Less Miserable

Our current sermon series is a study through the book of Philippians entitled “Less Miserable”, not so cleverly stolen from the recent movie adaptation of the Victor Hugo’s classic novel, Les Misérables. Hugo’s story is very basically a story of forgiveness and grace offered and restored but also rejected.  The main character, Valjean, had every reason to be bitter but, because of grace extended, his life took a joyful turn even through tragedy.  Another primary character, Javert, had every reason to be content with his life because of his position of power and prestige. He was, however, burdened greatly and although an amazing act of forgiveness and grace was extended which saved his life, he was unable to take hold of what was provided, thus destroying his life.

It isn’t all that difficult to see how Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi contrasts with Les Misérables. Unjustly imprisoned, simply because of his teaching of Jesus Christ, it would be understandable if Paul railed against those who imprisoned him and also those who were actively opposing him. Paul, however, was able to view his situation with a completely different perspective because of Jesus Christ.

I Rejoice…

             I always pray with Joy…

                                    I will continue to Rejoice…

                                                                 Because of this I Rejoice…

                                                                                            Rejoice in the Lord Always…

Get the picture?  Chains, opposition and execution on the horizon, Paul was able to rejoice because where he was could not compare to where he was going. “To live is Christ and To Die is Gain…What shall I choose?” (Phil 1:21,22)

Our worldly thought process prevents us from thinking that way.  Paul however, gives us the key to changing that mindset.  He tells us that true joy in this ugly world can only be achieved when we learn to develop the “Mindset of Christ” (Phil 2:5).  Jesus’ entire life was dedicated to Love God – Love People. (Mark 12:29-31)

It is only with that Mindset…that Perspective that we can live as Valjean, forgiven and truly free.  Without it, we live as Javert and that didn’t end well.  Rejoice!

Joy Comes in The Morning

It was truly amazing.  Sitting at the church with my IPad in front of me I was able to watch, LIVE, the historic tornado that swept through central Oklahoma and left destruction, devastation and death along its path. It was so surreal, so amazing…so heartbreaking.

Technology has given us so many advantages but there are also some great disadvantages. In the case of the tornado, watching as it transpired seemed to lessen the impact of what was truly happening on the ground.  It was almost as if I was watching a television show rather than human tragedy occurring before my very eyes. What really affected me most weren’t the live images flashing across my screen but the photographs of Moore, OK hours later that so clearly displayed the humanity of that historic event.

Walking through the book of Philippians, it struck me while watching, reading and listening to those affected by the tornado how unbelievably difficult it would be to find a place of joy in one’s life, after losing so much. Does such a place even exist in our human condition?

I believe Paul points out in his amazing letter to the church in Philippi, that no, in the human condition, that place does not exist.  How then, can you find peace and joy when everything you hold precious and dear has been literally snatched from your fingertips?

This Peace, This Joy can only be found in the creator.  Philippians 4 tells us to lift all our cares, pains, anxieties…everything to the throne of God and there, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)

Daily, in our human condition, circumstances, people, things and worry can quickly distract and discourage us. We strive to grasp hold of that brass ring but it continuously evades our reach. Yet, as near as the Holy Spirit dwelling within us who have been saved by the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we can claim the promise sung by the Psalmist, “weeping may stay for the night, but JOY comes in the morning.” (Ps 30:5)

Our hearts pour out for those so horribly touched by the tragedy in Oklahoma and we lift up prayers daily for them.  As we pray for Oklahoma let’s also be mindful of those devastated by circumstances, people, things and worry in their lives so they can lift up their eyes and see, “where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Ps 121:1-2)

Letter to a Friend

It's been a while since my last foray into the blogosphere. Anyone who knows me knows I am never at a loss for words. However, although I always have something to say, I have found that having something interesting, compelling or meaningful to say is an entirely different story.

As many of my family of faith know, I have set forth on a journey toward serving my Heavenly Father and making a difference in the world around me. I have made available to my church family a brochure that describes "My Journey" and will be glad to provide it to anyone who requests. The primary reason for this brochure is to provide the church family God has called me to serve with an understanding of where I am leading and to hold me accountable.

