Now we're cookin'

Saw Julia and Julie last night w the Mrs. Fun movie. Foodie, blogger, and living in NYC. Merry Christmas to all in cyber space.

God interrupting

There is a saying in Yiddish, 'Man plans, God laughs" I had it all planned this AM, an intense devotional to set the tone for the day. Then as I was finishing my bagel and ready to commence my quiet time, a colleague stopped by to chat. I could have asked him to come back later, but as we spoke and as it went on, it was just a wonderful God moment. I respect this colleague much as he is a few years ahead of me professionally and spiritually. We chatted about our respective ministry and lives and prayed. What a wonderful time. It really interrupted my near OCD of sticking to a routine and not straying. Now, if this happens several times a day, I won't get anything "done" but we all need God to remind us that the mission is the people. So my prayer this AM is to keep modeling, the best I can, Jesus to everyone I come in contact with but even more for co-laborers in the Harvest.

My Utmost for His Highest today is 'whatever you do, do all to the glory of God —1 Corinthians 10:31.

The Company You Keep

Malachi 3:16Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. 17"They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

Do your friends keep you on the straight and narrow or do they let you go astray. If they don't help you cling to God, what shall you do? Prune? Thus sayeth the Lord.

Simply Saved

If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life —Romans 5:10

Thanks be to God for his mercy and grace upon me and you, who believe, and live lives worthy of the calling that we have been given. This message is given freely to those who acknowledge their sinfulness and need for reconciliation with God. No, not perfect people, no, not unblemished lives, only because of God's gift of his son at the cross can we even think, let alone mention, our great God's name.

Stewardship

Luke 12:48 But the one who did not know his master’s will 1 and did things worthy of punishment 2 will receive a light beating. 3 From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, 4 and from the one who has been entrusted with much, 5 even more will be asked. 6

Did the bubble pop? I just went to the wedding of a friend and it was opulent, extravagant and probably over the top. I am so happy for the couple. They are smart, warm, and have an embrace life attitude. But the event probably would put alot of people to shame. Alot of $$ and time went into the planning and execution of the wedding. But then I thought about it, as a % of wealth, it probably was less than what people with ordinary means would spend. How does your faith guide you in how you consume and spend? Not just $$, mind you, how do you spend your time, do you build relationships or "consume" people?

Way of the World

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing, and perfect will. When you wake up do you like what you see? When I turn on the news, there is alot of unease. There is brokenness. This is the world we have. If it was all there was, it would be a bleak world. A world of sickness, corruption, and injustice. Against all these things is a wonderful knowledge that our Creator, who wants and has provided victory against all these things through His Son, Jesus. Then I say, 'thank you'.

Construction Business

There has been a joke running around China that the national bird is the Crane because of all the construction that is taking place. This note is not about China or cranes but about letting God use us to build up His Kingdom. Last evening, an elder of our church shared his testimony on his love for NYC. A love not driven by $, influence, or other trappings of the city. Instead, he and his family has denied themselves of a less expensive lifestyle by staying in the city and being a part of the city. He cited 1 Chronicles where David and Israel embark on building the Temple - the house of God. With the Gospel as the foundation of our lives, we will give up ourselves to live it out.

1 Chronicles 22:1: Then David said, "The house of the Lord God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel.:

If You're Happy

Matthew 6:16 when you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faes to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Do you have colleagues who consistently walk around looking peeved or they would rather be elsewhere? What's going on that they cannot even smile or be pleasant? Perhaps, the weight of the world is on their shoulders. Perhaps this is just a paycheck. Equally, some colleagues seem above saying, "hello". How are we do approach these situations to glorify God and edify the body? Do you try to engage with them to bring about change? We all play a part. But do remember how you project to the world during the day, let alone, when and if you fast. Fasting does not necessarily mean abstaining from food either, but different topic.

Time to Make the Donuts

John 1:43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."

So, we had a wonderful turnout at the Entrepreneurs fellowship group last night. 58 people joined together to kick off a new and exciting year. Throughout the night, people shared about why they came and the responses ranged from "someone asked me to come" to "this is something exciting that can help me". Those are exactly the reasons why this ministry is important. By participating in our ministry's programs and building community within the Redeemer community, we hope you will examine what you should do when you "wake up" with their God-given talents. It is not our vision that we should pursue first and foremost. It is God's vision we must pursue, but never alone. Growth can come through what Bonhoefer talks about - a community that worships, confesses, rebukes, shares, values and loves each other as the sinners that we are.

Working for the Man

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. My pastor, Craig Higgins, likes to quote blue grass and folk singers in addition to great Scottish theologians - yes plural. One quote he uses numerous times is from Bob Dylan in his Christian enlightened period. 'You have to serve somebody.'

We are all called to serve somebody on earth. If you are like the typical North American worker, you will change jobs at least 6 times before you retire. Therefore, you have had to develop relationships with numerous managers and colleagues. During these adjustment periods, how is one to experience joy and peace while performing on an excellent level? If you have your own business or head a department, who do you serve? Who helps you dictate priorities? when we wake up, it would be good to remember Colossians 3:23. Peace.

Refuge

Are you analytical? Do you believe Freud or do you think 'sometimes a banana is just a banana' I think Yogi Berra said that? Do you over-spiritualize? Like the time you prayed for a good thing to happen and then they finally put in the right amount of cinnamon in your pumpkin cinnamon mocha latte at Starbucks??? Oh yes, so spot on! No, I mean - things happen right and it is good to just remember that God is sovereign and allows "good" and "bad" things to happen. But where do you turn for your help? your strength?

Psalm 18:1;39 I love you, O Lord, my strength. You armed me with strength for battle;

Compassion

John 5:5A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well?" 7The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me."
8Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your pallet and walk."

I like to pride myself on being productive. I love getting things done well and then crossing the item off on my Office task list. Efficiency and productivity are very very important for society. But some of us may miss the importance of ministry, or relationship building if we focus on speed and completing "tasks". Jesus asked the invalid a closed ended question but the man responded with information rather than a yes or no. Do we find ourselves asking alot of closed ended questions so we can move on? Jesus took time to learn of the man's situation before dispensing a miracle. Do you have the patience to listen to answers that you may not have asked for? Take time, listen, and learn. May God bless you each day.

Mighty Me

A few weeks back, I thought to myself...man, I am in awesome shape. I was training for a half marathon, just ran 6 miles and then biked another 45 minutes the next day and then boxed an hour and declared myself the most fit I have been since my 20's. Then a couple of days and two kids' parties later, I came down with a bug. It wiped me out. I bounced back and went to work. Then I found out I had pneumonia and had to rest. I was bored, not devestated but very annoyed. What am I going to do sitting at home (other than post on Facebook, Twitter, watch ball games, etc.)? Well, I realize that the God I worship did not smite me but this whole sickness bout is a healthy reminder of how God has blessed me with good health over the last several years but He wants me to serve Him regardless of my state of being. And maybe in this time of busyness, he wants me to know His spirit has to be there before things get accomplished. A hard lesson sometimes for Mighty Me. Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.

