A Prodigal's Path

At The Heart of Sin

We seem to talk a lot about sin . . . or about specific sins: lying, cheating, murder . . . you know . . . "The List." But there's seemingly little discussion on the source of our sin. Granted we are sinful by nature, but it's as if we willingly accept that flawed feature and move on through life trying to avoid over-doing "The List."

But why do we do the un-loving, un-caring, and un-thinkable things that we do? What is at the heart of our darkness? What is the splinter in our being that infects us with sin?

Here's why I ask: Because if I know "why" I sin, what is at the root of it all, then maybe there is a chance I can become more aware of why I do what I do and per chance do a little less of it.

Like most things, if you want to know the answer, simply start at the beginning. And the beginning of sin starts in The Garden.

"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate," Genesis 3:6

And sin became born of greed.

"and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" And he said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself." Genesis 3:8-10

And like the second son . . . fear is born.

Read on and you'll find that Adam's and Eve's fear leads them to blame others for their behavior. Sounds familiar . . . because we all have our excuses, right? All too often we rely on our excuses and our crutched habits for causing our sin. Perhaps that's a symptom of not understanding the source of our errant behaviors.

The inner circles of Marketing, Advertising, and Sales all understand that the two biggest motivators of consumer behavior are Fear and Greed. Examine the message behind most good advertising and you'll soon discover the reasons you should buy are likely because: it's for a limited time, limited edition your neighbors have one . . . or worse yet may get one before you do . . . chicks will dig you (or not, if you don't buy one soon) . . . your family will be safer, healthier, and happier . . . you'll sleep easier, jump higher, feel more confident, look like you did in High School . . . and of course . . . you'll be smarter.

Examine the messages you get from why we do some of the shameful things we do and the message is much the same today as it was in The Garden . . . "you can have it all!" . . . and the "dark-side" is counting on your fear and greed for you to buy in.

On the occasion I sit and reflect on a day that hasn't gone so well relative to "good versus evil" I often find that my short-comings are a result of either giving into my fear or playing into the false hope of greed. Much like the "buyer's remorse" we often experience I'm confronted with one of two choices: either blame those around me for "making" me do the things I do . . . or dig deeply into the soil of my own Eden and attack the roots of my own fear and greed.

Getting to “Yes” (part 3)

We all experience and deal with a number of hindrances in inviting our friends and family to worship and church events. None of them maybe more paralyzing than the fear or feeling of rejection. One of the first things I was taught in sales was that "No" and "Yes" are mathematical probabilities. It was something to the effect that you'll get 7 "No" responses for every "Yes". I have no idea if that's true but it has always helped me get on with my asking . . . somewhere out there is a "Yes".

Gracefully Getting Past "No". The reality of asking is that we must be prepared for disappointment and rejection. It happens. It's natural. And it happens regardless of whom we are, how old we are, and despite how influential we might be. But the stakes are higher in our endeavor and mission as the Church and the implication of "No" is much more weighty, eternal, and heart-wrenching than is being rejected by mom in the candy isle of the check-out line.

If there is a parallel message to be found in the Gospels then Jesus may be delivering the "Gracefully Getting Past No" message to the disciples here:

"Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake." ~ Jesus (Matthew 10:21-22 ESV)

Right after Jesus tells them that when they are rejected in one town to move on to the next (v 23), followed by this:

"Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven," ~ Jesus (Matthew 10:31-32 ESV)

Matthew 10 concludes with Jesus asking us to take on the smallest of tasks in His name and act, and ask, on His behalf.

"And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." ~ Jesus (Matthew 10:42 ESV)

 

How to Gracefully Getting Past "No" may best be answered by paraphrasing Jesus' instructions to the twelve. He, Christ, never promised us that following Him would be easy. He knows, and asks, that we face challenges. But just as He did with the twelve, the words of Matthew remind us of these truths:

We will face rejection . . . but only if we ask (v 21-23)

When rejection comes accept it and move on (v23)

Don't be afraid . . . asking is worth it (v 31-32)

We're acting for Him . . . and asking on His behalf. (v42)

In other words . . . the rejection, and hopeful acceptance, is not about us,

It's all about Him. It always is.

