The river flows quickly from its source. Rushing down from high cliffs carving its path as it goes. There is an assumed purpose to it. Pulled ever downward to the ever slowing lowlands. The river moves ever slower and slower to its ultimate end as it joins the ocean and is lost in its vastness.
My life has had its fast times, filled with purpose and decisions. Now as my shell slowly descends from the high mountain it deteriorates and my days of rashness and physicality slowly move to my end I in the totality of God, I must transition from the physical purpose to a more spiritual one. Now is the time for slow recollections and attempts to understand the life I have lived.
I guess Isaac Newton said it well, and I paraphrase. “My worldly usefulness is the last idol I am willing to part with—but the Lord will enable me to give even this up.”
Contrast
The world says, “Be first.” God says, “The first will be last.”
The world says, “Get all you can.” God says, “Give to the poor.”
The world says, “Grow up fast.” God says, “Be like a little child.”
The world says, “Look out for yourself.” God says, “Consider others first.”
The world says, “Fight for your rights.” God says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
The world says, “Power and prestige.” God says, “Submission and servanthood.”
The world says, “Say like it is.” God says, “Speak the truth in love.”
The world says, “Justice, revenge, hate.” God says, “Mercy, forgiveness
The world says, “No justice no peace.” God says, “With peace come justice.”
The world says, “Image is everything.” God says, “You are made in His image.”
The world says, “Live like no tomorrow.” God says, “Live in eternity.”
The world says, “Be the king of your world.” God says, “Jesus is the king.”
The world says, “Entertain me.” God says, “Worship me.”
The world says, “Find your own way.” God says, “I am the way.”
The world says, “Truth is relative.” God says, “I am the truth.”
Give me Joy
Happiness and Joy
Happiness is changeable
Joy is unchanging
Happiness can be stolen by the smallest thing
Joy safe
Happiness is cosmetic
Joy is character
Happiness is external
Joy is from within
Happiness satisfies the surface
Joy satisfies the deepest needs
Happiness show the temperature
Joy regulates the temperature
Happiness disappears in suffering
Joy frequently increases in suffering
Happiness is a good thing
Joy is better
Happiness is strengthened when you have joy
In bad times it is hard to have happiness
In bad times the joy of God is acutely known
Happiness is not present in the darkness of difficulty
Joy never leaves us without a light
Joy is not an idea
Joy is not a decision
Joy is not an emotion
Joy is an inner assurance
Joy is in the soul and not in the body
Joy can be in tears
Joy comes from a different place than happiness.
Give me joy!
Valuing our Efforts
Even if you look closely, peering into the depths of who we are, we will never know our size. Our perception is always flawed by self-expectations. You and I are much more marvelous, much more important, much more consistently creative than we will ever know or even admit. We do not credit ourselves with the things and events of which we are the central figure. Our own flawed window keeps us from seeing our own personal worth. We are blind to our gifts. We become deaf to our own voice. We don’t hear our self-magnitude.
Our blurry image of self is so unrecognizable that we become dependent upon the assessment of others. Assurance of worth seems to be delegated to everyone but ourselves. These others seem only to see our imperfections and our weakness. Every personal accomplishment is seen as an opportunity for the world to pick it apart. We become so encapsulated in the lint picking opinions of everyone else, we shun any effort that could be construed as being good in the fear of not living up to the expectation of perfection of our
We must be more than what others see. We must dig deep into a realistic view of who we are; to allow ourselves to say, “that was good”.
Being creative is like that.
Writing is like that.
Life is like that.
Worship is like that.
Pressing on
Where have the years gone? I sit here in my office. It is a place of study, writing, devotion and occasionally my granddaughter’s computer game room. I contemplate my life and wonder if all the ups and downs of my life really mean much.
Jobs have come and gone: from a janitor to an information technologist, from a meat cutter to a minister and a technical writer to a project manager. Jobs that could well range from a gritty endurance to pure joy.
Travel to special places and not so special are a part of my history. Formal education entitles me to put a few letters after my name. Fifty years of marriage, three kids and now two grandchildren make up my family. I have suffered market crashes and car accidents. I have relocated to Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and now make my home in California. There have been times of laughter, sadness, boredom, excitement, pain, dwindling health, and disappointment.
