Author Archives: Jeff

Giving thanks in times of trouble. (When you need God’s justice.)

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Each day has it’s own trouble. Our worries could come true, our fears take form. Yet, I think it is only those who can look over the landscape of their troubles and put a name to them who can personally plead for vindication.

It goes from, “Why is this happening to me?” (anxiety over circumstances) to “Lord, be my Protector, Provider, and Strength. You are my Justice.” It becomes personal. It begins with a twinge of moralism — since I’ve lived such a “good” life why has this bad come my way? — and leads through confession to redemption. I think it is harder to confess our faults when a clear enemy is out there hoping for our downfall. When we think we are in the right and cannot see our contribution to the problem.

When your troubles have a name — an enemy in flesh and blood — and you pour out your whole heart to God, you can miraculously shift from being mad at your enemy to being mad for them.

This only happens through the Grace of God, and it doesn’t just “happen.” Jesus is the Grace of God in human form. He loved His enemies to the end, not being mad at them, but being mad for them. (“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”)
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Take it off-line.

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In many ways, email is still inferior to pen and paper. One reason is we’re constantly responding to email, while with a pen and paper we get to create, charting the course of our words.

From a post on Lifehacker, warning of email’s cunning little ways. The end:

Many of us wage a constant battle against distraction. Rather fewer of us, I suspect, make very careful, conscious choices about when to be online and when not to be. This is a shame, because it doesn’t take much introspection to realize that some things are simply much easier to do when online, while other things are much easier to do when offline. That difference calls for a deliberate exercise of choice; most of us allow circumstances to make the choice for us.
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In 3 words.

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Yesterday’s post on pragmatism may have struck a cord.

When we turn from pragmatism as our way to use God, we transition from trusting God for things to trusting God with our lives. This seems like a subtle shift, yet it makes a world of difference.

We still trust God for keeping His promises, as our hopes are rooted in the foundation of His faithfulness. He will not let us down. The key change is that we quit holding our hopes over Him. (Do this for me or else!) Instead we remind Him of all He surely has promised in His Word. Everything else is held with open hands, as we trust God with the changing circumstances, relationships, and opportunities that come our way. Example: Let’s say you are longing for a home to own. Are you trusting God for a home … or trusting God with a home? One has clenched fists, the other has open hands of faith.

  • Shift from these three words: trusting God for …
  • To these: trusting God with …

Along those lines, this quote came my way yesterday:

“The utter uniqueness of the Christian message — the heart of the gospel — is found in the three words of Christ from the cross, ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30). The message of every other religious system, without exception, is predicated on some variation of another three words, which stand starkly opposed to the gospel’s three words.
Religion’s three words are: ‘Get to work.’ And this is the heart of the bad news behind every approach to spirituality, enlightenment, or salvation that is not Christian.”
— Jared C. Wilson, Gospel Wakefulness (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2011), 131.

Let’s exchange one set of three words for the better set.

(Quote via Of First Importance)

 

What Drives Us? Pragmatism?

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Time for another installment of our What Drives Us series looking at why we do, think and feel the way we do. The core idea is this: we either make our decisions based on God’s promises in the Gospel, or on something else.

We’ve looked at Preference, Perfection, perhaps nothing (apathy), and Protection.

Now it’s time to get down to business with Pragmatism, the idea that as long as something works, it’s good. The end justifies the means.

Does Pragmatism drive you?

Let’s look at how this plays out in life.

Situation … response:

  • When all is well in my life … I must be doing things right, since everything’s working out well.
  • When trials enter my life … I will do whatever it takes to get the circumstances back to normal.
  • When I am criticized, I … think that I can do better if given more time or another set of resources.
  • My relationship with God … is a way for me to find significance.
  • Motivation: Desire to be great, be known.
  • When I sin … I remind myself that failure is inevitable since I attempt risky things for God. (For me sins are actions that fail to bring about the desired results.)
  • I trust … in the best methods known today, and will shift to new methods if they benefit me.
  • My greatest strengths/weaknesses are … my strength is I have a simple perspective on life; my weakness is that when things don’t go well I dwell on it.
  • My identity is found in … being effective, efficient and known.

