Leaning Forward

All is well

Early this morning I verified my pulse and realized all is well.

To be sure, there's enough bad news to etch those crease lines on my forehead another layer into the epidermis. People who study such things say worry and anxiety do, in fact, leave their marks. So, along with the natural widow's peaks, crow's feet, spare tires, fallen arches, toe nail fungus, gray hair, and other bodily adjustments that come with being a little long-in-the-tooth, now we have to look at worry lines and deal with hives all because things have turned a little sour. Whoa! There may be a new twitch or two now also.

So, finding a pulse early on a Saturday is a good way to start the day. It reminds me that, for some reason lost in the mystery of God's ways, He isn't finished with me yet. OK, the economy is lousy, my pitifully small retirement fund is pitifully smaller, my old car with 115,000 miles is coughing worse than I am, and just about everything is shifting into panic mode, my faithful and gracious God sent me an IM this morning, that would be an Instant Message for those from Loma Linda, that all is well.

Citizenship in heaven shifts our focus anyway, doesn't it? Scripture affirms that "...we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen in temporary, and what is unseen is eternal"  (2 Corinthians 4:18).  I remember reading all of 2 Corinthians 4 with my mother Esther Mae Owens Holmes as she struggled with Lou Gehrig's disease. We would both weep as we read these wonderful words from the one who loves us. "Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16).

When everything seems to be coming apart at the seams our faithful God telegraphs a message: thump, thump, thump, thump, thump---a pulse. It says all is well.

God is not through with me yet. Glory!

Happy Saturday!

Traction strategy 3: get it in gear

Neutral doesn't make things move. The gears of your internal transmission system must be fully engaged if traction is the desired outcome, whether forward or reverse. You can goose the accelerator all you want, fire up the afterburners to Mach 1, yell at the control panel, whatever. But, if the cogs aren't meshing, you're going to stay where you are.

Trouble is, neutral is the thing these days. Just about every sphere of human endeavor rewards the non-descript fence straddlers, you know, the wafflers with their feet firmly planted in mid-air. Politicians are perhaps the worse offenders in the flip-flop gear shifting world. They compromise every personal standard to reach across the aisle when it's convenient for a photo op or when bi-partisan sound bites are needed by the media. In the end many of them stand for nothing. You know the end of that deal---when you stand for nothing you'll fall for anything. Wish I had said that! I love what George Herbert Walker Bush, the forty-first President of the United States said, "I have opinions of my own, strong opinions. But, I don't always agree with them." Just like a politician.

Sadly, many churches, and their ministerial staff members, by the way, are stuck in neutral. All too often they lack the strong belief system, decisive leadership, and missional heart that engages people  and moves them forward in faith. Sometimes the gears are actually stripped by constant shifting and grinding to accommodate every position, making the mesh difficult to hold. More often than not, they are just idling in neutral, eventually running out of gas, not having moved one inch. If you're parked in a good place the scenery is good, though. You'll just have to stare at it for a long time. It may get a little old. 

Neutral is not a Christian option. Lukewarm is not acceptable. Indecisiveness doesn't inspire. People who are stuck in neutral should have a transmission overhaul. This work can be costly and I'm not referring to money. The cost may be some serious soul-searching, evaluation of important tenets of faith, review of deeply held beliefs, a search for some moral fiber, a personal re-awakening. Ministers may need to revisit their call, ask God to revive a discouraged and frustrated spirit, develop some spiritual muscle, maybe go the woodshed with the Holy Spirit.

Velocity is also the thing these days, and neutral will leave you sitting in the dust. As the best-selling book says, "It's not the Big that Eat the Small, But the Fast that Eat the Slow" in this world. Leonard Sweet got it right when he said that one of the seismic shifts of this culture is from vast to fast. And, neutral will get you run over.

Christians and the church have been run over enough. Let's get it in gear!

Traction strategy 2: be careful with the brakes

The VIPER and Doppler geniuses mentioned snow flurries in the Lowcountry several weeks ago and people went berserk. Yes, Stuff Mart sold out of gloves, sleds, boots, bread and beer, just in case. The people over in the automotive department did a brisk business too, mostly answering the phones about tire chains and de-icers. You see, people in this part of the world are not accustomed to driving in snow or ice. If you're looking for a nightmare, just imagine all these people with sand between their toes surfing around on black-iced slippery roads.

