Month: October 2007

A trip to the store around Halloween guarantees a couple of things. The Thanksgiving displays are already getting dusty and the Christmas items are being placed or are already on the shelves. We are only four weeks away from the ridiculous excess that we call Thanksgiving.  I will probably complain that I ate too much as if that is anyone’s fault other than my own. I will be genuinely thankful for having my family together. That will be extra special again this year because Joni’s cancer is a reminder that such gatherings are not guaranteed. I will thank God for the bounty of food that will be before us. But I don’t think I will really comprehend how blessed I am to live in this country.

A story that I read in the Miami Herald last year gave me a big helping of perspective.

Streaks of grime cover the boys’ bodies and insects crawl on their heads as they scour through heaps of trash alongside buzzards that seem large enough to carry the kids away. Brothers Carlos, 11, and Noel, 9, are dragging a pair of plastic bags filled with fast-food refuse while Ruben, 14, chases after a dump truck spilling fresh rubbish. This is life for the children at the main municipal dump in the capital of Honduras — a life of far-too-early desperation in a country where nearly two-thirds of the population lives in poverty.

Many Latin American nations have pepenadores, Spanish slang for people who scour garbage dumps for recyclable goods they can then sell. But Honduras has the highest rate of children working at dumps — an estimated 2,000, according to UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

”Every barrio has a dump,” said Rick Beck, a Christian missionary who visits the Tegucigalpa city dump each week to deliver food and prayer. “It’s a way of living. The problem has to be attacked spiritually, physically and emotionally.” Soledad Ramírez, director of social programs for Tegucigalpa, said the effort to get the kids out of the dump will require a long-term commitment.

”It’s not just to rescue the kids. It’s to educate them and insert them into society,” she told The Miami Herald. “Many of these children grew up in the dumps. There were even children in cribs there.”

I don’t want my ministry to be a travel agency for guilt trips. But I do want to be tender enough to the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit to realize the need in this fallen world. And then to gladly offer back a portion of the abundance I have been given. It breaks my heart to think of these precious children digging through the refuse of the other poor to survive. What a disturbing image to picture a crib in the middle of a garbage dump. Youngest son Brett witnessed this garbage scavaging firsthand on a mission trip to Guatemala. It profoundly affected him. As it should.

We are so blessed…and we are so oblivious.

Picture this scenario.

Here comes 6-year-old Giovanny, yanking at the brothers’ trash bags to pick through crumpled boxes of fried chicken. He’s known as El Pollo — The Chicken — for his love of the morsels he scrapes off the tossed-out bones.

We laugh about the five second rule when food falls on the floor. But for most of us it would mean nothing to toss that food away and get something else. Imagine gnawing on the remains of someone else’s scraps to get a morsel of nourishment. It is a disgusting thought. But it is a heartbreaking reality for children like Giovanny.

And I realize that I am so blessed…but I am so oblivious.

When the dump trucks roll in, it’s a mad dash to get to the refuse. Men and boys tend to push the women off the mounds, and no one seems bothered by the smell, which at times is so foul it burns the nostrils and makes the eyes tear. The pepenadores are too busy collecting anything they can use — some shoes they can wear, a semi-broken toy they can still play with, a piece of cake they can eat, a bit of metal, plastic bottles or paper they can sell.

”The problem is that they make more money in that dump than they do with an education,” said Kim Beck, who helps her missionary husband deliver food.

By all means enjoy the blessings that God has provided as you approach this Thanksgiving. But take a moment to reflect on how truly blessed we are in this country. Maybe a little perspective will help you realize that the position or title you were denied is not that big a deal. The recognition you felt you deserved and did not receive is trivial. Maybe a little perspective will help you understand that person who irritates you at work or church is created in the image of God and in a fallen state…just like you and me. About 98% of what we get all exorcized over is meaningless from an eternal perspective. In what does the Lord delight? It is definitely not our wealth or power or position.

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)  

Count your blessings. Be grateful. Don’t feel guilty that you are blessed. But don’t forget the responsibility of that blessing. And maybe we should pray that we could begin to model at least a little of what was happening in the early church.

