Some of my best friends tried to take me to a strip club for a bachelor party experience. These were guys who loved me, loved Jesus, but under the banner that this was some rite of passage they were able to set aside the disconnect between this one-time (presumably) experience and following Jesus in a way that glorifies him and makes him famous.
I had to quote scripture and get pretty "preachy" to escape this ambitious undertaking by my buddies. I'm pretty sure I ruined the master party plan.
Without drawing lines anywhere that Scripture doesn't create boundaries, it seems to me that we dare not wink at sin anytime or anywhere. Again, if the Bible is OK with me having a drink, I should be able to hoist one. But it seems really clear that I should not get drunk, so is it OK if I don't laugh that off when my fellow brothers and sisters drink too much?
Some people lean into sin as if it represents the good life, something that we have agreed to no longer access as a result of our love for Jesus. This reasoning is as flawed as the married man who is saddened because his vows to one woman have taken him out of circulation with lots of other women. "Love God and do as you please" is the maxim St. Augustine used to guide us. I find the sequence critical to this process. I didn't want to hit the strip club years ago precisely because my love relationship with God meant--and means--too much. Sin isn't to be trifled with by me if it is important to God.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Sore feet
I walked today with a long time friend, celebrating God's goodness and rescue of him after years where he was an arrogant idiot, spending money and trashing others' lives like they were playthings to which he was entitled.
Last night I had walked with another long time friend, searching for God's comfort, for answers, for a way to help him get through the garbage he is facing and, then, for a way that I could tangibly be of benefit to him.
Neither time was I wearing comfortable walking shoes. Now I've got blisters.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” --Is 52:7
Let's imagine, for point of argument, that my feet are beautiful. Right now, I'm just saying, these dogs hurt! Worth it though.
Last night I had walked with another long time friend, searching for God's comfort, for answers, for a way to help him get through the garbage he is facing and, then, for a way that I could tangibly be of benefit to him.
Neither time was I wearing comfortable walking shoes. Now I've got blisters.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” --Is 52:7
Let's imagine, for point of argument, that my feet are beautiful. Right now, I'm just saying, these dogs hurt! Worth it though.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Little moves and a lifelong trajectory
I'm in my 39th year of following Jesus. Since I began this walk by making a deliberate choice when I was nearly 16, it simply doesn't seem possible that it's been that long. I'm grateful and still in wonder about this experience.
Sometimes I think about decisions made or not made so many years ago and wonder how the trajectory of my life would be different had I chosen differently. For instance, back in 1981 I remember floating the idea with Susie of getting rid of our little TV. Frankly, I was worried that the notion of turning it on to veg and relax and even escape the daily ministry strains was somehow not a healthy pattern for my heart. We didn't do it, dismissing the idea as an overreaching response, too radical and a lifestyle move that was simply unnecessary. After all, a little discipline applied to TV watching and everything would be under control, right?
I've got a great new 48" HD TV right now. It feels like the natural trajectory of a 1981 decision. I know it wasn't inevitable, but our lives get built one choice at a time. Today's decisions are made easier or harder based on my history of related choices. So today--when my wife has the TV remote control and I get the shakes until she surrenders it to me--I suspect I'm just reaping what I sowed.
Sometimes I think about decisions made or not made so many years ago and wonder how the trajectory of my life would be different had I chosen differently. For instance, back in 1981 I remember floating the idea with Susie of getting rid of our little TV. Frankly, I was worried that the notion of turning it on to veg and relax and even escape the daily ministry strains was somehow not a healthy pattern for my heart. We didn't do it, dismissing the idea as an overreaching response, too radical and a lifestyle move that was simply unnecessary. After all, a little discipline applied to TV watching and everything would be under control, right?
