April 24th.
At one point in our house search we made an offer on a house that had been on the market for over 500 days. This house was priced higher than what we wanted to spend and when we looked at all of the details we decided that it was priced higher than what it was actually worth. So, in real estate lingo, we made a “low ball” offer which was, not so promptly, rebuffed. My Dad used to always say that things were only worth what someone was willing to pay. We (buyers and seller) had a difference of opinion about value.
This difference of opinion actually moved us to make an offer on an alternate house that, it ends up, will be our future home. So, we are convinced that this whole part of the process was God directed.
As we prepare to move we have been living out a different kind of “value” experiment. Our Denomination pays to move the first 12,000-pounds of our stuff and after that we get charged something like 39 cents for each additional pound. A representative of the moving company has already estimated that our load will be 14,000-pounds which means that we have to dispose of a ton of stuff. The bottom line is that “valuable” things have a place in a moving box, things that don’t matter end up in the garbage or in a bag headed for Good Will.
When you are forced to sort through your entire life you begin to realize (rather quickly) that “value” has very little to do with how much money something can generate. We have already given away items that cost us hundreds of dollars to buy and then, in contrast to that, there are pieces of paper covered with crayon marks that I would never sell for any price. Value is an interesting thing.
I often say that if you want a sense of how valuable you are all you have to do is look at the cross where Jesus died. Jesus came to save us from our brokenness to sin and to bridge the gap between God and us. The price required to accomplish this miracle of salvation was Jesus’ life. This is how much God was willing to pay and subsequently this is how much you and I are worth to Him.
This value conversation is worth spreading around. Everyone should hear that they are important enough to God that He was willing to surrender Himself to the cross. I mean, once people understand the incredible price that was paid for them maybe they will begin to live like they are people of value. Then maybe those valuable people will begin to treat the people around them like they are valuable as well. Value is an interesting thing. It can change the world.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Fortune Cookie Wisdom
April 18th.
So, my fortune cookie said, “Be calm and collected, peace is a virtue.” To which I replied, (Yes, I’m having a conversation with a cookie) “Peace is a fruit of the Spirit.” I didn’t dig it up from somewhere it is part of the gift of a changed life that Jesus offers those of us who trust Him. My cookie’s only response was an opportunity for me to learn how to say “popcorn” in Chinese. Popcorn?
So, I moved on to my second cookie (they’re small), which said, “You have executive ability. Apply this in the future!” and I found myself saying, “Oh, all right…Hey!” (Which would be a rather obscure “It’s A Wonderful Life” reference.) I’m not sure I like this “mini-cake’s” implication. I didn’t even bother with the lucky numbers.
The third (they’re only 10 calories) said, “You have a flair for adding a fanciful dimension to any story.” We call that the “5th Dimension”, thank you.
The last of my Chinese treats said, “Analyze only when necessary” to which I replied, “It is always necessary.” Being a follower of Jesus means always paying attention to the details of life. Being one of Jesus’ Disciples means I am always analyzing, not only my actions, but also my motivation. Being Christian means always paying attention to the people I meet and to the things that are happening around me. There is no automatic pilot in the Christian life. I need to be introspective and realistic, contemplative and practical. So should we all.
I don’t place much store in fortune cookie fortunes, but they make a decent low cal snack and every once in a while they even make me think. In case you’re wondering the Chinese word for “July” is “qi yue.”
So, my fortune cookie said, “Be calm and collected, peace is a virtue.” To which I replied, (Yes, I’m having a conversation with a cookie) “Peace is a fruit of the Spirit.” I didn’t dig it up from somewhere it is part of the gift of a changed life that Jesus offers those of us who trust Him. My cookie’s only response was an opportunity for me to learn how to say “popcorn” in Chinese. Popcorn?
So, I moved on to my second cookie (they’re small), which said, “You have executive ability. Apply this in the future!” and I found myself saying, “Oh, all right…Hey!” (Which would be a rather obscure “It’s A Wonderful Life” reference.) I’m not sure I like this “mini-cake’s” implication. I didn’t even bother with the lucky numbers.