Yes sir, bubba, traction doesn't happen too well on ice. Or, on water in some instances.  That's why rain and snow create such havoc in the Lowcountry. You can expect a little madness when the cloud cover announces showers or when the thermometer hovers around freezing. The danger? Not what you would think. It's not really the precipitation. People all over the world drive motor vehicles in rain, sleet, snow, mud, and other messy conditions. Rather, it is the reaction of the people behind the wheel. Often, the trouble occurs when panic shoves the brake pedal through the floor. You see, when panic locks the wheels down, traction is lost. That's a skid. That's not good, especially on ice. 

This reaction is especially dangerous in what meteorologists call black ice, that thin, mostly invisible frosting of ice the sends people and vehicles careening into whatever is in the way. They say, don't hit the brakes, the slide will turn into a skid and you'll just crash. Go with it, we are advised, and the tires will re-grip the roadway and traction will again be achieved. Momentarily. The answer: don't panic.

Some people live in panic mode all the time, the brakes firmly applied as they slip-slide through life. Fear paralyzes them and the rubber stops gripping the road. To be sure, these are perilous times, the economy what it is, markets streakinhg downward, savings being depleted, jobless rates escalating, and all the other gloomy truths we read on the front page each morning. Add in the reckless against-the-flow-of-traffic bobbing and weaving of the new administration and you have, well, storm clouds on the horizon. Surely, vigilance is the order of the day. Wake up, sleepy heads, pay attention.

But, don't panic. Stomping down on the brakes won't stop the slide. Rather, momentum and traction being what they are, pushing the brake pedal through the floor will only result in more skid. As I'm sure Timmy, Del, Andy, and Scooter would advise, tap the brakes gently so that traction isn't lost.

Panic interrupts traction. The Bible counsels "...do not be anxious about anything..." (Philippians 4:6). Over and over Scripture advises "fear not". If you have a minute today read Exodus 14:10-12 and sense the panic that seized the Israelites when they saw the Egyptian army coming. Then, continue through verses 13-31 and see the faithfulness of God. Panic stopped their momentum but trust moved them forward.

Hey, friends, be careful with the brakes. Tap them lightly when the hazards appear. Don't panic.

Traction strategy 1: Keep it in the road

Thrill drivers don't like pavement or asphalt, tires with much tread, or gravel for that matter.  There's just too much traction when the rubber meets the road to provide the adrenalin rush that some people crave. So, the maniacs go-off road doing bike and four wheel maneuvers over mud tracks where the more slippery the surface the more fun the outing. Reminds me of the last words of a true red-neck: hey y'all, watch this. Go figure!

Today getting outside the box is like going off-road. Some church leaders are so jazzed by innovation and obsessive/compulsive creativity that all of their energy is zapped achieving airtime and going sideways, situations that defy gravity and frustrate traction. You have to admit, loops and jumps and hair-pin turns are exciting, but they won't get you too far if forward progress is the aim. The crowd loves all the thrill show stuff too. But, then, when the demolition derby is over they're still watching people running in circles around an oval tract. Not bad, if that's the deal. But, if the object is to motion, it won't do.

Of course, Christ's church is about making disciples. We're not doing all that well in this enterprise these days, or for the past forty years for that matter. And, there are a lot of reasons. But, part of it is that we're too busy stunt driving to get much traction. Making disciples requires some dogged determination and some fixed, solid roadway under us. We have to keep this vehicle in the road and resist the temptation of a thrills only journey. There's plenty of excitement walking with God anyway. And traction, if that's what we're after. God has a way of moving us forward.

This pavement is comprised of a solid theological underpinning, based on the Sovereignty of God and His infallible Word, an unwavering purpose and covenant, and a strong commitment to forward progress, that is, movement and not just thrills. Being the stunt master of a monster truck show or the genius behind out-of-the-box mind blowing EPIC experiences and organization is certainly an asset to any spiritual enterprise today. But, if it's just spinning wheels that look good and even thrust people to the edge of their seats, well, that's not it.

