It is the end of the school year. This simple fact brought to you by a person who lives across the street from a school, and so I'm now dealing with the more pleasant experience of people coming almost daily, early in the day and sometimes in the evening, for the pleasure of seeing little John or Buffy get recognized for this and that and parking up and down the street in numbers that are too numerous to count. The marquee at the school is changing the announcements steadily with dates for parents, guardians, grandparents or others to carefully read - Kindergarten graduation 5/5/15...1st grade award ceremony 5/6/15 - morning....splash day 5/7/15 - morning...2nd grade award ceremony 5/7/15 - morning... 3rd grade award ceremony 5/7/15 - evening... annual school campout 5/8/15 - sleepover... AR (accelerated reader) awards luncheon 5/11/15....
I was a principal. This time of year was, in a word, a beating. Recognition programs, awards' ceremonies, graduations. Ironically,I didn't believe in any of it personally, but when you are a principal, it's not yours to exercise your personal beliefs fully. So, you march out in your coat and tie and put on a happy face and strive to make each child know just how proud you are for his or her award. Shake the hand of the tyke, pose for a picture smiling (beaming in fact, and after awhile, the face gets stuck in that position). If you know the child, make a personal comment about him or her (of the 950 students in the school, I was familiar with about half of the students and knew some well - not just the bad stuff either), smile, and then greet the parents afterward to talk about how special the day was. And gird your loins for those who felt like their child was not recognized adequately or that we failed our due diligence by not giving the C student an "Honor Roll - All A's" certificate.
Unfortunately and statistically, rewards and recognition really only work for a small fraction (very small) of children. Some noted education researchers have done extensive studies to demonstrate that there is little, if any, correlation with rewards and recognition and success in school. Sadly, most of it is done for us, the parents. We like hearing our children did well and we like hearing their name called at an assembly for good things. And in the school business, you do want to make sure you are actively engaging parents in a positive manner (which is why we did it at our school - my opinion aside, it is one way of getting together with parents on a positive note and a great way to end the year on one as well).
Our pastor last Sunday used the scripture lesson to teach something that resonated with me, and probably explains why I resisted such events. An awards program, a graduation, a recognition is just temporary. In his words, commencement is not about an ending of any kind, but rather about a step in life. "Graduation" means the next step, not a final event. I liked that personally mainly because it is true. Nothing in life is final until God calls us to our final resting place.
The book of Acts (chapter 2) shows the disciples in a transformative event. Christ's call to discipleship was not the end of the road, but rather a beginning. Christ's teaching and miracles were merely a process. Christ's crucifixion was not an end for them. Neither was his resurrection. The resurrection meant a new beginning for them and us. Christ staying on earth 40 days after his resurrection was not an end either, but a transition period with his ministry. And in Acts 2 we see the disciples empowered with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Jewish celebration that recognized the 50th day after the Passover). On this Pentecost, God's Spirit descends upon them and gives them the ability to speak so that all understood. This was a transformative event for the apostles, but not an end as well. This was a completely new beginning for them. The church and the word of God exploded, literally, and the numbers grew dramatically as people responded to the call of the Word and the Holy Spirit.
Enjoy these events your school is holding this month, but please, fathers, take the time to make sure that regardless of the accomplishment, your son or daughter realizes it is just a step, not an end. Christ sends his Spirit to us to make us new creations as well which does not mean we stop after baptism, confirmation, a milestone, communion, or other act or event. Make sure your son or daughter knows of your unfailing love and that it is separate from the accomplishment or event. Our love for them needs to be regardless of status, just as Christ's love for us is unconditional and not related to what we deserve. Be a part of this time, and as an educator, I apologize for giving you so much to be a part of and to celebrate. You're welcome.
Hope Men's Ministry
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Devotion 5.25.15
We remember those who have lost their lives on the fields of battle to protect our precious liberties, among them, the right to write this devotion, read it, and to otherwise express our religious beliefs freely. We pray it never is taken for granted.
