Pat Riley, after "three-peating" in the 1980s with the Los Angeles Lakers (three championships in a row), did what all coaches do. He decided we all wanted to know his winning formula as head coach and wrote a book. During the course of the book in the early chapters, he talked about conflict. He not only allowed it, he encouraged it up to and including physical altercations because, as he viewed it, these allowed for a pecking order to be established among egos which led to leaders emerging. As a principal of an elementary school, I hardly saw this as an option to develop leadership on the campus. Yet we do acknowledge that "iron sharpens iron." (Proverbs 27:17)
In the passage from Acts 6, we see how the apostles handled conflict and used it to strengthen the Christians in that day. The model is useful for families, groups, teams, organizations, corporations and especially churches.
"Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore pick from you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.' And what they said pleased the whole gathering and they chose.... (seven men including Stephen)." (6:1-5)
A second lesson from this passage (yesterday's lesson being identifying the conflict and dealing with it) is this: The apostles spoke the truth in love to a crowd and elevated the conversation. When the complaint rose to their level (when and how it rose to that level isn't told), they dealt with it, but their response is interesting. "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables." In other words, they did several things by framing their response that way: acknowledge the problem and not minimize it, elevate it to the mission level of the church, and speak in truth.
It is clear that the church at that time respected the role of the apostles to the point that they could say, "This is what we do and why we are here." It is clear that an air of love and respect dwelt within the church for them to respond in what appears to be a blunt manner. And they placed the issue into a mission framework - the church is about spreading the word. Caring for others is important, but can be done by others because our role is about the mission of the church.
When we come into conflict, are we equally equipped for the task as the apostles were? Can we speak in truth and love with one another? Do we look at the issue as it relates to the mission of the church? How does this translate into families and other places we find ourselves (work, teams, friends)?
We pray for this clarity and for this love as we grow together in Christ.
Hope Men's Ministry
Monday, April 13, 2015
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Devotion 4.13.15
At some point in life, it is inevitable that you or I will fall headlong into a conflict. It is built into our nature as sinful human beings. The conflict can be between two individuals, families, a group of people, an organization, a corporation, a team, and even (and most certainly) within a church. Conflict, handled correctly, can strengthen the relationship as is reflected in the proverb, "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." (27:17) Iron can only sharpen iron when the two come together against the other. So, it can be done positively as when a knife slides against the sharpener, or it can be in hostility as on the field of battle.
We are, for a variety of reasons, told that Matthew 18 is a guide from Christ that instructs us on conflict. This is true, to a degree, but the passage starts with Christ saying, "If your brother sins against you." (18:15) Conflict can be between two righteous parties, and isn't necessarily about "sin" against one another. Yet what is instructive in the Matthew 18 passage is Christ instructs us further in the passage, "...go and tell him his fault between you and him alone." So, whether in sin or in conflict, go to your brother and talk to him out of love for one another.
A better place to go to view the handling of conflict is in Acts 6 which will be the basis for us through the week. In Acts 6, we read the following: "Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore pick from you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.' And what they said pleased the whole gathering and they chose.... (seven men including Stephen)." (6:1-5)
Today, our first glance at this passage teaches us one important fact about conflict. When the complaint came to the apostles, they did not shy away from it or ignore it. How do we "shy" away from conflict? We can ignore it and hope it goes away. We can find blame for the existence of the conflict within others, not ourselves, and we can cast aspersions about the issue on to others to distance ourselves from this issue. Not only can we find blame, we can fix blame on others as well like Adam in the Garden when God asked why he ate of the fruit - "That woman you gave me..." he began (Genesis 3:12). What we read in this passage is that as soon as the complaint found its way to the apostles, they made no excuses but called the problem to the attention of the assembly.
So, we pray we take ownership in conflicts that arise and that we don't allow it the situation to fester until it becomes sinful or unhealthy. In our marriages, in our friendships, in our relationships, our work and within our church, we speak volumes in terms of how we address each other at all times. We also pray that everything we do is out of love for one another.
Hope Men's Ministry
We are, for a variety of reasons, told that Matthew 18 is a guide from Christ that instructs us on conflict. This is true, to a degree, but the passage starts with Christ saying, "If your brother sins against you." (18:15) Conflict can be between two righteous parties, and isn't necessarily about "sin" against one another. Yet what is instructive in the Matthew 18 passage is Christ instructs us further in the passage, "...go and tell him his fault between you and him alone." So, whether in sin or in conflict, go to your brother and talk to him out of love for one another.
