creative risk...

We are all creative. So many would disagree with that statement. Up until the last year, I would have as well. But I think one of the ways that God created us to be like Him is in the ability to create things, ideas, thoughts. Alex Osborn writes, "An analysis of almost all the psychological tests every made points to the conclusion that creative talent is normally distributed - that all of us possess this talent. The difference is only in degree; and that degree is largely influenced by effort."

That statement brought me freedom. I don't have to be as creative as the next person, I don't have to be ashamed of the arenas in which I may or may not be creative. I can stand on the idea that God has fashioned me with some element of His creativity.. But the thing is, it is up to me to use that creativity.

My job is to be creative. And there are so many times that I feel stuck within an idea, not sure how to crawl my way out of the box that only bad ideas reside in. But then I remember that God is the Creator of everything beautiful and wonderful. He is the one that gives us all the ideas we could ever need.

The danger is within labeling ourselves uncreative, finding comfort in safety and little risk. The thrill of creativity is taking a leap and landing somewhere you never thought you could take yourself to.

So, create. Lead. Risk. And see where you end up.

Paint Me a Birmingham...

I was in the car today, enjoying the great weather, and listening to country music. Spring is the season for country. I don't know why that's so, but every spring, I bust out all my country songs that have been hibernating through winter. On came Tracy Lawrence's "Paint Me a Birmingham." 

The song is the story of a guy coming upon a street painter who said he will paint any scene for $20. 

Could you paint me a Birmingham

Make it look just the way I planned

A little house on the edge of town

Porch going all the way around

Put her there in the front yard swing

Cotton dress, make it early spring

For a while she'll be mine again

If you can paint me a Birmingham

I was struck with the thought of how disappointing life can be. We have these grandiose plans that usually don't happen. And every failed dream leaves a bit of pain in our already fragile hearts. I find myself often living in the tension between dreaming big and being realistic. I believe we serve a God who created us to dream. But on the flip side, life doesn't happen the way we planned. Life lived in this fallen world isn't as He wants it to be, either.

Some of our dreams, like a white front porch on a perfectly placed house, slip away from us as life happens. Other dreams, like growing old with your best friend, sometimes have to be literally buried. It is the death of those dreams that feed my pessimistic side - why bother hoping when it will only bring disappointment?

But I guess the only answer that calms my confused heart is that God is still sovereign. In the middle of dying dreams, or the pain from letting go, God picks up the pieces and forms new dreams in our heart. We not only serve a God who is Hope, but we serve a God who is Healer. 

Too many of my buried dreams have left little bits of hurt and anger in my heart, and in need of healing. The only way to deal with the coming and going of life is to let our dreams reside in God. He is the One who can handle them, and the One who can reform them when life hits us hard.

...

Lesson for Today: Mmmm, Cadbury Eggs. Another great thing about Spring.

Kindness and Repentance...

Yesterday, I lost my wallet. Actually, my wallet was stolen. It was quite the ordeal. Its easier to understand the story in a timeline, so here is what happened yesterday, though I didn't know all the details until last night.

12:50 - I pull into Walmart with my wallet in my purse. I grab my purse and walk into the store.

1:15 - Over $800 worth of purchases are made on my credit card as I'm shopping around.

1:20 - I get up to the cashier and realize I don't have my wallet.

1:20-2:45 - I search frantically through my car, the parking lot, and the Super Walmart store.

So here's what we think happen. Because the person remained in the same store to use my credit cards, and because they were able to put over $800 on the card in 25 minutes, they must have done this before. They knew what they were doing. I know my wallet was in my purse when I got out of the car. So either it fell out while I was getting out of the car, or I was pick-pocketed. My purse is big, it was unzipped, and the pouch with my wallet and gift cards was plainly visible. So its more than possible that is what happened.

Needless to say, I was a wreck. The Walmart shoppers and employees probably thought I was nuts as I  walked up and down the same aisles for an hour and a half searching. I asked the maintenance man if I could go through the garbage, which we did together. I asked customer service twice if it had been turned it, and then with tears, asked them if I could leave my granola bars there because I could no longer purchase them. It was a bad, bad day.

