I have had this quote from Dr. Wil Dungy (former Colts coach Tony Dungy's father) written down for over a year and half now. I look at it periodically and meditate on it and think about how it should push me. He asks the simple question, "What are you doing to make the situation better?"
Obviously you can apply this to a lot of areas, but it had a significant impact on me as I thought about the church. It is so easy to sit back and talk about what is wrong, to condemn people for their conduct and mistakes, to judge them for what they are/aren't doing, and to talk about how awful it is that there are people all around that need help and no one seems to be stepping up to help them.
As Paul said in his letters, I will consider myself the worst of sinners in this. Even as a pastor it is easy to simply spot & point out problems and areas of needed growth without being part of the solution. I desire to be part of a revival though. I want to be a leader who can follow God's plan and help to guide others towards intimate, authentic relationships with Christ that transform their lives on a day-to-day basis.
One of my "catchphrases" is that you are either part of the problem or part of the solution. The challenge for all believers is to ensure that each day, without hesitation or inconsistency, that we are the solution for those around us so that we can make situations better. This isn't for our sake, but so that God can continue His great work in and through us all.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Short Sighted
I decided to read through the Bible using a chronological Bible this past weekend (not reading the whole Bible in a weekend-I just decided to start then) and I am in Genesis 25 this morning. In it is a familiar story of Jacob & Esau-the brothers that never really got along with each other and were a precursor to two nations that are still at odds.
It is the passage where Esau comes in from hunting and Jacob has been cooking. Esau is famished and begs to have some of the food that is waiting and Jacob is willing, but only if Esau will renounce his birthright. He is asking Esau to give up something very important, but in the future, for a short-term, yet immediate benefit.
Isn't this what Christians do today? Don't we focus so much on the short-term benefit and the best decision for "right now" that we forget about God's promises down the line? We find ourselves staring at our feet instead of looking down the road and trusting & believing in what God says.
When we are short-sighted we:
God didn't want that for Esau either & He certainly doesn't want that for His church.
It is the passage where Esau comes in from hunting and Jacob has been cooking. Esau is famished and begs to have some of the food that is waiting and Jacob is willing, but only if Esau will renounce his birthright. He is asking Esau to give up something very important, but in the future, for a short-term, yet immediate benefit.
Isn't this what Christians do today? Don't we focus so much on the short-term benefit and the best decision for "right now" that we forget about God's promises down the line? We find ourselves staring at our feet instead of looking down the road and trusting & believing in what God says.
When we are short-sighted we:
- spend our money on what makes us immediately happy regardless of the consequences
- react emotionally to situations and lash out at others instead of considering their heart
- neglect our children because we are tired instead of treasuring the time we have
- put off getting serious about investing in our intimacy with God because tomorrow there will be more time
- let other people go on mission trips
- live as a part of a church for the social interaction instead of the discipleship factor
- treat God as a "fix" for a immediate problems instead of letting Him be the God of our past, present & future
God didn't want that for Esau either & He certainly doesn't want that for His church.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Hard Work
I believe in hard work and have a work ethic that has been refined over the years. I don't say this to boast, but to make the point that I am not afraid of rolling up my sleeves and getting after it.
The work that we do in Arizona on our mission trips is definitely intense and a little more physically demanding than what we are used to in a normal day. In Show Low we are also battling a three hour time difference as well as being 6300 feet above sea level. Needless to say, it takes a little more effort (which is not easy to come by) when you are laboring out there.
This past year one of the tasks that we were assigned was to dig two trenches to bury drainage pipe in near the chapel. If you have never done a little digging in Arizona, you are in for a special treat. It is a whole lot of pick-axe use and not as much shovel. It will take 3-4 times what you would expect here in Georgia to dig. We probably invested 30-40 man hours into the two trenches in two short days. Our muscles were sore and our lungs were tired, but there was a senses of satisfaction when we were done. We could look and see that we had made definite improvements and see the immediate results of our work.