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”  (Act 4:32–35)

Maybe that is not possible in this culture. I suppose I am naive. But I am sure we can do a lot better by being a little less oblivious to the suffering around us. If you want to help the children of Honduras or anywhere in the world or this nation you can go to World Vision , Feed the Children or a local ministry to share a part of your blessings. Jesus promised in the Sermon on the Mount that such giving will be rewarded.

God blesses those who are merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.

If we all do a little it will mean a lot.

 

 

 

 

 

First of all, apologies to my tens of loyal readers who have been disappointed by the lack of current posts. I have been busy serving as the “pit crew” for my beloved’s weekend sixty mile walk for breast cancer. That is not a typo. About 2400 women and a few valiant men walked twenty miles each day in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3–Day. It was an emotional weekend for both Joni and me.

Joni first started talking about signing up for the 3–Day walk before she had even finished treatment. I supported her but thought perhaps there was a little leftover “chemo-brain” involved in that idea. Then her sister Gayla (who did not have the chemo-brain excuse) said she would walk with Joni. So Gayla began training in Florida and Joni in Texas. This weekend they walked side by side for three grueling days. And they did it.

I could not help but remember where we had come from in this long journey. There were some really tough times. A song on the iPod today summed up Joni’s spirit throughout this fight. The tune is by the group Rascal Flatts and the song title is Stand.

You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless, like you’ve lost your fight.

I flashed back to diagnosis day, putting in the port for chemotherapy and walking into the “slow drip spa” scared to death as Joni faced the first treatment. I remembered the effects of the aptly nicknamed “red devil” chemo treatment. I thought of setbacks that tested our faith and our resolve. I recalled that it was eighteen months ago that Joni was hospitalized with her white blood count at zero. That is also not a typo.

I know Joni will love me using this flattering photo but there is a point. We could not have been lower than we were that day. But we trusted God and just kept battling. The lyrics of Stand nicely summarized her attitude.

‘Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what your made of
You might bend ’til you break
‘Cause it’s all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you’ve had enough
You get mad, you get strong
Wipe you hands, shake it off
Then you stand, then you stand

Joni would be the first to tell you that the most important step in that process is being on your knees in prayer and looking up to your source of strength in the Lord. I have written often about her amazing faith, strength and grace throughout this journey. We could not have imagined that just over a year after that photo was taken that Joni would be training for a sixty mile walk. Joni decided to be strong, trust God and then she stood. Fast forward eighteen months and Joni joined her sister on an amazing journey.

Here is a little photo journal of this awesome weekend…

  

We dropped off “The Sunshine Sisters” before the sun was even shining. Joni was a bit emotional that the day was finally here.

   

Joni and Gayla in front of their lavish accommodations.

 

 

Gayla by one of the hundreds of porta-pottys. What was the sound many women were most looking forward to when they got home? The sound of flushing!

 

 

Hannah wore a smokin’ hot pink Spandex body suit to honor her “mom” in the walk. The sign says “Waggin’ for a Cure”. If intensity of wagging helps a cure is very near.   

 

There were supporters from many different species.

 

Dignity was optional.

 

Nights got a little chilly. Gayla demonstrates the “wrap”.

 

The family and shy Hannah met our walkers at a cheering station on Day 2.

The 3–Day is grueling. But so was the journey that my bride has finally finished. The 3–Day became a metaphor for how we should deal with the trials and storms of our life. The lyrics of Stand are again appropriate.

Every time you get up and get back in the race
One more small piece of you starts to fall into place – and you stand.

Joni wept as she crossed the finish line on Sunday. Not from exhaustion although that could have been an option. She wept because this symbolized that this difficult journey is behind her. Other trials will surely come along in our lives. But we know one thing beyond a shadow of a doubt. God is faithful. Peter’s words to the early church fit well here.

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you…Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. (1 Peter 5, NLT)

Sunday afternoon we met up with our brides after they finished the course.

  

Gayla and Joni look better after walking 60 miles than Sal and I do after just watching them.

The closing ceremonies were amazing. Thousands of walkers, family and friends gathered at SMU in Dallas. This is just one section of the crowd.

Joni marched in the “Survivors Circle” to the cheers of the crowd. It was an incredibly moving moment.

  

 Later we had some photo ops with friends.

