In scriptures, the word used to describe the Holy Spirit can be translated many ways: Counselor, Comforter, Helper, Equipper, Encourager, and Exhorter, to name a few. The idea is that the Holy Spirit is close and offering us the insight and strength to get the job done.
It reminds me of a coach in athletics. He analyzes and gives feedback. He tells what the player is doing wrong and how he can do it right. He teaches the players the disciplines of the fundamentals. He cheers them. Sometimes he yells, claps his hands, and blows his whistle to get his team’s attention.
Most of the time, the player does not take offense, but rather pays close attention so he can correct any error and improve his performance. The coach urges him on reach inside himself to do better than ever before.
I wish we could take that concept of coaching and apply it to the rest of our lives.
How much more would we accomplish in school if instead of trying to get away with doing less, we focused on doing more, trying harder, and learning well? How much more valuable as employees would we be if we listened to our bosses and responded as if they were our coaches? How much better would our marriages be if we decided to listen and respond with the aim being a better partners?
How much better a person would I be if instead of getting defensive, I focused on getting better in the face of criticism. Instead of being bound in shame, I would examine myself. I could make my changes, grow in spirit, and move on toward my heavenly goals.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).
Monday, May 16, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Certain In Our Convictions
Vindicate me, LORD,
for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the LORD
and have not faltered.
Test me, LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
(Psalm 26:1-3).
King David knew when he was right and he wouldn’t back down when he was.
Those of us who have been trained in academia have a difficult time actually having an opinion. We say things like, "On the one hand..., however, on the other hand...."
The great leaders are unshakable in their convictions. It’s what gives them the courage to face giants and win battles against bigger, stronger armies.
Additionally, David was a leader who shared his greatness with the people so they could stand tall with him. During his reign, David was not the only one considered formidable. There were also the soldiers known as the Mighty Men of David.
Ah, to be a leader like him....
for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the LORD
and have not faltered.
Test me, LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.
(Psalm 26:1-3).
King David knew when he was right and he wouldn’t back down when he was.
Those of us who have been trained in academia have a difficult time actually having an opinion. We say things like, "On the one hand..., however, on the other hand...."
The great leaders are unshakable in their convictions. It’s what gives them the courage to face giants and win battles against bigger, stronger armies.
Additionally, David was a leader who shared his greatness with the people so they could stand tall with him. During his reign, David was not the only one considered formidable. There were also the soldiers known as the Mighty Men of David.
Ah, to be a leader like him....
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Becoming Sane
At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. (Daniel 4:38).
Nebuchadnezzar's arrogance made him crazy. In Howard Hughes like fashion, he shunned people and grew out his nails and his hair. He also wandered about outside, eating the grass and living like a wild animal.
They still lock you up if you think you are a god.
How ironic that pride made him lose it all. How wonderful that he found himself and got it all back when he reclaimed his humility.
Nebuchadnezzar's arrogance made him crazy. In Howard Hughes like fashion, he shunned people and grew out his nails and his hair. He also wandered about outside, eating the grass and living like a wild animal.
They still lock you up if you think you are a god.
How ironic that pride made him lose it all. How wonderful that he found himself and got it all back when he reclaimed his humility.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Last Things
"The end of all things is near." (1 Peter 5:7).
The end of the world makes some people think about digging underground shelters and storing supplies and weapons. Our spirits go into bunker mode as we wait for destruction.
There’s no getting around the fact that there is urgency in the apocalyptic literature. But none of the ancient writers meant to paralyze us in anxiety. In fact, they were encouraging us to let go of fear and use these last times to act for the sake of God by the power of God for the glory of God.
Getting ready isn’t tying down our possessions to secure them for the storm. It’s turning loose of everything that doesn’t matter so we can focus on the needy people who do matter.
The last thing Jesus told Peter was, “If you love me, tend my lambs.” (John 21:15-25).
The end of the world makes some people think about digging underground shelters and storing supplies and weapons. Our spirits go into bunker mode as we wait for destruction.
There’s no getting around the fact that there is urgency in the apocalyptic literature. But none of the ancient writers meant to paralyze us in anxiety. In fact, they were encouraging us to let go of fear and use these last times to act for the sake of God by the power of God for the glory of God.
Getting ready isn’t tying down our possessions to secure them for the storm. It’s turning loose of everything that doesn’t matter so we can focus on the needy people who do matter.
The last thing Jesus told Peter was, “If you love me, tend my lambs.” (John 21:15-25).
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Now You See Him; Now You Don't
Lectionary Readings: Psalms 145, 104, Isaiah 25:1-9, Acts 4:13-31, John 16:16-33
Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” (John 16:16)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Jesus was getting his disciples ready for the time when he would arrested and killed. He was trying to reassure them that all would be well. He wanted them to hang on until the dark times were over because he knew things would be breathtakingly better in a short time.
