by chrisaiken | Jan 11, 2016 | America, culture, Devotions, Pastor's Reflections
Photo Credit: cbssports.com
Now I will be honest…at first attempt, I struggled with this article. I didn’t struggle as much over the subject as I did the title. The reason is…I am adamantly opposed to a participation trophy culture that rewards every effort as success…even poor effort. I think that the psychology behind handing every kid a trophy for showing up SOFTENS a society and removes theĀ seed of inner drive that propels people toward excellence.
At the same time…as we are less that 12 hours away for the CFP National Championship Game…I wrestle with the idea that one of the teams may be considered “losers” after the game. In my estimation, there can be no “losers” in the National Championship Game. Sure, someone is necessarily going to be crowned the champion because when the 60 minutes of game-clock expire, they will be recognized for having put the most points on the board; however, the other team is not a loser. They won repeatedly throughout the season and simply lost the final contest they appeared in. After all, they are still (I hope) the Crimson Tide of Alabama. They are still the “standard” in College Football to paraphrase Clemson’s head coach at the National Press Club event. š
This is true of football (I believe), but it is also true of any other aspects of life. Marriage, for instance, is not defined by the last 5 minutes. It should be defined by the whole. A “buzzard” of a husband is not absolved of his shenanigans simply because he brought a bouquet of flowers three minutes ago. At the same time, 27 years of successful marriage should not be eclipsed by one failure in the past 5 minutes. The fact is…a man could be a good husband who failed recently and still be a good husband.
It is also true of the Christian faith. When we look at the Apostle Peter, do we focus on his sinking when he walked on water toward Jesus? Do we zero in on his denial of Christ in the courtyard the night before Jesus’ death? Do we define him by the moment he doubted Jesus when told to lower his nets? Not if we are wise! If we are wise, we look at the totality of life and evaluate Peter in light of everything…from beginning to end. We take into account the fact that he left everything to follow Jesus. We consider that while he sank while walking on water…he did get out of the boat and walk on water by faith! We hone in on the reality that the faulty faith of Peter at his denial was measured against the fantastic faith of Peter that preached at Pentecost. We consider that someone else ( Jesus) valued Peter…He called Him…He consecrated Him…He restored Him…He empowered Him. How could we call Peter a loser? We could not…if we understand the Christian life.
Perhaps you have been considering your last great failure. Perhaps you came up a few points short in the game, fumbled the last opportunity to avoid a temptation, or blew it in a relationship. You could listen to the voices that recall only your latest failure…or you could “strap up” and get back in the game for one more series, one more quarter, or one more season. As a Christ-follower, you are not a failure. You are not a loser; even when you miss the mark, you are not a loser. Even when the devil wins a round, you are not a loser.
Victory in Christ is measured by the totality, not the last event of your journey. So, “strap up” and get back in the game. There’s another season, another opportunity, and a lot of clock left in the real contest of life. Make your NEXT Series, your best series!
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by chrisaiken | Jan 3, 2016 | Devotions, Uncategorized
In the world we live in, there are a number of ways we can choose to respond to any given situation. It seems that our culture today actually (if not secretly) desires a harsh tone in interaction. Take a “brash” character like the Presidential candidate, Donald Trump, who is lauded for his “straight talk” and adamant decision-making. His nemesis on the other side of the political spectrum, Bernie Sanders, is also extoled for the same reason.
I struggle believing that our culture REALLY wants this type of harsh and pointed discussion. I personally think people are just frustrated over the political calculating of office holders today…and this attraction to brashness is a bit of an overreaction. After all, do you really want someone who says to you: “Hey, don’t be stupid. You’re getting fat and that is costly to all of your neighbors!” Or… “Stop having babies. Use your brain! You can’t afford to support what you have and I shouldn’t have to pay for them for you!” Or finally, “What are you, ignorant? You need a wall to keep bad guys out. Stop coddling people who use ‘anchor babies’ to secure a right to free stuff!” (Do you really want people speaking of children as anchor babies? Seriously? Why not reintroduce other slurs into the discourse as well!)
Even if there were an element of truth to any part of these statements (which I am arguing neither FOR or AGAINST), the tone is rhetoric. You do not persuade people to change actions with this tone. You may shame some, but you cannot persuade a person to choose change by telling them they are stupid.
