The conversation between a friend of mine and I goes something like this: "Checked out the obituaries this morning to see if you or I were in there. We weren't, so we have another day." I do occasionally scan the obituaries just in case I need to send a message of sorrow and comfort to someone I know or have worked with. Today (Monday) I noted a poignant obit for a very young child named Brolin Hardin (age 4).
The introduction struck me in that it said, "completed his earthly mission." Later in the obit it said, "He truly understood life was to be lived and not observed." What a great reminder for us all.
Paul writes, "...but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me....My desire is to die and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account (the church in Philippi)." (1:20 - 24)
My earthly mission and even my death should be a testimony to Christ. Pray that we live each day understanding that life is to be lived and not observed, and that we live each day honoring Christ in our bodies. Pray that our labor is fruitful as we ask the Spirit to use us to proclaim the good news of Christ, each in our own way.
Hope Men's Ministry
Monday, October 12, 2015
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Devotion 10.12.15
We don't recognize second place. Never mind the basement dwellers, we aren't even talking about them. We are talking about the finalists who don't get the prize. The two others interviewed for CEO who didn't get it. The three finalists for the teaching position. The military officer who sought the promotion, but instead, it went to someone else named Eisenhower. The silver medalist. The team who lost the Super Bowl. You get the idea. Why are we so hard on accomplishment that isn't the winner of the gold, the prize, the top spot?
There was once a Nike commercial that featured a runner running through the streets of the city at night. He ran, and ran, and ran, and then the commercial ended with the phrase, "There is no finish line." Life, in all facets, is a continual race with no end until the final day. Some days we win, and some days we don't. Yet we continue trying and working, striving to achieve.
It is through that lens that Paul talks to us at the beginning of Philippians. "...because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus." (1:5 & 6)
Our work here on earth is for a brief time. Each generation doing the same. While we may not see our works brought to completion in our lifetime, we focus on Christ's Word at work in us. One day we will see that work come to completion, but it may not be in our lifetime. Our work, Paul's work, and the generations before and after us, will only see it come to completion in the day of Christ Jesus. There is no finish line until he returns. Pray that we use our time and energy focused on God's Word which brings about good work in us for Christ's glory.
Hope Men's Ministry
There was once a Nike commercial that featured a runner running through the streets of the city at night. He ran, and ran, and ran, and then the commercial ended with the phrase, "There is no finish line." Life, in all facets, is a continual race with no end until the final day. Some days we win, and some days we don't. Yet we continue trying and working, striving to achieve.
It is through that lens that Paul talks to us at the beginning of Philippians. "...because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus." (1:5 & 6)
Our work here on earth is for a brief time. Each generation doing the same. While we may not see our works brought to completion in our lifetime, we focus on Christ's Word at work in us. One day we will see that work come to completion, but it may not be in our lifetime. Our work, Paul's work, and the generations before and after us, will only see it come to completion in the day of Christ Jesus. There is no finish line until he returns. Pray that we use our time and energy focused on God's Word which brings about good work in us for Christ's glory.
Hope Men's Ministry
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Devotion 10.7.15
"This is a very important lesson. You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end - which you can never afford to lose - with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever that might be." Admiral Jim Stockdale, Vietnam veteran, survivor of eight years in the prisoner of war camp "The Hanoi Hilton."
Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, used that concept in his book in what he called the Stockdale Paradox, which he named after Stockdale told Collins who did not survive in the prison camp. Who didn't survive? "The optimists. Oh, they were the ones who said, 'We're going to be out by Christmas, and then Christmas would come, and Christmas would go.... And they would die of a broken heart.'" Hence his statement, "the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality."
How does that speak to you in your current reality? Many of us know the depths that life can take us, so when we are in highs, we know that status is temporary. Something is just around the corner either lurking to snare us or waiting as life takes its many turns. In short, we should be "in the moment" even though we also know to look toward the future.
Paul tells us, "For I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstance." (Philippians 4:11) Paul was a learned man who had achieved greatness prior to his call from Christ and then suffered much for Christ, including prison.
If you are in the depths of the valley right now, our prayer is that you are lifted by God's hand from your circumstance. If you are in the highs of life right now, our prayer is of thanksgiving and that you not get restless because of successes. In all, we pray that prayer Paul prays for our lives that "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
Hope Men's Ministry
Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, used that concept in his book in what he called the Stockdale Paradox, which he named after Stockdale told Collins who did not survive in the prison camp. Who didn't survive? "The optimists. Oh, they were the ones who said, 'We're going to be out by Christmas, and then Christmas would come, and Christmas would go.... And they would die of a broken heart.'" Hence his statement, "the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality."
