Simply Put

God's call—then our response. Sometimes sizable. Sometimes moment-by-moment.

Could it be that simple?

Do we hear the Gospel, then just choose to believe it or not? Do we see a need, then just choose to act or stand still? Do we see an opportunity, then just choose to invest or pull back?

"The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep." - John 21:17

Only three times, Peter?

I am glad God has been so very patient with me. Definitely more patient than I'd have been.

Enter In

The other night I watched Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" with my first born. He's 12. I am not a fan of sitting through an R-rated film with him, but obviously this one is not a Will Ferrel fraternity romp. For those of you who've seen Gibon's flick it is pretty intense. Pretty brutal. I wanted to share the story of Christ in a different way with my boy. We've spoken about it. He's heard some at church. He even adds the marshmallow Peeps to resurrection Sunday. I think he sort of understands the Jesus crucified for our sins thing—to the degree he could.*

We sat on the couch and watched the movie. There were moments of eyes closing, volume turning down, and other methods of trying to cover up what was going on on screen—but we couldn't.

There were times over the course of the movie where I would give my perspective on what was going on, to try to tie some of it in to what we've learned, Bible stories, etc. One of the most impactive things was when they would pull away from the brutality of the cross and bring you into the upper room as Jesus is sharing his bread and body, and wine and blood. There is a unique storytelling that goes on from the blood of Calvary to the grace of the Supper.

One of the things which stuck out most to my son was when the bruised, bloodied, nailed, Christ asks his Father to "forgive them". My son could not believe this. Well, I think he believed it, but couldn't fathom it. It placed the people who'd abused Christ to the point of death as those who were forgiven—which I believe they were.

And I am in the same "them" which Jesus was grieving for.

Then the curtain tore in two.

Forgiveness. There is such power in it—Through Christ to us, the power to enter in.

Forgiveness. There is such power in it—From ourselves to others, a power to enter in in a different sense.

A Power to enter in to relationship. Enter in to relief. Enter in to conversation. Enter in to building. Enter in to healing. Enter in to change. Enter in to becoming something different.

Can we truly forgive "them" (whoever them is?) if they don't know what they do?  Or even if they did?

And through our forgiveness, offer the activity of entering in?



*I believe that none of us fully get the crucified for our sins thing—at least not here on earth. I know I fall way short of full understanding, but I try my best to "get it".

Fail Safe

Today's culture is so entrenched in finger pointing and blame. Its even come to the point of joy in others' calamities. We have "fashion police" who point at, tease, and mock those who may have worn something odd or simply out of style. We have pundits chomping at the bit to report upon political misfortune. And more and more we are seeing the joy in others accidents or major "Fails". Viral video, Tosh.0, and the like saturate our market with face plants, crotch kicks, and a platform to glorify and laugh at the perceived stupidity of others. I'll admit, I find it funny in a painful way to see someone wipeout on their sled into a small pine tree. But we've almost become numb to misfortune. Unaccepting in a holier-than-thou mockery of people.

With culture skewed this way, our attitude toward failure is skewed—our attitude toward failure is wrong. We have to have the freedom to fail. In relationship, marriage, business, parenting, and with ourselves.

Failure means something was tried.

Failure can be a result of inappropriate decision-making, selfish behavior, and overall poor effort. Additionally, it can be a result of trying something, good intention, and an effort to improve.

Failure begets change.

The change begotten may simply be an obvious decision to not try and skateboard down that flight of stairs again. Outside of urban parkour, in a more common arena, the change is accomplished using attitude, forgiveness, support, initiative, etc.

• Has the spouse forgiven the other and do they decide to seek support and rebuild a marriage
• Has the entrepreneur decided to reevaluate a business process and reconstruct some methodologies
• Has the child made the efforts to put in the extra time to elevate their game to win next time
• Has the dad changed his behaviors to leave a better example for his children
• Has the employee realized that in order to achieve the promotion next year they may have to spend more time building a business instead of their resume
• Has the leader realized a need to serve instead of speak from a soap box

And those observing, supporting, and directly effected by the failure of others play a key role and must visit their attitudes and activities as well.

Nothing meaningful is fail-safe. And it must be safe for ourselves and others to fail.

No Know

I think its best when we recognize that we don't know it all. Or even better. When we realize that we don't even come close. When we realize that we only know some things. And that those things are subject to change.

Certainly we can have held truths. But when we recognize that we have whole lot to learn, life can begin again and again. And that's cool. I think if I knew too much, things could be pretty boring. And I'd have less reason to lean on a Savior.

Result or Reason

Yesterday I heard the phrase "Reputation Management". I have recently considered reputation a good bit.  I am reading a book which has brought up the importance of having a "good reputation" on more than one occasion. And that a Christian should be a person with a "good reputation". I am not sure if that is altogether true. As Christians we are called to be like Jesus. To love. To serve. To honor. To humble ourselves. To move. These are activities. Reputation is not an activity. Activities produce results. Our reputation shouldn't be a reason to do anything. Our reputation—whatever it may be—is a result of our activities. When we place our reputation as the driver, our focus is off and we can miss things along the way as we set to achieve our goal. Our reputation is what people think. Webster online defines Reputation as " a : overall quality or character as seen or judged by people in general b : recognition by other people of some characteristic or ability".

