It was the kind where the presence of evil is somehow present in the dream in a way that "petrifies" you in your dream... and I mean that literally - where you feel frozen up and powerless in the dream for a moment, if not more.
Over the years, my conscious mind has somehow learned to force its way into these unconscious moments. I find myself in my dream sputtering out the name of Jesus - even though it sometimes comes out "J-J-J-J-Jeeeesus."
Perhaps none of that matters, because it was only just a dream.
The thing is when I woke up I realized that with it being Good Friday how little I've considered the problem and purpose of evil in relationship to Jesus being on the Cross. I've certainly recognized His sacrifice this year, but I haven't considered with any weight how much God's adversary was involved in that day.
Theologically, I know all this. Personally, I've overlooked it.
That's when I recalled the eyebrow-less representation of Satan as portrayed in The Passion of the Christ... the ending of this scene still gives me encouragement.
There is a problem with evil in our world... even though it can also serve a purpose. The same is true of pain and wounds.
In Eden, God poured out His love by pouring life into humanity.
On the Cross, God poured out His love by pouring out His life.
God made Adam's wife Eve from a wound in his side.
The Church ("Bride of Christ") was made from a wound in the side of the second Adam, Jesus.
The same is true of the Cross:
It proclaims God will let one thing die to bring Life into everything. When God seems to be killing us, He's actually saving us. This is the problem and the purpose of evil.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20)
"...and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
"Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (John 19:30)
This past weekend allowed me the chance to realize that through some images and sounds that personalized my journey with God. I offer them here to give you that same opportunity. Video 1: Something I found.
Thought: Jesus could have received all the praise He deserved. Instead, He took
on our all the condemnation we deserved... not just once, but again and
again - even as we pridefully try to presume He can stop. For this, He
becomes like a criminal... so we can become free.
Video 2: Something I assembled.
Thought: The Resurrection isn't what it is without the Cross. The Cross isn't what it is without the Resurrection. We are not who we really are unless we really have both.
Don't just celebrate this - choose to experience it.
Video 3: Something I said.
Thought:I was unexpectedly ministered by this - it involved listening to something I didn't plan on saying today in service, yet apparently said. A friend of mine caught it and put this together. In the event God wants to use this to speak to you as He did me when I listened to it (which is ironic, I know)... here it is.
Don't just celebrate the Resurrection. Experience it. Integrate it.
Because the Resurrection isn't an event. The Resurrection is a Person.
Jesus said, "I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who
believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and
believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)
I received a great email today from someone who is looking to make the most of the 40 days that lead up to remembering the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are others they work with who were wondering how to make the most of it, and I was asked if I had any Bible verses that could be sort of a daily reading around the office.
I love it! What an awesome way to make the most of this season.
It's Good Friday, and the cross is Jesus' way of saying "I've got my nail pierced hand on you, and I'm not letting go. You have a choice to remain, or run."
Praying you don't turn away but embrace the embrace.
Lent is a season of preparation... of opening your heart up in fresh ways to God.
Unfortunately, for many of us it's something that has religious baggage to it.
I probably need to clarify, because when I say "God" many people think I mean "religion." The two are very different.
Yet for many, Lent is a "Catholic thing" or some other denominational affiliation. Others turn it into "New Year's Resolutions Pt 2" where we try to be better or give up something for a month and a half.
At its true core, Lent is a non-religious thing... it's instead a spiritual conversation between you and God. During this "season of 40 days" (with Sundays being their own days outside of this), we intentionally reflect with God on where we may be falling short in our heart, soul, mind, strength and relationships. It’s more than changing our diet, giving up a vice or "not playing internet poker" during this season… it’s about sacrificially making room for God to grow us as we trust in His goodness to be our God (even in places it isn’t easy). All of this “preparation” is to help us make the most of when we eventually celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Instead of giving up something inconsequential, what if instead you took on something that has ripples relationally and spiritually? Here are some ideas:
Heart: Use a notebook to daily journal thoughts about a family member you love. Write down what they do each day that encourages you, and what specifically about that day you appreciated that they did for you, themselves, another, or God. Give it to them on Easter.
Soul:Turn your household or friendships in a prayer-based one. Put out a box or bowl with notecards next to it. Ask others to write down and drop praises and prayer requests into it, and set aside time to pray for them – be it something that happens together daily or weekly, or on your own. Use email or create a private Facebook page for relationships that may be across the miles.