Inspired by the Men's Retreat - Four C's That Interfere with Our Relationship w Christ - Concerns
"I have a concern about the direction our school is going," the teacher sitting in my office once said to me. "We used to be like a family but now I feel as though that is no longer the case." I expressed my appreciation for her feeling comfortable enough to come and express her thoughts to me and listened. She was an outstanding teacher who did a great deal for the children she taught. Because of her strength as a teacher and her independence, I thought she would be successful in a portable building which was not inside the main building. The fact is you see those staff less and they are not part of the interaction that occurs as most teachers see each other, and the principal, during the course of the day. In the end, she thanked me for listening, and then I was promoted and never had the chance to demonstrate that I was going to act on her suggestions.
The Fourth C, concerns, can improve the church, or destroy the dialogue, depending on the motive behind them. For example, in Luke 10, Christ gets a question from a person, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Now, if our pastor is teaching a confirmand (an 11 - 13 year old in Confirmation), and he or she asks that, he sees it as a teachable moment. "Thank you dear child for asking that..." Yet Luke introduces the question with the truth, "And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying,..." (10:25). So, is my concern a true concern, or a trap?
Unfortunately, we can only guess, sometimes more accurately than at other times, about the motive of a concern. It can be genuine, and it can be one meant to destroy. Concerns, generally spoken using a personal pronoun (I, me, we), come from the personal level about ministry. Our hope is to take them to the mission level and seek Christ as we build his kingdom.
Peter opens his epistle with this: "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13) Preparation for the challenge before them as disciples of Christ at varying levels of maturity in the faith. Then, Peter closes his epistle with this: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:6 - 8)
So, we are to be sober-minded, prepared an place our hope in Christ and we are to be sober-minded, watchful, leery of Satan who may lure us into a trap.
We pray our concerns are for the ministry and are used to build up the body of Christ, not tear it down. We pray we are sober-minded, preparing for our opportunities to create, build, and construct the body of Christ and that we are sober-minded, alert, and watchful that we guard against Satan who seeks simply to destroy.
Hope Men's Ministry
Inspired by the Men's Retreat - Four C's That Interfere with Our Relationship w Christ - Concerns
"I have a concern about the direction our school is going," the teacher sitting in my office once said to me. "We used to be like a family but now I feel as though that is no longer the case." I expressed my appreciation for her feeling comfortable enough to come and express her thoughts to me and listened. She was an outstanding teacher who did a great deal for the children she taught. Because of her strength as a teacher and her independence, I thought she would be successful in a portable building which was not inside the main building. The fact is you see those staff less and they are not part of the interaction that occurs as most teachers see each other, and the principal, during the course of the day. In the end, she thanked me for listening, and then I was promoted and never had the chance to demonstrate that I was going to act on her suggestions.
The Fourth C, concerns, can improve the church, or destroy the dialogue, depending on the motive behind them. For example, in Luke 10, Christ gets a question from a person, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Now, if our pastor is teaching a confirmand (an 11 - 13 year old in Confirmation), and he or she asks that, he sees it as a teachable moment. "Thank you dear child for asking that..." Yet Luke introduces the question with the truth, "And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying,..." (10:25). So, is my concern a true concern, or a trap?
Unfortunately, we can only guess, sometimes more accurately than at other times, about the motive of a concern. It can be genuine, and it can be one meant to destroy. Concerns, generally spoken using a personal pronoun (I, me, we), come from the personal level about ministry. Our hope is to take them to the mission level and seek Christ as we build his kingdom.
Peter opens his epistle with this: "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13) Preparation for the challenge before them as disciples of Christ at varying levels of maturity in the faith. Then, Peter closes his epistle with this: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:6 - 8)
So, we are to be sober-minded, prepared an place our hope in Christ and we are to be sober-minded, watchful, leery of Satan who may lure us into a trap.
We pray our concerns are for the ministry and are used to build up the body of Christ, not tear it down. We pray we are sober-minded, preparing for our opportunities to create, build, and construct the body of Christ and that we are sober-minded, alert, and watchful that we guard against Satan who seeks simply to destroy.
Hope Men's Ministry
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Devotion 5.21.15
Inspired by the Men's Retreat - Four C's That Interfere with Our Relationship w Christ - Causes
The Baldrige Award for Performance Excellence is a prestigious award given to a company or organization (public, private, non-profit) that exemplifies excellence and quality. The seven criteria are easily understood but difficult to master. The trainers for Baldrige often remind all participants in the training that the idea is organizational excellence and not an award. As an examiner, I learned quickly that many people will pass through the training, but few companies or organizations attempt the award.
