Great Gain

“Godliness is actually a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment,” says Paul. (1 Timothy 6:6) This is a powerful statement, and an almost unattainable state for any American believer. The problem is less with Godliness than it is with contentment. Our culture, yea verily, our economy, is built on a spirit of discontent.
It is hard to be content. If we read the paper, watch TV, or surf the Internet, we are bombarded with advertisements for the newer, better, faster, greener, more powerful, more prestigious, more convenient something-or-other, and we believe it. We might say we don’t, but we do, at least partially.
Let me give you some personal examples. I am not tempted by boats and boating stuff. I got over that temptation when I figured out I didn’t like to fish and I couldn’t seem to stay upright when attempting to slalom ski. Neither am I tempted by hunting, rock climbing, snow skiing or spelunking gear. But, when an ad comes on for a new Canon DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) Camera or some lens, I start to salivate. Get me in an Apple Store, and I start thinking, “Woot! Woot!” (“Woot” = “want one of those!”) On a much lower economic level, I’d rather make a run to Wendy’s than drive the same distance to my house and grab a pimento cheese sandwich for lunch. Contentment is rather illusive, isn’t it?
We westerners are constantly on the hunt, it seems, for more stuff. Even in these difficult economic times, many of us may have scaled back, but we’re still satisfying our wants rather than our needs. (Government and “leading economists” tell us that is a good thing, because that is what drives our economy. I doubt it.) We know that the “one that dies with the most toys,” does not win. Paul, in the next verse reminds us that we “bring nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either.” (1 Timothy 6:7)
Contentment, according to the next two verses, is being satisfied with food and covering (clothes). Wanting to get rich, (or, in most of our cases, wanting to appear at least “comfortable”) leads us into “temptation, snares, foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.” [Can we require Congress to memorize 1 Timothy 6:8-9? But I digress. I am talking about you and me—not them.]
Allow me to paraphrase Paul’s closing statement to his paragraph (verse 10). “For the love of the newer, faster, better, greener, easier, more convenient, more powerful thing or things that money buys is the root of all evil, and some, by longing for it have gotten so focused on things or so deep in debt they can no longer pay attention to their faith, and it causes them great pain.”
Our lifestyles and materialism have distracted us away from God. We are squandering our kid’s (and their kid’s kids) future both as families and as a nation. (Can you get you mind around how much a trillion dollars is? Me either. But to talk about going in that much debt—again— is likely perceived in heaven as inane, profane, and insane.)

So, what can we do? What is the believer’s way out?
1. Give to the Lord what he is due. It isn’t logical, but it is biblical. Therefore, we should do it. I think the Bible is pretty clear about the 10% amount.
2. Get out of debt.
3. Figure out where your money is going – keep a note card or pad and write where that cash goes.
4. Make a spending plan, a budget, and stick to it.
5. Cut up the cards if you need to.
6. Start a savings account for emergencies – so you won’t have to “charge it” when the car requires maintenance.
7. Lower your sights. Say, out loud if you need to, “You know, I can be content without that,” when you see an ad or an item in the store.
8. Buy only what you can pay for, without going into the emergency fund.

Expectations

What do you expect when you go to church? Most of us expect friendly faces, enjoyable music, instructive and hopefully inspirational sermons. But, do you expect to meet God in a special way. Do you expect, “God to show up?” I like it when that happens. I just don’t know if I usually expect it.

I spent my first thirty plus years of service working with middle and high school students. I was always amazed at how often God would “show up” at camps or on retreats, but rarely at our weekly youth group meetings. After about 29 years, it finally dawned on me that “God encounters” were more likely to happen at camps or retreats than during our weekly youth gatherings because of two “E” words: “expectations” and “environment.”

When we loaded up the bus and vans to head out to summer camp or a retreat, our expectations were high. Usually, the students were going to hear a “communicator” much more able than myself. They were going to be led in worship by a group or person that was better than what they were used to. And they were going to a place (environment) that got them away from their normal day-to-day distractions (and temptations, usually).

We wanted to encounter God in a fresh, powerful way. We expected it. The schedule was planned to prepare us for it. Each morning had times for reading the Bible and praying, worship, and teaching. There was free time, but conversations often centered on what we’d just heard or experienced. Afternoons were filled with recreation, but there was time for reflection and conversation. No wonder worship in the evening was incredible. We were tuned up and ready.