That is one of the reasons that I enjoy working at AICM so much. We are able to tackle projects and see the results of our hard work within a few days. That is certainly not the case while working in ministry. Sometimes you will labor for years, praying and encouraging, pushing and pulling, crying and yelling, and hoping that somewhere down the line you will see godly growth in people. That somewhere in the process the revival that you know God wants to bring will take place and that you will see the results.
Unfortunately, the results are not always going to appear before us. Our job is to continue to do the hard work and be faithful to the God that has called us to do it. Much like Noah, Elijah, David, Abraham and others, we have to persevere and get after the task(s) in front of us. Our faith depends on trusting that God is leading us even when we can't see the immediate results.
"So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit." Galatians 6:9 (MSG)
The work that we do in Arizona on our mission trips is definitely intense and a little more physically demanding than what we are used to in a normal day. In Show Low we are also battling a three hour time difference as well as being 6300 feet above sea level. Needless to say, it takes a little more effort (which is not easy to come by) when you are laboring out there.
This past year one of the tasks that we were assigned was to dig two trenches to bury drainage pipe in near the chapel. If you have never done a little digging in Arizona, you are in for a special treat. It is a whole lot of pick-axe use and not as much shovel. It will take 3-4 times what you would expect here in Georgia to dig. We probably invested 30-40 man hours into the two trenches in two short days. Our muscles were sore and our lungs were tired, but there was a senses of satisfaction when we were done. We could look and see that we had made definite improvements and see the immediate results of our work.
That is one of the reasons that I enjoy working at AICM so much. We are able to tackle projects and see the results of our hard work within a few days. That is certainly not the case while working in ministry. Sometimes you will labor for years, praying and encouraging, pushing and pulling, crying and yelling, and hoping that somewhere down the line you will see godly growth in people. That somewhere in the process the revival that you know God wants to bring will take place and that you will see the results.
Unfortunately, the results are not always going to appear before us. Our job is to continue to do the hard work and be faithful to the God that has called us to do it. Much like Noah, Elijah, David, Abraham and others, we have to persevere and get after the task(s) in front of us. Our faith depends on trusting that God is leading us even when we can't see the immediate results.
"So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit." Galatians 6:9 (MSG)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Refining
There is no doubt that God is not done refining me (thanks for the affirmative "amens" coming from the gallery.) This past year has shown me how much more work God has to do in me and how difficult this process will be. Part of the journey for me always includes the mission trip to AICM.
This year was very different from any other as I headed west with a brand new crew (with the exception of two veterans.) While AICM itself has become a 2nd home for me (or 3rd home now that Georgia is included), taking a brand new group of people who have never traveled anywhere with me before is certainly a new challenge. Starting the teaching process all over again with another group and laying out expectations and God-lessons along the way can be very strenuous and spiritually & mentally challenging.
As I continue to reflect and process the life-lessons from this trip I see how God was/is working to refine me through it all. I have gained an even greater appreciation for my friends at AICM and their willingness to dedicate their entire lives-not just a week-to serving in Show Low. I am grateful for the changes-both big & small-that God brought about in the lives our team last week. I am humbled by a God, mission, and church that still love and accept us through hurtful, painful times. I also see (as I do at the end of each trip) that God is trying to shape & chisel me into who He created me to be.
Refining isn't a passive process. God is active in it and when we are willing to step out and eagerly serve, we are allowing Him to work in us. I know that God's ultimate vision for my family's life is bigger than mine and that these changes need to take place for us to get there. I am grateful that He is willing to invest that time in me and that He uses a place that I love to make it happen.
This year was very different from any other as I headed west with a brand new crew (with the exception of two veterans.) While AICM itself has become a 2nd home for me (or 3rd home now that Georgia is included), taking a brand new group of people who have never traveled anywhere with me before is certainly a new challenge. Starting the teaching process all over again with another group and laying out expectations and God-lessons along the way can be very strenuous and spiritually & mentally challenging.
