Distractions to the Race

     A few weekends ago I woke my family up early, had a quick breakfast, and then drove into downtown Lexington for a special event. It was Saint Patrick's Day and we had committed to run/walk in the annual Shamrock Shuffle. The Shuffle is a small 3k race that kicks of the Saint Patrick's Day festivities. We had talked about participating for a year and two and finally signed up and paid the entrance fees this year so we knew we would follow through.
     My wife, the kids, and I found ourselves in a mass of people at the starting line. We stayed back away from the serious runners and planted ourselves about midway through the pack with our two children. My 2 year old son in his stroller was our excuse for not jogging :) When the gun went off we braced ourselves to rush off and then sat for another minute or two while the crowd finally started to get into a rhythm. My eight year old daughter was excited and bouncing up and down as we walked -her hair bouncing back and forth with each step. My son was hunched all the way forward in his stroller staring down at his shoes as if to say, "Why did you even put these things on me if you weren't going to let me run?" Since we were walking instead of running, we were determined to at least walk at a brisk pace.
     We were three-quarters of the way through the race with only a few blocks left and the finish line virtually in sight when the unthinkable happened! There just to our right a familiar sign rose up along the sidewalk as we approached and a welcoming fragrance began to fill the air. There on the corner of the street within easy reach sat my Achilles heel -Dunkin' Donuts! How could they do such a thing? Who planned this route...didn't they know the danger...had they no compassion or common decency? Even as I stared longingly at the front door out came two of our event comrades in their race shirts with their numbers pinned proudly where all could see. It wasn't fair. It wasn't their fault they fell from grace...there were donuts and coffee calling to them...
     The truth is, they had probably already finished running and came back for donuts before we managed to walk the distance; but there's no fun in telling the story like that. I admit I was very tempted. And, every excuse imaginable came to mind. We didn't have much of a breakfast. We weren't really racing anyway, just walking with the kids. We didn't care about our times. This was just for fun, and eating donuts and fresh coffee would be fun, right? But we stood strong and plowed through managing to reach the finish line where the shouts of our adoring fans welcomed us. Okay, I know they were just race program personnel, but let me have my moment -I gave up donuts for goodness sake!
     Later in the day I was thinking about this experience and wondered how many things in my Christian life might parallel these circumstances. There are a lot of expectations and desires God has for me to live out on a daily basis. Do everything as if you were doing it for My glory. Be my ambassador to the poor and broken-hearted. Let people know they are deeply loved by me. Represent me well. Be a good steward of your time and resources, etc. These are goals God has for my life that I try to live into. But, on the way accomplishing these goals in my everyday life I often become entangled by distractions -Dunkin' Donuts and coffee for my mind and spirit.
     "Yes God, I see that woman standing outside her car with the hood up...but I'm supposed to be meeting someone in 15 minutes!"
     "Yes Lord, that person sitting at the table in the corner looks tired and burdened; but, I'm here to catch up with an old friend I don't get to see to often..."
     "Yes Lord, I hear you telling me that I should go to that training next Saturday, but it's my only free weekend this month..."
     When I gave my life to God and started this relationship with him, I told him he was in charge and I would entrust him with running my life as he saw fit. I know he loves me deeply and will order my life to make it abundant and rewarding, stretching and fruitful. He has never given me any reason to doubt the goals and pursuits he calls me to day by day; but, my own dreams, desires, and the pleasures of this world frequently hit my senses like donuts and coffee. They lure me to linger from following through on the life God is calls me to pursue. Sometimes I'm tempted to take a short break or detour; after all, surely I can catch up with God later and he'll understand.
     At times like that God often brings to mind passages like:

     Philippians 3:12b-14 - "... I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

     I am especially reminded of a verse that has great meaning for us here in the middle of Holy Week:
Luke 9:51  - "As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem."

     Jesus, knowing the end was drawing near, and knowing what awaited him at the hands of the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod, etc...knowing the suffering to come, the betrayal, the shame, the cruelty...RESOLUTELY set out for Jerusalem. I'm sure along that road to Jerusalem, Gethsemane, and Golgotha there were many temptations to go an easier road. To enjoy some simple pleasure while avoiding the harder race before him. What if Jesus allowed himself to be easily distracted from the mission at hand? Where would I be now?
     Thank you Jesus for seeing us as the prize and longing for us with a passion and strength that left no room for distraction. Teach me and grow me into a person who can follow you with that kind of selfless abandon. You deserve it. And at the end of the day, nothing compares to the greatness of knowing and walking with you, Lord.