Mind: Find a passage of Scripture to memorize by yourself or with others. Pick something that is a reasonable challenge, such as all of Psalm 1 or a section of the Sermon on the Mount (Mathew 5-7). Look at the books of James or Philippians for great paragraphs full of amazing truth.
Strength:Spend the money you normally spend on indulgences (fancy drinks, movies, etc) in a more productive place. Set it aside when you would have used it, and then give it in the name of Jesus to someone in need, a local cause, a global ministry, or a church you believe in.
Relationships:Have the “conversation you keep putting off” with other people. Where there has been a tension, don’t ignore it and go the final 10% of reconciliation instead of backing away out of a reaction. If someone doesn’t know Jesus personally, walk across the space of awkwardness and share your story with God. If you know someone needs encouragement, stop being too busy to offer it. In every area of life, “raise your antenna” to the Holy Spirit and do whatever He asks you to do – not just what’s easy.
A few other ideas:
Money-free Mondays: Go through your entire day without spending money on anything.
No-TV Tuesdays: Keep the TV off (or any screen where you watch things for entertainment or play video games on). Invest into something else that nurtures friendships, such a board games.
Weird Wednesdays: Try new foods individually or as a household that you normally wouldn’t. Recognize and celebrate the creativity of God as you do.
Thumbs-Free Thursday: Give up all cell phone activity, including text messaging.
Friendship Friday:Pay attention to those who may often get overlooked, and seek them out in friendship through your time and encouraging words.
Something-New Saturdays: Do something productive/guilt-free that you haven’t ever done before.
Sacrificial Sunday:Make a sacrifice to grow with God. Be consistent in an area you aren’t, like being a regular part of a church community or making prayer more personal. Or take a bold step in a new way of worshiping or relating to Him, like finding some new songs to sing out to Him in praise.
Obviously, it's easy to look at those lists and say "THAT ONE!" But again, that's not the point. Lent isn't about finding something religious to do, but using intentional choices to better connect with God. Giving up desserts or your favorite television show is not at the heart of this season, but if giving up something helps you to become more receptive to receiving the gift of deeper life from God, then, by all means, give it up.
Which leads to the true purpose of Lent. It's "emptying ourselves." We need to let go of whatever is clogging up the space God wants to live in our lives. Many of us have allowed random "neutral" things that steal our time (Facebook, gaming, TV, texting, etc) to push out any open space in our lives. Others of us have rebelled on purpose and are taking part in things that turn our hearts and minds away from God.
That's why Lent seems to always track back to Matthew 4 where Jesus fasted for 40 days before beginning His active ministry on earth. During the tail end of that time, the devil tempted Him with some short-cuts to power, fame and prestige. Each time, Jesus gave up those temptations to make space for something better.
I invite you to do that, just as I am and many I know. Whether or not today means "Ash Wednesday" or "Lent" to you, or if it's simply something you've labeled as a "religious activity," let go of your past experiences with this and jump into something amazingly authentic.
"But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Jesus, Matthew 6:17-18)
On the last day of the year and the first day of the new year, we all seem to reflect on who we've been, who we could be, and where we are now.
For me, 2010 meant taking some uncomfortable steps forward with God that were amazingly well worth it; I got to see my wife become even more beautiful than ever before, inside and out; Joshua became courageous in new ways; Daniel boldly embodied a new streak of generosity in his spirit; Johanna showed us her otherwise beautifully hidden face on July 28, and hasn't stop smiling since.
And then there are you... my "people" - my "family" - my friends, neighbors, and Connection Church family. I love how we've checked each others blind spots and not simply gone the route of the rest of the world to "just be happy," "do what we want without being judged," and all the other bumper sticker ideas that hold more air than substance. We sometimes get distracted by these things, but we have each other to give gentle nudges toward a much thicker and eternal direction.
I can't think of a better representation to all of this than my amazing church community. Connection Church. Without a doubt, we are some of the most imperfect people who somehow together found this perfect 3-D trajectory with Jesus Christ that is more real than anything else in the 2-D world. Yet both of those worlds merge together - you were cheering on my kids when I was dripping with tears during their baptism; I find encouragement every week when I try to write something fresh for the newspaper; we decided the world on the other side of the globe mattered when we sacrificed for Kenya and Haiti together; you roll up your sleeves to feed the poor; you believe that love - the greatest Love of all, that is, God's Love - can truly change the world and are letting that out of you.