Once I found out the person took my wallet and used it while I was still in the store, I felt horrible. I felt violated that someone had personal information about me who shouldn't. And I felt naive for being surprised that someone would really do that.

But in God's grace, I also prayed that whoever had it would at least be blessed by it. I wondered if those prayers were wrong and stupid, but I prayed them nonetheless. I kept wondering, Would God really bless an act of stealing? But through all the thinking about it last night and this morning, I realized that God's kindness leads to repentance.

Now, my doctrine is far from perfect (who's isn't?), and I don't understand how God leads some to repentance through wrath and others through kindness. But I do know that He does both. I know that some hit rock bottom and look to God, while others meet God through circumstances of blessing. And if both are possible, then I am praying that God brings this person to Himself through His kindness. Because what other prayer is there now?

I'm not exactly sure why I'm writing all of this, except that its obviously been on my mind, and because its a reminder that God's kindness is so much more powerful than I give it credit sometimes.

I can't change a heart, only God can. But I can change how I react to situations like this, and how my attitude reflects the kindness I am praising God for.

As someone once said, "A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart and a washed out dream. They follow the pattern of the wind, ya see, cause they got no place to be. That's why I'm starting with me. Im starting with the man in the mirror. Im asking him to change his ways. And no message could have been any clearer. If you wanna make the world a better place then look at yourself and make a change."

...

Lesson for Today: Slow internet is frustrating...

You Alone Can Rescue...

The worlds eyes are on Haiti right now. People want to know what is going on in that country, wondering what will happen next. Aftershocks have been occurring as people try to rebuild what they've lost.

There is so much pain in today's world. I don't even know a fraction of it.

You alone can rescue. You alone can save.

You alone can lift us from the grave.

You came down to find us, led us out of death.

To you alone belongs the highest praise.

You, O Lord, have made a way.

The great divide you heal.

For when our hearts were far away.

Your love went further still.

I am continually reminded that God is the only one who can do anything significant in this world. My humanitarian heart jumps at any chance I can to help people in desperate need. And yet, He alone can rescue. We have to join Him in His work if we want to make any kind of difference.

So I would ask you to pray for Pastor Steve, Gary and me as we go down to Haiti this week. Pray that we would join His work and tell His story.

Im sure I will have some interesting stories to write about when I get back...

...

Lesson for Today: A small act like giving dinner on a busy week can mean the world...

Integrity and Apologies...

Big news today. Tiger's apology. 

I am a huge Tiger fan. Gary very much appreciates the fact that I am because I will actually watch golf with him when Tiger's involved. When everything happened last November, I was pretty bummed. I really respected him for the incredible golfer he is, and the family man he seemed to be.

But his apology today was big. "It's now up to me to start living a life of integrity." Heartfelt, seemingly genuine, his 14+ minute apology was as stand up as he is on the course. I can't determine whether it was genuine. I can't say for sure it was his apology and not just great PR writing. But I can't say it wasn't, either.

I will say, though, that as far as celebrity apologies go, this one was impacting. I can't imagine how his wife has felt through all of this. And I can't make excuses for Tiger. But today definitely helped from where I'm standing.

Does he owe me anything? No. But I believe he owes the kids who look up to him something. And he owes his family something. 

He repeatedly admitted that it was all his fault, taking full responsibility. A far cry from Letterman's recent apology. He cleared his wife's name and stood up for her vehemently. He admitted he needs help and has a long way to go, though he has "taken the first steps" toward healing. "I am the one who needs to change." He then leaned into Buddhism, which he says "teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint." 

Celebrity apologies have made me think lately about my own need for repentance. They serve as a reminder to me how God's heart desires "mercy not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings." (Hos. 6.6) Repentance is always better than trying to make it up or cover it over.