Perhaps as you read this list not much seemed out of place. What’s the trouble with being a pragmatist? I mean, don’t we all want life to “work out” the way we dreamed?

In part, pragmatism is good, as is true with all the motivations explored so far. In life, we should be pragmatists about many things, like when shopping for cereal (which box is the most healthy, for the best price?), and exercise (just do it!).

Yet, as a philosophy-of-life, pragmatism simply does not work. It’s self-defeating, because no one can life solely on principles, even one so simple and streamlined as “do whatever works.” Unless one is convinced their pragmatic ways are incomplete, one will not see the need to change. We tend to see the need to change during times of trouble. An insurmountable obstacle in life comes along and one realizes he lacks the resources to overcome it.

Pragmatism doesn’t help the person who is at the end of themselves. And that’s a good thing.

What’s the antidote for our rampant pragmatism?

First, repent. The pragmatist does not worship God; he uses Him. Continue reading →

 

Worth remembering.

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In our nations’s history thousands upon thousands of people have sacrificed their life to allow their family, friends, and fellow citizens to have life, liberty, and pursue happiness. These are the men and women who have given their life to defend our freedoms as Americans. Today we remember them, on Memorial Day, a tribute to their courage, sacrifice, and service.

Their ultimate sacrifice is worth remembering. They are worth remembering.

Thank you.

 

The end of ourselves: there’s a way out.

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This weekend my wife gave me a great gift. She cleaned my office without asking me permission. She knew the shared joy of a refreshed space — where I meet with people, and clutter is not so inviting — is better than my preference to work on it myself.

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In years past I might of gotten upset at her for moving things around (and throwing some away) without first asking me. Yet, she has permission to rearrange things in my life.

My wife knows there is no area in my life I desire to be hidden from her, so she can search into any nook and cranny she wants. I also trust her to do what’s best for me. When and where I am weak (e.g., organizing my office, keeping it tidy), she can be strong. And vice versa.

With a good friend like that, there’s always a way out of your predicaments. She gave me a way out of my mess. Who have you given permission to help you get out of yours?

We must get to the end of ourselves and grant permission for others to help us grow.

Reminds me of a greater truth.

Do you believe it? Do you live in this grace?

Grace is much more than a concept, and believing in grace, and salvation, and even believing in God and Jesus will not change your life — unless you give Him permission to start moving things around. You hand Him all your guilt and shame, and keep giving Him your pain. He offers you His life: freedom, forgiveness, healing, hope, wholeness.

Let me ask you:

Is Jesus now saving you from sin? From its power and presence, as well as its penalty.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
—Titus 2:11-14

 

Know the one Good Story so well you (& your kids) can recognize strands of truth & deception.

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“We want our kids to know the one good story so well that when they see Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, Frodo, Anne of Green Gables, Ariel, or Sleeping Beauty, they can recognize the strands of truth and deception in them.”

—Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson, Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus, page 120.

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Illustration by Karalee Reinke, via her husband Tony.

 

When you’re approaching burnout. (6 simple ways to avoid burnout)

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“It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less. On, on, on for ever, without recreation may suit spirits emancipated from this ‘heavy clay,’ but while we are in this tabernacle, we must every now and then cry halt, and serve the Lord by holy inaction and consecrated leisure. Let no tender conscience doubt the lawfulness of going out of harness for a while.” —Charles Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students, 161.


Thus the need for constant renewal. For most of my adult life I’ve battled against burning out, in part because my inner-desire to work hard (a healthy drive and work ethic) often meets the insurmountable mountain of tasks and people clamoring for time and energy. (I work with people, systems, and ideas — all three are breaking on some level, and as a natural control freak I tend to think it’s my ‘job’ to fix all of it.)