If there is one constant in my life it has been continual change. But now, here in my office, there seems to be an accepted permanence. It affords me time to write more often in this blog, write my second historical fiction, create Bible studies for men’s ministries, create videos for those who would ask. But change is inevitable.
It has been said there are but two constants in life: death and taxes. Sitting here reflecting on life I must disagree. Looking through my life the only relentless constant is God. It matters little if I have followed him every minute of every day or had some low points, God is still present in those times. I could have done better. I have failed to live up to my own expectations. But through it all God has been there. There has been special standing on the mountaintop type of moments where all is well. Conversely, I have dived the depths of the slough of despond. But God has been there. God has been my constant companion. Even when I did not realize it. His grace covered me and this love has guarded me.
It was Paul who said, “
In all the vicissitudes of life—every mountain-top moment and every lonely valley—God has been my constant helper. His presence has comforted me; His grace has covered me; His love has guarded me.
If I have learned anything, it is that we should live with an eternal perspective. If we seek happiness in this life only, we will miss the eternal prize.
Paul, by inspiration, says it best: “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24 ESV). Again from Corinthians, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
In the
Just Larry.
Leadership Now
I am bald. For some, you could say I am follically challenged. Hence, I have had literally hundreds of hats all purchased or give to me with one purpose: to protect my bare head. Some were plain, others with a message attached. One of these hats broadcast a leadership style. That red and white hat had two bills. One bill pointing in one direction and another pointing another. And on the cap was boldly written, “I’m their leader which way did they go?” I would think this cap was given as a joke because I have never one to stand back and let others lead. I am the John Wayne type of person who is quiet, and unassuming until there is a crisis. When things go wrong, I block everything out, even who is to blame and come to a quick decision. And come what may, I stick to my decision without wavering.
The problem is that haunts this type of leader is the lack of company. This character is tragically and painfully alone. Their silence and their inability to let others own part of the solution is isolating. In today’s socially acceptable world we of the John Wayne set, living in our isolation want so much to be accepted volitionally try to restrain ourselves. So not only are we isolated, we now become withdrawn and reactionary only to the big things. It becomes an exhibition of “Silent Strength.” This attitude becomes so silent that decisions are reserved for when the house is burning down and everything else is left to others. And we live in a quiet desperation.
Men have allowed themselves to be trapped in their own inner lives. Silent strength often becomes quiet desperation. We endure an inner shame when we don’t have an answer. We are frustrated by simple choices. “Honey do you want beef or chicken tonight?” “It doesn’t matter.” The society around us has made its business to push men into this quiet desperation for generations. We must be politically correct. We must allow our spouses their say without constraint. We must be the strong silent type, enduring all, accepting all and with a small upturned smile as we cope. “When Momma is happy, everyone is happy.”
So, what is the solution? As I read the Bible to find guidance and direction, I discover we are to be leaders to our families, love our wives, disciple our kids, serve the church, and spread the gospel along with a thousand other things. It is simply overwhelming. As each new wave of frustration, anxiety, and compliance folds over, it becomes easier and easier to just give up the reigns that God desires of us to hold tightly to. It is all about individual decisions.
Christian men need to set their decision making not based upon people’s expectations but upon God’s expectations.
I am working on a Bible study based on the path set before men. It is how to make the right decisions in love and caring. It is how to renew the place of men in God’s plans. It is based on four maxims and each must have its proper place: Christian decision making is first compassionate to people. Decision making always is one of relationship over things. Your family is more important than
Christian decisions are always about head knowledge and logic. It is not something you just do because your emotion or your heart says it is good. A person’s heart is the most fickle part of our lives and should not be trusted. This decision maxim is intellect over emotion.
Christian decisions are always about joy and not about happiness. Happiness is a temporary thing. Happiness comes and goes with the latest thing, place or substance. Joy is something that comes from within the inner soul. Happiness is usually associated with something outside trying to fill a gap in the soul.
Christian choice is always based on the future. It is not based upon the past. Sure you may have well failed at something, never-the-less it is not a determining reason for not trying again. There is always redemption. We must always strive to better than our past.
