This morning about 4:30 while reading Romans 1, I came to a sudden revelation as I came across these two words: "creator" and "creature". My revelation involved yesterdays blog where I totally missed the fact that I used "creator" several times when I needed to use "creature". It has been corrected and I am sitting here wishing that some programming genius would develop a idiotic check program. I text too much and I trust(way to often) word completion while texting and I even spell checked it twice, but even at that I destroyed what I wanted to share.
If you actually read it... I do apologize for such a goofy mistake... if you haven't yet... maybe you can get a laugh from this whole thing. Those of you who know me... well you simply know this kind of thing comes natural for me
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Bound by a String
I remember reading some years ago about how in India Elephants are used for some very rigorous jobs. These giants, who possess enormous power and will, move and work with the greatest of precision. Yet, at night when their work is complete these wild, but tame creatures are tethered to a pole by a small rope. You would think that the “call of the wild” would at some time kick in and they would simply make a run for the hills and freedom. But, they don’t! Why?
First, they are not captured as adults and made to do what seems to be totally unnatural for them. This kind of training begins when they are very small. When they are small they are removed from their mother and taken to a place where they are secured to a very large tree with a huge chain. As they yearn for their mother the chain holds them in place, often causing great pain and bleeding as the chain wears through the skin. At some point the pain and futility of the struggle impacts the will of those giants and they yield their will to the Trainer. This process often takes some years, but the result is worth the effort from the Trainers point of view.
Although, these massive creatures are not out roaming the land in freedom, they are engaged to work; work that impacts an enormous group of people. We see this and our hearts feel torn. Our sympathy for the elephants causes us to ask, is there not another way? Our understanding of that culture causes us to think of it differently as well.
For me, the image of that small elephant bound by a huge chain is unnerving. As he struggles for closeness, to be near his greatest love and lover he learns that he can’t break the chain that has him bound. Then I think about that same elephant as a huge adult bound, simply by comparison, a string. And that string might as well be a chain, an unbreakable chain. For, in his mind it is just that! Yes, if he so desired, he could easily exert the effort and the rope would snap. But, the will to do so is not present. It has been tamed.
The spiritual parallels abound for us in this unique cultural tale. First, I would say that the enemy of our souls will do all he can to keep us from our greatest lover. He measures each of us from the moment we enter this world, looking for just the right moment and manner to secure us with a chain that hurts and binds. As that chain does it masterful work we become slaves to it and him.
On a more positive note: As much as we desire to be free doing what is natural. God, in his mercy, desires to make our lives useful and full of purpose. In order to do this He must separate us from our strongest ties, by calling us to himself. We cannot serve two masters. We will love one and hate the other; it can’t be both. To be his disciple He must become ALL to us. In doing this God shows us that first, we must learn to allow pain to shape our will, and our desire to be obedient. Disobedience will bring great agony, and allowing that agony to shape our will, to mold our hearts desires toward obedience is where our lives either take on glorious shape or ruin.
Secondly, God shows us that through yielding and obedience we not only find the greatest of freedom, but that the passions of our heart and life come into full bloom. We are actually freer than we could have ever dreamed.
Yes, the desire to “run” for the hills may be present. The “call of the wild” rings in our ears. But we come to recognize that the harshness of God, is kinder that the gentleness of our own brand of freedom.
First, they are not captured as adults and made to do what seems to be totally unnatural for them. This kind of training begins when they are very small. When they are small they are removed from their mother and taken to a place where they are secured to a very large tree with a huge chain. As they yearn for their mother the chain holds them in place, often causing great pain and bleeding as the chain wears through the skin. At some point the pain and futility of the struggle impacts the will of those giants and they yield their will to the Trainer. This process often takes some years, but the result is worth the effort from the Trainers point of view.
Although, these massive creatures are not out roaming the land in freedom, they are engaged to work; work that impacts an enormous group of people. We see this and our hearts feel torn. Our sympathy for the elephants causes us to ask, is there not another way? Our understanding of that culture causes us to think of it differently as well.
For me, the image of that small elephant bound by a huge chain is unnerving. As he struggles for closeness, to be near his greatest love and lover he learns that he can’t break the chain that has him bound. Then I think about that same elephant as a huge adult bound, simply by comparison, a string. And that string might as well be a chain, an unbreakable chain. For, in his mind it is just that! Yes, if he so desired, he could easily exert the effort and the rope would snap. But, the will to do so is not present. It has been tamed.
