60-Second Stretch

Christmas is About Giving

2012-12-25T18:44:00.000-05:00

For the four weeks leading up to Christmas, we spend time as a family talking about how we integrate our faith into the Christmas traditions (sort of an Advent approach) that we call the Colors of Christmas. It's always interesting and really helps us stay centered on what's important to us as a family and as disciples of Christ. So by the time Christmas Day rolls around, it is truly the most relaxing day of the year for our family.

We start the day by sleeping in (yes, even when the kiddos were little).We have a big breakfast (this morning it was Phyllis' famous French Toast, sausage, fresh fruit ... and grits, per my request). We watch the Disney Christmas parade (great performances today by Toby Mac, Colbie Caillat, and Yolanda Adams). Then we open gifts one at a time. Our Christmas morning never ends until around 3pm. Very relaxing.

It is probably not obvious, but I was laid off from a corporate gig in October 2011. Financially, this has been a very tough year as I've struggled to replace even half the income I had last year. We've had to make some massive adjustments, but we still have all our needs met, which is certainly more than we might deserve, and more than many around the world are experiencing today. We don't take that lightly. And in the midst of this adjustment, friends and family from all over took it upon themselves to help us out this Christmas. We didn't ask for help. We didn't even broadcast any "need." Much of that help even came "secretly." All told, the overwhelming majority (probably 90+%) of the presents under our tree this year came from the generosity of those around us. Without that generosity, our relaxing Christmas morning would have been much shorter (though no less relaxing or enjoyable). It's humbling in a way which words cannot possibly convey. And it has really helped me continue to reflect on this "holiday season."

There is truly something "magical" about this holiday that makes it stand out on the calendar. Think about it. Why do you celebrate Christmas? What is it about this holiday that makes it so special? Maybe you can identify with my personal A-HA! moment ... Christmas sparks a reversal in all of us. We all love to get gifts. But Christmas makes us want to give. Commercialism can't cause that. Consumerism is the opposite of altruism. And Christmas, unlike any other day of the year, awakens in each of us a desire to bless someone else, whether a friend, a family member, or a stranger. Our family happened to be on the receiving end of that Spirit this year, and it has made me realize just how powerful that reversal can be. Christmas is truly about giving.

More than 2,000 years ago, the Son of God gave up His home in heaven to come live among men, born of a virgin in a little town called Bethlehem. That, I believe, is the Spirit of Christmas that has managed to permeate every culture and context, even if not always recognized. May the Spirit of giving, initiated by God the Father and carried out perfectly in His Son, Jesus Christ, fill your heart for 2013 and beyond, and may we all learn to be just a little more giving in the coming days, weeks and years. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Cheer Up, Church!

2012-11-07T18:40:00.000-05:00

The interwebs are full of believers everywhere bemoaning the end of the world over the re-election of Obama to four more years in the Oval Office. Of course, most are also quick to admit that God is still on the throne, despite this “calamity.”

But have no fear. I have a word of encouragement for you. Actually, one of my all-time favorite musicians has a word for you:

“Cheer up, Church / You're worse off than you think. / Cheer up, Church / You're standing at the brink. / Don't despair / Do not fear / Grace is near” (Charlie Peacock, Cheer Up Church from Kingdom Come, 1999).

So, there you go. Cheer up, Church. You're worse off than you think.

Much to our chagrin, we are forced (if we are honest) to admit that history has a recurring lesson for the Body of Christ: we do much better under persecution, trials, and tribulations. In fact, it’s the only time we truly thrive. And then there’s that pesky reality that hardship was promised by Christ Himself.

“Then they will hand you over to be persecuted and will kill you. You will be hated by all the nationsbecause of my name.. . . But the person who endures to the end will be saved.And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole inhabited earth as a testimony to all the nations,and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:9–14).

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Blessed are you when peopleinsult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falselyon account of me. Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way” (Matthew 5:10–12).

“My brothers and sisters,consider it nothing but joywhen you fall into all sorts of trials” (James 1:2).

“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed, always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body. For we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal body” (2 Corinthians 4:8–11).

None of us knows what the next 4 days will look like, much less the next four years or decades. But we do know this: Trials, in whatever form they may take, are good for the Body of Christ. We love to say that God is on the throne and that our hope is in Him, but when we have “our man” in office and business is booming, we don’t have any real need to back up that proclamation with purposeful action. Maybe another decade of declining morals and decaying culture is just what the Body of Christ in America needs to wake us out of our slumber. Maybe bigger, more intrusive government will force us to finally draw a line in the sand and give up this love affair with building mini-kingdoms modeled more after Wall Street than the Word of God.

Maybe. It certainly seems to have been the case for the past 3,000 years or so.

Facebook's Customer Satisfaction Survey

2012-10-07T20:53:00.000-04:00

Logged into Facebook a few minutes ago and was asked to take a quick survey. At the end, the survey asked for additional feedback. Here's what I wrote:

I am constantly frustrated by Facebook's filtering of my newsfeed (Edgerank). I am only friends with people whom I want to hear from. No algorithm will ever be smart enough to truly understand human relationships and human motivation. PLEASE, let ME decide whether or not I find my friends' posts useful and STOP filtering my newsfeed. I realize I may be an exception to the rule, but at least make it possible for those like me to truly see ALL if we want to see all. That's the ONE element of my FB experience that needs real improvement. Otherwise, thanks for a great product...

What do you think? Do you have the same frustration with Facebook? If so, would you be willing to make te same "complaint" if asked? Who knows, if enough of us ask for it, maybe FB will roll out a tweak that finally allows users more control over our newsfeeds.

Please share this post with all your friends. Thanks!

Emmaus CCF "Giving Circles"

2012-09-04T08:50:00.000-04:00

In a sluggish economy, a lot of folks are cutting back on charitable giving (and discretionary spending). Even the US Government is cutting back on how and where it spends its dollars, with small nonprofits feeling it the worst. Most congregations can’t afford to help, either. According to William Tenny, “the average [congregation] in the United States will spend as much as 64% of its budget on staff salaries. Additionally, it will spend as much as 30% of its offerings on maintaining its buildings.” Other researchers have suggested that a local congregation will be forced to spend 82% to 96% of its financial resources on maintaining the organization itself.