Read through Hebrews 11 today. It always jazzes me. Here is the record of the ancient saints, people who lived by faith and were always leaning forward. They weren't into histrionics or drama. If there was any showmanship, it was God on the stage. These leaders found traction by keeping their lives in the road, the highway of faith that God had marked out for them.

These are different times. I admire and applaud the creative minds that have injected some energy into church life around our country. They have inspired me. But, I've learned that off road fun doesn't always create the traction that is needed. And, spinning wheels is not our assignment.

The Question

Look at the stats and groan. Truly, Southern Baptists stopped making disciples a long time ago. OK, that's taking a swipe with a broad brush and such an admission overlooks the pockets of ministry around the country that are producing fully functioning followers of Christ. By and large, though, it just isn't happening. We're not doing much better @ our place either so the proverbial fingers are pointed more backward than out. Still, we're trying hard to find traction here. Like most, we've been spinning our wheels long enough. Let's get some rubber on the road.

Traction happens after somebody realizes that the vital connection between the wheel and the road is broken, that contact has been interrupted. Some leaders never see this obvious trouble-shooting step. Instead, they just peddle harder and harder while the wheels are jacked up off the ground, spinning with more velocity and energy, but still no forward motion. Fearing the criticism that always attends lack of effort, they just keep on cranking and hope that their hard work will mean something. There's no room for slackers here, so don't ease up.

When there's no traction, things stay where they are. Declining numbers, with the admission that numbers aren't everything, telegraphs the message that where we are is not good. Many of us have been peddling long and hard, and are still stuck in the 1970's. If the 1970's come back, then we are ready. Otherwise, the lack of traction means that we're just wearing the equipment out without a lick of corresponding forward movement.

Years ago Isaiah 43:18-19 captured me and has held my heart and mind captive ever sense. "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See (Behold, as in emphatic), I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Shut my mouth wide open, here is a question. "Do you not perceive it?", indeed.

Many of us just don't get it, that is, the reality behind this lack of traction thing. We don't perceive it. Like the pitiful people in Jesus' day we have eyes but cannot see. So, frustrated and maybe a little discouraged, we just peddle harder, sweat a little more, and find some consolation that at least we're working hard for the Lord.

And, overlook the question. You see, my dyed in the wool, set in our ways colleagues, He is doing a new thing, and us peddlers just cannot see it.

It's not a hall pass Mr. President

OK, troops, let's give President Obama the respect due his office and let's certainly pray for him as he takes the reins of our government and forms a new administration. At the same time, let us be as innocent as doves and as wise as serpents as we keep our agenda before him. For one, I am obliged by the dictates of personal faith to stand firm on those issues that, at least for me, are primary tenets of faith that I just cannot compromise. Those of us in the believing community must let Mr. Obama and his congressional lackeys and administration appointees know that there is no hall pass with our prayers and respect.

Naively many believers say they are praying for President Obama to succeed. What a noble concept, to desire the President and his administration to experience success in their party platform and as they seek to re-direct the economy and other ills of these times. That really is sweet. Truly, we can pray for good health for the Obama family and for wisdom as he leads. It is, however, childish to pray for his success. I mean, his first executive orders will undo already loose abortion loopholes, freeing up millions of federal dollars for abortions, and place the well-fare of our citizens at risk by closing Gitmo and treating those madmen like US citizens. Already, we should revoke the honey-moon period hall pass and declare "enough" with the unified voice of a large majority of our population.

When Moses cried out to God on behalf of the Israelite nation, he was told to confront Pharaoh and demand that he "Let my people go". The people cried out in their misery and Moses went to the Egyptian leader to bargain their release. Of course, Pharaoh was a stubborn man and wouldn't listen. So, the plagues that Moses had warned came about. Not once did Moses pray for the Pharaoh's plan to flourish or for him to excel in holding the Israelites in bondage. Moses announced destruction  to the Pharaoh for failing to heed God's warning. And such is the story through the travels and travails of the Children of Israel. They never wished their opponents victory. There was no hall pass issued to those who opposed the plan of God.