But John’s words are meant for the reader, too. He’s encouraging us, giving us hope to persevere when times are hard. If we hang on long enough, we experience better moments.
There are times when the strongest believer will wonder if God’s presence really exists. John the Baptist did. So did Peter.
It’s part of growing up.
But how do we hang on? Going back to the psalms mentioned above, they speak of praising God constantly. Everyday. That means when we feel bad or tired or discouraged, as well as happy, strong, and excited.
Praise keeps us on track. It keeps us in touch when we don’t feel in touch. And it keeps us ready for the moment Jesus appears again.
Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” (John 16:16)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Jesus was getting his disciples ready for the time when he would arrested and killed. He was trying to reassure them that all would be well. He wanted them to hang on until the dark times were over because he knew things would be breathtakingly better in a short time.
But John’s words are meant for the reader, too. He’s encouraging us, giving us hope to persevere when times are hard. If we hang on long enough, we experience better moments.
There are times when the strongest believer will wonder if God’s presence really exists. John the Baptist did. So did Peter.
It’s part of growing up.
But how do we hang on? Going back to the psalms mentioned above, they speak of praising God constantly. Everyday. That means when we feel bad or tired or discouraged, as well as happy, strong, and excited.
Praise keeps us on track. It keeps us in touch when we don’t feel in touch. And it keeps us ready for the moment Jesus appears again.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Dry Bones
From Ezekiel 37....
[T]here was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.
They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. II will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’”
We have finally begun to realize that the church is in trouble. I’ve been yelling to anyone who would listen that the church has been declining for the last forty years. Now, within the next two decades, the church is going to lose a huge number of it’s strongest supporters because folks are old and it will be time for many of them to graduate into heaven.
Leadership is thinking about how to best organize and consolidate our resources. I know they have to think about this. It’s the wise thing to do. But we’re thinking in terms of crisis management. We’re thinking of the church as a terminally ill patient that needs to be made as comfortable as possible.
I’m still thinking renewal. I don’t believe the Lord means for the church to blink out of existence. He offers a bold vision of an army being raised from a field of dry bones.
If we believe the message of this passage, why not focus on turning this thing around?
I’m not the only one thinking this.
I plan to continue my work for the next two decades, and I don’t aim to make my final years a time to bury the bleached bones of a dead church. I’m going to work to light the place up.
What are you going to do?
[T]here was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.
They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. II will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’”
We have finally begun to realize that the church is in trouble. I’ve been yelling to anyone who would listen that the church has been declining for the last forty years. Now, within the next two decades, the church is going to lose a huge number of it’s strongest supporters because folks are old and it will be time for many of them to graduate into heaven.
Leadership is thinking about how to best organize and consolidate our resources. I know they have to think about this. It’s the wise thing to do. But we’re thinking in terms of crisis management. We’re thinking of the church as a terminally ill patient that needs to be made as comfortable as possible.
I’m still thinking renewal. I don’t believe the Lord means for the church to blink out of existence. He offers a bold vision of an army being raised from a field of dry bones.
If we believe the message of this passage, why not focus on turning this thing around?
I’m not the only one thinking this.
I plan to continue my work for the next two decades, and I don’t aim to make my final years a time to bury the bleached bones of a dead church. I’m going to work to light the place up.
What are you going to do?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Champion
The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
(Psalm 97:1).
Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
(Psalm 115:2-4)
The psalmist speaks of God as his champion, the ruler of everything. He is the real God who lives in heaven--not some hunk of shiny metal some human made.
As I’ve often longed for the personal God that Jesus promises, I admit that I forget to marvel that there is a Champion who is ruled by no one, who cannot quite be understood and can never be coerced.
That’s the God who watches over us. I don’t always remember it. I can’t always feel it. I almost never understand Him. But the point of the passage is that God doesn’t answer to me or any other created thing. We answer to him.
That’s comforting, I suppose.
(Psalm 97:1).
Why do the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him.
But their idols are silver and gold,
made by human hands.
(Psalm 115:2-4)
The psalmist speaks of God as his champion, the ruler of everything. He is the real God who lives in heaven--not some hunk of shiny metal some human made.
As I’ve often longed for the personal God that Jesus promises, I admit that I forget to marvel that there is a Champion who is ruled by no one, who cannot quite be understood and can never be coerced.
That’s the God who watches over us. I don’t always remember it. I can’t always feel it. I almost never understand Him. But the point of the passage is that God doesn’t answer to me or any other created thing. We answer to him.
That’s comforting, I suppose.
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