God's Ministers

I have realized something: There are times I think more highly of myself than I ought. I think because I am a minister I've got it all together. I have all of the answers because I have a degree. Rich Mullins kinda puts it in perspective for me:

"God spoke to Balaam through his ass, and God's been speaking through them ever since."


Let us never think that we've have it all together...

Wanna Get Away?

I think retreating has been given a bad rap…

The last thing we want to do in a war is to be forced to retreat. We never want to leave the battle un-won or the task unfinished. We don’t want to be seen as weak or fragile, unable to accomplish our objectives. We don’t want to back down from a fight. We don’t want to retreat from our positions. If someone challenges our beliefs or our rights, the last thing we would want to do is back away from the challenge. Retreating has been given a bad rap.

Often we see retreating as an admittance of defeat, that we weren’t strong enough to handle something on our own. We don’t like to be told that we can’t do it, that we aren’t strong enough, or that we simply aren’t up to the challenge. Sometimes, however, we need to be able to retreat, to take a step back, look at the situation more clearly, and reevaluate our position. Sometimes retreating is a necessary step in order to preserve the war or the warrior.

Now, for those of you wondering, this article has absolutely nothing to do with the war in Iraq or any other political item on the agenda. Instead, I want you to focus on the idea of a spiritual retreat. There is nothing dishonorable about escaping from the world for a time and spending time in prayer and worship with others of like mind. Jesus did it all of the time. Throughout the Gospels we find Jesus escaping from the hectic bustle of his ministry in order to spend time in prayer. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed…” (Mark 1:35) Jesus often commanded his followers to do the same:

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” (Mark 6:30-32)

I think the Southwest Airlines commercial has it right: Sometimes you just want to get away. So often, however, we as Christian refuse to step out of our daily lives and spend time focusing solely on worshiping God. We get caught up in the good stuff of life (work, school, family, etc) that we neglect the best (our relationship with God).

Sometimes we need to spiritually retreat, to step back from our daily battles, look at our situation more clearly, and reevaluate our position in life. There is no dishonor in retreating; indeed, it is commanded in order to preserve the spiritual war that we fight and our place as a spiritual warrior.

True Love

There is an old song title that sums up the attitude I perceive from many of the students at KU: “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places.”

This week, the University Daily Kansan published their annual “Sex on the Hill” edition. If you didn’t see it, please don’t go looking for it. If you were to peruse the articles within, I think you would come to the same startling realization that I did: everyone is looking for love and acceptance, but they are willing to take whatever they can get.

So many people just want to be loved. They want to feel accepted for who they are (or at least who they are pretending to be.) They want people to value them, to respect them, to see them as worthwhile. They desire nothing more than to have others acknowledge them as important. The problem is, they are looking for this acceptance in all of the wrong ways and they are willing to settle for being used in order to feel “valued.”

As I talk to students, I come to the realization that all of their bravado is simply a mask used to hide the fact that they can’t get satisfaction from the world around them. The choices they make, the things they do, the way they spend their nights and weekends… it all shows that they are looking for a way to fill the void. Don’t worry, they are trying hard. And they are willing to keep trying until they can either find that “love” or dull their pain. We all want to be loved, but if we can’t find true love then we are willing to settle for whatever we can get.

I believe that our job is to give hope to the world. As Christians, our mission is simply to be ambassadors of hope. The hopeful message the world needs to hear is simple and yet profound: “God is love” (1 John 4:8). True love, the most fulfilling and amazing kind of love, can only come from our Father. As John sums up the message of the Gospel he states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only Son…” (John 3:16ff). This is true love! This is the love that the world has been looking for. This is the love that the world needs to hear about. They no longer have to settle for cheap love or conditional acceptance, because they will never find trueness in these things. They can only find their hope in the one who created them to love them, and who showed his love by giving up everything to be with them.

Now we have to show them how to look for love in all of the right places.

God's Joy

Hey guys, I found this quote today and it got me to thinking. Just wanted to share:


"Perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony... It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never gotten tired of making them!" -G. K. Chesterton


Daisies are Megan's favorite flower, which is why it caught my attention. (So this post is in honor of you, honey!) But isn't it amazing that God exults in the simple pleasures in life: creating beauty and sameness, and causing us to marvel at his glory! Take time to notice the simple things today.

The End of OPEC?

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages...

