CPR, Snickers, Southwest, Devil

Every now and then we need a little break from something. However, I don't see too many people taking a break from breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don't see people avoiding Walmart, Target, or Publix. They may (probably won't) hit Fred's or Grocery Outlet , but I kind of doubt these changes are permanent. Truth is there are some things we never need a break from: like care, prayer and encouraging relationships. If you are tired, stressed, or hapless the things you need the most are care, prayer and encouraging relationships. Please help me understand, why on earth when a person is crashing in life do they drop out of the one place that is meant to help them? One thing you say? Yes, because at Living Truth Church these things are found in one place: CPR Groups. The very name is meant to resuscitate those trying to do life. The acronym CPR stands for care, prayer and relationships. Some churches call them Life Groups, Small Groups as well as other names. The purpose is basically the same. For the love of God, help me understand when life is rough...why, why, why do people run from that which is meant to breathe life into them? What part do you not need? Is it care? Do you not need people to show love and care? You do know when you tell people you need a break or that you're working or some excuse for not coming to the Group that they tend to believe you; and consequently don't bug you? Sometimes all you have in you is to be able to show up. In times like that JUST SHOW UP. So in time of stress, you don't need care? Hmmm. Or is it prayer you don't need? Are you going through the roller-coaster of life (and who isn't?) and don't need prayer? I've only met one person in my life that refused prayer, and I've asked a lot of people. Or is it encouraging relationships you don't need? We all know that's not true. How many times have you been in the crapper (figuratively speaking) and a friend called or showed up and cheered you up. Listen, here's a novel idea. Why don't you go every week to a place where everyone knows your name: CPR Group? There is someone there that will care for you, pray for you, or encourage you; but you have to show up and you have to let them know what's going on. As awesome as these people are, they don't read minds. So, what are you waiting for get up and go. Nobody needs a break from emotional and spiritual healing. The devil is the only entity that gains advantage when you avoid this life-breathing group of people. Consequently, we'll give credit where credit is due: who do you think is whispering in your ear to take a break from this life-sustaining group? Next time you need a break, eat a snickers or fly Southwest, but don't give up your CPR Group. Nooooooo.....

TRT is always trending

I couldn't help to get a little disgusted the other day. I'm not sure of the timeline now, but it was less than a couple of weeks ago when I heard the first report. Tim Tebow (TRT) had been in Las Vegas to do his part in an upcoming Nike commercial. Of course, all the cameras followed him wherever he went (which was to the photo shoot-back to the room and out of Vegas). This would be one of those occasions where "what happens in Vegas" doesn't "stay in Vegas." There just happened to be an Adult Entertainment (Porn)Convention in town. So all the cameras were there (TMZ& all the others) prepared to nail Timmy for any misdoings. To no one's surprise, it was a non-story, because Tim did the shoot and got out of Vegas clean. He didn't gamble, smoke, drink, dope it up or anything. Ho hum! No story here. Keep moving. ---Here's what disgusted me. It was a few days after I had heard the non-story that a sports column was entitled something like "Tebow at Porn Convention in Vegas." This article was way-late, and turned out to be a non-story as well. It was just a headline hooker. (yeah, that would be a pun.) Then at the pre-Super Bowl festivities someone tried to make a big deal about TRT talking to all the ladies at some party. Of course, he was being respectable to all that wanted to talk to him. But the report tried to make a big deal that he talked to one girl more than the others. Whoopteedoo if he did! Of course, the Golf Channel had to make a little noise with TRT since he couldn't play a recent tournament due to a football injury. He was kind enough to do an interview. In the interview the guy asks if Tim would ever go into politics. I'm sure this will be used against him as soon as possible. But as usual he was just answering a question in front of him. He said it was possible. So, if we believed all the headlines we would believe TRT is a Porn-show going-lady-loving-politician. However, if you read the articles he's just a young guy trying to live the truth in a perverse world answering all the stupid questions people ask. Stay tuned to see how the media uses him to sell papers, radio and tv time via headlines. TRT is always trending. Get a life people.

Submit to the King

At the end of Revelation it is prophesied that the kings of the world will unite for one last battle against God and the Great City. As you'll read in Revelation it's not much of a battle as Jesus, the King, takes care of business. In Psalm 2 exists the prophecy of such a battle written roughly 3,000 years ago warning folks to get on the right side, and submit to the King now. ---I'm troubled. In our day, I listen as people disrespect God as if there will be no repercussions. I listen as people pick and choose what they want from the Bible as if their opinion matters. God is God, and we are not. There will be no excuse (see Rom.1). The basic problem is mankind wants to be God. People want to sit on the throne (of their lives). In Revelation 4 John was allowed to peak into heaven, and found that One sits on the throne of the Universe; and He is quite in control. The God of the Universe does not need our opinion or help. Psalm 2 is very suggestive. It suggests that you and I be on the right side, because the King is coming back and He will deal handily with His enemies. We are to revere God and hold Him above all else. "Submit to God's royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities..." There's your warning. You can get mad, and shake your fist in disbelief. "But the One who rules in heaven laughs. The LORD scoffs at them." However, it is a different scene for those who submit to the KIng, "But what joy for all who take refuge in Him!"