How do we become the person God wants us to be? How can we be the confident
Second, we need to start a regular Bible reading plan. Make it a habit to set aside at least 5 minutes for only reading your Bible. God will start to reveal His will for you and your family.
Next, go and find someone to meet with. Find another guy with whom you can have an honest conversation. This can be hard, but are we too scared to reach out to another guy and acknowledge that we are all struggling with something?
Finally, it is never too late to start leading. The world wants you to feel like you’ve already blown your chance to lead, or that no one will take you seriously, but this isn’t the case. Take a few minutes to write down the areas in your life where you would like to start leading.
The bottom line is this: It is NOT too late to start leading. Ask the Lord to show you the way and just start leading.
What do you think?
Cash Register Eternal Life
I just finished teaching a cadre of men an eighteen-week study on the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. The best time to assess that study is a couple of weeks afterward. Lesson after lesson we explored the depths of this passage. There were times where we found true understanding of scripture and lives were changed with slight veers in individual paths. Now I am looking back and seeing what these passages really mean to me.
It is the third verse which was the greatest point of my study. This is eternal life; that they may know you the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. This is the only scripture where Jesus gives a precise, unwavering, perfect, straightforward definition of eternal life.
The church today seems to want to define “eternal life” as a simple phrase pointing to where you go when you die. It is a good place. It is the place you want to go. It is the place where there are fluffy clouds and angel wings. The church today seems to have made a part of an either-or situation. And with this option, a market or economic value system has been attached. What does it cost? What effort is required to attain it? We want to know if God takes plastic.
Eternal life can not be bought. Not by a sinner’s prayer. Not by a perfectly recited and overly used system of chants. Not by a set of behavioral attitudes. Not by demonstrating in view of all and everyone in earshot that you have faith.
Eternal life is not the reward for effort. Eternal life is knowing God. It is in that relationship of knowing one another that makes life eternal. Simply by saying, “I am up to accepting your sacrifice,” or “I am willing to be your treasure,” is going to make the heavenly cash register open up and a little round token with the words, “Eternal Life” be given to you. These are just the starting point. The initial intersection between you and God. That first step is like the wedding ceremony; it is just the start. Marriage is more than one simple saying of your vows. Marriage and eternal life are about the relationship that goes on and on. It is a daily seeking of relationship. It is knowing. It is devotion. It is saying your sorry more than once. Eternal life is not doing but knowing.
Comments?
Rise and Shine
I don’t understand. I wake up and the first thing I hear is the news on in the living room and I am blasted by the latest scandal, the latest opinion that is contrary to the ones I have. I wonder how our “Christian nation” arrived at a place where our college students don’t think and just react to the latest rhetoric pumped from a tiny screen. I am aghast that our government seems unwilling or unable to just sit down and talk with each other. Rather they are so polarized they would rather the country fail than not get their ideological viewpoint undermined. I sit here questioning seeming fluid self-declared gender identity sweeping our culture, thrown in the face of God-created differences.
It is not just secular tidal waves that loom on our horizon. The church is being changed by these forces. The church is called to change the world, not the other way around. I read of what we would call mainline churches just giving up on basic Christian beliefs. “Mary wasn’t a virgin, she was just a maiden.” “Jesus did not raise from the dead, it is just an allegory.” It has become more of what you do than what you believe, “Live the good life.” The church no longer talks about the blood of Jesus providing a life-changing salvation. It is all about an entertainment of the senses in a joint expression of euphoria as a substitute for worship.
As a result, there is a cultural relativism. There are no absolutes. “We don’t need theology, we need a social application of cultural norms,” is touted at the latest seminar or church conference. The sheep have been set free to roam where ever they think is best.” And they have taken this relative culture and ran with it. Running toward destruction.
We must get back to basics. Where we hold standards high. Where the truth is the truth. Where the Bible is the basis of life. There must be an evangelism in our church. We must show unity, we must love one another. There are mainline churches across this great nation that are dying because they are not connected to the True Vine.
I pray for the church to be filled. I pray for the church to be called to prayer. I call for the church to change our culture. I pray that the great churches of America have a genuine revival of the Spirit of God.
And with this revival will come a change in our country.
