Looking Forward, Looking Back

As we approach the end of 2009, we naturally look back to the accomplishments of the year.  We recall the resolutions made at the beginning of the year that died an early death.  We remember those that became part of our daily routine.  We think about the things we tried to change but couldn't and the things that we should have changed but didn't.

The problem is that we sometimes dwell upon our failures instead of our accomplishments.  We consider what we resolved to do but could not complete.  We then become frozen in our thinking.  Our thoughts become focused on our inability to complete what we started.  We must not let that happen.  We must break ourselves free from those thoughts.  Until we do, we cannot move forward.

As we look to 2010, we will spend time considering resolutions and goals for the new year.  We will think about those things that we tried.  We will decide to retry some and let others go.  How will we decide which to retry and which to let go?  In making those decisions, we must pause to consider what we wish to accomplish.  What are our goals, our dreams, our aspirations.  In deciding what to do, we will inevitably look back.  We must, however, not dwell in the past.

Back to the Basics

As a pastor, Bible School teacher, and spiritual leader, I have read many books in my life.  But I must admit that none, except the Bible, have caused me to pause and consider the words printed on its pages as did Mark Batterson's new book, Primal.  This book is sub-titled "A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity."  It is that sub-title that made me stop and consider every page I read.

The book revolves around the Great Commandment:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Mark asks the question, "What does it really mean to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength?"  And in seeking the answer to this question, he takes the reader on a journey that explores the primal teachings of Christianity and challenges us out of our comfort zone.

In the style of writing that has become his trademark, Batterson draws upon stories from his own experience as well as physiology, astronomy, biochemistry, astrophysics, literature and history to propel the reader forward in his quest.  The journey is both intellectually stimulating and paradigmatically challenging.  I believe that it is nigh impossible to read this book and be unaffected.

In his engaging style, Mark urges the reader to unleash the creativity, the wonder, the compassion, the energy God gave them.  He encourages us to leave the comfortable, leave the traditional, and move toward the uncomfortable; to re-capture our child-like wonder of God, to embrace our right-brain creativity, and to worship God with ALL of our being--our thoughts, our emotions, our creativity, our intellect, our humor, our wonder, our energy.  Our ENTIRE being should be used, and focused, in our worship of the God of the universe.

With a new year approaching, many will make resolutions regarding lifestyle changes.  I highly encourage you to read Mark's book first.  Then make your resolutions.  I believe your life will never be the same.

You can purchase Mark's book here.

Traditions

In today's installment of this year's Advent Series Silent Night, we explored the sign given the shepherds.  The angel told the shepherds that a Savior was born in Bethlehem.  They were told to look for the baby Jesus in a manger, wrapped in cloths.  This is not were one would expect to find a king...or the Messiah.  But this is where the angel told the shepherds to look.  Not in the ordinary places one would expect to find a newborn baby--especially a King.

God specifically gave direction to the shepherds because they would be looking for a king to be born in a palace...or at least laying in a crib.  If Messiah was born, surely He would be in comfortable surroundings.  It would never cross their minds to look for the Messiah in a barn, laying in a manger.  God HAD to given them explicit direction.

We are no different today.  Our traditions have bound us to one way to do things.  There is only one way to sing in church.  There is only one way to present the truth of God.  There is only one way to worship God.

Maybe it is time we listen to what God is telling us; maybe we are so focused on the trail of tradition that we are missing the new path God is blazing.

Challenging Thoughts

I am presently reading Mark Batterson's new book Primal. My review of the book will be up next week, but I could not let some initial thoughts pass.

I was barely into the book before I was hit between the eyes. On page 3, Mark wonders "if the accumulated layers of Christian traditions and institutions have unintentionally obscured what lies beneath.". A powerful statement. A challenging statement.

As we celebrate another Christmas, as we close another year and look expectantly to 2010, let us reconsider what it truly means to call ourselves Christian. If we are to be "Christ-like", should we pay attention to what He said and not tradition?

Communication: Staying in Touch

Yesterday, I spent part of the morning working on the phone lines at the church.  We had lost dial tone on the phones and was about to call the phone company.  I just happened to be in the furnace room where the electric and phone lines enter the building.  Looking at the phone line, I spied the problem.  A splice had been torn apart.

Everyone understands that for current to pass through a wire, it needs to be intact.  There can be no interruptions in the system.  This is where the problem lay.  The electrical signals could not pass through the splice because the splice had been torn apart--there was no connection.

Our lives are similar.  The relationships in our lives are like splices in the phone cable.  As long as the splices are in good repair; as long as our relationships are in good repair, the connections hold and communication takes place.  The connections must be sound for communication to happen.

The splice in the phone cable was torn apart by outside forces.  The forces were stronger than the joint, and the splice fell apart.  When that happened, communication ceased.  Likewise in our relationships, outside forces pull at them.  We must ensure that the splices that hold us together are strong.  Looking at them on a regular basis is a good idea.

During the holidays, there are many stressors in our lives.  Do not let a joyous occasion become detrimental to a relationship.  Take time to relax.  Take time to invest in your relationships. Take time to examine the "splices" of your relationships.  Repair the splices and enjoy the communication.