Perseverance

Knowing what to do really isn't most people's problem. Getting started and actually doing the right things isn't usually a huge barrier either. The problem is perseverance. Knowing what to do, starting that thing and continuing is the real issue. ---This is why in church we pray for one another, we meet with one another, and we encourage (spur) one another on to good deeds. So, do not forsake the assembling together as the body of Christ. It is good for your perseverance.--Heb.10:24-25

Clearing Out My Locker

So the ending of another Football season comes upon us. [Turn away ladies, this blog is all about football. Except for a few of you.]
I have some thoughts that I must release. I will miss the analogies that aided and abetted many a sermon (not as many as I was tempted to use though.). The NFL started out in the mud from an ugly Player vs Owner battle, but the Shield (National Football League) managed to rise from the miry clay, because it is the best game. It pits speed against strength, skill against coaching, clutch against luck, veteran teams against upstart teams and rising stars against the guys headed back down the ladder. Where do I start? Ole Tom Brady, well, he is simply the best. Beauty overcame the beast (Ray Lewis&Co.) in this tough game of men that comes down to inches and split seconds (see: almost catch by Lee Evans or hook-shot by Billy Cundiff). They work hard and play hard all year, and then it comes down to clutch plays. A great year was had by guys like Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, but even they fell short of the prize. Big Ben tried his best, and as Champ Bailey put it, "He's always injured when he plays." He got bested by the controversial (due to too much media attention) Tim Tebow who just wants to play football and represent Christ. The Indy Colts were exposed: without Peyton Manning they are a two-win team. Then there is little brother Eli who I'm assuming really can't get respect, because he looks like a third-grader. For goodness sake, the guy has a Super Bowl ring and is going for another. He plays in NY, give the kid a break. I really could go on and on, because it was a fun season. My boys got into Fantasy Football and we had some fun with that. Oh, I almost forgot, congrats to the Harbaugh brothers for making it to the AFC&NFC Championships. Pretty cool! I still don't know why one of these teams hunting a coach won't give Pops Harbaugh a call. Finally, I'm torn on how I want the Super Bowl to end. I'd like to see Tom Brady get one more ring and be done. I really don't like the Patriots, because I really don't like when one team just dominates like they have. But I love the intestinal fortitude with which Brady plays the game. I love the way he carries himself, and his story in college and in the pros to get to where he is. But I'm torn. I'm probably the only person that will make this next statement. I like Old Tom Coughlin, the coach for the Giants that everyone (often even his own team) loves to hate. Probably almost every week I heard how his job was in jeopardy. I kind of hope he wins the Super Bowl and tells the Giants he'll retire, or coach the Dolphins or something. I think it stinks that a good coach is said to be on the hot-seat every week...probably because he looks like he's mad all the time on the sideline. C'mon man, he's a good coach! Either way, I guess I want Tom to win. ---Now I'm done. No, I won't be watching the Pro Bowl, because that is too much like Reality TV.

Complainers Need a Hug

Everyone knows a complainer. They can find the gloom and doom in any situation. They can suck the life right out of hope. They can slow down or even stop a good thing. They bring discouragement to the table week after week. You get my drift? This isn't a team member or friend who normally contributes positively, and is bringing positive critique.
Here's the deal. Because we live in an imperfect society, there is always ample opportunity for complaints. Life is tough. Like one comedian said, "Put a helmet on!" (Brad Stine) In the life of an organization it becomes like a roller-coaster constantly (not just often). It is the nature of life. So, heck yeah, something always has the potential to go hay-wire. Complainers just feel the need to ALWAYS point that out. Leaders, meanwhile, are looking for a solution without discouraging the crowd (knowing that indeed there is a solution, we just have to find it.).
Complainers surround us: in families, at church, at work, at Disney World, on all the social networks, etc.
Complainers need a hug, but they don't need to be in charge. Otherwise, they will drag everyone down with them. They will stop a good thing before it really gets going. They will stop a potentially great thing before it makes the big curve to the down-hill slope. Worst of all, they will never be happy. Because such is life. Everything is never all right, consequently there is always something to complain about. ---Funny, but sad story. I remember a time when this guy had questions about our church, and he was considering getting "all in". He suggested we go play golf, and we could talk about church and hopefully get any concerns he had before joining out of the way. Of course I went, it was free golf. ---We had not even played nine holes before I realized this guy had 99 problems with our church. At about question 18 (and hole#2) I realized this probably wasn't the church for him. At about question 36 (and hole #4), I realized I wasn't even enjoying free golf. At about question 72 ( and hole #8) I wondered if I really liked our church. By hole #9 I had to quit really listening, because I was wondering if I should even be in the ministry. ---The crazy thing is that prior to this I had high hopes for this guy, perhaps even in leadership. Afterward, I agreed with him that we were a terrible church, and he should search elsewhere. ---Years later, we're still not the perfect church, but we're trying. Complainers need a hug, not a place at the leadership table. Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe (Phil.2:14-15)--Thanks to Rick Howerton for inspiration on twitter @RickHowerton

Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and Mickey

Everybody wants something to believe in. That's why mythical characters like Santa, fairies and Mickey&friends are so popular. People want to believe in something they can't fully comprehend. KIds get older and become disappointed when they know the truth about some of these characters. They even want to go back in time. In fact, adults can often think back to when they were sure they heard the pitter-patter of reindeer hoofs on their house when they were children. Theme parks are so popular because they play to this desire to live in the make-believe. By nature we want to believe in something unexplainable, fun and good. Why so? God has put the desire in our hearts to know Him. He is the mysterious-better-than-this-life part of the story. Ecc.3:11 (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. My hope for this year is that more and more folks understand (fathom) the explainable story. Jesus is the Christ (Messiah, Savior) from the true Christmas story. He is the hero in this Epic Adventure called life. You will hear more about Jesus at Easter. My hope is that you will quit wasting time with diversions and distractions (not the week vacations that refresh, but years of taking the wrong road), and start living with a sense of purpose the life God has planned out for you. Only in Christ can you be all that God desires for you, and He has huge plans for you. What a ride!