DoxA

Eat! You’re a Growing Boy

I’ve shared this before, but some of the best memories I have growing up is sitting at my grandmother’s kitchen table and eating. She was (I know you’ll debate this because everyone has a grandmother) the greatest cook in the world! I would look forward to having dinner at my grandma’s house. It was always festive and met with surprise. Often after a meal at grandma’s it wouldn’t be uncommon for everyone to feel miserable… in the good sort of way, if there is such a thing, because we were all stuffed to capacity. The adults used to stay at the table while us youngens would tramp off to the great outdoors for some time to play before it was bedtime. Oh, how we stayed thin and ohhhhh, how the grownups got fat!

By far, one of the most successful and prosperous industries in the world today is the diet industry. From self-help books and tapes to meal supplements and plans, diet gurus feverishly promote their products and ideas. But if you ask any of them what the keys to a fruitful and healthy life are, they will undoubtedly tell you that it’s more than just dieting. You’ve got to get up at some point and exercise.

The same is true when it comes to spiritual health. Yes, we must feed on the word of God. And the church is the table where we come to get fed. But if all we do is eat and eat and eat, then eventually our spiritual stomachs will grow so big, so fat, that we won’t be able to move.

Feeding on the word of God has a purpose beyond filling our minds with biblical knowledge and theological truths. The nourishment from that food is the very thing that provides us with the fuel to get out and serve others. True spiritual maturity is all about pushing away from the table and exercising—it’s about doing the will of God, not just hearing what his will is.

Remember that the will of God is that we each do his will. Don’t grow complacent in simply feeding on the word of God. Take what you learn, push away from the table, and use that food to exercise and serve others.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

I have known many people in my days as a part-time fitness instructor to ask for the secret to staying thin. When I tell them it’ll take hard work and not only the right amount of food but the proper types of food, they say it’s too hard. “Too hard!?” I think. “What’s harder?” I say, “Growing older not able to do all the things you take for granted now or enjoying all the things you enjoy now and insuring you’ll still be able to do them later by exercising a little now?” that alone usually doesn’t illicit a committed response but adding this perspective does… think about your kids and the people you love. Are you willing to sacrifice a little comfort now to insure you’ll be around for the people who need you? You see we may take the attitude, “Well, if I don’t exercise the only one who’s hurting is me,” but if we see our life has a greater effect we may chose otherwise.

This is why it’s important to think of God’s Word, our bread, as nourishment that needs to be shared. It’s why we must push away from the table and exercise our faith… we must do and not just listen!

• Have you looked in the mirror for no purpose?
• Why did you look?
• How do you feel when you’re not looking like you desire to look?
• What’s your attitude toward making the hard choices to change?
• What are the mirrors in your life, revealing what you should fix?
• How have you been a “listener” or observer and not done what you know you should?
• What examples can you think of when you saw others walk away unchanged from things you see they need to fix?
• Can you identify the top thing in your life right now you know you should fix but resist?
• What proactive things can you do today to start?
• How often should go to the mirror and check progress for your change?
• Who or what do you need to do to push away from the table to experience life change?

“Eat! You’re a growing boy!” Not a bad problem to have at some time in your life. It’s sounds good when you’re fourteen and sprouting lanky limbs and facial hair… not something you want to hear when you’re forty-five and on the last notch of your belt. Unfortunately, the problem comes from getting to the last notch… you ask the question; “How did I get here?”

But you know… deep down, you know.

Not Another Bite!

Last week I made a reference to an old Monty Python sketch and it just happens that the first thought that came into my head after this morning's message, at Twin Oaks Church, is another classic sketch from a Monty Python movie.

This sketch shows an enormous man eating enormous amounts of food. After completely, and grotesquely eating, what would amount to everything in the restaurant, the man declares he is done with his meal by stating he can not eat another bite. The waiter on the other hand encourages him to have a dinner mint... "Not another bite," the extremely overweight man confers. But the waiter will have nothing of it and insists the man enjoy a wafer-thin, hardly noticeable mint. This back and forth continues until, you guessed it, he takes the dinner mint. But when he said, "Not another bite!" he wasn't kidding! The next several minutes are what I remember as some of the most gross and hideous minutes of film making ever. Comical because of the exaggeration of someone so big, eating so much and getting to the verge of vomiting gallons upon gallons of food that a dinner mint could cause such destruction (the restaurant was destroyed).

Jesus, tempted by the devil in the wilderness, was asked to turn stones into bread. His response was to recite an old verse he must have learned in Sunday School when he was going about his Father's business. "The scriptures say... 'People do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the Father.'"  Matt. 4:4

It's interesting that Jesus refers to himself as the "Bread of Life" (John 6:3), and let's us know that "He and the Father are one," (John 10:30) and that "when he speaks the Father is speaking" (John 14:10) and quickly adds that when we believe in him, we will say even greater things than him." (John 14:12).