The third (they’re only 10 calories) said, “You have a flair for adding a fanciful dimension to any story.” We call that the “5th Dimension”, thank you.
The last of my Chinese treats said, “Analyze only when necessary” to which I replied, “It is always necessary.” Being a follower of Jesus means always paying attention to the details of life. Being one of Jesus’ Disciples means I am always analyzing, not only my actions, but also my motivation. Being Christian means always paying attention to the people I meet and to the things that are happening around me. There is no automatic pilot in the Christian life. I need to be introspective and realistic, contemplative and practical. So should we all.
I don’t place much store in fortune cookie fortunes, but they make a decent low cal snack and every once in a while they even make me think. In case you’re wondering the Chinese word for “July” is “qi yue.”
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Time To Modulate
April 10th.
I am beginning to feel more and more like John the Baptist.
John had a particular role to play in God’s plan and for a time he took his place on center stage in order to prepare the way for Jesus. For a time John had everyone’s attention, he was making a difference, he was gathering disciples and he even had the Pharisees coming to listen to his preaching.
For a time he was famous, but, then things changed. John’s role in God’s plan was played out and it was time for him to step aside and point to the one who was coming. I have no doubt that John knew his place. I believe he understood his part, but I have begun to suspect that John’s transition from center stage to supporting player wasn’t as easy or as seamless for him as it has always been presented.
In his definition for “transition” Webster uses the word “passage” which makes it sound like John was (and we are) on a journey of some sort and I believe the word captures what was (and is) happening. He was (and we are) on a journey. It is just that this journey is measured in relationships instead of in miles.
I am beginning to understand how hard it is to let go of something when you have spent a significant amount of time learning to care about what will soon be behind you. The only thing that would have made it tolerable for John (and for us) was his certainty that God was at work and the conviction that stepping aside was the best way for God’s plan to be worked out.
When we talk about transitions in music we use the word “modulation” which means a change from one key to another. The song doesn’t stop it just moves in a new direction and often times the movement brings new energy and excitement to the tune.
Let’s just say that it is time to modulate. I wonder if John was a singer.
I am beginning to feel more and more like John the Baptist.
John had a particular role to play in God’s plan and for a time he took his place on center stage in order to prepare the way for Jesus. For a time John had everyone’s attention, he was making a difference, he was gathering disciples and he even had the Pharisees coming to listen to his preaching.
For a time he was famous, but, then things changed. John’s role in God’s plan was played out and it was time for him to step aside and point to the one who was coming. I have no doubt that John knew his place. I believe he understood his part, but I have begun to suspect that John’s transition from center stage to supporting player wasn’t as easy or as seamless for him as it has always been presented.
In his definition for “transition” Webster uses the word “passage” which makes it sound like John was (and we are) on a journey of some sort and I believe the word captures what was (and is) happening. He was (and we are) on a journey. It is just that this journey is measured in relationships instead of in miles.
I am beginning to understand how hard it is to let go of something when you have spent a significant amount of time learning to care about what will soon be behind you. The only thing that would have made it tolerable for John (and for us) was his certainty that God was at work and the conviction that stepping aside was the best way for God’s plan to be worked out.
When we talk about transitions in music we use the word “modulation” which means a change from one key to another. The song doesn’t stop it just moves in a new direction and often times the movement brings new energy and excitement to the tune.
Let’s just say that it is time to modulate. I wonder if John was a singer.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
After The Party Is Over
April 1:
In my life Thanksgiving was one of the few times when the entire extended family gathered in the same room at the same time and I was always excited about that particular meal because it meant that the cousins and aunts and uncles were all coming from exotic places like Nebraska and Iowa. We called it “Thanksgiving” but we really spent our time celebrating family, good food, football and Canasta (in that order.)
We’ve all heard (or preached) messages before that suggest that sincere “thanksgiving” has to be something that happens inside our lives before it has a chance of being something we express on the outside of our lives. We’ve all learned that a big turkey dinner doesn’t make us automatically thankful for God’s blessings.
