last week, Andy (our student pastor, http://andrewdailey.typepad.com/dailey_blog/, at least for the next few days) and i directed our state ministries' teen camp. rather than do a typical camp (you know, crazy games filling up the day with an occasional Bible study, fishing, and a worship service) we threw out most of the games, made the Bible study a "van-otion" (devo's in the van) and gave 6 hours of day in service to those in need, and closed each day with a lectio-driven worship service.
originally, it was to be work with a Habitat for Humanity house and family. but all the Habitat homes in the area were completed a little over a week before our camp, and before we could be sent into a dead panic, they were gracious enough to put us in touch with an awesome volunteer coordinator. she found projects with minstries all through the city just in time. as a result, instead of touching just one family and neighborhood with the love and Gospel of Jesus, we touched dozens
this camp was not well embraced by all of the campers --especially at first. but by the end of the week, the students seemed to understand that being a Christian is more than their relationship with Jesus (after all, if that were the case, you'd be dead at the altar). But by sharing in His sufferings, taking up His cross/mission daily, we too are to give our lives for the sake of others experiencing the love of Christ through our compassion, involvment and sharing the Gospel with them in tangible ways.
somehow, we think to recharge our spiritual batteries, we have to focus on ourselves--but that's counter Biblical instruction from Christ: "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:25). i know that we need time for ourselves alone with God -- and i'm not downplaying that at all. but at a conflicted low point in the prophet Elijah's ministry, he sought the Lord on His mountain only to be asked the question "what are you doing here?" and later directed to go back the way he came, and to continue prophetically giving to the very people that were such a drain (1 Kings 19)
when we seek blessings for ourselves, is it really a blessing we receive or is it just a spiritual high (i'm wondering aloud and speaking of our pursuit of spiritual experience as a euphoric, emotional drug)? it seems to me that our American Christian experience is continually laced with these spiritual-drug hits through the latest worship song, concert, book, Bible study, and an endless supply of me-centered offerings from your local Christian bookstore--but i digress :)
as Jesus summed up his washing the disciples feet, He said in John 13:17, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" -- This then would seem to say that blessing comes as a result of service, seeking the good or meeting the needs of others--not in seeking your own benefit. Paul quotes Jesus in Acts 20:35, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
if we believe that (that it really is "more blessed to give than receive"), then the prescribed remedy for our spiritual depressions or ruts ought to be to go out and give--a workcamp rather than a retreat. i believe that when we serve, with the right heart, not only does God show up in the lives of those we serve, but also in our own lives.
In fact, i think when we serve, we won't have to go looking for God, because God comes looking for you. Paul wrote in Romans 12:2 "to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, Holy and pleasing to Him, because this is our spritual act of worship" -- and Jesus said that those worshippers that worship in spirit and in truth, "those are the worshippers the Father seeks" (John 4:32). God is seeking for spiritual worshippers -- those who are offering their lives in Holy sacrifice. And as i've written on here before, i think that Holiness is not merely the absence of evil but the embracing the activity of Christ. and what was the activity of Christ? "to serve and give His life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45)
i hope that one of the main thoughts that we communicated each day was this: you're not working, you're worshipping -- regardless if you're painting a wall, peeling potatoes, or doing the homeless' laundry--if your motive is right, it's worship. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24)
Monday, June 13, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
reggie reggie reggie
i know that this typically has been my church and ministry blog, but in the midst of a big wedding and a difficult funeralm the nba playoffs have also had my attention
playoffs generally maintain my attention because it is the origional and purest form of reality shows. not that these shows reveal our reality--but they are a commentary of the moral values and social reality in which we live. playoffs offer us a glimpse of the character of individuals, but the reaction and commentary of announcers and crowd tell us a lot about the state of our society.
growing up in the middle of nowhere IN, i naturally became a huge fan of all things hoosier. that was easy to do in the 80's when the college teams were winning--but not easy to admit professionally with a struggling colts and pacers franchises. those were the days when the pacers hopes rested on guys named Fleming, Kellog (yes Clark from March Madness fame), and Tisdale. hope came in the late 80's, but not in the form of a player named Person, but in the unlikely scrawny frame of a rookie from UCLA named reggie
reggie was better known as the little brother of Cheryl Miller -- perhaps one of the best female basketball players ever. he had always been scrawny, a lasting reminder of the thin metal braces that once enabled the weak reggie to stand up and walk as a child. he grew up the underdog, he played as the underdog, and battled for a city that was annually the underdog. indianapolis didn't embrace reggie -- when his name was called at the draft, he and the franchise were booed. they initially wanted to choose i.u. standout, Steve Alford who had just one a national championship
after an 18 year career, this Hollywood bruin became endeared to the hearts of hoosiers for his work ethic, local charity, and bulldog tenacity that made a once struggling franchise an annuall playoff contender. but this year, he announced it was time to hang 'em up, even though at age 39 he could still carry a struggling and embattled franchise
last week, his season and career were ended by the defending champion Detroit Pistons. (married to a Detroit girl, i know a lot about their team as well). staring retirement in the face, reggie gave the Pistons and pacer fans a game to remember--scoring almost a point a minute, he willed the pacers on to the end. but in the end, with 15 seconds left on the clock -- it was time to walk away. to walk away without yet winning the championship
when his number was called, the whole building knew what that meant--walking to the bench was a long walk--but everyone stood and cheered for the hometown hero as if he had won. then, in what may have been the classiest demonstrations of sportsmanship in professional sports, pistons coach (and former pacers coach) Larry Brown took the timeout the pacers couldn't, and stood up to join the applause as he walked toward the indiana bench. his assistants, and team followed, joining the applause and cheerleading the crowd.
