Thursday, June 25, 2009

Simplicity

I am a big fan of simplicity. I was studying the confrontations that Jesus had with the Pharisees and religious leaders of His day over what was lawful on the Sabbath (Mark 2 and 3). The Jewish leaders had made the fourth commandment like our IRS tax code. It's so big and complex that virtually everyone was breaking it either by commission or omission. They developed 40 minus one prohibitions for the Sabbath. This included such actions as tying knots, walking, smoothing and reaping. You would have had to consult the priest to see if it was okay to tie your shoes, put your hair up or rub some suntan lotion on your body at the pool. If you had the gift of healing you couldn't use it unless somebody was about to die. I don't think God meant for following Him to be this complicated.

This is the problem in most organizations and churches. The more they grow the more complex as they get bigger and older. They develop more policies. They get more rules. Complexity grows like kudzu and chokes the life out of it.

That's why I like what I call "the glory principle." It's simple. Whatever you do just do it for the glory of God. If it doesn't glorify God then don't do it. Jesus said it this way in Mark 3:4, "Which is lawful (right/just) on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" That is simple enough.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Father's Day Message

This past Sunday I spoke to the fathers at church about giving their children something more than physical things. The sermon was from Mark 2:9-11. I focused on the words of the Father to Jesus Christ the Son. In verse 11, God the Father said to the Son, "You are my Son whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

God is the perfect Father and we can learn a lot about what to give our kids by these words. This relationship between Jesus and His Father is holy and healthy. It is the perfect model. Give them
  1. Connection - "You are my Son" - Our kids need to hear and feel like they belong. We all long to belong. Connect them to God, family and the church.
  2. Affection - "whom I love" - Our kids need to hear and feel our love. Don't assume they know it. Go ahead and say it.
  3. Affirmation - "with you I am well pleased" - Our kids need correction, but they need affirmation is well. Let's be as quick to affirm them as we are to correct them. We all repeat what is rewarded.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Jesus Divides

Jesus is divisive. It sounds strange to say that, but it is true according to Luke 12:51-53. Read what Jesus says, 

"Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." 

Choosing to follow Jesus will split some families. One of the greatest hindrances to the gospel in rural America is the family. Families get more committed to each other than they are to Jesus. I see people struggling with this choice almost weekly. The hard truth is that we must all follow Jesus even if it cuts into our most intimate relationships. 

Monday, June 22, 2009

Cool Wordle

This is a cool site that puts together the words I have used in my blogs...excellent!

Check it out at http://www.wordle.net.