Words Matter

What words have crept into your conversations that just do not honor God or uplift others. What cultural slang do you now routinely use, especially those of us called as pastors, that just needs to stop because it makes others stumble and smacks of our lazy use of the English language.
I have some and with God’s grace I am going to stop! If you hear one from me, just say “hey Steve James 1:26!”. No I am not going to tell you what it says. Go read it and then go do it. Be excellent my brothers and sisters!

Why Do I Love “America’s Got Talent”?

Okay, I am going to make this big confession today. I love America’s Got Talent and that really disturbs me!

Let’s be honest here. Most of these people really do not have star quality talent. They are not going to get recording deals, they are not going to have their own shows in prime-time, and they are not going to join the rich and famous. If they follow their dreams after the show, they are going to perform at county fairs, sing in church, and entertain at grand openings and Bar Mitzvahs. They are in truth better than most of us watching, but only good enough to get on one of those obscure cable channels that you find when you accidentally sit on the remote. So why do I, and apparently a lot of other people watch it?

I think I watch it for the stories. Stories move us. A mediocre singer channeling Garth Brooks is not worth my time, but a down on his luck country boy who rounds up chickens for a living and cries at the drop of a hat, captures my heart. Three kids who sing together, wow, never seen that! But three kids who sang to their mom who was in a coma after a car accident, and to top it off they bring the mom on stage. Now I think they are the best singers ever!

The Power is in the story, and there is a lot we in the Church can learn from that fact.

I have a story, you have a story. In fact we all have a story and it is the sharing of those stories that create community. Community is birthed when we can share one another’s triumphs and tragedies, our dreams and heartaches. When we open up to one another, when we take the time to listen to each others stories, we connect. With that connection comes the possibility of real fellowship, doing life together. God is good in that space! He can turn a group of disjointed individual threads of experiences into an intrically woven tapestry of community called the Church. That body, diverse and yet as one, can radically change a culture. It can heal wounds, lift up the fallen, cheer the underdog, and ultimately introduce people to the King.

How do I know? Consider these stories.

A height challenged tax collector dines with the Messiah.

An accessory to murder is struck blind by a light on the road to Damascus and comes out a missionary for Gospel.

A small kid sees his 5 loaves and two fish feed 5,000

I could go on for days……

Stories matter. Go share yours. Listen to one. They can make our seemingly ordinary existence, extraordinary and they bring us together as One.

And I’ll keep watching America’s Got Talent where so-so entertainers teach me a thing or two about life!

Why We Are Here!

I stumbled across this book yesterday while browsing at the bookstore.

At first I was angry! Why in the world would anyone be so crass and cavalier toward a subject that is so serious and eternal? I got even madder as I picked up the book and read how this “man” spends an entire book talking about his demeaning attitudes toward women, abuse of alcohol, and all of his juvenile exploits that are now making him a fortune. What a joke I thought to myself.

Then, it hit me. It was like Christ was whispering in my ear, “this is why you are here, to be my ambassador to this young man and the thousands like him”. If I am honest I really don’t want to do that. To be completely honest I would like this guy to get to hell so he can find out there is not only no beer in hell, but there is nothing but torment and pain for eternity. That thought forces me to the mirror to see another guy who deserves nothing less himself.

For you see, my mission is to be the very reflection of Christ to this troubled young man. We who are called Christ’s disciples are to appeal to those without Him, to be reconciled to Him. It is easy for me to dislike Tucker Max. It is not difficult for me to let this tragedy play out and watch justice roll in. What makes our role so hard is that we are to go to Tucker Max and the millions like him and preach the gospel of Christ in both Word and deed. We are to understand that we deserve the same fate he does. It is to humbly remember that Christ’s love and grace is what makes our standing in Him possible, not anything we have done to deserve it.

We are called by Christ to be aliens in this world and yet commanded to share the grace, love, and mercy that we have found in Him. We are not to run from the world but instead we are commissioned to run to the world. It is a command that leads with  “go and tell” in a Christian culture that has deluded us into thinking it is about “come and see”.

Thanks Tucker Max. I will never read your book but the cover reminded me of my mission!

A couple of books worth reading!

I love to read!

On vacation a few weeks ago I was able to polish off  4 easy reads and I want to recommend two of them to you today.

First, there is Tribes by Seth Godin. If you work with people in any way,  you need to read this book. I am a huge fan of Seth’s work, but this is in my opinion his best. I will be sharing more in the future out of this book but get it now.

Second, check out Sway. It is a wonderful read on how we make decisions and why so may of them are irrational. This was a fun, intriguing book.

What are you reading?

