The Religion of Reputation

I watch a TV Ministry almost weekly (left unnamed purposefully) and I really enjoy the great music on the program. However, when one of the preachers comes on screen, his words are almost always superlatives:
"Best song I've ever heard!"
"Most inspiring anthem from the best choir in the world."
"Most profound book I've read in the last 10 years!"
"A story so interesting, everybody will want to hear it."

And all these words are delivered in a bass voice that is trained to resonate! Word inflation cheapens the value of his praise! The end result is that I discount whatever he says. Isn't that sad? A man whose has a life calling to speaking the Truth lacks credibility. Here's why- he is much too concerned about impressing others. He is serving a Christian television monster that requires a growing audience, to provide a continuously increasing revenue stream, so it can on more stations, so it can attract a growing audience..... Are you starting to see the problem? Now, I do not know, nor should I judge, if that preacher has a deep love for the Lord, but it is obvious that the opinions of other people about his church and ministry are tremendously important to him because he thinks he must impress people to attract them as viewers and supporters. When he starts to look around at people instead looking up for the applause of the audience of One, his efforts sure appear to be compromised, at least from where I stand.

Religion that is misused to burnish egos is very common and not just among TV preachers.

I must admit that occasionally when I pray public prayers, I fall into the trap of speaking to the people in the room instead of God! I misuse my prayers in ways that are not related to actually communicating with the Lord. In that, I sin! May God forgive me. Such 'prayer' is not prayer at all, because it is addressed to people in the disguise of speaking to God. Honest prayers care nothing for the opinion of those who may hear them, for they are conversation with the One, not the many. Churches fall into the trap of serving ego-based religion when they give the largest donor a seat on the board regardless of his or her spiritual gifts or Christian maturity, or when they name the new education wing for the person who gave the first $million for construction! Worshippers get it wrong the moment they start to be concerned about what the person next to them is thinking- good or bad- about the way they are interacting with God!

Jesus warns "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. ... When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
"And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? "Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. " (Matthew 6:1, 3-6, The Message)

Here's the paradox in all of this. Our good works will attract attention. In this same sermon, Jesus says, "Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven!" The goodness and love that comes from the life of the Spirit in us will make us stand out in a sin-filled world in stark contrast. But, never should our intent be to attract attention! We simply love God, giving our best to Him, seeking His will in all things, and living a life that is shaped to win His approval. The by-product of that kind of life is an undeniable reality that brings attention, not so much to me or you, but to the One we love.

Believer are you trying to look good or are you seeking to serve God well? On the surface the difference is so slight it is seldom noticed, but over time religion that used to enhance our reputation or our standing in the church shows the corrupt core, rotting from the inside out. That kind of pride shows itself in envy and jealous, in craving of recognition, in striving for positions of power and/or influence and James say that "Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats. Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced." (James 3:16-17, The Message) Rotten motives among those who 'serve' lead to many a church fight and much bickering among Believers whose lives should be the epitome of love, according to the Savior's wisdom.

Pastor Bill Hybels wrote a book with this simple title- Who You Are When No One's Looking. That is, I believe, a great test for the authenticity of our desire to serve God. Are you prayers as loud and fervent in your bedroom as they are in the sanctuary? Are your secret thoughts as pure as your carefully screened words? Do you give of your self and your time to those who cannot repay as generously as you do to those who have the ability to repay you with thanks and/or kindness?

Here's a challenge from the Word to ponder today. "When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. ... God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well." (Matthew 6:16-18, The Message)
___________________________________

Baseball, football, and God!

I don't watch baseball games. The game seems to me like a throwback to another time, moving rather slowly, with long stretches of not much happening, punctuated with frantic flurries of men dashing along baselines. I probably just typed heresy for those of you who love the game. Don't get me wrong. I'm not hostile to the game. In fact, I'm glad that many enjoy it. I enjoy hearing them talk about the actions of men on a field pre-occupied with a small white sphere, but I never know exactly what to say to an avid fan. The insiders lingo is foreign to me. The strategy is beyond me. I used to take my kids to a AA Mets club in Pittsfield, MA but not really for the game! It was the experience of their joy that made it a great outing for me. And, despite my lack of interest in the sport, I am aware that it World Series week, with the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies in pursuit of the championship. So, for my friend Terry's sake I say, "Go Boston!"