Drive

What do you see when you first wake up? blurry right? rub your eyes, splash some water on your face, and then you feel semi-ready to think about what lies ahead. How or what guides you to carry out your day? I tell people I have 4 jobs. 1. leading the Entrepreneurship Initiative at Redeemer, 2. husband, 3. dad, 4. super/maintenance/dispatcher for my home. It really is a juggling act. It might be easy to be different people at those jobs but really much harder. So, which job dictates or drives my day? None of them. Over all these "jobs" is being a child of God. I constantly remind myself that the long-term eternal vision of being one with the loving Lord is what drives me in during the morning, noon, and night. I recall the Psalmist's words...
Psalm 105:4 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. We may not always succeed but we need to remember that He wants us in His presence.

Toss aside your ashes

Are you struggling? Financially, emotionally, physically, or spiritually? I mean we all struggle but the passing of author and New York City school teacher, Frank McCourt, raise the definition of struggle. His most famous literary effort, Angela's Ashes, recalls "his Irish catholic upbringing as a miserable hard life". I did not read the book but rather I watched the movie and it was a tear jerker. I thought I had a hard life growing up as a child of working poor immigrants but it was nothing in comparison to his life. I never let myself dwell on how hard it was because, quite frankly, our lives will always be "hard" for different reasons and it is all relative. So the next time you get down about things of this world, perhaps you may read Angela's Ashes or watch it and then take a breath and consider dwelling on what is right, our standing with God through His gracious gift, of Jesus. It may not solve your present woes but it does make you wake up and move forward knowing this absolute truth.

James 5:10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

What are YOU Looking at?

Under "me thinks thou protest too much" category, I always greet the summer with much joy and some consternation. I think most men do. We love being outdoors, the warm of the sun, and everyone seems to be in a better mood in the summer. Possibly, in no small part to the small amount of clothing that women wear in the summer. Now, men are more visually-oriented than woman. As you watch TV, it is obviouse the advertising uses racy images to target men. Back to the protesting too much part. One's thought life is what drives our words and deeds and it reminds me that self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. This is but one fruit of the Spirit. There is no way to go back to modest fashion in this society anymore short of all adhering to the Amish lifestyle but prayer for our individual grounding and control of our thought lives would be a good start.

Matthew 15:18-19 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

What would you do?

This morning, I had a transaction that left me dissatisfied. I bought some fruit from a fruit merchant. He had his ears plugged with headphones of some sort and I had my ears plugged with headphones. I bought my fruit, handed him my $1 and he snatched it with nary a word of "thanks" before moving on to the next customer. What would you do? A conservative might say, "this is a business transaction, and you received the product you wanted and if you don't like it, go somewhere else" and a liberal might say, "have you put yourself in the vendor's shoes? how unjust they get treated and forced to make a living this way, think of their families, and oh it is the joy of diversity in our great city" But what does the gospel say? I should be more friendly next time? engage the person right? What impact could I have by being that one person who engages and is not stuck in my own little self-asborbed world. What would you do?

Matthew 12:9 He who has ears let them hear.

Finding a new job

Preoccupations
Finding a Job of His Own Dreaming
By JOE KROOG
LAST November, I was laid off from a database marketing company in Louisville, Colo., a Denver suburb, for economic reasons. Six months later, I found another position, at Kutenda, a provider of online marketing tools for small businesses, in Broomfield, Colo., also near Denver. Read more below. Copy and paste


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/12/jobs/12pre.html?ref=business

Death Comes Knocking

How do you feel about the daily dosage of scandals permeating all sectors of our lives? Controversial musical giant dead, multiple corrupt or unfaithful politicians flailing around, and on-field super achieving athletes with horrific off-field denounment. Is this a reflection of what the country has become, no not some geographic nation-state, but what the citizens have become? we mirror those in the headlines though on a smaller level. We all sin like those in the headlines but we do it on a smaller scale, a smaller magnifying glass, and we are all sinful and fallen people. But there is a solution. There is hope. He who became flesh suffered temptation too. But He always sought the comfort of the Father, through prayer which protects and renews and gives us strength. Practically, what can we do? Know the difference between wisdom and folly and you will not add to the headlines.

Ecclesiastes 2:12 Then I turned my thoughts to considering wisdom, and also madness and folly. I saw that widsom is better than folly just as light is better than darkness.

MJ Rest in Peace

Did you see or hear about the local congressman who uploaded a video to blast America's obsession with Michael Jackson's death and treating him with such reverence considering Michael's frequently questionable behavior with children. He called him a pervert. Now, most people would agree with the Irish philosopher, Edward Murphy, who called Michael "a musical genius" and most people would view parents who allowed their children near Michael with suspicion too. But I think his charge that America should spend more time on other matters other than Michael's death merits visting. Have we become a society oversaturated with the emptiness of celebrity worship? To the point that our politicians have become celebrities or vice-versa (Hello Governator "Hasta LaVista Baby" Schwarzneggar, Senator Al "previously undiscovered provisional ballots" Franken, and President "Hope"). Even if most people may agree with the congressman about Michael personal behavior, it just comes off mean-spirited. Often these charges are leveled by people who have serious personal failings themselves. Certainly, serious character flaws should be pointed out in a community of believers but it is the spirit with which such charges are leveled that make the difference.

John 8:7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If anyone of you is without sin, let him be first to throw a stone at her".

Evolution Trumps All?

How does one speak about Creationism or what the Bible says about how the world came about without anyone, who takes an alternative view, rolling their eyes or raising an eyebrow..their body language would be the equivalent of "how could you believe in that?" I am quite confident in the word of God and that it allows room for days to be millions or years but my God is one that has the power to create the entire universe and world in 6 gloriously loud, tumultous, exciting, and good days. My Christian faith allows me to understand the world as it is. Per N.T. Wright, does evolution offer hope or explain in the face of Auschwitz, drug crimes, child pornography, slavery, wars, strife, etc.? Well, actually evolution supports all those doesn't it? The strong survive and the weak perish. We as Christians, see the brokeness of the world, that man is fallen and only through Jesus Christ, can one find hope and reconciliation to the One that matters. The living breathing God who created everything.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

What will people see in you

What is your purpose today? to finish the day so you can start your July 4th weekend early? A worthy cause - to head to the beach or woods or somewhere to frolich. And what will you be doing while enjoying our great nation's independence? some barbeque, biking, fishing, golf, hiking, or swimming? Will you be fellowshipping with believers? Will you be in a position to share your Faith? It will be evident in who you are more so than only what you say. What did Jesus pray about for his disciples and all believers before he was taken away?

John 17:25-26 Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.

Is your love for God so strong that you love others? This extended weekend is an opportune time to re-examine how much you love those you choose to spend time with. Do you love them enough to want them to know God, the Father?

Stop Doing Good Already

I have been skimming through N.T. Wright's Surprised By Hope for the past 3 months. In chapter 5 Cosmic Future: Progress of Despair, he asks us to think about how the human race has picked on alternative theories such as Darwinism, Communism, socialism, etc. to fill in the gaps that the Bible has left open. He asks us to think about how any of those formentioned theories have benefited us. I thought he may be right about how such "progressive" ideas have been used for evil. I suppose that is true about most things. He also lops in social justice or the social gospel of making people physically and emotionally "equal". Certainly, social justice has been useful in spurring the 1960's civil rights movement in the U.S., and even in South Africa in the 1980's but what bad could come out of the social justice movement? Well, I guess it is how far it can go...and also, whose scale of justice are you using in a pluralistic and relativist society? Good question..so whose justice and whose peace are they talking about?