 

 

Getting to “Yes” (part 2)

In "Getting to Yes Part 1" I commented that: "What you say is just as important as how you say it." And nothing may be truer than when we are trying to invite our un-churched friends to Church. That in its self maybe part of the problem.

 Stop Inviting Friends to Church. What? Did he just say what I think he said? You read it right: Stop inviting friends to church and start asking them to attend "events" and "celebrations". After spending 20 years looking at churches from across the street let me say that a great many if our un-churched friends don't attend Church because they simply don't want to . . . and for variety of reasons.

People are more prone to accept an invitation to attend and "event" . . . such as an Easter or Christmas Celebration. They may be very interested in attending classes like Financial Peace classes or life applicable lessons on raising teens, dealing with marriage, etc . . . anything but "church."

So look at your prayer list from Part 1 and start thinking of better ways to ask. A lot of 'what' you say may be in 'what' you know about your friend.

See if the gate is open by asking: "How are you celebrating Easter this year?"

The answer right now doesn't matter . . . it's "what" we say next.

"Northridge is having a cool 1 hour celebration at 10:00. It's the best if you'd like to come." And if it works add something like, "We can grab a coffee at Starbucks along the way."

A few things just happened, and didn't happen in that sentence. First, we didn't say "church". Second, we put an appealing time limit on it because people may be more willing to accept if they know they won't be held hostage all morning. Third, we invited them to an event. I never mentioned "church", although I did refer to, and I never used "insider" words like "Resurrection Sunday" . . . even that one still "spooks" me a bit.

That's it. Short, simple, and purposeful. No pressure, no "insider" scary words. And no unintentional mixed messages like "you should join us".

Two quick thoughts; First, if they accept make sure you dress as they are . . . nothing is worse than being a visitor and feeling out of place. Second, know that it's really God's work and will and be open enough to gracefully accept "no".

Think about this verse,

     Jesus said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16:15-17 ESV)

While it was Jesus, doing his ministry on this earth, and even though it was himself rubbing shoulders with his disciples daily, he still gave all credit and praise to God the Father for His work in the hearts and minds of men. 

 Have faith, believe in the work your Father, and just ask. Oh . . . and if you attend Northridge the Easter Celebration times are 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30.

 

Getting to “Yes” (part 1)

Easter this year is April 24^th . . . roughly 5 weeks away . . . or 41 days to be exact. Most churches will experience an influx of visitors much like Sundays that neighbor the Christmas holiday. Many of us may think it's a bit strange that popular culture thinks these are the best, or most appropriate, two Sunday's to "visit" church while they can casually ignore the other 50. If that really is the thought process of our mostly un-churched friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers then it may just be the opening in the gate we need to walk through to "Get to Yes." Meaning if these indeed are the 2 Sundays a year that our culture is open enough to entertain the idea of attending church then perhaps it's our duty to ask and invite. It may be our best chance to "Get to Yes."

Having been in some form of sales nearly my entire life I'd like to share a few thoughts and ideas on "Getting to Yes" over the next few days. For those of you that are shy about sales . . . or think that "sales" and "church" should never be co-mingled in the same sentence let me say this: the "art of sales" is simply mastering the "art" of asking" the best question at the most appropriate moment. That's why most of us are quick to run from loud, pushy, obnoxious, over-the-top, sales people.

Regardless of what homespun wisdom may believe; What you say IS just as important as HOW you say it. But before we get into all the semantics let me share with you a great concept from Outreach Pastor Scott Bixby.

Begin With Prayer.

Scott introduced the idea of PI² to Northridge Church a few years ago. That is; Pray, Invest, and Invite. Pretty simple equation, so for today let's start there. Let's start by building a list of people in our lives that we are Invested in. That is, put together a list of people that we rub shoulders with on a regular basis. While it may be easy and tempting to populate our list with those that seem most approachable, let me encourage you to put those seemingly least receptive and most in need at the top of your list. Remember, God has often chosen those least likely, least popular, and most broken, to accomplish His will.