Leadership Dilemma
There is a myriad of stories of Bible studies, small groups, even churches that have less than stellar endpoints. We look to many causes. “It was the building was not welcoming.” The heat and cooling were not to my liking.” “There was not enough commitment from the church board.” “There was an economic downturn in our area.” “The ministries were not meeting the needs of our socioeconomic mix.” And the list goes on and on.
I teach a regular Bible study specifically designed and presented to a subset of the congregation. It is Men ministering to men. The attendance has not always been equal from week to week and I am amazed at the progress each of these Christian disciples has come. Never-the-less, I have to do personal inventory on a constant and continual schedule. I want to make sure I am not the person that causes the change in attendance.
I am a very boisterous, loud, opinionated, strong personality. And this personal character must be kept in check within reason or there may well be an exodus from attendance. I don’t want to be an emotionally unhealthy Christian leader.
This emotional deficit is caused by a lack of inward understanding of my own feelings, my own weaknesses and limits. It is this emotional detachment that also prevents an understanding of other’s feelings and perspectives.
Leadership that does not look inwardly will ultimately alienate all that is around them. As a remedy for this inward continual desire to be heard understood and agreed with comes a tendency to work a little harder, to volunteer for one more thing, to give of my time talent and treasure until they have little left.
This type of leader ends up engaging in more and more activities that what can not be sustained. They seem to continually give out FOR God more than they receive FROM Him. They serve others to share the joy of Jesus because there is little joy in their efforts alone.
In their more honest moments, they admit that their cup with God is empty or, at best, half full, hardly overflowing with the divine joy and love they proclaim to others.
As a result, with all the balls in the air, a leader must continually grab at the next one lest one should fall. And in the heavenly juggling act, the time and effort due to the current ball in hand go into “good enough” category.
In the process, they obscure the beauty and perfection of Christ they say they want the whole world to see. No well-intentioned leader would set out to lead this way, but it happens all the time.
Do we still need a Bible?
As I was preparing to attend church last week, I dutifully selected one of the many Bibles that fill a goodly part of one of my shelves. There are big ones with plastic tabs along the edge, so scriptures can be more easily found. There are old broken-down ones that have lost their binding and used only gingerly on my desk and examined with care. There are numerous Bibles that are differentiated by the translation; NASB, MOFFAT, KJ, NKJ, NIV, Message, RSV and on and on. This week I chose a TNIV. It is a study Bible with lots of helps and references.
As I sit in the sanctuary just a few moments later and the scripture for the sermon is blaringly displayed across three screens, I wonder, “what is the necessity of lugging a big black book to church”. What is it that makes me feel that I have my act together in worship when I carry my Bible? Has the church passed by the need to have pew Bibles for those don’t have one, or do we don’t need one at all? The Word is passed down to the congregant in little spoons full by the upfronts and that seems to be good enough.
I have one Bible that I started my ministry way back there and since then the cover fell off, the pages are so well worn that I must be careful not to tear them. It has been marked, highlighted, annotated and referenced thousands of times. There is a sense of history about it. If I have the latest version with updated references and scriptural research, why don’t I just throw it away?
Books have lives, and for me and my fellow attendees, consideration must be made for what we have lost personally and collectively by neglecting the Bible as a tangible object. As one writer said of both the Bible and the hymnal that they, “straddle the worlds of literary and religious reading, of song and private reflection.” They are a part of the method that should not be done away, just because there is no pocket in the back of the folding chairs. Bibles at church are part of the foundational formation of the family of God? Another scholar points out that what we hold dear affects us and called it, “hand piety.” That which we hold, that which we carry, that which we place on our laps at church has a significance. These things are permanent parts of our experience of knowing God.
With the Bible on our phones and words on the screen in most evangelical churches, are we being molded into the church by the objects we touch, hold, and memorize? I really don’t think a Bible app on a smartphone holds the same importance as a Bible you have prayed with, cried with, laugh with and come through terrible trials with. A smartphone is just too easy to become a group of loosely networked individuals, where devotional practices and worship are experienced in an individualized manner.
Take your Bibles to church.
By the way, I was snooping a couple of weeks ago and those who had their screens on during service were not looking at a Bible application.