The Journey

Lessons About Pride

Pride is a killer of all things God.

Pride opposes God and therefore opposes things that are life-giving.

God recently exposed even more pride in my life. How much is there in me? Probably enough to keep God busy for the rest of my life!

Pride saps our spiritual strength because it is employed by satan and fights against God-things. Pride puts us on the side opposite of God.

I have struggled with pride in my speech, in how I position myself in life, and how I look at people; however, this new level of pride was not in my speech or in an ungodly attitude as I looked down on people and thought they were less then me.

This time the pride revealed within me was different which means it is more difficult to describe.

Pride
a superior attitude; to think more highly of yourself then you ought;
a sense of one's own place or value;
satisfaction taken in one's work, self or possessions

My pride keeps me from knowing God at a deeper level. My pride keeps me from the very thing I desire—closeness with God.

My pride (my attitude that I can do it myself) pushes me away from God's help and refuses to either ask for or receive what He offers.

Even worse then refusing God's practical help He offers is that pride pushes away and/or refuses God's love.

My Pride refuses to need to be loved and says "I am good how I am."

My Pride says "I am good enough in my marriage and therefore do not need help."

My Pride says "This emotional hurt is my fault so I will continue to try to heal myself."

My Pride says "This sin I am in is too difficult for God to forgive so I will work on it."

My Pride says "God should speak to me, heal me, prosper me, and/or move in the way I have prescribed."

Pride steals my righteousness, peace and joy.

Pride kills my desires and my dreams.

Pride destroys my relationship with God and others.

Jesus is the answer. His humility showed us the way.

Humility—Being Completely Dependent Upon God

Following His model of life forces Pride out of hiding, starves Pride, and eventually kills Pride. Jesus was dependent upon the Father's love and direction in everything.

Jesus taught us to be loved by the Father and to be one with the Father. Jesus is the answer to my Pride.

A Prayer…
"Father, help me to be a man of humility. Teach me to live a life dependent upon You. Continue to reveal pride within me and heal the areas in me that pride has corrupted. Amen"

Bruising Well

The pool party we had 5-weeks ago was a blast. The food was great, the friendship was evident, and the games were exciting.

I do a trick off the diving board where I push a child's round float out to the middle of the diving area, take a running start, push off the diving board, fly up into the air, prayer the prayer of Moses that the tube will stretch, and dive right through the hole in the inner tube.

When I pushed off the diving board at the party I could feel something pull in my left calf. It pulled hard and swimming was over for me. In fact, I barely made it to the car and stayed on the couch for the next two days.

I did not visit the doctor until today (8-days later). For those 8-days I have limped, cried out in pain when I walked on it wrong, and pretty much have felt like an old man.

I made the decision to go to the doctor because a couple of days ago I noticed that my calf was bruised, purplish/yellowish from the top of my calf to my ankle. That made me a bit nervous!

This morning the doctor took one look at it, pressed it for a second or two and stated "Yep, it is bruising well".

What? There is a right way to bruise? That is all you have? The pain had been excruciating. The bruised coloring in such a large section as worrisome and all she had was that it is bruising well?

I had no idea there was such a thing as bruising correctly. The calf muscle was damaged with no immediate coloring but with intense pain. The bruising surfacing on the skin indicated that appropriate healing was taking place deep inside.

I am still limping but with a confidence that I am better off today then I was almost 5-weeks ago.

And I thought, that is a lot like the bruising of life. Pain happens deep in our emotional and spiritual tissue but there is a right way to bruise. There is a right color to turn when the healing begins to take place. The pain is meant to move to the 'surface' of life.

The pain we experience can surface as anger, depression, aggression, or a thousand other wrong expressions of pain; and all of them prove damage was done somewhere at a much deeper lever.

The wound in my calf had nothing to do with my ankle yet from the looks of my bruising and the swelling that is still in my leg you would think otherwise.

When pain hits us in the deep parts of our life and makes us limp we often get used to the limp. When the bruise appears and the wound becomes apparent again it brings concern. But, there is a right way to bruise.

Allow God to touch you at the place of your pain. Turn your anger into a conversation with Him and you'll find your wound surfacing to the top. Take your depression and ask God to speak to you about it; you will find His answer better then any medication.

There is a right way to bruise; a way that brings healing.

There is hope.

There is always hope when we give our pain to our Father.

Dirty People

I look at dirty people all around
Never gazing into faces
for fear of being found.
Brush on past the lady on the street
Barely glance at people
as I keep my eyes on my feet.

I know Your name and call myself son
But when push comes to shove
I love only one.