But as we often do, people have risen to the occasion to create solutions. One idea that has caught steam over the past four years is called “giving circles.”

Giving circles bring people together to pool resources and then collectively decide how and to which organizations or causes to distribute those resources—maximizing the financial, intellectual and emotional bang for every philanthropic buck. In the words of Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, a passionate Stanford GSB Philanthropy Lecturer, it’s “Giving 2.0.”

Through social/democratic means, giving circles help individual givers to become proactive rather than reactive and to give strategically. And the collaborative nature ensures that members of the giving circle are constantly learning and improving their group’s giving decisions. Because of this, donors can do more with less, enhance their giving and create measurable impact. Best of all, giving circles require almost no overhead to operate and givers get to decide exactly where every dollar goes.

A perfect example is the Association of House Churches in Austin, TX. By pooling their resources and efforts over a 13-year period, this relatively small group of believers has “been able to deploy approximately $1,000,000 … toward benevolence and missions.”

In the spirit of cheerful and sacrificial giving, Emmaus CCF has created a giving circle on Causes.org. Specific "Causes" and "Actions" will be added as we go along. For now, participants in the Emmaus community are encouraged to be part of this ongoing investment in the Kingdom of God and the needs around us by simply clicking the "Join" button. Using the Causes.org platform, we will pool our resources to make a financial impact in Cleveland and beyond.

God and Politics.

2012-08-08T18:43:00.002-04:00

I have a serious question to ask you. What do you make of this admonition by Paul to his protégé, Timothy:

“First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1–4,NET, emphasis added).

Would the majority of Christians be better able to fall in line with this if we simply disengaged from political activism altogether? I know that sounds like anathema, and I am not suggesting it, but I do wonder with all sincerity whether we have gotten this all wrong. And when I consider the reality that most political discourse includes slander (which Paul says grieves the Holy Spirit of God, Eph. 4), it certainly makes me think long and hard about what I’ve said over the years. Is it possible to be a “peaceful and quiet” activist who prays continually for political leaders and never utters a word that even hints at being slanderous? If so, how does that look, practically? I’d really like your feedback. I feel like I’m starting from scratch on this one, and I’m not even sure where to begin.

A Tale of Tea and War That You've Probably Never Heard

2012-06-24T14:00:00.000-04:00

If you are familiar with battle details of the American Revolution, then you have no doubt heard about the “Battle of Long Island” fought on August 27, 1776. General George Washington, then Commander-in-Chief, and the Continental Army attempted to defend the strategic port city of New York against the combined land and sea forces of General William Howe, Commander-in-Chief of the British forces. It was considered a true military blunder by Washington. And it almost cost the Continental Army a great price.

The “historic details” of what happened are intriguing for both history and military enthusiasts. I’ll spare you the full recap in order to jump right to my point. Essentially, the Continental Army was surrounded, vastly outnumbered, and outgunned. Then this:

“Howe, in a move considered controversial to this day, ordered all of his troops to halt the attack … Howe's failure to press the attack, and the reasons for it, have been disputed” (Battle of Long Island: The Old Stone House).

The other day I spent some time chatting with a U.S. Secret Service agent. He told me that once during a transport of the Australian Ambassador he was told of an interesting story by the Ambassador himself. Seems that as General Howe was pressing in on the Continental Army, a New York resident saw the British troops approaching and went out to offer them tea. Yes, you read right. She offered them tea. According to the Ambassador, even in the heat of battle and the pursuit of an “enemy force,” the British cannot refuse tea. The troops were ordered to stop and tea time was on. As the story was told, this little tea time stop is what helped the outmaneuvered Continental Army to survive and eventually escape.

“The British were stunned to find that Washington and the army had escaped” (Battle of Long Island: Conclusion of the campaign).

I have no idea whether this account is true, but you must admit, it is a fantastic tale and one that should be included in some movie. At the very least, Rush Limbaugh could use it to help sell his new line of iced teas, Two If By Tea®.

Book Review -- "COACH: Lessons on the Game of Life" by Michael L. Lewis

2012-06-01T13:44:00.000-04:00

I wish it had not taken me seven years to stumble across this little memoir written about Billy Fitzgerald (a.k.a., Coach Fitz). Nevertheless, I did at least stumble across it. Better late than never applies as well as it ever has.

I won't bother to repeat all the basic details already covered by other reviewers except to say, Yes, it's short (I'm estimating 8,000 words), but it really packs a punch. As a father of four (3 boys, 1 girl), the themes really resonated with me. This quote seems to sum it up much better than I would be able to do:

"Fitz gave another one of his sermons. They were always a little different but they never strayed far from a general theme: What It Means To Be A Man. What it meant to be a man was that you struggled against your natural instinct to run away from adversity" (p.77).

There's an even better quote on pages 82-83, but I'll let you read it yourself.

Here's why that quote from page 77 resonates with me personally. For the past 15 years or so, I've pondered the idea that self-discipline is listed last by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 perhaps because it is the "holy grail" of a truly fruitful life. More than anything, I want my children to grow up esteeming self-discipline as equally honorable and desirable compared to virtues such as love and peace. I recognize that one can be incredibly disciplined in all the wrong ways (hence the other 8 fruits), but the older I get, the more I recognize the elusiveness and value of that fruit called self-control. Even as I type this I am wearing a cheap rubber bracelet that simply says "Lose Your Quit." I can't help but think that the world might be a much better place if we would all learn this simple lesson. Too bad there isn't a Coach Fitz in each of our lives. I suppose this tiny booklet will have to suffice.

Here’s my “simple” solution for America’s raging marriage debate.

2012-05-10T14:46:00.001-04:00

It isn’t unique, I know, but I think it would solve some of the major problems surrounding this issue. So, bear with me as you read. You may be surprised by my proposal.