We are bound by Scripture to civil obedience. We are to respect the office. We are to obey the law. When that law contradicts the explicit commands of Scripture, with Simon Peter and the disciples, we are to say, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). To be sure, we are never to remain silent. Rescind the hall pass.

To reverence the President more than the Lord God of this universe is blasphemy. We can respect his office, pray for his welfare, the health and safety of his family, and the troubles facing our nation. But, there is no hall pass Mr. President. That ended on inauguration day. Now, you're accountable to us.

Solving the crisis

Several years ago management pro Peter Drucker said the church is suffering from leadership troubles. Not the expected organizational crisis, mind you, that would occasion Drucker's attention, but a crisis of objectives. As a believer he understood church stuff and was prepared to speak to the frustrations many church people were experiencing. His assessment finds the church entangled, caught up in things not necessarily in its mandate.

Many years ago author and pastor Ray Ortland cut through a bunch of ecclesiological mumbo-jumbo to identify the three primary objective of the church. He wrote that the the basic priorities of the church  stack up like this: Christ, one another, the world. Look up. Look in. Look out.

So, we can argue the simplicity of his approach and debate where these priorities end up in the ministry of the local congregation. Few will argue that the uplook is first, the worship life of the church is primary in its mission, seeking him our top objective. 

Today, a lot of things will happen at church. Meetings on the Lord's Day are a little of all three---the corporate worship of the gathered community, the largest gathering of the church family in the ministry mix, and perhaps the biggest outreach of the congregation. They are all worthy. You can proof text each segment extensively.

I'm praying that this morning will be focused on the upreach part, the corporate worship. More than anything, we need a moment with him.

"My heart says of you, 'Seek His face'. Your face, Lord, I will seek" (Psalm 27:8).

Yes, Lord.

Catch up Mr. Webster, or maybe Mr. Gates

Just a sidebar. Yesterday while posting I noticed that my spell checker doesn't recognize the name OBAMA, as in President Obama. Every time I typed Mr. Obama's name it was highlighted by the blog system spell checker as a misspelled word. The inboard dictionary offered many replacement words for what the computer thinks is my keyboard error, like---ABM, IBM, AMA, abeam, Asama, Omar, Beam, Alma---so on and so forth.

The language world better catch up to the times. Mssrs. Webster, Miriam, Gates and all the other wordsmith types better plug into the Urban Dictionary craze to reflect the language of now. This oversight reflects a couple of things. One is the velocity of change, how quickly language is morphing with the culture, new phrases and words emerging everyday into common usage. Second, it was a wake-up call for me to keep my personal vocabulary fresh, terms that will connect in this time of rapid verbal advancement. Last week I asked a young tween to give me the word for taking a break, chilling out. He said it was "chillaxin". Shut my mouth wide open!

Len Sweet says that if you cannot communicate with younger Americans, you are an alien in this culture, and need naturalization classes (see Carpe Manana). If you want to fresher things up some check out this site: http://www.urbandictionary.com/. Do it often.

You see, we are in the word business. We better catch up!

Mr. President

OK, the world is more casual, and that's perfectly alright by me. Several years ago a stockbroker friend suggested we avoid investments in suit companies, such would be the dressing down of America. The corporate world, long the habitat of three piece suits, lavish offices, executive wash rooms, and all the other perks of bidness, is now, well,somewhat relaxed. I mean, the dot com crowd brought us jeans in the board room, participative management, open work spaces, collaborative team pods, and a load of other innovations that have toned the structured workplace down a notch or two. Casual Friday isn't such a slick benefit anymore. How about work from home, or flex hours. Come on Mr Honcho, these are good things, creating a work environment geared to get 'er done.

All well and good. I like it, in case you were wondering. There is one slight blip in this new world that troubles me a bit, however. Now, understand. I'm not one to stand on formalities. I ask my wonderful church family to call me "Sonny". Personally, I dislike "Preacher", am uncomfortable with "reverend", and don't make a big deal of my education, so "doctor" is also avoided. Sonny will do. Chester scares me somewhat, as my dear mother used to speak that when I was in trouble, perhaps a reminder that I am, in fact my father's son. Still, formality is not my thing. There's no reserved parking place on our campus, no privileged keys to the Kingdom, no throne on the stage in the worship center. Maybe I do injustice to the office of Pastor, but I like to be one of the guys.