I want to apologize for my random angry phone calls on Saturday morning. Many of you received them, hearing me whine and complain that gas went up 20 cents overnight in Lawrence. I went to bed on Friday at 3.49 and woke up Saturday morning to 3.69. I want to apologize for the base, dastardly things I had to say about OPEC and its constituents. While true, they were still rather harsh and vindictive. Because, truthfully, I don't even know the marital status of their parents...

The recent spike in fuel costs is the result of OPEC's decision to cut the "overproduction" of oil that has led to a "drastic" decline in oil prices. (I have yet to see said decline at the pumps, however.)

Side item: Why do spikes in crude oil prices hit the day after they are announced when the price of oil is based on projected costs 6 months down the road, yet the decline in oil prices never seems to make it to the consumer? Why can companies like Exxon post record profits every quarter for the last two years and yet still claim that they are unable to come out on top? They claim to be putting up record percentages in exploring alternative fuel sources, and yet it only comes to 2% of their overall profits, less than any other company in the market. Can I justify to the IRS that I am "reinvesting" my own personal assets in "alternative economic stimuli packages?" That's got audit written ALL over it! Can I charge my students a processing fee for my ministry job due to the rising demands on my time and abilities, and the dwindling supply of my time/energy? If so, sign me up!

Ok, side note over. OPEC decides to cut the "overproduction" of oil due to a dilution of the market and their inability to turn a suitable profit. I am sure they can dry their tears on the extra dollar bills and Euros they gained from their recent market gouging. Similarly, both Chavez/Venezula and Putin/Russia have threatened to cut off oil flow to America and Europe as a result of their incessant political ravings. (Has anyone noticed that they sound slightly Stalin-esque when they both speak?) So... all I have to say to OPEC, Russia, and Venezula is this: Go drill yourselves somewhere else, cause we are tired of being probed by you!

Now, hot on the heels of this announcement is the decision by Saudia Arabia to withdraw from OPEC. (http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/topstocks/archive/2008/09/11/the-death-of-opec.aspx?GT1=33009)
They decided to NOT cut their oil production, but instead to continue at current capacity. Many political pundits and market analysts are heralding this as the end of the reign of OPEC over the global oil market. Let's hope. But I think one of two things will occur: either the diminished prominence of OPEC OR an attack on Saudi oil refineries. (One is probably more likely than the other.) Additionally, Brazil announced the finding of a second major oil discovery, enlarging the first from earlier this year (which is reported to be the largest in the world!)

Let's hope the Saudi's audacity will send shock waves throughout the global oil market, and the Brazilian discovery will spell the end of the Middle Eastern dominance in black gold as we know it.

If not, can I at least get some Saudi tea and Brazilian Carneval beads with my HUGE gas price increases at the pump?

Ten Locations I Want to Visit Before I Die...

This list encompasses many of the places I would like to see before I die. They are in no particular order, but each one holds a special place in my heart. So... if anyone wants to join me in these adventures, please just let me know!

1. Denali National Park (Alaska): 6 million acres of unspoiled wilderness, covering all different environmental zones: streams, fields, tundra, mountains, glaciers. Capped by Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America. Just pray there are no oil rigs when I get there...

2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: I have always wanted to visit this beautiful city of 12 million people. I would love to attend a Brazilian soccer game, take in the sights from the Christ the Redeemer statue, visit Niteroi (just across the bay), and enjoy Brazilian food and culture.

3. Cinque Terre (Italy):This UNESCO World Heritage sight is considered one of the most beautiful places on earth. Five villages sit clustered around the Italian coastline, hugging the Mediterranen, in the heart of the Italian wine country. Absolutely breathtaking...

4. Mt. Aconcagua (Argentina): The highest mountain in South America, this Andean peak rises to almost 7000 meters. It is considered one of the top seven peaks in the world and stands with breathaking beauty on the border between Argentina and Chile.

5. Boston, Massachusetts: The American Revolution came into full-swing in this beautiful Atlantic city. I have always wanted to see the national monuments, take in a Red Sox game in Fenway Park (sitting above the Green Monster), eat a bowl of Boston Clam Chowder, and walk along the wharf.

6. Beijing, China: This city boasts one of the largest populations in the world and contains thousands of years of Chinese history. Within an hour drive is the Great Wall of China, which is widely considered one of the most impressive sights in the world and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Plus, who can beat all you can eat AUTHENTIC Chinese food?!?

7. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Buenos Aires is home to over 16 million people, and it the birthplace of tango and the mecca of soccer enthusiasts. I would love to take in a River Plate/Boca Juniors Soccer game, go to an Argentine barbeque, attend a tango show, walk along 9 de Julio (the widest street in the world), and enjoy the sights and sounds of South America's most amazing people.

