DateLine (2/28/07 – Nanuet, NY)
Some of the most passionate people I know are sport fisherman. Often within minutes of making their acquaintance, you know where their heart is. Give them a chance and they’ll work fishing into the conversation even if it doesn’t necessarily fit. Even if they are prone to exaggeration, it is fun to relive the experience with them. Chances are they have some fishing equipment close by ready to opportunistically sneak off to the closest “fishin hole.” Speaking of equipment, it’s not unusual to have invested thousands of dollars to support the “hobby;” rods, reels, lures, boats, depth finders, GPSs, etc.
Fishermen must possess social prowess; they often travel in pairs or groups. I suspect that the camaraderie is a big part of the allure. Their world is filled with clubs, tournaments, weekend trips, weeklong trips or any other excuse to “hit the water.” For some reason it’s important to be at the fishing hole with bait in the water at daybreak. I gotta believe that the average consumption of hot coffee by fisherman is twice the national average because so much of the preparation is before the cock crows.
Fishermen are the personification of persistence. They occasionally sit for hours in pursuit of the catch with limited results. It’s as if a few moments of success make the dedication worth the while. Flexibility and adaptation is a prerequisite for the sport. If the rig or the bait is wrong, they don’t hesitate to change. Sometimes what works in one location under one set of conditions doesn’t work at all in another set of conditions. Fishermen are experts at sensing what it takes to be successful and shifting the approach until success follows. A tackle box full of alternative gear and lures are never more than an arm’s length away.
Fishing is a lifestyle for some; complete with an attitude and a look. The love of fishing often runs in families; not exclusive to the male gender. I don’t believe it’s an inherited trait, but the love of fishing is so strong it must be pretty easy to pass it on. There must be a camera in every tackle box, because it seems as if fishing pictures are ubiquitous; you know the one with the proud fisherman posing with the “trophy.”
Jesus extends an invitation to anyone willing to listen, “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Matt. 4:19
Stay Tuned for Next Week: Fisherman - Part 2.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Unplugged?
DateLine (2/21/07 – Nanuet, NY)
A few months ago I was on a business trip outside of the country. I normally have a routine for such travel that includes making sure I have power adapters so that my necessary equipment (i.e. computer, shaver, smartphone, etc.) can be recharged when traveling to places where the power and the plugs do not match our standard here in North America. For some reason I was not on my game when packing for this particular trip and I failed to include my power converters. Somewhere early on in the trip when I discovered my oversight, the withdrawal began to set in. How could I function without shaving, receiving electronic reminders of what I was to do (e.g. smartphone), and get online in the evenings to touch base via email, etc.
As soon as I checked into the hotel I quizzed the front desk to see if they might have a loaner; no luck. I eventually found a power cord at the work place that allowed me to charge my computer up by day, but the entire week was about conserving the precious power stored up in my rechargeable devices. The week consisted of quickie shaves, short phone calls, and much less evening web surfing and emailing. I did not think that I was going to get a week’s worth of shaving out of that shaver. Toward the end of the week I feared having to show up at my client’s plant partially shaved. I changed my shaving strategy to insure that if it gave out at least there would be some symmetry to my face. Now I know Americans have a reputation for quirkiness but in my mind I did not think I could explain away such an appearance. I felt off balance the entire week. If I’ve having to think about shaving “strategy” you know it wasn’t fun. Life had one too many stresses.
Now let’s talk about the Christian life. Ever feel weak and ineffective? Ever feel like you’re just crawling toward Friday with barely enough energy to get you there? Find yourself off your game, having to settle for less than what you think your potential might be and more importantly what you might be accomplishing for the Kingdom? It’s clear from Scripture that God does expect His children to be powerful agents in support of the mission of the church. Jesus expressed to His disciples “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
The problem may be that you’ve become disconnected from your “power source.” You might have “left home” without your “converter” so that you can’t recharge your batteries. Do you find yourself having to change your “routines” because you’re conserving what little power you might have left? The neat thing about God is that He is an inexhaustible supply that is sufficient for everything that we need. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 People recognize when we’re operating powerless vs. powerful. When God’s people are plugged in and fully charged people will marvel just as they did at the Apostles. “They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?” Acts 4:7
Here’s the encouragement. We know Who the Power Source is (e.g. God). We know how to recharge our batteries (worship, scripture study, prayer, compassionate acts of ministry.) The good thing is we don’t have to worry about packing the power source or the converters for the trip. God is always there (i.e. omnipresent) and the Holy Spirit is the God provided plug-in adapter.
