Don't you hate it when someone says, "I know what you're going through"? When you're hurting, you really don't care to hear lectures, pep talks, and motivational speeches from people who have supposedly "been where you've been." A hug? Yes. A $100 bill? You bet! But empty words from some cheerleader on a sugar-high? Don't bother. It's like losing your job and having Bill Gates put his arm around your shoulder saying, "I know how you feel." Yeah right!
Let's face it, when life hurts, talk is cheap.
But what if someone really did know how you feel? What if they had walked a mile in your shoes? What if they sat where you sit? Now that would be different. You might actually be willing to listen, because you might learn something! You could ask questions...and get real answers, based on real experience.
Think about this: God turns obstacles into opportunities. Every pain in my life becomes an opportunity to share God's love, grace, faithfulness, and provision. Even when I don't see the "good" in tough times, two facts are always true: 1) God is there to help me through it; and 2) God wants me to use my pain to help others. I've reminded of this twice in the last week...
1. I heard about a family in Caldwell, TX who lost everything they owned in a house fire last Saturday. Immediately, my heart was broken for this family of six (mom, dad & 4 boys, ages 7-13), not just because it's a sad story...but because I have experienced a fire myself. In 1986, our family lost our home to a fire. I have often shared about how grateful I was to receive my first shirt, jeans, and 3-pack of Fruit-of-the-Looms after the fire. We stayed with a family from church for several weeks, until a rental home could be found. Eventually, life returned to "normal," but I'll never forget the feeling of huddling together with my family on the front lawn of my home while firefighters rushed in and out. The sights, sounds, and smells of that afternoon are still with me today.
2. I got an email from a missionary friend, Dick Herman, whose father was just diagnosed with a brain tumor. Immediately, my heart was stirred for him, not just because it;s a sad story...but because I have experienced the news myself. In the late 1990's, my dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I remember hearing the news of his stroke, the subsequent diagnostic tests, and the eventual surgery. I remember saying goodbye to him just before he was wheeled into the OR, and wondering if I would see him again. I remember the days, weeks, and months of recovery. I remember the way God provided for my family's finances in the most unexpected ways. Eventually, life returned to "normal," but I'll never forget the slurred speech, starry looks, and gentle seizures during those early days. The sights & sounds are still with me today.
So, what does all this mean? Twice in one week I heard sad stories. But twice in one week I was ready to respond. Why? Because the pain of my past became an opportunity for God's love to shine. My test became a testimony...and it was time to share! You may not have been through a fire, and you may not have watched your father recover from surgery, but you've still got something to share. So share it, and let the healing begin...
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Life During Lent: Getting Rid of "IT"
Sorry it has taken a few days to get back to you guys about my "Lent Life." I have thought a lot about this, and I keep coming back to this simple truth: I should give up something I would actually miss. For me, that's Diet Coke. (Yep, it's that simple...my apologies to those of you who were expecting something more!) IT doesn't necessarily have to be deep, or complicated, or of some "spiritual" value--IT just needs to matter to you. In other words, every time you get ready to eat, drink, watch, read, drive, play, or rent IT...you need to stop and think, "Nope, not this time. I'm giving IT up, so I can draw closer to Jesus."
So, that's my subtraction. Diet Coke.
Now, for the addition: I know I need to spend more time in prayer--that's a given. So that's #1: Get up 30 mins earlier to spend time with God.
Here's #2: Journaling. I have done this off-and-on for years, and although I usually get a lot out of it, I just seem to drop off after 3-5 days. Then, I start again 2 weeks later...then again 3 months later...then Michele has another baby, and I stop for a year! (In fact, come to think of it, that almost makes me want to stop journaling altogether! Yikes!) Maybe some of you are asking, "What's journaling, and why do it, anyway?" (Well, I think that would be a great subject for another blog entry.)
And for #3, I would like to blog more, during the 40 days of Lent. Sound strange? Here's my thought--I want to share what God is teaching me, and I want to hear what He is doing in your lives, too. This can be quite a season of refreshing for all of us, and I want to create the forum for us to edify & encourage one another. What are you learning? How are you growing? What's the hardest part? The most rewarding? You get the idea...
That's enough for now. I'd better be quiet so you can talk... (I'm going to go make a nice tall glass of Diet...water.)
So, that's my subtraction. Diet Coke.
Now, for the addition: I know I need to spend more time in prayer--that's a given. So that's #1: Get up 30 mins earlier to spend time with God.
Here's #2: Journaling. I have done this off-and-on for years, and although I usually get a lot out of it, I just seem to drop off after 3-5 days. Then, I start again 2 weeks later...then again 3 months later...then Michele has another baby, and I stop for a year! (In fact, come to think of it, that almost makes me want to stop journaling altogether! Yikes!) Maybe some of you are asking, "What's journaling, and why do it, anyway?" (Well, I think that would be a great subject for another blog entry.)