I've got a great new 48" HD TV right now. It feels like the natural trajectory of a 1981 decision. I know it wasn't inevitable, but our lives get built one choice at a time. Today's decisions are made easier or harder based on my history of related choices. So today--when my wife has the TV remote control and I get the shakes until she surrenders it to me--I suspect I'm just reaping what I sowed.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Better the next time
I wrote an article a couple of months ago that got published last week. Got some immediate sweet feedback from a couple of people whose opinions I value very much. So I'm strutting around a bit, at least inside. I really LOVE doing good work that is appreciated.
Then I got an e-mail last night from another friend who read the article and expressed genuine disappointment in one thing that was missing from the piece. I think he was being unfair, either accusing me of being incompetent for my oversight or not caring. The truth is that the article's focus was never intended to address what my buddy thought was missing…but my illustrations sure made his perception fair.
My inclination was to fire back an e-mail as a counter punch. In fact, it was more than just an idea. My finger was a quarter of an inch from the "send" button before I decided to see if I could express myself without being defensive. Version 2 did the trick. The truth is, I am really sorry that my best effort disappointed someone. When that happens I end up second-guessing whether it could have really been an honest best effort, as if it were possible to please everyone if I only did everything perfectly right.
I slept like a baby after apologizing and promising to try and do better next time (like the guys on PTI). It's the truth and it set me free.
Then I got an e-mail last night from another friend who read the article and expressed genuine disappointment in one thing that was missing from the piece. I think he was being unfair, either accusing me of being incompetent for my oversight or not caring. The truth is that the article's focus was never intended to address what my buddy thought was missing…but my illustrations sure made his perception fair.
My inclination was to fire back an e-mail as a counter punch. In fact, it was more than just an idea. My finger was a quarter of an inch from the "send" button before I decided to see if I could express myself without being defensive. Version 2 did the trick. The truth is, I am really sorry that my best effort disappointed someone. When that happens I end up second-guessing whether it could have really been an honest best effort, as if it were possible to please everyone if I only did everything perfectly right.
I slept like a baby after apologizing and promising to try and do better next time (like the guys on PTI). It's the truth and it set me free.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
NO...and I mean it!
I dropped this into a YFC newsletter this week and it seems to have been helpful, so...
"The word 'No.' is a complete sentence." That's what our DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative trainer said last week to a dozen YFC City Life staff and 60 others from New York, Washington DC, Cleveland, Dallas and Miami. He was teaching about the virtues of a balanced and holistic lifestyle. I began thinking about how Jesus modeled this.
When Lazarus was near death there was an urgent message for Jesus to quicken his pace and arrive at Bethany ahead of his planned schedule. Jesus did not comply, lingering until his late arrival on the scene assured that the story line about Lazarus' resurrection would likely include a phrase commonly uttered about middle school boys' showering habits: "after 3 days he began to stink!" (John 11)
I don't know exactly how many people had applied to be part of Jesus' circle of constant companions, but he only chose 12. By refusing to give everyone an all-access pass he protected the priority of his mission. He could not invest deeply in a few if he also said "yes" to the masses. Jesus' prayer in the Garden testifies to his preservation of this most important agenda. (John 17)
The rich young ruler was an earnest seeker of truth. He was loved by Jesus. But he wanted to navigate his relationship with God on his own carefully measured terms. Jesus refused this conditional response and, though it was a thing to behold for the disciples at the time, we now understand that the truth of the gospel was at stake in Jesus' loving "no." (Mark 10: 17-31)
Public opposition to his ministry often came in the form of someone trying to get Jesus to perform a miracle as a demonstration of his power. Religious cynics would put the challenge in Jesus' face, the most ill-timed being Herod's mocking request for a sign during his inquisition. Jesus' "no" came in the form of a silent dismissal, a rejection as complete as the best of Dwight Howard's shot blocks. (Luke 23: 6-12)
When our Lord Jesus came to earth as a man he accepted the limitations of being human. Like us, he could not be in two places at once. Like us, he could not possibly respond to every request made of him in a way that satisfies everyone who does the asking. Like us, he had to divide his time according to priorities.
Unlike us, Jesus perfectly knew his priorities and practiced the disciplines that would guarantee his focus on what God wanted him to do--every minute of every day. He used the word "no" to be faithful…a good pattern to follow.