So, why aren't we saying anything?

I believe it's because we are still sitting at the table feasting on the bread of life; not a bad thing, until it becomes gluttony. We've convinced ourselves we need more food... another Bible study, expository preaching, teaching CD's and book after book after book. Again, nothing wrong with this if you're going to use this nourishment. But unfortunately, what this does is produce over nourished and under utilized, extremely overweight Christians who find it hard to push away from the table and who have no energy to do anything except take a nap!

Ask any nutritionist, doctor, or trainer, “What are the keys to a long and healthy life?” and the two most common responses you get will be, “A healthy diet and regular exercise.” We’re taught at an early age to focus on diet and exercise in order to enjoy a long life. But proper diet and exercise can do much more than just benefit our physical bodies. We have to concentrate on a healthy diet and regular exercise to thrive spiritually speaking, as well.

The church is the table where we come in order to get fed. It’s where we find our healthy diet. But too many of us come to church with the me-istic attitude of, “Feed me,” and we forget the exercise part. We expect to find the food, the fuel that is necessary to survive in our own little world. But what we do with the food is just as important as the food itself. We have to be willing to push away from the table, to get outside of our comfort zones, and exercise.

A healthy Christian life is characterized by regular exercise, not just a healthy diet. As you go through this week, make it a point to live out what you have digested. Don’t just eat and eat and eat. Instead, push out from the table and take the food, the very Bread of Life to those around you who are starving.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15

This week... What samples are you preparing to hand out to hungry people? What can you do to present the bread of life to folks who are walking through the "food court of life" trying anything to satisfy a craving?

• When was the last time you invited anyone to the table?
• Why is preparation so important?
• What are you doing to push away from the table and exercises your faith?
• Who in your life do you know can use just a sample of the Bread of Life?
• When was the last time you handed out a sample?
• What was the response?
• Did it encourage or discourage you?
• What would you do differently?
• What's the benefit of being consistently inconsistent?

One final thought about our humongous man at the table... he was the only one sitting there. You can fill in the details as to why but no one likes to eat with a pig. I'm not trying to be rude by stating that; but it's true.

The church is the table where people come to be fed.

I like eating. But I don't want to get out of shape. Likewise, I want to prepare meals whereby people will say, "Wasn't that delicious today?" But I also don't want people to get overweight with the food we put on the table. So, let's exercise and let's reach out with samples so others will come to the table. And when they come... let's make sure there's enough to go around.

More on that... next week.

Read Between the Lines

I’ve tried to read between the lines. Have you? But when I looked between the lines I didn’t see anything. Take this very blog post for instance; do you see anything between the lines of script? No… nothing but white space that doesn’t say or refer to anything. So, why do we say, “Read between the lines?” Is there some age, old secret that very few, enlightened individuals know and occasionally let slip off their tongues in a moment of weakness? I don’t think so. There’s no, “Ah-hah!” moment when looking between two lines of writing suddenly a hidden text appears like those posters that used to be in the malls where you would stare at for minutes and eventually the Empire State building pops out at you! “I see it, I see it!” people would say. “Don’t you see it?” I’d lean over, “Uhhh… nope.”

Reading between the lines was never meant to be taken literally. Reading between the lines is a figurative manner of speaking.

(By the way… side note here: Have you noticed how many folks will use the word “literally” when they mean “figuratively?” Example: Two guys are talking and one is telling the other about crashing his car into a light pole causing a lot of damage, requiring expensive repairs he can not afford and the loss of using his car for quite some time; he tells his buddy, “I can’t believe I literally wrapped my car around a pole and ran into so much trouble!” But we think if we use the word “literally” it emphasizes the point. Truth is he literally didn’t wrap his car around a pole or anything else for that matter nor did he run into trouble. He literally crashed his car and is having to deal with the trouble caused by the consequences of such an act. But I digress…)

Reading between the lines is to take into account things that are not said or written and deal with those things which are implied.

I love that old Monty Python sketch where two guys are talking and one is asking the other about his wife… before the other man is able to answer, like his wife enjoying photography, the other interrupts with, “Snap snap, grin grin, wink wink, nudge nudge, know whatcha mean, say no more.”

What make this sketch so funny is that we, the viewers, can relate to never truly getting the picture… no pun intended. We know, all too often, how we jump to conclusions when it comes to other people and act like we understand what they’re going through or dealing with in life… “Ahhh, know whatcha mean, say no more, say no more!”