I feel sorry for him. Not in a pity kind of way. He doesn't need my pity. But I feel sorry in a sincere, Im bummed for him kind of way. I feel worse for his wife. But whether he followed apology etiquette or not (seriously, apology etiquette? how about just truly repenting?), it was a good move for him. And I hope true and honest healing can come to him and his family.

Also, his golf skills really do astound me. And golf isn't playing in our house until he's back.

...

Lesson for Today: Eldrick Tont... Who would've guessed that was the real name behind "Tiger"?

Noise vs. Sound...

Sitting in my office this morning, I am thinking about the world of noise in which we live. Noise is all around us - a fact that is most often, but not always, lost on us. I sat here doing work for a couple hours and then, in a moment of pause, I realized how much noise was happening. Constant, unchanging notes coming from the sanctuary as the piano tuner did his thing. Thumping coming from upstairs, staying with the beat of the music I could hear playing through the ceiling. The hum of the water fountain and the copier, rising and slowing. The occasional sound of feet walking around. Mighty to Save playing through my own speakers... All of it joining together to create noise.

But each sound has its own source, its own reason for "sounding." It just takes listening to filter through the "noise" to identify each unique "sound." I think of how hearing God is so much of the same. Noise is all around us. The noise of busy lives, distractions, and self get in the way of hearing that one unique sound we are all searching for - God's voice. 

The thing about us as humans is that we become desensitized pretty well, and pretty quickly. Noise surrounds us but, for the most part, we don't even realize it is happening. It is when we find one sound above the rest grabbing our attention that we finally realize. 

If we only took time each day to listen, really listen. If we only allowed our hearts to more readily be "grabbed" by that one sound we are desperate to hear. We then could separate that sound from the rest of the noise and live in a way that reflects his heart beat. All because we have heard his voice.

"...that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life..." Deuteronomy 30.20

...

Lesson for Today: A "normal" day is one of those simple joys in life, I think.

This is the Church...

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about this one moment that has been ingrained in my mind. Im not sure why I keep coming back to it, other than God trying to tell me something. Im pretty certain that I've already blogged about it, but I cant find the post. So, at the risk of repeating myself, here is the moment told (again?):

I was in Mexico. We were attending church, worshipping with well known songs, singing in Spanish. During the worship time, there were easels on the sides of the stage with paint, pencils, markers, and other art supplies for people to go up and create if God put something on their heart. I watched as one guy headed up there and drew until worship was complete and the pastor was making his way up to the pulpit. I couldn't tell what it was because I was too far, but I found myself staring at it during the service, wanting to know what picture God had spoken.

After the service, I went up and saw the picture. I talked to the guy and his explanation was simply, "This is the Church." The picture was of a man sitting on the floor in a prison cell. Above his head were shackles that had been opened. A shaft of light was coming in from his window shining on him, his cell door open. But he was just laying there. And he even looked comfortable.

"This is the Church." Its a picture of the Church we don't often see, but a picture I will never forget. How often do we find ourselves still sitting in bondage, even though in Christ our shackles have been removed and our door open? Even though Christ has set us free, we have to get up and move out that door. It is our responsibility to put one foot in front of the other. Too often, we let the world defeat us even though we are on the winning side. Too often, we find it more comfortable to sit within our own failures and sin. Too often, we deny the power of Christ by occupying our cell when he has given us access to the free world. I know I am guilty of it.

May we grab hold of the freedom that Christ has given us through his death and resurrection. May we never find ourselves willfully sitting confined when God has called us to the mountaintops with him. May we never turn back. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5.1.

...

Lesson for Today: What is an "original copy"? We still can't figure it out.

The Unexpected Messiah...

I am struck today by the glory and majesty of Christ. I have recently been studying the beliefs of first century Jews. They had ideas about the Messiah that were so far from who Jesus was. Obviously, Jewish expectation of the Messiah varied largely from group to group. But none of them were expecting the Messiah to look and act like Jesus. Nor were they expecting the Kingdom of God to roll in the way that it did. As Christians, we know this. We know Jesus was different from what they thought, or they wouldn't have crucified him. But when you study the specifics of what they really thought it would all look like, you see how Jesus must have been such a disappointment to them.