For now let's simply pray for wisdom, courage, receptive minds, soft hearts, and open gates.

"do not be anxious about anything, but by everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6 esv)

 

Doctors of Empathy

     In one of life's many discussions I shared this thought with a friend a few days ago: 

     Maybe it's about learning to be content? That is, adopting a love and appreciation for the friends around you and people in your life, and mine. About finding the "good things" people and circumstances bring into our lives. Perhaps it's about taking on a new learned posture in relationships and life that says "I will think before I act." Suppose we loved people for who they are, where they are, and not what we want them to be? What if we became the "Doctors of Empathy" and practiced learned understanding before we jumped to conclusions? What if we first we're still . . . and listened to our hearts?  

     Perhaps we should practice being more content . . . and learn to be satisfied with, or accept on some level, the things we cannot change.

     Maybe we could love and admire what we do have . . . and not be frustrated by passions for the things we want but do not truly need.

     Maybe learning to be content is the first footstep on the path of peace.

 

"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world." (1 Timothy 6:6-7 ESV)

 

Monkeys See . . . What Monkeys Do.

     I have to admit that if there were a line formed of people who wrestle with fully living out Christianity that at times I would cut the line to be First. Don't get me wrong here. I'm not suggesting that I question my faith or belief . . . it's more that I wrestle with transferring that faith and belief into my daily life. Perhaps some of that is my own fault for always looking at things from different angles, trying to find meaning, and questioning nearly everything. 

     Working through one of these trying times recently I made a decision that I would sit out of Church on Sunday morning and make myself busy with work. Deliberately defiant I justified my choice with the fact I just needed a breather . . . I just need to take a step back for a day. So off to an appointment I went. A relaxing stop at Starbucks followed by a meandering pace to where ever it was I was off too. I began texting a close friend of mine who is Jewish . . . and being such it's a safe bet on Sunday morning that he's not in Church either.

     Our life-speak chatter goes on for a few minutes when across my screen comes "Dude, how come you're not in Church?" . . . and the strings that bind my heart to The Truth start to unravel as I go numb. It's then that I start to realize I've not only headed off into the wrong direction that morning; worse yet, that I may have started to drag those I am to influence down that dangerous detour with me.

     It's disheartening that at a time when I really need to draw closer to Christ that I'll sometimes choose to take a step backwards. At the times I may need Him most that I sometimes choose Him less. For those of you wondering where my blog has been for the last month . . . that "day away" turned into a few weeks. And while I can produce a host of buyable excuses it all comes down to this . . . I get in trouble when I start asking "Why?' Why God this? Why right now? Why would you do that to me? Why don't you, God, take care of this, or that? All that negative chit chat soon drains one's spirit dry of the joy found in the life-blood that set us free.

     The question really needs to be "What?" . . . and asked with persistent patient prayer. "What" God would you have me do? "What" God would you have me learn? "What" God is your perfect purpose for my life today?

     See the difference? "Why" always seems to lead us inward. "Why" can have a narrowing focus that starts to tie up and tangle our heart strings as we pursue some excuse or misdirected reason. "What" on the other hand opens us up to His vast possibilities. "What" takes off our blinders and spreads out the horizon before us as we patiently await God's purpose to crest the landscape of our life. "What" changes our focus from inward to outward. "What" is asking God to lead us and show us . . . where as "Why" seeks excuses and blame.

     "What" seeks the promise of today and the future before us. "Why" can tether us to yesterday and drown us in the past.

     When those around me, presumably lost and far from God, point out that I'm off the path then something is definitely amiss with my heart.

     "What" I need to do next time I'm feeling spiritually bewildered is find His feet, kneel there, and pray earnestly while I patiently await His direction.

     For those of you, who like me, get stuck on the "Whys" consider this truth:

     "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to"  (2 Corinthians 5:16-18 ESV)

     Paul reminds us that the past does not equal the future.  That promise is before us, not behind us.  That we are precious, dear, and alive with new life.