There is a story within the circles of the quality movement, as it was once called, of a company that dedicated much of its resources to get the Baldrige and accomplished that goal. It then promptly went out of business. Why? In the pursuit of the award, it forgot its business.
The book Good to Great (Jim Collins, 2001) introduced us to the "Hedgehog Concept." Simply put, the "hedgehog concept" is about simplicity. As he puts it, "A Hedgehog Concept is not a goal to be the best, a strategy to be the best, an intention to be the best. It is an understanding of what you can be best at." Consequently, great companies have an ability to determine what fits within their business and deliver it because it helps them be what they are best at.
The Third C, Causes, are many in churches. A cause is an idea, an activity, a plan of action, a goal, a program, a ministry, or some other kind of function in the church that has ownership from at least one individual and usually more. Churches have taken on causes that do two things: Serve the mission of the church or serve the cause. As causes grow in size and in number, does the church have the ability to say, "This cause no longer serves a purpose. It should be re-purposed or ended."? Causes, and feuds over causes (usually started because someone asks, "Why do we do this?" or "Do we need to continue doing this?"), can have an adverse impact on the true function of a church. In essence, we start worshiping the cause.
Paul's words about this are a stark reminder of our true purpose and the causes we have chosen to address and their purpose: "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained." (Philippians 3:13 - 15)
We pray for our causes, that they serve Christ and Him crucified, and we pray for those who lead our causes, that they keep the main thing the main thing when it comes to that cause. We celebrate those causes that have achieved their purpose, and we celebrate those causes that have done well but no longer continue to serve Christ and Him crucified. We pray for guidance as we look for or examine current ministries that bring the Word of God to people and strengthen the faith of those they reach.
We pray that no cause divide us, only strengthen us as Christ's body.
Hope Men's Ministry
The Baldrige Award for Performance Excellence is a prestigious award given to a company or organization (public, private, non-profit) that exemplifies excellence and quality. The seven criteria are easily understood but difficult to master. The trainers for Baldrige often remind all participants in the training that the idea is organizational excellence and not an award. As an examiner, I learned quickly that many people will pass through the training, but few companies or organizations attempt the award.
There is a story within the circles of the quality movement, as it was once called, of a company that dedicated much of its resources to get the Baldrige and accomplished that goal. It then promptly went out of business. Why? In the pursuit of the award, it forgot its business.
The book Good to Great (Jim Collins, 2001) introduced us to the "Hedgehog Concept." Simply put, the "hedgehog concept" is about simplicity. As he puts it, "A Hedgehog Concept is not a goal to be the best, a strategy to be the best, an intention to be the best. It is an understanding of what you can be best at." Consequently, great companies have an ability to determine what fits within their business and deliver it because it helps them be what they are best at.
The Third C, Causes, are many in churches. A cause is an idea, an activity, a plan of action, a goal, a program, a ministry, or some other kind of function in the church that has ownership from at least one individual and usually more. Churches have taken on causes that do two things: Serve the mission of the church or serve the cause. As causes grow in size and in number, does the church have the ability to say, "This cause no longer serves a purpose. It should be re-purposed or ended."? Causes, and feuds over causes (usually started because someone asks, "Why do we do this?" or "Do we need to continue doing this?"), can have an adverse impact on the true function of a church. In essence, we start worshiping the cause.
Paul's words about this are a stark reminder of our true purpose and the causes we have chosen to address and their purpose: "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained." (Philippians 3:13 - 15)
We pray for our causes, that they serve Christ and Him crucified, and we pray for those who lead our causes, that they keep the main thing the main thing when it comes to that cause. We celebrate those causes that have achieved their purpose, and we celebrate those causes that have done well but no longer continue to serve Christ and Him crucified. We pray for guidance as we look for or examine current ministries that bring the Word of God to people and strengthen the faith of those they reach.
We pray that no cause divide us, only strengthen us as Christ's body.
