Living on a Prayer

Here's a reminder to all of us (especially me) as we start another "work" week.

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ...Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. ...Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:14,17-19,21).

In a world where "getting even" is promoted, teach me to show mercy.
In a culture that preaches "fighting for your rights," teach me to surrender mine.
In a society where "gossip" is actively practiced, teach me to have the attitude of Christ.
Through all situations, may the words I speak flow from your Spirit.
In all things, may I be yours.

This is my prayer.

Gracious Posting

Thanks for all the prayers and words of encouragement. In addition to the three of you who posted comments, I received IM messages and phone calls. Your prayers made a difference!

While the meeting did not lead to an agreement about the situation, it remained civil. There are some major differences of opinion, but everyone has his own perspective. When a situation like this occurs, there are many hurt people. Addicts do not merely hurt themselves, they hurt family and friends.

I am not sure how the people with whom I met will react to the meeting. We disagreed. We argued. And I left the meeting with the same feelings I had going into the meeting. This is not a case of being stubborn, but a case of being convicted by the Spirit (and many of you) that I had chosen the best course of action.

Unfortunately, I do not see the situation getting any better in the near future. God can heal any broken heart and restore any repentant person. But there is the catch: a person must want to have a relationship with God. Sin has a way of changing us to the point where we do not want God's forgiveness or anything else he has to offer.

My prayer for this individual is that he takes the steps necessary toward healing: physically, emotionally and spiritually. I pray that his soul be saved.

I also pray for his wife and children who continue to suffer. May they remain safe and may their focus continue to stay on Jesus.

Thanks again, guys.

The Pain of Sin

Just received a call from my assistant about a meeting tomorrow. Unfortunately, it appears to be one of those "bad" meetings.

We have been dealing with a situation involving a drug addict. All attempts to get him to long-term treatment have been rebuffed. He is now going through a divorce and the congregation where I attend has reached out to his family (spiritual support, moral support, financial support).

From those who bless me with "warnings" so I don't get blindsided, I have learned that the meeting tomorrow is with a family member of his who is upset at how he is (perceived as) being treated. My gut tells me this is one of those "come-into-the-office-shoot-bullets-and-leave" meetings. I do not intend to allow such a thing to happen.

The whole situation is draining. This has gone on since late March. To add a twist to all of this, I was a close friend with the man who has the drug addiction. However, I have made some hard choices concerning this relationship.

Several weeks ago, this man "came forward" at the end of the sermon. I did not go over to him or say anything to him. I had previously consulted with a licensed counselor and a recovering drug addict who both stressed to me that until the individual is willing to enter long-term treatement, there will be no improvement. He is still unwilling to do this. Until that point comes (considering the multitude of lies, unethical behavior and his abandonment of his family), I cannot have a relationship with this individual.

Many times before, I have (along with another friend) went out on a limb for this man. I have traveled in areas where shootings and drug deals frequent the streets. I have met people with no regard for life or anything good. I have literally stepped in harm's way.

Now I face this meeting with an angry family member. How do I respond? What do you do with a man who will not financially provide for his family? What do you do with a man getting paid an "under-the-table-job" while collecting unemployment? How do you reach out to a drug addict who is convinced that he can fix himself and does not need any type of professional treatment? How do you handle such a situation?

My position makes this situation all the more fragile.

Anyway, I'll quit rambling and simply ask that you pray for me. I need the wisdom that comes from God. I need the Spirit to give me the words to say.

PK Syndrome

The experience of growing up as a "Preacher's Kid" brought with it a vast array of "church" experiences. Most of those experiences were good, but there were some bad experiences mixed in with the good.

The fact that my Dad is still a preacher seems to suggest that ministry is not "one huge bad experience" (although if you asked most preachers on a Monday to describe ministry you would probably hear more negative than positive). Corroborating my father's experience is that I am now a preacher. So, either ministry is not all that bad or God has a sense of humor (maybe both are true).

Some of the lessons I have learned from being a "Preacher's Kid" (and now a father myself) are:

1) The best thing about ministry is people
2) The worst thing about ministry is people
3) No preacher is indispensable (Jesus is still in charge of the church)
4) The Preacher's Family is expected to be at every "church event" (often the people who expect this do not attend most "church" events)
5) Saving the world is not worth losing your family
6) Preachers need personal fashion consultants
7) If the preacher makes less than you make (salary), then he is underpaid. If he makes more than you do, then he is overpaid
8) Preachers often receive little respect
9) Preachers often receive much love
10) Preachers, led by God, encounter some of the most amazing people in the world
11) Preachers are fallible
12) Having the Spirit of God speak through you as you preach is a high unlike any other

Those are 12 lessons (in honor of the 12 apostle-dudes). That is all I can think of for now. What have you learned from the preachers you know? (be kind)

Church Life Loves

What is that smell? Mmm ... smells like ... look there it is on that table over there ... buckets and buckets of Kentucky Fried Chicken. My heart leapt for joy.