On the other end of the spectrum is a person who chooses to say only positive things. They follow the advise, “If you cannot say something nice, then do not say anything at all.” This is softer and sweeter, but equally as destructive. Failing to help people see their failed viewpoints, to help them change their outlook when they are in error is not kind. It may be nice…but it is certainly not kind. For example…You have a friend who moves from failed marriage to failed mariage. She approaches you on the third experience and says she thinks this is the “one.” You KNOW she has an issue with trust. It has been the downfall in all of the previous relationships but you choose to be nice. “Just pray for her,” you say. Is this nice? Perhaps…but it is certainly not kind. Not to her and not to her next husband. Instead, lovingingly and gently help her to see that she needs to get healing for the issues regarding trust. If she will not see, then the KIND thing to do is to present TRUTH with kindness. Present truth in a gentle way.
Here is the instruction Solomon gives pertaining to this:
“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3-4.
To default to one and exclude the other is to fall into disrepute with either God, man, or both.
So, Default Mode: Kindness and Truth. Marching orders for the day.
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by chrisaiken | Jan 2, 2016 | Devotions
Through the years, I have heard tons of “interesting” attempts to explain the realtionship of God with people. Some explain Him as a benevolent grandfather type who exists to hear stories about our day and give us ice cream even though it might spoil our dinner. Others see Him as a warden keeping order over the chain gang as we pick up trash or dig ditches that are assigned to us. Some see Him as the aloof uncle who barely knows what is going on. Still others think of God as a “cosmic concierge” who is waiting by the phone to deliver extra towels or to arrange a taxi or theater tickets upon our command.
In truth, God does delight in fellowship with us. He does bless us. He does instruct us in the tasks of the kingdom and he certainly is One we can call to arrange things that are beyond our ability to control. But He is more than these things. He is God. There is no real analogy to describe Him in relationship to us. We can only try to understand Him through the analagous relationship that He chooses to reveal to us. He is our Father.
I know this analogy breaks down for some…since they have pretty poor human models of fatherhood to draw on. Their fathers abandoned them, or failed to provide for them, or let them “get away with” everything. Their fathers, were never at home or were really ATM machines that simply doled out money when the right buttons were pushed.
A Father though, as revealed in Scripture ,serves as the Head of a clan, tribe,or people. Abraham, as his name became, was the “exalted father” of many nations. He is the origin of life for the children. He is the Provider. He is the Leader. He is the ultimate decision-maker. He is the one who determines inheritance. he is the safe place to return to. He is the “hub” of the family “wheel.” The Father is to be honored ALWAYS. He is the guardian of righteousness.
The Psalmist in Psalm 18 describes God with many words. Among the ideas presented are God as Provider and God as Empowerer. God not only provides for us as a “mother bird” forages and brings back nourishment to the nest for the baby birds, but He also teaches us to seek out and obtain our own nourishment. When needed, He forces us out of the nest so that we will choose to fulfill our destiny rather than merely existing to consume what He delivers for us to eat.
One thing that particularly spoke to me this morning was 18:3, Ā “I call upon the Lord,Ā who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” Yes, God empowers us to fulfill purpose but He is also near enough to see and hear us. He is close by to save us when we call on Him. The very nature of pursuing purpose involves us stretching beyond our comfort or ease. We literally go out on a limb…but when we fall, God saves us in RESPONSE to our Call.
Our calling on God is a statement of declared humility. Our refusal to call on Him is a statement of declared independence. He desires our dependence…therefore He demonstrates responsiveness to our humility…when we call.
Today…if needed…call. Call and experience His “salvation.” Honestly…if we are atuned to the realities of life…we recognize our necessary dependence on God at every moment of our existence…so our lives are necessarily a constant “call” to Him. As such, we experience a consistent reply from Him…to save us.
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by chrisaiken | Jan 1, 2016 | Devotions, Uncategorized
“The Lord is in His holy t
emple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence, His soul hates.” Psalm 11:4-5, NASB).
If the speed limit on a certain road is 55mph and you drive down that road at 65mph for 4 out of 5 days without getting a ticket…does that make your speed limt 65? Do your actions invalidateĀ the posted limit? What if you drove past a State Trooper and he did not pull you over…does this change the law?