And yet, Jesus was the Messiah, the Branch, the Son of Man. He was the Suffering Servant that no one expected would be the same man as the Messiah. How could the One who came to wipe Israel's enemies away, to redeem His chosen nation, to bring the Kingdom of God to earth be the same man that would be rejected and suffer for the sins of many? It was outside the realm of possibility for the average Jew. But here comes Jesus, Son of Man, Son of God, King of all. He comes and brings in a new Law, a new Covenant, and doesn't touch the hair on a single Roman soldier.

Looking back, it makes sense. We can see how Jesus brought in the Kingdom even if he didn't do it politically or socially. But for them, it was inconceivable. And it makes me wonder, what expectations do I have for Jesus that do not parallel the reality of who He is? Am I waiting on something that, when it does not happen, I will look upon the King of Kings with disappointment? God, may it never be. I pray that I have looked upon His face enough to have set all my expectations unconditionally on Him for who He is. But I fail too often. I look to what He does over who He is more than I'd like to admit. 

So today I am reminded that it is never about me, or my ideas of how things should go down. It is forever and always about the majesty of Christ, bringing glory to Him as He is lifted up for all nations to see and to worship. Even, or especially, when He goes outside my preconceived notions.

...

Lesson for Today: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.

Controversial Curiosity

Johnny has been recommending Tribes, by Seth Godin, for some time now. After reading it, I get why.

Here is one section of the book that caused a good bit of conversation between Gary and I. I may be controversial in what I think about this, but what do you think? Here is what Godin writes:

A fundamentalist is a person who considers whether a fact is acceptable to his religion before he explores it. As opposed to a curious person who explores first and then considers whether or not he wants to accept the ramifications. A curious person embraces the tension between his religion and something new, wrestles with it and through it, and then decides whether to embrace the new idea or reject it.

Once recognized, the quiet yet persistent voice of curiosity doesn't go away. Ever. And perhaps it's such curiosity that will lead us to distinguish our own greatness from the mediocrity that stares us in the face.

We might like to think that fundamentalism is the better way to live our Christian lives. You may not admit it right away because the word "fundamentalism" holds a strongly negative connotation in our world today. But when you think of fundamentalism in contrast with curiosity, most Christians today would say we should be rigidly firm in our beliefs, our doctrine, our theology.

But did Christ affirm the fundamentalists, or the curious? I submit he took more pleasure in his curious followers. Fundamentalists stood back and determined if Christ fit into their interpretation of the Law. We see time and again that He did not. But curious people ran after Him and listened to His words. Once they knew enough, they made a decision to either "accept the ramifications" and change their lives, or walk away. They checked it out before making a decision. And those who decided to follow Him did so, not because He fit into their worldview, but because they changed their worldview to revolve around the words and life of Christ.

There is an obvious caution line here when it comes to "checking things out." I am not saying we should be open to ideas that contradict the Bible or lead us down a slippery slope, all in the name of "seeking Christ." But what I am saying is that we too often say an interpretation of Scripture that is different from ours is wrong, end of story. Or we look at someone and say they aren't serving God because they serve in a different way than we do. Or we push against someone when they don't follow our own convictions we superimpose upon them.

But why are we so afraid to run after something that could be Christ, and instead denounce it as untrue? Are we so prideful that we think we know God that well? We think we can label someone after a only moment of listening, determining they speak no amount of truth? God is bigger than the boxes we put Him in. And I think His heart is more pleased with those who curiously seek Him than those who rigidly stick to their fundamentalist beliefs.

...

Lesson for Today: The counter really changes things... I understand now.

Incarnational Apologetics...

Classes have started and I am knee deep in homework. Stressful as it is some nights, I love it. I am reading books that I wouldn't be reading if it weren't for these classes, and definitely learning things I wouldn't be learning on my own.

