Friday, June 26, 2009
When Your Life Falls Apart
We listen intently to a true story many of us had already heard on several other occasions. Every time he tells it I am moved and left wondering what it would have been like to know this man in his other life. He tells of a time when he was a “party animal”, so bound by alcohol and drugs that his life was dysfunctional. Finally everything seemed to fall apart. In a single day he was taken to Harrington hospital twice by the same paramedics. First he was retrieved from a gutter downtown and then sent home to sober up. A few hours later, still under the influence, he was run over by a car. The entire audience relives his frustration and pain as he tells us about some of the worst days of his life.
Today this same man is one of the most functional and likeable men you’ll ever meet. Now he is a faithful husband, a great employee, licensed minister and an elder of our church. It is hard to imagine him being the person he talks about. It begs the question, “How does a life that is falling apart turn out so great?”
That question is answered very shortly as he continues his tale. On the day his life fell apart he prayed a simple, desperate prayer asking God (if He really existed) to show him a better way. Within days of that request he was assigned to be trained at work by a man who turned out to be a Spirit-filled Christian. During the next few weeks he got a crash course in what it means to believe in and commit your life to Christ. Shortly thereafter he attended a service where he was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in another language just as the disciples were on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2) Then came several years in which God used his church to help him rebuild his life on a better foundation. God let him hit bottom so he would look up.
His story of a new, better life is not common enough, but neither is it rare. Our assembly is filled with people who came to life-changing crises in their lives -- crises that forced them to consider their weakness and their need for a Savior. Situations that seemed so hopeless and sad became turning points – opportunities to start over. Perhaps that explains why those same people are so anxious to help others find their way to a better life. They are not trying to force their morals and values on others, they are just eager to help them discover the principles that helped remodel their own lives. Many of them used to be very skeptical of Christianity, but then they tried it and found that it works!
Unfortunately, many of us are like the reckless teenager who has to barely survive a terrible car accident before becoming a responsible driver. A word to the wise: The sooner you seek God and His better way of living, the less likely it is that you will have to hit bottom. But if you do, there’s still hope -- I have a bunch of church friends who are living proof of that.
Today this same man is one of the most functional and likeable men you’ll ever meet. Now he is a faithful husband, a great employee, licensed minister and an elder of our church. It is hard to imagine him being the person he talks about. It begs the question, “How does a life that is falling apart turn out so great?”
That question is answered very shortly as he continues his tale. On the day his life fell apart he prayed a simple, desperate prayer asking God (if He really existed) to show him a better way. Within days of that request he was assigned to be trained at work by a man who turned out to be a Spirit-filled Christian. During the next few weeks he got a crash course in what it means to believe in and commit your life to Christ. Shortly thereafter he attended a service where he was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in another language just as the disciples were on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2) Then came several years in which God used his church to help him rebuild his life on a better foundation. God let him hit bottom so he would look up.
His story of a new, better life is not common enough, but neither is it rare. Our assembly is filled with people who came to life-changing crises in their lives -- crises that forced them to consider their weakness and their need for a Savior. Situations that seemed so hopeless and sad became turning points – opportunities to start over. Perhaps that explains why those same people are so anxious to help others find their way to a better life. They are not trying to force their morals and values on others, they are just eager to help them discover the principles that helped remodel their own lives. Many of them used to be very skeptical of Christianity, but then they tried it and found that it works!
Unfortunately, many of us are like the reckless teenager who has to barely survive a terrible car accident before becoming a responsible driver. A word to the wise: The sooner you seek God and His better way of living, the less likely it is that you will have to hit bottom. But if you do, there’s still hope -- I have a bunch of church friends who are living proof of that.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Atta Batta Swing!
Life can be brutal at times. It’s like baseball. You’re up to bat, half the world is expecting you to save the day and the rest is hoping you won’t. You feel a lump in your throat, a knot in your stomach and the sun is in your eyes. Your team is behind, the bases are loaded, the pitcher is intimidating and all you can think of is the times you struck out. The ball comes fast and it’s hard to know whether or not you should take a swing. Everybody’s got advice. What’s a person to do?