Certainly not…but this is precisely the view man takes with God at times. We engage in a sin or a pattern of sins. At first…alarms go off in our heads telling us of our wrongdoing. We sense guilt and shame and even a sense of dread at our potential judgment. However, when we continue in sin and are not judged…it seems that we may assess this to mean that we have misunderstood the Law or, perhaps, God has given us a special measure of grace. These conclusions are baseless but they do speak to the enemy’s actions. Satan loves to polute the pure Word of God. He convinces us to dwell on certain passages that make us feel good or give us a misappropriated hope of gaining health, wealth, and prosperity. However, there are countless reminders and warnings throughout God’s Word of the consequences of our unrepentant lives.
Now we would smirk at the very thought of the example I used about speed limits…but we appropriateĀ that subtle logic in our own spiritual discipleship.
The Psalmist reminds us that God sees everything. He reminds us that when God closes His eyes (His eyelids test us), He is not unaware of our actions; rather, God is examining our character. He is exposing who we are when we think no one is looking. But GODĀ IS LOOKING and GOD NEVER OVERLOOKS our sin.
What if we paused before every action and asked if God is pleased in what He sees? I know that when I am driving, if I see a police officer I unconsciously lift my foot from the accelerator and look at the speedometer…even if I KNOW I am within the limits. I don’t want to be seen breaking the law.
Remember, God sees all. He judges righteously. He helps those who wrestle against the temptation to sin but He stores up wrath for those who refuse to repent (which means to seek forgiveness and turn from choosing sin). Those who trust Him experience the blessing of His power and presence for He is an ever-present help in times of need.
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by chrisaiken | Dec 31, 2015 | Devotions, Pastor's Reflections
In my reading and reflection time this morning, I read through Proverbs 31 for the gazillionth time. It is a powerful chapter with a number of facets but I tend to gravitate to the characteristics of the “excellent wife.” We will call her the P31 woman or “P31” for short.
This noble woman is affirmed here in this chapter by her husband and her children. She is acclaimed by her community. She is appreciated by those in her household (think of employees and those dependent on her). Her reputation affects all those around her…in other words, others are known in relation to her. [i.e. Once Jodi and I had children, we ceased to be “Chris and Jodi”in many circles; rather, we were known and “Dillon’s parents” or “Hayden’s parents.”]
When we “soak” (or meditate) in the chapter here, we see that P31 was not known for her beauty, though she may well have been gorgeous. She was not known for her academic achievement, her position paper on political situations, her wittiness, her number of IG (Instagram) of FB (Facebook) followers, or for her reign as the “homecoming queen” in high school. The source of her praise was her focus on others.
She was a hard worker. She was considered trustworthy by those who knew her best. Her character was strong (31:11). She was an encourager (31:11). She delighted in serving (31:12). She was innovative and industrious in providing for others (31:14). She was tenacious in her service to others (31:15). She was savvy in her business acumen and practiced “delayed gratification” choosing to reinvest her profits in long-term reward (31:16). She was strong physically as a stewardship of her health and her responsibility to serve (picture an athlete that trains to be able to perform on the court or the field) (31:17). She worked from early until late with delight (31:15,18,13). She was compassionate in her actions toward those who were in need (31:19).
The results of this lifestyle were evident to the careful observer. P31 had confidence in hard times because she had already provided well…when times were good (31:21-22). Her examplary life was a point of conversation among the people of her community (31:23). She recognizes the need and provides instruction to others in duplicating her attitude and activity for themselves (31:26).
Her children and her husband bless her. (Hold onto that because many people can earn praise from acquaintances…but praise from those who se you without your game-face on….that’s special stuff).
As we apply this, I am mindful of the ladies I have spoken with through the years who are intimidated by this picture. Some simply “idealize” the picture and act as if no woman has ever measured up. Some have attacked this as being “anti-women” as if it were a subtle attempt to subjugate the fairer sex. I SEE IT as a model for us to progressively and continually turn to, in order to evaluate and correct ourselves. I see it as a model for men and women. It is truly about being people of character, of hard work, and of service…people who are “others” oriented.
Jesus said it this was…”The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve…” (Matt 20:28).
Perhaps, if we were looking for a worthy “resolution” for 2016…we might resolve to be P31s in our world.
Grace and Peace as we anticipate new beginnings!
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