I wonder how many people feel the same way about 'faith' that I feel about baseball? They're glad you enjoy it, even enjoy your enthusiasm for it, but don't really 'get it' at all. To them, church services seem a little slow, often even old-fashioned. The language of the faithful is sometimes hard to understand and there are 'insider' routines that are downright mysterious. They attend church occasionally with family members and appreciate the joy of those who participate, even if they don't know exactly what's going on. And, come Christmas or Easter, they're aware of the general flow of things, much like my general awareness of the Series, and they say, "Go Jesus!" - not irreverently, but because it is the thing to do.

At one time, the American sport of football also was something of a mystery to me, too. What was so interesting about 22 men running around and falling down on an oblong object, then getting up, forming a line and doing it all over again? Then my friend, Jerry Jacob, invited me to the local high school's football games where he patiently taught me to really see what was happening. He showed me how to see plays being set up, how to read the defense, what the offense was doing. Now I understand a zone defense and man to man coverage! I can spot a passing play being set up. What was incomprehensible has become a game I truly enjoy watching because someone was willing to 'convert' me into a football fan and to be my teacher. "Go New England Patriots!"

Believer, Jesus taught us to be intentional about making His Gospel known, about introducing others to Him. He said, "Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."" (Matthew 28:19-20, The Message) When Jerry Jacob taught me about football, he had to step out of his comfort zone and put himself in my place. He probably wanted to just enjoy the games, but instead he patiently instructed me as he interpreted the game for me. When we are introducing others to Christ and the practices of our faith, we need that kind of patience and ability to bridge the gap!

Jerry's obvious enthusiasm for Warren Hills football made me curious! I wanted to experience that same fun that he had so I tagged along to games. In much the same way, if obviously love the Lord and demonstrate that He makes a real difference in the quality of life for us, others will want to know what's up with us, too.

Are you doing 'outreach' for Christ?
Are you intentional about helping others understand your faith?

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." (Proverbs 11:30, NIV)

_______________________________

Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad.
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love;
Tell of His pow'r to forgive.
Others will trust Him if only you prove true
Every moment you live.

Give as 'twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you.
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Make Me a Blessing
© 1924. Renewed 1952 Word Music, Inc.
(a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055

A reluctant leader

Politics used to be one of my passions. While living in Massachusetts I ran for an office quaintly called a Selectman, a town councilman. As a conservative in one of the most liberal states in the country, I was not elected, finishing 6th in a field of 7! However, the experience of knocking on doors, standing in front of the post office shaking hands every Saturday morning, and being 'attacked' in letters to the editor was an amazing civics lesson. I am not as excited by the political process as I once was, but I continue to have an interest in the process, so I have watched the Presidential race with more than passing interest.

Do ever wonder what possesses a person to want to be the President of the United States? A candidate's entire life is open to question, on display, dissected and criticized endlessly. Privacy is a thing of the past. Critics abound. Praise is scant, problems are huge, and the threat of bodily harm is never far away. Once elected, that person cannot even run down to McDonald's for a burger if he wants one without mobilizing a small army of security and shutting down parts of the city! Drawing on my own experience in my very small foray in politics, I believe those candidates have a noble impulse, believing that they have a program that will benefit the nation if they are elected. To be sure each has a huge ego. If they did not, they would not survive the rough and tumble of Presidential politics, but they also want to make a difference for this country - at great cost to themselves and their families.

Unlike Romney, Guilani, Clinton, or Edwards - Gideon, a leader of Israel that we meet in the book of Judges, was a reluctant leader. He didn't run for office, nor did local politicos seek him out and try to convince him to become a candidate! He was a farmer just trying to feed his family when God sent an angel to the oak of Ophrah that belonged to Joash, the Abiezerite. (Just threw in those little details for fun!) This man was not bold, nor was he brave. When he first appears in the Bible story, he is concealing himself as best he could, avoiding attracting attention, trying to thresh wheat in a tiny winepress in a remote place. But God saw qualities in him that He needed at that time, in that place, so He sent a divine recruiter. "The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, "Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!"" (Judges 6:12, NLT) Gideon's response is almost funny. Cynically, he asks the messenger, "If the Lord is with us, why are all these bad things happening to us? Where are all those miracles that I heard about in the past?" The ensuing conversation continues in much the same give and take. The angel tells Gideon God wants him to be Israel's deliverer. Gideon tells the angel he doesn't want the job!

