Living in perspective

Just thinking. Recently I have seen and read where a couple of people refer to Jesus' actions as the default for how they do ministry, or what they do in life.

Now even after typing that, it sounds like I'm a moron for not saying that is right on. And I'm not saying that in practice it isn’t. Here's my thought: when I read something for example about how Jesus did not preach in an expository style, therefore we shouldn't; I have to wonder.

It is true that Jesus used stories to share his message. And it is true that "story" is one of the most effective forms of communication. In fact, most cultures are built on the ability of its elders, leaders, or whomever it may be' ability to tell a story. So the issue isn't there. The thought is this: Jesus was and is the Word of God. Though he might not have gone vs by vs through the Old Testament to share his message...he kind of was and is the vs by vs. On top of that, his being a man on earth was in a way the writing of the vs by vs of the New Testament. He knew the scriptures, not just had it memorized. He didn't just have an opinion on what it meant. He was it. He knew its intent. He was its intent.

Whether it is free style preaching, offending the religious or whatever Jesus "did"...I think we need to be careful in adapting that as a blind method for what we do. We're flawed, and have a flawed morality - Jesus didn't! If the word of God is his primary way of communication to us, should we not seriously consider that we need to stick close to it? Like so close that it is guiding our conversation...our story?

If we don't primarily want to share from what God is saying and in context communicate how that is shaping our story...then do we need to ask whose story we're telling?

True, Jesus hung out with the reprobates and outcasts. However, his character and morality was one that was set and unchangeable. By all means reach the lost...but too often I've seen the mindset of "Jesus liked to party with sinners, don’t be so legalistic" as a root for a person justifying their actions almost inevitably being the demise of a person’s morality rather than a winning of any lost soul.

Jesus is our model. He is what we should strive to be. We have to however, have in perspective that he was perfect, and we're not. Our flawed morality, weak faith, and sinful nature put us in dependence of Christ. Through the Holy Spirit’s leading we communicate his story, live his life...but we must never forget our dependence on Him to do so. His (Christ's) ability to challenge the religious, share from his heart, etc...were based on his being perfect!

So, we should share from the heart. Use “story” to tell the message of Christ. But it needs to be his story, not yours. You’re a part of his story. Not he yours. If expository preaching helps you to keep that in perspective then it is a strength not a dated method. No matter how you communicate God’s word from the pulpit, make sure he is the subject. His word, keeps you on him.

Befriending the lost is something we should do, but remember his being in that environment was different than you being there. He had no desire to do evil - you do! You better be prayed up, and ready to lead others to Christ. The moment they’re leading you, you need to have the control to leave!

I guess what I’m wrestling with is that; it is a fine line between our attitude in pursuing Christ…and an attitude that communicates something completely different. An almost feeling of equality. He did, so I can - isn’t accurate at all. He did, because he is. We do, because of him.

Our knowing that we are always dependant and weak is something we always have to keep in front of us. The life he lived isn’t a pass to be free. It’s a perfect picture to strive for.

Heavy Foot

So…I’m not going to lie. I like speeding. One of the hardest things I’ve had to overcome with living in the Ozarks is people (by the masses might I add) that drive 2-3 miles under the speed limit! Unless of course the speed limit is 45 or under then apparently 10 over is no biggie.

For me, most of my driving life has been a reality that if your not doing 10 over your going to get run off the road, or at minimum get a evil stare from Granny as she flies by.

So, does this make speeding all right? Does my cultural drivers education make it a non-issue? Never really asked those questions, and honestly didn’t want to.

Recently however, after reading no less than three blogs that are not related to each other and being convicted of the fact that it does matter, I’m now on day two of following the letter (or number) of the law.

It is going to be a process. In fact I haven’t told Michelle about this life change yet. I can’t say that it’s made a huge difference in my life. Or even my relationship with God. But I do know this. It has given me a few more minutes of time to pray on my way to work, and I’m not as stressed when driving. So, maybe it is making a huge difference.

If I’ve heard anything from God the past few days in my time with him, it is this: the little things matter. And I think they do for this reason: it’s not the one big act of kindness we do, or preaching the best sermon ever preached; it’s in the little decisions that we find Christ!

Here are the three blogs: stuff Christians like, and rethink. All right it is only two...I can't find the third one, how many more do you need? I’ll let them make the argument. What do you think?

A dependent heart

So...in an attempt to be somewhat of an educated new blogger I researched "the best ways to increase traffic to your blog". One of the first according to Seth Godin is to not write about your kids.

Well, fitting that as I adventure to start blogging Braeden does something that challenged me in an unexpected way, and I can't help but write about it!

We are currently trying to sale our house, and simultaneously we're in desperate need of a second car. In this current market we're hoping to sale the house and brake even, with a more than likely scenario that we'll take a loss. Anticipating this we have some money in savings that we have set aside to "protect us" in this likely event. Recently feeling overwhelmingly blessed and humbled by all that God has provided us, I joyfully threw out the idea of giving this money to a cause we've committed to support. Michelle embraced the idea whole heartedly and we left it at that.

Move forward a week. For no reason greater than what existed a week earlier I felt the need of a second car was so oppressing our family that we weren't going to be able to survive. Quite franticly I rattled off all the reasons another car was the supreme need in our life. Fully assured that we had to do something, and something promptly, I left us with a ludicrous choice of options and hurried to my next meeting. On my way home I asked Michelle what she thinks we should do, she responded that we need to give the money as originally planned. I knew in my heart she was right...but we have a need!

I walk in the door, say my hellos, give out the kisses and hugs, and journey to Braeden's room to see something amazing! As I'm passing the table I notice a bin of toys. I ask Michelle what was going on with the toys (expecting that he did something and this was his punishment) she said she didn't know. Apparently Braeden woke up and the very first thing he said to Michelle was, "I have a lot of toys and I really should give to some other kids that don't have as much"!

We (him and I) had briefly talked about this weeks before in passing, but we never really decided to do it. Out of his own will he decided to do this. Here is the kicker! Not did he only decide to do this on his own. Nor is it that he realized his abundance as a way to bless others on his own. The thing that hit me like a ton of bricks was that when they started he went for his most prized toys and put them in a pile as the ones to give!

Not only did Braeden see what he had as a way to bless others, but he was willing to sacrifice his prized possession for the joy of someone else! Here I am wanting to take my savings to buy a clunker to get from A to B; someone else's junker that they were tired of had taken priority over my opportunity to bless someone else with what I have!

If we can't realize that God is our ultimate need, then idolatry has besieged our hearts! This life isn't about us. It is about him and others. If my "need" of a second car becomes a priority over my desire to please God...the car is now my god. Actually I've become my own god. And honestly an '82 dodge rampage and most definitely myself are no where close to being worthy of any worship. You see, I originally wanted to give the money because of where my heart was with God. I was set on pleasing him. It isn't the amount, or even the action that would, will, please him - it is my heart in doing so that will please him.

The selling of our house, the second car; they'll happen! Right now it is about obedience and priority. Priority being: having a heart that is dependent on God and set on pleasing him in all I do!