Wait a second, what are they doing way over there? Looks like they are making homemade ice cream. Wow, what a day!

From an early age, I quickly learned that there are perks to being involved with a local congregation. Potluck dinners were always in the top 10 on my lists.

What about you? What do you love the most about "church" life?

Doorkeepers Need Not Apply

"The purpose of the church is to affirm the requirements of salvation for all who wish to be recipients."

Okay, my wife pleads with me to stay away from religious programming, especially programming associated with the churches of Christ. Of course, characterizing all "church of Christ" shows as being the same is neither accurate nor fair. On the other hand, my viewing experience has become an exercise in frustration.

The above quote was recently made by a minister on a weekly "sermon show" (preacher sits in chair and preaches to the camera). Although I did not immediately process all that his comment entailed, I became instantly upset.

Now, several days of pondering the implications of such a claim has led me to the following conclusions:

1) there is no Scriptural basis for this "purpose of the church." There are verses in the Bible that mention holding to the teachings of Christ and the apostles, but a scriptural mandate to determine who gets to go to heaven? Such a mandate does not exist in the pages of holy writ.

2) Jesus' last command to his followers (the Great Commission) gives us the duty of "making disciples, baptizing and teaching."

3) the height of spiritual arrogance is to claim the right to be the doorkeeper to God's kingdom.

Thinking more about this statement prompted such words as "exclusivist," "sectarian," and "denominational."

Preachers in churches of Christ cannnot have it both ways. You cannot claim to be "the church" and then act like a denomination.

To truly "speak where the Bible speaks and remain silent where the Bible is silent" means we need to do a lot less talking and a lot more loving.

Church Scars

For the past several weeks the congregation of which I am a part has been studying the subject of worship. Today we studied the heart of worship. Following the worship assembly, a man approached me. His wife and son had come the previous week and as a result of their positive experience, he chose to come today. The family drove 60+ miles just to "come to church."

Tears welled up in his eyes as he talked to me about what was going on at the congregation where his family had worshiped for years. He talked about how his excitement had been snuffed out, his enthusiasm deflated, and his heart broken. Evidently, his "home" congregation has decided to be ritual-driven, rather than Spirit-driven. Sadly, his "home" congregation has become exclusivist ("we're the only ones going to heaven"), thus embracing a sectarian mindset, rather than the mind of Christ.

But today his hope was restored. He shared with me how the worship assembly was the most meaningful one that he had experienced in months. He was candid in discussing how his spirit was revived today. God had worked. God's Spirit had spoken to him today.

As we talked, he began to discuss his teenage son. He said, "I refuse to make him go through what I went through. I will not do that, and if it means driving 60 miles to 'church' each Sunday, then that is what I'll do."

I placed my hand on his shoulder and told him, "You will experience healing here. There are others like you who have similar scars. There is hope here."

He mustered a smile and softly said, "thank you."

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Death Came Knocking

Just read the story on the AP wire about the death of pro basketball player, Jason Collier at the age of 28.

Fresh out of college with a journalism degree, I went to work for a weekly newspaper as the sports editor. The town in Ohio where I worked was not far from Springfield, where Collier played high school basketball. I remember covering games that he played. At 7-ft he towered above everyone else. The amazing thing is that he had good coordination. He dominated in high school and went to college (first Indiana, then transferred to Georgia Tech)on a full scholarship (and graduated).

The preliminary report says that he died from a heart attack in his sleep. Wow, the news is stunning and unbelievable. How could such a horrible thing happen?

Fear

Watching last night's episode of "Night Stalker" (still trying to find a new show since the X-Files went off the air) reminded me how easy it is to become consumed by fear. This led me to wonder exactly how fear controls my life.

There is no question that fear is one of the greatest motivators in the lives of all people. We react based on our fear. We fear loss (friends, family, relationships, money, life, control). Yet, the Bible says we are to fear God.

If we respond to all of our other fears, how do we respond to a fear of God? I know this is a little complicated (fear is a response). Look at it like this: responding to a response. Bear with me.

If I am a football player and I fear blowing out my knee, how will this affect the way I play the game? If I am a control-freak and fear losing control, how will this affect my relationships with others? If I am a Christ-follower who fears God, then how will this determine the way I live?

What fears do you have? Do they control you? How do you respond to them?

Expecting?

It hit me the other day while reading from the Bible. At first, I read right past it and an alarm went off in my head (needed the snooze button at that moment). Something (or someone) told me to stop and reread the words that had just raced through my mind.

There it was in black and white: “One day as they were worshiping God – they were also fasting as they waited for guidance – the Holy Spirit spoke …” (Acts 13:2).