A better place to go to view the handling of conflict is in Acts 6 which will be the basis for us through the week. In Acts 6, we read the following: "Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore pick from you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.' And what they said pleased the whole gathering and they chose.... (seven men including Stephen)." (6:1-5)
Today, our first glance at this passage teaches us one important fact about conflict. When the complaint came to the apostles, they did not shy away from it or ignore it. How do we "shy" away from conflict? We can ignore it and hope it goes away. We can find blame for the existence of the conflict within others, not ourselves, and we can cast aspersions about the issue on to others to distance ourselves from this issue. Not only can we find blame, we can fix blame on others as well like Adam in the Garden when God asked why he ate of the fruit - "That woman you gave me..." he began (Genesis 3:12). What we read in this passage is that as soon as the complaint found its way to the apostles, they made no excuses but called the problem to the attention of the assembly.
So, we pray we take ownership in conflicts that arise and that we don't allow it the situation to fester until it becomes sinful or unhealthy. In our marriages, in our friendships, in our relationships, our work and within our church, we speak volumes in terms of how we address each other at all times. We also pray that everything we do is out of love for one another.
Hope Men's Ministry
Monday, April 6, 2015
Devotion 4.7.15
Why are people allowed to suffer and why do people suffer? That seems to be a popular question, but the truth is our lives, at some point, intersect with suffering. Sometimes this suffering is at our own hands. As a principal in a large public school, my office was the place of confessions by staff, parents, kids. If there is a country song to be written about a pain, malady, self-inflicted wounds, a dismal situation or some other form of suffering, I could write it because I've heard it (or done it myself). The worse situations were physical abuse of a spouse and child because that number grows geometrically based on the number of children in the relationship. Each becomes a potential abuser as they become adults.
It goes on from there. "Husband got busted the other night with marijuana/cocaine/drunk... so Jimmy might not really be doing well in class today...."
Then there is suffering as victim. A disease that claims a life early or in the middle of life. Suffering that comes from illness as we age, which our own behavior may or may not have been responsible for.
The question as we sat in our offices, most of us Christians, was why such things happened? Why does God allow it? "How can God stop it?" I asked one time. God gave us choice in the garden and even in a state of perfection, we chose poorly, so now on this side in a state of sin-filled imperfection, how do you stop it unless you just clean the slate, toss aside the creation gone awry, and start from scratch? (And clearly by our faith we know God has a plan we call Judgment Day for just that.)
As we examined favorite verses, one came to mind that I go to from time to time when I've pulled the gun and put a bullet through my own foot. Romans 5:1 - 5: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith in this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; And character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Suffering from our own hands, from others, from disease, pain, and even suffering because of our faith through persecution.
God did clean the slate through his Son Jesus Christ. The clean slate gives us hope in our suffering because of this faith we now proclaim. So, as we suffer, we turn our eyes to Christ in prayer, his Word, and through worship and praise of Christ. He comes to us in the sacraments and "delivers us from evil."
Our suffering, regardless of its source (namely sin), is temporary. Christ is eternal. We pray that Christ deliver us from evil and suffering, but we also pray to follow his perfect will in our lives. We pray for strength in our sufferings which builds us and gives us hope.
Hope Men's Ministry
It goes on from there. "Husband got busted the other night with marijuana/cocaine/drunk... so Jimmy might not really be doing well in class today...."
Then there is suffering as victim. A disease that claims a life early or in the middle of life. Suffering that comes from illness as we age, which our own behavior may or may not have been responsible for.
The question as we sat in our offices, most of us Christians, was why such things happened? Why does God allow it? "How can God stop it?" I asked one time. God gave us choice in the garden and even in a state of perfection, we chose poorly, so now on this side in a state of sin-filled imperfection, how do you stop it unless you just clean the slate, toss aside the creation gone awry, and start from scratch? (And clearly by our faith we know God has a plan we call Judgment Day for just that.)
As we examined favorite verses, one came to mind that I go to from time to time when I've pulled the gun and put a bullet through my own foot. Romans 5:1 - 5: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith in this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; And character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." Suffering from our own hands, from others, from disease, pain, and even suffering because of our faith through persecution.
