If you haven’t heard Michael Oher’s story, you are in for a treat (ESPN video). Mr. Oher grew up homeless as 1 of 16 children and quit school to avoid being placed into foster care. A neighbor helped Mr. Oher become enrolled at a local Christian school in spite of concerns of his 0.6 GPA. Mr. Oher was walking from school in shorts and a t-shirt in the snow one day when the Tuohy family stopped and began to take him in gradually…first clothes, meals, and spending the night a few times per week…eventually leading to the Tuohy family adopting Mr. Oher. Mr. Oher blossomed in this loving environment boosting his GPA to 2.65 and being recruited to a SEC football program. Mr. Oher’s football career at Ole Miss was so successful that he was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of this year’s NFL draft.
If something like this sounds familiar, it should. Jesus provided the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer an expert in Jewish law who asked, “…who is my neighbor?” This parable shows us that offering God’s love and mercy to others is more important than rules for religion’s sake (Luke 10:29-37). Also, a lame man had 4 friends who knew he needed to meet Jesus (Mark 2:2-12). They climbed up to the roof since the house was already full and opened a hole big enough to lower their friend down to meet Jesus. Jesus healed the man’s soul in addition to giving him the ability to walk (talk about hitting the jackpot!).
Unfortunately, we will come up against naysayers when we are obedient to God’s desire for us to show His love and grace to others. Other parents at the school Mr. Oher attended asked why they would let a black man live under the same roof as their white daughter. Similarly, some people questioned Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1-5).
Neighbors are NOT defined by location, class, or status. If God has specially and wonderfully made someone to exist, that person is of great value. He tells us that he will come look for the 1% even if 99% are still in their place (Matthew 18:12-14). So, let’s extend God’s grace and love to our neighbors regardless of the consequences from others.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Forget “Be Like Mike”…“Be Like Jackie”
April 15th is Jackie Robinson day which acknowledges the significant accomplishments and cultural advancements resulting from the career of the first African American Major League Baseball player. Mr. Robinson was a gifted baseball player that suffered many racial insults because of the color of his skin. Today remembers his career and his family’s impact in life after baseball are a result of many years of perseverance and hard work.
Christians should also expect to face insults and persecution in this world. Christ said “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belong to the world, it would love you as its own…you do not belong to the world…that is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). We are told in 1st Peter 3:9 “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” Furthermore, “It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1st Peter 3:17)
Therefore, remember that we should expect troubles to come AND that we have been given our orders in regards to how to respond to suffering and persecution. Psalm 23:4 states “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death”….it is not a matter of if we will walk in the valley, but how many times, for how long, and how will we respond. The beautiful thing about this we are told up front the reward for obedience…“Humble yourselves to the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).
Christians should also expect to face insults and persecution in this world. Christ said “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belong to the world, it would love you as its own…you do not belong to the world…that is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). We are told in 1st Peter 3:9 “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” Furthermore, “It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1st Peter 3:17)
Therefore, remember that we should expect troubles to come AND that we have been given our orders in regards to how to respond to suffering and persecution. Psalm 23:4 states “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death”….it is not a matter of if we will walk in the valley, but how many times, for how long, and how will we respond. The beautiful thing about this we are told up front the reward for obedience…“Humble yourselves to the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Unshooting a Gun
I remember my dad talking about gun safety while I was a youngster and saying “you can’t unshoot a gun”. Trauma surgeons know this all too well…you can take out the bullet, but the damage is already there. Similarly, the nails could be removed after Jesus allowed the Roman soldiers to nail him to the cross…but the holes were still there (Mark 20:25-29). Just because God forgives the sin, doesn’t mean that all the consequences here on Earth go away.
David certainly knew about this after sleeping with Bathsheba and ordering the death of her husband (2nd Samuel 1:2-4, 14-17). God sent His prophet Nathan to tell David a story about a rich man who took the only lamb from a poor man to feed a visiting traveler (2nd Samuel 12:1-5). David became irate at the rich man in the story and said that he should die and repay the poor man 40 times over for his lack of pity! Nathan then told David he was that rich man and calamity would fall upon David’s house…David’s response was to acknowledge his sins against the Lord. God was merciful to David by forgiving his sin and letting him live…but war and family turmoil continued throughout the rest of David’s life.
God loves His people so much that he sent His Son to take away the eternal consequence of sin which is separation from God in hell (John 3:16-21). He also loves His people so much that He wants them to follow His will so they will not have to face the consequences of sin during this life…so we can live life more abundantly (John 10:10)!