As a matter of principle, the people need to rise up once and for all and kindly request that the US government remove itself from the marriage business, forever-after. My opinion, which is drawn from my understanding of the Bible, is that marriage was created by God in the book of Genesis. Don’t even try to argue with me about that point, because I will not listen to you under any circumstance. Because that is my belief, I vehemently disagree with any government on earth assuming it has the right or authority to define or redefine marriage. In fact, I don’t see how, Biblically, any government even has the right to oversee the institution of marriage.

In some ways, (if I understand correctly … very hard to verify), we have Luther, Calvin, and then the English Puritans to thank for the mess we are in concerning the marriage debate in America. On marriage, Luther is often quoted as having said marriage is “a worldly thing ... that belongs to the realm of government.” Hence our problem. Luther, if you can hear me, please disregard any nasty things I may be saying about you under my breath. Suffice it say, you were dead wrong. Dead wrong. Marriage belongs to the realm of religion.

Instead, I propose that the US government at all levels will forever be in charge of granting Civil Unions. Yep. CUs. All previous marriage licenses will be grandfathered in as CU Licenses. Civil Unions will show no respect to race, sex, religion or any such factor but shall only regard proper laws such as legal age as with other things like the consumption of alcohol, joining the military, etc. CUs can only be granted by approved officers of the law (just as in driver’s license, passports, etc).

The very word marriage will need to be deleted from government language and replaced with "Civil Union." As far as the government is concerned, terms such as husband, wife, and spouse will all be replaced with "civil partner."

Marriage will then become the sole domain of religion, as it was in Genesis. Each religious institution will be responsible and accountable to their own beliefs regarding marriage.

Think about, folks. This is a win-win for everyone. It allows the government to say "Marriage is a religious issue, an issue of 'the Church,' and none of our business, therefore we will get out of your business." Those who oppose same-sex unions win -- the government will no longer grant marriage licenses to anyone, and the issue will leave the political arena. It also allows the homosexual and heterosexual community to be afforded the exact same rights and privileges under the law, making the government no respecter of persons. Those who support same-sex unions also win, as the idea of government-endorsed marriages will also be taken from heterosexuals and they will now be granted the same exact status as homosexuals: civil unions as legal and binding contracts issued by the government.

Of course, homosexuals who also want to pursue a church-endorsed marriage will always be able to find a liberal congregation that is willing to do such a thing. Those who are looking for a “traditional,” Genesis-based marriage covenant will be able to find conservative congregations who only deal in that realm.

Problem solved. No more political discourse on the subject, ever again.

I’m eager to hear your thoughts. However, if you just want to flame me, I will ignore you. I may even delete you. I have that power. I run a benevolent dictatorship here.

The Resurrection Story

2012-04-08T09:23:00.004-04:00

I love the dramatic feel of this scene when the accounts from all four Gospels are combined into one narrative! Read on ...

(Painting below by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, my all-time favorite painter.)

(My commentary in italics. All other text: Matt. 28:1–15; Mark 16:1–14; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–18.)

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.

As the first day of the week began to dawn, very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary and certain other women with them came to see the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.

At some point before the women arrive, the guards at the tomb have an experience that changes their lives forever...

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

Now, they weren’t actually dead, just unconscious. Eventually, they recovered and made their way into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Of course, as all this was happening, the women continued to draw near the tomb...

And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. Then Mary Magdalene ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

Think about that last sentence. Why would Mary Magdalene assume the worst and immediately report it to the disciples?

So while she was giving her bad report, the remaining women entered the tomb...

They went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus … they were greatly perplexed about this. But what they did find was a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side and two men stood by them in shining garments; and the women were alarmed, and bowed their faces to the earth.

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.

Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ “ And they remembered His words. “Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples and Peter that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear (for they trembled and were amazed, and they said nothing to anyone) and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. Upon their arrival, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who gave reports to the apostles.

Now think about that: The disciples are now hearing two different reports. First, Mary Magdalene’s report of a stolen body and then the others’ encounters with angels....How do you think the disciples responded? How would you have responded?

The Bible says that the women’s words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.

Then Peter and the other disciple set out to go to the tomb. They both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there by themselves; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

But Mary Magdalene stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there (He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons), and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”

So Mary came and told the disciples (those who had been with Him), as they mourned and wept that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

The Bible goes on to tell us that He appeared to the other women as they made their way back, to the men on the road to Damascus, and eventually to the disciples themselves, scolding them for their unwillingness to believe that He had indeed risen from the dead.

Happy Easter!

The Hunger Games Doesn’t Satisfy

2012-03-27T10:21:00.000-04:00

Disclaimer 1: I watch movies to be entertained.

Disclaimer 2: I don’t read fiction books.

If you still want to read my thoughts on the Hunger Games despite the fact that I am clearly unsophisticated swine, then read on.

I enjoy two kinds of movies (primarily): action and sci-fi. Make it three … I love a good laugher, and my all-time favorites are movies like Monty Python’s Holy Grail and Spinal Tap.

Okay, I’ve cleared out as many of you as I can. You’re on your own if you insist on reading any further.

As an action flick, the Hunger Games did not deliver. I presume that the books really played up the battles, but the movies, clearly hoping to avoid an R rating, toned them way down. I get it, and as a parent am happy with that decision, but it made for a terrible movie experience for us hand-to-hand combat lovers.

As a sci-fi flick (I’m being generous here—futuristic tale), nothing about the future in which the movie was set was ever explained. As a viewer, I saw glimpses of cool technology, futuristic cities, and a very foreign culture, but nothing more than a teaser concerning those things. I was supremely underwhelmed.

Finally, despite the reactions of the giggly teenage girls in the theater with us, I found nothing humorous about the movie. That’s three strikes against the Hunger Games.

One final thought. I assume the movie was primarily designed as a dramatic representation of the heroic sacrifice on the part of Katniss Everdeen. The acting was good, no complaints. But I never felt myself really rooting for any of the characters. As an unsophisticated movie viewer, I have no explanation for that. Maybe the film critics of the world can explain it. I only know that I was not really invested in any of the characters and would not have been terribly disappointed if the stars had perished along with the rest of “tributes.” At least then it would have been less predictable, and it would have upped the assumed creepy factor of this futuristic culture.