Me is who I see.
It is always me.

Me is who I see.
It is always me.

I look in Your book and I search for You
But all I find is me in the view.

Your preachers yell and let out a righteous scream
I'm just glad to hear I deserve a limousine.
People matter in this TV land
If they can commit to more then a grand.

Me is who I see.
It is always me.

Life will end and that will be nice
But should I die more then twice?
Daily doses of the deadly cross
will be my gain and not my loss.

Bring death to myself as I kneel at Your feet.
Capture my heart…capture me.

Make me painfully aware that its me that’s lost.
Teach me Your way at any cost.

I wanna love so deep that it tears me apart.
I wanna love so deep that it pierces my heart.
I know you looked for me because you love me
I wanna look for others because its You I see

And when I find You then I'll find me.
And when I find You then I'll find me.

The Journey in Action

We begin our first campaign this month which will help us 'cross the line'—from doing church to being the church. We will have dates, times, and opportunities for you to get involved this Sunday.

Did you know that our simple acts of kindness can be supernatural? Jesus said that when we give a cup of water in His name then it is as if we have given it to Him. I think that would apply to doing anything in His name: raking leaves, serving breakfast, washing a car, or picking up trash.

Good works should spring forth from within us as a reflection of the love that God is growing within us. Our good works to the least of these proves our faith. Good works show that the indestructible seed of salvation and grace that has been planted in us is growing, taking root in us, and producing fruit.

Our good works makes us co-partner's with Christ. Now, that is cool! I partner with Jesus when I do good works in my community.

Living our testimony is never just 'not sinning'—it means stepping out, literally crossing the line, and doing good works in unexpected places for no other reason then God loves this world. When we do good works we show people God.

We all want to be worshippers and have heard a lot of teaching about what worship is. Usually this teaching focuses on one very small portion of corporate worship—namely, the music time of a service. Yet, if we are supposed to be worshippers and that definition of worship is limited to music then how can we live a life of worship?

Paul said we were "created in Christ Jesus for good works…" (Ephesians 2:10). What? We've been taught that we were made for worship such as we see within a worship service. While corporate worship accompanied by music is worship and is quite nice I think that God had bigger plans for us then this.

Our good works are worship when we do them in the heart of God. Our good works are worship when our hands are engaged where God's heart is—serving and loving those who cannot love or serve us.

Jesus walked this earth and it is only recorded once that He worshipped God in song (although He surely did it more often then that). Yet, each of us would declare that Jesus was the greatest worshipper of all.

How can that be? Because He glorified God in everything that He did—serving the sick and loving the unlovely. We would do well to follow His example.

What Type of Giver Are You?

Several weeks ago I was able to co-teach on giving with David. As always, when I am around David it gets me to thinking new thoughts on old topics.

I taught on giving as if some were givers and others were not when really we are all givers. The difference is drawn in the area of how we give.

Do we give only to those who can pay us back or when recognized? Or, do we give to those who may never know we gave and to those who will never be able to pay us back?

I could consider myself a giver to the church because I spend so much time giving to the church (and giving on behalf of the church) yet how much of a giver am I really in that area since I make a living serving the church body?

I could consider myself a giver to my family and friends since I give time and attention to them yet how much of a giver does this really prove I am since they also give back time and attention to me?

So really, when I force myself to see giving as Jesus describes it I must pull myself away from my own selfish giving that benefits me and give away myself to those who cannot give back (and even to those who hate me).

To only give to those who can return the favor is to give as the unbelieving person gives. To give to those who cannot reciprocate is to give as God gave (and continues to give).

When we give in order for people to notice us we give as the non-believing give. When we give in order for people to notice God we give as Jesus gave (and continues to give).

What kind of giver are you? Really only you and God can answer that. You may want to ask Him.

Regular, consistent giving (just like financial savings) is far more productive then random, emotional giving. Consider working out 2x's per week; one hour each time for 52-weeks versus exercising for 5 hours every other month.

Which sounds more impressive? Of course, a 5-hour workout is something to brag about and point to but in reality it is limited in its benefits to your body. With the 5-hour workout you will feel a lot of pain but see very little gain.

Consistent giving of our time, talent, and treasure takes a commitment based upon truth instead of a hasty decision based upon emotions. Commitment is painful yet productive. Consistency keeps us in the battle and eventually helps us win the war.

The 5-hour workout equals 30-hours of workout time in a year while the consistent 1-hour workout equals 104-hours of workout time in a year.

Regular giving motivated by truth and obedience will strengthen our finances and our spiritual life, while irregular emotional giving will simply exhaust our finances and our spirit.

