Restoring the Image

Where does your allegiance lie?

Do you remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of every day in school?  I do.  It's funny how often I said it when I didn't know what it truly meant, and now how seldom I say it now that I know full well what it means.  I love our country, (served four years in the Marines and will soon put the uniform on again as an Army Chaplain) - but there is an allegiance that goes deeper.

Last Sunday I talked some about submitting ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit and some reasons why we sometimes don't submit.  Francis Chan in his book Forgotten God has some great thoughts on this I want to share with you about this challenge for our allegiance.  Here's what he writes:

"As disciples of Jesus, being in relationship with Him must be our focus.  When we allow others' perceptions of us (or ever our perceptions of their perceptions) to control how we live, we are enslaved.  We become entrenched in the ways of this world and do not live as citizens of heaven, which is another kind of kingdom altogether....When we become overly concerned about our appearance, our spiritual reputation, our coolness, and our acceptance, we are living as citizens of this world rather than ambassadors.

This is not something that just goes away.  It is an ever-present struggle to maintain your true allegiance.  And that is really what it comes down to: Where does your allegiance lie?  Do you care about what people think when they see you, or do you care about seeking the truth concerning the Spirit of God and then living in light of the truth, holding to those promises, and enjoying that relationship."

Well said Francis (I don't think he minds if I call him Francis...:).

So, the question gets posed to you.  Where does your allegiance lie?

The Big 5!

Yesterday at Valley Church we talked about a lot of things, but one of the really big ideas was a set of incomplete statements that we all get to choose to complete with our lives.  It's really about being intentional with our lives and not living aimlessly.  Socrates said "The unexamined life is not worth living."  I think he's on to something because God has given us way too much potential and way too many opportunities to waste them all on an unfocused life.

Here are the five statements.  As you read them I'd like you to answer two questions: 1. How would this statement be completed today?  2.  How do I want this statement to be completed when I reach the end of my days?

5 Critical Life Statements

1. The thing that was most important to me in life...

2. I made a difference in the world by...

3. God was glorified in my life because I...

4. People knew I loved them because...

5. The reason I expect God to say "Well done" is...

When my wife and I were reflecting on these statements after the service yesterday, my wife had a great idea.  She suggested we email a few people and get them to answer these questions about us.  It takes some guts, but getting honest input from the people around you really is the best way to see how you're doing in these areas. It may hurt initially, but it could really be worth it in the end (kind of like a flu shot!)

Do you have the guts to do it?

What's your problem?

One of my mentors by way of his books is John Maxwell.  I recently read some great thoughts he wrote on problems.  It's titled, "Problems give meaning to life."  I hope it's helpful to you today.

"A wise philosopher once commented that an eagle's only obstacle to overcome for flying with greater speed and ease is the air.  Yet, if the air were withdrawn and the proud bird were to fly in a vacuum, it would fall instantly to the ground, unable to fly at all.  The very element that offers resistance to flying is at the same time the condition for flight.

The main obstacle that a powerboat has to overcome is the water against the propeller, yet, if it were not for this same resistance, the boat would not move at all.

    The same law, that obstacles are conditions of success, holds true in human life.  A life free of all obstacles and difficulties would reduce all possibilities and powers to zero.  Eliminate problems, and life loses it's creative tension.  The problem of mass ignorance gives meaning to education.  The problem of ill health gives meaning to medicine.  The problem of social disorder gives meaning to government.

    We all have a tendency all of our lives to want to get rid of problems and responsibilities.  When the temptation arises, remember the youth who was questioning a lonely man.  'What's life's heaviest burden?' he asked.  The old fellow answered sadly, 'Having nothing to carry.'

Allow your problems to motivate you toward greater creativity and strength!"

Great perspective.  So, what's your problem? 

Why do we have to sleep?

Last week my family and I were on vacation and our kids get to stay up late on vacation.  One night, after they had been up much later than usual, one of them asked me, "Why do we have to sleep?"

It is kind of interesting when you think about it...everyone...everywhere has to sleep eventually.  It's the way God designed the world and us to operate.  I know lots of people who think the whole sleep thing was one of God's greatest ideas...I'm thankful for it in a different way.

I'm thankful for it because each morning we have the opportunity of a new day...a fresh start of sorts.  If I messed up yesterday, it doesn't have to ruin my today.  Yesterday ended last night.  Today is a new day.

The book of Lamentations is kind of a drag to read most of the time.  It is, after all, someone...lamenting.  But in chapter 3, verses 22-23 we find these incredible reminders:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
      His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
      his mercies begin afresh each morning.

"His mercies begin afresh each morning!"  Yesterday ended last night.  Today is a new day...make it a great one.

Perspective...

I haven't blogged this week because I've been electronically disconnected (no, I haven't gotten the shakes or cold sweats...it's a good thing).  I'm on vacation with my family and what I've found is that I'm gaining some much needed perspective.  It's interesting to me how stepping outside of your current circumstance or day to day routines can provide opportunities for new ways of thinking.  It's definitely a good thing.  How about you?  You don't have to be on vacation to change your perspective.

Do you need to change your perspective on something?

Look at it from a different angle?

Get alone with God and get his perspective instead of yours?

Feeling down? Don't miss this...