Uh...Oops...

Hello all, long time no write...right? I can't believe it's been almost two months since I posted. What can I say? Life's been busy. Between holiday schedules, family time, out-of-town training, my normal work routine, end of the year reports, etc.; life has been full. I'm sure you know the feeling.

I must admit I don't really regret or feel bad about not posting. The truth is that of all the things on my plate during the busy time, it made the most sense to let this simmer on the back burner for a while. However, I do have one regret. I noticed that in my last post I ended with the statement that I had more posts coming soon. And then I dug myself a pit of shame...I said, "I promise."

There was nothing shameful about it at the time. But, now almost two months later it is safe to say I never followed through on that promise. It may seem like a small thing; and yet, I take sticking to my word very seriously. I hope you do too. When I realized what I had done, a verse from scripture popped into my head. Matthew 5:37 says, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." In other words, make sure there is integrity in what you say and follow through.

Especially as a Christian I think this is very important. The way we live, the content of our character, the integrity of our speech, how we treat others; all of these are ways we can earn the right to speak into people's lives. If we treat people disrespectfully, if we are hypocritical in the things we profess, if we fail to follow through on our promises; then people probably won't respect us enough to listen to what we have to say. Especially when they are broken and need help. So, I apologize for not following through on my promise. And, I hope you stay tuned in the weeks and months to come. Blessings!

Wow, time flies! It's been a long time since I posted. But God has been stirring several things up in me lately, so stay tuned and I'll get them all logged over the next few days. One thing I'll share quickly is the blessing, conviction and inspiration I've been finding in several songs by the group Leeland. One in particular is their song "Carried to the Table" Check out this video; and then what I'm going to say next will perhaps be more meaningful.

When I first heard this song I was moved by the imagery of Jesus carrying us to the communion table and finally the heavenly banquet table. These are places where we have no right, ability or personal merit  to reach on our own. We must be carried because we are broken and wounded and weak. And in His great love for us, God makes a way. We are lovingly picked up from our lowly state and seated at the table with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Even me! What wondrous love is this!  He carried us because that's what rescuers do for those in need. But more importantly, He carried us because He didn't want to sit down at the table without us. There is a place at the Father's table for each of us. And it doesn't matter what you have or haven't done. We are prodigals -all of us.  What matters is what He has done for us!

There will be more coming soon...I promise. Till then, blessings,

Spoiled!

I was finishing up some chores around the house today and preparing to make a run to the store. One of the items I needed to pick up was a prescription refill. The problem was, I actually have a few days left on the last prescription. Everything will be closed down for Thanksgiving and we will be busy so I wanted to get it early. Do you ever have conversations with yourself about possible future difficulties that might arise to spoil your plans? Well, that's what I started doing. It went something like this:
Me: "I wonder if they'll let me fill it a few days early?"
Me Too: "I've heard them tell other people at the register that they couldn't do a refill because it wasn't time yet."
Me: "Surely a few days early shouldn't be a problem..."
Me Too: "But what if they do say no...then I'll have to contact my doctor in order to get it approved...and it will be just my luck that he isn't in...Then what...?
Me: "Well surely they have some procedure for getting around this..."
It was about then that God stepped in.
God: "You know Sean, there are people all over the world who don't even have access to medicines. As a matter of fact, you know some people who live in places where they are dying of things like diarrhea and bacterial infections because they don't even have clean water let alone medicine to cure these simple problems you take for granted. Perhaps...you know, in light of Thanksgiving and all, you should just be thankful that you have access to medicine period. I'm just saying..."

I don't know if God talks to you like that, but that's a pretty normal sample of the way He deals with me. And I heard the message loud and clear. Here I was worrying about the ways my plans might get spoiled; and completely oblivious to the fact that I was BEING spoiled. I have been so blessed throughout my life. And each blessing piled upon the others just makes it so much easier to take it all for granted. It's like when you get a raise at work and for the first month or two you appreciate the extra income. But, it doesn't take long before the new paycheck becomes the NORM and you can't see how you could possibly live on less than what you make now.