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (NIV)

150 years for Madoff

He said, 'he was sorry'. But is that enough if you are convicted of single-handedly swindling tens of thousands of people of an estimated $60 billion. His victims label Mr. Madoff as disturbed, evil, rubbish, etc. and wish several unprintable scenarios upon him. Clearly this was a heinous crime. A reminder of the sinfulness of man and no regard for the law. Full disclosure, I have not been a direct victim of Mr. Madoff but who knows what they will uncover down the road? Why did people invest with him and his firm? Trust and Greed? They wanted higher returns, fell for the man's mystique and his standing in the community. A pillar of society. So they did some due diligence, did not see obvious red flags, and were drawn to the promised financial returns like moths to a light. We could have all fallen victim to this Ponzi scheme. Who can blame anyone for seeing the fulfillment of future dreams and plans in the Madoff magic investment fund? We all need to do practical investing to be good stewards. But some people thought they had paved their future with gold bricks by being in Bernie's exclusive club. We all need to be aware of our idols and placing our trust, our future in any man or corporation or government.

Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is praised forever. Amen.

Commitment to your Body

Do you see yourself as being alone? Bonhoeffer instructs us to see the community in a Gospel manner. One practice is to confess to each other. Confession is liberating and helpful. By acknowledging that we are all sinners who have fallen short and need to depend on Christ, it levels the playing field and breaks down any self-constructed walls. We need to have others help us, through God's Grace, to be more Christ-like. This means being totally vulnerable with your close friends, and to open about things in your life. No, not on Facebook or a blog. Too often, in a vacuum or left to our own devices, we delude ourselves or rationalize our fallen nature. I ____ because and I am not as bad as Bernie Madoff, Paris Hilton, people on reality shows on TV, or Joe Schmoe the hypocritcal Christian I am aware of. So, who do you open up to about how you spend your money, what you do with your dating or married life, and why you work at your job or how things are with family and why you haven't become a member at a church? Use your gifts to love one another in confession and exhortation.

I Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Scratching Backs

Matthew 5: 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? Do you live out the Gospel and treat everyone equally? Are you consciously aware of how you treat people? Do you treat your friends the best or give them the time of day over everyone else? Do you favor certain people because of their education or familial or political ties? Is that Biblical? Is that an idol or sin you struggle with? Pray about this in your daily dealings.

Judas, is that you?

God puts you in different situations to help you grow in your Faith and to lean on Him for everything. That is a powerful statement to live out. So, please take a look around you. Your family, your friends, your colleagues, customers, acquaintances, etal. Do you trust them? Do you lean on them? How much would it set you back in your Faith if they betrayed you? Only you can answer that. Someone early in my relationship with Jesus told me, "Do not trust anyone, lean on God" because he said even believers would be unreliable. This is certainly not a justification for being a "loner" without community. You should not tie your fortunes or self-worth or relationship with God on someone else's coat tails. Judas sought the safety of money from authorities and betrayed Jesus loyalty. Jesus lacked promise in Judas's eyes so Judas betrayed him. So, there are people who will for self-preservation pin their future hopes on those people with promise rather than on those who "lack" it.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding.

Y God friends you

Have you thought about why people like to spend time with you? What attributes or traits do your friends admire about you? Do you ever have an honest assessment? Is it your easy going manner? your expertise on an issue? your smile? your ability to mix drinks? Fill in the blank ______________ Have you thought about why God wants you around? Why would He spend so much time wanting you to be in fellowship with Him? 1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Listen Here

James 1: 5 If any of you lacks widsom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

No person is an island. We need fellowship. First and foremost, is fellowship with the One above. As the Doxology goes, "...from whom all blessings flow." Many of us how do I receive that wisdom in a tangible manner. Yes, it is not easy to get it all from the Bible by yourself. We receive wisdom through corporate worship (e.g. the songs, the sermon, the opportunities for service and fellowship through church and related activities). Tim Keller stresses the need for community and it is in community, along with your individual fellowship with God, that you receive wisdom in a way that you cannot if you did not participate. You may never be questioned about your faith, or held accountable, if you do not engage with other belivers but you would not experience the full richness of a Gospel community.

Come Back And Stay

How do you see yourself? Do you have a healthy sense of self? Do you "strut" down the street with a little bounce of confidence? Ahhh..smile at the world and the world smiles back. Hmmm..what if the world does smile back at you? Alot. Then are seeing the world through your eyes or God's eyes? I have a friend who is very very conservative when it comes to matters of Faith. I mean this friend really skewers people about theology and the hot topic issues of the day. But when someone we knew had some major personal issues, that friend was very encouraging. He said that no one is perfect and that just because there are momentary set backs in one's Faith journey and not to be so hard on one's self. So, if you are in a place where it is lonely or you have not talked to God lately or have not communed with His people or have some other issue that keeps you from fellowship with the Father, remember to take the opportunity to confess, repent, and return to God right away.

Jeremiah 3:14 "Return, faithless people," declares the Lord, "for I am your husband and I will choose you.."

Rearview Mirror driving

In October of 2008, the world seemed to be coming to an end. Anxieties about the economy, the change of power in Washington DC, and the war mongering and increased hostilies in various regions of the world. In New York City area, we wondered aloud - will crime make a comeback? Will there be more homeless? Will there be more drug use and alcoholics? What will there be? Even closer to home, I wondered whether my wife would have a job or my job at the church. At that time, we prayed through Psalm 125:1-2 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mont Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

Now, it seems a new reality has set in. You don't expect to keep your job. Things change week to week. Crime has not flared up thus far in NYC. Still, we are uneasy and even when the economy improves it may not be the same as before. But that may be good. Then we can remember who our true foundation should be - the one eternal God rather than the pillars of beauty, sex, money, power, education, pedigree, and zip code. Thanks.

Assume the Position

Great line from Animal House or any other movie trying to depict fraternity and sorority life. Assume the position and be ready for punishment. A laugh or two for sure. What is not a laughing matter is to assume certain things about people. we live in a pluralistic society that holds divergent views. Assume not that the persons that share the arm rest in your worship service is a believer. Maybe that is why it is important to ask rather than operate with a business as usual approach. Do you not ask your customers an entire set of questions before offering options or solutions? Similarly, with people, would you not want to know more about them before assuming that they must be Christians if they come to a church program.

Acts 8:29-30 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading? Philip asked.

As the World Turns

It is scary how fast time is flying. This summer has not begun yet and it feels like it is already fleeting. Time does fly. Things have a way of changing over time, slowly, gradually, and almost with little notice. Like the phrase, "a lobster in a warm pot of water on the stove" we don't notice how our theology "progresses'. I had an interesting conversation with someone who witnessed some moments of “girls and guys gone wild” at a relative's wedding, purportedly Christians getting married. He was shocked at the gyrations, wild behavior, drinking, machinations, and other things that took place. Well, he doesn't watch MTV or VH1 reality shows. But are we not to be salt and light? Or is a wedding or other life defining events supposed to mimic the world?