I began to compare the “camp reality” to the “daily” reality of a student showing up on Wednesday night. They had been at school all day, probably had a load of homework to do. Perhaps had to deal with a certain amount of drama during the day. Yet, they had decided to come to youth group. Most didn’t come in, though, expecting the “camp” worship and God-encounter experience. For many, their first thought about God that day happened after they got to that room. As the leader, I wanted us to have the “camp” experience every week, but I think I was expecting it from the students more than I was expecting it from God.

Whether a church service or a youth service, do you come expecting God to meet you? You to meet him? Do you just come because you are “supposed to.” If you answered, “Not really,” “Not really,” and “Yeah, that’s about it,” or something similar, you aren’t likely to meet God.

As learned at camp, it takes a prepared, focused, clean heart. I remember a preacher asking once if we spent as much time “combing” our heart before church as we did our hair. (I had more back then.) I think his point is obvious. Preparing is time spent in praise, confession, thanksgiving, and asking God to meet you, to teach you, to make you more like he created you to be.

Do you prepare for worship? What do you expect?

Three Cups of Tea

I received Three Cups of Tea (by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin) as a gift from a friend at Christmas. It is the story of Mortenson and how his failed attempt to ascend K2 turned into the enterprise of educating children, especially girls, in some of the most difficult places in the world – Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan. Reading yields great insight into the cultures of these areas, and helps us understand the people better. It proposes that education can be life changing, and, probably, world changing.

Mortensen and I would place different things at the top of our “what-is-most-valuable-and-important-in-life” lists, but his life, dedication, risk-taking, and willingness to endure hardship is inspiring. You may find some of what you read uncomfortable, but in this book you will learn more about the people of northern Pakistan and Afghanistan than you’ll ever get from the news media.

It is worth the read.

www.threecupsoftea.com

An Overwhelming Task

I was reading the first few verses of 1 Timothy 2 the other day. It is a call for us to pray for our leaders and those who exercise authority over us. That applies whether they are your party or not. But, as I prayed for our current and soon-to-be Presidents, I began to think about their job compared to mine. Sometimes, my "to-do" list gets overwhelming, but think about the President's:
Fix the economy, balance the budget (reconcile those two!), bring the wars we are fighting to the best outcomes, keep the homeland safe, and..!

You ever notice how Presidents age while in office—especially the two-term ones? No wonder. Yes they have lots of helpers, but there are many "hinderers" as well. It is a huge task this man has. We need to pray for him, and all those who exercise authority over us. If you need reasons why, find a Bible and read the first few verses of 1 Timothy 2.

More Teachers who Impacted my Life

A few weeks ago, I ran a post about some very influential teachers in my life. Today, I continue that reflection. I am sure I will miss some folks, but here are the ones that come to mind, for a variety of different reasons.

My pastor growing up, Bud Shivers. He came to my church when I was seven. One of his sons and I were best friends, so I not only saw him in preaching mode, but in living mode. He was funny, loved life, loved his family, loved his people, and loved God. He taught me about dealing with grief as his wife slowly was taken by awful cancer. He showed me about moving on through grief. He encouraged me, too, as I just was getting started in this vocation of mine.

There were many other as life went on:
“Rev” – my BSU Campus Minister at UGA, who pushed me beyond what I thought I could do to what God wanted to do.
Hank Dunn – who taught me how to have a Quiet Time, when I should have already known.
Barry St. Clair – who taught me so much about student ministry by training and by example, and who is was at least the catalyst God used to give me a love for Eastern Europe and its people.
Peter Lord – who showed me what a relationship with God should be: intimate. Obedient, and Spirit-powered. I have re-spoken his “Why I?” message so many times, I have lost count, and will likely use it again. I can even do it with his accent! (He grew up in Jamaica).
Dave Busby – a miracle man. Dave and I would be the same age if he were still among us. Early on, his body was ravaged with polio, and later on, he was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. I saw him speak with incredible power and strength, and then nearly collapse in a chair as soon as he was done – yet you never knew how sick he was when he was speaking. God used this man of His to stretch my thinking (and the thinking of thousands of others) and see Jesus in ways I have never thought about. If I remember right, he was forty-seven when he passed away. But still, his message linger on my iPod, and, more importantly, in my soul.

Influential teachers are very special people. They do more than transfer information. They transfer their lives, their message. They may not have a lot of worldly investments, but the investment they make is in lives - a commodity far more valuable.