I was born in a country of opportunities to great Christian parents who provided all the resources, love, wisdom etc. that I needed. I didn't earn that starting place in life and it didn't have to be that way. I don't know why I have been so blessed when so many others start out with no resources, opportunity, and little hope for the future. But, it seems to me the least I can do is be appreciative...really, deeply appreciative. I've often quoted the verses from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Timothy 6:6; but I guess I still have a lot of growing to do in living them out. With God's help I'll get there a little day by day. Come join in the journey!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the God's will for you in               
                                         Christ Jesus."


1 Timothy 6:6 -"...godliness with contentment is great gain."

Happy Thanksgiving all!
                      

Dads, Daughters, and Donuts

My daughter's school has a "sweet" program to give dads a chance to be involved with their children at school. They call it Donuts with Dad. It's a 20 minute time early in the morning on a particular day when fathers can bring their children to school and eat donuts with them while they read books in the library. Today was my chance to go and spend some time with my daughter, Erin. As we walked through the hallways and met her teachers she drug me along by the hand and pointed everyone we passed in my direction. I felt like a rockstar.


That's an unusual feeling for me in school hallways. When I was growing up, my family moved around a lot because my father was a military chaplain. I was a shy child and not always socially adept. Let's just say no one would have ever described me as popular...if they noticed me at all. I know I am not the only one who ever felt like that. As a matter of fact, I would hazard to say most of us have been there at one time or another. High school was especially difficult because we moved twice in those four years. I did my freshman and sophomore years in Jacksonville, Florida; my junior year in Lancaster, Texas; and my senior year at Kubasaki High School in Okinawa (Class of 86). So I was generally lost in the crowd. And often when I was noticed, it wasn't particularly pleasant. Truth is, I was probably too shy to give most people a chance to get to know me.

I know many people who walk through the halls of life feeling as isolated and unnoticed as I often felt during my school years. People who don't really fit in and feel almost invisible. Here's the good news. No one is invisible, unwanted or without value in the eyes of God. It sounds cliche', but I assure you if you will turn toward God you will find Him beaming over you. Zephaniah 3:17 is one of my wife's favorite verses. It says, "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

So, when you feel alone, unwanted, invisible, unloved and unlovable; look toward the one who knows how many hairs you have on your head (or don't have in my case.) Look toward God who knows everything you have ever done, for good or for bad, and loves you anyway. You don't have to measure up, act up, cozy up or work up. He sees past our weaknesses, faults, bad choices, and masks. He doesn't value us because we are rich, adorable, talented, popular or perfect. He loves us -He loves YOU- because He is love. Your value is not established by the sum of your desirable attributes or friends. Your value has been established by Jesus' willingness to give his life for you. His great sacrifice on our behalf puts us all on an even playing field of value. No one could be worth more than what Jesus gave for us. I thank you, God, for your infinite, unmerited love. Blessings!
                             

Two Kinds of Spurs

He sat alone on the cold stone steps of a church... It was Halloween night and the local ministerial association had received permission to shut down one of the city streets and host an annual event called Kids' Harvestfest. There were probably 200 people milling around as the children played games, listened to live Christian music, jumped around on inflatables, and ate candy and popcorn. Noise, pageantry, people, laughing; but, this elderly gentleman sat on the steps alone staring at his feet -or perhaps some memory I wasn't privy to.

Now I am not the most outgoing person by nature. But something about this man caught my attention and the still, small whisper of the Spirit assured me it was more than just my imagination. So, I took a break in my role as candy and supplies runner and sat down on the steps next to the man I would come to know as Harold. We introduced ourselves and then I asked Harold what he thought about the event. This opener led into a discussion about the Church in general and quickly turned toward problems we have encountered in various churches. Harold wasn't against the church. As a matter of fact, I found out he began his relationship with Christ in the early 50's and had been a faithful church member since. But he, like many of us, desire the Church to be so much more than we often see from week to week. Maybe you have had that experience yourself. So much of what we learn about the early followers of Christ and how they lived in community and reached people daily inspires us. We want to see more vitality, and greater impact on our communities for the Kingdom of God.