No one wakes up and says, “I don’t have Jesus in my heart anymore!” nor do they say, “I will not let the Gospel transform my heart daily”. It is progressive. It can be progressively worse – by putting off prayer until later, by putting off corporate worship to play ball, or brunch with friends ala Carrie Bradshaw or any New Yawker, or to finish some work, by not stepping up to be a leader in a fellowship group or some ministry. It takes time to become a champion for God as well as to become a nominal and lukewarm Christian. Please, I urge you, we are all flawed, busy, forgiven people who need to exercise our Faith daily. Be progressively stronger in the Word and live it out. Far better than that alternative.

Revelations 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Tempted to Negotiate

What was the second thing you did when you left your home this morning? The first was to load up on some energetic beverage…then where did your mind wander? Was it to the next task, the next appointment, the next meeting, etc., that would further your goal of being the best, pushing forward on your projects, and making “it” worthwhile. How many of us pray to begin the day? even for a few minutes? It is refreshing to do so before the day begins. Before you launch new projects (expansion, new sales strategy, new customer initiative, the beta testing, hiring someone, interact with colleagues, vendors, customers, neighbors, etc.) what should you do? Pray, fast, and allow yourself to be tempted?

Luke 4:1-2 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

We all have some temptations in our daily walk so how does the Gospel tell us to respond? Jesus responded with Scripture and certainly not by negotiating with the devil. Negotiating with temptation leads to some compromise and this often leads to bad long term consequences.

Are the dark storm clouds gone yet?

As you look out of the window, do you see the “mass” of dark clouds through the skies. I see patches of dark blue, purplish cumulous clouds and this weather pattern is an appropriate metaphor for our nation as it stumbles through a major political, economic, and social transformation. People are confused and still anxious. What will this country be after we come out of the process. Have you read Brave New World lately. I personally think we are headed down that path. We are feeling mental, spiritual, and emotional darkness that is immobilizing us. Everyone I know is drained by the end of the day. My friends, family, and neighbors are just drained. I am sure yours are too…what to say? I say less to my wife and just listen more now. (That is a feat in itself). What do you say about this darkness? What will come after the clouds move in?

Luke 23:44-46 Around noon the sky turned dark and stayed that way until the middle of the afternoon. The sun stopped shining, and the curtain in the temple split down the middle. Jesus shouted, "Father, I put myself in your hands!" Then he died.
Luke 24:7 The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day, be raised again.

Death, resurrection, glory. Amen.

Trendsetting Sheep

Not a leader per se. Not a trendsetter in your field? Not the life of a party? Any other cliches? Look through Psalm 100 to reflect on how God sees us. In his wonderful image. He has made us His people and our firm foundation.

Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture

Have you reminded yourself recently and been thankful to be His sheep and what that means on a daily basis? Do you see other believers as people to commune with, to journey together with, to love? Baaa…

A random walk down your life

Nothing is ever random. No, not one thing. Previous interactions that seem meaningless, in retrospect, were quite important in your life. In my life, a simple introduction to someone from Campus Crusade for Christ in my senior year at University meant nothing to me. Just another acquaintance. Just a fraternity brother of mine pawning off a "pest" to me. This same "pest" accosted me in a walkway between classes a few weeks later and over a cup of coffee shared the Gospel with me. He shared about a wonderful relationship with Jesus and how that was for all who believed. I was not ready and walked about intrigued but non-commital. One more "random" encounter and then gone - out of sight, out of mind. It was 2 years later that I was ready to profess my belief on Christ as my savior. Nothing is random. All interactions have meaning and affect us.

Matthew 20:32-33 Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. "Lord", they answered, we want our sight.

Why Do You Wake Up? To be enslaved?

What are the top 3 reasons for waking up? Can you name them and defend them? I wake up because I can LOL! Some people wake up to make more money, some to accumulate, some to be served, some to achieve greatness, some to just consume. It takes time to understand what it is that you wake up to. We try, at the Center for Faith & Work, to help people get to ask themselves that question. Then we try to build a community for people to explore and understand.

Matthew 20:27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Balancing Act

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Oh how can it be, that someone can exhibit power, love and self-discipline? Surely, when people look in the mirror and reflect, what do they see? Is it some balance of the three? Is it a healthy balance or is it out of kilter. Are you emphasizing power? Not the fire balls from the hands or the razor sharp titanium claws of Wolverine or executive power of a politician - but something stronger, more mysterious. What about love? love of self, conditional love? or self-discipline - of course I have master that last attribute...I have only 4 credit cards which I use sparringly...I have not acted out road rage in months...I don't get drunk.....so do you allow God's spirit to lead the day? Do you start your day by spending time with Him? I hope these devotionals help you.

Had Enough?

The unofficial start of summer brings about a flurry of activity. School ends, students leave New York, new people come into New York for the summer to play, study, or begin a new chapter of their lives. With the moving comes much baggage. Physical and mental baggage. A friend of mine who is on her way out of the city is using this occasion to "winnow" down her baggage - her possessions - a new way to live. I admire her goal of wrestling with the difficulty of saying, 'no, I have enough', in this consumption world. It is also a spiritual wrestling, to say, you are sufficient for me in my circumstances. Yes, it would be nice to adorn myself with jewelry, new clothes and accessories, but I choose not to do so to reflect the stewardship we ought to have. So, don't wait for a big move to be obedient to the Lord in stewardship.

2 Corinthians 8:15 As it is written, "The person who had much did not have too much, and the person who had little did not have too little."

Guilty as Charged

I am guilty. Of almost every sin under the sun. Well, not technically, so u try to guess which ones. Well, if you knew would you think of me differently? Would you avoid me and not show me grace and love? If God, in His wisdom, counts me or others in the Kingdom, would you not also embrace people automatically -- even if they have unique or distinctly different personalities, opinions, and interests from you? So, we may not claim Paul's specific claim to be "chief among all sinners" but we are sinners, whether we recognize it or not.

1 Timothy 1:15 "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief ."

Begining the week

We wake up with many things to accomplish or try to imagine what is in store. God gives us that drive as part of His plan to be in fellowship with Him and His people. I know God was not lonely when he created us. I know that he knew we needed a helper, family, neighbors, and a community. So, on this new day of the work week, what is on your mind? How about someone other than yourself? How about someone outside your regular circle? I say, how about _____________? Fill in the blank and pray for those people.

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Alot Going On

What do you make of all the news that we are bombarded with at almost every turn? Is it the proliferation of media that has over-saturated us with content. Is it really newsworthy to us in NYC if a small commercial warehouse in Tallahassee goes up in flames? Why is that breaking news? It is very relevant to those in that part of Tallahassee but anywhere else, is it really newsworthy. So, it goes, we have many outlets and need content. Content that sometimes is not relevant. In all the news reporting, it seems a truism that "disasters, bad news, and salacious items" sell. So how bad is it out there? Do you despair? Do you want to do something about it but feel helpless? What is your cry to the Lord to be?

Habakkuk 1:3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong?