The religious tradition in which I have spent most of my life places an enormous emphasis on rational thinking. When it comes to the Holy Spirit, we are often confused or so obstinate in our rationalism that we ignore the mystery and overlook the wonder.

In my personal experience, I did not come to the Sunday morning worship assembly with any expectation that God’s Spirit would speak. I have a hunch there are a bunch of other people with the same experience. What I expected was singing, praying, sharing the Lord’s Supper, financial giving (passing the baskets), preaching, and, of course, lots of announcements. I expected to go through the ritual, observe the forms, and embrace logic, while abstaining from awe.

But, expect the Holy Spirit to speak? C’mon, that’s so New Testament. It doesn’t happen that way anymore. Right?

Last time I checked, the Spirit of God has not undergone a identity change between the first century and the twenty-first century. The same Spirit that spoke in Acts 13 is the same Spirit that speaks today. Maybe we don’t hear his voice because we don’t expect to hear it. Instead, we rationalize it away. We counter, “The Spirit speaks through the Word of God (Bible).” Yes, the Spirit does speak through the Bible. Yet, according to the account in Acts 13, the Spirit also speaks in other ways. In this instance, the Spirit spoke as the people worshiped. They were waiting for guidance, and God did not disappoint.

Next Sunday, when you enter the doors of the church building (if you’re absent from the church scene, you might try it sometime), enter with expectation – not of the same old same that permits us to stay the same – but listen for the Spirit of God to speak, and leave that place changed.

Imagine how “church” could change if we worshiped expectantly.

The Thunder Rolls

Still at the office and ready to go home, but am battling a huge conflict. No one else is here, so the conflict is with myself. It is brewing inside and the battle seems to be escalating ...

Man ... I shouldn't have eaten that last bean burrito.

Good News: Ben Roethlisberger is going to be okay. At the end of what turned out to be the game-winning drive, "Big Ben" was hit in the knee by a defensive lineman. Thankfully there were no torn ligaments. Hyperextended knee along with a bone bruise is the "official" diagnosis. When the injury happened, I turned to my wife and said, "He'll be okay. The ACL was not torn." She asked me how I knew that from just watching the replays of the hit. I reminded her that when you have torn your ACL twice, you know what the injury looks like.

Hopefully, there will not be a different diagnosis on Ben tomorrow -- then I'll really look stupid.

Oops, there's that rumbling again. Better wrap this up before the thunder really starts rolling.

Addiction

Hope the above link works. It is an article that appeared in USA Today yesterday, Reminder of how important it is to guard the home. It is also a rebuke to all those who think their actions do not affect their children.

Influential Touches

Sunday night for ministers is kind of like Friday night for everyone else. The busiest day of the week (a normal week) for members of the clergy leads to an evening of morbid reflection and rueful pondering. Gosh, that sounds melodramatic.

One of my friends likes to say that ministers only work 1-2 days a week. Ha! Actually, it's not that funny. But hey, if it is true, then ministers make some of the best salaries (if you divide it into hours worked). Of course, that is not the case. What is the case is that ministry is one of the easiest jobs to abuse. Most ministers have limited supervision, do not punch a timecard everytime they enter the office, and generally are not faced with any accountability until they peeve off certain people at the congregation they serve.

Enough "Tales Behind the Cloth" (could ministers do reality TV?), tonight at a neighborhood Bible study we were discussing Jesus' conversation with a foreign woman at a well. The normal aspects were broached: significance of man talking with woman, Jewish man associating with Samaritan woman, time of day conversation took place, etc. What I found interesting was the effect this conversation had on the woman. It impacted her to the point that she talked -- and talked a lot. Her witness influenced her neighbors to investigate this Jesus fellow. What happened after that was a life-change for a good number of people from the town.

This group dialogue led me to ponder the influence that one person can have. So, all you Monday morning quarterbacks, here are two questions to chew on: 1) Who have you influenced?; 2) Who has influenced you?

It's the fourth quarter of a game between the Bengals and Jaguars. Tell me why I'm still awake.

Friday Night Lights

Friday night in the blog-o-sphere. While millions of people are watching high school football, and many, many others are engaged in social activities (parties), here I am sitting at my computer. The kids are in the same room trying to decide what movie to watch. I'm not sure what my wife is doing.

So, here I sit. Watching words appear on the screen as fast as I can type the letters. Whoa! Somebody stop me!

Just finished a powerpoint presentation that I did not get to complete earlier today. Glad that is out of the way. Can you tell I'm stalling ... waiting for a profound, random thought to fall from the skies ... wait ... there it is ... false alarm ... it a leaf. Strange, I'm inside the house.

Saw where the Red Sox got swept today by the White Sox. Wow, any other teams with the name "sox" in them that are still alive? Hanes must be going wild. Wait, are they underwear solely, or do they make socks too?