For some of you, there’s another, happier element to the baseball scenario, because you had the privilege of having a dad in the stands when you stepped up to the plate. Someone to cheer you on. Someone who believed in you. Someone who would spend time with you, helping you improve that curve ball. If that has been your experience, then you know why we set aside a special day just for dads. A few words from dad can go a long way toward giving us courage.
Being a great baseball player requires such courage; the kind of courage exhibited by Hank Aaron, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 2002. When he was 39, Aaron hit 30 home runs in 392 at-bats. This gave him a total of 713 home runs in his career. Between seasons, Aaron received death threats and hate mail from people who didn’t want a black man to break Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs. But on April 8, 1974, in spite of cold and drizzle in Atlanta, Aaron hit career home run 715 in the 4th inning. Several years later, on July 20, 1976, Hank Aaron hit his 755th and final home run. I don’t know who was cheering Hank on, but somehow he found the strength to persevere.
Life is a challenge for all of us. Whether it is people’s voices in your head, less than encouraging past experiences, or legitimate challenges, life can be brutal. What a difference it makes when there is a dad in the stands to urge us onward. I would like to thank all the fathers who have given us courage. Thank you for showing us how to be responsible and loving. Thank you for speaking into our lives even though you may be a man of few words. Thank you for cheering us on even though you knew we were not perfect. Thank you for being there to offset everyone in the stands who is chanting “atta batta, swing.”
Bravely taking one’s place in life takes great courage. Jesus modeled this. He stepped up to the plate and touched the lives of others in His world. He taught, loved and healed. There were always detractors and naysayers, even when he did his greatest miracles. Satan, himself, was Jesus’ ultimate detractor. But the man, Christ Jesus, had the encouragement of His Father to urge Him onward. If you don’t have the encouraging voice of a human father in your life -- not to worry. You, too, have a Heavenly Father. If you will run into His arms, He has words of comfort and encouragement for you. At your toughest moments, when everyone is shouting “atta batta, swing,” you’ll find him in the stands applauding your every effort.
For some of you, there’s another, happier element to the baseball scenario, because you had the privilege of having a dad in the stands when you stepped up to the plate. Someone to cheer you on. Someone who believed in you. Someone who would spend time with you, helping you improve that curve ball. If that has been your experience, then you know why we set aside a special day just for dads. A few words from dad can go a long way toward giving us courage.
Being a great baseball player requires such courage; the kind of courage exhibited by Hank Aaron, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 2002. When he was 39, Aaron hit 30 home runs in 392 at-bats. This gave him a total of 713 home runs in his career. Between seasons, Aaron received death threats and hate mail from people who didn’t want a black man to break Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs. But on April 8, 1974, in spite of cold and drizzle in Atlanta, Aaron hit career home run 715 in the 4th inning. Several years later, on July 20, 1976, Hank Aaron hit his 755th and final home run. I don’t know who was cheering Hank on, but somehow he found the strength to persevere.
Life is a challenge for all of us. Whether it is people’s voices in your head, less than encouraging past experiences, or legitimate challenges, life can be brutal. What a difference it makes when there is a dad in the stands to urge us onward. I would like to thank all the fathers who have given us courage. Thank you for showing us how to be responsible and loving. Thank you for speaking into our lives even though you may be a man of few words. Thank you for cheering us on even though you knew we were not perfect. Thank you for being there to offset everyone in the stands who is chanting “atta batta, swing.”
Bravely taking one’s place in life takes great courage. Jesus modeled this. He stepped up to the plate and touched the lives of others in His world. He taught, loved and healed. There were always detractors and naysayers, even when he did his greatest miracles. Satan, himself, was Jesus’ ultimate detractor. But the man, Christ Jesus, had the encouragement of His Father to urge Him onward. If you don’t have the encouraging voice of a human father in your life -- not to worry. You, too, have a Heavenly Father. If you will run into His arms, He has words of comfort and encouragement for you. At your toughest moments, when everyone is shouting “atta batta, swing,” you’ll find him in the stands applauding your every effort.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Almost A Criminal
Did I ever tell you about the time I almost became a criminal? I was a mere teenager with my whole life ahead of me when I foolishly conspired with my second cousin to commit arson. Ok, that might be a bit over-stated. We weren’t really trying to burn anything down, but we were lucky that we didn’t start a prairie fire.