Your Public Profile

The train wreck or sabotage that is unraveling in California reminds me of how hard it is to stand your ground as a Christian while maintaining a highly public profile. I am not talking about Rick Warren how he had to back down from his stand on proposition 8 on Larry King show or his muted prayer on inauguration day. I am talking about someone more culturally relevant but under a more coordinated and insidious attack. It is "Miss California". After she gave her opinion on same-sex marriage, those "progressives" on the other side of the issue vowed to uncover every last fiber of dirt on this young lady. And yes, like many of us, we have things in our past that we conveniently forget or rather forget. So often as is the case, it is rarely the act itself that is vile or illegal, but the lying or posturing on technicalities that is the problem. So, it appears there is more "unsavory' stuff that makes Miss California seem like a "normal" young 20 something year old - she made bad choices to achieve her crown, earn income, further her dreams, then blogged about her personal life on her MySpace website -- don't you?

Ephesians 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place

Sleep is overrated

I am very tired this AM. It comes with the territory when someone in your household wakes up frequently each night. And she cannot articulate why this is happening (e.g., bad dreams, temperature, other needs)...so while I wish for more sleep...an old saying came to me. "I will sleep when I am dead." Theologically, is that correct? I think we may sleep if we die before Christ comes back but that we will not sleep in God's presence. Won't we worship Him forever? What will our roles be if we are not musically gifted or have some pleasing vox? I suppose that is why you have a chorus, to integrate all voices. We are to live our lives on earth to please our Heavenly father rather than wait to do so when we pass on to some undiscovered place.

Revelation 4:8 b ... Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is to come."

I Don't Like You

Racism is not what it used to be. People think racism is a few words in a heated exchange or someone looks at them "funny". We have progressed. Racism still exists but not to even a scintilla of what it was in my generation or my father's generation. While at University in western NY state during the late 80's, I recall being called racist names. In fact, the hate was so vile that one of my own fraternity brothers made it clear to me, after I was initiated, that he did not "like" me. He did so with the bravery of a gun at his side and after a few drinks. He is a dinosaur in a world of progress? Not sure. I feel that we cast aside people who have not progressed. In fact, we don't think the devil exists anymore...but the devil lives in us, if you read the papers and follow the movies. No, the devil is more powerful and real than that. If we don't believe that, we are delusional. We need to be on guard. The devil knows we don't like him when we take a stand on the cross of Christ. So rest on our savior's power.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

A Recovery on the Horizon

So, the stock market indices are up about 20% from their lows and some financial stocks are up 50% year-to-date. Some housing markets that fell first are starting to bottom out. Home foreclosures did not cascade into the millions people were predicting. The world did not come to an end. But wait, have people been chastened? did they learn anything other than to tighten their belts a little in the last 18 months? did they learn lessons about bad habits and practices they should do away with? Hmmmm. Elder brother speaking but maybe such a quick recovery would not be in everyone's interest. No, I certainly don't like the "pain" people are going through but let's look at the facts - most Americans don't save; spend 110% of their earnings; buy things they don't need - like 3.2 television sets per household, 2 cars per household, 2 computers per household and those shoes how many pairs of shoes do you need when u have two feet? So, can we refocus and become better stewards? Solomon asked for wisdom, we should do likewise. Wisdom in love. By denying yourself of consumption, you are in a better position to love your neighbor by being able to have reserve resources to tithe and give.

Philippians 1:9-10 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until that day of Christ...

Hey Jude

Yes, the Beatles song, written by Paul McCartney to soothe young Julian Lennon's spirits after his parents, John and Cynthia, split. But the Jude I am referring to is the little letter before Revelation that warns and encourages believers. The letter reminds us to be cautious of people who distort the Word or try to distract and discourage us. We can see the times are a-changing (to quote another 60's songwriter) and with it, many Biblical based truths are being diluted. But we are to engage those who are our neighbors even if they embrace activities and opinions that are counter to the Word of God. How so and why so? Because Jesus was given to those who believe on Him.

Jude 1:22 Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear - hating even the clothing stained by corripted flesh.

Hard to Find

A good person is hard to find, let alone one who is humble. Tim Keller said that because of our human nature when we have some measure of success that we think it is all "us". Success is complex. Success is not all because you worked really really hard or had a good pedigree. What is the source of the success? It is part of a bigger plan that our Creator sets forth. While we may not understand why some are chosen to be "successful", it is really how we live our lives. Out of gratitude. What does that look like? A live of stewardship.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before teh days of trouble come...

Swine Flu Phooey!

I went to the store this AM and while interacting with the clerk, noticed she was sneezing. And not sneezing into her hand. yikes. I think it was cultural to not cover her sneezes. Her english was heavily accented. or maybe she was lazy. So, my mind wandered to thoughts of 'where is my Purell hand sanitizer?' I gave it away this morning so that my kids could use it. Are you worried about the swine flu? Many people are. I saw someone with a mask while walking to work from Grand Central Station. Schools are closing down. Globalization and freedom to travel certainly has its downsides. So what is your response? curl up? isolate yourself? Stay 3 feet from every person you walk near? Not plausible in NYC or any major city.

Matthew 8:14-15 When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

All the News Fit to Print

There is no escape from the headlines when news is 24/7, no reprieve from the bad news..every day. From the mundaneness of fallen politicians to the saber rattling in the mideast and Russia, what do we make of it in our daily lives? How do events in North Korea, China, Iran, Russia, or India affect us? OR what about the inequity of the lives of those only 3 miles north of Rockefeller Center?

One of my heroes, Martin Luther King Jr. once said (and I am paraphrasing) that we are all connected - so that one person's conditions will indirectly affect another's life. Paul wrote to Timothy that such uncertainty would affect believers to stray so that we are to carefully remember ---

Timothy 4:9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

So fret not, be slow to anger, and do not despair. For as believers, we have a permanent place in the heavenly kingdom where there is peace with our Heavenly Father, through His Son, Jesus Christ. We also have good news to share with others.

A Little Help

We all need a little help. Just a little, not a lot. If we ask for a lot of help, we may seem needy or weak. Such vulnerability is just unacceptable to my ego. So, I rather just splash around helplessly in the sea of life. OR, I can see how the Gospel calls us to be vulnerable, to engage other people, to invest in others, and to have others invest in us. On Monday, at the entrepreneurs fellowship group meeting, we discussed mentors and advisors, and how we can be one or need one. If you are "alone" or have not considered finding someone to assist, even temporarily, through this wonderful journey God has put you on, do actively consider this in prayer and talk to others.

Mark 4:38-39 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Rounding the Corner

Home free! Not exactly...We have been reading Bonhoeffer's life Together as part our leaders' training series this "academic" year at the Center for Faith & Work. The last chapter is on confession and communion. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another. Does that mean approaching the nearest person and do a brain dump or air out your dirty little secrets? We should and can be more discriminating. There is a sense of liberation when we take our burdens and share them. Of course, bring the issue to God first and foremost, then upon examination through prayer, seek wisdom and grace through the community of believers. Last evening, the entrepreneurs group discussed why we need mentors or advisors in our lives. It is Biblical to be invested and engaged in the lives of those who we think can help us and those who might benefit from our time. So, if you are not there yet in confession and community, time to start rounding the bases and turning that corner.