Hope Men's Ministry
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Devotion 5.20.15
Inspired from the Men's Retreat - Things that interfere with our relationship with Christ - Carpet
The Astrodome. Once the marvel of the Western Hemisphere, and now reduced to an organized pile of junk. Yet so sacred is the Dome that no elected politician in Houston or Harris County has the gumption to actually lead. So many proposals have been put forward to make it a shopping mall, or perhaps a 5-Star hotel, or maybe an indoor amusement park/shopping mall/hotel to rival the Mall of America in Minnesota. Here is a novel idea - tear down that 50-year old stadium that just sits and rusts.
Yet it is, in a word, sacred. We could call it a "sacred cow," but that is like comparing cattle to something colossal. It is a "sacred Dome." It may be there for another 25 years or so.
The going joke is, "How many Lutherans does it take to change a lightbulb? Answer: None, Grandma donated it." Oh, we have our sacred items, and these sacred items are summed up in one word for this devotional - carpet. Nothing can come between us and our savior better than our collective facility stuff from the foundation to the steeple and all points in between, including the things that occupy it.
It is worth noting that in Exodus (25 and 26), God gives careful instructions to Moses for two specific items - the Ark and the Tabernacle which will be His dwelling place with Israel with the Ark. A few hundred years later, Solomon builds a temple for God. God says to Solomon, "Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father." (1 Kings 6:11 - 12) John tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) Really, all that matters in a church facility is that God's Word dwells in it. The tabernacle, the temple, and the Ark are all gone, but God's Word is still with us. Our "carpet" will one day be gone as well, but God's Word will be with us.
It is worth noting that Christ foretells the destruction of the temple (Luke 21), and in his foreshadowing, he doesn't tell the crowd, "So cling to it with all your might." The temple was destroyed. Christ became that temple for us. In the end, God's Word dwelling among us is all that matters.
Pray that we always keep focus on God's Word and that we remain steadfast to "all that really matters" when issues of importance, like the carpet, come before us.
Hope Men's Ministry
The Astrodome. Once the marvel of the Western Hemisphere, and now reduced to an organized pile of junk. Yet so sacred is the Dome that no elected politician in Houston or Harris County has the gumption to actually lead. So many proposals have been put forward to make it a shopping mall, or perhaps a 5-Star hotel, or maybe an indoor amusement park/shopping mall/hotel to rival the Mall of America in Minnesota. Here is a novel idea - tear down that 50-year old stadium that just sits and rusts.
Yet it is, in a word, sacred. We could call it a "sacred cow," but that is like comparing cattle to something colossal. It is a "sacred Dome." It may be there for another 25 years or so.
The going joke is, "How many Lutherans does it take to change a lightbulb? Answer: None, Grandma donated it." Oh, we have our sacred items, and these sacred items are summed up in one word for this devotional - carpet. Nothing can come between us and our savior better than our collective facility stuff from the foundation to the steeple and all points in between, including the things that occupy it.
It is worth noting that in Exodus (25 and 26), God gives careful instructions to Moses for two specific items - the Ark and the Tabernacle which will be His dwelling place with Israel with the Ark. A few hundred years later, Solomon builds a temple for God. God says to Solomon, "Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father." (1 Kings 6:11 - 12) John tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) Really, all that matters in a church facility is that God's Word dwells in it. The tabernacle, the temple, and the Ark are all gone, but God's Word is still with us. Our "carpet" will one day be gone as well, but God's Word will be with us.
It is worth noting that Christ foretells the destruction of the temple (Luke 21), and in his foreshadowing, he doesn't tell the crowd, "So cling to it with all your might." The temple was destroyed. Christ became that temple for us. In the end, God's Word dwelling among us is all that matters.
Pray that we always keep focus on God's Word and that we remain steadfast to "all that really matters" when issues of importance, like the carpet, come before us.
Hope Men's Ministry
Monday, May 18, 2015
Devotion 5.19.15
Inspired from the Men's Retreat - Things that interfere with our relationship with Christ - Cash
Debt. Families incur it. Businesses incur it both public and private. Credit and debt are almost an American way of life. When borrowing on a house, the banker that was going through our paperwork said the average American borrows approximately 2.5 times the amount of annual income in that household. Most of us borrow for our house, car(s), and use credit to pay for things.