When we give it means we are functioning as we were created to function. We have our Father's DNA and design embedded within us so when we give we fulfill our purpose and walk out our family heritage.

The Calendar Challenge

What would the verdict be if we were judged by your calendar?

Would you find yourself strongly identified as a follower of Christ according to your calendar? Or would your calendar make you look like a resident of this earth?

Would you find that your calendar dates and your daily schedule matched the goals that have been placed in you by your Creator?

If God came down (visualize Morgan Freeman!) and flipped through your desk calendar or clicked through your MS Outlook would He find sufficient evidence that you have sought after Him, followed Jesus' example of taking care of the needy, and followed Jesus' call to the great commission?

You say your calendar is packed and you cannot add another event?

 IF we find ourselves without time to do things for and with people (not just the fun stuff) then we have bought into a system of thinking that produces living counter to God's plan for us.

 IF we have 5-6 nights each week open to watch television we are not properly using our talents (to help others, to earn more income to help others, etc.).

 IF our month is full of events that are all about us and ours and 'the least of these' are not in our plans then we are misusing the time God has given us.

 IF we find ourselves continuously complaining about not having enough time to do what we want to do and to do what we know is right to do then we must repent (re-think) to God for squandering the hours He has given us and ask Him to restore order back into our days, weeks, and months.

As we approach September make sure to PURPOSEFULLY set aside time for changing the world for God's sake.

Let us look again at our calendars and see if we are planning to succeed in fulfilling the purposes God has for us or if we are planning to fail at utilizing our time to bring glory to His name.

Authentic Christianity May Be...

Authentic Christianity may look like responding in Jesus' ways instead of Republican or Democrat ways. It may mean taking all theology and doctrine and boiling it down to how we treat our neighbor.

It may mean, but I certainly hope not (too hard!) that I am to love regardless of another's character, morals, or political viewpoint.

It may mean spending less time thinking right religious thoughts and considering how to help the poor. Spending less time learning what we already know and putting action to what we know.

It probably means we quit trying to look good in front of others and quit lying to God in our prayers. It may mean we stop lying and confess how little we really do love not just our enemies but just about everyone.

It may mean promoting humility and grace and kindness over large financial contributions, it may mean we learn to proclaim the gospel of Jesus by ourselves instead of a highly paid professional religious figure (which I am a part of that paid clergy).

It means hurting when my neighbor hurts, dancing when they dance, and crying when a child I will never know gets AIDS or dies of hunger or thirst.

It means giving a damn which we don't because as good believers we would not dare cuss.

It means using a couple of choice 4-letter words instead of cursing our children, our neighbors, and just about everyone with phrases like "they'll never amount to much", "I cannot stand that loser", "what a fag!" and "What an idiot" which all seem to flow out of our mouths pretty regularly (often directed to 'the least of these'--the most hurting and unprotected in our society).

It may mean that I drop my preferred religious preference and build a church that someone who knows nothing of religion could connect with Christ--dropping my specialized language that keeps the lost at bay and connecting with them in a tongue that is common to them.

It may mean dealing honestly with the questions of hurt, hate, anger, racism, hunger, violence, etc. that my religion cannot answer and simply offer others relationship with the One Who Knows and Who Is.

It may mean growing up in all areas and repenting where we are prideful and therefore spiritually weakest (but religiously strongest).

It may mean shutting my mouth about what I believe so that I can hear the heart cry of the one who is lost and help him find his way to the Father instead of giving him answers to questions he is not even asking (like giving a tie to a man without pants).

It may mean allowing God to change our thoughts and emotions and not just erecting some superficial marks of our spirituality.
Authentic Christianity means freedom--not freedom to pursue flesh but rather freedom to grow in character, to live fruitful lives, to be full of peace, joy, and free to love all—even the unlovable, the ugly, and those who hate me (my enemies).

Authentic Christianity means modeling God today even as Jesus did when He was on earth.

I wish I could just follow a list of rules, have all the keys to successful living handed to me, and ignore all those who disagree with me. But, God won't let me. He asks me to live life searching for a reality with Him instead of being satisfied with a religion that speaks of Him. Sometimes I hate that I have this feeling that authentic Christianity is important because it is much more difficult at times then just fitting into the current Christian culture that identifies 'Christians' as those who go to church while at the same time refrain from doing certain bad things (or at least pretending in front of church goers that they don't do them).

All in all it has been a satisfying journey with ups and downs, as well as delays, detours, and breakdowns.

But, the scenery has been beautiful and the traveling companion awesome.