Leap Year?

2012-02-29T11:46:00.001-05:00

Today is my 11th birthday. So, in honor of this special and unique occasion, I’ve decided to post 11 interesting facts about Leap Year—the day which has “tickled the fancy of romantics around the world and through the ages.“

It takes planet Earth 365 days and 6.25 hours complete a full year’s orbit around the sun. That means that every four years an extra day is needed to help balance things out. According to most theories, it was Emperor Julius Caesar who first noticed this and “corrected” the calendar. Unfortunately, he over-corrected, and in In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII fixed it by moving the date ahead by 11 days and setting in place the rules we use today.
Century years are only Leap Years if divisible by 400. So, for example, 1900 was not a leap year, but 2000 was.
The chance of being born on a leap day is often said to be one in 1,461. Four years is 1,460 days and adding one for the leap year you have 1,461. So, odds of 1/1,461.
ABC News has pointed out that “the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in a Leap Year. If it weren't for that extra day, July 3 might be filled with the fireworks and patriotic displays typical of the July 4 holiday. Presidential elections have always fallen on a leap year except for the very first in 1789. It is the only election to not fall in a Leap Year.” Not sure why I never noticed that.
On the day I was born, February 29, 1968, Love Is Blue by Paul Mauriat was at #1 on the Billboard charts. Mauriat also wrote the title theme from one of my all-time favorite movies, "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang." One of my favorite guitarists, Jeff Beck, did a great remake of the song that includes the lyrics.
According to Irish legend, Leap Year came about due to a deal that St. Bridget struck with my favorite patron St. Patrick. Bridget complained about the fair sex having to wait for men to propose, so Patrick agreed to allow women to propose to men every four years.
In Scotland, Queen Margaret declared in 1288 that on February 29 a woman had the right to pop the question to any man she fancied. Were a man to refuse said proposal, he would be faced with a fine in the form of a kiss, a silk dress, or a pair of gloves given to the rejected lady.
In nearby Denmark, Leap Year folklore says that if a lady’s marriage proposal is turned down, the would-be groom owes her 12 pairs of gloves—one pair for each month to hide her embarrassment over the lack of an engagement ring on her jilted hand.
In Finland, the tradition is that if a man refuses a woman's proposal on leap year day, he should buy her the fabrics for a skirt.
Always the type to gravitate toward the happy ending, the Greeks recommend especially long engagements when a Leap Year approaches, believing it to be quite unlucky for couples to tie the knot during a Leap Year. Getting married on a Leap Day could set the wheels in motion for Oedipal-like tragedy. Statistics suggest that one in five engaged couples in Greece will purposely avoid getting married in a leap year.
In modern-day America, Leap Year fables have evolved into the infamous Sadie Hawkins dance. Historically, Sadie Hawkins Day honors "the homeliest gal in the hills" created by Al Capp in the cartoon strip Li'l Abner. In the famous story line, Sadie and every other woman in town were allowed on that day to pursue and catch the most eligible bachelors in Dogpatch. Although the comic strip placed Sadie Hawkins Day in November, today it has become almost synonymous with February 29.

New Hire Orientation

2012-01-13T15:49:00.001-05:00

If you find most NHOs to be "less than effective," I have an idea you can steal. In fact, I hope you do.

For those who've been "lucky" enough to sit through a mind-numbing corporate orientation, you'll understand when I say that most of these things are a huge waste of time and energy. Why so harsh? Well, in my experience, a new employee cannot possibly remember the overwhelming amounts of detail we throw at them. Yet somehow we feel compelled to continue this archaic practice.

That's why I'm challenging some brave soul to rethink the entire process. What if--stay with me, here--we made orientation exactly that: an orientation. Think of it literally. When we are in a new geographical area, we have to orient ourselves to the surroundings. That has never once meant learning every detail about every detail. When visiting a city for the first time, no one needs to know the name and function and leadership structure of every company in town. New hires don't need to know all that stuff either. More than anything, I think new hires need to be given a functional road map of the company and then shown how to use that map to get answers to questions as they arise. Most importantly, they need to be made to feel like what they just signed on to really matters. They need to walk away feeling that this journey with your company, though not without challenges, will be exciting and full of people willing to help along the way. If properly oriented, a new hire then has a reason to pursue knowledge that will aid in the day-to-day, rather than being inundated with it up front and out of context.

Christmas Angels, Pt 3

2011-12-23T18:08:00.001-05:00

It was the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001; hurricane Katrina in 2005; the deaths of Osama bin Laden and Steve Jobs in 2011—each acting as a perfect example of the kind of historic events which have marked us in this generation. These events will live on in our mental rewinds: “Do you remember where you were and what you were doing the moment you first learned about....” Interestingly enough, I first heard about the deaths of both bin Laden and Steve Jobs via that little winged electronic messenger we know and love as Twitter. In fact, I've become so accustomed to receiving my “breaking news” via Twitter and Facebook, that I struggle to remember what it was like when we had to depend on printed documents such as newspapers and magazines. Even more perplexing is the thought of having to depend on news spreading via human messengers traveling only at the speed of a horse, one person at a time. Today, the first person to break a story is only separated from the masses of follow-ups by fractions of a second around the globe. Truly remarkable when you stop to think it through. If nothing else, it certainly adds some context to the message of our third and final Christmas angel.

The scene itself is also critical. It makes the perfect mental rewind:

“So me and my buddies were out in the fields watching the sheep. It was a dark, cold night; little moonlight and few visible stars. We could hear the wolves howling in the distance, which added to the creepy factor. Most shepherds didn't work at this time of year. We were the 'lucky ones' I suppose, but it was tough, smelly, long work. And fighting off hungry predators was not our favorite past time. I suppose you could say we were all a little tense. When we looked up and an angel of the Lord was standing near us, I literally thought I was going to die. I've never been so scared in all my life.”