Feeling drained? It may be time for you to get plugged in!
A few months ago I was on a business trip outside of the country. I normally have a routine for such travel that includes making sure I have power adapters so that my necessary equipment (i.e. computer, shaver, smartphone, etc.) can be recharged when traveling to places where the power and the plugs do not match our standard here in North America. For some reason I was not on my game when packing for this particular trip and I failed to include my power converters. Somewhere early on in the trip when I discovered my oversight, the withdrawal began to set in. How could I function without shaving, receiving electronic reminders of what I was to do (e.g. smartphone), and get online in the evenings to touch base via email, etc.
As soon as I checked into the hotel I quizzed the front desk to see if they might have a loaner; no luck. I eventually found a power cord at the work place that allowed me to charge my computer up by day, but the entire week was about conserving the precious power stored up in my rechargeable devices. The week consisted of quickie shaves, short phone calls, and much less evening web surfing and emailing. I did not think that I was going to get a week’s worth of shaving out of that shaver. Toward the end of the week I feared having to show up at my client’s plant partially shaved. I changed my shaving strategy to insure that if it gave out at least there would be some symmetry to my face. Now I know Americans have a reputation for quirkiness but in my mind I did not think I could explain away such an appearance. I felt off balance the entire week. If I’ve having to think about shaving “strategy” you know it wasn’t fun. Life had one too many stresses.
Now let’s talk about the Christian life. Ever feel weak and ineffective? Ever feel like you’re just crawling toward Friday with barely enough energy to get you there? Find yourself off your game, having to settle for less than what you think your potential might be and more importantly what you might be accomplishing for the Kingdom? It’s clear from Scripture that God does expect His children to be powerful agents in support of the mission of the church. Jesus expressed to His disciples “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8
The problem may be that you’ve become disconnected from your “power source.” You might have “left home” without your “converter” so that you can’t recharge your batteries. Do you find yourself having to change your “routines” because you’re conserving what little power you might have left? The neat thing about God is that He is an inexhaustible supply that is sufficient for everything that we need. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 People recognize when we’re operating powerless vs. powerful. When God’s people are plugged in and fully charged people will marvel just as they did at the Apostles. “They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?” Acts 4:7
Here’s the encouragement. We know Who the Power Source is (e.g. God). We know how to recharge our batteries (worship, scripture study, prayer, compassionate acts of ministry.) The good thing is we don’t have to worry about packing the power source or the converters for the trip. God is always there (i.e. omnipresent) and the Holy Spirit is the God provided plug-in adapter.
Feeling drained? It may be time for you to get plugged in!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Love Means
DateLine (2/14/07 – Nanuet, NY)
The year was 1970 (yes I was alive.) The hit move was Love Story, a tear-jerking “chick flic” which features a young married couple. They set out on the adventure of life estranged from the man’s father since the wife was a working class girl; not worthy of the father’s social standing. Financial struggles beset them as they scrape by, the young man attempting to finish law school supported by the wife on a teacher’s salary. In spite of the odds, he finishes school and lands a position with a prestigious law firm. They soon decide to have children only to be unsuccessful. While seeking medical assistance regarding the infertility they discover that she has terminal leukemia with only a short time to live. The medical bills once again strain their finances and the man is forced to go to his father for financial assistance but does not reveal the real reason to the father for the need. As you might have surmised, the wife dies and the young husband is left to deal with the cruel twist of fate and the strained relationship with his father.
The final scene in the movie depicts the son bumping into the father outside of the hospital where the father offers his apologies for the way their relationship had suffered and for the death of his true love. The most famous line in the movie was delivered by the son to the father; “love means you never have to say you’re sorry!”