2010 was the year we all put our arms around each other, and knelt down to seek something bigger and more authentic than the next thrill or our old way of doing things.
I can't think of a better way to enter into 2011. Happy New Year!
When people tell me, "Today is 'Cinco de Mayo, May 5th" I feel like I am on an episode of Dora The Explorer or Handy Manny where they say things in both languages.
(You know those shows could be half as long if they would stop doing that.)
If you're reading this, chances are you're someone who either somewhat regularly considers what I put out there or you were simply intrigued by the title of this post. Either way, I have your attention, and am desperate to share some things with you that you need to consider as you go into this new year. I know this language is somewhat extreme, but the opportunity for you to listen with the required ear is rare. After all, this week we're in is normally a time to take stock of the past as you consider your ideal hope for the future.
I'd also like to say that everything I'm about to to share is something I really agree with and believe in, only they aren't ideas I'm bringing up on my own. Specifically, I want to use this post to help you understand "some of what I've been hearing." This includes emails I receive from people in crisis, conversations I have with those whose hearts have been broken, chit-chat I take part in when I'm paying for my gas or buying groceries, and observations I make simply by... well... observing.
So while what follows are my words, it is more accurate to say that these are the thoughts and feelings of the people around you whom you may have no clue about what they are going through.
And they're right next to you.
A Resolution I Beg You To Make: "I resolve to stop talking about people in 'us versus them' categories."
You know that person you enjoy talking about? The one who isn't quite like you or the people in your household? The one who may listen to different music or vote for a different candidate or who raises their kids with different values than you? The one who you would love to have out of your life, only for some reason they keep crossing your path - because they work with you, carpool with you, live by you, attend church services with you, or show up to the same extracurriculars that you do?
That person wrote me something this week that broke my heart.
Because you have been breaking their heart.
Oh, you may not realize it... because you're not calling them nasty names like you might have in junior high. At least, not to their face. Maybe just around the water cooler, or as you look out your front or back window, or online. It's like your behavior is somewhat junior high-esque in that you're giving them the silent treatment in person while grumbling about them behind closed doors.
But they hear you. Trust me... they hear you.
As you look down your nose at the way they talk, dress, or live, you are boxing this person not just out of your life but out of any chance they have of feeling whole around you or your relational circle. Sort of like an insecure teenager trying to be The School Playa or the Queen Bee.
Granted, it's not like you have to become fishing buddies or scrapbooking sisters with everyone, but come on... you're being petty and mean and are tearing apart any chance they have of feeling like a person of any worth when they are around.
Then again, maybe you do realize it. Maybe somewhere deep down you know that you are intentionally making this person feel unwelcome, and are attempting to feel better about yourself by making them feel horrible.
A question - have you ever felt judged or labeled by someone else? Do you remember what it felt like for there to be a line in the sand and on one side was "us" and on the other side was "them?"
If so... and you're tired of seeing hypocrisy continue in the world... stop letting it continue through your life.
Because, again... you're hurting real people with real feelings.
A Resolution I Beg You To Make: "I resolve to stop finger pointing and instead fix the problem with enduring energy."
You may not want to hear this.
Actually, I'm unfortunately confident you don't.
Because the more I observe the patterns in our culture, the more I find that people enjoy their pain more than they care to admit. Specifically, the security that their pain gives them to blame another person for a past wrong than the insecurity of committing to work it out, "no matter what."
After all, it's a whole lot easier to talk about how you were hurt by something someone said or did than it is to admit you are capable of changing the world.
Often when people drive in crazy ways around me, I find myself facing the same temptation you do - to use my middle finger and a whole bunch of unproductive words to let them know how I felt about that. But I resolved a long time ago to not just be angry at the way the world is but to join Jesus in redeeming it. So when I face that road rage temptation I instead wait for the next red light, get out of my car, walk over to the car (at a distance, so to not appear antagonistic), ask that person to roll their window down, and then I say, "Excuse me. That was quite dangerous. Could you please not do that again?" 100% of the time, the person feels awkward that I broke the imaginary line and apologizes back.