Finally, Gideon prepares a sacrifice which the angel touched with the tip of his staff and it was miraculously burnt up! So, Gideon was convinced, right? Wrong. He was still not ready to work for God. So we come to the story for which Gideon is best known. "Then Gideon said to God, "If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised." And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, "Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew." So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew." (Judges 6:36-40, NLT) After that, he was a changed man and became a great leader, restoring Israel's security and prosperity.

Are you reluctant to let God use you, Believer?
Do you look at those around you and see people more skilled, better prepared, and feel intimidated - thinking, "Lord, I'll just stand by quietly. Use them!"?
Does the cost of joining God's service seem too high?

Consider Gideon, the reluctant leader! God saw in him what he could not see in himself. Where his neighbor's saw a man without much to distinguish himself, God saw a man who thought strategically, who would learn to respond obediently and faithfully, and who could accomplish amazing things. And the Lord persistently called this man, encouraging him through his doubts, to a place of effective service. He can do the same in you and through you!

Here's what I learn from the Bible - all of God's children are called to serve and equipped for the task to which He calls them. The Holy Spirit divinely empowers us to serve the purposes of God in our world. A sample listing of the ways He prepares us for service is found in the Word where we read this amazing and wonderful promise. "A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.

It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have." (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, NLT)

Don't be reluctant!
Put yourself at God's disposal. Let Him use you. It will cost you! However, the results will resound to His glory and your faithful service will earn you the commendation of Heaven. Is anything better than that?

No excuses, no explanations!

My Dad used to tell me, "Son, if you want to succeed you've got to pay attention to the pennies and the mice!" It's a homespun phrase of farming origin. The mice are little creatures but they can consume an amazing amount of grain, eating the farmer's profit. The phrase taught a principle that a life well-lived begins with the details, with paying attention to excellence around the small things. By way of illustration, I know that leading a church well does not start when I walk to the pulpit for the most public part of my work. It begins with personal disciplines of prayer, study, and good work habits. Creating a culture of excellence in our church not only involves the Sunday sermon; it extends to the little things nobody sees - like keeping church finances in order, picking up the trash left in the parking lot, and replacing burnt out light bulbs.

Tony Dungy, a committed Believer and an NFL coach who has led the Tampa Bucs and the Indianapolis Colts to championship levels, recently published a book, Quiet Strength. (Tyndale, 2007 ) He tells his teams that when they fail to win there are 'no excuses, no explanations.' The solution is to go back to work to get it right. He writes about the philosophy he instills in his team, "Champions know it is all important. The little things coaches are asking of you really do matter..... You can always find excuses for not doing exactly what you're supposed to do, but that is exactly what creates a losing environment."

I can name many people of lesser innate abilities who reach greater success than those with great talent. Why? Because those blessed with the brains, or the good looks, or the brawn - often let down on the hard work of preparation because they over-estimates their advantages. The guy with less education or less physical advantages knows that he has to prepare and perform at a consistently higher level to get the win. Winners function with focus, paying attention to the daily disciplines that build strength and character. When they win, they celebrate then go back to work. When they lose, there are 'no excuses, no explanations.'

Spiritually, I know that same principles work! Ask my adult children why they are active Believers today and one of the things they'll mention was that they were trained, from birth all the way through high school, to give church meetings on Sundays the first priority of life. They were never allowed to skip worship; not because of late nights, work, or sports. That discipline taught them that being a Christian required choices and self-denial. "Oh. come on, Jerry. We both know that being a Believer starts in the heart with faith." Yes, you are right, but the choices we make matter, too. For example, church attendance is a tangible way to say to God, the world, and ourselves - "God is Number One, not a god who serves my convenience." Choosing to be in corporate worship is one way to reinforce a much greater principle- Put God first. Yet, many Believers, because they think they are stronger than they are, will have a hit or miss church attendance pattern, allowing almost any activity to take priority on Sunday morning. They miss out on the encouragement of the Body, never experience the joy and camaraderie of true ministry, because of their inconsistency.