And for #3, I would like to blog more, during the 40 days of Lent. Sound strange? Here's my thought--I want to share what God is teaching me, and I want to hear what He is doing in your lives, too. This can be quite a season of refreshing for all of us, and I want to create the forum for us to edify & encourage one another. What are you learning? How are you growing? What's the hardest part? The most rewarding? You get the idea...
That's enough for now. I'd better be quiet so you can talk... (I'm going to go make a nice tall glass of Diet...water.)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Do You Observe Lent?
I've been in church most all my life, but I've never observed the season of Lent.
Not really sure why, but my family didn't talk about it. And my church didn't teach about it. And so I certainly didn't think much about it. That is...until recently.
First, a brief explanation: Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where according to the Bible he endured temptation by Satan. Different churches calculate the forty days differently. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence, sacrificial giving, and self-denial--for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
So, in other words, this is a season of self-denial for the purpose of reflection and eventually celebration. But I wonder, do any of you in the Bridge Family observe this "holiday?" I've heard the phrase, "I'm giving up such and such for lent," but I've never really taken the time to personalize a response from my heart to the Lord.
This year, I want to.
Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church in Washington D.C., describes the Lent observance (or for that matter, FASTING in general) as being a two-fold process: SUBTRACTION and ADDITION. The following is an excerpt from his blog (http://www.evotional.com/):
"What do you need to subtract from you life? It might be a bad habit or waste of time or something that is permissible but not beneficial. Last year I gave up television for forty days. This year I'm giving up soda and candy. I know that doesn't sound super spiritual, but if you knew how much I love vanilla coke and gummy bears... What do you need to add to your life? You can't just subtract something. You've got to add something to your spiritual routine. I'm going to add an hour to my day. How? I'm setting my alarm clock an hour earlier than I normally do. I want to give God more of my most precious resource: time. I'm believing that subtraction and addition will result in multiplication. "
As part of our 10-week challenge (which of course lasts longer than 40 days), I would invite you to join me in the observance of Lent. Spend some time praying about your response, and then go for it! And whatever you do, remember it is a two-fold process--subtraction and addition. To put it another way, we need both fasting and feasting!
I'll let you know what I decide--but in the meantime, I would love to hear from the rest of you.
P.S. -- The "official" start of Lent is Ash Wednesday, which is February 25th. (So you'd better hurry!)
Not really sure why, but my family didn't talk about it. And my church didn't teach about it. And so I certainly didn't think much about it. That is...until recently.
First, a brief explanation: Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where according to the Bible he endured temptation by Satan. Different churches calculate the forty days differently. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence, sacrificial giving, and self-denial--for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
So, in other words, this is a season of self-denial for the purpose of reflection and eventually celebration. But I wonder, do any of you in the Bridge Family observe this "holiday?" I've heard the phrase, "I'm giving up such and such for lent," but I've never really taken the time to personalize a response from my heart to the Lord.
This year, I want to.
Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church in Washington D.C., describes the Lent observance (or for that matter, FASTING in general) as being a two-fold process: SUBTRACTION and ADDITION. The following is an excerpt from his blog (http://www.evotional.com/):
"What do you need to subtract from you life? It might be a bad habit or waste of time or something that is permissible but not beneficial. Last year I gave up television for forty days. This year I'm giving up soda and candy. I know that doesn't sound super spiritual, but if you knew how much I love vanilla coke and gummy bears... What do you need to add to your life? You can't just subtract something. You've got to add something to your spiritual routine. I'm going to add an hour to my day. How? I'm setting my alarm clock an hour earlier than I normally do. I want to give God more of my most precious resource: time. I'm believing that subtraction and addition will result in multiplication. "
As part of our 10-week challenge (which of course lasts longer than 40 days), I would invite you to join me in the observance of Lent. Spend some time praying about your response, and then go for it! And whatever you do, remember it is a two-fold process--subtraction and addition. To put it another way, we need both fasting and feasting!
I'll let you know what I decide--but in the meantime, I would love to hear from the rest of you.
P.S. -- The "official" start of Lent is Ash Wednesday, which is February 25th. (So you'd better hurry!)
Give Me 10 Weeks
This past Sunday, I issued a challenge to the Bridge Church family: Give me 10 weeks, and I'll promise you growth. Sounds easy huh? The thought originates in some real-life experience...some real-life weight loss experience, to be exact. Here's the story... (OK, just pretend that you care & keep reading!)
About 10 years ago, I needed to lose some weight. (Actually, I still do...but that's not the point here.) A health-conscious fitness-nut friend challenged me to devote 10 weeks to a dramatic, but reasonable, lifestyle change. He promised that if I would follow his instructions, I would see significant weight loss and improved overall fitness. I agreed. (I pretty much had to, because I was running out of clothes that fit...and I couldn't afford any new ones! Can I get a witness?)