Churches are no different than the body that comprises the membership. We borrow for facilities. We may borrow for other items on the property. On the healthy side, paying for facility maintenance and upgrade suggests growth which suggests feeding the community the Word of God and that the community is responding to the Spirit through the church.
However, debt can become an albatross for a church because it can invite experts or people who want to focus on how we spend our money, how we budget our money, and where we can cut, especially in lean years. They speak in broad terms and say such things as, "In my house, we have to balance our checkbook," forgetting the fact that they, too, have incurred debt more than likely. We can spend an inordinate amount of time on money, and debt, while neglecting the Word of God. So, on the unhealthy side, debt (Cash) is that area that can keep us from our relationship with Christ.
Debt, then, can expose a deeper problem for the church, a spiritual one. We want a great deal for our church. Nice facilities. Clean and comfortable. Programs for our members that can become an extensive list. Activities. Grounds that are inviting and provide a place for those activities. But please, don't lecture me and use that "tithe" word. I give in other ways that takes care of those things I think we need. These kinds of issues can lead a church to then seek funds from other sources which can get us into the problem noted in yesterday's devotion as our church looks like the temple where Christ chases out the money changers and sacrifice sale-reps.
God speaks directly to this spiritual issue in Malachi when He confronts Israel. "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may e food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord God Almighty, " and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." (3:8-10)
Do we give freely? People shift in their seats in discomfort when they hear tithe, but first fruits is a New Testament concept as well. We give generously back to Christ because he first loved us. We provide our "offering" out of response to His sacrifice for us that atones us. Are we giving as we should, or are we leaving it up to the church to find ways to fund ministries that we desire? No where else in scripture does God state that we can "test" him. Are we testing God?
Pray that we give as we should in all of our areas including time, talent, and treasure. Pray that we give out of love. Pray that we support our ministries that we seek so that God's Word is heard in a variety of formats. Pray that cash and debt don't become those obstacles for our mission of taking the gospel to all nations.
Hope Men's Ministry
Debt. Families incur it. Businesses incur it both public and private. Credit and debt are almost an American way of life. When borrowing on a house, the banker that was going through our paperwork said the average American borrows approximately 2.5 times the amount of annual income in that household. Most of us borrow for our house, car(s), and use credit to pay for things.
Churches are no different than the body that comprises the membership. We borrow for facilities. We may borrow for other items on the property. On the healthy side, paying for facility maintenance and upgrade suggests growth which suggests feeding the community the Word of God and that the community is responding to the Spirit through the church.
However, debt can become an albatross for a church because it can invite experts or people who want to focus on how we spend our money, how we budget our money, and where we can cut, especially in lean years. They speak in broad terms and say such things as, "In my house, we have to balance our checkbook," forgetting the fact that they, too, have incurred debt more than likely. We can spend an inordinate amount of time on money, and debt, while neglecting the Word of God. So, on the unhealthy side, debt (Cash) is that area that can keep us from our relationship with Christ.
Debt, then, can expose a deeper problem for the church, a spiritual one. We want a great deal for our church. Nice facilities. Clean and comfortable. Programs for our members that can become an extensive list. Activities. Grounds that are inviting and provide a place for those activities. But please, don't lecture me and use that "tithe" word. I give in other ways that takes care of those things I think we need. These kinds of issues can lead a church to then seek funds from other sources which can get us into the problem noted in yesterday's devotion as our church looks like the temple where Christ chases out the money changers and sacrifice sale-reps.
God speaks directly to this spiritual issue in Malachi when He confronts Israel. "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may e food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord God Almighty, " and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." (3:8-10)
Do we give freely? People shift in their seats in discomfort when they hear tithe, but first fruits is a New Testament concept as well. We give generously back to Christ because he first loved us. We provide our "offering" out of response to His sacrifice for us that atones us. Are we giving as we should, or are we leaving it up to the church to find ways to fund ministries that we desire? No where else in scripture does God state that we can "test" him. Are we testing God?