 

…and our wonderful sons and daughter-in-laws (Holly, Matt, Scott, Caroline, Brett)

  

Joni with the men in her life…Brett, Scott, Matt and Old Guy

Those who have followed Joni’s journey know that she was honored to throw out the first pitch on Mother’s Day for the Texas Rangers. On Sunday night our family celebrated the weekend and presented her with the actual home plate from that game signed by the Texas Ranger’s players and coaches.

Joni has stayed the course and crossed the plate on this tough journey. She was released from her oncologist two days before the walk.

If you are facing adversity may I encourage you and let you know that you can do it too. Allow me to change the pronoun to the plural form as I quote Paul’s message to the Philippians.

(We) have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (We) can do everything through Him who gives (us) strength. Yet it was good of you to share in (our) troubles.

Thank you for sharing in our journey and our troubles. Thank you for your love, support, encouragement, saltine crackers and especially your prayers. We are blessed beyond measure.

 

 

 

 

 

Three summers ago Joni and I did not have to turn on the morning news shows for visual entertainment. Every morning as we got ready for the day we would hear a familiar THUMP! That was the sound of “the crazy bird” returning for his morning concussion. Our bathroom has a large half-moon shaped window near the ceiling. Every morning this bird would fly to the window sill, sit there for awhile, look at his Day-Planner, fly back a few feet and then hit the window full on. THUMP! He would do this over and over. Day after day.

    

(This is a stunt double bird…not the actual bird. Photo Courtesy– Janesville Gazette)

Because I like to think I am smarter than that bird I would laugh and make fun of him mindlessly hitting the same window day after day after day. Stupid bird.

Then I would go out and do a pretty good imitation of this poor creature with my daily Christian walk.

Day after day I would go out and slam up against the same spiritual windows. Einstein was once quoted as saying that “insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” I am not quite willing to concede that I am insane. But the truth is that I too often approach my spiritual life the same way everyday while somehow expecting different results. If I am hitting the same window over and over maybe it is time to change my approach. Scripture tells me that I should be producing fruit in my walk with Jesus.

If I am truly grafted to the true vine I will be producing fruit. But I too often decide to THUMP against the window of my own desires and selfishness. Jesus said this in the Gospel of John.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.  (John 15, NIV)

Sometimes I make this so hard. I am asked to trust in Jesus daily. When I do that Jesus says I will produce fruit. Then the Father will give me whatever I ask in His name. Then He commanded me to love one another. That is not a “helpful suggestion“. That is a command. But that doesn’t fit my plan.

My strategy is to ask for the Father to give me whatever I ask first and then I will get around to producing fruit out of my happiness. THUMP.

Then I decide that there are some people I simply cannot love. God understands. THUMP.

I rationalize that I just can’t produce fruit right now because of  (insert today’s difficult life circumstance here). THUMP.

Yep. I am a lot smarter than that bird. It has only taken me a little over fifty years to figure out I need to change my approach. Stupid bird.

Regular and long-suffering readers of the humble ramblings know that I have an oddly wired brain. My thoughts do not flow along orderly paths like most of you. So it will come as no surprise that while taking some pictures of pampered pooch Hannah yesterday I thought of a scriptural truth. Hannah was swimming and I decided to try and capture her spectacular water “shake-offs” with my digital camera. The results were not too bad.

     

This photo brought a verse from Hebrews to mind.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…

Hannah has definitely learned how to throw off the water that hinders her when she climbs out of the pool. I loved the imagery of getting up and shaking off all of the things (even some good things) that hinder me from being an effective representative of Jesus. Recently I heard my friend Blake Flickner speak about this very passage. Coach Blake is the Head Basketball Coach at Dallas Baptist University here in Dallas. He is doing a phenomenal job as a coach and as a discipler of these young men. I highly recommend you check out a game if you live in the DFW area. Blake noted that the writer made the point that is not only sin that entangles us. That is what we tend to dwell on. The verse says to throw off any weight or encumbrance to our being effective for Christ. So that good thing that is not the best thing may need to be “shaken-off” for us to be used most effectively for God. Here is the rest of the passage.