The plan was simple:
1) No sugar (or soft drinks, candy bars, cookies, ice cream, or anything else that tasted sweet).
2) Exercise a minimum of 5 days/week, including both cardio and weight training. (I had never done either one.)
3) Make "better bad choices" (for example: pretzels instead of chips; carrot sticks instead of candy bars; diet drinks instead of regular; skim milk instead of whole; regular Cheerios instead of Honey Nut; need I go on?) And Numero Quatro... (This was the big one)
4) Keep a JOURNAL of it all! (every bite I ate, every mile I ran, every pound I shed, every notch in my belt...EVERYTHING!) He knew something that I didn't, but was about to learn: Journaling produces accountability, which is the key to discipline, which is the key to success.
So, I started right away. I was so desperate for change that I was ready for anything! So, I crossed my fingers, closed my eyes, and climbed on the scale to find out exactly where "ground zero" was. It was scary! But I was not to be deterred. Starting that day, I ate better, exercised more, journaled regularly, and felt more healthy. I was sure that the results would be great, and I couldn't wait to see how much weight I had lost in just 2 days!
But there was one more piece of advice that my "trainer-friend" shared: You can't get back on the scale for at least 4 weeks. What?!? Why couldn't I weigh after a few days, or even after a couple of weeks? Because my friend knew it would take time to see results--and he didn't want me to become discouraged by slow progress, and end up quitting in frustration. So I agreed (reluctantly).
Four (long) weeks later, I climbed on the scale and was shocked to realize I had lost 16 pounds! It was really working! Now that I had seen some results, I knew I could go the distance. I was ready for the long haul. Before long, people started to notice I was slimming down. Then my clothes started fitting better. Then I even started feeling stronger. Then I started posing in front of the mirror without my shirt on... (OK, I better stop there before you start having disturbing mental images. What's that? Too late? Sorry about that.)
The point is this: I was GROWING! (or in this case, shrinking--but you get the idea.) I believe the key to it all was the JOURNAL.
So, I started thinking... How many of us are frustrated by our lack of spiritual growth? We want to be spiritually "fit," but often seem to fall back "out of shape." We wish God felt closer to us. We feel lethargic at church. We wonder why our prayers aren't answered. We confess that the Bible seems dull, if we even try to read it at all. But if we could just STOP and LOOK at ourselves, we might see the true problem: SPIRITUAL LAZINESS.
Now, back to where we started, here's the challenge: Give me 10 weeks, and I'll promise you growth! I could give a list of simple steps to be followed (like the example above), but we're all at different levels in our spiritual maturity, and we all have different needs. Anyway, here's a few ideas:
1. Read the Bible for _____ minutes each day. (fill in the blank...but make sure it stretches you)
2. Pray for ____ minutes three times each day. (you eat 3 meals a day, right?)
3. Listen to a worship CD, or worship music from your ipod.
4. Turn off the TV 30 mins earlier at night, and spend some time reflecting on the day.
5. Try to memorize a verse of Scripture. (something that strengthens your faith)
6. Listen to a sermon from your favorite pastor while driving, instead of the radio.
7. Create a Top 10 List of the most urgent prayer needs (but don't include any needs of your own--only others!)
(I could go on and on making suggestions, but you need something that's personally tailored to your needs and "fitness level.")
And don't forget the most important part: KEEP A JOURNAL of it all. By keeping a record of your "exercises," you will be more likely to hold yourself accountable.
Thanks for taking the challenge. Let's see what God can do in your life--and in our church--in 10 exciting weeks!
About 10 years ago, I needed to lose some weight. (Actually, I still do...but that's not the point here.) A health-conscious fitness-nut friend challenged me to devote 10 weeks to a dramatic, but reasonable, lifestyle change. He promised that if I would follow his instructions, I would see significant weight loss and improved overall fitness. I agreed. (I pretty much had to, because I was running out of clothes that fit...and I couldn't afford any new ones! Can I get a witness?)
The plan was simple:
1) No sugar (or soft drinks, candy bars, cookies, ice cream, or anything else that tasted sweet).
2) Exercise a minimum of 5 days/week, including both cardio and weight training. (I had never done either one.)
3) Make "better bad choices" (for example: pretzels instead of chips; carrot sticks instead of candy bars; diet drinks instead of regular; skim milk instead of whole; regular Cheerios instead of Honey Nut; need I go on?) And Numero Quatro... (This was the big one)
4) Keep a JOURNAL of it all! (every bite I ate, every mile I ran, every pound I shed, every notch in my belt...EVERYTHING!) He knew something that I didn't, but was about to learn: Journaling produces accountability, which is the key to discipline, which is the key to success.