Have you ever had one of those times when you’ve been sharing with a person something difficult in your life and that person says, “I understand” and then either starts blabbing about how tough they’ve had it or say’s nothing at all and changes the subject? It makes you want to puke. Don’t say you understand and do nothing to help. For me it’s frustrating to watch a person poor out their heart to another person and he or she then uses that as an excuse to throw their own pity party! That’s not reading between the lines, that’s looking for an opportunity to be arrogant.

Consider what Peter says about those of us who relate with a world of people who don’t think and act like Christ followers…

Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! 1Peter 3:13-17

Did he just say that? Did you catch that last part? Better to suffer for doing good than to suffer for doing wrong? No, not that part… read between the lines, or in this case between the good and the wrong part.

“If that is what God wants!”

What’s implied here? No really, what do you think that means?

If it’s possible, God may have us suffer for doing what we’re supposed to do? Isn’t that exactly why we don’t want to become Christians in the first place? We don’t want to be burned at the stake, flogged in the town square, persecuted, punched and pooped on. We want to lead quiet, normal, kept to ourselves, lives. Don’t rock the boat, turn over the apple cart or go against the grain… ah, say no more, say no more, know whatcha mean – a nod’s as good as a wink to a blind bat!

Discuss these questions:
• Are you afraid to tell someone about the secret in you?
• What is that secret Paul says is ours? Colossians 1:27b
• Why is it hard to share your faith?
• What is your fear? What can happen to you?
• What is the real meaning of rejection as a Christ follower? Luke 10:16
• When Peter says to be “ready” what does that mean? 1 Peter 3:15
• How does adding the word “always” change verse 15’s meaning?
• When looking at the people you come in contact with, at work, home or school, how can you read between the lines to know what’s really going on?
• When you ask someone about the “stuff” in their lives are you willing to listen?
• Can you be disingenuous buy simply implying your understanding and then tell your story? Or worse yet, changing subjects?
• How will you act differently this week when coming in contact with people you know who could have a happier, more meaningful life is they had faith in God?
• What will you say? Have you prepared any thoughts for those you already know?
• Who do you know right now who could hear the good news of hope in Christ?
• When are you going to tell them?

One of the worst things we can do for our friends and the people we car about is keep to ourselves the wonderful riches in Christ. This message is not ours to hoard or even manage for that matter. This message is our compulsion. “Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!” 1 Co 9:16, It is our constitution. “For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.” Col. 1:27 and it is our commandment. “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Mk 16:15

It is the Secret in YOU – Reveal it!

The Secret Confession

When I walked out of the confessional I was prompted to sit immediately in the last row at the back of the church by my mother. “Why do I have to do this and she doesn’t” I thought in between my ten “Hail Mary’s” and ten “Our Father’s” (another story for another time). Later that evening before going to bed I was instructed to say those prayers again… So, after rushing through another set I think my prayers were running together… “Our Father, full of grace, the Lord, be your name...”

 

Penance. That is what it’s called. After confessing all the icky stuff in your life you have to do penance; or in other words, you must do something that reveals your true contrition showing you really mean what you confessed by your willingness to do something icky to yourself. In some parts of and different cultures in the world penance can be down right brutal; whippings, dismemberment and even crucifixion.

This only points out that whether a small lad or an entire religion the concept of penance, or paying for your sins, is confusing and most often misunderstood. It also, in my humble opinion, does very little to relieve you of the burden of your sins. Albeit, it’s better than nothing.

Ahhhhh, and there in lies the rub…

Do we have the freedom to openly receive God’s grace just because it’s free for the taking? Or is there personal responsibility to each believer for their behavior? And what must that look like? Consider Paul’s words to the Ephesians…

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Eph 2:4-10

In other words, no penance will do. BUT results of our lives in Christ should reveal change and difference. Consider what Paul says to the Romans…

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Rom. 6:1-4

Why then do we dabble in our old lives? Is it because we know God’s grace will cover it? How would you feel if your best friend constantly took advantage of your kindness? Oh, the first time you would understand, I’m sure, but the same thing over and over again? I think you would start feeling a little resentful. I think the Lord sometimes looks on watching my behavior and thinks, “Come on Dan, not again.” I get that sense because I can see it in the eyes of my wife or children or colleagues who receive the brunt of my grace covered actions.

So, look further at Romans chapter six and ask these questions…

• What does it mean to be crucified with Christ in today’s world?
• What is the “power of sin?”
• How can you overcome your sinful ways?
• What does it mean to not let sin rule, or have its way in our bodies?
• Paul uses slavery as an example for sin. Explain this in modern terms.
• Does what Paul say in Ephesians contradict what he says in Romans?
• How does it work together.
• What are your living “masters” or the things that control you?
• How can you identify them?
• How can you master them?