Unexpected Guest

We were about to eat dinner. The door bell rang. Hmmm, who would come by unannounced like that? Most likely a neighbor. But knowing how things work around here, I suspected it would most likely be: overly-enthusiastic religious hawkers or social service representatives. BINGO! I am batting .500 in baseball terms. I am sure you have some wonderfully effective yet gracious strategy for taking care of uninvited guests but think hard about this. Why are these people put in your daily life? No, not to inconvenience you or make you miserable. That is far too selfish. Short term interruptions or moments of meeting are rarely impactful but still, how you master and manage the "little things" and how you care for the "least of these" can reflect your overall walk in life. What would happen if Jesus came knocking at your door? Well, my guess is that he won't do so literally, but he does so daily in your hearts. Are u prepared? Do you live your life with an eye to his return at some unexpected time?

1 Thessalonians 5:4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

Tinkering or Totally New

The birds are back. The ones that chirp incessantly early in the AM before the sunrise. A harbinger of the warm weather to come. So, instead of wanting to don my elmer fudd hat and rifle, I just embrace the noise as good news - time to work on my stroke. My golf game has been in hibernation, until last year, and someone gave me a golf book for my birthday so I have been reading - tinkering or using a new grip. Often, we try to keep our core practices and add on bells or whistles or small improvements. That is easy. Hard is tearing up your old strategy or habits, like a golf grip that works for you, and spending a little more time with a new grip. More work and time to get to a better game. As is with the Gospel...the Gospel does not improve you or help you make small adjustments. It is changing everything about how you looked at life and how you carry yourself. And it is not easy and will not be short. But one day, you will stand on the green and sink in that putt and feel pretty good about the hole that you played.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

He is Risen!

John 20:9 They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

John 20:16 Jesus said to her, "Mary".

Each day, we remind ourselves that Jesus has risen so our sins can be forgiven. Each day we know he loves us and looks forward to seeing us upon his return. He is the only hope for the human race.

Slippery When Wet

I like that phrase for a number of reasons. Mostly, as a driving enthusiast, I heed that. Mostly. It depends on which car I drive. My Audi handles really well along curves, has power and new tires. So I have alot more confidence in its ability when it rains or snows and it is this confidence that can also lead to taking more chances. Which leads to possible problems or accidents but thus far, it hasn't. The many accidents I have seen while driving reminds me that most did not have to happen but people take foolish risks, or take things for granted. So it is with our Faith. When we are feeling "good" or "strong" in our walk, this is when we have to heed the Slippery When Wet sign. Are we operating on fumes? Are we taking on more things, putting on a brave front, immersing ourselves in busy activities as a sign of our strong faith?

1Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Comprende?

Repetition. Repetition. Well, you get it - sort of. When you use a new service or product, it helps to either read the FAQ's or product manual before or while you get started. You need help otherwise, you get frustrated and give up. So, it is with the Bible and reading bits and pieces of it throughout the day or week. Do you understand it well enough to share with someone else? Did you glean enough of it to hear the Word of God and put it into practice. They say that the best way to understand it is to be able to adequately explain it to others. Can you explain what you believe and why it is relevant to everyone? Why is the Gospel relevant to you, your loved ones, friends, and your neighbors? Understand Jesus? Comprende?

Mark 7:14-15 Listen to Me, all of you, and understand.

Working Alongside

When you read this post, you will probably be at work. If so, you will have said your "hello's" to your colleagues. Colleagues fall into several categories - those we work with daily in our group, those we occassionally work with, and those who we rarely work with. We know all the strengths and weaknesses of those we spend alot of time on projects with but not so much of those who we rarely work with. They have the halo effect of perceived strengths and weaknesses. If we rarely work with someone and they are quick with a smile or wave, we probably project "positive" traits or think "nice" things of them. So without any empirical evidence, we keep those uninformed opinions. It is much harder to work with colleagues on a daily basis because we sometimes see them as obstacles or another layer to deal with on the way to finishing off our brillant project or plans. But the Bible tells us we are to love them and we have the most impact with those we are with. In fact, outside of family and preferred friends, our colleagues are the ones we can have the most Gospel impact with. You are worshipping God with the work he has called you to do even if you are contemplating something else to do.

Acts 13:2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work which I have called them."

Clutter

What do you "see" when you wake up in the AM?

What is on your mind? Well, there is certainly enough on everyone's "plate". Was it some disappointing news? A close relative is out of a job or facing some personal crisis. Someone let you down? It is far too common to see people back out or trying to redfine the word commitment. How can we exist as a Christian community when we dilute the word, friend, fellowship, or covenant? How does it happen? Sometimes, a big event can cause people to stray, but mostly, it is a gradual process. They get less excited, they place higher priority on other things, and the lesson is not - I am a victim - but to work through from the beginning what our ministries ought to be and our time commitments. Sometimes, we see what cannot be done and this is because we see all that is fallen around us. May this be impressed upon you during Holy Week.

Mediate on 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Beaten not Broken

I am sorry. I have been away. Missed you all. Think you missed my musings. It is hard to blog daily or 6/7 days. I confess, I was on vacation for about a week and enjoyed it. Lots to do, but cannot ignore my followers. Running the race, fighting the good fight, and finding it all very amusing that we only realize that God has done the work. In each situation, in our lives, He has given us victory. We must just proclaim and claim it. As the Bible says, "Pray without ceasing." This is the constant dialogue I am having with God. There is alot to do before we put on our Entrepreneurship Initiative "show" on Friday and Saturday. So, all I can do it pray, push, and push with the full confidence that God is lifting and enabling me to succeed and not my own strength. So, take that to bed with you.

Philippians 2:5-7 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant.

I Love You "This Much"

2 Corinthians 11:27 - I have labored and toiled and often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

Does this come to your mind when you do something for the church or your fellow brothers and sisters in the church? or when you do ministry? who can say what the apostle Paul says? Yes, we are not establishing a nascent religion. We are maintaining and working through what the original apostles and disciples laid out through the holy spirit. We do labor, we do toil, and we do lose some sleep. Maybe we eat bad food - like pizza, pizza, and pastries and lots of coffee - but I doubt any of us go hungry or parched like Paul. This is in no way diminishing our labor. We need to spend time with God to remind us how much He loves us. He is the reason we do what we do, in any vocation, and the ultimate expression of His love for us, through Jesus's sacrifice and resurrection, is powerful. Have a lovely weekend. See you soon.

Speculate

How are you doing? Are you still paying attention to the headlines? Not anything rosy so far...but that is the media, you grab people's attention with "doom and gloom", headlines that titillate sex, death, and of course, money. It is done so to make you keep watching so as to elicit a response - shock, revulson, amusement, or hopelessness. I suppose they want you to watch so they can get ratings to sell advertising slots but I think there is something more insidious. They want to change the way you behave and think and deny it as much as you can, I think they get to do so over time. I certainly think we are a hyper-activity society...everything on television to the Internet seeps with things that are not good for you. I am not advocating throwing out your television sets or your computers but merely to think about what you consume. What passes by your eyes and those of your friends and family. The more time we dive into other pursuits the less time we have to devote to what is good and right.