I started with American Thanksgiving because the Passover meal that Jesus and his disciples gathered to celebrate (on the day we call Maundy Thursday) was similar to our November holiday. It was also meant to be a time when God’s people paused to remember and celebrate God’s faithful love. It was a day to be thankful.
In Jesus’ day the meal would have been lamb, bitter herbs and unleavened bread. These menu items were a reminder of the lamb that was sacrificed and whose blood was spread over the doorposts of the houses, the bitterness of Israel’s slavery in Egypt and fact that they were leaving in a hurry (no time for the bread to rise.) Everything they ate or drank in their Passover gathering was meant to remind them to be thankful for what God had done. But, like our thanksgiving gatherings just gathering to eat the meal was not the same as being thankful. What they did after the party was over was far more meaningful.
Judas stayed for dinner with Jesus and he even hung around while Jesus washed the disciple’s feet. But after that was over he left and arranged to betray Jesus to his enemies. The other disciples stayed for dinner and the foot washing and even some teaching time after that but then all they wanted was a nap. So when Jesus asked them to stay awake with him and pray they all went to sleep. Then when the soldiers finally came to arrest Jesus they protested for a few moments but eventually they all ran off to hide.
For those of us who gather to celebrate Maundy Thursday, the question shouldn’t be, “How many times did I come to dinner?” The question should be, “What will I do after the dinner is over?”
I would suggest that (rather than emulate Judas) we must never act like everything we do in the congregation is meaningless and empty and (unlike the other disciples) we should never fall asleep to the opportunities and challenges that come with being a follower of Jesus. The world is watching!
So, the question remains, “What will you do now that the dinner is over?” Hopefully we will all go out and help Jesus change the world.
In my life Thanksgiving was one of the few times when the entire extended family gathered in the same room at the same time and I was always excited about that particular meal because it meant that the cousins and aunts and uncles were all coming from exotic places like Nebraska and Iowa. We called it “Thanksgiving” but we really spent our time celebrating family, good food, football and Canasta (in that order.)
We’ve all heard (or preached) messages before that suggest that sincere “thanksgiving” has to be something that happens inside our lives before it has a chance of being something we express on the outside of our lives. We’ve all learned that a big turkey dinner doesn’t make us automatically thankful for God’s blessings.
I started with American Thanksgiving because the Passover meal that Jesus and his disciples gathered to celebrate (on the day we call Maundy Thursday) was similar to our November holiday. It was also meant to be a time when God’s people paused to remember and celebrate God’s faithful love. It was a day to be thankful.
In Jesus’ day the meal would have been lamb, bitter herbs and unleavened bread. These menu items were a reminder of the lamb that was sacrificed and whose blood was spread over the doorposts of the houses, the bitterness of Israel’s slavery in Egypt and fact that they were leaving in a hurry (no time for the bread to rise.) Everything they ate or drank in their Passover gathering was meant to remind them to be thankful for what God had done. But, like our thanksgiving gatherings just gathering to eat the meal was not the same as being thankful. What they did after the party was over was far more meaningful.
Judas stayed for dinner with Jesus and he even hung around while Jesus washed the disciple’s feet. But after that was over he left and arranged to betray Jesus to his enemies. The other disciples stayed for dinner and the foot washing and even some teaching time after that but then all they wanted was a nap. So when Jesus asked them to stay awake with him and pray they all went to sleep. Then when the soldiers finally came to arrest Jesus they protested for a few moments but eventually they all ran off to hide.
For those of us who gather to celebrate Maundy Thursday, the question shouldn’t be, “How many times did I come to dinner?” The question should be, “What will I do after the dinner is over?”
I would suggest that (rather than emulate Judas) we must never act like everything we do in the congregation is meaningless and empty and (unlike the other disciples) we should never fall asleep to the opportunities and challenges that come with being a follower of Jesus. The world is watching!
So, the question remains, “What will you do now that the dinner is over?” Hopefully we will all go out and help Jesus change the world.
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