God did clean the slate through his Son Jesus Christ. The clean slate gives us hope in our suffering because of this faith we now proclaim. So, as we suffer, we turn our eyes to Christ in prayer, his Word, and through worship and praise of Christ. He comes to us in the sacraments and "delivers us from evil."
Our suffering, regardless of its source (namely sin), is temporary. Christ is eternal. We pray that Christ deliver us from evil and suffering, but we also pray to follow his perfect will in our lives. We pray for strength in our sufferings which builds us and gives us hope.
Hope Men's Ministry
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Devotion 4.6.15
Yesterday, the new commissioner of baseball, Rob Manfred, was interviewed on "Meet the Press." (Thank you Sunrise Service for getting me home in time to see it.) He was asked about the state of baseball on "opening day," and specifically, he was asked about the dismal TV ratings of the last World Series. How to get baseball back in popularity? The answer wove its way through several points, landing on getting all youth, including minorities, involved in baseball again. "Best of luck," I thought (My apologies to those who enthusiastically give their valuable time and energy and positively impact their own children and others through Little League. I realize it can be a positive experience as was my own son's.).
He may be commissioner of MLB, but MLB has no control over Little League, the dominant ruler of youth baseball. Beginning in 1938, Little League's founder Carl Stotz began to conceptualize a league for baseball for youth that would capture the best about the sport - teamwork, sportsmanship, mentor/tutor relationships, and engaging in being your best through the sport of baseball. Opening it up to all youth, he even built into the rules more players on the field in a youth game than in traditional baseball so "all kids could play." (Garry Wills, "Certain Trumpets: The Call of Leaders." 1994)
I had some gang activity in the neighborhood when I was a principal. "Let's get the kids involved at a younger age, so they have a sense of belonging to a group," I suggested. "Let's get them into Little League." What did I run into (in my own neighborhood I grew up in no less)? Resistance. Costs - equipment to play, uniform costs, league fees. Culture - these children may have gang aspirations? And you want them to be here? It went on. I might have had better luck founding my own league because "all children" could neither afford league costs or overcome some of the stereotypes that existed in a neighborhood that had changed from blue collar middle income to lower income and minority. Some parents tried to make meaningful change to open up the game, but it was difficult.
And so to the Easter message. Christ's resurrection for victory from death. Personal resurrection in our own lives. Second chances. Forgiveness, mercy, grace, love. And we, as a church (church at large corporately and collectively), have created what? Debate within the worlds of politics and society that largely ignore Christ's Great Commission. Unwritten rules. Codes of behavior. Judgmental attitudes and behaviors that have less to do with the issue or sin and more to do with the person.
This Easter, we focus on the true meaning of Christ's death and resurrection for all of us. This Easter, we share that message of forgiveness and grace through faith in Christ, that message of second chances, new beginnings, of being a new creation in Christ (Pastor Eric Hiner, 4/5/15). This Easter, we pray that as a church at large, we bring that simple message of Christ and Him crucified to the world and not strangle it in culture, unwritten rules, attitudes, assumptions, piety that focuses on others sins, not our own.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Hope Men's Ministry
He may be commissioner of MLB, but MLB has no control over Little League, the dominant ruler of youth baseball. Beginning in 1938, Little League's founder Carl Stotz began to conceptualize a league for baseball for youth that would capture the best about the sport - teamwork, sportsmanship, mentor/tutor relationships, and engaging in being your best through the sport of baseball. Opening it up to all youth, he even built into the rules more players on the field in a youth game than in traditional baseball so "all kids could play." (Garry Wills, "Certain Trumpets: The Call of Leaders." 1994)
I had some gang activity in the neighborhood when I was a principal. "Let's get the kids involved at a younger age, so they have a sense of belonging to a group," I suggested. "Let's get them into Little League." What did I run into (in my own neighborhood I grew up in no less)? Resistance. Costs - equipment to play, uniform costs, league fees. Culture - these children may have gang aspirations? And you want them to be here? It went on. I might have had better luck founding my own league because "all children" could neither afford league costs or overcome some of the stereotypes that existed in a neighborhood that had changed from blue collar middle income to lower income and minority. Some parents tried to make meaningful change to open up the game, but it was difficult.