David certainly knew about this after sleeping with Bathsheba and ordering the death of her husband (2nd Samuel 1:2-4, 14-17). God sent His prophet Nathan to tell David a story about a rich man who took the only lamb from a poor man to feed a visiting traveler (2nd Samuel 12:1-5). David became irate at the rich man in the story and said that he should die and repay the poor man 40 times over for his lack of pity! Nathan then told David he was that rich man and calamity would fall upon David’s house…David’s response was to acknowledge his sins against the Lord. God was merciful to David by forgiving his sin and letting him live…but war and family turmoil continued throughout the rest of David’s life.
God loves His people so much that he sent His Son to take away the eternal consequence of sin which is separation from God in hell (John 3:16-21). He also loves His people so much that He wants them to follow His will so they will not have to face the consequences of sin during this life…so we can live life more abundantly (John 10:10)!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Judge Dredd
Have you ever been driving and made a mistake that almost caused a wreck? If you have, you are certainly hoping for mercy at that time. Have you ever been in that same situation and then become irate just minutes later when someone cuts you off? This reminds me of the movie Judge Dredd where Sylvester Stallone says “I am the law!”
The story of the servant who owed a great debt to the king reminds us of how to offer grace to others (Matthew 18:21-35). The king was collecting from all people who were indebted to him. The servant owed a large sum of money…and the king was about to sell off the man’s family to settle his debt. The servant pleaded with the king to give him more time to pay the king back…and the king decides to cancel his debt! The servant goes out and demanded one of his fellow servants repay him a small amount of money…when the fellow servant could not, he was thrown in prison by the first servant. When the king heard about the first servant’s unwillingness to extend the grace that had been offered to him, the king had the first servant thrown in prison.
Too often, we think we deserve to judge who deserves to receive grace. If you ask how often you should extend grace, Matthew 18:21 tells us to forgive those who sin against us 70 times 7 times (good luck with counting someone else’s sins and maintaining a heart that is in sync with God’s grace…those 2 just don’t go together). Let’s extend the grace God has so freely given to us instead of demanding that people settle their debts (emotional, physical, economical, etc.) with us.
The story of the servant who owed a great debt to the king reminds us of how to offer grace to others (Matthew 18:21-35). The king was collecting from all people who were indebted to him. The servant owed a large sum of money…and the king was about to sell off the man’s family to settle his debt. The servant pleaded with the king to give him more time to pay the king back…and the king decides to cancel his debt! The servant goes out and demanded one of his fellow servants repay him a small amount of money…when the fellow servant could not, he was thrown in prison by the first servant. When the king heard about the first servant’s unwillingness to extend the grace that had been offered to him, the king had the first servant thrown in prison.
Too often, we think we deserve to judge who deserves to receive grace. If you ask how often you should extend grace, Matthew 18:21 tells us to forgive those who sin against us 70 times 7 times (good luck with counting someone else’s sins and maintaining a heart that is in sync with God’s grace…those 2 just don’t go together). Let’s extend the grace God has so freely given to us instead of demanding that people settle their debts (emotional, physical, economical, etc.) with us.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
One of a Kind
Have you ever seen anyone that makes you say that person is one of kind? Many professional football commentators say this about former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, who is considered one of the greatest players in NFL history. While other wide receivers may eventually approach or even break his records, none will be Jerry Rice. It is widely reported that he developed his great hands by catching bricks that his brothers would throw to him. His off-season training regimen included running up a steep 5 mile hill in the morning and weight lifting in the afternoon. He also excelled at the less glorified parts of being a wide receiver including running great routes and being a great blocker.
So, what does all this have to do with you? You are one of a kind as well. Psalm 139:13-14 says "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…". Matthew 10:29-31 spells our worth out even more explicitly "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs or your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
God didn't make us unique just to sit idly on a shelf, just like Jerry Rice's talents may have never been known if he never played football. Our purpose is to "…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…" (Matthew 28:19-20). So, live your life for God's purpose…because God purposely made and cares for you.