Soccer game tomorrow. I'm pumped. College football to follow. I'm pumped. Steelers are off Sunday. Nap-time. Steelers are on Monday Night Football. I'm pumped.

What is it about sports that awakens within so many strong emotions. We cheer and jeer. We celebrate and mourn. We talk strategy and devise game plans (even though our team's coaching staff has never asked for our input). How does sports captivate us in such powerful ways?

Man, I should have gone to that high school game.

Steelers and Faith

For a number of years, I have counted myself as a fan of the greatest football organization in the NFL: the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Having lived in a number of different places, I have never seen a city and its football team connected in such an intimate manner as the Steelers are with Pittsburgh.

Even though their glory years are far removed (although they seem to be climbing the mountain), the city continues its love-affair with its football team. Players have come and gone, but the people of Pittsburgh continue to adorn themselves in black and gold.

In recent years, the Steelers have come close to recapturing their glory from the 70s, but have not managed to leap the last hurdle. As a result, fans have suffered disappointment at having come so close to the Promised Land only to be denied entry.

What is amazing about this is that the fans remain loyal to their team. The term "fair-weather" in Pittsburgh is used to describe a sunny, mild day. It is never used to describe Steelers fans. Through the heartbreaking losses, disappointing seasons, and departure of favorite players, the people of Pittsburgh remain steadfast in their support of their Steelers. In fact, every home game has been sold out since 1972.

There is an interesting correlation between football and church. Having been around "church people" my entire life, I have seen people leave congregations for almost every imaginable reason. Loyalty does not seem to run deep when it comes to church affiliation.

Some people leave because the attendance numbers are down, the preaching is not "feeding" them spiritually, the leadership is weak, other people are mean, and there are just so many hypocrites.

What if church people resembled Steelers fans? What if, even when we experience a losing season, we remain resolved in our membership? What if, even when we suffer from poor coaching, we still remained committed? What if, even when we experience conflicts with others, we pressed on?

Maybe then, at least we'd begin to catch a glimpse of the Promised Land.

A Touch of Reality

The saints gather for the weekly one-hour assembly. Voices are lifted in praise of an invisible, yet omniscient God. Respectfully, heads are bowed as prayers are spoken. Bread is broken and small cups of grape juice are taken and their contents consumed by those present. Someone stands before the people and for the bulk of the assembly engages in a study of the sacred Scriptures that is, more often than not, shrouded by opinions and thoughtful meanderings.

Clocks beep across the auditorium reminding those present that the one-hour has culminated. The preacher realizes the audience has already moved on so he closes his comments. Quickly, he switches from speaking to the already saved to offering an “invitation” for the not-yet-saved.

A song is sung, feet shuffle impatiently and the majority of the people stare down at the floor. A few announcements follow the song and a prayer is offered before the “official” dismissal is given.

For one hour the people gathered for a common purpose. For a brief moment in time the people engaged reality. If worship is an encounter with truth, then this is the closest we come to engaging reality. This is real, as opposed to all the other things to which we devote our time.

My son is still grasping this concept. This past Sunday he asked me, “Daddy, why do we have to dress up to go to church? Why can’t we wear real clothes?”

The clothes do not reveal the heart of the worshiper, but the thought that what we do on Sunday mornings is not as real as what we do in the rest of our lives reveals exactly where our heart is. And where the heart is, there you will find the treasure.

I want a treasure that transcends time, reveals reality, and sustains salvation.

A Touch of Reality

The saints gather for the weekly one-hour assembly. Voices are lifted in praise of an invisible, yet omniscient God. Respectfully, heads are bowed as prayers are spoken. Bread is broken and small cups of grape juice are taken and their contents consumed by those present. Someone stands before the people and for the bulk of the assembly engages in a study of the sacred Scriptures that is, more often than not, shrouded by opinions and thoughtful meanderings.

Clocks beep across the auditorium reminding those present that the one-hour has culminated. The preacher realizes the audience has already moved on so he closes his comments. Quickly, he switches from speaking to the already saved to offering an “invitation” for the not-yet-saved.

A song is sung, feet shuffle impatiently and the majority of the people stare down at the floor. A few announcements follow the song and a prayer is offered before the “official” dismissal is given.

For one hour the people gathered for a common purpose. For a brief moment in time the people engaged reality. If worship is an encounter with truth, then this is the closest we come to engaging reality. This is real, as opposed to all the other things to which we devote our time.

My son is still grasping this concept. This past Sunday he asked me, “Daddy, why do we have to dress up to go to church? Why can’t we wear real clothes?”

The clothes do not reveal the heart of the worshiper, but the thought that what we do on Sunday mornings is not as real as what we do in the rest of our lives reveals exactly where our heart is. And where the heart is, there you will find the treasure.

I want a treasure that transcends time, reveals reality, and sustains salvation.