Maybe that's not the best example, because it's quite dangerous to talk to someone after such a moment. But my hope is the next time they presume to cut someone off in traffic - perhaps an elderly person, or a new teen driver, or my wife and kids - they will think twice and remember some loon who approached them with manners and forthrightness.
But the example serves the point - you can either finger point and deconstruct what's wrong with the world... or you can enter into chaos so as to soothe it into something more productive. Maybe that chaos is stuff in your family, or the way things go down at work or school on a regular basis. Don't just "try" to change it with 10% of your energy... commit to that change for the long haul with 100% of your energy.
Because you will be looked at as a loon, and it will be somewhat dangerous and insecure.
But I'll tell you from personal experience... the payoff is worth it.
A Resolution I Beg You To Make: "I resolve to make it my business."
When I worked for a Boys & Girls Club a few years back, one of the employees often told the kids to "mind their own business" whenever they would inform him of something another kid was doing wrong. Keep in mind, it was in an urban neighborhood and so the discipline policies in the club needed to be quite clear. I thought it was often handled quite well, but on this particular philosophy I disagreed. The last thing that neighborhood needed were kids who would grow up and learn that it was wrong to speak up if they saw something wrong going down in their neighborhood.
But that is what we tell people (or ourselves) when we see someone on a downward spiral. It could be their addiction to something that we presume we have no right to speak into, or maybe how they're treating a mutual friend and we're afraid of "getting caught in the middle." Plain and simple, if you are able to recognize that something isn't right, then it is up to you to become a part of the solution.
As much as we try to live as individuals, the bottom line is we are one big community. If what happens on one side of the globe affects the other (hello - have you seen gas prices in recent years?), then why do we presume what happens in our own circle of relationships doesn't have any affect on us, our households, our cities, our regions, our states, and so forth?
You know why we like those positive human interest stories in the paper so much? Because someone had the courage to do what we knew we should have done... someone made a problem "their business" and at least one other person's life changed forever.
That's it - three resolutions. Three that I am begging you to make because if you don't nothing will change.
You'll keep hurting the people you don't realize you're hurting.
You'll keep finger pointing instead of grabbing onto anything.
You'll keep waiting for someone else to see the problem that you already do.
Um... is that how you'd like to go into the next year? The next decade?
I know you nodded your head at least one as you read this.
Please... please... now nod your life in this direction as well.
Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house, leftover cookies and egg nog, and... OUCH! I just stepped on a Lego.
Don't worry... "Christmas Adam" isn't something historical or biblical or spiritual that you're missing out on. It's what one of my boys decided to call today since the day before Christmas is "Christmas Eve."
He didn't think it was fair for only Eve to get a holiday. :)
I have to say this year's Christmas was really quite something. We made some practical impact through our church, from the almost $1000 we raised for a church in Africa we support, to the nearly dozen families who were fed through the food pantry our church supplies (and the donations of local people who believe in what we're doing). Then there was the $10 we handed out 70 times at our Christmas Eve services all to inspire people to "pay it forward" - meaning, to enjoy the gift of Christmas and send it on forward to others in their lives where there is some disconnect. The local newspaper even put it on the front page.
The great highlight, of course, was another year of remembering what/who matters most. Namely, the "Christ" in "Christmas." There is something powerful about giving Jesus a gift on the day we recognize His birth (even though history is unclear on the exact day that is), which is why several of us at our Christmas Eve service took "gifts" written down on ornaments and placed them in a manger. Something about that feels right... kind of like we didn't skip over remembering whose birthday it was.
Although I have to say I did appreciate the gifts I received as well as gave. Watching my boys open their toys and seeing my wife's expression as she unwrapped her presents... not to mention letting my own jaw drop when I saw the lasagna my wife made us all for dinner. Drool, drool!
Then there was this morning... seeing my kids play with their Star Wars toys. It brought me back to my own childhood... and my own Star Wars toys. :)
So I hope that your Christmas Eve, Christmas day, and "Christmas Adam" have been filled with all the pleasures of heaven. Because that's what happens when you open the gift of Jesus... and keep on opening it all year long.
"There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.'" (Luke 2)
In case you missed it, this past Sunday in our church service we were blessed by a reading from Tabitha - a teen in our church who in many ways is around the same age as Mary might have been when she became pregnant with Jesus. Check out a version of a letter Mary may have written if all of this had gone down in the 21st Century.
