WORD 7

I have found myself watching more football the last few years.  I can’t really say I am a fanatical fan for any team or even the game itself.  I think rather my new interest is simply a matter of sharing this small passion with my sons.  We all follow different teams, enjoy when one another’s team wins but also like to jab at each other when they are losing. Family fun!

You cannot watch much football without noticing that some people seem to believe it is a way of life.  They proudly never miss a game, travel out of town to see their team and make a three hour game into an all-day event.  Some team’s fans seem to be more dedicated than others and what is surprising to me is this extreme dedication doesn’t seem to require a winning team.  Really, how do you keep getting up, paint your body, and make your signs week after week when any reasonably intelligent person knows that for your team to win, the other team will have to collapse.  How could so many people be so wrong?  If an outsider were to show up at one of these stadiums they would no doubt be caught up in all the emotion and go along with the crowd, never knowing that defeat not victory is at hand.

After giving this question some thought, I believe there are three groups of people being trapped on this pathway to defeat.

First, there are the FOLLOWERS.  They really have no knowledge of the game at all.  They simply showed up with a friend, found the environment intoxicating and went along with the crowd.  What a shock it will be for them when the game is over and they are informed that they are on the losing side!  I am sure they will be looking at their friend and asking why they misinformed them.  However, they could have spent just a little time studying up on the game and discovered the truth for their selves, but thought it was unimportant and chose not to.

Second, and perhaps the largest group is the HOPEFUL.   Make no mistake this group is knowledgeable about the game.  They understand the consequences of each play, know their team really hasn’t got a chance, but yet keep hoping for a good result.  They understand that their stand with the team is risky but they enjoy the game and the atmosphere and continue to hope everything will turn out okay.  Hope is a powerful commodity, but it rarely yields results when it goes against wisdom and knowledge, barring divine intervention of course.  In the end, you just feel bad knowing that you really knew better all along but simply ignored what you knew to be the truth.

Lastly, there are some that are totally DECEIVED.  One cannot talk about deception without noting the strange condition that exists in the fact that those who are deceived don’t know they are deceived, because they are, in fact, deceived.  This group of fans can no longer see or hear the wisdom and knowledge around them about their team, they simply believe, no they know, their team is going to win every game.  You cannot have a realistic conversation with these people since they have become blind to all that is real.  When defeat comes they believe they have been cheated.

Yes the crowd roars, cheers, boos, and groans. They shout instructions to the coaches and players.  Yet in the end, nothing the crowd does or doesn’t do has any real bearing on the results.  Game Over!

However, one thing makes football better than the reality of our everyday lives.  On any given Sunday some teams can defy wisdom, knowledge, talent, skill and preparation and WIN!  This is what keeps us all coming back for more.

Life on the other hand doesn’t quite work that way.  Yet some of us still want to use a “follow the crowd” plan for our lives. We convince ourselves; if everyone is doing it, it can’t be wrong.  Yet as the Sunday football crowd has proven, just because a lot of people believe something to be true that doesn’t make it true.

Every Sunday I hang out with another group of fans at church.  While doing this most of my life I have noticed some changes along the way, some good and some bad.  One major change seems to be how we, the church, have shifted our view of what constitutes sin and holiness.  We started using phrases like “God understands” with regard to our human short comings, thereby making it acceptable (in our minds) to live contrary to the truth of God’s word.  I am convinced that as a group some of us are just following along with the crowd, others are hoping that their behavior is acceptable and it will all be ok in the end, and yet others are truly deceived.

History, of both the world and the church, has shown us over and over again that the majority can be wrong.  In times past these errors in judgment by mankind have yielded catastrophic results, yet mankind has endured.

As the church, however, we could be placing ourselves on a path that will not allow for correction.  When the game of life is over we will not get a do over.  It is heartbreaking for me to contemplate that many in today’s churches could find themselves at the final judgment, dismayed to discover they are on the losing side.