     And so begins the 2^nd year of my blog . . . welcome back to a Prodigal's Path.

 

The Big “It”

     In my recent post "3 Paths to Forever" I made the comment that "the more often I read through The Bible the more things I find that I've never noticed before. And I often wonder if God intentionally does that to me?"

     Pondering that thought I remembered what Luke wrote about one of Christ's last actions on behalf of the disciples just before his ascension.

     "Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" (Luke 24:45 ESV)

     Parking my thoughts there for a few days I realized Jesus never promised His disciples and followers a "good time". He never said the road home would be easy or that He would fulfill our earthly dreams and wishes. He never said we would have all we want . . . rather that He would provide and be all we need. In a strange way, and admittedly slightly skewed perspective, I don't even believe that Christ will solve all the problems that we, and our sinfulness, create for ourselves. But rather that He, Christ, should be such a precious pursuit in our lives that regardless of what befalls us nothing should shadow His luster and brilliance. Our quest for the mercy of the Cross should trivialize all that the world considers problematic. 

     I'm convinced that sometimes we're just meant to suffer . . . and with great purpose . . . to get our attention. Our life's trials actually have a singular purpose . . . and a single solution. They are meant to focus our hearts, minds, and souls on Jesus.

     James says this: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4 ESV)

     "Lacking in nothing" isn't the promise of a 50 inch plasma television. It's not the cure all for our physical maladies. And it's not the promise of a fantastic education or terrific career. So what is "it", the "full effect", that makes us "perfect and complete" as James says?

     I think James answers the "it" question in verse 5 . . . . "it" is Wisdom . . . the knowledge of God and Christ. "It" is that holy and higher wisdom that allows us to see past the troublesome headlines of the day. "It" is the understanding that Christ gave to the disciples as He "opened their minds".

     Paul talks about "it" too. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2 ESV)

     There are a whole lot of messages in and about "it". Wisdom can be one of those "careful what you wish for" things in life. As James states wisdom is the product of trials, testing, and steadfastness. "It" is also the gift of earnest prayer and the result of our study of the scriptures and our pursuit of Christ and the depths of the cross . . . all this enabled by Him opening our minds to absorb His rich truths.

     Patience. Prayer. Pursuit.

 

3 Paths to Forever

      It seems to never fail . . . that is, the more often I read through The Bible the more things I find that I've never noticed before. And I often wonder if God intentionally does that to me or if my attention span and memory are really that bad?

     Recently I found it interesting that there have been 3 paths to live forever recorded in The Bible.

 

 The Tree of Life.

     Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—" therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22-24 ESV)

     Man was sent out of the garden for two apparent reasons: First, his trespass of God's will by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil resulting in man's intimacy with sin. Second, to separate him from the ability to physically live forever by eating from the Tree of Life. 

  

The Ride of a Lifetime.

     And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (2 Kings 2:11 ESV)

     I've always said I'd like to pass on quietly while sleeping . . . but being as I'm a big fan of going fast and motorcycles, if I could swing this I'd be in. There is one other account of man not tasting death and that is of Enoch.

     Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. (Genesis 5:23-24 ESV)

     The widely held belief is that these faithful servants were spared deaths touch by God's deep love for their devotion.

 

Christ. The Single Solution.

     "Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." ~ Jesus (John 14:1-3 ESV)

     "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ~ Jesus (John 14:6 ESV)

     For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 ESV)

 

So I still wonder.

     Does God intentionally reveal himself to me a morsel at a time through devotion, reading, and thoughtfulness? Or are my attention span and memory that bad?

     In either case, both of which I think are true, I love what the author of Acts says about the Bereans:

     "they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (Acts 17:11 ESV)

     Pray for each other; that we could all be so diligent and eager in our pursuit of Him.

 

“Did you hear that?” . . . “Nope.”

     Sometimes . . . there are just those "silent times" . . . when my mind and pen are quiet. When my heart and soul seem content and I can't think of a thing to say or write about.