Dear Lizzie -
Hey, Girl! It’s Mary.
You'll never guess what happened to me, not in a million years. I know you won’t get to read this until whenever I get to see you again, but I just needed to write down all these things I’ve been pondering in my heart.
It has been such a wonderful and horrible time. Joseph is about to tell my father that there will be no wedding. That's the horrible part. Now let me tell you about the other.
Do you remember how you told me when I was a little girl how your mother used to say you had to be good – because someday God would send the Messiah; and if you weren't a good girl then God would choose to use someone else to be His mom? I know that’s a hard topic to bring up, since it’s been so hard for you and Zechariah to have a baby all these years.
But Lizzie, something has happened.
God sent an angel… to me. I know how that sounds, because it’s been such a long time since anyone has said such things. But I can tell you that it happened. And it was wonderful, Lizzie, just wonderful!
At first, I was terribly afraid. When I first saw him there was sort of a shine of bright white light all around him. And he seemed as tall as the temple. A giant. Then, I think he saw how scared I was and suddenly he was the size of any man, taller than Father, but not as tall as Joseph. And he told me not to be afraid… but I sort of already knew.
He was smiling. He had the kindest smile, like he knew me – even though we’d never met. And Lizzie, he smelled like honey. Remember Deborah's mother? She used to make those cakes with the sugar and honey and pour cream on them for us? That's what this angel smelled like. Weird, huh?
He looked at me - and I'm not making this up - he looked at me like what he was about to tell me was the most important words ever spoken in all of history. Even though when he spoke the first thing he said was that God loved me. He said that God had decided that I was going to bring the Messiah into the world. He said that I was the one. Then he told me I was about to be pregnant with our Savior.
Lizzie, I can't begin to tell you what that was like.
I told him he had the wrong girl. I love Joseph, and we believe in God’s plan for purity and are looking forward to marriage, and he and I have never even kissed, let alone…well, you know. But the angel said that what normally happened through a father would happen through the Holy Spirit, even before the marriage.
Lizzie, at that moment I felt something different inside of me. Not just physically, but I somehow knew what the angel said was true. Then that light that had gone away was now all around him again, only this time it was around me, too. It was like I could taste that light, feel it with my fingers. I could feel that light inside of me. I knew what he said was true.
Lizzie, it's me. I'm the one. I will bring our Messiah to the world!
I told Joseph. I couldn't *not* tell Joseph, and yet I have never seen him so torn. He’s such a righteous man, and yet instead of taking me before anyone official and calling me awful names, he said he’d probably just go to Father and break off our engagement.
So of course I told Father and Mother, and of course they had a hard time understanding it all. Why wouldn’t they when I don’t understand it either. I mean, who am I to be chosen for something so important?
I’m going to start showing soon, and so there’s talk of me coming to visit you. If that happens, I’ll probably just tell you all of this in person.
Oh, Lizzie, what am I going to do? I am so sad about Joseph. He is so angry, and yet I see him trying to figure out what the godly thing is to do. Maybe I should pray for God to talk to him, too. Maybe God will make things right again.
Lizzie, I am so sad... and at the same time, I feel this joy inside of me. I feel the Love that this child is… I can feel it in my heart. It's like whenever I feel my heart breaking over Joseph, I feel something or someone stir inside of me and I am at peace again.
I can't understand why this is happening, Lizzie. Maybe you have some idea about this that I don’t. Help me think this through like you did when we lived closer and I could count on you for advice. Girl, I need you more than ever. Someone to help me see things clearly.
Love, Mary
(This reading comes from an idea by Steve Case, rewritten by Tony Myles)
Dear God - thank you for the sense of smell... and for the turkey I smell everywhere I go in the house You've blessed me to live in.
And for the sense of taste that will soon work hand-in-hand with the sense of smell - for I will be eating "some o'dat turkey... mmm hmm..." (snaps).
And for the sense of hearing - so I can hear the burp sound of cranberry sauce coming out of a can (which, by the way, is the BEST kind of cranberry sauce).
And for the sense of sight - of seeing my family and friends as they enter this little feast we're about to have.
And for the sense of touch - being able to tangibly enjoy my blessings as they happen.
And for whatever sense you gave me to marry my lovely bride whose hands and effort made all of that smell (and future taste) possible.