The spiritual parallels abound for us in this unique cultural tale. First, I would say that the enemy of our souls will do all he can to keep us from our greatest lover. He measures each of us from the moment we enter this world, looking for just the right moment and manner to secure us with a chain that hurts and binds. As that chain does it masterful work we become slaves to it and him.
On a more positive note: As much as we desire to be free doing what is natural. God, in his mercy, desires to make our lives useful and full of purpose. In order to do this He must separate us from our strongest ties, by calling us to himself. We cannot serve two masters. We will love one and hate the other; it can’t be both. To be his disciple He must become ALL to us. In doing this God shows us that first, we must learn to allow pain to shape our will, and our desire to be obedient. Disobedience will bring great agony, and allowing that agony to shape our will, to mold our hearts desires toward obedience is where our lives either take on glorious shape or ruin.
Secondly, God shows us that through yielding and obedience we not only find the greatest of freedom, but that the passions of our heart and life come into full bloom. We are actually freer than we could have ever dreamed.
Yes, the desire to “run” for the hills may be present. The “call of the wild” rings in our ears. But we come to recognize that the harshness of God, is kinder that the gentleness of our own brand of freedom.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Go Beyond the Call
I have noted of late how backward we western believers are to what Jesus would expect from us. But, I would guess that as I read Luke 17: I see that not much has changed from the first century til now. People are still people and God is still God. Read along with me the following and catch on to what I am saying.
Luke 17:5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.[c] 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”
Jesus is making a serious point here not to be taken lightly, then or NOW.
Let me see if I can simplify what is being said.
First, Jesus is saying: HUMBLY OBEY WITH A HEART OF GRATITUDE.
Secondly, Jesus is saying: BEWARE!!!!
Beware of:
1. Looking for reward for everything little thing you do.
2. A ungrateful spirit
3. Half-hearted service
4. Seeking praise (that may be your only reward)
5. Thinking too highly of yourself. (You are not all that you think you are)
6. Expecting God to bend to your expectations.
Love,
Dad
Luke 17:5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.[c] 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”
Jesus is making a serious point here not to be taken lightly, then or NOW.
Let me see if I can simplify what is being said.
First, Jesus is saying: HUMBLY OBEY WITH A HEART OF GRATITUDE.
Secondly, Jesus is saying: BEWARE!!!!
Beware of:
1. Looking for reward for everything little thing you do.
2. A ungrateful spirit
3. Half-hearted service
4. Seeking praise (that may be your only reward)
5. Thinking too highly of yourself. (You are not all that you think you are)
6. Expecting God to bend to your expectations.
Love,
Dad
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Giving and Receiving Criticism
Criticism is the easiest thing to give and toughest thing to receive. Agreed? I teach a session in one of my leadership classes on "giving feedback". Feedback is a slick word for telling others what needs to change in order for things to get better. Criticism is what I consider selfish and ego-centric. Criticism comes from someone who is more concerned with how they feel, or their perception of an event than with the welfare of the person who they are digging their heals into at the moment.
Admittedly, there are times when "feedback" has to be tough and determined, but at the heart of it has be a foundation of a sound relationship and respect. On the other hand, there are also times that "feedback" is incredibly valuable even though it may be packaged and presented wrongly.
So, here is some free advise: See all criticism and feedback as useful. Keep in mind that personal attacks are not criticism, but ego out of control. In those cases consider the source. In other events, Hear the words of Solomon, "to the hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet". Be hungry for improvement, be hungry for others feedback; recognizing that there is something valuable in all things.
Admittedly, there are times when "feedback" has to be tough and determined, but at the heart of it has be a foundation of a sound relationship and respect. On the other hand, there are also times that "feedback" is incredibly valuable even though it may be packaged and presented wrongly.
So, here is some free advise: See all criticism and feedback as useful. Keep in mind that personal attacks are not criticism, but ego out of control. In those cases consider the source. In other events, Hear the words of Solomon, "to the hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet". Be hungry for improvement, be hungry for others feedback; recognizing that there is something valuable in all things.
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