And so to the Easter message. Christ's resurrection for victory from death. Personal resurrection in our own lives. Second chances. Forgiveness, mercy, grace, love. And we, as a church (church at large corporately and collectively), have created what? Debate within the worlds of politics and society that largely ignore Christ's Great Commission. Unwritten rules. Codes of behavior. Judgmental attitudes and behaviors that have less to do with the issue or sin and more to do with the person.
This Easter, we focus on the true meaning of Christ's death and resurrection for all of us. This Easter, we share that message of forgiveness and grace through faith in Christ, that message of second chances, new beginnings, of being a new creation in Christ (Pastor Eric Hiner, 4/5/15). This Easter, we pray that as a church at large, we bring that simple message of Christ and Him crucified to the world and not strangle it in culture, unwritten rules, attitudes, assumptions, piety that focuses on others sins, not our own.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Hope Men's Ministry
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Devotion 4.5.15
"Now, after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you see Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.'" Matthew 28:1 - 6
On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, victorious over death and sin.
In Luke, the angel asks, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." 24:5
The victory was for us. Today we observe that victory which Jesus delivered. Where do we go to seek the living Jesus? Where do we look when we are in need? Today, we pray we seek the living Christ who died for our sins and rose again to give us everlasting life.
Hope Men's Ministry
On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, victorious over death and sin.
In Luke, the angel asks, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." 24:5
The victory was for us. Today we observe that victory which Jesus delivered. Where do we go to seek the living Jesus? Where do we look when we are in need? Today, we pray we seek the living Christ who died for our sins and rose again to give us everlasting life.
Hope Men's Ministry
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Devotion 4.3.15
Good Friday. A name that is paradoxical in that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was betrayed, wrongly arrested, accused, tried, convicted, beaten, and then hung on a cross until death. All four gospels account for the day - Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 22; John 18 and 19.
We pray for forgiveness. The sins of the world of the past, present, and future account for his suffering and death.
We pray for wholeness. We are to be made whole at the resurrection, victory over sin, Satan, and death.
We pray thanksgiving. God has sacrificed his own Son in our place. Our thanksgiving is in the sacrifice that made us whole. Now the day has irony as well. He that had no sin died for our sins.
Hope Men's Ministry
We pray for forgiveness. The sins of the world of the past, present, and future account for his suffering and death.
We pray for wholeness. We are to be made whole at the resurrection, victory over sin, Satan, and death.
We pray thanksgiving. God has sacrificed his own Son in our place. Our thanksgiving is in the sacrifice that made us whole. Now the day has irony as well. He that had no sin died for our sins.
Hope Men's Ministry
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Devotion 4.2.15
Maundy Thursday. From the Latin word mandatum (mandate) and in this case "command." Christ, during the Last Supper speaks to his disciples and says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another." (John 13:34)
Before he is betrayed, Christ washes the disciples feet (John 13) and has his last supper during Passover. During the Last Supper, he institutes the Lord's Supper, breaking bread and saying, "'Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, 'Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Mark 26)
Bread and wine Christ proclaims as his body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins. A "new covenant" as Christ calls it. Christ, now the Passover lamb, given in death for our sins. Love one another. Receive his body and blood. His suffering, death and resurrection make his sacrifice all the more real and the institution of the sacrament of Holy Communion is completed by his suffering, death and resurrection.
Today, we are the beneficiaries of his sacrifice of love and of taking part in the Sacrament of the Altar - Holy Communion. We pray for forgiveness and grace as provided by the Lord's Supper. We give thanks to Christ for our forgiveness, mercy and grace through the sacrament and his suffering, death, and resurrection.
Hope Men's Ministry
Before he is betrayed, Christ washes the disciples feet (John 13) and has his last supper during Passover. During the Last Supper, he institutes the Lord's Supper, breaking bread and saying, "'Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, 'Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Mark 26)
Bread and wine Christ proclaims as his body and blood, given for the forgiveness of sins. A "new covenant" as Christ calls it. Christ, now the Passover lamb, given in death for our sins. Love one another. Receive his body and blood. His suffering, death and resurrection make his sacrifice all the more real and the institution of the sacrament of Holy Communion is completed by his suffering, death and resurrection.
Today, we are the beneficiaries of his sacrifice of love and of taking part in the Sacrament of the Altar - Holy Communion. We pray for forgiveness and grace as provided by the Lord's Supper. We give thanks to Christ for our forgiveness, mercy and grace through the sacrament and his suffering, death, and resurrection.
Hope Men's Ministry
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