"The word 'No.' is a complete sentence." That's what our DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative trainer said last week to a dozen YFC City Life staff and 60 others from New York, Washington DC, Cleveland, Dallas and Miami. He was teaching about the virtues of a balanced and holistic lifestyle. I began thinking about how Jesus modeled this.
When Lazarus was near death there was an urgent message for Jesus to quicken his pace and arrive at Bethany ahead of his planned schedule. Jesus did not comply, lingering until his late arrival on the scene assured that the story line about Lazarus' resurrection would likely include a phrase commonly uttered about middle school boys' showering habits: "after 3 days he began to stink!" (John 11)
I don't know exactly how many people had applied to be part of Jesus' circle of constant companions, but he only chose 12. By refusing to give everyone an all-access pass he protected the priority of his mission. He could not invest deeply in a few if he also said "yes" to the masses. Jesus' prayer in the Garden testifies to his preservation of this most important agenda. (John 17)
The rich young ruler was an earnest seeker of truth. He was loved by Jesus. But he wanted to navigate his relationship with God on his own carefully measured terms. Jesus refused this conditional response and, though it was a thing to behold for the disciples at the time, we now understand that the truth of the gospel was at stake in Jesus' loving "no." (Mark 10: 17-31)
Public opposition to his ministry often came in the form of someone trying to get Jesus to perform a miracle as a demonstration of his power. Religious cynics would put the challenge in Jesus' face, the most ill-timed being Herod's mocking request for a sign during his inquisition. Jesus' "no" came in the form of a silent dismissal, a rejection as complete as the best of Dwight Howard's shot blocks. (Luke 23: 6-12)
When our Lord Jesus came to earth as a man he accepted the limitations of being human. Like us, he could not be in two places at once. Like us, he could not possibly respond to every request made of him in a way that satisfies everyone who does the asking. Like us, he had to divide his time according to priorities.
Unlike us, Jesus perfectly knew his priorities and practiced the disciplines that would guarantee his focus on what God wanted him to do--every minute of every day. He used the word "no" to be faithful…a good pattern to follow.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Crammed
I've been a Covey zealot for years. His stuff has helped me have hope that I can organize and live my life with integrity. Each moment carries with it the potential to be leveraged as an asset on my balance sheet of what's most important. This high-yield hope energizes me, feeding my Strength-finder profiles of Strategist and Maximizer. It drives me to work smarter and harder, imagining that I could be the 10-talent hero in the parable (Matt 25:28). INNERMOST THOUGHT TRANSPARENCY: Maybe I could be the one to please the Master so well that I help cover for those who squander their opportunities.
But I have a natural drift toward the production side of life. The DOING micro-lobbyists within me are far too aggressive, invading my soul constantly. Every once in a while I actually think about the pleas for help smuggled out by the besieged, peace-loving, internal forces who insist that I need to be more and do less. Then--as if it were hand delivered by someone bent on my destruction--an irresistible opportunity comes along. BAM! Let's do it!!
It feels like I got crammed by life this week. Some fabulous Rahn family highlights took place with my daughter getting engaged and my son and his bride-to-be making a first time home purchase. Each of these (and other events) had an unanticipated impact on my scheduled activities. Drop everything else for what's most important, right?
A month ago it looked like I was in great shape to prepare well for being away all next week and get my taxes done. That's probably why a month ago I agreed to squeeze in a high impact timely ministry audit, though I knew it was probably 40 hours of work. And by the way, that big project deadline I failed to meet by April 1? It also got carried over into this week, screaming URGENT all the way.
Decisions I made a month ago ensured that last week would be crammed. Life piled on. Life will do that. When will I learn? Thanks for not flunking me, Jesus.
Matt. 11:28-30
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”
But I have a natural drift toward the production side of life. The DOING micro-lobbyists within me are far too aggressive, invading my soul constantly. Every once in a while I actually think about the pleas for help smuggled out by the besieged, peace-loving, internal forces who insist that I need to be more and do less. Then--as if it were hand delivered by someone bent on my destruction--an irresistible opportunity comes along. BAM! Let's do it!!