Pray that we give as we should in all of our areas including time, talent, and treasure. Pray that we give out of love. Pray that we support our ministries that we seek so that God's Word is heard in a variety of formats. Pray that cash and debt don't become those obstacles for our mission of taking the gospel to all nations.
Hope Men's Ministry
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Devotion 5.18.15
Inspired from the Men's Retreat - Things that interfere with our relationship with Christ
George Will is an avid baseball fan (as well as Pulitzer Prize winning editorialist). He has written on the game frequently and has a book to his name about baseball (Men at Work). Will considers himself a purist of the game, and as such, he finds the side acts during baseball a distraction. The true fan of the game goes for the game, but baseball has found ways to make a great deal of money with the side shows. In Houston, we have the "Chick-Fil-A Fowl Pole" that separates foul balls from home runs. There are the Landry Crawford Street Boxes. There is the Coca-Cola section in center field. There are the races between innings sponsored by.... Between each inning there is something, and it is annoying. Yet it raises the almighty dollar, so the fan can afford to go to the game and spend only an average of $120 per game.
As we look at those things that come between us and our worship of Christ, we can look at Cash. Money provides needed ministries and programs to connect people to the Word of God, but like the "stuff" in baseball, when does it become a distraction?
Christ comes into the temple and sees money-changers and people selling pigeons for sacrifices. The explanatory note the study bible says this was common for the traveler who came to Jerusalem on their pilgrimage. Yet it didn't please Christ as the Matthew account says, "And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple." (21:12) What angered him? Might it have been the distraction of vendors trading and selling in the temple from worship of his Father, our Father? "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers,'" (v 13)
Christ came in and saw vendors taking space, regardless of the reason. Oh sure, it was for ministry reasons, or so the explanatory note in the study bible says, but had it gone too far? Did the church begin to take on the money generated by the lenders? From what Christ said, it had.
Cash can be a distraction for us in the church. And our focus on it to have a "better ministry or ministries" CAN take away from the simple truth of God's Word as the central focus. Our relationship with God comes from hearing God's Word through song, scripture, and sermons, prayer, and through the sacraments. We pray that God give us the ability to focus and not let other "things" take away from hearing God's Word and sharing His Word with others. We pray that when we need money, it is only to serve Him better and to bring meaning to the ministry of God's Word.
Hope Men's Ministry
George Will is an avid baseball fan (as well as Pulitzer Prize winning editorialist). He has written on the game frequently and has a book to his name about baseball (Men at Work). Will considers himself a purist of the game, and as such, he finds the side acts during baseball a distraction. The true fan of the game goes for the game, but baseball has found ways to make a great deal of money with the side shows. In Houston, we have the "Chick-Fil-A Fowl Pole" that separates foul balls from home runs. There are the Landry Crawford Street Boxes. There is the Coca-Cola section in center field. There are the races between innings sponsored by.... Between each inning there is something, and it is annoying. Yet it raises the almighty dollar, so the fan can afford to go to the game and spend only an average of $120 per game.
As we look at those things that come between us and our worship of Christ, we can look at Cash. Money provides needed ministries and programs to connect people to the Word of God, but like the "stuff" in baseball, when does it become a distraction?
Christ comes into the temple and sees money-changers and people selling pigeons for sacrifices. The explanatory note the study bible says this was common for the traveler who came to Jerusalem on their pilgrimage. Yet it didn't please Christ as the Matthew account says, "And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple." (21:12) What angered him? Might it have been the distraction of vendors trading and selling in the temple from worship of his Father, our Father? "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers,'" (v 13)
Christ came in and saw vendors taking space, regardless of the reason. Oh sure, it was for ministry reasons, or so the explanatory note in the study bible says, but had it gone too far? Did the church begin to take on the money generated by the lenders? From what Christ said, it had.
Cash can be a distraction for us in the church. And our focus on it to have a "better ministry or ministries" CAN take away from the simple truth of God's Word as the central focus. Our relationship with God comes from hearing God's Word through song, scripture, and sermons, prayer, and through the sacraments. We pray that God give us the ability to focus and not let other "things" take away from hearing God's Word and sharing His Word with others. We pray that when we need money, it is only to serve Him better and to bring meaning to the ministry of God's Word.