8. Cork, Ireland: The most beautiful country on earth, with its rolling green hills and beautiful scenery. The Blarney Castle lies 8 miles away; see if you can kiss the Blarney stone and gain the gift of gab.

9. Scottish Highlands: The home of kilts and haggis; ok, maybe there are some better things about it... I know, bagpipes!

10. Tanzania: I would love to visit this beautiful country, climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, and go on an African safari. I would love to see what traditional African life looks like and experience time among the Tanzanian tribal peoples, such as the Nyam-Wezi.

Honorable Mention: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Sydney, Australia; Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea; Tokyo, Japan; Luxemburgh; Madrid, Spain; Brussels, Belgium; Norway and Sweden (I always think of them as the same country); Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia...

I am sure I am missing quite a few. What are your thoughts? Where are some places you have always wanted to visit?

Service with a Smile (for the Kingdom)

As I talk to a number of non-Christians they are turned off by different aspects our Christianity: our perceived holier-than-thou attitude, our hypocrisy, our intolerance, etc. The world views non-Christians as being intolerant of anyone who doesn’t believe the same things that we believe.

Yet, time and again, non-Christians are amazed at the servant hearts of Christian people. They cannot believe that we would willingly give up our time, our energy, our comfort, to go and work with those who need help. They are amazed when they discover that Christians aren’t out doing service projects because they are made to or because it looks good on a college application, but because we want to. It is our chance to serve God by serving other people. In many ways the world doesn’t get it, but they do respect it!

We all have a tendency to get a little caught up in ourselves. Jesus’ own disciples had this same problem. In Mark 10, the disciples had been discussing who was the most important among them and who would be first in the Kingdom. As Jesus overheard these conversations he spoke to his disciples about the most important things in life, he told them this: “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The goal of the Christian life is not to get ahead or to be self-serving but to be focused on others.

Jesus reminds us that service towards others is service towards God. In his parable of the sheep and the goats, the people are judged based on their service towards those in need. The sheep, those who served those in need, are told that because of their service (even in small ways), they have received an eternal reward, for “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). What an amazing thought: we serve God by serving other people.

We are called to serve other people because Christ came to serve us. If we are his hands and feet, his Body, his ambassadors, and his representatives on earth, than we can do nothing less...

Spiritual Warfare

I pray that God is richly blessing each of you today! I have had a crazy, stressful week, but God is ALWAYS good so I know it will be ok.

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I recently began watching the series “Band of Brothers.” I am amazed at the inhumanity that war brings out of relatively normal human beings. When placed under extreme duress, the average human has a number of possible reactions in order to deal with their psychological stress:

1. Avoidance: These soldiers simply avoid the trials of combat by retreating, either physically or psychologically. Many of these soldiers simply retreat in on themselves, finding themselves hiding in a foxhole or staying out of combat completely. These soldiers have fallen into the idea that surviving is victory, and all of their energy is spent in personal retreat and survival.

2. Following: These soldiers simply go with the flow, following whatever they are told to do. They will follow anyone who shows initiative, whether it is good or bad. They simply look for someone to tell them what to do, how to behave, what to think… These individuals simply follow the strongest, most dynamic, or most ambivalent leader, regardless of where they are headed.

3. Average Joe Syndrome: Most soldiers simply go about their duty, following their training, putting one foot in front of the other. They see an objective that needs to be accomplished, and they go out and accomplish the objective with very little fanfare and, subsequently, very little credit. They simply plug away, doing what they are trained to do and what comes naturally. The vast majority of soldiers fit into this category, simply going about their duty.

4. Heroism: Some soldiers, in the heat of battle, rise above the moment and rise to the occasion. They don’t just achieve their objectives, they go above and beyond the call of duty. They seek out what needs to be done in order to help the unit advance, and they go to extraordinary lengths to accomplish their objectives. These average soldiers rise to the occasion and accomplish extraordinary tasks. They are not overly special, they are not made great heroes, they are no different than almost anyone else out there. They simply overcome their fears and their limitations and rise to the occasion to accomplish whatever is needed.

These observations are obviously VERY limited and do not cover the whole range of possible actions for soldiers on the field. However, I think they provide and excellent foundation.