So, what does all this have to do with you? You are one of a kind as well. Psalm 139:13-14 says "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…". Matthew 10:29-31 spells our worth out even more explicitly "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs or your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
God didn't make us unique just to sit idly on a shelf, just like Jerry Rice's talents may have never been known if he never played football. Our purpose is to "…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…" (Matthew 28:19-20). So, live your life for God's purpose…because God purposely made and cares for you.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Perseverance
Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals will face the Pittsburgh Steelers tomorrow in Super Bowl 43. Sports reporters have talked about Kurt Warner’s story of going from a stock boy in a grocery store to 2 time MVP and Super Bowl quarterback. Then injuries, ineffective play, and other circumstances left Kurt Warner as an afterthought to professional football for 5 years. There were a lot of opportunities for Kurt to give up during this time and a lot of built in excuses including: 1) I’m too old, 2) I don’t have enough talent around me, 3) I don’t think people aren’t treating me fairly. Kurt chose to persevere during those tough years and was able to have a fantastic season (4,583 yards, 30 touchdowns) and led the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl ever.
Joseph is another example of how perseverance can lead to God being able to lead us through tough times and ultimately be exalted for conducting His work. Joseph was his father’s favorite son (Genesis 37:3). Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt and told his father that he was dead (Genesis 37:23-33). One of Pharaoh’s officials bought Joseph’s services. He was so impressed by Joseph that he trusted Joseph to be in charge of everything in his house (Genesis 39:4-6). Joseph was thrown into prison after being falsely accused of rape, but God was still with Joseph. Ultimately God placed Joseph in charge of Egypt (Genesis 41:41) and allowed Joseph to save his family from the famine occurring in Israel.
What circumstance are you persevering through right now? Whatever it is, know that God is there for all who have trusted Christ as Lord and Savior. Just because things don’t seem to be working on our schedule doesn’t correlate into the fact God is not working. David asked “How long?” four different times in Psalm 13 before finally arriving at the conclusion that “I trust in your unfailing love” and that “He has been good to me”. Let’s remember what God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives and keep working for the His glory.
Joseph is another example of how perseverance can lead to God being able to lead us through tough times and ultimately be exalted for conducting His work. Joseph was his father’s favorite son (Genesis 37:3). Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt and told his father that he was dead (Genesis 37:23-33). One of Pharaoh’s officials bought Joseph’s services. He was so impressed by Joseph that he trusted Joseph to be in charge of everything in his house (Genesis 39:4-6). Joseph was thrown into prison after being falsely accused of rape, but God was still with Joseph. Ultimately God placed Joseph in charge of Egypt (Genesis 41:41) and allowed Joseph to save his family from the famine occurring in Israel.
What circumstance are you persevering through right now? Whatever it is, know that God is there for all who have trusted Christ as Lord and Savior. Just because things don’t seem to be working on our schedule doesn’t correlate into the fact God is not working. David asked “How long?” four different times in Psalm 13 before finally arriving at the conclusion that “I trust in your unfailing love” and that “He has been good to me”. Let’s remember what God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives and keep working for the His glory.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
What’s Your Go-To Play?
You often hear about teams having their backs against the wall when facing adversity. Teams will often focus on the one thing they can do better than anyone else to try to overcome these times of adversity. This single-minded focus can help the team regain its swagger by focusing on doing only things that have become second nature…things that they know will come through no matter the situation.
A lot of us have our backs against the wall right now…whether it is our finances, job, health, struggles with family and/or friends…so what are we supposed to do? Fortunately, there are some examples of what to do in difficult times. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were tossed into a fiery furnace because they refused to bow to the golden image of King Nebuchadezzar (Daniel 3). Job lost his wealth and children…all his friends and his wife told him to curse God and die.
So, you might be asking yourself, “Why would people still believe in God with all these troubles?” Remember that people go back to what they know they can trust in times of trouble. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego told the King “we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter...the God we serve is able to save us…even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods…” Job said in the midst of his troubles “I know that my Redeemer lives and the end the end he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25). Christ told us “come to me, all you who weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30)...so why don’t we take Him up on it today?
A lot of us have our backs against the wall right now…whether it is our finances, job, health, struggles with family and/or friends…so what are we supposed to do? Fortunately, there are some examples of what to do in difficult times. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were tossed into a fiery furnace because they refused to bow to the golden image of King Nebuchadezzar (Daniel 3). Job lost his wealth and children…all his friends and his wife told him to curse God and die.
So, you might be asking yourself, “Why would people still believe in God with all these troubles?” Remember that people go back to what they know they can trust in times of trouble. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego told the King “we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter...the God we serve is able to save us…even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods…” Job said in the midst of his troubles “I know that my Redeemer lives and the end the end he will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25). Christ told us “come to me, all you who weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30)...so why don’t we take Him up on it today?
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