…and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12, NIV)

Most of us need to do a better job of staying focused on what matters. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus. Don’t lose heart. And follow the advice of Miss Hannah when you face anything that would weigh you down.

Shake it off!

I was amused to open my browser to find this headline at Yahoo News.

Swearing at work boosts ‘team spirit, morale’

Wouldn’t it be interesting to be at that pep rally?

“Yea *&^%$#@ Team! Bleep, Bleep, Bleep!” Whooeeeee!!! (Jump in air…extend arms) Bleep!

The story outlined the blankety-blank study.

Regular swearing at work can help boost team spirit among staff, allowing them to express better their feelings as well as develop social relationships, according to a study by researchers. Yehuda Baruch, a professor of management at the University of East Anglia, and graduate Stuart Jenkins studied the use of profanity in the workplace and assessed its implications for managers.

They assessed that swearing would become more common as traditional taboos are broken down, but the key appeared to be knowing when such language was appropriate and when to turn to blind eye.

The pair said swearing in front of senior staff or customers should be seriously discouraged or banned, but in other circumstances it helped foster solidarity among employees and express frustration, stress or other feelings.

I live in a profane, obscenity laced profession. In my regular job of sports television production the “f”-bombs fly in a way that would constitute “shock and awe” for most Christians. I do not use any of the seven words that formerly were never said on TV. My reason is largely unrelated to my faith. Although I am always reminded of Paul’s incredibly annoying challenge in Ephesians.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4)

But on a professional level I think that language is an issue of civility and intelligence. Using words that are offensive to some demonstrates bad manners and a worse vocabulary. I dislike “second hand cursing” as much as second hand smoke. You know what I am talking about.

You are stuck in public with really loud cell phone guy who is “boosting the office team spirit” with a very loud and profanity laced tirade. I am not interested in his “team building” and I don’t want to hear his five word vocabulary. Or you find yourself seated by “we really know sports guys” as they do a blue play by play for the entire game. When obscenity becomes a habit it is hard to limit such words to “appropriate” times. That is one big reason that I stopped. Years ago I dropped a mild obscenity at work and turned around to see a wide-eyed six year old that had come into the production truck without my knowledge. I decided then to clean up my vocabulary.

Some say that any words other than taking the Lord’s name in vain are merely words. There is some truth to that. Jesus made it clear that what is in our heart is really the issue. So if you have profanity in your heart you might as well let’er rip. Right? Paul again moves from meditation to meddling with some more words to the church at Ephesus.

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5)

Ouch! I’ll bet the Ephesians were looking for some steel-toed sandals and hoping the next letter from Paul would be delayed in transit. But that makes it pretty clear for a Christian. Words do matter. And I need to get better at this. Perhaps the biggest issue is how do Christians, who clearly are called to a higher standard, react to an increasingly coarse culture?

I think Jesus (surprise) sets the example. Jesus was an oft invited guest at weddings and banquets to the point where those appearances drew the ire of the Pharisees. Think about it. If Jesus was a holier than thou, uptight religious, suck the air out of the room sourpuss would you want Him at your wedding party? A deadly serious, stuffy theologian type would likely not be an “A” list party invitee either. Jesus must have been able to laugh and enjoy the common fellowship of others and he was obviously welcome and desired at the festivities. Let’s join Luke at Levi’s dinner party that included some unsavory people and see what happens.

Levi gave a large dinner at his home for Jesus. Everybody was there, tax men and other disreputable characters as guests at the dinner. The Pharisees and their religion scholars came to his disciples greatly offended. “What is he doing eating and drinking with crooks and ‘sinners’?” Jesus heard about it and spoke up, “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders-an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.” They asked him, “John’s disciples are well-known for keeping fasts and saying prayers. Also the Pharisees. But you seem to spend most of your time at parties. Why?” Jesus said, “When you’re celebrating a wedding, you don’t skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but this isn’t the time. As long as the bride and groom are with you, you have a good time. Luke 5:29-34 (MsgB) 
 
I am not trying to be flippant (this time) but clearly Jesus knew how to party in the good sense of the word. He knew how to interact warmly with others and connect with those around Him. And He knew where to find those who needed the touch of forgiveness the most.
 