I don’t know about you but that last line is about as bogus as anything that Hollywood has ever produced. In my experience love means you better be ready to say you’re sorry. I’m forever tripping over my humanity in my treatment of both casual and close acquaintances. The only way to get past the transgression is to say I’m sorry. I’m not talking mouthing half-hearted words of contrition. I’m talking about a heart-felt appeal for forgiveness that emanates from a place within us that is fueled by an implanted love. I’m talking about the love that is placed there by the Father.
Now I get it that the movie was attempting to express that in a loving relationship forgiveness is something that you don’t always have to ask for, it’s freely given. Even still I think that that is a misguided notion. I’m going to take my clue from my relationship with God, the ultimate example of love. Our first response to God is to say we’re sorry. It’s true that we know what the response will be, He’s already told us that He’ll forgive us, but there is something meaningful about mouthing the words; in some cases publicly.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” 1 John 1:9.
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven,” Matt. 10:32.
This is not about caving in to someone who has telegraphed an unwillingness to grant forgiveness. This is about a mutual desire to maintain a valued relationship. While it makes for good box office, to grant someone “permission” to never have to ask; the reality is “I’m sorry” is a signature of a healthy relationship.
The year was 1970 (yes I was alive.) The hit move was Love Story, a tear-jerking “chick flic” which features a young married couple. They set out on the adventure of life estranged from the man’s father since the wife was a working class girl; not worthy of the father’s social standing. Financial struggles beset them as they scrape by, the young man attempting to finish law school supported by the wife on a teacher’s salary. In spite of the odds, he finishes school and lands a position with a prestigious law firm. They soon decide to have children only to be unsuccessful. While seeking medical assistance regarding the infertility they discover that she has terminal leukemia with only a short time to live. The medical bills once again strain their finances and the man is forced to go to his father for financial assistance but does not reveal the real reason to the father for the need. As you might have surmised, the wife dies and the young husband is left to deal with the cruel twist of fate and the strained relationship with his father.
The final scene in the movie depicts the son bumping into the father outside of the hospital where the father offers his apologies for the way their relationship had suffered and for the death of his true love. The most famous line in the movie was delivered by the son to the father; “love means you never have to say you’re sorry!”
I don’t know about you but that last line is about as bogus as anything that Hollywood has ever produced. In my experience love means you better be ready to say you’re sorry. I’m forever tripping over my humanity in my treatment of both casual and close acquaintances. The only way to get past the transgression is to say I’m sorry. I’m not talking mouthing half-hearted words of contrition. I’m talking about a heart-felt appeal for forgiveness that emanates from a place within us that is fueled by an implanted love. I’m talking about the love that is placed there by the Father.
Now I get it that the movie was attempting to express that in a loving relationship forgiveness is something that you don’t always have to ask for, it’s freely given. Even still I think that that is a misguided notion. I’m going to take my clue from my relationship with God, the ultimate example of love. Our first response to God is to say we’re sorry. It’s true that we know what the response will be, He’s already told us that He’ll forgive us, but there is something meaningful about mouthing the words; in some cases publicly.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” 1 John 1:9.
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven,” Matt. 10:32.
This is not about caving in to someone who has telegraphed an unwillingness to grant forgiveness. This is about a mutual desire to maintain a valued relationship. While it makes for good box office, to grant someone “permission” to never have to ask; the reality is “I’m sorry” is a signature of a healthy relationship.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Plasticity
DateLine (2/7/07 – Nanuet, NY)
plas·tic·i·ty–noun
1. the quality or state of being plastic.
2. the capability of being molded, receiving shape, or being made to assume a desired form: the plasticity of social institutions; the great plasticity of clay.
It’s stronger than steel. It can be made to masquerade for the more traditional materials of leather and wood. They even build cars from it. Plastic is everywhere. When I was a kid the only plastic that you could find in a car was in the toy bin of the local 5 and Dime. Our food is packaged in it. What happened to those delicious hamburgers of yesterday wrapped in wax paper and carried out in a paper box?
We’ve grown to accept plastic in unconventional places; in the products that we purchase. But I’m beginning to notice that this ubiquitous material of the modern culture is showing up in what I hope is unintentional ways. Smooth scripted politicians; plastic. Tightly focused demographic radio with tight playlists; plastic. Highly coiffured TV evangelist; plastic. The culture is melting into a homogeneous politically correct lump of plastic. Diversity is giving way to bland conformity.