In 1Timothy as Paul (I think) outlines considerations for church leadership, he speaks that one must have a "good reputation with outsiders". I believe Paul, a radical, a prisoner, a former killer, and a self described "chief of sinners", most likely was talking about the results of actions. As his reputation (a good one I might add) was engrossed in activity.


If someone has a reputation for being an a-hole, he is probably quite selfish. If someone has a reputation for being very clever, he is probably smart-witted. The activities of these folks most likely have created their reputation. I doubt an a-hole would set out to be an a-hole, or a clever person would set out and say "I am going to be clever".

Why do we do things? Do I deliver? Or do I want to be thought of as a guy who delivers? Am I kind? Or do I want to be thought of as kind?


If we set out to be a "good Christian", I think we'll miss the mark. Consider our activities, and for what reason do we do things. Am I doing this to serve others? To honor God? To be selfless as Christ was selfless? Or am I looking to have an unblemished reputation? 

Lip Service

A while back I wrote about my experience with a guy at Quick Trip (The Art of Art). Let's call him Ted. Ted was an engaging young man who, in the spirit of pleasant communication and well, a quick trip, shared the art of customer service. This morning, it was a bit different. The young man behind the counter (let's call him John) certainly said some things that would be constituted as customer service, or engagement, but it did not ring of authenticity. Again, John's words, were near the same as Ted's, but they were not felt. At least not by me.

When solely lip service is paid (or appears to be), and someone seems to be simply going through the motions, is this worse than no communication at all? Perhaps this sort of communication is the best one can do in accordance with their job, their standards, or their environment.

While words do mean things, the spirit behind them means more. It validates. Or points a finger towards what is behind the words—their inspiration.

What is behind our words:

• Ourselves?
• Others' interests?
• Our perceived best interest for others? 
• Selfishness?
• Career advancement?
• Our wisdom?
• Love?

Relationship plays out in the words we use, I guess. It may simply be a transactional relationship like John's which wouldn't necessarily cause me to come back. Or it can be an authentic engagement which can have a positive experiential impact—creating a desire for more.

Maybe this is a little heavy when all I was doing was getting a Red Bull...

Idle Worship

In the not too distant past, I removed the Facebook application from my smart phone. Nothing against Facebook, its just that I was spending way too much time checking in on things. I soon found that I actually was able to occupy thoughts in my down time in a different capacity. I found time for contemplation, conversation, etc. Well recently, I'd taken up an online word-play game which while very fun and creative, soon for me became overly competitive and a bit addicting. It started filling what little white space in my life there was—encompassing a good bit of my thought first thing in the morning and continuing throughout the day.

I had to throw in the towel. I've found that when I fill any hint of white space in my life up with busyness or just plain stuff, I lose opportunities to live a life of worship. I used to think that worship is mostly the music, closed eyes, and hand-raising thing. As I've grown, I realize that worship truly shows itself in how I live. I can't have this type of worship sit idly by while I numb myself with whatever the white-space-sucker-of-the-day is for me.

A couple weeks ago, a friend who'd just spent a good bit of time with a Brazilian missionary spoke as to how, upon seeing all this missionary was doing, he realized he was living in a Movie About Me. Man, that is so true! I live in Movie About Me a lot. I don't need that starring role. I need to push more and more for the best supporting actor performance in Movies About Others. And I need to use time to do this. Not waste my time.

"We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies." 2 Thessalonians 3:11

Peak Performance

I was in conversation with a dear friend last week—discussing parenting and faith. We began talking about the energy that we must put forth into relationships. With God, children, spouses, friends, and colleagues. And it does take energy (as those with kids can surely attest).

I think that sometimes my faith in God can turn lazy. I can have a relatively "hands off" approach to my faith walk. Not an "I don't care" hands off, but an "I do care, but I trust God more than I trust myself, so I'll just leave this one alone"*. This can become a Pontius Pilatesque-out of my hands washing, which is not appropriate when action or participation needs to take place. Conversely, some can become too meddlesome with their faith walk, and not leave enough room for chance experience, or for God's intentions to differ from theirs.

Now there is a fine line we need to walk in faith. Its takes energy. And core strength. And balance. The below illustration came to mind as I imagined the struggle to maintain the right path in faith.

When we balance across the "peak", we realize how quickly things can shift if we are not paying attention to where we are going or what we are doing. A little leaning can turn into quick careening.

God calls us to walk along the peak. Matthew 7:14 shares "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."And in order to do this we have to recognize those things which will cause us to lean over to far and have our momentum carry us. As well as keep our antenna up to those things which will grab hold and pull.

For me, when I start to "lean lazy", I may not be participating at a level I need to as a Dad to my boys. Conversely, when I start to "lean controlling", I can have my own conclusions begin to differ from what God may have in mind in a given situation.

We have to perform at the peak—the narrow road.

May we stay energized through communication and community. Keep our core strong through prayer and time in the Word. And keep our lives open and available to be counterbalanced when needed.



*I do believe that an abandoned faith is a good thing, and that when we relinquish control to God we are in a good place, however, clearly God calls us to and for action, and not to simply stay put.