And I have to ask myself the question, which category do I fit in in my own spiritual battles? What type of spiritual soldier am I? If Paul is right, each of us is in our own spiritual battle and we must decide how we are going to react to the trials/temptations that we face. Are we going to retreat and pretend the battle doesn’t exist? Will we simply follow whichever path seems easiest, regardless of the consequences? Will we simply avoid temptation, but rarely TRULY fight back? Or will we rise to heroic proportions in our battle against the Evil One? The type of spiritual soldier we will for the Kingdom is directly related to our reaction to the spiritual battles within our own lives. Let us pray that we act as heroes.

More to come…

The Politics of Change

It was an election year, and there was a war on against a fanatical group of militants willing to do anything it took to win the fight. The upcoming presidential race was hotly debated, and the race seemed incredibly close. One candidate was older, with a lot of life experience. The other was young, energetic, with little political experience but calling for CHANGE. His argument, and the argument of his party, was that the nation had had enough of war and the old regime, and there was a need for a new kind of change in Washington that would shake up the political scene. One had life and political experience on his side, having spent decades in Washington politics. The other had youthful exuberance on his side, winning over those who wanted a change in the way things were run. These two candidates picked intriguing running mates as Vice-Presidential candidates, and both focused on changing the status quo in their political campaigns, lending legitimacy to their politics.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Sounds like what we are watching play out in the arena of 21st Century American politics? Actually, this scenario describes the the election of 1944.

In 1944, the Republican party picked a liberal, progressive, young governor from New York to serve as their presidential candidate. Thomas Dewey was 42, and he called for change in the way the government was being run. Meanwhile, Franklin Delanore Roosevelt was running for an unprecedented fourth term as President on the Democrat ticket. He had been in office throughout the Great Depression, the New Deal, and WWII. In order to improve his chances, FDR dropped his former Vice President (Henry Wallace) for Harry Truman, a little known politician from Missouri.

Now the opposition was questioning his ability to run the country. Thomas Dewey came on the scene calling for a change in the status quo. Essentially, CHANGE NOW was his whole mantra.

Sound familiar? It seems history is destined to repeat itself...

Come and See...

“Come and see…”

These words often precede many hilarious situations in life. These were often the first words uttered by my friends that introduced some of my most hilarious memories from college: “Come and see the huge swimming pool we made in the shower room.” “Come and see the bucking bronco we built in the common room. Wanna be the first to ride it?” “Come and see the skateboard ramp we built out of bunk beds in the hallway.” (Ok, actually that was me... and it wasn't a very clothed activity...Welcome to my college experience...)

Yet this phrase also serves as a prelude to some of the most important or serious things in life as well. “Come and see your new baby daughter.” “Come and see your grandfather for the last time.” “Come and see me, because I am lonely.”

These words can introduce some of the most important moments that we will ever encounter. “Come and see…” It reminds us that there are important things going on in the world, things that we must pay attention to. It requires that we move and act, that we escape from our comfort zone. The word “come” requires us to move from where we are to somewhere else. And we are called to open our eyes, to focus on reality, and see the important things in life. “Come and see” is the prelude to the most important of life’s events.

The greatest movement in the world began with these words. In John 1, John the Baptist tells his disciples that Jesus of Nazareth is the Lamb of God and the one they have been waiting for. Two of his disciples go running up to Jesus to talk to him. They want to know more about this Teacher; they want to hear the things he has to say and understand his teaching. Rather than teaching them or discussing his religious philosophy, Jesus simply tells them, “Come… and you will see.” (John 1:39) At the end of the day these two disciples are so excited that they run off and tell their friends “We have found the Messiah.” Simply by coming along and spending time with Jesus, they have discovered the truth about who he is and their lives will never be the same.

We, too, have been called to come and see. For many of us, this is the reason we became a Christian: we saw the lives of those who followed Christ and we were enamored or intrigued by what we saw. Our job as Christians is simply to be followers of Christ, to spend time with him and see how he changed the world, and then to let that change the core of who we are. Then we, too, can go out and tell others, “Come and see… this man is the one we’ve been waiting for!"

Worship of GOD, not of ourselves

Thought:

We worship God for who HE is, not because of what he has done for us or what we get out of it. Part of God's nature is wrapped up in what he does for us, yet if that is the only reason we worship then we have sorely missed the point. God doesn't exist to serve us; he isn't a genie who does our bidding. Rather, God is qadosh: holy, other, apart. Our worship should flow from who God is, not what we will get out of it or as a manipulation of God...

What are your thoughts?

Bumper sticker

Can someone tell me what this bumper sticker means:

Pro-Child Pro-Family Pro-Choice

I am a little lost...