It feels like I got crammed by life this week. Some fabulous Rahn family highlights took place with my daughter getting engaged and my son and his bride-to-be making a first time home purchase. Each of these (and other events) had an unanticipated impact on my scheduled activities. Drop everything else for what's most important, right?
A month ago it looked like I was in great shape to prepare well for being away all next week and get my taxes done. That's probably why a month ago I agreed to squeeze in a high impact timely ministry audit, though I knew it was probably 40 hours of work. And by the way, that big project deadline I failed to meet by April 1? It also got carried over into this week, screaming URGENT all the way.
Decisions I made a month ago ensured that last week would be crammed. Life piled on. Life will do that. When will I learn? Thanks for not flunking me, Jesus.
Matt. 11:28-30
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Unexpected energy from the cave
I've been toiling in private for a couple of days. Yesterday I could have been on house arrest and not been thrown off my game one iota. A lot of times when I'm "in my cave" cranking on some assignment it can really suck the life out of me. Not this time. I'm pumped up.
I think I know why.
The writing I've been working on has required me to think deeply about our YFC mission statement (it's written on the graphic above my pic on this blog site). I have sought to introduce some biblical commentary to five different phrases in the mission statement. So I've also been flipping through a lot of pages in the scriptures, immersing myself in some very rich passages from God's word. It feels like my spiritual digestive system just got a big ol' colon cleanse.
And we will never stop thanking God that when we preached his message to you, you didn’t think of the words we spoke as being just our own. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it was. And this word continues to work in you who believe. -- 1 Thess 2:13 NLT
I think I know why.
The writing I've been working on has required me to think deeply about our YFC mission statement (it's written on the graphic above my pic on this blog site). I have sought to introduce some biblical commentary to five different phrases in the mission statement. So I've also been flipping through a lot of pages in the scriptures, immersing myself in some very rich passages from God's word. It feels like my spiritual digestive system just got a big ol' colon cleanse.
And we will never stop thanking God that when we preached his message to you, you didn’t think of the words we spoke as being just our own. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it was. And this word continues to work in you who believe. -- 1 Thess 2:13 NLT
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Love well. Then lead.
Sometimes sequence is everything. I want to lead in a way that makes Jesus well-known and well-understood. But there's no chance to do that if my attempts to influence others are not clearly characterized by his love. Love well. Then lead.
My challenge? This sequence is not natural to how I'm wired. I thrive on teaching, illuminating, strategizing and sharing from the fruit of my mental loins. I have been known to find non-possessive warmth and empathy when I Google them. But even though my natural style is cool and analytical I don't get to rearrange Jesus' unmistakable priority of loving others if I'm going to represent him.
Crap. I'm 55 years old and this isn't getting any easier. So how do I explain the tingle in my toes? Here's my hypothesis: renewing my commitment to become the person God intends me to be uploads hope, energy and purpose into my soul (and, apparently, its suburban location: my toes). And that's true no matter how much work it will take to change. I'm just glad the Lord's master plan does not require me to generate all of this self-improvement on my own.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. (Phil 2:13)
My challenge? This sequence is not natural to how I'm wired. I thrive on teaching, illuminating, strategizing and sharing from the fruit of my mental loins. I have been known to find non-possessive warmth and empathy when I Google them. But even though my natural style is cool and analytical I don't get to rearrange Jesus' unmistakable priority of loving others if I'm going to represent him.
Crap. I'm 55 years old and this isn't getting any easier. So how do I explain the tingle in my toes? Here's my hypothesis: renewing my commitment to become the person God intends me to be uploads hope, energy and purpose into my soul (and, apparently, its suburban location: my toes). And that's true no matter how much work it will take to change. I'm just glad the Lord's master plan does not require me to generate all of this self-improvement on my own.
For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. (Phil 2:13)
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