We often see in the Bible how God asks His people to do unusual things without knowing the outcome. I was considering how absurd it must have sounded for a couple of Jesus' disciples when the Lord threw this one by them:
After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it.' " (Luke 19:28-31)
That may roll off your eyes as you read it like this was a common thing. Picture it in our culture - your church is having a BBQ and the grill breaks down. So you go over to Wal-Mart and start wheeling one out of the store without paying for it. The manager stops you and asks you what you're doing. What do you say?
Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
They replied, "The Lord needs it." (Luke 11:32-34)
Some speculate that the owner of the colt was a follower of Jesus, too. That's a safe guess. Honestly, though, we don't know this.
In fact, God's track record is quite the opposite when it comes to such things. He told Moses to confront the leader of Egypt and ask that Pharaoh to release his slave work force... 'cuz God says so. Then there was the time that a boy named David told Goliath he was going down because God was on his side. Or a young man named Daniel who told the king he was in captivity under that God wasn't pleased with him and he would soon die.
Whether or not you know those stories, you do know other ones, don't you? Like when God nudges you about a certain area of your life that seems ridiculous to follow Him in. Maybe it has to do with the way you entertain yourself... or satisfy yourself... or protect yourself. Perhaps it's about the safety net you've erected to keep certain people out of your life that God doesn't want you to get out of your life.
Maybe it even has something do with how he's asked you to prepare for this next week.
On Sunday we will recognize Palm Sunday - the day when many people welcomed the Jesus they wanted instead of the Jesus He was.
Does that concept sound familiar at all to you?
They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
Today is what is known as Ash Wednesday, the official beginning of the 40 day Lent season. It's a great way to enter into the story of Jesus' journey to the cross, culminating on Resurrection Sunday.
Even more so, though, it is a good excuse for you and I to "RETURN."
For some reason, we seem to be people who like a good excuse for good things like that.
As I shared before, Lent is intended to be more than a calendar event... it's a true journey of intentionality into the "wilderness" of our lives. This is the place that most of us don't want to live in... a place of sacrifice and simplicity. In many ways, a place of "death" where we die to ourselves in ways that our selfish side doesn't want to let go of.
This is why the season begins in ashes, allowing us to enter into mourning about the ripples of sin that is currently present in our world. The ashes address the the matter of physical death ("from ashes to ashes...") to the spiritual death we are all born into and have to allow God to do something about. While it can seem weird to some, dusting oneself with ashes isn't intended to cause us to live in guilt... rather, it can be a Christ-follower's way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults even from the past.
I want to challenge you and equip you to take part in this season. Whether you choose to honor this time in the traditional way or an atypical way, the bottom line for today is we should consider our brokenness apart from Jesus Christ and recognize again our need for a Savior.
So today I challenge you to do three things:
Consider this Scripture and what it means for your life today: Job 42:1-6
Decide if for 40 days you can sacrifice something in your life you're casually or completely attached to - maybe it's a vice or something more traditional like "meat on Fridays." In years past I've done 40 days drinking only water, or 40 days eating like a vegetarian (that was very hard), or 40 days without cheese. This round it's 40 days without the snooze button (that may sound tame to you, but for me that is quite a stretch).
A step further... you may want to do this with your household, too. Write down on a card any sins you wish to confess, and then burn the card. After it's cooled, touch the ashes and consider what Jesus truly does to our lives in taking on our sins and making them no more. Whether or not you choose to mark your forehead with the ashes, that reality alone is well worth the exercise.
I will be posting thoughts and challenges along these lines on this blog throughout the next 40 days, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (click on "40 Day Journey" to see the links all together - note that the older posts are at the bottom, so it may be helpful to start there, including backing up the page). I hope this all serves you during this time to reconnect with God and prepare ahead for a pretty amazing resurrection unlike any other.
In a week we'll begin "Lent" - something many sum up as a "religious" thing. But in the times you and I live in, it's intensely practical... lent is at its core about facing our true humanity, dealing with the sin that tries to dwells within us, and reclaiming a tremendous hope that we often cast aside.
The 40 days many people practice Lent through is just the beginning. It helps us to pay attention to things we don't often listen to, helping us realize what we spend too much and too little time on. It forces us to get fed up with the things we swallow without question, allowing us to enjoy the life God created for us without spending losing its quality on other things.
