So Easy a Corpse Can Do It

Do you have a favorite personal accomplishment? 

My first 10K really stands out. I had run 6 miles before, but never competitively and over such a brutal course of hills. My trial runs generally timed just over an hour, but that day I finished in 59:16. Stoked does not begin to describe my feelings crossing the finish line. 

Regardless of our accomplishments, they all have on thing in common...effort. This came up during a conversation with a friend recently. His men's small group shares some real accountability, and some of the guys were celebrating the sins they hadn't participated in.

At least until the psychologist in the group spoke up. 

"Don't celebrate something a dead guy can do. You didn't look at pornography or scream at your wife? Neither does a dead guy."

"So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James 2:17

Which do you think God most wants from us: to avoid sin or pursue righteousness? A dead person has no problem avoiding sin, but to pursue righteousness requires a pulse. 

If you've avoided profanity-laced outbursts for an entire month, that's awesome! But is your intent to curb the spicy language or to change the vocabulary of your heart? Faith is shown by our choices. Not that we merely avoided sin, but intentionally chose righteousness. 

What sins are you avoiding? Are they merely on hold, or are you prayerfully adjusting your heart as an act of faith and obedience? You have a pulse, so go live God's purposes!
My final encouragement to you is two-fold:

1. Celebrate the accomplishments of avoiding sin!
2. Go beyond avoidance and pursue obedience!

A Christian Considers the "Muslim Ban"

While some are speaking out loudly on President Trump's Executive Order regarding immigrants and refugees, I haven't said much. This was mainly because I didn't really understand it.

I would venture to guess that few do.

There are countless news stories and social media posts, but not a lot of facts. I attempted to read the executive order but oddly, whitehouse.gov does not list the January 27th action.

(Screenshot from whitehouse.gov on 1/29/17)

It does list a separate action from January 28th, revealing this is not a lack of website updating. After hunting more, I did find the full text here in an article from CNN. I strongly encourage you to take the time to read it.

After reading the entire Executive Order, I was surprised to find three components missing:

1. The word "Muslim"
Though the seven nations listed are Muslim majority nations, to call it a Muslim ban is not legally correct.

2. A Plan. 
Section 4a of the Executive Order calls on several cabinet picks and agencies to "implement a program" for preventing entrance of foreign nationals who seek to do us harm. While the current system is not perfect, it seems proposed adjustments to the current system would have been less disruptive than no system at all.

3. Compassion

As a parent, I want my kids to be safe from the plague of terrorism. And that's the same dream for many parents trying to escape war-torn areas like Syria (one of the seven nations). While vetting is important, shutting these families out for even 90 days could be their death sentence. Meanwhile, there remains little reason to believe that even after 3 months, a firm plan will be in place to allow screened, legal immigrants and refugees entry into America. 

America has spent the greater part of the 21st century, attempting to spread opportunities for liberty to people who have never known it. Combating radical Islamic terrorism can happen as we responsibly and safely allow for the entrance of immigrants and refugees. The generations to follow would be able to remember how America welcomed them in and said, "You're now one of us."

Christians are called to be equally welcoming. The Bible is clear that God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11). God is willing to accept people from all nations, languages, and backgrounds. So how can we turn away an opportunity for those in need of the gospel to come to an America where they can freely hear it? As Christians, we have been shown the greatest compassion possible from the God of the universe. This is our opportunity to model compassion in order that many would move from the darkness of terrorism and lostness, into the liberty of America and the gospel of Christ. 

What To Do When You Don't Get Your Way

He voted against it. Such a terrible idea shouldn't be pursued.

But Cal was in the minority. His church had voted to spend millions on a new multi-purpose building. Of course they needed more youth and education space, and the recreation area would be great. But MILLIONS?!

Cal wondered what was becoming of his church. He considered whether the church had missed its purpose and if he should just move on. So he prayed, asking the Lord what he should do. And the Lord directed him quickly. 

His pastor surely anticipated Cal's requested appointment was to read him the riot act before storming out the doors, never to return. Instead Cal sat across from his pastor and said, "I want to head the project for our new multi-purpose building."

As a long-time contractor, Cal was an obvious choice before he had expressed his disapproval of the project. When his pastor asked why he would lead a project he voted against, Cal replied, "If our church is going to have a new building, God's calling me to make it the best it can be." The end result was a great new addition to the church that came in under budget and highly useful. Cal himself expressed how glad he was that he humbled himself to remain faithful to his church during a time of disagreement.

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have...you cannot get what you want so you quarrel and fight." James 4:1-2

We all want our own way, but to insist on it without considering others OR that we might be wrong, guarantees arguments on the horizon. Christians are light in a dark world and the world needs us to shine an example that will lead them to Jesus. If you find yourself fighting with others, can I encourage you to stop for a moment and ask yourself: Are they creating this fight, or am I? 

So when you don't get your way, be like Cal. 
Don't move to Canada.
And don't be moved to anger.
Be moved to prayer. Look for YOUR opportunity to end fights instead of starting them!

A Pastor AND A Person

I'd never seen one out in the wild. But there he was. My fifth-grade teacher...at the store!

