The Reason I Like Rainbows

     Whenever people want us to pick our favorite color, I get perplexed because I like them all.  It's probably because I don't want to leave one out.  Being an artist, I can’t imagine a pallet with a missing color.  It would be like a mechanic with a toolbox without a socket wrench, or a chef with drawers that have no whisks.  Sure you could get by for a little while, but why?

 

     I often get teased because I openly embrace the rainbow.  The sentimentality isn't political, but artistic.  There’s just something about a band of colors that unite and stretch across the sky to show the world that differences can be overlooked!  Can we learn from the rainbow?  We, too, can work together to glorify the Creator of those colors.  The same One who painted the universe also made different personalities available to the Church so that she would be brushed with life and character.  And that’s the real reason I like the rainbow so much.  

     Do you feel like God gave you something to offer this world?  Do you ever feel like others can sometimes try to fit you into a mold you weren't created for?  I can so relate.  The answer, however, isn't found in individuality and forcing your views on others.  Instead...

What I’ve learned is that if I want others to accept my differences, I must also accept the differences in others.

     The Bible says that God commands His “blessing and life forevermore” on those who choose to live in unity (Psalm 133).  Do you have a roommate?  Do you live with your family?  If so, you know firsthand how difficult it is to mesh lives.  There is nothing worse than being in the mood for a certain cereal and grabbing a bowl, a spoon, and the milk only to find that your cereal is gone!  I don't know about you, but it's enough to get me mad!  But I believe God invented the family to smooth off our rough (& selfish) edges.  This translates well for the church family too.

     I heard a pastor (Dr. Ron McManus) talk about a newcomers meeting he held regularly for inquiring members.  He made sure he said the following, “Here in our church someone’s going to make you mad.  That’s when we’ll see what you’re made of!”  The truth is that living with unity is difficult.  

     I’ll tell you a secret.  The key to unity is our willingness to let the Holy Spirit work in our relationships.

     My former pastor Don Yandell says, “The Holy Spirit is the oil of relationships.”  That reminds me of a time I drove for a food vendor delivering cold sandwiches.  Everything was smooth sailing on the highway with pretty blue birds flying overhead, and the smell of fresh-cut grass in the air . . . I think I even saw a rainbow in the sky.  Then all of a sudden, BAM!  My Suzuki box truck came to a screeching halt on a busy 3-lane highway.  I pulled over safely amidst the smoke rising from the hood.  Come to find out I ran out of oil!  One of the pistons had all it could take with the intense heat and friction and decided to crack the engine block.  It cost the company ten grand.  One little quart of oil could have spared many tears and a serious rump-roast back at the office!  The Holy Spirit acts as the oil in our relationships that helps prevent friction.  A small encounter with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis can make a large impact in the body of Christ.  The fruits of the Spirit will help us treat each other the way Christ has commanded us: with love.

     Everyone has a place in God's kingdom!  So the next time you think you can do without your Christian brother or sister, think of how the rainbow would appear without the color yellow, or red, or blue.  Or purple.  Let's not forget green.  Oh, and orange . . . and . . .

Behind Every Great Man . . .

     Surely you've heard the quote, 

“Behind every great man there’s a great woman.”

     It should be:

“Behind every great man there’s an even GREATER woman!”

     Now before you dismiss this post as some devious way to exalt myself, please allow me to admit and openly confess that I am not a great man.  I’m really a nobody that ended up meeting a somebody!  This post is all about my better half.   She is everything I wrote down in a prayer to God about a future wife, and then some.  With Valentine’s Day in mind, here’s to the special and amazing woman of God you are, Brenda Joy.

     Being a married man since 2002, I can see now (and hope to continue to see more in coming years) how influential and powerful the woman is in the home.  As a couple weaves their lives together as one under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they begin to hold sway over the other in ways that are intense, psychological and spiritual.  For instance, good or bad, my attitude, mental and spiritual well-being are directly affected by the status of my relationship with Brenda, my wife.  If we’re at odds, I’ll do life on a poorer level than when we’re at peace and in complete unity.  The old adage is true:

“If mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.”

     Most women know and use the power they have over men.  But most women fail at understanding that if they could build their husbands up with that same influence it would benefit their relationship on every level.  It’s actually a fulfillment of the law of Christ that you carry the burden for, encourage, and love others.  How much more true and magnified is this than in a marriage?

     A strong woman takes the weight off!  Believe me.  I would crumple under the weight of the world if I didn't have the security of my home in place.  That security isn't in the fact that Brenda and I are so compatible we could have easily been matched on eHarmony.com.  And you won’t find it in our check books or gas tanks or closets or refrigerator either.  Our security is found only in Christ!  When I see my wife reading the Bible and living out the fruits of the Spirit in our relationship, I know we’re going to be O.K. no matter what obstacle we face.  All that does is spur me on to read the Bible more and challenge my own integrity and character in everyday life.  W.W.B.D.?  It’s not like she doesn't experience weaknesses; but her steady resolve to put Christ first in every part of our marriage takes the weight off!

     Some men have money or power or fame.  I have a Godly, gorgeous wife.  So, bam. 