But Lent is larger than those 40 days... while it can remind us of the darkness we can still carry, it also helps us live in the light of the resurrection. It is a catalyst that says "You are here," but simultaneously points out "You can be 'Here' instead."
Today I spoke with a friend and we spoke of a phrase - "Green Mile-ing" - referencing the movie with Tom Hanks where he works in the death row section of a prison. One day a large prisoner is transferred in, only he ends up being more than a simple inmate. One several occasions, this simple man grabs others who are sick or dealing with some form of internal darkness, and then he lets go, coughing and gasping until he releases a cloud of black insect-like spores from his mouth. Eventually the guard played by Tom Hanks transfers out of this prison and all of the grim scenarios he had become accustomed to as "normal."
In many of us there is a need to deliberately do that - start "Green Mile-ing" all of the darkness within us through Someone who will release us from that death, exchanging it for life. Lent gives us that chance... maybe an excuse, call it what you want... to turn back toward the Who and What that matters most.
Keep in mind, we miss this and the true power of Resurrection Sunday (Easter) if we don't take advantage of this season of preparation. Lent has not been well observed in many Christian circles, largely because it's associated as too "high church." Even today, Lent is marked by a time of preparation, sacrifice, and prayer to celebrate Jesus' Holy Week. But again - it's intensely practical, just like the events of Holy Week are (but often are overlooked).
I want to challenge you to consider of the next 7 days how the next 40 days after that can change everything. Consider the stuff you need to get off your chest, from the "Green Mile-ing" vomiting you need to release, to the new life you need to start reclaiming. As a church, we'll be providing some resources that I'll also post here to help with that process. But right now, on your own, begin to place yourself into a position to hear God in ways that you have not heard Him in a long time... ways that may be the beginning of a healing you've been longing for.
Because the best case solution to your life is more than a one-day celebration on April 12th... it's includes owning up to the journey that gets you there, and the life that awaits you on the other side of the Resurrection.
Such a journey begins in ashes hidden in oil, and continues with a nail-pierced arm wrapped around you.
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:16-18)
Not only did she make the day special for our boys and me from the start (including heart shaped pancakes), but I even got to eat her amazing lasagne for dinner.
Last year I jotted a few thoughts down on this week. I don't mean to repeat myself, but it's been a busy week and I don't have time to write something new.
Taking a cue from the challenge I just posted about, here are my prayers for 2008...
Dear God –
Cause me to be uncomfortable with comfort.
Create in me a love for those I say I love but don't show love to.
Kick my tail when I think "someone else will do it."
Deepen my understanding of You and my obedience to You.
Help me to lead a person to You everyday, and then please do Your thing.
Show me how to help Christians around me become fully-devoted disciples.
Protect the relationships in my household with Your sticky bond of love.
And (gulp) bless me and your Church in the new year according to our faithfulness to You!
As this plays out...
For myself…
May my heart become pure… that I might fall completely in love with my You.
May my mind become redeemed… that I might become completely in tune with Truth.
May my soul become navigational… that I might completely live out of a Divine overflow.
May my body become healthier… that I might completely live out the fullness of my years.
For my wife…
May her love for You deepen each day and contagiously bless others.
May her mind be a place full of wisdom and wonder that supplies the words she speaks.
May her worship of You be complete – from the everyday moments to the special ones.
May her health increase in all the right ways as we enjoy growing old together.
For my boys…
May their individual passions develop in ways that add to Your kingdom/world and their lives.
May their thought lives be shaped by Your hand and Your hand alone.
May their relationship with You remain powerfully innocent and ripple into their generation.
May their physical lives be directed by their spiritual lives (and not vice-versa).
For Connection Church…
May I be a servant-leader who is faithful to the tilt, inspiring the lead team to do the same.
May you raise up more leaders who can take on roles that will help us fulfill Your vision.
May new faces be celebrated, salvations occur daily, discipleship happen constantly, relationships deepen always, finances overflow regularly, volunteers be available constantly, and everyone fulfill their calling completely.
May we more fully reveal what it means to BE the Church.
For the world…
May Medina become a place where the next great spiritual awakening occurs.
May Ohio become filled with new Christians and guided by seasoned ones.
May America elect a President who listens to You, lives for You, and will follow Your ideals publicly and privately.
May the world finally collide with heaven so that we can all see You face to face again.