Published on Relevant Web Magazine

As many of you know I do a lot of writing. This year I began to think about getting published and began to move towards that. Relevant Magazine is one of my favorite christian magazines. The best way to begin there is to submit to the web branch of the magazine.

Yesterday I found out that they published me which was quite cool. You have probably already read the essay on this blog but if you want to see my name and the article (which I think is cool!) then go to www.RelevantMagazine.com and look to the left. There you will find Recent Web Exclusives. Look down the list of about 5 articles and you will find Church, or Experiencing God.

Click on it. I hope you enjoy it.

Church on the Road: Different Building, Same God

I hate to admit this but in order to write this I will have to admit it.

We rarely go to a church service when we are on vacation. Okay, rarely is being generous. We never go to church when we are on vacation. Practically speaking it is so that we do not have to pack some nicer clothes but with the casualness of church over the past couple of years that is not the issue. Mostly it is because we are looking for a break from out normal week which includes a week full of church activity (especially for me).

So, this trip has been unusual for me. It is not the normal vacation b/c my family is not here with me. This is a 'hearing' trip where we are seeking God for Scotland. Mostly I suppose listening for God's heart in regards to those people David and Beth are connected to in this country.

Add to this that there is literally a church on every corner that is historically significant or at the very least extremely cool looking; so, I have been enjoying visiting lots of different churches.

Here is the list:
a Catholic service Saturday evening in Aberdeen
Machar Church in Aberdeen which was originally built in 1050
Sunday morning an Assembly of God service in Aberdeen in the church David came to be my brother
Sunday evening a 4-Square service in Kristiansand, Norway with a pastor the Reid's know from Calif
Monday afternoon a Lutheran church building built for the Vikings in 550 that were being saved in Norway
Tuesday afternoon a Lutheran church in the middle of Kristiansand
Thursday afternoon a Church of Scotland church on the west coast of Scotland in Oban
Friday afternoon a church service (15-minutes long, Peter!) on the spot where Saint Columba first
landed in Scotland and brought christianity to the natives of Northern Scotland.

I was able to pray for a bit in most of the churches, although all of them did not have services. Different denominations were represented and each of them believes different things. However, it is amazing how little they disagree on the major tenets of Christianity but how much these little differences tend to divide them.

God is the God of creation; the God of the Bible. He is not limited to a church building nor is He limited to a denomination's belief system. God is outside of time and the universe fits in the expanse of His hand. He is not limited to one form of worship or one culture's preferred way.

A bended knee in the Viking church in Norway was an act of worship. Raising my hands in the spirit-filled church in Aberdeen was also. Reciting a creed (set of beliefs) that is over a 1,000 years old in a catholic church was as moving as singing the most current christian worship tune at the church in Norway. Sitting in the pew in the massive Lutheran church (green steeple in the photos) in downtown Kristiansand and praying brought me just as close to God as if praying in my home town.

I am the church. I bring God with me. Where I am He is. I just forget that when I am in trouble. I act like He is not there to comfort me when I am afraid. I think that I need a team of people to keep me going or a worship CD to motivate me. But then I remember...I am His house. He is in me and me in Him. He is above me, beside me, beneath me, and in me.

So, this week as you are being troubled by life remember that God is with you and you can reach out to Him as He is always reaching out to help you.

Churching It in Worship,
Les

Black Pudding Disguised as Just Another Breakfast Complement

There are always several food delicacies in each culture. In Scotland there is Hagis and Black Pudding. I have not eaten Hagis but I did hold a 'tube' of it in my hands tonight at the supermarket in Edinburgh. Eating it will have to come next, I suppose, if I want to truly experience the culinary heart and soul of Scotland.

This morning I did have Black Pudding for breakfast, however. Pudding for breakfast? Yeah! Not so fast. First, pudding in Scotland is not like our pudding in America. Our pudding is sweet and creamy. Second, wait until you hear what is in Black Pudding and you will not be so excited about pudding for breakfast.

Black Pudding looks like a thick , breakast sausage patty although it really is black. There is nothing suspicious about it as it disguises itself as just another eggs and bacon breakfast complement.

The kicker is the main ingredient of Black Pudding. Would you believe it is pig's blood? Yup, you heard me right! It is something like ground oats, spices, and pig's blood. Mmmm! In Scotland it is said that eating their delicacies is like being on an episode of Fear Factor.

Well, certainly fear is not a factor for me because I ate my Black Pudding (actually, it was quite good) and I was able to blame David for encouraging me to break the Levitical code of not eating the blood of an animal. Isn't it always the elders that lead the kind pastors astray?