     That used to bother me as in all the silence I would feel God had somehow left me and I would become lost in my distractions. I think I now see it as "emerging time" . . . time when He gives us room to rest, grow, and take it all in. Time to collect our thoughts and inspirations . . . a "season" perhaps? And then I remember:

A Time for Everything

    For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

    a time to be born, and a time to die;

    a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

    a time to kill, and a time to heal;

    a time to break down, and a time to build up;

    a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

    a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

    a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

    a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

    a time to seek, and a time to lose;

    a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

    a time to tear, and a time to sew;

    a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

    a time to love, and a time to hate;

    a time for war, and a time for peace.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV)

      And there is a time to ride motorcycles . . . to fly free across open roads and grind it out through mountain passes . . . to feel the heat run over your boots. That's just not today as it's a balmy 9 degrees and there's easily a foot of hard-packed snow on the ground . . . No, today is not that day . . . but it's interestingly quiet in here . . . inside my helmet . . . as I think about the seasons of our lives and faith . . .

 

“Scooby Doo . . . Where Are You?”

     As I stated in "The Year That Could Be" ; "Nothing seems to drive Christians crazier than trying to put a finger on the Holy Spirit." And nothing could be truer than my personal pursuit to unravel the "mystery" of this seemingly elusive member of The Trinity.

     The shroud of mystery and suspense began with references like "Holy Ghost" . . . a little spooky . . . and the "Holy Spirit" . . . less spooky, but more mysterious. So I grew up wondering if this was some celestial entity that followed me around reporting back to command central in Heaven about what I was up to? Was he perched up on my shoulder taking note of my deeds or whispering into the hollows of my ear? Was he there to guide me, punish me, convict me, tell on me . . . or worse yet . . . haunt me with "goodness"?

     Upon returning to the Church in 2003 tracking down the root of this mystery became one of my first quests. It's hard to explain, but during my 20 years of wandering in the shadows of life I always felt "protected" for lack of a better word . . . I always had a feeling that somehow, some way, some day I would find my way back . . . something better was in store for me than these moments at the trough.

     In 2006 my father, a retired minister, lay on his death bed while I desperately pressed him for any, and every, inkling of knowledge and wisdom he had about the Holy Spirit. It was amongst the last of our conversations. I buried myself in books and I relentlessly asked questions of nearly everyone. "What's the BIG Mystery of the Holy Spirit?"

     It took but Charles F. Stanley pocket-sized book "Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit" to answer nearly every question I had and to put a proper perspective on this "mystery". I believe it is our own vernacular which confuses us. It's the words we use that create the cloud that mystifies us. It's our cultural predisposition to words like "spirit" and "ghost" that send our curious minds off into a metaphysical whirlpool in which understanding about the Holy Spirit remain elusive.

     Stanley is quick to acknowledge the propensity we have to confuse ourselves with words like "ghost" and points out that the clearest frame of reference is in The Beginning. Genesis 1:2 calls Him the "Spirit of God". All of the sudden it, rather He, makes a lot more sense. It is the Spirit of God that we are given. It is the Spirit of God that guides, grows, nurtures, convicts, and motivates us. It is the Spirit of God that helps us find our way home. It, or He, is not some ghastly ghostly haunting that reside 45 degrees off our shoulder and just beyond the reaches of our eyesight. The Spirit of God resides within the impassioned membrane of our souls. He's not a spirit or ghost of the dead that our imaginations may conjure up . . . but rather the Spirit of He who lives.

     Forget Scooby Doo and ghost . . . think E.T. Remember in the movie E.T. when ET starts to glow because he feels love, life, and passion? Well, in my own goofy and contemporary way that is a lot more accurate representation of the Spirit of God than are words like "ghost". Much like ET's life-force, God's Spirit is our indwelling beacon that urges us to seek the path home.

 

 

     "Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit" is a quick and easy read. Stanley answers the fundamental questions of "Who, What, Why, Where, and When?" in a clear and concise fashion that will add a new dimension to the understanding and appreciation of your faith. Best yet is that it's less than $10.  "Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit" at Amazon.com

     And remember; He is the "Spirit of God" . . .