Whether you find”camping in the wilderness” to be peaceful, creepy, or sometimes a little of both, one thing is sure—any unexpected guests would probably scare the pants off you, too. And if that unexpected visitor happens to be from another dimension, well … terrified probably doesn’t even begin to describe how you might feel! Luke 2 says that when the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds “they were absolutely terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news’” (v. 10). Have you ever tried to get the attention of someone who was in a state of hysteria or utter panic? Yea, it was probably like that. The angel had to assure them they were safe and get them to calm down and focus. I'm sure it would have been even worse had I been one of the shepherds.

And that's how the biggest news in the history of all mankind was delivered. Not via Twitter, newspaper, or a horse-bound messenger. It was delivered by heavenly messenger to a bunch of scared, stinky shepherds who rarely ever got to hear the latest news about anything. And what exactly was this message? Simple. “Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord” (v. 11).

In other words, Jesus is here!

No matter what situation you may find yourself in, no matter how dark or depressing the nightly news of your life, God Himself has some Good News for you: Jesus is here! He’s the savior who can deliver you from evil. He’s the Christ who is anointed to give you eternal life. And He is the Lord who will guide you every step of your way if you’ll let him.

That's what I call good news. My honest prayer is that this message will mark you for all eternity.

Christmas Angels, Pt 1
Christmas Angels, Pt 2

The Things We Do for Love

2011-12-12T17:27:00.000-05:00

Camille Hayton was a long way from home. Born in Australia, she had recently moved to New York City to take an internship with Black Book magazine. While the internship was going well, an apartment fire had forced Camille to do a lot of things differently. For one, it forced her to use the subway a lot more often. And on Sunday, November 4, she was taking the #5 train from Union Station to Bowling Green. During the trip, she journaled in her diary, trying to make sense of how her life had changed. What she didn’t know was that Patrick Moberg was on that same train. And Patrick was smitten.

He was sure that this mysterious brunette with rosy cheeks and fancy braided hair (with a flower in the back left) was the girl of his dreams. Unfortunately, Patrick didn’t have the nerve to introduce himself. Before he knew it, she was gone.

But Patrick isn’t a quitter, he’s just shy. So he built a website to help his cause: www.nygirlofmydreams.com. A talented illustrator, Patrick drew a detailed picture of himself and Camille and enlisted the help of eight million New Yorkers to help him find her. Eventually, a friend and coworker at Black Book saw the site and sent Patrick an email with a picture to confirm his suspicions. It was her! The friend then told Camille. Meanwhile, Good Morning America got wind of the story and arranged a meet-up. In Patrick’s words, they “totally clicked.” The next day the two were on the show and ended up dating.

So, what happened to Camille and Patrick? The story is out there, but, as Patrick says, “I loved the idea of people making their own endings to our unusual story.”

The world is full of crazy love stories. But perhaps the most inspiring are the day-to-day acts of love that we have an opportunity to show to those around us. And what better time of year to show love and kindness than during the Christmas season?

May your Christmas be filled with kindness and love—coming and going—and may that love inspire you to do great things in 2012.

The Medi(s)care Zone

2011-11-18T10:32:00.001-05:00

Every so often, a project comes along that allows you the freedom to be truly creative. That was the case with this project I developed for a large long-term care organization back in February 2010.

The Clinical division had a proprietary process that they had developed over the years to ensure that Medicare claims were properly documented and filed. The trouble was that the turnover in healthcare is so high, keeping everyone on the same page concerning that critical process was almost impossible. I was asked to build an eLearning course that associates could access any time which would help continually educate the ever-changing workforce. In a brainstorming session, I came up with the idea of doing a spoof of the Twilight Zone. The client loved it! I immediately developed a cursory plot and some story-board graphics for how the plot would teach the basics already determined by the client. Working with an award-winning media team, a script was written and we were off to the races. I developed all of the graphics, the user interface, portions of the script designed for voice-over work, and everything that goes along with the educational content and flow of the course itself. As you can see, I wanted a working, vintage TV set, which was no small feat using Lectora and a heavily restricted distribution network.

Tens of thousands of employees nationwide have viewed the training and it continues to receive rave reviews even today. More importantly, the patented process is now being followed more closely than ever, resulting in a significant ROI for the client.

MEN: Three Simple Rules for An Awesome Facial Hair Experience.

2011-11-04T14:55:00.000-04:00

In case you haven't noticed, facial hair is all the rage right now. No-Shave November. Movember. For those of us who've been in the beard and mustache wearing biz for many years (over 25 for me), we say it's long overdo. In fact, maybe that's what wrong with our country: We haven't had a president with facial hair since the early 1900s (credit Honest Abe with starting the trend in the 1860s). Anyway, I digress.
If you are serious about being a part of the facial hair phenomenon, here are some tips--no, strike that--rules that you must follow for everyone's safety:

Get a Stiff Upper Lip. Listen, if you aren't either a real cowboy or in a motorcycle gang, trim your mustache. Personally, I never have understood the desire to grow your mustache until it covers the upper lip. It's a hygiene issue. Food on the mustache is just an unacceptably low standard. However, if you choose to violate this rule of hygiene, at least make sure that the mustache is properly groomed (meaning all the same length while covering your upper lip). Come on man, take some pride in your 'stache.
Neck Beards Are Not Okay. Even certified rebels such as cowboys and bikers don't often violate this rule. You are not a caveman. Beards are an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10, but too much of anything is still too much. Beards were meant for the face. Shave your neck. Every day.
Don't Ignore Those Face Deserts. There is no shame in having a region of your face that is barren. It happens to the best of us. But pretending that it has hair doesn't make the hair magically grow in those deserts. Instead, experiment with a style and technique that makes the desert blend in naturally. If you are new to facial hair (or have never really given your pride much thought), you may be surprised to know that there are many ways to show off your whiskers. Take a look at sites such as http://www.beards.org/ or http://www.worldbeardchampionships.com/ for inspiration.