To the point. All the familiarity of the times, especially among the press and electronic media, have reduced the respect which is due the offices of those who lead us. I think it started with President Richard Nixon, the press disdained him so, that he was simply called Nixon. Not Mr. Nixon or President Nixon, but Nixon. And, likewise to the Presidents and elected officials who followed him. Maybe it's just our colloquial way of speaking, but I noticed Tuesday everyone was calling our new President, Obama. Again, not Mr. Obama, or President Obama, just Obama. Even with my laid back view of hierarchy and structure, that is troubling to me. There is some respect due to the office, even if we have trouble supporting the man.

The framers struggled with what to call the President---His Excellency, Your Majesty, His Honor. They called George Washington Mr. President, and rendered honor to the office. Obama will not do. it should be Mr. Obama or President Obama.

Beyond the traditions of our country, Scripture informs our approach to authority. Take a few minutes this morning to check out 1 Peter 2:13-17. This sections ends with this, "Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear god, honor the king". This entire passage is under the context of "Submit your selves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men"(verse 13). Submission is one element of this Biblical expectation. Showing honor and respect is the other.

So, let's set the pace and influence our culture for a change. It's Mr. President for me!

 

The Audacity of Hype

Critics are talking about the extravagance of the inauguration while the economy is in a pinch. OK, party loyalists, ease up a bit, admit that for the most part inaugurations are privately funded, with the exception of security personnel and military costs. You could also do some math over the off time permitted members of Congress and their staffs, but they're on break, lunch hour, or attending a lobbyists function most of the time, so that figure is pretty elusive. Still, this is the President's hour, a once every four year transition of power, and we should all chill and give President Obama his day. No matter your personal preferences, it is a celebration of our system. So, rejoice and be glad.

If you're going to be galled about anything, take note of the astronomical deals being cut by the off-season baseball shysters---the $160 million four year contracts being touted on the sports page. Take note while you're at it, of a modern reversal. If you really want the pulse of our economy, go to the sports page. This is where you can see extravagance in spades and obtain the best look at the priority system of most Americans, even when the economy is going down the tubes. These deals, and these people, have become obscene.

Cool your jets! I am a sports fan. Always have been, perhaps always will be, though the sharp cravings of my sports addictions have been dulled somewhat by the antics of professional athletes, on and off the field. More than that, though, the salaries and benefits, that is, those that can be calculated, have become vulgar. The other perks---fame, groupies, freebies, goodies, sponsorships, etc are beyond vulgar, totally depraved, a world most of us cannot imagine. It's part of the hype, the glamorized world of the super stars. We love it. We chase after it. Maybe covet it. Oh yes, we also help to fund it.

At the bottom of the sports heap is the poor fan, who pays excessive ticket prices, ridiculous food and beverage tabs, parking fees out the---uh uh---you know, and all sorts of license fees and prices to pick up a team logo cap or shirt. Joe the Plumber can't afford to take the kids out to the ballgame because he'd have to mortgage the house to do so. Just so Sluggo can take down $160 mil over the next four seasons. Now, this is something to complain about. You read the paper and think the sky is falling. Then, over on the sports page you see that a guy is going to be paid $160,000,000 to play baseball for four years. You got to be kidding me!

Hype is the oldest game. Here the tempter offers us thrills, high-speed access, the inside track, to be a team member, part of something big and glamorous---season tickets, the bowl game, the playoffs, the series, the match. Today while unemployment lines are growing and people are defaulting on mortgage loans, the sports world is raking it in. Offering plates may be empty, but hot dogs are selling for $7 each. What's the deal?

Could be that our priorities are out of whack! You reckon? We're fanatics. You and I pony up the bucks to make it possible. OK, so we need a diversion, to belong, recreation. But, this has moved beyond diversion to obsession. And, that is not good stewardship, plain and simple.

Someone asked me Sunday if we are going to cancel church for Super Bowl Sunday. I think not.

There's something lurking in the windmills of my mind. Something about seeking first his kingdom and righteousness.

Why does $160 million not register with that thought?

Go figure, indeed.