Serving others Posts

Birds and Bees

14 Feb , 2010 1 Comment

The “birds and bees” is an odd euphemism for human sexual relations and reproduction- namely because the way birds and bees create baby birds and bees is radically different from the way humans do.  Most children (and adults) probably know more about human reproduction than they do about birds or bees.  Of course, most of us know that birds lay eggs but you may not know that most birds are monogamous- they stay together to raise their little family. You may not know that bees actually start the process of making baby bees in mid-air (wow) and shortly thereafter, the male bee dies. Now, there’s an abstinence plan we have not considered.  Just say “no”… or else!

Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Perhaps, in no other area of life is this truer than in the area of gender, sex, and relationships. Throughout February we’re bringing much-needed truth to the topic.  Let’s start with some of the wonderful, God-given male/female differences:

He said, she said…

1. He is purpose-driven; she is heart-driven. Men are more driven than women to “get ‘er done”.  It’s why a boys’ soccer game will not stop if one of the guys goes down with an injury, (that’s an advantage)!  A girls’ game may not start again.  The feelings of the one matter more than the purpose of the game.

2. He is goal-oriented; she is feeling-oriented. Girls- ever had this happen to you?  You’re talking with a guy (husband, friend) and you’re just sharing your heart and he starts to offer solutions.  Men- she talks to get closer to her feelings not to get solutions (and besides, she doesn’t think you’re that smart). Girls talk to get to their feelings. This can be a problem because guys have a short attention span ‘cause he’s thinking, “Get to the point!” Fellas, that is the point.  Conversation is the point.

3. He operates specifically; she operates holistically. Men are segmented, women are connected. Men are like waffles, women are like spaghetti.  An example of this is shopping- guys are from Walmart; women are from Nordstrom.  Walmart is more of a hunt and is designed for the kill.  Nordstrom is an experience (they have a guy playing the piano in there)!

4. He needs admiration; she needs affection. Author John Eldridge noted that every guy is asking the question “Do I have what it takes?” Every girl is asking “Am I lovely?” Men tend to strive toward independence and women strive for relationships but men need relationships and women need to find their worth apart from any man.

Words to live by: Men want to hear: “That makes sense. Thank you. You’ve been so helpful.”  Women want to hear: “I understand. Tell me more.”  Try these pointers and watch your relationships thrive.

Repenting for right-doing

30 Oct , 2009 1 Comment

One of the best known, engaging, and profound books in the Bible is the Book of Jonah. I’ve been living with Jonah for a couple of weeks and I’m stunned by the depth of this great story.  Most of us know of “Jonah and the whale” (great fish) but have you really considered the deep truths of the story.  Consider a few:

Lessons from the life of Jonah

1. I am called by God to bring His truth to the world- to be a witness for Him.  (1:1-2) Like Jonah, you and I have been called to be evangelists- we are all called to proclaim the great love and mercy of our great God.

2. I do not set the agenda for God’s call on my life. (1:3) You must answer God’s call on your life with no strings attached.

3. Delayed obedience can come with a huge price tag. (1:4-17) When God speaks we need to respond immediately.

4. The storms of my life will make you or break you. (2:1-10) It’s not whether or not you will go through a storm; it’s a matter of when. You’re either coming out of one, in one, or heading into one.  In the storm you will choose God’s salvation of not.

5. God’s plan for me supersedes my own plans and desires.  (3:1-10) As a Christ follower my only role is to trust and obey. Jonah wanted to decide for himself where to go and what to do.  He wanted to put discriminatory limits on God’s grace.  But unlike Jonah, God’s love is not bound my limits.

6. I may need to repent of my reasons for right-doing. (4:1-4) This is an amazing and troubling thing about this story: Disobedient Jonah was no better than obedient Jonah (in fact, he may have been worse).  He did what God wanted him to do but he loathed the people God sent him to and he loathed God throughout.  He is never positive about God, about the people, about his role… never!  He proclaimed the destruction of Nineveh and when it didn’t happen he is angry with God.  Imagine: he’s angry because God is so compassionate.  Jonah wanted God to prove that he was right.  He was using God to confirm that he was right, he wanted God to confirm his ministry, his existence- he wanted to use God for his own means.  Why do you do what you do?  What motivates you to do what you do as a Christian… really? Is it purely out of your love for God or do you have other motives?

Heart check: Am I truly grateful for all Christ has done for me? (4:5-11) At the heart of Jonah’s problem was his ingratitude.  Nothing satisfied him.  Ungrateful people are never positive people.  There is no such thing as a joyful, ungrateful person.  Jonah demanded mercy from God for himself but didn’t want the same for his enemies. Like us, while Jonah is consistently inconsistent, God is consistent throughout!  Don’t run.  Join God in what He’s up to in your life today!