It was probably mid-summer. My cohort and I were traversing our uncle’s 300 acre farm in Pompey’s Pillar, Montana. We were walking up a dirt road toward the farm junkyard. The road was nothing more than two tire tracks with a strip of tall, brown, dry grass between them. One of us, I honestly don’t remember who, had acquired some matches. Since we were now out of sight of the house, we decided to play with fire.
I remember striking a match tossing it into the grass, then immediately stomping on it. It was a lot of fun, but it should have been a tip-off that we were toying with stupidity several matches later when I stomped on a match and the flames billowed out around my sneakers demanding that I stomp a second and third time. Unfortunately, some of us are slow learners. We continued our experiment with combustibles. Another match… another stomp… a little breeze… and soon the fire spread faster than our feet could dance.
After an initial panic we had the presence of mind to run ten or fifteen feet downwind and tear out a portion of the grass that was in the middle of the road. Then, as the flames approached we threw handfuls of dirt at the inferno until the flames finally died out. When the episode was over we stood shaking, staring at 20 or more feet of charred grass. It began to dawn on us that if we had been tossing matches to the side of the road rather than in the center patch of grass, we might have started a fire which would have likely burned several acres before being extinguished. We would have been responsible for damage we didn’t intend to cause. That would have been criminal.
I often wonder how many times we play with fire, never thinking about the far-reaching ramifications. We don’t pause to consider how a little flirtation could leave a child fatherless, how a few beers and a drive could end innocent lives, or how a few dollars stolen from the till could result in a criminal record. The thrill that accompanies a struck match, or an instant flame is too tempting. No one is looking, we reason, so why not engage in inappropriate behavior or cheat a little? It’s only a little match that can be easily stomped out. “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:5)
I don’t know if anyone ever noticed that twenty feet of charred road. Thankfully, my foolishness taught me a lesson. I learned that rules, boundaries and prudence are my friends. I learned that dry grass burns fast and the caution “don’t play with fire,” was issued with my well-being in mind. In years to come I would learn many similar lessons, only about different kinds of fire. Somebody was looking out for a couple of young boys on the high plains of Montana back in the 70s. Had we been engaging in such foolishness just a few feet to one side, the runaway fire might have made me a criminal.
It was probably mid-summer. My cohort and I were traversing our uncle’s 300 acre farm in Pompey’s Pillar, Montana. We were walking up a dirt road toward the farm junkyard. The road was nothing more than two tire tracks with a strip of tall, brown, dry grass between them. One of us, I honestly don’t remember who, had acquired some matches. Since we were now out of sight of the house, we decided to play with fire.
I remember striking a match tossing it into the grass, then immediately stomping on it. It was a lot of fun, but it should have been a tip-off that we were toying with stupidity several matches later when I stomped on a match and the flames billowed out around my sneakers demanding that I stomp a second and third time. Unfortunately, some of us are slow learners. We continued our experiment with combustibles. Another match… another stomp… a little breeze… and soon the fire spread faster than our feet could dance.
After an initial panic we had the presence of mind to run ten or fifteen feet downwind and tear out a portion of the grass that was in the middle of the road. Then, as the flames approached we threw handfuls of dirt at the inferno until the flames finally died out. When the episode was over we stood shaking, staring at 20 or more feet of charred grass. It began to dawn on us that if we had been tossing matches to the side of the road rather than in the center patch of grass, we might have started a fire which would have likely burned several acres before being extinguished. We would have been responsible for damage we didn’t intend to cause. That would have been criminal.