This is where someone always shouts out, but God is love or God is mercy and grace.  These things are true, yet we are deceived if we believe one truth does away with another.  God’s word is true in its entirety, not just the selected quotes we prefer.  God’s gift of grace does not erase the truth that He is a just God and despite what many think today, justice does not equate to fairness, but that is a blog for another day.

Success is achieved when we, as individuals, correct ourselves.  It’s not too late to make sure you are on the winning team!

One of the truths I have based my life on is the immortal words of Harry Callahan “A man’s got to know his limitations”.  Now for my younger readers you should be able to Google Harry and learn all about this statesman (ha ha).  For the rest of us we should know that regardless of the source these words are true.   While God is limitless and nothing is impossible for me while being used by Him, on my own I have some serious limitations.

While some might say I am totally useless, it seems to me that God has blessed me with a very broad set of talents, skills, and knowledge.  These have served me well while following His direction in both ministry and secular jobs.  However, I have come to learn that even if I can do something, the task might be better served if turned over to a professional.

I remember the first time I decided that the auto mechanic’s prices seemed too high and I knew I could do the job myself.  So I got busy on a Saturday morning ready to save $150 dollars.  As most men can, I got everything disassembled fairly easy but all of a sudden I discovered that I needed a special tool.  I called all my friends and no one had it.  It was also clear to me that the reason no one had it was that after buying it I would probably never use it again the rest of my life but I was committed now.  I was able to get a buddy to come by and give me a ride to purchase the new tool and then back to work to now save $100.

I worked late into the night Saturday and then again Sunday afternoon and evening.  This project that the Professional had priced at 2.5 hours labor kept me busy for nearly sixteen hours!  As is normal for me I began to do the math.  You see I had the money to pay the mechanic but I thought his price was unreasonable.  In addition, I could have worked at my job where I was the professional that Saturday and made enough to pay the mechanic and put the $100 I was trying to save in my pocket.  Clearly it would have been more profitable for me to let the Professional handle this project!

I learned a valuable lesson that weekend.  I never again took someone’s expertise for granted and unless financially impossible, since then I have always sought a professionals help.

Recently I have reevaluated my thinking on some professionals.  It appears that in some areas the professionals are actually doing damage.  Could it be that some areas of our society are better off left to amateurs?

I believe most Americans have now recognized that Professional, Career Politicians no longer serve the best interest of our nation.  I realize that this statement is a generalization and I do believe that there are people that still love this country involved in politics.  However, we (the voters and non voters) have given the power to those that are self seeking and so far we haven’t been able to formulate a strategy to take it back.

Some enter the world of politics solely seeking power.  They long to move and shape our society for their glory and benefit.  Serving our nation and their constituents was never really their goal.  These men and women learn to mask their motives through the use of marketing tools designed to persuade the masses and we continue today to fall victim to these tactics.

Others enter politics desiring to make the world a better place but it seems they are trying to create a heaven without involving God.  They believe that they can pass a law ordering the lion to lay down with the lamb.  Then they follow up with debates about why the lion ate the lamb and what can be done to prevent this anti-social behavior in the future.

All in all it seems that the single most important political goal is re-election.   After all they can’t help us if they are not re-elected so they compromise and do whatever is necessary to stay in office, convincing themselves that the good they might accomplish will out weigh the bad required to be re-elected.  It never does! Compromise breeds more compromise and bad works never produce a good result.

The second group of professionals that I now find myself trying to avoid is Pastors.   Wait a minute all you long time Pastor Bashers back off!  This is not your bandwagon.  I Love Pastors! My Father is a Pastor, and some have even bestowed that title upon me on occasion.  My problem is not with the Chosen of God but with those that choose for themselves to pastor, or as with the politicians, become corrupt along the way.

When I was a boy (once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away) no one in their right mind would choose to become a Pastor.  Pastoring virtually assured that you would live a life of poverty giving your efforts to support people in need and receive little appreciation for your sacrifice.  A pastor’s only hope of reward would have to wait until his or her arrival in Heaven.  Only the truly called of God became Pastors and stuck with it.

