.00 a day extra to upgrade. Everyone at the rental place seemed to agree so I took a chance and signed the papers. Let me say that this car is way different than the Taurus that my grandparents used to drive! I took it back to the church office and told everyone that the rental company gave me the coolest car ever. They all ran out to the patio overlooking the parking lot and were canvassing the parking looking for a car that was worthy of my excitement. When I told them I was driving that white Taurus in the corner they laughed at me. Their reaction was much like mine until they got up close and looked inside. Their perception was changed as well.

I'm not trying to sell you a new car (although if you have a chance to upgrade or downgrade to one I would do it). My experience with the Taurus made me look at my faith in a new way. When people hear the word "Taurus" they think of the uber conservative staple of middle class suburban transportation that was popular during much of the 90's and have a hard time shaking that stereotype. I can't blame them. I thought the same thing until I drove it, I mean, I can't imagine my grandmother using paddle shifters on the steering wheel as she zooms to the senior center. Here is where my world got rocked: when people hear the name "Christian" I think it elicits the same response.

I have been challenged this week to resemble Christ. I want people to associate my actions, words and deeds with what they have heard about Jesus. When the people I meet everyday find out I am a Christian I want them to say, "That makes sense. I knew there was something different about you." rather than looking at me like I just praised the new Ford Taurus. Ephesisans 5:1 says that I should be "an imitator of God". When people look at me they should see God looking back. How am I supposed to do that? I think it starts with love and ends with me being real and genuine. Jesus chose to use people like me to impact culture and I need to do a better job. I have to start today.

The Morning Hour (or at least 20 minutes)

I have many conversations that start out something like this:

Them: "I don't feel like I'm going anywhere in my walk with Jesus. Things are kind of stagnant right now."

Me: "Oh really. Do you talk to God regularly? When was the last time you read your Bible outside of church?"

Them: " I have been really busy lately. I don't have time to read the Bible and I don't feel like God listens when I pray so I kind of gave that up."

Me: "Well, maybe if you gave God a little bit of your precious time all of that other stuff would work itself out."

Them: "Maybe you are right but where do I start? Should I go to the Christian bookstore and pay $30.00 for one of those little bathroom books?"

And that leads me to this blog. Spending time every day with God doesn't have to take hours and you aren't less of a Christian if you don't wake up at 4am and pray for 4 hours before getting ready for work. The most important part is to get into a simple routine. Keep it consistent and keep it simple. You are more likely to stick with it if it isn't too complex. Setting up for your morning routine is also important. If you have to search for your Bible, pen or journal you are less likely to keep it up. Here is a simple plan to help you start out your day with God.

Say it: Before you even get out of bed thank God for the day. This can be a mumbled sentence. The idea of this one is that the first words you utter are praises to God. Sometimes if I have a lot on my mind when I go to sleep I wake up with it still on my mind. It helps me to realize that God is God and that puts everything else into perspective. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NIV).

Feel it: Sometimes I don't want to get out of bed because the covers feel so cozy and warm. I know when walk out that bedroom door I will be faced with challenges that I might not be equipped to handle. The safe cozy bed is symbolic of my relationship with God. He is my provider, protector and loving guardian. When He wraps his arms around me it makes me feel safe and secure. Praise be to the Lord, for he showed his wonderful love to me. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalm 31:21a, Psalm 63:3 (NIV)

Hide it: I can't stress the importance of reading the Bible every day. Start out with reading a little. If you can only comprehend 160 characters at a time then start with that. Reading the words of God will change your life. It also helps to start in the New Testament (That is the last 25% or so of the Bible. Check the glossary if you can't find it.) Often times I will try to find one verse or 2 that jumps out at me and write it on a piece of scratch paper. I will put the piece of paper somewhere where I will see it all day long. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105 NIV).

Say it: Prayers don't have to be lengthy and complex. Simply put, have a conversation with God. What are you struggling with? What are you afraid of? What do you need (not want)? End your conversation by giving God praise once again. Have a 5 minute conversation with God before you leave the house. “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9-11 NiV).

This routine works but you have to stick with it. It takes about 37 times before something becomes habit. If you oversleep and miss a day don't beat yourself up. Tomorrow is a new day and new chance to connect with God!

Social Media Fatigue?

Social Media Fatigue?

Church As It Should Be (etc. etc.)

Sometime I am full on inspired to blog and sometimes I'm not. I have been going through one of those times when inspiration is lacking. I'm not blaming my lack of inspiration on a certain coffee shop where I used to spend hours in solitude with my computer, but when they moved that hideously awkward oversized and completely impractical table into the corner and made almost 1/4 of their available space unusable I decided to boycott them. I'm not bitter by the way because it led me to my new place of solitude where I once again feel inspired to blog!