As I continue to reflect and process the life-lessons from this trip I see how God was/is working to refine me through it all. I have gained an even greater appreciation for my friends at AICM and their willingness to dedicate their entire lives-not just a week-to serving in Show Low. I am grateful for the changes-both big & small-that God brought about in the lives our team last week. I am humbled by a God, mission, and church that still love and accept us through hurtful, painful times. I also see (as I do at the end of each trip) that God is trying to shape & chisel me into who He created me to be.
Refining isn't a passive process. God is active in it and when we are willing to step out and eagerly serve, we are allowing Him to work in us. I know that God's ultimate vision for my family's life is bigger than mine and that these changes need to take place for us to get there. I am grateful that He is willing to invest that time in me and that He uses a place that I love to make it happen.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Finding Purpose
Each year that I lead a team out to AICM, I experience different things. The children that we minister to will change, the vision is being refined, the staff roles there will shift, and the teams that travel to Arizona are never quite the same either.
There is one constant in each year however. I see a group of people who become concerned for the welfare of others and who find satisfaction in what we do while we are there. Part of this is a fundamental part of who we are-when we are part of something positive, we tend to feel positive.
I think the larger element is that we were created to serve. God did not intend for us to grab onto some truth of who He & His Son are and keep it to ourselves. Our purpose in this life becames wrapped up in His purpose-to see that other people get an opportunity to choose to follow God on their own. When we are actively involved in living that out we can live with a greater sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. We become "doers" of the Word and not merely "hearers." It is in finding this purpose that everything seems to click.
It should give us pause to consider why we won't relentlessly pursue that same purpose in our hometown, but wait for a special trip to find ourselves aligned with God's intent for our lives.
There is one constant in each year however. I see a group of people who become concerned for the welfare of others and who find satisfaction in what we do while we are there. Part of this is a fundamental part of who we are-when we are part of something positive, we tend to feel positive.
I think the larger element is that we were created to serve. God did not intend for us to grab onto some truth of who He & His Son are and keep it to ourselves. Our purpose in this life becames wrapped up in His purpose-to see that other people get an opportunity to choose to follow God on their own. When we are actively involved in living that out we can live with a greater sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. We become "doers" of the Word and not merely "hearers." It is in finding this purpose that everything seems to click.
It should give us pause to consider why we won't relentlessly pursue that same purpose in our hometown, but wait for a special trip to find ourselves aligned with God's intent for our lives.
Monday, April 5, 2010
My Second Home
I have just returned from another trip to the American Indian Christian Mission in Show Low, Arizona. This time was entirely new as our team of 23 included 20 people who had never been there before and 20 of them who had never been on a mission trip before as well. It was a week of learning, coaching, hard physical labor and hopefully life change for all of us.
I am in love with this place and have been for a long time. Including summer trips and other ventures out there, this was my 12th trip to Show Low. I never get tired of it and the beauty of God's handiwork in the canyons and mountains is always fresh & new. We have made very dear friends with many of the staff & have watched several of the children grow up over the years as well. It is a place that captures & also breaks your heart and I already can't wait to go back.
My wife commented as we left this past week that it was more difficult to leave this time than in year's past. With all of the turmoil of the past year and leaving Florida, AICM and our family there certainly feels like a second home. I am thankful that God has provided a place for us to serve in the mission field and I am grateful for the friends that we have in Show Low that continue to work the front lines each day for the Native Americans. Even as I am glad to be back in Georgia and doing God's great work, I am counting the days until I can go back again.
I am in love with this place and have been for a long time. Including summer trips and other ventures out there, this was my 12th trip to Show Low. I never get tired of it and the beauty of God's handiwork in the canyons and mountains is always fresh & new. We have made very dear friends with many of the staff & have watched several of the children grow up over the years as well. It is a place that captures & also breaks your heart and I already can't wait to go back.
My wife commented as we left this past week that it was more difficult to leave this time than in year's past. With all of the turmoil of the past year and leaving Florida, AICM and our family there certainly feels like a second home. I am thankful that God has provided a place for us to serve in the mission field and I am grateful for the friends that we have in Show Low that continue to work the front lines each day for the Native Americans. Even as I am glad to be back in Georgia and doing God's great work, I am counting the days until I can go back again.
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