Going through the motions will get you nowhere and only bore you. True contrition, revealed through honest confession can bring about lasting change. It will require some sacrifice and it most likely will mean you have to give up something more than that stuff you offered for lent but it’s still a lot better than having to crucify yourself.

Secret Size Me

I know it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Did you see the documentary, Super Size Me? I love McDonalds french fries. In my mind they are really good. But too much is, well just too much.

If we were honest with ourselves we would admit we want a “super sized” life: The biggest house, the nicest car, the fullest pantry, the most expensive watch and of course the longest life.

Has this ever happened to you? You once go to Hawaii on vacation and now Santa Cruz no longer has its appeal. You’ve eaten a steak at Ruth Chris, so it’s harder to enjoy that filet at Outback. You’ve driven a BMW 6 Series, so now you can’t stand having to drive your six year old Dodge (such is my fate). You were faithful fans of the 49ers during the Montana and Young days but find it hard to endure the forth quarter as the years tick by in obscurity... Boy, is it hard to be thankful with what you have.

Generally speaking, the more we have, the less grateful we are. It should be the opposite; the more we have, the more thankful we should be. But it usually doesn’t work that way, does it?

A wise man prayed, "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ’Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God" Proverbs 30:8-9.

Benjamin Franklin said, "Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor."

I believe that has to be true when I look around and see so many unhappy people. And It may be the reason Newsweek Magazine recently reported that the wildly popular book, The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne could be “the fastest-selling book of its kind in the history of publishing” claiming, “1.75 million copies projected to be in print by March 2, just over three months since it came out, plus 1.5 million DVDs sold.” Newsweek: Jerry Adler, March 5, 2007

What is The Secret? Simply put, it’s all about what you’re thinking. For example if you want to lose weight Byrne's recommendation was to avoid looking at fat people. Based on what she calls the "law of attraction"—that thoughts, good or bad, "attract" more of whatever they're about—she writes: "If you see people who are overweight, do not observe them, but immediately switch your mind to the picture of you in your perfect body and feel it."

But, I have to ask… If that's your focus; is that going to be enough? Once you’ve consumed your super sized life (and kept your perfect weight), what will be next? There isn’t enough positive thinking or "New Thought" to keep you happy because once you get what you want... you’ll be wanting more.

So, does that mean God wants us to live with unfruitful and unfulfilled lives? No, take a look at what Neil Anderson calls the “Twenty Cans of Success!”

1. Why should I say I can’t when the Bible says I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)?
2. Why should I lack when I know that God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)?
3. Why should I fear when the Bible says God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)?
4. Why should I lack faith to fulfill my calling knowing that God as allotted to me a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)?
5. Why should I be weak when the Bible says that the Lord is the strength of my life and that I will display strength and take action because I know God (Psalm 27:1; Daniel 11:32)?
6. Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)?
7. Why should I accept defeat when the Bible says that God always leads me in triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14)?
8. Why should I lack wisdom when Christ became wisdom to me from God and God gives wisdom to me generously when I ask Him for it (1 Corinthians 1:30; James 1:5)?
9. Why should I be depressed when I can recall to mind God’s loving-kindness, compassion, and faithfulness and have hope (Lamentations 3:21-23)?
10. Why should I worry and fret when I can cast all my anxiety on Christ who cares for me (1 Peter 5:7)?
11. Why should I ever be in bondage knowing that there is liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is (2 Corinthians 3:17)?
12. Why should I feel condemned when the Bible says I am not condemned because I am in Christ (Romans 8:1)?
13. Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will never leave me nor forsake me (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5)?
14. Why should I feel accursed or that I am the victim of bad luck when the Bible says that Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law that I might receive His Spirit (Galatians 3:13-14)?
15. Why should I be discontented when I, like Paul, can learn to be content in all my circumstances (Philippians 4:11)?
16. Why should I feel worthless when Christ became sin on my behalf that I might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21)?
17. Why should I have a persecution complex knowing that nobody can be against me when God is for me (Romans 8:31)?
18. Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace and He gives me knowledge through His indwelling Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:33; 2:12)?
19. Why should I feel like a failure when I am a conqueror in all things through Christ (Romans 8:37)?
20. Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations (John 16:33)?

The difference in what Byrne writes about and what Anderson lists is the origin of the “good life.” The Bible tells us “All good and perfect gifts come to us from the Father”… and adds he is the controller of the universe… “Who created the lights in the heavens and never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17

Looking at Anderson’s list…
• What are you facing today that is answered here?
• What would you like to believe for your future well being?
• Where are you finding your true source of strength and comfort?
• How do you see this manifested in your everyday life?
• What practical things can you do to be content?
• What one thing are you willing to commit to this week to achieve the things you’re facing?

Well, that’s it for now… I’ve got to go. I’m off to Hawaii, in my new BMW to have dinner with Joe Montana at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.