in the press conference that followed, reggie summed up his career and the peace he felt about retirement in two words, 'i tried'. he didn't allow illness, criticism, referees, competition, shot blockers, missed shots, lack of talent, suspensions, or injuries get in his way -- for 18 years, he stuck with the team that took him, and he tried day in, day out for them and the city.
to grow up hoosier means to grow annually disrespected in the sports world. for the state that bears the motto "amateur sports capital of the world," it's always the underdog. but for 18 years, there was a player who looked the big dogs in the face and was willing to keep fighting. the day after reggie's farewell, sports commentators argued on his legacy -- not a great player, but a very good player--just the last of the golden age (80-90's) of the nba to hang 'em up.
he may not have been one of the greatest -- but he was great for the nba and for indiana. he was the david playing the goliath's each week (Bird's Celtics, Isaiah's pistons, Ewing's knicks, Jordan's bulls, even Shaq's lakers). usually our society only celebrates success and championships, but for a moment last week, a portion of our society celebrated effort.
in the course of our life, there will always be obstacles -- you can focus on the obstacle, using it as an excuse. or you can put your energy behind your effort and let the results be decided. thankfully, as a believer, we are assured of the ultimate victory, won by our Savior, Jesus Christ. but daily the battles rage, souls are in jeopardy and our effort is required. above my desk i have three words that remind me to make the effort -- three words strung together by Mother Teresa, "Faithfulness, not Success." God calls us to be faithful, let His Spirit make up the difference, and leave the results in His capable hands.
"To the faithful you show yourself faithful," ~ Psalm 18:25
"His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' ~ Matthew 25:23
playoffs generally maintain my attention because it is the origional and purest form of reality shows. not that these shows reveal our reality--but they are a commentary of the moral values and social reality in which we live. playoffs offer us a glimpse of the character of individuals, but the reaction and commentary of announcers and crowd tell us a lot about the state of our society.
growing up in the middle of nowhere IN, i naturally became a huge fan of all things hoosier. that was easy to do in the 80's when the college teams were winning--but not easy to admit professionally with a struggling colts and pacers franchises. those were the days when the pacers hopes rested on guys named Fleming, Kellog (yes Clark from March Madness fame), and Tisdale. hope came in the late 80's, but not in the form of a player named Person, but in the unlikely scrawny frame of a rookie from UCLA named reggie
reggie was better known as the little brother of Cheryl Miller -- perhaps one of the best female basketball players ever. he had always been scrawny, a lasting reminder of the thin metal braces that once enabled the weak reggie to stand up and walk as a child. he grew up the underdog, he played as the underdog, and battled for a city that was annually the underdog. indianapolis didn't embrace reggie -- when his name was called at the draft, he and the franchise were booed. they initially wanted to choose i.u. standout, Steve Alford who had just one a national championship
after an 18 year career, this Hollywood bruin became endeared to the hearts of hoosiers for his work ethic, local charity, and bulldog tenacity that made a once struggling franchise an annuall playoff contender. but this year, he announced it was time to hang 'em up, even though at age 39 he could still carry a struggling and embattled franchise
last week, his season and career were ended by the defending champion Detroit Pistons. (married to a Detroit girl, i know a lot about their team as well). staring retirement in the face, reggie gave the Pistons and pacer fans a game to remember--scoring almost a point a minute, he willed the pacers on to the end. but in the end, with 15 seconds left on the clock -- it was time to walk away. to walk away without yet winning the championship
when his number was called, the whole building knew what that meant--walking to the bench was a long walk--but everyone stood and cheered for the hometown hero as if he had won. then, in what may have been the classiest demonstrations of sportsmanship in professional sports, pistons coach (and former pacers coach) Larry Brown took the timeout the pacers couldn't, and stood up to join the applause as he walked toward the indiana bench. his assistants, and team followed, joining the applause and cheerleading the crowd.
in the press conference that followed, reggie summed up his career and the peace he felt about retirement in two words, 'i tried'. he didn't allow illness, criticism, referees, competition, shot blockers, missed shots, lack of talent, suspensions, or injuries get in his way -- for 18 years, he stuck with the team that took him, and he tried day in, day out for them and the city.
to grow up hoosier means to grow annually disrespected in the sports world. for the state that bears the motto "amateur sports capital of the world," it's always the underdog. but for 18 years, there was a player who looked the big dogs in the face and was willing to keep fighting. the day after reggie's farewell, sports commentators argued on his legacy -- not a great player, but a very good player--just the last of the golden age (80-90's) of the nba to hang 'em up.
he may not have been one of the greatest -- but he was great for the nba and for indiana. he was the david playing the goliath's each week (Bird's Celtics, Isaiah's pistons, Ewing's knicks, Jordan's bulls, even Shaq's lakers). usually our society only celebrates success and championships, but for a moment last week, a portion of our society celebrated effort.
in the course of our life, there will always be obstacles -- you can focus on the obstacle, using it as an excuse. or you can put your energy behind your effort and let the results be decided. thankfully, as a believer, we are assured of the ultimate victory, won by our Savior, Jesus Christ. but daily the battles rage, souls are in jeopardy and our effort is required. above my desk i have three words that remind me to make the effort -- three words strung together by Mother Teresa, "Faithfulness, not Success." God calls us to be faithful, let His Spirit make up the difference, and leave the results in His capable hands.
"To the faithful you show yourself faithful," ~ Psalm 18:25
"His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' ~ Matthew 25:23
new ChoG Blog listing
long time in posting i know -- slowly working on basketball post that will be up soon
i was just informed of this new ChoGBlog -- with other pastors contributing from their journeys -- if interested, check it out at
http://chogblog.blogspot.com/
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i was just informed of this new ChoGBlog -- with other pastors contributing from their journeys -- if interested, check it out at
http://chogblog.blogspot.com/
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