Psalm 145: 11-12 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all men may know of your mighty ats and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Move On, Nothing to See Here

Living in New York City, don't you love driving? The wide open roads? Then the reasonable flow of traffic abruptly halts. There is nothing on the radio about a traffic delay on the road you are traveling. But after a few minutes of delay, you pass by and there is some traffic incident on the other side of the road that people want to slow down to take a peek. Isn't that also true with some of the news we read about - the latest meltdown with celebrities - Britney, Lindsay, Madonna, Tom Cruise, wall street villians - Madoff, Stanford, AIG, or politicians who forget to pay taxes and the sort of things that only apply to the "little people." Should we really care or get caught up in their antics? Should we spend time ruminating about their choices in life? If you want to see what is going on, seek out somewhere closer to home. See what you may be doing. See if you look at your friends, neighbors, colleauges, brothers and sisters in the same way, looking for flaws, sins, failings, and troubles without being part of the solution. Think about it the next time you slow down to see a "car crash" or a "train wreck"....let's move along people, nothing to see here.

I Thessalonians 4:11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business..

Drafting

The recent spate of warm weather has me thinking about outdoor fun in the sun in the months ahead. I want to go hit some golf balls, swim, and ride. The latter activity, if one races, which I do not, can be extremely exhausting. When I have occasion to watch speed cycling -- think the 1970's movie, Breaking Away, which some who are reading this were just a glimmer in their parents' eyes - or not even yet. yesshh...makes me feel old. Let's move on. While speed cycling, you can see it is about speed but also about strategy. The maneuvers. The darting in and out and between your opponents. On the longer stretches of road some employ a strategy of letting others lead. The strategy of staying among the leaders and staying within striking distance of victory. These riders will ride behind the leaders to catch a draft - let someone else cut through the wind - let someone else take the onslaught of the wind -- because it may seem inconsequential but having someone else cut through the wind and take the cumulative "punishment and wind force" helps conserve energy needed for the last leg of the race. Someone has already ridden in front of us. Someone has taken the punishment and given us the victory.

Matthew 9:2 "...Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

Prom Dates

I should always be in a praiseful spirit. But more so now. We just went through an episode at work that was akin to a high school prom. A business plan competition is sort of like trying to find a good date for the biggest night of your high school life except that we sponsor the competition annually so it would be like going to a prom every year. So, as a senior in high school, you draw up a list of possible atractive dates. Then you put your plan in place - ask friends' opinions (judges), look at yearbooks or printed materials (preliminary background checks), and then you do more surveillance (observe lunch room habits, shadow them at the mall, movies, etc.) and speculate on the competition (who else am I competing with and who is in demand?). so far so good right? well what is missing her in this great strategy? Ahhh, criteria...then you have to eventually ask your prospective prom date out and get to "yes"! Well, we got to "yes" and then the date called back and said, not thanks, I am staying at home. Hmmm...so we were fortunate we did not tell the whole world who our date was so it was a blessing from God. It would have been embarassing, but not fatal...so, did you go to your prom? how did it work out? Let me know. Comment.

Psalm 84:1 How lovely is your dwelling plae, O Lord Almighty.

Words of Wisdom - Temporary?

From the NY Times - In just the seven months since the stock market began to plummet, the recession has aimed its death ray not just at the credit market, the Dow and Detroit, but at the very ethos of conspicuous consumption. Even those with a regular income are reassessing their spending habits, perhaps for the long term. They are shopping their closets, downscaling their vacations and holding off on trading in their cars. If the race to have the latest fashions and gadgets was like an endless, ever-faster video game, then someone has pushed the reset button.

“I think this economy was a good way to cure my compulsive shopping habit,” Maxine Frankel, 59, a high school teacher from Skokie, Ill., said as she longingly stroked a diaphanous black shawl at a shop in the nearby Chicago suburb of Glenview. “It’s kind of funny, but I feel much more satisfied with the things money can’t buy, like the well-being of my family. I’m just not seeking happiness from material things anymore.” To many, the adjustment feels less like a temporary, emergency response than a permanent recalibration, one they view in terms of ethics rather than expediency. “It’s kind of like we all went overboard,” said Ms. Taylor, 33. “And we’re trying to get back to where we should have been.”

We have been caught up in this lie of consumption and growth (great article in Sunday Times) regarding the ponzi scheme of consumption - how consumption led to growth and more growth led to more consumption -- exponentially.

2 Timothy 2:26...and they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Spring Forward to Action

Will the coming warm weather and official start of Spring in two weeks bring us a better economy or state of mind? The sun and the warmth over the weekend certainly was invigorating? Did you go out and have some fun even if you "lost" 1 hour of time? I took some hacks with my golf clubs, did some landscaping work, and relaxed afterwards with some lovely Chardonnay. Fun time. In Oswald Sanders' book, Spiritual Leadership, it talks about leaders who must make the most of their time. Citing Ephesians 5:16, he lays out the mathematical limits of your days (capacity) and focuses on utilitization. In our very distracting and technological progressive world, are we surprised that this generation is prone to being of short attention span? How do we alot our 16-18 hours when we are awake? I am guilty of being on Facebook more than I should...even Youtube...and as they used to say, "it is time I can never get back". Let's use the loss of 1 hour this weekend to spur us to spring ahead in better use of our time. Can you help me and help others?

Ephesians 5:15-16 Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Something to Believe In

There was a song from the early 90's called Something to Believe In. It was full of cliches - fraudulent televangelist, emotionally scarred vietnam vet, unethical lawyer, and class division. The singer wants to believe in something. That something probably is something hopeful but you don't know. We live in a day where many people do believe. They believe in something. What is that something? Is it that this life is meaningless? or is it that this life is all there is? or we need to be believe that all people are "good"; do we worship sentimental feelings like "love"? nostalgia? There are many distractions, dilutions, derivatives out there even among the Faithful. But don't get me wrong, the Faithful can stumble, are certainly susceptible to all sins and temptations too. Paul instructs us to test those claims not for the sake of being a critic or theological know-it-all but to be sure of what we believe in and to be wary of those who make it easy for believers to live lives of comfort and convenience. By the way, if you want, the video of the song is on Youtube.com

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Love Watching It

I have been up late the last few nights for work and for play. Doing exciting things like looking for the next best not-for-profit, for-profit, and arts ventures from our own Christian community. I certainly have not spent more than 5 minutes watching the continuing economic correction or the overreaction by many companies and governments. Is it any wonder that people run to the theatres or entertainment to escape the bad news and to look for better things. This is why i will always be drawn to watching reruns of the Lord of the Rings - the Trilogy. I cannot help it. The series was magnificent the first time around. Few stories are as well written and timeless in relevance. The consequences of not standing up for and doing what is right. The power of friendship. The importance of each one of us in the grand scheme of life and our noble calling. A story of hope. If there was a time we needed this, it may be now. What are you watching and watching out for?

Isaiah 24:1-3;16 "See, the Lord is going to lay waste to the earth and devestate it..."; "From the ends of the earth we hear singing: "Glory to the Righteous One."

After Heaven, Then What?