Compare this to characters found in the Bible. Brothers as different as night and day; one carefree wooly outdoorsman, the other a devious domesticated momma’s boy who keeps alive the lineage of Christ. A shepherd boy who slays a giant that men twice his size feared, rises to the position of King of his people, and dances for joy in the streets. A prophet who marries a prostitute to dramatize how Israel has become faithless by worshipping other gods. A preacher dressed in animal skins preaching in an almost uninhabitable wilderness and getting by on bug stew. Jesus Himself, weeping with friends over death, fiery with anger in running profiteers from the temple. The Bible is a celebration of the diverse imagination and creativity of a majestic God.
Now to be honest the Bible speaks of God molding His creation; as a potter does to clay. Is this an attempt to produce armies of uniform creatures? The lesson of Scripture is that God is not pressing us into homogeneity. God is carefully crafting one-of-a kind masterpieces. God meticulously designed each one of us. He is personally so familiar with our individual makeup that He knows the number of hairs on our head. We are uniquely gifted for to serve a purpose in His movement. God is the initiator; not of plasticity, but of individuality.
One of the greatest lessons that we can learn is to accept God’s diversity. This is not to mean that we do not celebrate many common traits and attributes, but it is an appeal to see the uniqueness within each of us as a reflection of a remarkably diverse God.
Romans 9:21 “Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?”
Isaiah 64:8 “Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Jeremiah 18:4 “But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.”
The unique characteristics that make up who you are could be the thumbprints of a loving Artisan; God Himself. Let’s celebrate our diversity; not our plasticity.
plas·tic·i·ty–noun
1. the quality or state of being plastic.
2. the capability of being molded, receiving shape, or being made to assume a desired form: the plasticity of social institutions; the great plasticity of clay.
It’s stronger than steel. It can be made to masquerade for the more traditional materials of leather and wood. They even build cars from it. Plastic is everywhere. When I was a kid the only plastic that you could find in a car was in the toy bin of the local 5 and Dime. Our food is packaged in it. What happened to those delicious hamburgers of yesterday wrapped in wax paper and carried out in a paper box?
We’ve grown to accept plastic in unconventional places; in the products that we purchase. But I’m beginning to notice that this ubiquitous material of the modern culture is showing up in what I hope is unintentional ways. Smooth scripted politicians; plastic. Tightly focused demographic radio with tight playlists; plastic. Highly coiffured TV evangelist; plastic. The culture is melting into a homogeneous politically correct lump of plastic. Diversity is giving way to bland conformity.
Compare this to characters found in the Bible. Brothers as different as night and day; one carefree wooly outdoorsman, the other a devious domesticated momma’s boy who keeps alive the lineage of Christ. A shepherd boy who slays a giant that men twice his size feared, rises to the position of King of his people, and dances for joy in the streets. A prophet who marries a prostitute to dramatize how Israel has become faithless by worshipping other gods. A preacher dressed in animal skins preaching in an almost uninhabitable wilderness and getting by on bug stew. Jesus Himself, weeping with friends over death, fiery with anger in running profiteers from the temple. The Bible is a celebration of the diverse imagination and creativity of a majestic God.
Now to be honest the Bible speaks of God molding His creation; as a potter does to clay. Is this an attempt to produce armies of uniform creatures? The lesson of Scripture is that God is not pressing us into homogeneity. God is carefully crafting one-of-a kind masterpieces. God meticulously designed each one of us. He is personally so familiar with our individual makeup that He knows the number of hairs on our head. We are uniquely gifted for to serve a purpose in His movement. God is the initiator; not of plasticity, but of individuality.
One of the greatest lessons that we can learn is to accept God’s diversity. This is not to mean that we do not celebrate many common traits and attributes, but it is an appeal to see the uniqueness within each of us as a reflection of a remarkably diverse God.
Romans 9:21 “Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?”
Isaiah 64:8 “Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Jeremiah 18:4 “But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.”
The unique characteristics that make up who you are could be the thumbprints of a loving Artisan; God Himself. Let’s celebrate our diversity; not our plasticity.
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