Having much to do is a good problem to have, but one’s aspirations for productivity must be thoughtfully and carefully managed. In recent years Kari and I began intentionally establishing more and more healthy boundaries, adapting them over time to fit the various seasons of ministry. With each season of faithfulness, more perseverance has been required of us, leading to a renewed need to collectively rejuvenate on an ongoing basis.

We’ve become more and more proactive in carving out the good life, which involves less overcommitment (responding to every ‘need’) and more sensing God’s call to serve out of His resources.

Let’s become wise and recognize the limitations of our own bodies and souls. We are nobody’s saviors. And even Jesus, The Savior, needed time to rest and renew while on earth. Yet, even our rest is not about merely resting.

The following infographic summaries six simple ways to avoid burnout. We personally incorporate all six into our rhythm of life. Scroll down to see all six effective ways:
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Intimacy requires courage. (Not becoming emotional introverts.)

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Last weekend I spoke at our men’s retreat on becoming godly, spiritual leaders. We took aim at three profiles after setting the groundwork of the Gospel:

  1. FACE DOWN: A Kingdom & a King (Isaiah 6:1-13) [Friday night]
  2. UNLIKELY WARRIORS: unashamed courage (2 Timothy 1:1-12) [Saturday morning]
  3. CULTIVATORS: borrowed creativity (2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:1-7, 14-26) [Saturday night]
  4. WISE MEN: beyond smarts & cynicism (2 Timothy 3:1-17) [Sunday morning]

Though I did not reference the quote below, it strikes a chord with the tone we set on working hard to courageous build intimacy with others:

Life’s hardships give us a unique perspective. Our relationships grow deeper as we become more honest. “Often, the very part of ourselves that we are most embarrassed by or feel most vulnerable about is the exact gift others need from us,” writes Phileena Heuertz in her book Pilgrimage of a Soul. “Regardness, embracing parts of ourselves is crucial to intimacy.”

Speaking the unsaid isn’t always the verbalizing of our deep feelings. It also takes form in the simple loving expressions capable of breathing new life into our grayed relationships, life-giving expressions, with the power to comfort and heal. Phrases like “please forgive me” or “I love you” or “I’m so proud of you” or “you are special to me” can break down stiff barriers, invite intimacy, and make our brokenness relatable. These actions and words act as steppingstones that lead us to the deeper healing we all want and need, a deeper love.

20120509-070857.jpgAll of which requires a heavy portion of work. As a result, we oftentimes like the idea of getting close to others than the reality of it. Fear stands in our way. We fear rejection. We fear losing the relationship. Afraid of intimacy, our interactions barely scratch the surface, our deeper feelings left alone.

A relationship of intimacy requires courage, the ability to look past uncertainty and see what could be. Courage looks beyond our fears and permits us to express feelings that lead us toward intimacy. It requires courage, for example, to confess to your wife that the distance in your relationship is driving you toward depression or even an affair. It requires courage to loving tell your friend that she’s headed for a fall with her family if she doesn’t make serious changes in her work life. It requires courage to admit and to confront. But “the wounds from a lover are worth it” (Proverbs 27:6).
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What if you had Jedi powers?

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Happy Star Wars Day! (“May the fourth be with you…”)

As I’ve mentioned before, great talent alongside terrible character is a dangerous mix. Evil comes in many forms, often as greed hidden under the cloak of laziness. It looks like a lack of ambition, but is the symptom of something much worse.

Here’s a fun look at what a greedy person may do with Jedi powers:

Description:

“Master Dave just doesn’t feel motivated today. With great power eventually comes great laziness.”

 

Farther along.

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“Farther Along” – Josh Garrels from Josh Garrels on Vimeo.

(RSS readers click through for audio & video.)

Josh Garrels performs his new song “Farther Along” live at the Alberta Rose Theatre in Portland, OR, July 30th 2010. Video footage and editing by Dustin Whitaker.

Portlander Josh Garrels has generously made this album, “Love & War & The Sea In Between,” available as a free download.

The lyrics of Farther Along:

Farther along we’ll know all about it
Farther along we’ll understand why
Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine
We’ll understand this, all by and by
Continue reading →