How does that speak to you in your current reality? Many of us know the depths that life can take us, so when we are in highs, we know that status is temporary. Something is just around the corner either lurking to snare us or waiting as life takes its many turns. In short, we should be "in the moment" even though we also know to look toward the future.
Paul tells us, "For I have learned to be content in whatever the circumstance." (Philippians 4:11) Paul was a learned man who had achieved greatness prior to his call from Christ and then suffered much for Christ, including prison.
If you are in the depths of the valley right now, our prayer is that you are lifted by God's hand from your circumstance. If you are in the highs of life right now, our prayer is of thanksgiving and that you not get restless because of successes. In all, we pray that prayer Paul prays for our lives that "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)
Hope Men's Ministry
Monday, October 5, 2015
Devotion 10.06.15
Daniel Levitin has written a book titled The Organized Mind which is a detailed analysis on the brain, the mind, how it functions, how we learn, how it organizes, and the implications that has for us. The subtitle describes its direction, "Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload." We've had people state observations, largely incorrect, in the past 15 years as technology has produced a variety of opportunities for distractions. The result is some mistakenly state that people, especially those 30 and under, have developed a capacity to "multi-task." Levitin, and many studies cited from MIT, state that is not true.
The brain (the organ) and mind (consciousness) developed over the past several thousand years, functioning on its surroundings and its ability to create, sort, organize, think, and remember. Because, as he notes, the memory in the mind is highly fallible, humans have relied on language, the written language, to help it organize and track its observations, thoughts, memory, learnings, and other operations. He states early in the book that the first forms of writing have been with regard to our ancestors patterns from hunter/gatherer to settling in an area with centers, soon to become cities, largely to process commerce such as agriculture. So, he says, the first forms of writing we have are items such as inventory and sales. Literature comes much later.
A joke in a movie I've watched a thousand times is when Dr. Evil, in "Austin Powers," claims his father was eccentric and claimed to have invented the question mark (?). Yet as language developed and the written word followed suit, when did a question appear first appear? It is worth noting that Moses (who records in writing the oral traditions and stories that existed before him) gives us the first account of a question after creation in Genesis 3. Here we find Satan asking Eve, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'" (v 1) This isn't claiming that questioning is evil, but note how it is used here. Eve correctly asserts God's desires in response to Satan, after which Satan entertains the doubt of what God actually said, responding, "You will not surely die...." (v 4) You know the rest of this story.
Yes, we love to question. In many instances, it is healthy, and in many instances, it is sinful. Caste just enough doubt, but make sure my hands aren't on this at all. "Hey, I just asked the question. I've not made an accusation." To question can be a form of true thought, and it can be a form of true divisiveness.
We are thankful for God creating in us a mind shaped in his image that can be used to create beautiful works as well as perform miraculous feats and modern advances. We also pray that we use these powerful tools he's given us to bring glory to our Creator, and we pray a prayer of thanksgiving that He sent His Son to die for those sins we commit when our minds create far less than glorious things.
Hope Men's Ministry
The brain (the organ) and mind (consciousness) developed over the past several thousand years, functioning on its surroundings and its ability to create, sort, organize, think, and remember. Because, as he notes, the memory in the mind is highly fallible, humans have relied on language, the written language, to help it organize and track its observations, thoughts, memory, learnings, and other operations. He states early in the book that the first forms of writing have been with regard to our ancestors patterns from hunter/gatherer to settling in an area with centers, soon to become cities, largely to process commerce such as agriculture. So, he says, the first forms of writing we have are items such as inventory and sales. Literature comes much later.
A joke in a movie I've watched a thousand times is when Dr. Evil, in "Austin Powers," claims his father was eccentric and claimed to have invented the question mark (?). Yet as language developed and the written word followed suit, when did a question appear first appear? It is worth noting that Moses (who records in writing the oral traditions and stories that existed before him) gives us the first account of a question after creation in Genesis 3. Here we find Satan asking Eve, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'" (v 1) This isn't claiming that questioning is evil, but note how it is used here. Eve correctly asserts God's desires in response to Satan, after which Satan entertains the doubt of what God actually said, responding, "You will not surely die...." (v 4) You know the rest of this story.
Yes, we love to question. In many instances, it is healthy, and in many instances, it is sinful. Caste just enough doubt, but make sure my hands aren't on this at all. "Hey, I just asked the question. I've not made an accusation." To question can be a form of true thought, and it can be a form of true divisiveness.
We are thankful for God creating in us a mind shaped in his image that can be used to create beautiful works as well as perform miraculous feats and modern advances. We also pray that we use these powerful tools he's given us to bring glory to our Creator, and we pray a prayer of thanksgiving that He sent His Son to die for those sins we commit when our minds create far less than glorious things.
Hope Men's Ministry
Monday, September 28, 2015
Devotion 9.28.15
Did you know...?