For my Contemporary Evangelism class, I just read an article by the professor on the topic of Incarnational Apologetics. A fancy way of saying, "Walk your talk." In a class centered on the topic of evangelism, we can too often get caught up in what method to use in sharing the Gospel, what questions to ask to bring the conversation around to spiritual things, what verses to use, etc. Evangelism can get so one-sided and off balance... very quickly.

But the article was just a great reminder to have our life in order as we are trying to share the Gospel. In this day and age, people could care less about what you say unless they already have a foundational respect for you and how you live your life.

Jesus talked. And he walked. Who are we to accept any less for our own lives?

...

Lesson for Today: Missing the Texas Stickls already...

Vision, Paradigms, and Other Thoughts...

This past week I have been doing some reading on urban ministry, community development, etc. One of the articles I found pertinent and timely was "Community & Reconciliation" by David S. Apple, founder of Reconcilers Fellowship.

In the midst of talking about community development within urban settings, he had some very solid leadership and vision principles. And I thought they were worth sharing:

In Christian community building, the gospel map guides us and the love of God persuades us. And vision makes it possible. Vision is the basic building block which inspires creativity to what is possible. Vision catches the spirit. The role of leadership is to hold forth the vision and purpose of the full human potential. A leader with vision regards the welfare of others. S/he models Christ so others may follow. The leaders knows where s/he is going - prayerfully seeking God's will for direction. The leaders build on people without climbing over them. The leader initiates, proclaiming, "Do you see what I see!" Above all, the leader is proactive and innovative. S/he does not let the words, "We never did it that way before," discourage community building and growth. The leader encourages new ways of thinking and action.

In his book Paradigms, Joel Arthur Barker states that "we need a leader who innovates, has a long range perspective (with an eye on the horizon) and challenges the status quo. This person needs to be a good manager of people and a visionary."

What is a paradigm? It is the collective consciousness, that is, the grid which people view their world. Adam Smith in Powers of the Mind states, "A paradigm is a shared set of assumptions. It is the way we perceive the world. When we are in the middle of the paradigm it is hard to imagine any other paradigm...." It is a psychological filter, a set of rules of thought which do not change. Barker calls this paradigm paralysis or hardening of the categories....

The opposite of paradigm paralysis is paradigm pliancy. It is the purposeful seeking out of new ways of doing things.... It is learning to speak and hear a new language. It is made possible by the transformation of attitudes....

The leader who will bring a paradigm shift or enhancement is one who is a catalyst or pioneer... who will take a risk.

...

Lesson for Today: The history and time period of intertestamental Judaism is actually much more interesting than it sounds...

The Author of Life...

Most anyone who knows me knows my love for books. Any kind of books. Classics. Mysteries. Historical. Inspirational. How-to manuals. Pretty much anything. I could sit in a room by myself for days with a couple of good books and be as content as anything.

As I work my way through stories, I often take a mental step backward and assess my connection with the story, my reaction to what is happening. It sounds much nerdier written out than when I actually do it. But one of the fundamental purposes of books, and the written word in general, is to extend influence, spread ideas, and allow others to react to philosophic principles. So Im not that weird for assessing it (or so I tell myself).

And I have found that applying this principle to life is a powerful way of regaining perspective. As I go through trials or circumstances that I just cant see a resolution to, I can find peace when I back up to analyze my reaction and assess the story. 

Here is an example to better explain what I am saying. When I read a fictional story in which the main character has just lost his wife to illness, I dont stop my whole life to grieve. Part of it is because the story is fictional. Part of it is because I dont have a real relationship with the fictional character. But much of it is because I know resolution is coming. I dont throw the book down and get mad at the author. I dont swear off his books because it was so unfair that the wife died. I just keep reading. I know the next chapter will bring change, and so will the chapter after that. And I trust that by the end of the book, there will be resolution, even if the main character can't see it yet.

When I view my life as a story, all of the sudden, hard situations suddenly become easier to walk through. I think, If my life were written in a book, the reader might think this situation is unfair and is really bad. But they'd think if I could just hold on, I'll find resolution a page, a chapter, or a book away. And honestly, it helps. It helps because I remember then that the Author of my story is One in whom I can trust with my story.