I leave you with a few words of wisdom:

"We have now for many centuries triumphed over nature to the extent of making certain secondary characteristics of the male (such as the beard) disagreeable to nearly all the females--and there is more in that than you might suppose." --C.S. Lewis

"There is always a period when a man with a beard shaves it off. This period does not last. He returns headlong to his beard." --Jean Cocteau

"Kissing a man with a beard is a lot like going to a picnic. You don't mind going through a little bush to get there!" --Minnie Pearl

Shaped by God

2011-10-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

A few millenia ago when I was working with youth pastors, I wrote an article that really summed up my "belief" about God's manner of discipling us:

“Wanna know what life was like for me growing up? Watch Flipper. That was me . . . only I had a dog instead of a dolphin. I learned to water-ski when I was seven. I learned to sail at eight. I got my first boat when I was in the fifth grade. And I also had a horse. I went everywhere either by water or by horse. If the sun was shining, I was outside. Once I got older, it drove my dad crazy. He’d say, ‘When are you going to start thinking about your career?’ My answer was, ‘Oh, when I’m about thirty-five.’ That’s pretty much the way it happened.”

Eric Partin’s love for the outdoors was one of the definitive characteristics of his ministry to students. Just ask Chris, the 21-year-old worship leader who has worked with Eric since age thirteen.

“Pastor Eric has been like a father to me, really. He’s spent a lot of time with me over the years. He taught me how to surf, how to snowboard, and how to windsurf. He was with me the first time I ever saw snow and the first time that I saw the mountains.”

One of the key lessons Eric learned over fourteen years of youth ministry was that in order to really impact someone’s life, you have to spend time with them. So he used his love for the outdoors to give him the time he needed.

“I’ve taken my leaders on trips every year. We go snow-skiing, sailing, boating, hiking, surfing . . . whatever.” He once took a group of tenth graders to Moab for a biking/hiking/kayaking excursion. “It gives us a chance to learn to trust one another at a much deeper level than I can accomplish in a leadership training session.”

Eric is now a successful senior pastor in Florida’s panhandle, but his ministry style hasn’t changed a whole lot: “Looking back, it is easy to see how God used my experiences to shape my life and ministry.”

In times like these, when the future seems so uncertain, it's easy to forget that God is both in control and that He has a plan for you. And according to the Scriptures, that plan has been in place for quite some time. If you look hard enough, you can see the unbreakable thread that runs through your life, the thread with God's fingerprints all over it. Do yourself a favor and surrender to God and His care today.

Welcome!

2011-08-21T14:01:00.000-04:00

To this weekend's (quarter million?) new @HP Touchpad owners, I'd like to extend a warm and sincere welcome to the #WebOS community.

For those like myself who have been WebOS users since day one (June 2009!), it is an experience like no other (trials and tribulations notwithstanding). Hopefully, over the course of the coming weeks, you'll come to understand why we are so passionate about this platform. HP's loss is your gain. And with the strength of our new numbers, we should be able to convince developers to continue working to bring new (as well as porting pre-existing) apps to the catalog.

As a newcomer, you no doubt have many questions. I highly recommend you bookmark the following sites as they are the community experts on all things WebOS. I've listed the web address and the Twitter handle for you:

@webOSroundup -- http://www.webosroundup.com/

@precentral -- http://www.precentral.net/

Again, welcome to the community. Long live WebOS!

We Like Your Donuts

2011-08-10T18:18:00.000-04:00

Four years ago I sold my home and left “the most magical place on earth” (Orlando, FL) for one reason: I missed Cleveland, TN. My wife and I both came here as Lee students in the late 80s and were away for many years. It didn’t take long for the idea of “someday moving back to Cleveland” to enter our hearts. Coming back to Cleveland felt like coming home. It’s a great place to raise a family. But I’m not just another person who fell in love with Cleveland. I’m also a homeschooling dad who proudly supports our local school system with both my tax dollars and my donations to various fund-raisers. Bradley County, in my opinion, has some of the finest teachers in the country. Many of them are my friends and I admire them for the hard work and sacrifice they make each day for the children and families of this community.

So, if what I just said is true, then it certainly raises at least two questions:

Why am I homeschooling?
Why am I engaged in this specific conversation before the Board of Education?

The answer to the first question is complex, though certainly not complicated. As with each family in Bradley County with school-age children, our family made educational choices based strictly on our own personal goals and values. Like I said, complex, though not complicated. One family chooses Walker Valley, another Bradley, and still another Cleveland. A fourth chooses private education. A fifth chooses homeschooling. Each choice is both legally and culturally acceptable. Each choice is also extremely personal, a fact which few would dare deny or attempt to interfere with. We all love our children and make choices based on that love. And just because one family believes the educational opportunities through choice A is “better” than choice B does not make the choice a fact. It simply reinforces how personal the choice is. Our family chose homeschooling more than 12 years ago and we are both proud of and committed to our choice, just as those who choose from the options within the Bradley County public school system are proud of and committed to their choices.

The answer to the second question is also not complicated, at least as I understand it (admittedly, I’m a pretty simple southern boy, so the point could be debated).

Imagine, if you will, that you had founded a Breakfast Club here in Bradley County. Due to certain regulations that were out of your control, every citizen of Bradley County was required to pay annual dues. For this payment, your Breakfast Club offered “free” coffee, donuts, and fruit. The Johnson family takes advantage of this every morning. So do the Williams’. But the Smith family discovered they could make coffee at home that had a slightly different flavor (with the same caffeine content, of course). This flavor appealed to the Smiths, so they chose not to stop by the Breakfast Club each morning. The Smiths also discovered they they could get the fruit they like out of their own backyard. But as time went along, the Smiths realized that they simply could not make their own donuts. They lacked the experience and the resources. So they decided that they would alter their morning routine and begin picking up donuts each morning from the Breakfast Club. At least, that was the plan. Unfortunately, Mr. Johnson, who runs the Breakfast Club, feels that if the Smiths do not also want the coffee and fruit, they should not be allowed to have the donuts either.

Homeschooling families do not deny that the coffee and fruit of the Bradley County public school system is excellent and loved by many. They’ve simply made a different choice that better suits the dreams, goals, and values of their individual families. And because they contribute the same annual dues (taxes) as every other family (and because the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association deemed it to be an acceptable request), homeschooling families simply want to be given the same access to Bradley County public school system's exceptional athletics program to which every other tax-paying, law-abiding citizen has access.