So, I started right away. I was so desperate for change that I was ready for anything! So, I crossed my fingers, closed my eyes, and climbed on the scale to find out exactly where "ground zero" was. It was scary! But I was not to be deterred. Starting that day, I ate better, exercised more, journaled regularly, and felt more healthy. I was sure that the results would be great, and I couldn't wait to see how much weight I had lost in just 2 days!
But there was one more piece of advice that my "trainer-friend" shared: You can't get back on the scale for at least 4 weeks. What?!? Why couldn't I weigh after a few days, or even after a couple of weeks? Because my friend knew it would take time to see results--and he didn't want me to become discouraged by slow progress, and end up quitting in frustration. So I agreed (reluctantly).
Four (long) weeks later, I climbed on the scale and was shocked to realize I had lost 16 pounds! It was really working! Now that I had seen some results, I knew I could go the distance. I was ready for the long haul. Before long, people started to notice I was slimming down. Then my clothes started fitting better. Then I even started feeling stronger. Then I started posing in front of the mirror without my shirt on... (OK, I better stop there before you start having disturbing mental images. What's that? Too late? Sorry about that.)
The point is this: I was GROWING! (or in this case, shrinking--but you get the idea.) I believe the key to it all was the JOURNAL.
So, I started thinking... How many of us are frustrated by our lack of spiritual growth? We want to be spiritually "fit," but often seem to fall back "out of shape." We wish God felt closer to us. We feel lethargic at church. We wonder why our prayers aren't answered. We confess that the Bible seems dull, if we even try to read it at all. But if we could just STOP and LOOK at ourselves, we might see the true problem: SPIRITUAL LAZINESS.
Now, back to where we started, here's the challenge: Give me 10 weeks, and I'll promise you growth! I could give a list of simple steps to be followed (like the example above), but we're all at different levels in our spiritual maturity, and we all have different needs. Anyway, here's a few ideas:
1. Read the Bible for _____ minutes each day. (fill in the blank...but make sure it stretches you)
2. Pray for ____ minutes three times each day. (you eat 3 meals a day, right?)
3. Listen to a worship CD, or worship music from your ipod.
4. Turn off the TV 30 mins earlier at night, and spend some time reflecting on the day.
5. Try to memorize a verse of Scripture. (something that strengthens your faith)
6. Listen to a sermon from your favorite pastor while driving, instead of the radio.
7. Create a Top 10 List of the most urgent prayer needs (but don't include any needs of your own--only others!)
(I could go on and on making suggestions, but you need something that's personally tailored to your needs and "fitness level.")
And don't forget the most important part: KEEP A JOURNAL of it all. By keeping a record of your "exercises," you will be more likely to hold yourself accountable.
Thanks for taking the challenge. Let's see what God can do in your life--and in our church--in 10 exciting weeks!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Facts About Flipper's Family
I'm not exactly a marine biologist (in case you didn't know), but recently I learned some fascinating facts about dolphins. OK, in the spirit of full disclosure, I should tell you that my "research" consisted of listening while my 8-year-old daughter, Macy, read a library book to me for her homework. I digress...Just listen to this stuff, and take from it whatever you will:
1. Dolphins are mammals. (Don't worry, it gets better.)
2. They live in the water. (OK, I'm just joking about this one!)
3. Once they give birth, the parents continue to nurture their young for life. In other words, they stay together as a family unit, and demonstrate many "human" characteristics regarding relationships.
4. Although they live exclusively in water, they require oxygen to survive. (Just seeing if you're still with me...) Therefore, they have to return to the surface regularly for air. This fact is very important, because it leads into the last one. Are you ready?
5. When a dolphin is injured, the other dolphins in it's school (or family) do something incredible: they gather underneath the wounded dolphin and lift it to the surface so it can breathe. Think about that! The dolphins instinctively know that they must join together, work together, lift together in order to help their fallen friend. I can't think of a better picture of what the church is supposed to be about.
And let's take it one step further. Although the healthy dolphins want to help the wounded one, not one of them can do it alone. It would be too hard for one dolphin to singlehandedly support the weight of another, no matter how "willing to help" he was. The burden is just too great for one to bear--or even two to bear. It takes the whole group. Does any of this sound biblical? You be the judge.
"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not just please ourselves." (Romans 15:1)
"Consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)
Bear one another's burdens. Love your neighbor as yourself. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. God's desire is for us to love one another deeply--even sacrificially--so that His Glory may be revealed in us. This is what the church is supposed to be. One family. One body. One school of dolphins! So, when you are wounded, I will be here to help. And when I am wounded, thank you all in advance for lifting me up, and giving me some fresh air! I love you guys. Thanks, Flipper...
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