Hope Men's Ministry
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Devotion 5.14.15
I have a friend who has decided to become a new man. I see him regularly at my workout place (Zach's) and have for the past couple of months, and we have said hello to one another. I finally decided to ask him one day about working out (see, he wasn't really known for working out before, he was known for....well, raising heck - that's the devotional way to put it). He was great at raising heck. Much as they say about any profession, there is a science and an art to it, and this guy had them down.
So when I asked, he looked right at me and said, "I gave up the booze and stuff and have committed to eating right and have committed to working out every day. Have been clean the past three months." Good for you, I said. It's showing, I continued, starting to gain some muscle mass. Keep up the good work.
I wonder what his "cathartic" event was? What made him decide it was time? He's not married, so not the mrs saying take your foolish ways and go. No children to say, "Dad, quit embarrassing us." Something convinced him and made him decide to move forward in life.
Isaiah's cathartic event was probably hours of God, in a vision, telling him the of the faithlessness of Israel. It takes up the first five chapters of Isaiah. God is fairly blunt and leaves no room for escape. Finally, Isaiah sees God on His throne surrounded by angels (seraphs), and Isaiah confesses his uncleanliness, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty!" (6:5)
Isaiah, the prophet to come, hears God's words and confesses his conviction, and God hears his call. "Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it, he touched my mouth and said, 'See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." (6:6-7) A sacramental act combining a physical means with the Word of God to deliver forgiveness and renewal. God then asks the broad question, "Whom shall I send?" to which Isaiah answers, "Here I am! Send me!" (6:8)
What prompts us to change? What convicts us? U2 notes in a song, "If you want to kiss the sky better learn how to kneel." When do we, somewhat like my friend, look at God and say, "Thy will be done" and mean it? All of us are as guilty as Israel, and God provides that same forgiveness he gave Isaiah through our sacraments (baptism and communion) where visible elements of water or bread and wine (body and blood) combine with the words of Christ to cleanse our hearts and minds.
As we approach God's altar, do we approach on bended knee? Do we truly seek the will of God? And do we then, as we are forgiven and are renewed, turn to Christ and say, "Send me! Thy will be done!"? As Isaiah famously states later, "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." We pray for his strength daily and go to him humble, on bent knee, as we confess to him and seek his forgiveness and renewal.
Hope Men's Ministry
So when I asked, he looked right at me and said, "I gave up the booze and stuff and have committed to eating right and have committed to working out every day. Have been clean the past three months." Good for you, I said. It's showing, I continued, starting to gain some muscle mass. Keep up the good work.
I wonder what his "cathartic" event was? What made him decide it was time? He's not married, so not the mrs saying take your foolish ways and go. No children to say, "Dad, quit embarrassing us." Something convinced him and made him decide to move forward in life.
Isaiah's cathartic event was probably hours of God, in a vision, telling him the of the faithlessness of Israel. It takes up the first five chapters of Isaiah. God is fairly blunt and leaves no room for escape. Finally, Isaiah sees God on His throne surrounded by angels (seraphs), and Isaiah confesses his uncleanliness, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty!" (6:5)
Isaiah, the prophet to come, hears God's words and confesses his conviction, and God hears his call. "Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it, he touched my mouth and said, 'See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." (6:6-7) A sacramental act combining a physical means with the Word of God to deliver forgiveness and renewal. God then asks the broad question, "Whom shall I send?" to which Isaiah answers, "Here I am! Send me!" (6:8)
What prompts us to change? What convicts us? U2 notes in a song, "If you want to kiss the sky better learn how to kneel." When do we, somewhat like my friend, look at God and say, "Thy will be done" and mean it? All of us are as guilty as Israel, and God provides that same forgiveness he gave Isaiah through our sacraments (baptism and communion) where visible elements of water or bread and wine (body and blood) combine with the words of Christ to cleanse our hearts and minds.
As we approach God's altar, do we approach on bended knee? Do we truly seek the will of God? And do we then, as we are forgiven and are renewed, turn to Christ and say, "Send me! Thy will be done!"? As Isaiah famously states later, "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." We pray for his strength daily and go to him humble, on bent knee, as we confess to him and seek his forgiveness and renewal.
Hope Men's Ministry
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