Let faith arise, oh Lord, let faith arise

In the deepest parts of my being, oh Lord

In the most broken parts of me, oh Lord

I say no to the discouragement that keeps me down

I say no to the things that keep me back from You

And this broken heart inside of me

Broken in so many pieces

By so many circumstances

I say no to just letting it stay that way

Because Im learning to believe that its not You that hurt me

Im learning to believe that its not You that deserted me

Im believing that You still love me, brokenness and all

Im believing that Youve got a plan for me

Im believing that You will restore me

I believe that You will awaken my soul

And Im rejoicing in the fact that the Bible says

That You are my Victorious Warrior

                                  (Jason Upton, "Faith")

Paul refers to Jesus as the Author of life (Acts 3.15). He is writing our story every minute of every day. He writes things in we might have never allowed had we been writing our own story. But he is the Author, and so we accept what each page brings. 

We have to have enough confidence in the Author to just keep reading. 

...

Lesson for Today: If you ever catch a multi-hundred pound blue tuna, sell it in Japan for some serious bucks.

Contented Expectancy, Part 2 (We serve a Big God)...

Here are some more thoughts on contented expectancy. 

Our God is a God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine. All we could ask or imagine. That means the thing you asked God to do in your life just this morning - He can do it. That situation for which God gave you a spark of hope to hold on to - He can make it reality. That thought lodged so far back in your mind that you are afraid to let any closer for fear of disappointment if it doesn't come true - He can make it better than you're nervous to imagine. And that dream that is held in my heart, that few else know.. That, "Oh, if only it were true," kind of dream - He smiles about the ease at which He could blink and make it come forth.

Does it mean He will? Not always. But the clincher is this: If He has said it, He will do it. Period. End of conversation.

I don't need to worry about God coming through on my dream when I know it was His spoken word in my life that put that dream there in the first place. He may not do it on my timeline, but I cannot let go of what He told me to hold on to. I cannot make excuses for God: "Maybe He'll come through in another way, maybe I heard Him wrong, maybe He actually meant something else entirely..." No. He is big enough and strong enough to defend Himself. My job is to stand on the belief that God Himself is Truth. And it shall come to pass.

Contented expectancy is a place of tension and waiting. It is a place of being calm amidst the situation, while knowing God will come through. It is a place where God can do His best work if I will simply abandon myself in hope. Hope in him. Not hope in the situation, or hope in the dream. But hope in him.

Like Paul, we must learn the secret of being content in any and every situation (Philippians 4.12). The secret being Him who gives me strength to do all things - like waiting in the tension of a contented expectancy. Content where He has placed us. Content with what He has given us. Content with who He has called us to be.

But content never means comfortable or settling for less than best. It's not sitting in the fire of a situation and trying to acclimate to the flames burning our skin. It's sitting in that fire, crying out to God with an intensity, a humility, and a waiting heart. It's knowing in the midst of the burn that God is forever our Rescuer. Knowing that He is with us in the fire and will turn it all for good. It is knowing that He is God and that's enough. 

Be content in every situation. And expect Him to move mountains in every one.

...

Lessons for Today: Focus is all about the mission.

Contented Expectancy...

Last week, as I was asking God some questions and waiting for the answers (which I am still waiting for, but I think thats His point...), He laid this term on my mind: contented expectancy. Im not sure if its even grammatically correct, but if God says it, what is grammar to disagree?

What does contented expectancy mean to you? A pregnant woman relaxing in a freshly painted nursery? A teacher watching his full-of-potential student try a problem one more time? An elderly widow looking at a picture of her late husband?

We understand content. And we understand expectant. But do we understand how they fit together? Maybe if I truly lived what I understood content to mean, and if I acted in a way that paralleled expectancy, then contented expectancy wouldn't be such a hard term for me to wrap my mind around.

As I continue to seek how I am to live this life with contented expectancy, I will keep you posted.

...

Lesson for Today: I've missed this kind of snow...