(Not my actual teacher)

He was wearing jorts (it was the late 80's, so he gets a pass) and a smile, neither of which I had ever seen before. Mr. Lockridge was pushing a cart full of groceries and I realized he was just like me, needing milk, cereal, and potato chips to exist. That encounter pretty much rocked my world. 

When I run into people from church around town, they have the same look I shot my teacher that day. It takes them a moment to remember I'm not just a pastor, but a person with all the same needs and errands that make up their lives.

And that's the case on a spiritual level too.

Recently in my men's small group, I confessed to having a real prayer struggle as my list of people and requests kept growing to overwhelming levels. My prayers lacked any joy or power as I merely ticked down the the list. 

That's when Fred, an actual person, said to me, "Don't forget that prayer is just talking to God." How many times had I said this to people? Probably more than I could count, but I had forgotten it myself. And so that's what I did. I put away the list and just talked to God, trusting Romans 8:26 as my source of simply allowing the Holy Spirit to show me what was important to pray for today. 

And my prayer life has been renewed.

Don't forget your pastor, priest, youth minister, and worship leaders are just people. We do our best to be spiritual leaders, but we're still just people with all the same worries, doubts, and issues. Pray for your spiritual leaders. Encourage them. And remember, they put on their jorts one leg at a time just like everyone else!

I have 42 Christmases Left

We're fast approaching the weirdest week of the year. Of course, I'm talking about that week in between Christmas and New Years Day. @EllenCScott threw out 3 of the worst parts of the week:

• People making that annoying joke, "See you next year!"
• You're stuck between the "eat everything" Christmas mentality and your need to get healthier in the new year. 
• There's no news and nothing on TV. 

But for me, that week always makes me ask, "What have I accomplished this year?" It's pretty standard that I'll forget the good stuff, and focus on any unmet goals or resolutions from the last time I lived through this week.

And then I made an even greater mistake...I did some math. And if I were to live to 80 (was gonna go 85, but I really love french fries), I've got 42 Christmas celebrations left. Let's look at that in one of two ways:

1. Ahhhh, I'm going to die!!!!!
2. Hey, make the most out of this time.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time." Ephesians 5:15-16

Are you tired of regerts? (Sorry...I love that commercial) Then start looking carefully how you walk. Otherwise, you'll realize you've been meandering the time away and find yourself with plenty left undone. We'll never accomplish everything, but we'll get a lot closer trying. 

So this year, I'm going to focus less on what I didn't do. And I'm gonna stop contemplating tomorrow so much. My resolutions: Start enjoying today! Pay attention! Live life! Kiss my wife! Hug my kids! If I truly only have 42 Christmases left, I'm committed to living the snot out of them...and every day in between. Who's with me?!

Stay Stubborn and Stay Down

Don't get judgy, but I left an old man to lie on the ground. 

In fact, for roughly 30 minutes he remained on the ground outside of our local Chick-Fil-A while customers walked past him. We didn't choose to leave him on the ground. He chose it by his own stubbornness.

Chuck is a elderly regular who fell as he exited the restaurant. Several concerned customers offered him assistance, which he angrily rejected. "I'm a Marine!" he shouted. "I don't need anyone's help!" The sad truth was not only did he need help, but he was the only one who didn't realize it. 

We aren't always good at admitting our helplessness. During a particularly lean period in seminary, the teachers of our young marrieds Sunday School class brought over groceries. Our teacher, Larry, pulled me aside and asked why I seemed bothered by the gift. I told him I was embarrassed to need such help.

"Have you asked God to provide for your family?" Larry asked. I responded that it was my most constant prayer. Larry looked me in the eye and gently said, "What do you think this is?"

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

The truth is, we're all lying on the ground. Some of our predicaments are more visible than others, but each of us needs to admit we could use a little help. And not only will we find ourselves blessed, but we find our chance be a blessing to others. Don't think that Larry's gift and words haven't motivated me to look for my own opportunities to be the answer to someone's prayer.

Salvation is the most humbling act for humanity. It's the great admission that we aren't enough and we cannot save ourselves. When we stay stubborn, we stay down and the cross is God's proof that He hasn't demanded of us to do anything alone. And it could be that as you admit your need, you encourage others to drop their stubbornness and find the help they need to get up!

The Unelected Unimpeachable King

This morning I was praying for our nation on the eve of election day. As part of my prayer life, I often pray through a daily Psalm, and the Lord placed me in Psalm 67 today:

"Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth." Psalm 67:4

I prayed for Mr. Trump.
I prayed for Mrs. Clinton.
I prayed for Mr. McMullin.
And I prayed for the people that are going to be devastated after the results are finalized. 

Democracy is great when you win, and it's the pits when you lose. But as Winston Churchill once said

Here's the long and short of it for me; I will be a responsible citizen and cast my vote. I will be a responsible Christ-follower, and follow my biblical convictions in doing so.

And I will not hang my hopes on anyone other than Jesus. 

You see, Presidents come and go. But the King of Kings is here to stay! He offers promises that are never broken, and leadership that will never be matched. He's never up for re-election, and never in need of removal.

So let us as Christians be responsible citizens. Exercise your right to vote! Pray for our nation! But don't allow the political process of one nation out of the 195 in the world, to steal your joy. Remember that whether your candidate wins or loses, thanks to Jesus, you still win!