Sunday Music Recap

Everywhere I Go - Lincoln Brewster

Salvation Is Here - Lincoln Brewster

Bless His Name - Jeremy Riddle

How He Loves - David Crowder (Download Only)

Mighty To Save - Hillsong

Give Me Your Eyes - Brandon Heath

Hungry - Vineyard

Happy Birthday To My Incredible Wife

Today is my wife’s birthday! She gets to share in the pain of being 50. For the last twenty nine years, she has been my best friend, my greatest support, my most honest and loving critic, and my constant source of inspiration. She is a mentor to many, a selfless disciple of Christ, and a warrior for the Kingdom of God. She is one of the most incredible moms you will ever meet and our children are a testament of her love and  ability to nurture and train. She is an example worth following and a woman who is proof that God in you is so much more than any circumstance, any background, any past wrong, and any challenge.

If you don’t know my wife’s story, she is the child of alcoholics. Her father, a caustic man also addicted to gambling, once lost their house on the roll of the dice. Dawn was routinely physically and verbally abused. She has told me about having to drive her mom home as a child, straining to reach the pedals, because mom was too drunk to get home. In her teens she basically took on the role of single parent to her younger brothers while still going to school and working to bring in some money for the family. Her life was hell on earth, and yet God was still good.

She found Christ because of the influence of other family and friends. She believed, in spite of her circumstances, that God was who He said He was, and that He wanted to give her not only eternal life but an abundant life here on earth. When I met her in 1979, she was a kind, friendly, country girl. I was a cocky, self-absorbed, city boy. Somehow God knew something we did not at first embrace, that we were meant for one another for a lifetime.

I am honored to call her my wife! There is not a man on earth more blessed than me and I know that. I am a better man every day I spend with her. She has lived with me with patience and understanding and sometimes I make that quite a challenge. There are literally hundreds of young women who can say that they are better women because of the influence of my wife. She deserves honor and applause and yet she humbly expects nothing, shying away from the limelight and adulation due her.

Dawn, today is your day! I love you and I know how much so many others love you. I know you will spend this special day like you spend every day, serving the Lord and others, but I hope you will take a moment and breathe in what God has done in you for these fifty years, and how you have made my life and this world a better place.

I look forward to seeing what the next fifty have in store with my beautiful bride. Thank you and I love you so much!

P.S. Please feel free to post a comment on how Dawn has made a difference in your life!

Lessons From The Pepper Incident – Part Two

There is another teachable moment from my run in with the garden pepper (see part one).  As much as a small sin can lead to a great tragedy, we also need to understand there is a very positive lesson to be learned from the “never underestimate the small things” analogy. It is a lesson that is recounted time after time in Scripture and yet something we have a very hard time hanging onto in our daily life.

When David faced Goliath, he understood the pepper incident. When Paul faced his adversaries in the courtrooms of public opinion, he also had figured out the secret. Joshua and Caleb knew it. Gideon understood it.  When we look at the challenges of this life, we look small, tiny, and insignificant. Infused by the power of an almighty God, we are unstoppable, more than conquerors, capable of any battle, any foe, and any mission.

Do you remember the childhood song, “This Little Light Of Mine”? Sing it with me..

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Great song. But the lyrics may lead us down a problematic path. So many of us believe “I may not have much to give, but what I have I will put out there and maybe, just maybe, it will make a difference.”

Consider this version of the same song, not as catchy but maybe a bit more theologically correct.

God’s monster billion kilowatt light in me, I’m going to let it shine.

God’s monster billion kilowatt light in me, I’m going to let it shine.

God’s monster billion kilowatt light in me, I’m going to let it shine.

let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

You see, we are a vessel that God uses for His power and purpose. We are the jar of clay filled with the treasure of the King of Kings. We are the small smooth stone launched by the One, mighty to save!

The key to living in this life is to get up each morning saying ” I am small, God is HUGE. God living in me makes me able to do ALL THINGS.” It is living in the strength of His life, His death, His resurrection. Right now go read Galatians 2:20! Memorize it! Quote it every morning when you get up! Shout it every time you feel overwhelmed, under powered, and dwarfed by the battles of the day.

Who are you? Absolutely nothing. Who is He in you? Absolutely everything.

The pepper is small. What is in the pepper is potent, powerful, and dangerous!

Be A Pepper! (I could not resist that)

Lessons From The Pepper Incident!

Many of you know the story already of my tragic accident with the peppers pictured above. This past Monday I went out to the garden (yes I have a garden) and picked these pretty little peppers. When I showed off the little fellows to my wonderful (yet strangely evil) wife, she dared me to pop one of them into my mouth. “How much heat can these midgets muster” I thought to myself. So in order to put a little “take that” into my marriage, I tossed one of the little guys into my mouth, bit down, and swallowed. Over the next 10 minutes I truly experienced the fire of hades!