The principle applies to all the spiritual disciplines. A consistent prayer life is a cornerstone to spiritual strength. Getting up just 15 minutes earlier to allow for a focused time to converse with God can make a huge difference, but for many prayer becomes a reaction that occurs in crisis instead of a purposed meeting that allows God to lead and guide. Some think that because they don't have a red-hot conversation with God everyday (nor do I, by the way) they assume they can let it go today, and tomorrow, and . . . in time, intimacy with the Lord is lost. Regular reading of the Word, and study with a group, gives a person access to the wisdom of God and foundational principles for life. Yet, for many Believers, Bible study is non-existent, replaced by a 'devotional' reading of a few lines, robbing that person of the wisdom of the Word.

Are you thinking like a winner, doing what it takes to shape your life with principles that lead to excellence? Or, are you cutting corners, letting the little things go, and letting your life slide into destruction, one small choice at a time? At the end of his life, Paul reflected on a life well-lived. He served the Lord faithfully in spite of hardships. He kept his eyes on the goal, never giving in to the temptation to 'go easy.' About mid-way through his ministry life, he wrote of the pursuit of excellence. "Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NLT)

As a result of living this way, years later he was able to sum up his life and express his hope with these words, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NLT)

Success - on the football field, in the realm of business, in your marriage, in raising your children; yes even in becoming a mature, fruitful Christian - starts with a commitment to excellence, even in the small things. So, "pay attention to the pennies and the mice!"

Real Joy, Inspiring Hope

I am hopeful about tomorrow! Neither the threat of war, nor the supposed onset of the "last days" makes me worry. Militant Islam is a real issue for the world, but I am not losing sleep over it. Industrialization is having an impact on the environment, but I am not in despair about that. (Sorry, Mr. Gore!) Churches in this nation are, on the whole, not very healthy, filled as they are with unconverted people who serve themselves rather than Christ; but I am confident that Christianity will thrive, none the less. (Yes, I believe that with all due respect to Mr. Barna's research!) When I see what is happening in America's homes and families, I am motivated to work for real change, for the trends are not good. Yet, I believe there are victories ahead. (Dr. Dobson's gloomy forecasts not withstanding.) Personally, I do not like what the process of aging is bringing my way, but I anticipate blessings that will offset the losses. And, yes, Heaven is closer every day.

Is all this 'hope,' just coming from a relentless optimism? Not at all!
Am I just choosing to ignore reality to 'look on the sunny side of life?' No, again.

My hope comes from the Lord! Through the whole Bible there is a thread of hope that is tied to God's faithfulness, to God's promises to ultimately defeat Evil. My life is anchored in Him, therefore how can I not win in the end, too? I need not trudge through life marked by negativism and need, sucking life from all those that come into my circle like a black hole consumes matter. Instead, as I am renewed by the Holy Spirit, I am made radiant, a person who reflects God's light and life to the world in which I live and work. This is more than optimism or living positively. There is nothing wrong with either of those except that sooner or later they can be defeated. Seasons in life come when there are many difficulties and troubles, when sickness and death come in waves that nearly overwhelm us, when disasters diminish the quality of life, and when unexplained suffering stretches on, and on. In those times, thinking positively won't work. Mere optimism, in those moments, is just whistling bravely in the dark.

But hope that comes from God is greater than anything that comes our way in the course of life. The Scripture says this - "None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (Romans 8:37-39, The Message) The more of life that I experience, the more hopeful I become, precisely because I see His faithfulness through it all.

Jeremiah, a prophet who was called by God to preach to a people who ignored him for his entire life, remained full of faith. Why? Because he was thinking positively? Perhaps he did, but his real hope was anchored to his conviction that God was greater than the circumstances in which he found himself. "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" (Lamentations 3:22-24, NLT)

Believer are you facing a tough day, a hard week, a challenging Fall, a long Winter?
Will you allow the challenges that stretch out in front of you to rob you of the joy of living and turn you into a negative person who drains vitality from others? Or, will you turn to the Lord and take hope from Him?

Let God, be God. Give up your demand to make all things fit your ideals or meet your agenda. Make Him Lord of all, and you will find that hope will grow strong, sustaining you, filling you with faith that overcomes.

Here's a word from the Word. May it create hope in your soul today.
"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." (Psalm 34:1-10, NIV)