Rethinking

A process every disciple of Jesus should embrace is rethinking. Could what we do now result from what the ages have handed us? Possible. Have we reached all of our conclusions on our own? Doubtful. Rethinking and mulling over your beliefs doesn’t require abandoning your convictions or faith.

In fact, “thinking outside of the box” demands mustering up tremendous courage. Thinking in a direction that threatens to breach the walls of a beloved paradigm necessitates a deeply anchored faith in God. How courageous are you? Can you entertain the thought of rethinking?

I know. Sticking with what we’ve always known poses little danger to our comfort and security. It’s safe. It makes sense to us. “What isn’t broken doesn’t need fixin,’” right? Yes, well… if it really isn’t broken. But have we gathered the courage to question our assumption that the thing isn’t broken? That’s the challenge!

Think like Saul of Tarsus. Look at the journey Peter embarked upon from his desire for a political, Rome-conquering Messiah to the reality of a crucified-then-resurrected Messiah. Consider Apollos grappling with his own misguided thinking. None of these individuals would have advanced God’s story had they failed to practice rethinking.

Taking a break

Sometimes, the writing just doesn't flow.

So, I'm taking a break for several days. My wife and I are going to get away.

I need this time off. Everyone needs time off.

A Long Journey

I’ve looked back over my trek as a minister, and, wow, I’ve trudged a long way. I don’t know what to think. The point at which I started seems so distant and elementary. I appreciate the people who helped begin my journey, but as far as clinging to their protected beliefs and dogmas—to a great extent I’ve moved on.

I’ve entered new lands of exploration far removed from the walls of propositions I comfortably believed protected and defined me. Now, the city of my former paradigm sits in ruin. I’ve journeyed to new places leaving behind the comforts and securities that really weren’t.

Around every corner I’m startled by new discoveries and pursuits. With each step I take, I lose my breath in fear of what could happen. The path I’m taking scares me and offers little security. But I know it leads to God because that is all I want. He is the city of refuge I seek. His walls won’t crumble. I’ll get there. I’m not alone…and that’s what keeps me going.

'The Fool has Said in his Heart' Psalm | Psalm 14

The first line of the Psalm rings in my ears as I remember sitting in class after class on apologetics. “People who can’t see that God exists are fools!,” the message came across to me. I don’t know about that now. I never bothered to read the entire passage (an unfortunate track record).

“Investigate deeper,” I say to myself. What is the Psalm saying to me? I can’t ask what does it mean or what can I write about it or how can I apply it to Creationism. Those questions don’t get to the heart of how we should peer into God’s revelation. Here’s what I heard.

God seeks me. He is there—I should acknowledge him. He has manifested his presence and activity—I ought to recognize it. Not only is he merely involved in the activities of human life, he wants me to participate with him.

These exercises re-teaching myself to read Scripture bring discomfort. I’ve always looked at God’s word with a motive to teach it, dissect it and formulate it. But never to have it teach, dissect and form me. This approach invites a struggle. But I seem to remember person who experienced transformation after a wrestling match with God. Let the match begin.

Too Honest? | Psalm 13

The more I read and study the Psalm the more impressed I am at their honesty. Read the beginning of Psalm 13. It almost causes one to cringe at the bluntness. I shudder a bit. Is this line of pointed questioning treading a little too close to disrespecting God? Are we to question him so boldly?

It’s not just this Psalm. No, these open, honest and soul-cleansing themes run throughout the poetry of Ancient Israel. So real…so raw and unrefined.

Personally, I seek to capture that attitude before the presence of God. I want to know him so deeply that I’m not afraid to express my anxieties, fears and doubts before him. I want to trust him so thoroughly that I can question him without fear he will turn his back to me. Can the prayers of the Psalmists become my own? That’s my quest…

How do you feel about it?

My son, winners and losers

My son plays basketball at the Boys and Girls Club. It's his first year and he's experiencing something that continually rips out my heart. In a league where the age range from 9 years to 12 years old, he found himself on a team of rookies, mostly young and short. I found myself coaching them. And we've yet to find that winning a game feeling.

0-15(?). That's right, we haven't won a game. However, I've learned a lot about life and hope that my son has too. He's broken after nearly every game and many times I can't find the words. We live and try to learn from it.

But the other night, after we hopped in the truck, he asked "Why are we such losers"? My heart palpitated. And then, I had what I believe to be a moment of after the game brilliance. See what you think...

I told him: "Jarret, winning games doesn't determine your status as a loser. You can be a loser and win games. It's about your character. You can be a winner as a person, as a team mate and as an athlete and still lose games. Winning games is only the icing on the cake of being a winner." Then we continued to discuss how attitude and conduct on the court and toward others makes one a winner or loser more than a win/loss record.

I'd like to hear anyone's thoughts.

Smooth Talkers | Psalm 12

Do you ever find yourself in a conversation with a wordsmith? You know the type, right? He knows what to say, when to say it and how. His charms and flatteries flow from his mouth like waters from a spillway. I want to be completely honest here. Sometimes I’m wowed. Sometimes I’m disgusted. Sometimes I’m doubtful…of the sincerity.

I’ve been in the conversations where a smooth talker will lavish the praise on an individual only to leave and speak venom of that person with the same intensity and slickness required for the praise. I know I can’t blanket everyone with my observations. But a lot of smooth talkers are double talkers.

David bemoaned those who spoke “with flattering lips and a double heart.” He understood the power of words and the evil they could foster. He begged men to cling to God’s words and not rely upon their own abilities to speak.

The power to wield the tongue is one that quickly enslaves a man. A smooth talker can overly impress himself to the point his ability to talk claims allegiance over truth and sincerity.