Let Justice Roll

22 Oct , 2009 3 Comments

Our God is a God of justice. We often speak of His righteousness, but “righteousness” and “justice” are actually interchangeable words. Matthew 6:33 could be rendered, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be added to you as well.” Obviously, justice is a big deal to God. At it’s core, doing justice means doing the right thing. In so many ways we have missed the mark. Listen to the His words in Amos (an entire book on justice):

“I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice- oceans of it. I want fairness- rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want.” Amos 5:21-24 (The Message)

Are you just doing church or do you practice justice? Do you simply offer commentary on the plight of the poor, the oppressed, the under-resourced, or are you actually doing something about it? If so, then you are a kingdom person; if not, read those words above again- and again- until you’re moved to action. Let justice roll in your life.

Mercy triumphs over judgment!

18 Oct , 2009 No Comments

Our God is a God of mercy.  In its simplest form, mercy is an act of love to someone who does not deserve it.  At its root it means that there is some punishment or wage to be paid but it has been pardoned or paid for.  If we are to be kingdom people, we must learn to be merciful toward others.

“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5

The problem is that we are too just.  We like justice too much.  We think, “I can’t offer mercy to them, they don’t deserve it” (They should get what they deserve).  But James tells us (2:13) that mercy triumphs over judgment (in fact, the NIV adds an exclamation point)!  Judgment, like justice is when we get what we deserve.  Mercy is when we don’t get what we deserve (judgment/punishment).  And grace is when we get what we don’t deserve.  So, mercy trumps judgment but grace trumps even mercy!  Wow.  Who are you prone to judge?  To whom do you need to show mercy?  Do it today.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7

Rediscovering the Mission of Jesus

16 Jul , 2008 2 Comments

My daughter Whitney- living in love in Guatemala City. 

I saw the Kingdom advancing in Guatemala.  Over the course of a week our teams saw 1,745 people come to Christ.  It was unbelieveble.  I was struck again by the simplicity of the Christian life and how the Kingdom of God advances through people with a simple passion for Jesus and a love for others.  We partnered with local churches and served alongside them every day.  We shared the love of Christ with people in the parks, schools, workplaces, churches, alleys, shops, and in their homes. 

My team served in an incredible church- La Familia de Dios Iglesia Buatista.  Pastor Mario and his people are truly pursuing Jesus on the move in their community and they’ve decided to join Him in what He’s doing.  They saw the need for medical assistance to those who cannot afford (many who’ve never seen a doctor before) and so they established a clinic once a month.  We went into homes of women who had recently come to the clinic and because they were first loved by the people in the church they welcomed us gladly into their homes.  We saw several teenage moms (two were 16 and pregnant with their second child) come to Christ. 

Mario decided the best way to reach their community was for each person to share Christ in the context of established relationships (imagine that!).  So they’ve established “Lighthouses”- small groups in homes designed to be missional communities to reach their friends and neighbors (sounds familiar).  We were in on nearly every night.  

Here’s just one of a million stories: Francisco (32 years old) was very concerned about his mother, Amelia.  She had lost her husband and had recently been diagnosed with diabetes.  He knew she has never received Christ.  he wanted us to go see her so we went to her humble home and shared the love Jesus with her.  I shared with her that Christ was at the door of her heart and He wanted her to open the door and let Him in (Rev. 3:20).  She seemed resistant even though she clearly understood what Christ had done for her.  In the midst of our conversation our translator, Maria, got up and left the room.  I assumed she going to the bathroom and was thinking, “This is not a good time to leave!”   A moment later there was a dramatic knock at the door.  Amelia got up and answered the door.  It was Maria!  She said, “Will you let me in?”  Amelia laughed and said, “Yes, come in!”  Maria, paused and said, “Well, you don’t know me and yet you’re going to let me in?”  “Yes”, Amelia said.  Maria continued, “…and yet you know how much Jesus loves you and what He’s done for you but you won’t let Him in?”  Amelia broke.  Through tears she said, “I’m ready.”  She threw her arms around Maria and the two wept in the doorway.  We all gathered around and wept and hugged Amelia.  I watched Francisco weep over his sweet mom as he celebrated her new life in Christ.

Time and time again we saw stories like this one (I need to tell more) and we were constantly reminded that God is always at work in and through people who are willing to displace themselves (whether across the sea or across the room) and join Him in loving others into His Kingdom.