Good morning. As we get older, we probably think about crossing the "finish line" more often. In our teens and twenties, we are immortal and pursuing our dreams. In our thirties we reflect on whether we are pursuing and living our dreams and start to mature a bit...some of us in our forties, well, we start to feel the consequences of the other generations. We start to think about and feel the aches and pains and the overall breaking down. Yes, break out the violins now before senility sets in!! No, I think about heaven more not because I fear or think I am near the finish line but because our eldest is in her first year of meaningful Children's church and is immersed in stories about Jesus and the Bible. She asked me about Heaven and wanting to see Jesus there. Then she said, 'daddy, after we go to heaven to see Jesus, do we come back home?' It is one of those incredibly precious yet difficult moments in life. It is great to know my little girl is learning about God and heaven at an early age. As an amateur theologian and parent in training, I could only muster a "we all get to stay with Jesus in heaven and that is wonderful, like a long vacation". But she still wants to come "home" after being with Jesus in heaven.

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

Daddy Day

Can you help me out? No, I don't need a dime. I need help. I thought I could do it all on my own. It has been a grueling 6 months, maybe longer. Not just work. It's more than that. How about you? Have you been beaten up a bit lately? No, not just financially, I mean it has been a grind at times. They say that ministry is a lonely job and especially so when you don't have "help". Thankfully, when I feel sorry for myself, I get bowled over by reminders of God's love and grace for me. Last night I was greeted by both my girls with big hugs. The icing on the cake, my eldest, who is as sensitive as she is sweet, said, 'Daddy, I love you.' Now she says that a lot. Well of course, we are the "universe" that both girls have known their entire lives. I sometimes weep when I remember that I justly deserve wrath but received grace. So, with those 4 words, God reminded me to have the same attitude toward him.

Luke 18:17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.

Sexy and Greedy?

It only took a few days into this new blog to talk about 2 things sure to catch people's attention. I was prepared to write about something else on this cold wintry morning but on my way from the subway, I passed by two ads that made me "think". Both advertised warmer climates - and of course featured bikini-clad women. Proper context. So it goes that sex, like money, are wonderful things given to us by God the Father and anything God has created is certainly not unclean. What society and the sin of Man (and woman) has done is to make it "dirty" in its use and message. Sex is not a thing to "consume" and certainly not meant to be taken casually and neither is money. Both in the proper context - sex in a marriage and money being handled carefully in stewardship - is what God intended for us. As believers, in community, these are things we can talk about and work through the Biblical approaches for both. We know these are 2 important topics that we cannot and should not ignore.

Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because they are improper for God's holy people.

Weather Report: Hidden Treasure

If you have not gone out yet, the streets are full of slush, snow, and slick so be careful. The snowflakes are still tickling your nose. Take heart! For in 3 weeks, it will be officially spring.

Yesterday at service, my pastor preached on Matthew 13:44-46 (see below). To me, the message spoke of how we should be so overwhelmed by the wonderful news of the kingdom of Heaven that we would sell all of our possessions just to lay claim to this new hidden treasure. How utterly useless and unworthy the "things" we have in comparison to that which is the eternity with God. These things are not just possessions, but traits, habits, and other "things" we bring with us before we know and live Christ in our hearts. The other part of the message is the cost of following Christ. We are to follow him to Calvary. To death. No loud glorious trumpets per se, no Hollywood ending, no parades down Broadway, certainly not for people like Bonhoeffer in Germany or Elliot in Ecuador. The impact, the courage, and the joy they had in "selling all their worldly possessions" just to secure that field.

Matthew:13:44-46 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Purpose

This blog of devotionals started out as a Monday to Friday activity related to what I do at Redeemer. I'd like to add some musings each day, including Saturday. One of my new year's goals (not resolutions) is to take a Sabbath (on Sunday) from email, the Internet, and other things that would take time from rest. I know not everyone has that benefit or mindset. Some run hard, really hard and it is not an option to take one day off. Though, if the Lord God could take 1 day off after 6 days of activity and declare 'It is good, very good'. Then who are we to think we can do more than His example. So, Saturday has been a day of errands and work on the p.c. Some friends are coming over later to experience our succulent braised short ribs with carrots, flavored by shallots, lots of garlic, along with a sweet baby spinach salad with pear, cranraisins, carmelized walnuts, and avocado. Oh, and breaking out a 2001 Merlot from Napa. Call me and we will get you on the guest list. But you have to come with bottles in hand. We are stocking up for the summer socials already. God Bless and Love you all. Please ping me or chastise me if u see me emailing or on facebook on Sunday. Help me to honor the Sabbath too. See u on Monday.

Close Calls

Timing. We all have close calls. Moments where we avert a potential bad situation. A split second makes a difference. So I left the office late last night after judging not-for-profit finalists as part of the Entrepreneurship Initiative's business plan competition. The presentations inspired and encouraged me but now we had to think about selecting a winner. One presentation moved me emotionally but judges aren't supposed to cry right? Lately, I have more pensive and sober and that remained true as I drove. As I merged onto a parkway, I saw a few cars ahead that with their hazard lights on the right lane and they appeared to have stopped. I figured something was wrong. But it was dark and hard to see ---- then a tire appeared right in front of the car and I quickly swerved left to avoid it. Then as I passed by, I saw a car flipped on its top and several people running to get to the overturned car. Timing. or is it more?

Psalm 84:9 Look upon our shield, O'God; look with favor on your anointed one.

It is all Relative

How are you feeling? Did you see the speech? You know, the speech? Yes, but as inspiring as words are, it is still alot of bad news out there. Millions losing their homes, millions looking for jobs that are not there, millions crossing into the poverty line, millions seeking help at charities and food pantries. People are hurting in our city, our country, and throughout the world. Wait a minute! Are we really hurting and without a safety net? Even if you have to cut back spending or rely on government assistance, is your lot not better than the 2 billion who live on less than $2 a day? Is your lot not better than those who suffer injustice and persecution for their faith, and are repressed by their governments or social system? Think about how blessed you are and how things are economically bad but not tragic. In hard times, we may look to a higher calling and purpose. Lift your head. Your Lord God is there.

James 5:13-15 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray...Is anyone of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him...the Lord will raise him up.

Full of Yourself

There is a saying, "It's hard to be humble when you know how great you are." How can any of us living in a big city not grapple with the spirit of narcissism? Madison Avenue (advertising) tells us we ought to feel this way and operate this way. It is part of the marketplace make-up. When you meet someone new or someone you know casually, 'it's all good'. When is the last time you tried to impress someone with being dour, somber, or vulnerable? Great first and last date right? Who in the marketplace will buy anything from a salesperson who does not exude confidence and ego? Who wants to be with people who aren't "happy" and "better" than them? What is the right perspective then? How shall we be different as believers and live our lives according to the Gospel in this fast paced, highly caffeinated broken world? How about acting less like a sophisticated urban yuppie and more like a tax collector.

Luke 18:13"But when the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

Separate the Chaffe

The Season of Lent begins tomorrow. The period of time leading up to Easter (this year it is 46 days). How should we prepare our hearts for the season? Alot of people try to "give up" something or some things for the season. Please do take time now to consider shedding a practice that takes away from your relationship with God. Some may see this as a good time to exercise self-control and shed a personality trait (e.g., sarcasm, negativity, coarse joking, etc.) or an outward practice (e.g., sweets, salty snacks, coffee, soda, etc.). The idea is that we can start the process to possibly letting God cleanse us of a practice that may hinder our relationship with God. Now, some may say, 'what can a Kit Kat or Hershey's Kiss do to my walk with God?' and others may say, 'precisely'. It is a start.

Matthew 3:12 His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."