In simpler words, we like your donuts. We can’t make them ourselves. We’re just asking for fair and reasonable access that does not penalize us because of our academic (coffee and fruit) preferences.

I recognize that this is a lot to digest. Should the Bradley County Board of Education graciously agree to permit homeschooled children to participate in athletics programs, it also seems clear that there will be both administrative and regulatory issues that will have to be dealt with in a timely manner. However, I am confident of the Board's ability to meet those issues head on and to handle them with fairness and grace. I am also encouraged to know that there are literally hundreds of other local school systems around the country who have made this step and who have gathered an impressive array of best practices from which to glean wisdom and insight.

Thank you for what you do for the citizens of Bradley County. I am proud to be part of the Cleveland, TN family.

Blessings!

Eric Wilbanks

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

2011-05-10T11:24:00.001-04:00

Times are tough all over. Unemployment is high, and many people around the country are struggling to make ends meet. But despite how bleak things may look for some, what we are now experiencing doesn’t even comeclose to the conditions during the Great Depression of the 1930s. One simple example makes this point vividly clear: bread lines.

In New York’s Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, there is a bronze casting created by sculptor George Segal titled Depression Bread Line, which “depicts five men in shabby trench coats and hats standing in line in front of a brick wall and doorway. . . . The five individuals, hunched over in downcast isolation, await their rations of food, playing out an all-too-familiar scene from the Great Depression” (www.mmoca.org). The scene is described as “both heartbreakingly private and unsentimentally public.”

In 1931, lyricist E. Y. “Yip” Harburg and composer Jay Gorney wrote what is probably the bestknown American song of the Great Depression called “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” Many artists have recorded this song over the years, but perhaps the most well-known version was recorded by Bing Crosby. The song is truly an anthem of the era, as it echoes the probing questions of those whose blood, sweat, and tears built the nation yet found themselves abandoned and desolate, waiting in bread lines:

They used to tell me I was building a dream,
with peace and glory ahead; Why should I be
standing in line, just waiting for bread? Once
I built a railroad, I made it run, made it race
against time. Once I built a railroad; now it’s
done. Brother, can you spare a dime?

For those who lived through this period, a piece of bread often meant the difference between life and death. And while we might not quite be at this stage in America, throughout the country we have homeless shelters and soup kitchens that are full of people living in extreme conditions. While it’s true that some may just be looking for a hand-out, many more are really looking for a hand up—for someone to help them get out of their situation.

It makes me think of the many who have lost family, homes, and every material good during the recent string of disastrous tornadoes that ripped across Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. I challenge you to find someone in need and figure out a way to help. No, you don't have to be the only source of help. That's a burden few can bear. But you can be one among many. And even if all you can do is the equivalent of a dime in the 1930s, that's a perfectly acceptable gift to those in dire need.

Obedience Training

2011-05-02T10:26:00.000-04:00

I love animals . . . so long as they are not in my house, that is. But to watch animals either in the wild, at a zoo, or on TV has always amazed me. I am especially intrigued by animals that have been trained to do incredible tricks. I lived in Orlando for almost nine years and my favorite theme park was Seaworld. If you’ve ever seen any of the shows at Seaworld, you cannot help but be awed by the collaboration between man and marine life: a human riding on the nose of a killer whale; a dolphin sailing out of the water like a rocket through a hula hoop. I even saw a show at Seaworld once that featured a bunch of rescued animals (including birds and cats) performing a massive variety of stage tricks. It was truly amazing.

And then there are the plethora of talk shows which feature amazing pet tricks—like a Jack Russell terrier that jumps rope, a goldfish that can score soccer goals, and a mini pig that plays the xylophone! Don’t believe me? The videos are all on YouTube. And lest you feel inclined to dismiss these amazing feats, let me ask you how many cool tricks your pet can perform. I’d personally be pleased if I could teach my dog not to destroy every object upon which she can get her teeth.

I often wonder how many hours of training it takes to get to that level. Even more curious is the process involved and the discipline it must take on behalf of the trainers to teach these obedience tricks to animals. Hours upon hours of patient instruction. Makes you wonder how God must feel as He continues to work with us, probably wondering why such simple acts of obedience sometimes seem so difficult for us to grasp.

Is there a particular command or principle in Scripture that seems to continuously give you problems? Do you ever feel that maybe God loses patience with you concerning this issue? Obedience is both a foundational and, sometimes, elusive concept in Christianity. If you need some inspiration, take a look at the Old Testament story of Ruth—a story of both courage and obedience under trying circumstances. I know for myself, any insight I can gain is always helpful.

Harry Potter and the Empty Tomb

2011-04-25T10:16:00.018-04:00

How would you feel if you were to find out that the resurrection of Jesus was somehow a hoax, or at least a misunderstanding?

In his book, Philosophia Christi, Gary R. Habermas responds to some “suggested alternative scenarios” posed by Dale Allison concerning Jesus’s resurrection. You can read part of the response at www.garyhabermas.com, but for now, here’s a quick look at some of those alternative scenarios:

Veridical Apparitions—This is just a fancy way of saying that what everyone witnessed was a ghost. And while there are some intriguing biblical examples of apparitions as well as some global fascination with ghosts (and thus many claims of having seen one or more), none of these experiences, real or imagined, have the qualities associated with Jesus’ post resurrection appearances.

Sorcery—Yes, you read correctly. Some have suggested that a sorcerer/necromancer stole Jesus’ body. Given the fact that Egypt’s sorcerers were able to perform some pretty nifty tricks (albeit inferior compared to those of Moses), the theory does make for a riveting fictional plot for, say, a new Harry Potter book (Harry Potter and the Empty Tomb, anyone?).

The Truly Shocking—Both Allison and Habermas find these theories comical, but they are, nonetheless, actual theories. First, there’s the idea that Jesus’ dead body simply turned to dust and blew away. Another states that an aftershock from the Crucifixion earthquake opened up a crack in the earth and swallowed Jesus’ body, then resealed itself without a trace. And let’s not forget those who say aliens abducted Jesus’ corpse, inserted a new brain, and created a “better body” for Him.