Tears rolled down my face, every pore was spewing sweat, and I was desperately trying to find anything to douse the flames in my mouth. No milk, okay I will try ice cream. Ice cream does not work, eat some broccoli, bread, a cookie, anything, please Dear Lord make it stop. I am so sorry. I repent of all sin. I will never ever do this again. Take me home Jesus! How can I get even with Dawn if this ever stops.

You get the picture.

I have never experienced anything quite like the pain of that moment. That little pepper, about one inch long, had owned me. I did not fear it because it was small and yet the power of the pepper was anything but little. But isn’t that the way it is with our spiritual life as well.

A little sin, so demure, so seemingly small and innocent, can create havoc and madness in our lives. A unchecked glance at a woman becomes a sexual affair. An innocent conversation among workmates becomes poisonous gossip. A moment of embellishment leads to a life of lies. It starts so small and yet becomes such a tragedy.

This is why Paul in 2 Corinthains 10:5  says “we are to take every thought captive”. Catch it early, Nip it in the bud!

The book of James warns us in chapter 1…

¹⁵Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

¹⁶Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

So the next time you decide that it is just a little sin, no big thing, come see me. I have a little pepper I want you to try!

Judge Not – Wrap Up

Let’s summarize the things I have written on the subject of judging so far.

1. The phrase “do not judge” is not a blanket command in Scripture.
2. To be an effective brother/sister in Christ we must judge.
3. You must first examine yourself before you examine someone else.
4. Love, humility, and grace must be the heart of anyone who seeks to judge.
5. Lifting up is the motive of judgment, not tearing down.
6. Condemnation must never be a part of Biblical judgment.

A couple of final thoughts.

We must not judge those outside of the church! The Bible is very clear on this. Christ will be the judge of the world. Unfortunately we in the Church often have this idea backwards. We seek to judge the world while ignoring the things that go on in the Body. This is clearly not Biblical. Why should we expect people who are lost in sin to be adhering to the standards of those made new in Christ? We must quit judging the world and instead start loving and serving them, while always remembering to preach the gospel of Christ with our words and our life.

Lastly, I want to ask you a personal question. Who have you allowed in your life as a loving judge? Are you hanging out with “yes” people or is there at least one someone who will look you square in the face and tell you the things you need to hear? Will this person or persons tell you these things even if you do not want to hear them? Do they love you enough to get in your face, stop you in your tracks, and challenge you to the point of risking the friendship? If you do not have this person in your life, go find them! I am fortunate to have had some great people in my life who have not ever hesitated to call me out. They are firm but I never question their motives. Sometimes they make me mad. Sometimes I initially ignore them or tell them they are wrong, but they persevere in being a loving judge in my life. They are priceless!

As you look for these people here are some things you need to look for in them.

1. Are they a mature believer grounded in the Word?
2. Do they sincerely love you and want the best for you?
3. Are they both patient and persistent?
4. Will they keep their judgment private unless your rebellion forces it to go public?
5. Are they also seeking critical judgment in their life?

Well, hopefully this has given you some new things to think about when it come to those famous words “do not judge”.

let’s keep growing together!

steve

Judge Not? part 3

When we last left the subject of judging we looked at Matthew 7. Today I would like us to explore what Paul adds to this subject in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 5.

In Romans 14 once again we see scripture that if not read in context can make us believe that all judgment is wrong. Verses 10-15 read like this in the New American Standard Version.

“But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

¹¹For it is written, “AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.”

¹²So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

¹³Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this–not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

It is important to note that Paul is talking here about not judging a person based on principles of conscience, meaning things not clearly spelled out for us in the Word.  Let me give you a modern day example. One person believes that he should not mow the lawn on Sunday. Paul would call him the weaker brother. Another believes that there is absolutely nothing wrong with mowing the lawn on Sunday afternoon after church. Paul calls him the stronger brother. Paul’s point here is to not be judgmental of your brother because he does not think the same as you on a subject that has no clear answer scripturally. Paul would agree with the stronger brother, but he would never judge the weaker brother for what his conscience is telling him. He also challenges the stronger not to judge the weaker or possibly cause him to violate his conscience, which would be a sin (v 22-23).

Once again context is key to the “do not judge” verse.

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul teaches us that judging is not only okay but necessary. Verses 9-13 read…

⁹I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;¹⁰I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.

¹¹But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler–not even to eat with such a one.

¹²For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? ¹³But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.

Paul is stating that we must use judgment within the Body of Christ. It is imperative that we help one another, whether desired or not, to grow in the Lord. Part of that is we must judge one another. Make sure you hear what I am saying. We must NOT put condemnation on our brother or sister, but we must in love have critical  judgment as part of the relational process. Good parents judge their children, good friends act as judges toward one another, and loving Christians are to do the same.

A quick closing note that I will talk about more in the conclusion of this series tomorrow: Paul is very clear that this judgment is reserved for those inside the family of Believers and not for the world in general.

WOW, it seems like we have so much backward today!