A study was done in the 1990s in which the researchers interviewed Harvard graduates. The question as they were still in cap and gown? "What causes the phases of the moon?" A high percentage stated that the phases of the moon are the result of what caused last night's much anticipated and watched lunar eclipse. Each graduate would say, "The earth coming between the sun and moon," as his or her answer to the question, which is incorrect. What causes such a high percentage of people to be wrong? The answer is someone somewhere in their education got it wrong. Educators are taught this to stress the importance of being correct conceptually and factually in what we teach because it takes considerable effort to re-teach a concept or fact learned incorrectly. Which was why the Harvard answers were used to stress that point.
As Christians, where do we "get it wrong?" We have the Word of God in front of us, yet we still act as though God's Word is news to us. Take the example of the disciples in Matthew, who only heard Christ tell them of his suffering, death, and resurrection three times, and each time Christ told them of this, you could sense the loss of the magnitude of his words on them. In one case, we hear the disciples begin to ask who, then, would be first in his kingdom and sit at his right and left, as though they understood he would die, so who would take his place? (Matthew 20)
When are we most like this? We have read and heard the message, but we just don't get it? Pray that we seek God's Will in our lives and that we learn to apply the answers God provides from his Word correctly, in heart and mind.
Hope Men's Ministry
A study was done in the 1990s in which the researchers interviewed Harvard graduates. The question as they were still in cap and gown? "What causes the phases of the moon?" A high percentage stated that the phases of the moon are the result of what caused last night's much anticipated and watched lunar eclipse. Each graduate would say, "The earth coming between the sun and moon," as his or her answer to the question, which is incorrect. What causes such a high percentage of people to be wrong? The answer is someone somewhere in their education got it wrong. Educators are taught this to stress the importance of being correct conceptually and factually in what we teach because it takes considerable effort to re-teach a concept or fact learned incorrectly. Which was why the Harvard answers were used to stress that point.
As Christians, where do we "get it wrong?" We have the Word of God in front of us, yet we still act as though God's Word is news to us. Take the example of the disciples in Matthew, who only heard Christ tell them of his suffering, death, and resurrection three times, and each time Christ told them of this, you could sense the loss of the magnitude of his words on them. In one case, we hear the disciples begin to ask who, then, would be first in his kingdom and sit at his right and left, as though they understood he would die, so who would take his place? (Matthew 20)
When are we most like this? We have read and heard the message, but we just don't get it? Pray that we seek God's Will in our lives and that we learn to apply the answers God provides from his Word correctly, in heart and mind.
Hope Men's Ministry
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Devotion 9.25.15
The pope has come to America and people seem genuinely enamored by his presence. While perhaps some people may come to faith as a result of his visit, we do realize the vast differences that genuinely separate our faiths.
Christ says, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well." (John 14:6)
Faith is our only justification and is a gift from God. "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8, 9)
The Spirit intercedes in our prayers. "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26)
Our works are in response to the love of Christ and Christ alone, and not for justification or any other "good" in the eyes of people or God. "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)
We pray that those who listen to the pope, or anyone representing themselves as people of faith, hear the truth, and we pray that God's truth come to us through the Spirit. We pray that we are on guard, all of us, to speak the truth in love from God's Word and not our own understanding of God's Word.
We pray that good may come from the pope's widely covered visit, and that people are moved to the truth of God's grace through his Son Jesus Christ and Christ alone. We pray they hear and understand the miracle of justification provided from God's gift of his Son through his suffering, death, and resurrection, and that our only means of grace is from Christ and the gift of faith from the Spirit.
Hope Men's Ministry
Christ says, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well." (John 14:6)
Faith is our only justification and is a gift from God. "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8, 9)
The Spirit intercedes in our prayers. "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26)
Our works are in response to the love of Christ and Christ alone, and not for justification or any other "good" in the eyes of people or God. "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)
We pray that those who listen to the pope, or anyone representing themselves as people of faith, hear the truth, and we pray that God's truth come to us through the Spirit. We pray that we are on guard, all of us, to speak the truth in love from God's Word and not our own understanding of God's Word.
We pray that good may come from the pope's widely covered visit, and that people are moved to the truth of God's grace through his Son Jesus Christ and Christ alone. We pray they hear and understand the miracle of justification provided from God's gift of his Son through his suffering, death, and resurrection, and that our only means of grace is from Christ and the gift of faith from the Spirit.
Hope Men's Ministry
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Devotion 9.23.15
Lawrence "Yogi" Berra was born in 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri. He lived on "The Hill," which my father-in-law (also from St. Louis and born three years later) called "Dago Hill," a slang (and derogatory, I realize, but it adds to the flavor of St. Louis and the era) term for Italians. Like all the kids of their time, cork ball in the streets of the city was how baseball was learned.