I also think about the eclectic group of followers that Jesus assembled. They were a fascinating blend of common laborers and professional types. Imagine today if Christ went to the local pier to recruit some fishermen, dropped by the IRS to pick up a follower, then over to the medical clinic and so on. This would be (at least initially) a fairly coarse group. I don’t suspect that the earthy sense of humor possessed by such men was immediately dispatched when they dropped their nets to follow Jesus. Part of any healthy and dynamic group relationship is having fun together. I believe that there were times when Jesus and the twelve told jokes, fish stories and made fun of the Pharisees. I think that Jesus understood that the language and topics of those outside the faith may be a bit uncomfortable. John Wesley once walked through the London market with a young man who desired to join the ministry. The coarse language offended the young man and he clearly wanted to leave. But Wesley told him to, “Stay, and learn to preach.”

For my fellow followers of Jesus I suggest the following. Set a higher standard but don’t be self-righteous about it. Never be surprised when sinners sin. Pray for the heart of those who offend you with bad language. That is the source of the problem, not the words themselves. Concentrate instead on the “g” word.

Grace.

And love them like Jesus.

To all of my Christian brothers and sisters…

I love you all like, well, brothers and sisters. But it is time for us to have a family conference. Next time you are really concerned about my health, hard drive, or soul could I request that you just pray for me instead of forwarding dire e-mail warnings? I don’t want to appear ungrateful but I have to agree with this email I recently received.

To all of you who have taken the time and trouble to “forward” emails over the past 12 months…

Thank you for making me feel safe, secure, blessed and healthy. Extra thanks to whoever sent me the e-mail about cockroach eggs in the glue on envelopes – I now have to go get a wet towel every time I need to seal an envelope.

Without you I would likely have gotten that flesh eating bacteria from bananas.

Thanks to you, I have learned that God only answers my prayers if I forward an e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.

I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS. Oh wait…I haven’t used a pay phone in ten years. But thanks anyway!

I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants or shampoos. I will live to be 100 but no one will ever come near me.

I was alerted to the deadly toilet spiders at a Chicago airport. That made for some long lay-overs!

I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl on the internet who is about to die in the hospital (for the ninth time).

I no longer have any money at all – but that will change once I receive the thousands of dollars that Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special on-line e-mail program.

Yes, I want to thank you all so much for looking out for me that I will now return the favor! If you don’t send this as an e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 7 minutes, a large pigeon with a wicked case of diarrhea will land on your head at 1:00 PM tomorrow. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor’s ex-mother-in-law’s second husband’s cousin’s beautician.

The automatic forwarding of e-mail warnings is a real pet peeve of mine. About every other week I have to send an e-mail to a wonderfully well intentioned friend to let them know that they are forwarding a hoax. I feel a little uncomfortable when I do that because I know it is embarrassing to them.

For Christians this is an important issue. When we forward false information it can (and often does) do damage to the image of Christianity and to the very name of Christ. It makes Christians appear lazy and uninformed (show restraint Dave…easy). How about the poor receptionist who fields thousands of irate calls for something that is not even valid? By the way, you would be amazed at the less than godly content of some of these callers.

Here are just a few of the hoaxes that crossed my inbox in recent months.

ACLU objects to Marines Praying –  False. They cause enough problems without making stuff up.
Al Gore calls Christians blight on environment – False. The quote is fabricated.
Harry Potter was written to recruit children to witchcraft – False.
James Dobson is pleading for our help because of a petition to stop the reading of the gospel over public broadcasting outlets – False.
This has been dead since 1975 but continually gets repackaged and reforwarded. And when it does the Federal Communications Commission must field thousands of calls and e-mails (at taxpayers expense). I received this one again this week.

Here are my requests and suggestions (forward these ideas to five friends and you might win something from somebody)

1) Be naturally suspicious. Truthorfiction.com has an article on how to spot an e-mail hoax that is very helpful.
2) Verify the story. There are a number of sites that catalog e-mail/internet hoaxes. Sites such as truthorfiction.com, snopes.com, or urbanlegends.about.com have extensive databases on these stories. Check before you forward. Please. Pretty please?
3) If the story is real and you feel led to respond please formulate your own response. Forwarding a boilerplate note of indignation tends to lose its effectiveness after the first few hundred times it is read.
4) Be gracious. You can let others know exactly how you believe and why you are concerned without gloating over their eternal destiny.
5) Apply Proverbs 2:11 to your cyber-ministry. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

James has a nice little take on wisdom.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.  (James 3, NIV)

I could go on but I just received a personal note from a very sweet widow in Nigeria. She needs my help and she promised me 5 million dollars. Don’t worry, I’ll tithe!