Despite the foolishness of these theories, they do raise an important question: Is the Resurrection story, as presented in God’s Word, critical to the Christian faith? If someone were to say to you, “What does it matter” how would you respond?

Must Read: A Collection of Easter Thoughts from Twitter & Facebook

2011-04-23T11:24:00.000-04:00

Here are some of the best thoughts I've run across. May you be as challenged, stretched, and inspired as I have been.

Joe Long (via Facebook):

"And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Nevertheless I must walk to day, and tomorrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem" (Luke 13: 32-33).

Herod is a "fox", who thinks he's king of his own kingdom and making the important decisions and scheming the schemes for himself, just as we think we're "in charge" and doing important things...but the Lord has him in derision. "Tell him he can kill me when I have TIME to let him kill me; I'm busy right now." (Elsewhere He declares, "I lay down (my life) myself; no man takes it from me.")

"Fox" is also a bit sarcastic; it's more "he thinks he's pretty slick", than any suggestion that he really is.

Pharisees were the ones warning Christ of the death plot. They get a bad rap - but many of the greatest leaders of the Church were drawn from among the Pharisees. Pharisees were serious people, scholars and "seekers", prone to grievous errors but also sometimes profound insights - and Jesus loved them enough to confront and chasten them, over and over and over again.

The irony, indeed the black humor, of vs. 23 is not what we expect from the blue-eyed, curly haired character from the Sunday School paintings, who's always holding a lamb. "I've got three days of hard travel ahead, but after all, prophets HAVE to be martyred in Jersualem!" That's the Man I want to follow - not the smiley cartoon caricature

Jonathan Grubbs (via Facebook):

When Jesus said, "It is finished!" on the cross, it wasn't simply a statement referring to the end of His suffering or the end of his life. The Greek word Jesus spoke here is tetelestai, a legal term of His time that means "paid in full." The payment that was required for the sins of the world past, present and future was "paid in full" by Jesus that day on the cross!

James P Bowers (via Twitter):

The darkness before the dawn.

Athena Buckner Davis (via Facebook):

This night must've been the darkest night... so full of fear and emptiness... so devoid of hope... I wonder what it must've felt like for them, not knowing that Sunday was coming? I wonder how many in the world right now feel that way? I wonder why we aren't falling over ourselves to tell them about Sunday?

Leonard Sweet (via Twitter):

Holy Saturday, aka “the longest day,” is when Jesus’ mission moves from the tomb into dark womb of the earth.

Rob Alderman (via Facebook):

Death took a bite and said, "Hey... There's something different about this guy. I suddenly don't feel so good."

Kevin Trowbridge (via Twitter):

Will you follow or unfollow? Now is the time to decide.

King James

2011-04-18T10:08:00.001-04:00

Basketball fans know him as “King James.”

Lebron James was already being hailed as a future NBA superstar when he was a sophomore in high school. At age 18 he signed a contract with Nike and then became the number one draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers straight out of high school. He was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003 and led the Cavs to consecutive NBA playoffs from 2006 to 2010. And then came the time to exercise his free agency. That’s when all Hades broke loose in the King James world. BleacherReport.com columnist Aaron Green probably summarized it best for Cavs fans everywhere:

“For months, I had anticipated an emotional press conference where James would say how much he loved Cleveland and the Cavaliers organization. He would tell Cavs fans everywhere that he came to Cleveland intending to bring the city its highly sought-after title, and he’s not going anywhere until that’s accomplished.”

There was a press conference. But it wasn’t at all what Cavs fans had expected. They were hoping that King James would be the NBA savior who pulled them out of a 46-year drought. Instead, James announced on national TV, “I’m going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat . . . I feel like it’s going to give me the best opportunity to win and to win for multiple years, and . . . to win championships.”

Ouch. To be fair, “saving” the Cavs was a tough cross to take up for a rising superstar, but James did it. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the courage or motivation to stick with it until the end. Given the chance, James chose to come down from that cross and take what many fans considered to be the easy way out by signing with the Miami Heat.

Whether you are a basketball fan or not, I’d like to hear your opinion on the decision by Lebron James: Do you think he made the right move? More importantly, what crosses have you had to bear in your own life (could be “good” or “bad” crosses)? Were you able to bear them until the end, or did you find an easier way out?

Sometimes the crosses we bear are both unhelpful and fully deserved. Sometimes they are neither. I hope you've taken the time to reconsider the significance of the cross of Christ and of His willingness to endure that cross for us all.

A Toothless Gospel

2011-04-11T10:01:00.015-04:00

Not long ago I found myself in the middle of a difficult conversation with a very dear friend. The issue had to do with choices. My friend—against advice, good judgment, scriptural admonition, and old-fashioned pleading—had chosen to make some lifestyle changes that were clearly out of harmony with God’s Word. Well, I say “clearly”, but for my friend, things were no longer clear. His words to me were simple: “I’ve made my peace with God over this issue. I believe He loves me anyway, so I’ve chosen to stay on this path.”

I was heartbroken. I tried every argument I could think of to help my friend see the error of his ways. But it didn’t matter. Biblical arguments were met with less enthusiasm than a telemarketer’s phone call on a lazy afternoon. He had convinced himself that God was not concerned with the choices he made and that all that mattered was that he still believed in God and still believed God loved Him.

How is it that we, as the body of Christ, have come to trust so completely in a toothless gospel where choices lack consequences? How is it that our eyes have become so blind and our ears so deaf to the dual reality of truth and love? I thought long and hard about these questions in the days following my conversation with my friend. Honestly, I simply don’t have any clear or easy answers for these kinds of dilemmas.

Have you ever had one of those “difficult conversations” in which you couldn’t seem to help the other person see the truth (not an argument, but a genuine plea for caution and redirection)? Have you typically found it easy to balance the dual reality of truth and love, or does it seem that they are often at odds with one another?

In the end, I simply have to echo the heart of Joshua when he declared to the Israelites that, regardless of how others choose to live their lives, “I and my family will worship the Lord” (24:15). It may not always be easy or popular, but at some point, we all must make that choice, and the consequences reach all the way into eternity itself.