Berra was known for scrappy play as catcher for the NY Yankees from 1946 - 1963, and he was an active part of a team that went to the World Series 14 times while he played winning 10 times. Berra is a Hall of Fame player who moved baseball from the radio and ballpark era to the television era, noted in David Halberstam's "Summer of '49." Berra was aggressive behind the plate and was a hitter as well. When being teased by his teammates for his ugly facial features, Berra noted, "You don't hit with your face."
Berra had a serious side to him, having served in the Navy in World War II participating in the invasion of Normandy.
We know him best for his "yogi-isms," and they are many. When asked for directions to his house, he knew that the driver would come to a fork in the road, which he also knew either choice would get you there. We know it as the "when you come a fork in the road, take it" comment. As a lifetime learner of the sport, he noted once that with baseball, "You can observe a lot just by watching." And of course, his observations were keen having been a catcher turned manager. When discussing his team, he once stated astutely, "We made too many wrong mistakes."
Berra is the end of an era for us. He was the last of a period in which baseball was unrivaled and the last of a dynasty in the NY Yankees. Baseball is much more statistical these days with its sophisticated "metric" system. Casey Stengel, a fellow Missourian who managed the Yankees while Berra was the catcher, chose to ignore stats and followed his instincts. Angry with a heavily hung-over Mickey Mantel early in Mantle's career, Stengel finally pulled him off the bench just to make him suffer and at least go bat. Mantle begged off, but Stengel made him bat. The story is that Mantle went out and promptly hit a home run, jogged the bases, and returned to the bench. Stengel's point languished in Mantle's success.
Yet for those of us who saw Berra as a manager (and some may have seen him play), that era is gone, and Berra's passing tells us that. The generation that defined the United States in the 20th century is slipping away from us.
So, we are left to wonder if Berra's observation will hold true. "You should always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't come to yours." One observation we note that holds no truth is this, "It ain't over 'til it's over." Yogi, as believers, it's never over. Our lives may slip away from grip of our earthly existence, but the promise of Christ's resurrection is there for us all. So, we will meet one day and see if God is enjoying your presence as much as we did, complete with an interpreter.
We are saddened by his passing, and saddened further that the generation that served us so well in so many ways leaves us, but we rejoice in the resurrection and everlasting life provided for us. It won't be the same without Yogi. As he once said, "The future, it ain't what it used to be."
Hope Men's Ministry
Berra was known for scrappy play as catcher for the NY Yankees from 1946 - 1963, and he was an active part of a team that went to the World Series 14 times while he played winning 10 times. Berra is a Hall of Fame player who moved baseball from the radio and ballpark era to the television era, noted in David Halberstam's "Summer of '49." Berra was aggressive behind the plate and was a hitter as well. When being teased by his teammates for his ugly facial features, Berra noted, "You don't hit with your face."
Berra had a serious side to him, having served in the Navy in World War II participating in the invasion of Normandy.
We know him best for his "yogi-isms," and they are many. When asked for directions to his house, he knew that the driver would come to a fork in the road, which he also knew either choice would get you there. We know it as the "when you come a fork in the road, take it" comment. As a lifetime learner of the sport, he noted once that with baseball, "You can observe a lot just by watching." And of course, his observations were keen having been a catcher turned manager. When discussing his team, he once stated astutely, "We made too many wrong mistakes."
Berra is the end of an era for us. He was the last of a period in which baseball was unrivaled and the last of a dynasty in the NY Yankees. Baseball is much more statistical these days with its sophisticated "metric" system. Casey Stengel, a fellow Missourian who managed the Yankees while Berra was the catcher, chose to ignore stats and followed his instincts. Angry with a heavily hung-over Mickey Mantel early in Mantle's career, Stengel finally pulled him off the bench just to make him suffer and at least go bat. Mantle begged off, but Stengel made him bat. The story is that Mantle went out and promptly hit a home run, jogged the bases, and returned to the bench. Stengel's point languished in Mantle's success.
Yet for those of us who saw Berra as a manager (and some may have seen him play), that era is gone, and Berra's passing tells us that. The generation that defined the United States in the 20th century is slipping away from us.
So, we are left to wonder if Berra's observation will hold true. "You should always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't come to yours." One observation we note that holds no truth is this, "It ain't over 'til it's over." Yogi, as believers, it's never over. Our lives may slip away from grip of our earthly existence, but the promise of Christ's resurrection is there for us all. So, we will meet one day and see if God is enjoying your presence as much as we did, complete with an interpreter.
We are saddened by his passing, and saddened further that the generation that served us so well in so many ways leaves us, but we rejoice in the resurrection and everlasting life provided for us. It won't be the same without Yogi. As he once said, "The future, it ain't what it used to be."
Hope Men's Ministry
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