As I look across the landscape of modern church culture I have to wonder how many Christians are boycotting their local church in a sense because of a small change that was made. This small change could be a new meeting space, music style, leadership or even teaching series. I think our sinful nature gives us a natural tendency to shop around for a place that meets our needs but when I look at the early church I see a group of people that were more committed to others than they were to themselves.

When we have a selfless attitude we are more willing to look beyond our own comfort, musical preference, teaching style, calendar and differences of opinion. When I think of the Christian church as it should be I can't help but wonder what a culture of selflessness would be like. How awesome would it be to have to tell someone that they will need to be put on a waiting list and when the first available opening on the tear down crew comes available we will contact them!

How sweet would it be if nobody was hungry, cold, homeless, depressed, jobless or lonely because every Christian gives of themselves as selflessly as Jesus did? I see a generation that is emerging filled with passion, drive and creativity. It is my prayer that they would use these gifts that God has given them to serve others and not themselves because when they do we will be one step closer to being the Church As It Should Be.

Shaken Not Stirred

Do you ever feel like you are in prison? I do sometimes. I don’t feel like I am stuck in a literal jail or penitentiary but it is kind of like that. Right now it is sunny and 75 degrees and I am stuck at work. I am free to go outside as much as I want but I can’t leave unless I want to lose my job. I get paid well to be in this prison and most of the time it is even worth it but right now I don’t think it is. If I had a car right know I wonder if I would be tempted to not come back from lunch.

I read about 2 guys that were in prison once and for some reason they really didn’t mind. For some reason they were very joyful and were singing and maybe even dancing (as much as their shackles would let them). Around midnight a crazy thing happened. There was a really big earthquake, an earthquake so powerful it rattled their shackles lose and even caused the doors of the prison to open. What is even crazier is that these 2 guys never tried to escape.

The jailer that was supposed to keep watch over them fell asleep and was awakened by the earthquake. Figuring all the prisoners escaped he drew his sword to kill himself. Why not? He was going to be executed for letting the prisoners escape anyway. As the cold steel was about to penetrate his flesh he heard a voice coming from the darkness saying, “Don’t do it! We are all here!”

Knowing the 2 guys were Christians the jailer asked them how he too could receive salvation and by the end of the night the jailer’s whole family had become Christians themselves and were baptized. I am starting to think that the jailer and his family were the one that was really set free that night

When I read about those 2 guys I couldn’t help but take a closer look at my own prison. It is really hard being at work today but I wish God would cause an earthquake in my Spirit that would remind me that I am free from my bondage of self-doubt and lack of confidence. I am free from the chains that keep me from being all and doing all God wants me to be.

I pray that God would use my prison to set multitudes of captives free. I wonder if that was the mindset of the 2 guys I read about that made them so joyful. Even though they were in chains, they were really free in Christ. By the way, you can read their story for yourself. It is found in the Bible: Acts 16:22-36.

Holiday? Fun?

I go through a cycle every year that seems to be happening earlier and earlier. When I was a child growing up I always looked forward to the holiday season as every child probably does, but as I have gotten older I have become less and less excited. At times I have to admit that I even question the point of the madness.

I can remember going on vacation to the mountains as a child and was surprised to find out that many mountain towns celebrate Christmas in the summer because nobody can get around in the winter due to the snow and winter weather. I am afraid that is the direction our culture is headed in but it's not so families can celebrate before the bad weather hits. Unfortunately it's no longer about the birth of our Messiah as it is about the healing of our economy.

I'm pretty sure Jesus was referring to people when he said he came to heal the sick, help the blind see and help the lame walk. Instead in America we use the Christmas season to boost sales, increase morale and sell diamonds. I can remember when the Christmas decorations didn't come out until after Thanksgiving but lately I have noticed that they come out earlier every year, and this year I started seeing decorations right after halloween.

Am I the only that is bothered by this? Today I had to honestly ask myself if I was part of the problem or the solution. I don't have a solution and if buying a bottle of perfume for my wife makes me part of the problem then I guess I am, but through it all I have noticed one undeniable truth. Music about Jesus becomes mainstream for at least one month every year.

I can't pick any other time of the year when I hear Jesus' name spoken so much either by his followers or by his haters. Personally, I think Christmas songs are a little bit lame. They all seem so somber and mellow when they are about the birth of the Savior of humanity. To me that warrants a bit more kick drum or wailing guitar. All of this ranting leads me to the point of this blog. Jesus is bigger than our holiday traditions, shopping sprees, overprices sweaters and Lexus sales.

As much as our culture tries to make Christmas about the latest fashion or gadget, Jesus will always make it about Him. The message of love, peace and forgiveness always seems to shine a little brighter during the holiday season. Relationships seem to be mended a little easier and families seem to be drawn closer together and for that I say thank-you to my Savior.

Happy birthday Jesus. You are worth all of the hype.