I often wonder how many times we play with fire, never thinking about the far-reaching ramifications. We don’t pause to consider how a little flirtation could leave a child fatherless, how a few beers and a drive could end innocent lives, or how a few dollars stolen from the till could result in a criminal record. The thrill that accompanies a struck match, or an instant flame is too tempting. No one is looking, we reason, so why not engage in inappropriate behavior or cheat a little? It’s only a little match that can be easily stomped out. “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:5)
I don’t know if anyone ever noticed that twenty feet of charred road. Thankfully, my foolishness taught me a lesson. I learned that rules, boundaries and prudence are my friends. I learned that dry grass burns fast and the caution “don’t play with fire,” was issued with my well-being in mind. In years to come I would learn many similar lessons, only about different kinds of fire. Somebody was looking out for a couple of young boys on the high plains of Montana back in the 70s. Had we been engaging in such foolishness just a few feet to one side, the runaway fire might have made me a criminal.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Living Life God’s Way
Amidst all the best-kept-secrets in the world is “the biggie” -- a well-known secret that is obscured by a popular culture that is afraid of personal responsibility and by a few basic misconceptions regarding the definition of a real Christian. The secret: being a Bible believing Christian (that doesn’t cuss, drink, steal or cheat on his spouse) is truly one of the most enjoyable and rewarding lifestyles available. Living life God’s way is not a chore, it is simply following the manufacturer’s manual to enjoy maximum performance.
Years ago a well known preacher once challenged his audience to live life God’s way. Then he articulated the difference in a self-centered life and a God-directed life. As you read his philosophy below, ask yourself how much you agree with his line of reasoning.
“Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?
It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” (Galatians 5:18-23 The Message).
This preacher, St. Paul, became one of the world’s greatest missionaries. He wrote most of the letters that now make up the New Testament. If you had trouble agreeing with the quotation above, then your world view is not a Biblical world view. If your world view is not Biblical, then you have not chosen to live your life God’s way.
The good news is that it is never too late to start living life God’s way. If you should choose to embark on this journey you will find that it is much like the life advertised by the Peace Corps: “It’s the toughest job you’ll ever love.” Living right is hard work and requires much discipline, but the results are very wholesome and gratifying. Establishing habits such as attending a Bible-believing church can be a challenge, but your whole family will benefit in ways too numerous to mention. Life was a great idea that God came up with; He knows how it works best. Living life contrary to God’s plan is as frustrating as riding a motorcycle but refusing to put gas in it.
If life doesn’t seem to be unfolding quite the way you expected… if your world view isn’t working….. if you are a “Christian” but are not Spirit-led… I challenge you to take a month of your life and give God’s way a shot. Read Galatians 5:18-23 every day, try to live it out, and see if it doesn’t make a big difference in your life.
Years ago a well known preacher once challenged his audience to live life God’s way. Then he articulated the difference in a self-centered life and a God-directed life. As you read his philosophy below, ask yourself how much you agree with his line of reasoning.
“Why don't you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?
It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.
But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” (Galatians 5:18-23 The Message).
This preacher, St. Paul, became one of the world’s greatest missionaries. He wrote most of the letters that now make up the New Testament. If you had trouble agreeing with the quotation above, then your world view is not a Biblical world view. If your world view is not Biblical, then you have not chosen to live your life God’s way.
The good news is that it is never too late to start living life God’s way. If you should choose to embark on this journey you will find that it is much like the life advertised by the Peace Corps: “It’s the toughest job you’ll ever love.” Living right is hard work and requires much discipline, but the results are very wholesome and gratifying. Establishing habits such as attending a Bible-believing church can be a challenge, but your whole family will benefit in ways too numerous to mention. Life was a great idea that God came up with; He knows how it works best. Living life contrary to God’s plan is as frustrating as riding a motorcycle but refusing to put gas in it.
If life doesn’t seem to be unfolding quite the way you expected… if your world view isn’t working….. if you are a “Christian” but are not Spirit-led… I challenge you to take a month of your life and give God’s way a shot. Read Galatians 5:18-23 every day, try to live it out, and see if it doesn’t make a big difference in your life.
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