It's like a spur that digs at us little by little. And often, unfortunately, it comes out in conversations like this one. My friends, the Church is not all she is supposed to be -WE ARE the Church and we are works in progress. But the Church is still the Bride of Christ; the bride Jesus loves and that God is working to make pure and spotless. The question is, how do we have conversations that are hopeful and productive instead of fruitless commiseration? Because, I believe how we communicate together has great power to produce change, growth, and hope for the future. We can either be a spur - by being reactive and focusing on the negative; or we can choose "to spur" by being proactive and calling out the positive. The author of Hebrews lays the groundwork for us:
     "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

We can help shape each other in the body of Christ by spurring one another on as fellow believers. Here is a few ideas building off of the English vowels to make it easier to remember:
     I = Inspire - try to make sure you are living out and growing in your own relationship with God. People    
           who are walking closely with God, experiencing the wonder and joy of life with Him, and sharing it  
           with others  are inspiring.
     E = Encourage- Make it a goal to be an encourager. Look for the good in everyone and take a moment  
            to share with them what you appreciate about them.
     U = Uplift  - I am using this in the sense of inviting someone out of the places they are stuck in or are
           comfortable in. Sometimes we need someone else to invite us to be part of what they are doing. John  
           Mark in the New Testament got to travel the Mediterranean and see great miracles of God because  
           Paul and Barnabas invited him to come along as a helper.
     O = Outfit - Outfitters supply needed equipment to people. God has blessed all of us with certain gifts,
           talents, life lessons, etc. that are useful for building others up. If God has given you a gift for music,  
           look for people to pass it on to. If he has rescued you from addiction, look for places to use that  
           experience to help others. I have a friend who has outfitted numerous worship leaders, youth
           directors, etc. with the ability to play guitar. Who knows how big an impact your gifts could make.
     A = Admonish (Exhort would probably have been a better word, but I needed an "A" :) - There are
           times when the most helpful and loving thing we can do for someone is to caringly point out
           something that may well be hindering their growth in relationship with God. It takes a certain 
           amount of  relationship building to "earn the right" to speak into someone's life like this.   
           When our family returned from Okinawa in 1988 I had a major spiritual backslide. My father loved  
           me enough to confront me about where my life was headed. It was not an easy conversation, but it
           was a  necessary and healing one. It started me back to the arms of my Heavenly Father and I will be  
           forever grateful for my earthly father's admonition.

I'm planning to write these 5 simple helps on my Bible bookmark to remind me to prayerfully glance over them at the beginning of each day and ask God to bring to mind anyone I can inspire, encourage, uplift, outfit, or perhaps even lovingly admonish. Let's spur one another on to love and good works and see what God will grow and build through us. Blessings!  

What's in a Name?

Hello all! I was listening to "Revelation Song", by Jennie Lee Riddle and performed by Kari Jobe and Gateway Worship. It's a great song, and if you haven't heard it you can check it out here: Revelation Song. I have listened to this song many times, but this time the bridge (or third verse) really came alive for me. The lyrics are: "Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder, at the mention of your name. Jesus, your name is power, breath, and living water, such a marvelous mystery." I just started thinking about everything that makes the name of Jesus special.  And the thing that grasped me was the wonder that we get to use His name at all.

When I was pursuing my vocal music degree I had the wonderful privilege of studying under Jim and Anne Beane. Both were highly-gifted, caring, and very patient. Well...Mrs. Beane was patient :) Mr. Beane would bend over backwards to help you learn; but he had high expectations that you would fulfill your role responsibly. I remember toward the end of my senior year, the Beanes invited the graduating seniors from their voice lab over to their house for a special meal. It was part celebration and part rite of passage. At a particular point in the evening, they reminded each of us that once we graduated we would be peers and colleagues -no more "Mr." and "Mrs.", they would be Jim and Anne.

I still admire and respect the Beanes greatly. I went to see them a few years ago and was greeted with a warm embrace at the door. But I have to admit that even after such a welcome, I could barely get the words "Jim" and "Anne" out of my mouth. They were my teachers, mentors, and music royalty to me. I don't know who you may have held in such high regard that the privilege of using their first name daunted you, but I'm sure there has been someone. Do you begin to see the connection?

The triune God of all creation who sees all, knows all, created all, has made himself available to us on such an intimate level that we are on a first name basis. Who am I that God should notice me? Without His breath blown into us we are literally dust. God the Son left the glory of heaven to take on flesh, and a purpose, and a name. And with great love and grace He poured out for us His flesh and His purpose and His name. Friends it is no small thing to be able to kneel in prayer and call out to God as Abba, which translates as "Daddy"; or to end our prayers with "...in Jesus' name." So, I am "filled with wonder, awestruck wonder, at the mention of [His]name."

         "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received a Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." - Romans 8:15


          "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" 
- Philippians 2:9-11
                                                                      Blessings,