I remember the first time I heard someone refer to a person in their family going into the ministry as if it were a career choice.  Having been raised in the church it was clear to me that this person knew nothing about ministry or being called of God and I couldn’t help wonder about the family member in question.  However over the years while watching as the church matured and learned that blessing their Pastor financially had the effect of blessing the church and them as well, I noticed that it seems Pastors have changed.  Men and women called to a local body to do great things were somehow being called away when a church that could offer a better pay package became available.  Likewise God himself couldn’t drag some pastors away from a church with a good pay package even when it has become obvious to everyone that the Pastor’s ministry was completed, or compromised and no longer effective.  Unfortunately, God takes the blame for all these Pastoral decisions.

Our youth over the past ten years have taken the main impact from all this professional pastoring.  It seems no one is called to be a Youth Pastor anymore.  This position is merely a stepping stone on the way to a bigger paycheck as a Senior Pastor.  Our youth have recognized this lack of care and leadership and are now leaving the church in record numbers.

Politicians and Pastors your life is one of servitude and should never be a path to nobility, celebrity or wealth.   We as citizens and church members have allowed this corruption to become epidemic and it will only be stopped when we refuse to follow the corrupt.  Our nation will collapse and the church will not be able to take its place as the Bride of Christ unless we change our course.

Who are you following?

It is a bitter sweet time in our house right now, as we are preparing to take our daughter halfway across the country and leave her at college.  I am very proud of her and her accomplishments thus far. I am also confident that she is moving into the purpose and destiny that God has planned for her but I must confess part of me still wants her to be the little girl that runs up and grabs on to my leg.

The days are very busy right now as we get prepared for college move in day and right in the middle of this Deidra had to have her wisdom teeth removed.  Hmmm…. why are they called Wisdom Teeth, and if they are tied to our wisdom, should we really be pulling them out?  Guess this will make another blog, now back to the story.  She had a 7:00 am appointment and I was her designated driver.  We prayed and away she walked alone back into the dark recesses of the dental lair.  Okay, so it wasn’t dark and I suppose the dentist doesn’t want his office referred to as his lair but we have to keep it fun.

I was very surprised when they called my name so quickly and even more surprised when the nurse said get your car and pull it around back I think we are going to send her home.  I pulled around back where they had left the door open for me and as I came through the door I heard the nurse say he’s coming around now.  Then it happened!  I heard the sound that had everyone tense and concerned.  I very LOUD but sweet child like voice was resonating through the halls calling, “Daaaaadddddy, I want my Daddy”.  I entered the room where Deidra was coming out from under the anesthesia and was greeted by my sweet little girl, “Hi Daddy, Why can’t I feel my face?   What are we doing here?” and then a flood of very LOUD nonstop questions and comments.  It then became clear why the staff was in a hurry to get her home.

The next few hours were very amusing to say the least but one thing was clear.  Something that I have tried to instill in my children from the very beginning is well rooted in Deidra, when in doubt, call your Dad!  Know that I am always on your side and I always want the best for you.  It doesn’t matter if you were bad or good, I will be there for you.  My children know this about me just as I have always known this about my Dad.  Deidra, although now becoming a young woman, in this time of uncertainty in her mind grabbed on to what she knew would be secure, ME (insert big smile here).  For me it became reminiscent of when she was four and would cling to my leg while surmising the situation or people around her. A part of me hopes she will never forget this security, even though I understand that in time another man will provide this for her.

I am currently passing though a time of refreshing (not relaxing) and self evaluation.  Amazing how the basics still work best, read God’s word and seek His face in prayer.  While musing about Deidra, the Holy Spirit seemed to challenge me with some questions; Do you trust God the way you expect your children to trust you?  When in doubt do you run to Me? Sadly these questions moved me to a point of confession when I realized the answer was NO.  Why is it that I pursue solutions in my self long before calling out Abba Father?  Could it be that my heavenly Father is saying “I remember when he used to run up and grab on to my leg”.