This is quite possibly the best 2 minutes and 40 seconds you'll spend today.  What are you up against?

Thrill Ride...part 1

Yesterday we started a new series at Valley Church called 'Thrill Ride.'  What we're really doing is taking a look at the life of Paul in the book of Acts.  Talk about a wild ride kind of life - Paul had it!  Earlier that morning I did an "Exploring Valley Church Partnership" class where we talked about the theme of the mission of our church - Encounter - Transform - Multiply.  Then as Craig was speaking yesterday and I was taking notes, I was really struck with the obvious example of Paul as embodying our church's mission in Acts 9. 

ENCOUNTER - Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.  If you really read it and put yourself there, it must have been incredible.  I also really like the brevity of Christ's interaction with Paul (Saul).  Jesus doesn't have to say a whole lot - he's Jesus.

TRANSFORM - Paul was on his way to round up some Christ-followers and persecute them.  He was witness to and gave approval to the killing of Christ-followers.  Then he encountered Christ.  Talk about transformation!  When the scales fell from Paul's eyes and he could see again - he saw everything differently.  What a great way to think about the transformation in our hearts and lives.

MULTIPLY - verse 20 of chapter 9 says that Paul began to preach to people almost immediately.  It's no wonder really - I think when you truly have the first two (Encounter and Transformation) going on in your life the third one sort of comes naturally.

So here are some questions that come to mind:

1. Are you truly encountering God?  Do you sense His presence and His Spirit?  Does the beauty of this time of year turn your heart toward Him (Romans 1:20)?

2. Are you being transformed?  Are you changing in the way you see things?  Are you different than you were three years ago?  Are there some scales that still need to fall from your eyes?

3. Do you desire for others to know this One that you have encountered and is transforming your life?

I'm so grateful that God included Paul's story in scripture - it shows that there's hope for all of us - and that life can really be...a Thrill Ride.

God...us - Part 6 - Body Armor

Ephesians 6 is actually where we started this little journey through Ephesians last Sunday - I really hope that you read the whole book and see how chapter 6 is really a powerful wrap-up of the whole book.

I really like how Eugene Peterson translates this chapter.  He takes it out of the sometimes over-familiar language we've read before, and gives it some fresh punch for us.  Here are verses 10-20 from the Message:

"And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.  And don't forget to pray for me. Pray that I'll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out."

I really like the way he puts that.  In verses 19 and 20, Paul asks us to pray for him so that he might be able to share the good news of Christ with courage.  In the Greek he actually uses a word that means "fearlessly."  And this is Paul...a guy who gets beaten, thrown out of a city and left for dead, and then gets up and goes back into the city.  And he's asking that we pray he would share fearlessly.  Amazing.  I think maybe we need that prayer more than Paul! 

Ephesians is packed with great truths about who we are what we're called to do.  Let's not just be readers...let's be doers!

Who's your Daddy? (God...us - Part 5)

Who’s your Daddy?  If you’re a parent you’ve probably had the experience of seeing your child do something and then realizing they learned that from you.  They’re just imitating you.  It’s encouraging when it’s something good, and kind of a wake up call when it’s something not so good.

Paul continues applying the theological truth he explained to us in Ephesians chapters 1-3, and then he starts chapter 5 saying, “Be imitators of God, as beloved children.”  I’ve read that verse lots and lots of times but just took the ‘as beloved children’ part as kind of a nice little tag that God loves us.  But this time, the whole idea of children imitating their parents really stuck out to me.  The truth is that when you hang out with your Father a lot, you begin to act like Him.  I think that’s kind of the idea...that we be imitators of God, as beloved children.

This chapter is once again so filled with good stuff that we could spend a lot of time on it, and I’d really like to hear your comments about it, but I want to just say one more think about the husbands and wives section.  Here it is: the original text doesn’t break up the sections with headings like our modern translations do - therefore - I suggest that the whole husbands and wives section actually starts with verse 21, not verse 22.  Enough said there.

Who do you take after in your mannerisms, actions, and words?  Who’s your Daddy?

God...us - transformation - Part 4

I love Ephesians chapter 4.  This is where the transformation begins.  Paul begins the chapter with "In light of all this, here's what I want you to do." (verse 1 - Message).  Ephesians divides up easily into the first three chapters and the last three chapters.  The first three are more theological and establish who we are in Christ spiritually.  The last three basically instruct us how to live, in light of who we are in Christ spiritually.

There's so much in this chapter - I should blog on just this chapter for a few days, but I want to do the whole book this week so I'll just encourage you to sift through it slowly yourself.  Here are a few thoughts that come to mind as I read it today:

Verses 2 and 3 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."  That's enough to keep me busy for quite a while right there!  It applies at home, at work, at the store, wherever you find yourself throughout the day.

Later in the chapter is where the real transformation comes in - the real application of the theological truths communicated in chapters 1-3.  Paul writes, "That, however, is not the way of life you learned  when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;  to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (verses 20-24).

Putting off and putting on.  That's what we do.  We begin to live in the new humanity for which Christ has created us.  The rest of the chapter is so good - Paul gets really specific and detailed about what it looks like to put off the old self and to put on the new. 

Spend some time in this chapter today - I know that God has something to speak to your heart.