Below is a thank you letter I wrote to a brother in Christ. When 2013 began, I asked him for reading recommendations. The first book he recommended has significantly impacted my thought process and has confirmed what my heart was saying although my weak and often frivolous mind was unable to fully comprehend. Because of God's "Amazing Grace" I understand more clearly why I am where I am today.

I want to write you a note to say thank you! Asking you for recommendations for reading material, one of your recommendations has provided an answer to one of my deepest questions.

After leaving the ministry in 1996 forever...at least in my own mind...I embarked on a wilderness journey.  Never losing my faith or my desire to serve and make a difference, I continued to teach whenever possible and committed myself to working with youth, primarily because of my two sons who were entering their high school years.

Throughout my sandy walk in the desert of my self-imposed wilderness, I continued with my personal mission statement to "make a difference", although this difference was from my own understanding, attempts and desires. I did not lean upon the Spirit for any "other world" influence and guidance.

A few years back I heard the voice and movement of the Holy Spirit, perhaps, for the first time in my life. As my home church was shaken to her very core, divisiveness and discouragement became the common experience within our family of faith, I felt called for the first time in over a decade. I stood immediately and since that day our gracious and unquestionably humorous God has lead me to the place I am today.

A year ago I began entering into the promise land, leaving the desert behind. I began ministering full time and have been experiencing the graciousness of God on a daily basis. To this day, one year later, I wake up praising God and pinching myself to see if this is really a fabulous dream. Since this new beginning I have been searching my heart, asking God, why now? Why here? Why me? The book you recommended by Philip Yancey, "What's So Amazing about Grace" has provided me with many of the questions I have been asking.

From reading this book, I am now more aware of the direction my service to the Kingdom needs to take.  I have been moving in that direction over the past year, but I really did not have the words to adequately describe this new journey. I now see that my ministry must leadership in extending grace to a world that has no clue what grace is all about...not that I claim to have a good handle on it, but I certainly understand at this point that my thought process needs to be undergirded with a growing understanding and clarity of "What is so amazing about grace."

I have never been a man that desired to be led by God.  I was perfectly content with being a goof throughout my entire life (as you may well remember sharing classrooms with me). I now am a man with a mission, and by the grace of God, for however long God affords me the privilege to serve Him, I will work with passion and intensity to live, teach and preach within the light of God's amazing grace.

Brother, thank you for your excellent recommendation.

Kings and Kingdoms

It’s been a while since my lasted excursion into the world of cyber-literacy. It’s not that I didn’t have anything to say (if you know me you know I do not suffer the lack of words) but I really didn’t know how to express my thoughts in a coherent way (again, if you know me…)

 

First, allow me a word about politics (skip a couple paragraphs if you have no desire to hear about politics). Politics has been my only spectator sport for many years. Got a question about a politician or policy? I have an opinion. However, allow me to pass on what I wrote to the church I serve in my bi-monthly email blast:

Election Day is behind us. I pray that the nastiness, bitterness, anger and meanness that have been prevalent will also end. I have been deeply saddened by the level of animosity that has been displayed. I pray that all of us can make it our priority to be Salt and Light and not Pepper Spray. If God’s people are not the voices of compassion, forgiveness and forbearance, then from where will those voices come?

Our journey through “The Story” takes us to Chapter 10, Standing Tall, Falling Hard. It tells us the story, from I Samuel, about how the children of Israel clamored, whined, begged and complained that all the other nations had a king, why couldn’t they. The problem, however, was that they DID have a king…a majestic power house of unimaginable strength, but for some reason they were unable to see Him because of their jealousy of their next door neighbors.  “I want what they got.” “They have one, please, Please, PLEASE, can I have one too?”

Unfortunately for them, God said “OK”, and provided them with a king named Saul. God also warned them that even with a king, if they continued to look elsewhere rather than upward, no matter who was sitting in the oval office, things weren’t going to work out well. And, it didn’t. King Saul, not only disobeyed God, he also threw his underlings under the bus (sound familiar?).

There was another time in the nation of Israel's history that comes to mind with regard to earthly kings and the King of Kings.

“Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. But they shouted,

“Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”

“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered. John 19:14-15

The Jews are not the only ones that looked horizontally for leadership, guidance and governance. Just turn on the news…pick a station, any station…and you will hear exactly the same thing today as 2000 years ago.

A bit of Old School for you that may be wet behind the ears.  There was a song with these words:

Emperors have tried to destroy it, Philosophies have tried to stamp it out. Tyrants have tried to wash it from the face of the earth with the very blood of those who claimed it, yet it still stands. And there shall be that final day when every voice that has ever uttered a sound, every voice of Adam's race shall raise in one mighty chorus to proclaim the name of Jesus, for that day every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ Is truly Lord!

You see, it was not mere chance that caused an angel one night long ago to say to a virgin maiden, His name, his name shall be called Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, you know, there is something about that name.

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away

But there's something about that name.

(“There’s Something about that Name” Bill and Gloria Gaither)

Joshua ended his service to Israel, and closed out his life with these words;

“…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Daily, we choose where we look for leadership, guidance and assistance.  Choose wisely, your eternal destination depends upon it.

Impossible Dreams

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

I always loved “The Impossible Dream” from the Broadway play “Man from La Mancha”. I can still hear Robert Goulet’s incredible baritone voice singing it. 

Dreaming the impossible dream. When do we come to the realization that our dreams are impossible?  What causes them to become impossible? As we get older some of us crash into some startling and unexpected observations. For instance, we all dreamed big dreams when we were younger. But as we rush through our twenties, thirties, and forties, we eventually slam head on into the realization that some of our dreams will never be realized. Mid-life crisis anyone?

Some miss out on some of their dreams, not because life got away from them, but because of bad choices got the better of them.  Others watch their dreams disappear because of circumstances beyond their control. Still others run into difficulties realizing their dreams so they give up and settle for less.

Joseph, of the multi-colored coat fame, had some huge dreams that through the events of one day of betrayal and deception disappeared as the fog lifts when the sun rises. He dreamed that one day he would be in such a position of responsibility and power that even his 10 older brothers would all bow down to him. (Note to reader…do NOT tell older brothers about a dream where they have to bow down to you…it will most likely not end well for you.)

At the age of seventeen Joseph found himself a souvenir purchased by a band of Ishmaelites heading to Egypt.  In Egypt the boy was sold to the Captain of Pharaoh’s palace guard, Potiphar. But, even though his dream seemed dashed, he found unexpected success and moved up the slave chain of command to head of the entire household.  Not the anticipated dream, but not bad for a kid thrown into a well by his own brothers.

But, that didn’t last long. Potiphar’s wife got the hots for “well-built and handsome” Joseph and made multiple not all too subtle advances to the point that Joseph had to run away from her, with his cloak left in her hand. She cried rape, he was arrested and into jail you go buddy.

His life was a rollercoaster ride. One minute a slave the next in charge of Potiphar’s house. Suddenly off to prison and ending up in charge of the prison. Then he found himself in front of Pharaoh, to interpret his dreams. With God’s help he was able to warn Pharaoh that Egypt would have seven years of bumper crops and he needed to store up because those great seven years will be followed immediately by seven years of famine. Recognizing his wisdom, Pharaoh put Joseph second in command of all of Egypt.

Because of God’s direct involvement in his life, Joseph was able to save his family; the same family that God was building into a nation. Joseph was in position to bring his family to Egypt and give them the most fertile land in Egypt to live and work. And it was definitely fertile. In the time they were there they were “fruitful and increased greatly” (Exodus 1:7).

Joseph could have lost his life getting caught up in the details of his life, chasing his dreams and desires. Instead, he chose a better story. God’s story.

You can do the same. If your life’s dream has stalled, look to God. If your dream now realized is not all you thought it would be, look to God. He can give you another dream. A better one, not according to the world’s standard but God’s great plan. Just like Joseph’s. Then you’ll have a story to tell.

To dream the impossible dream. "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Keep on dreaming, focusing, and aligning yourself to God’s Upper Story. One day, those dreams will become reality. They will then become Your Story.