I come from a long heritage of blessing.  I have first hand knowledge that my great grandfather was a great man of God and I suspect he was not the first in our family.  This heritage has bestowed a rich spiritual blessing on our family.  I know I am not unique in this, as I also know other families with similar spiritual heritage, but could it be that the enemy of our souls has devised a trap and set it inside of this blessing?

Like many of you I have made the statement “I’m starving to death”.  Usually I make this statement after going only a couple of hours without food.  I too am trying to be more compassionate but wonder if I can really understand completely how it would feel to know I am starving to death because I haven’t had a meal for two weeks.  Today there are people who know this feeling but yet I take for granted that food is always available and my hunger is usually due to not being able to decide what I want to eat rather than a lack of food.  Is my spiritual life in much the same situation?  Born into a Godly family, I have never known a time without God.  I have not always lived a life that would be pleasing to Him but I also do not know what it means to be lost without hope.  Could it be that this lack of hopelessness in my life has left me taking our Savior’s love for granted?

I do not think that it is an accident that many of our most successful ministries today are being founded and lead by first generation Christians.  Men and women that God has saved from sin, who know what it is like to be lost and desperate for a Savior.  They are driven by the first hand knowledge that others need Him too.  They truly understand the hunger and desperation of the lost while I just talk a good game.

Today I am committing to love my Savior like never before.  When things get shaky or confused I will call out His name.  When circumstances look hopeless I will trust only in Him.  I will continually run to Him, grab on to His leg and rely on His security, confident that He is all I need.

Lord let me learn to rest in the security and strength of Your arms, so that I can fully realize the gifts You have given to me.

What are YOU going to do?

Several years back we were blessed to be able to have a new pool put in our backyard. This was a very exciting time, as our children were still young and we would be designing the pool based on our needs. In fact one of the first activities planned in the new pool would be swimming lessons for our youngest child.

We settled on a play pool model to begin our design. It would be 4 foot deep at the base of the steps, 6 foot deep at the drain located in the middle of the pool, and rise back to a depth of 5 feet at the opposite end from the steps. This seemed like a good plan but was it?

Even though this pool was designed with our children in mind, there was still more than enough water to be a danger for them.   From an adult standpoint, however, it seems over time we quit swimming.  The pool simply became a place to get in splash around a little then get out feeling refreshed.  While there is nothing wrong with feeling refreshed, to continue to call this a swimming pool seemed foolish.  The pool was unchallenging and an accomplished swimmer I found it less and less appealing.  I quit spending time in it with my kids and over the years as they matured as swimmers, they too found other things to do and places to go.  It even came to a point that I thought it was more of a burden than a blessing.

Having spent my life around both pools and the church I can’t help but see a correlation between the two.  Over the past decade we seem to have worked to create a shallower church in an effort to make it safer for the unbeliever to enter.    This did seem to be a worthwhile plan.  After all, isn’t it our duty to reach those that are without Christ? However this process hasn’t eliminated the danger of potential spiritual drownings.  Also, perhaps an unintended result is that mature Christians have become satisfied with just getting wet instead of swimming in the deepness of the Spirit.  Now we are no longer prepared to teach those who have entered this church how to swim.  Perhaps we don’t care enough to be bothered teaching them, or we no longer see the need for anyone to swim.  Like the pool that no longer requires you to swim, what foolishness is a church that doesn’t connect you to the full depths of our God?  This church too for many has begun to feel like a burden rather than a blessing.

I grew up in south Florida with access to the ocean as a child.  I learned to jump off the boat into the water without regard for its depth.  A few years back I was blessed to watch my children jump from a boat into the ocean trusting in the training and confidence we had instilled in them as parents.  Today we need to reconsider our shallow water fishing techniques and once again prepare ourselves as Christians for deep water.  We must be able to teach, train and lead others into the depths of His Spirit.  Without launching into the deep we cannot truly gather the catch He has prepared.

Luke 5:3-5 (King James Version)

3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

6 And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

Personally I find myself as part of the church desiring a catch that will require the help of others to pull it into the boat.  This will only be attainable if together we launch out into the DEEP!

Are you ready to SWIM again?