 

Today I am going to offer a gently read post from the past. Today it is not because I am lazy or really busy. I am repeating this post because I have been receiving a lot of emails about Christians behaving badly. While that is always disappointing such behavior should never come as a big surprise. Today’s repeat was actually the first iPod Devotional that I published. I hit the old shuffle button over a year ago and it became immediately apparent that God does indeed have a sense of humor.

The song that came up was Smiling Faces Sometimes from a group called Undisputed Truth. The song was originally recorded by the Temptations but the version released by Undisputed Truth in 1971 became the number 3 song that year. What delicious irony that the guy who wrote When Bad Christians Happen to Good People gets a song about hypocrites for the debut of this little experiment.

Here are the opening lyrics from that song…

Smiling faces sometimes pretend to be your friend
Smiling faces show no traces of the evil that lurks within
Smiling faces, smiling faces sometimes
They don’t tell the truth uh
Smiling faces, smiling faces
Tell lies and I got proof

I get hundreds of letters (okay…emails) from wounded Christians who could have started their note with those lyrics. They have been hurt and betrayed by other churchgoers, often with smiling faces. I try to encourage them. I remind them that we are all human. I ask them to look to Jesus. I try to communicate that I have felt and do feel the pain that they are experiencing. But everytime I hit send I am saddened that we allow this to happen in the body of Christ. Sometimes I am downright ticked off that any of us allow our agenda and self-absorption to overpower the awe inspiring gift of grace that brought us together in the first place. Not many things seemed to anger Jesus more than hypocrites. Listen to these comments directed to the religious leaders.

“How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy–full of greed and self-indulgence! Blind Pharisees! First wash the inside of the cup, and then the outside will become clean, too.

 “How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs–beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. You try to look like upright people outwardly, but inside your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.

 “Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?

Does that sound like the happy, happy Jesus that we like to portray? In a handful of verses He called the self-righteous leaders hypocrites, lawless, filthy inside, and sons of vipers. Ouch. Jesus was righteously furious. And He was furious over phony faith. Compare His tender response to repentant sinners. It is clear that Jesus wants honest hearts and maybe, just maybe, that is why He preferred to hang out with the not so self-righteous.

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people–even eating with them!  Luke 15  NLT

Oh no!!! Eating with sinners! And yet I still see that ugly scenario playing out everyday. We find safety in surrounding ourselves with others just like us. The lifestyles of the lost and not so famous are uncomfortable to us. So we take the safe route. I think Jesus loved being with the “sinners” because they realized their condition. They offered no excuses. They were eager to hear how this remarkable teacher would address that condition.

Just like the pharisees I can clean up the outside real purty. But God knows what lies beneath. It is scary and painful and ugly to allow the Holy Spirit to start cleaning out the dirt, the dead bones, and everything unclean. But we will never experience God the way He desires to relate to us unless we are willing to do just that. Frankly I don’t see the point of being a Sunday Christian. If this is real we need to pursue it seven days a week. The hardest truth I have had to admit as a husband, father, follower of Jesus is that I make time for those things that are a priority to me. There can be short time diversions for work or circumstance. But over the weeks and months how I spend my time and how I live my life reveals my heart. That is a hard truth.

Our iPod selection goes on…

Your enemy won’t do you no harm
Cause you’ll know where he’s coming from
Don’t let the handshake and the smile fool ya
Take my advice I’m only try’ to school ya

Isn’t that what hurts us so much when someone in the church does the wounding? We don’t expect it. We are not prepared at all to get sucker punched by a family member. But it happens in the church. Smiling faces do sometimes tell lies. Smiling churchgoers sometimes do great damage.

But there is another possibility. Smiling faces that love others like Jesus can still change this world. And, in my heart, that is undisputed truth.