     Now, I’m sure I need to be helping her out like doing the dishes, or laundry, or something besides writing this post . . .

I Love the Law! Wait...what?!

     The other day I was reading in Psalms and came across a disturbing verse.  It was Psalm 119:16 and says, “I delight in Your decrees . . .”

     I stopped reading and thought, "Wait just a minute . . . so let me get this straight, Mr. Psalmist, you like rules?"  Well that’s the first.  I don’t know anyone who particularly enjoys rules (especially when the penalty of consequence is invoked upon them).  Most of us agree that we need rules.  We need that stoplight in town telling people to go or stop so that the student driver doesn't T-bone my car with my kiddos in it.  We need the signs at Wal-Mart and Target that say “Stealing will not be tolerated” to help avoid our sky-scraping inflation from being further damaged by people who want to live outside the law.  But to like these rules is entirely different.  Obviously the psalmist isn't talking about the general laws of the land, but about God's laws; but the same principles of our love and obedience to them still applies.

     As I read on in Psalm 119, another verse popped out that I could relate to better: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law” (v. 18).  Now that’s more like it.  I’m all about honesty.  Sometimes I want to say, “God, Your laws stink!   So help me to see the good in obedient living!”  It’s usually about this time that God will smile and pull me closer to Him like a father does his son with a gentle side hug.  He’ll show me a verse like in Psalm 119:24 that says, “[My] statutes are [your] counselors.”  Then He’ll show me several more verses like 67, 71, 92, 105, 130, 140 and then back to 59.  “You've done it your way, cowboy,” He will say.  “And your way never works!” 

     God’s right, you know.  He’s always right.

     The psalmist writes in verse 32 that the purpose of God’s laws is not for restriction, but for freedom!  Jesus said that His burden is light.  He doesn't want to harness us with a lifestyle of rigid rules.  In fact, He only has two basic rules that all other rules flow out of.  Consider these two rules the mother and father of all laws and regulations: 1) Love God with everything in you, and 2) Love and care for others like you love and care for yourself (Mt. 22:36-40).  Now that’s simple.  Not only simple, but truly liberating as well!

     Maybe that’s what the psalmist figured out. 

     Consider the old saying of the hippies, “It’s all about love, man.”  They were on to something . . . but never joined that idea with God’s Word.  The marriage of love and obedience is really what it’s all about.  As I continued reading on in Psalm 119, I learned how the psalmist loved God’s law and chose to follow and obey them.  It may sound easy and honorable, but he ends 119 with a confession: “(v. 176) I have strayed like a lost sheep.  Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commands.”  Isn't it funny how the closer we get to God the further away from Him we seem?  Perhaps I’m weird that way. 

     Like the psalmist, all I know is that I need God to guide my life.  I am a miserable screw-up that will continue to get it wrong all the days of my life when I do things MY way.  Thank God for His Holy Word that helps me; guides me; and encourages me!  It makes me want to jump up and shout, “I love the law!  Wait…what?!”

Leadership Trick: Pull, Don't Push

Are you in a position of influence over others?  

               If so, you’ve probably struggled with people who possess stubbornness, pride, ignorance, and some flat out cold hearts while leading them.   As a minister that helps oversee a flock, I am endlessly trying to find ways to influence people for their betterment.  Although it is easier (and lazy) to point and say, “Go that way!”, I heard a challenging quote about leading by example: “It is better to pull rather than push.”

               The thought provoking statement reminds me that no one likes being pushed and possibly bullied (at least from their perspective); but everyone likes a helping hand.  Most people will readily accept a word of advice or a word of experience from someone who has done it before or are currently modeling inspiring behavior.  

                I have learned two general reasons why people will not be “pushed” toward a goal.  The first reason is that they may not be ready.  The second is that I may be a hypocrite.

                The difficulty of motivating people has been written about one thousand times a thousand.  Let’s face it: some people aren’t ready to change!  Allow me to give you Biblical examples from the New Testament.  Peter did not change overnight; he was as stubborn and bull-headed as some of us are.  What about Judas Iscariot?  Even Jesus couldn’t (or wouldn’t) force change from him, who arguably never moved toward any goal of righteousness.  So, to expect a change of behavior from everyone in your sphere of influence is unrealistic.  Some people just aren’t ready. 

                Something we should always consider before giving advice or direction is looking in the mirror.  Self-evaluation and repentance are the keys to discipleship.  We are called to make disciples of Christ; but we will NEVER MAKE disciples of we are NOT disciples ourselves.  Are you familiar with drowning rescue procedures?  It is better if you stay in the boat and throw a life-line so that you can pull someone back to safety.  But perhaps you decide to jump in the water: experts teach to drag (or pull) someone toward safety rather than push them (and risk both of you drowning).  The inescapable truth is that we cannot lead someone where we haven’t been.

                I can’t force people to change; but especially so if I haven’t experienced change, myself.

                We all would like to be known as influential people.  There’s a simple trick of motivation that many overlook: to lead by example.  Some may never change; sometimes due to the condition of their hearts . . . but never let your lack of personal growth be the reason.  If we are on the Rock promising relief to those in peril, we will find that it is much easier to pull rather than push.