Imagine this scenario. You arrive at the doctor’s office after taking a fall, with sharp pain in your arm. The doctor examines you, runs a few tests, and takes X-rays of your arm. After looking at the results, she informs you that your arm is broken and that is the cause of your pain. You wait but nothing happens. You ask about your broken arm, and the doctor confirms that it is broken. You are waiting to hear about the treatment, but there is only the diagnosis. Every time you ask, you are simply told that you have a broken arm, and you end up leaving the office aware of your problem, but with no solution.

Of course, this is not what actually happens. If it did, the situation would be intolerable. In a situation like this, we want the diagnosis, but we also want a treatment plan. Understanding the problem, even how it was created is important, but fixing the problem is our greatest need. Information is not enough. We need action. This is true in every aspect of our lives. Evaluation, diagnosis, and understanding are all valuable, and necessary, components of healthy change, but we need implementation to see any actual change.

It strikes me that all of this points to an important struggle in our current situation. Everyone wants to point out the problem, even share all of their opinions regarding it, but few choose to become part of the solution. Telling people that the world is broken is hardly news anymore, yet that is what saturates our lives. The media informs us of the issues, but leaves us waiting for answers to the real problem. Social media is full of opinions about the state of the world, but 140 characters and memes rarely provide the space for substantive solutions. It is no wonder that so many people are stressed, confused, and angry.

The church is not immune to this struggle. Christians also seem to have a penchant for decrying the evils of the world, pointing out broken lives and systems, yet failing to offer tangible solutions that lead to healing transformation. It is easy to point out sin, at least in others, but far more challenging to come alongside people and lead them to the wholeness God desires for them. If all we have to offer is commentary on the world’s problems, it is not surprising that the world finds us irrelevant.

Thankfully, the Gospel message does not stop at identifying brokenness. We have so much more to offer. The Gospel is “good news!” It is true that people may need to hear the hard truth, the “bad news,” in order to recognize the problem, but the message does not stop there. In the face of brokenness, God’s truth is there is a way to restoration and wholeness. People were drawn to Jesus, not because he told them what was wrong, but because he healed them. As followers of Christ, imagine what would happen if we did the same.

The truth is, people already know things are broken. They are not looking for information, rather, they are seeking transformation. As a United Methodist, I cannot help but comment on our denominational mission, “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. It is that last phrase that makes the difference, and even if you are not United Methodist, the goal is just the same. Followers of Christ embody the Gospel so that the world can be changed by the power of God’s love.

So, what do we do? What is our prescription? First, we must let God heal our brokenness. We cannot help the world be whole if we are not on the journey to wholeness ourselves. Letting God transform us may be one of the greatest gifts we can offer a hurting world. When we begin to be conformed the image of Christ, we will also begin to act like him. Our heart will begin to reflect God’s heart, and people we see in us the answer they seek.

Second, we can lose the hearts of judgement and replace them with hearts of compassion. The stories of Jesus tell us frequently that he had compassion and healed. Imagine what would happen if we began to have God’s compassion for everyone, not just those we like and agree with. If we begin to pray for God’s heart toward others, we would begin to see people with an immeasurable love, and sharing that love would go a long way toward healing hurting people.

Third, we can set aside our agendas for God’s purposes. It is easy to make God a supporter of our beliefs and desires, but the real call is to make our beliefs and desires what God supports.

Fourth, we can stop yelling and start listening. Instead of trying to force others into our vision, we can help lead others into God’s destiny. People don’t need our opinions, they need truth, grace, compassion, and hope.

In spite of its frequent use, there is great revelation in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son. That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” God has such love for the world that God is willing to give everything to give it life. That kind of sacrificial love is exactly we are called to reflect and live out. It is easy to judge the world, to point out all the brokenness, but the real call of our faith is to love people as God loves them, to walk with them in the way that leads to the wholeness of eternal life. It is a daunting task, but a rewarding one, and thankfully, we can do it through the grace and power of Christ in us.

The post More Than a Diagnosis appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

Sometimes, we have to work through the mess. Once again this year, I am participating in Inktober, a challenge created by artist Jake Parker to crest one ink drawing a day for the month of October. My first year was 2016, and the process was helpful in strengthening my drawing skills. This year, I am a little behind, but enjoying the process.

Day one of this year went much better than expected. I was thrilled to see how well my first project came together. It was not, however, a harbinger of what was yet to come. The second day came with the prompt “tranquil.” With a great vision for a fishing boat resting on still water, I worked for an hour only to end up with something that simply wasn’t going to work. It was hard to start over, but the result was worth it. I went in a new direction and ended with something I was very happy with.

On the third day, I started with an ambitious project that had to be cut short, and day four things fell apart. The drawing was a simple cup of coffee with latte art. Two attempts later, it was just plain bad. It was extremely hard to post that one online, but that is part of the challenge.

Reflecting on the process so far this year, I am increasingly aware of how much it represents all of life. Sometimes, things go the way we expect. Sometimes, things exceed our hopes, and then there are the times when things become a mess. The messy moments can steal our joy and derail our passion. When things go awry, we begin to doubt and we are tempted to give up, but that is precisely the time we need to keep moving and work through the mess.

In the midst of the struggle, we cannot allow self-doubt, fear, or any other negative emotion to steal our hope and our faith. When things get messy, we work through the mess until we see the possibilities. Even what seems like failure is a learning experience that helps us see with new eyes, and develop new strategies. The messy moments are training ground, opportunities to learn and grow stronger.

It is hard to have that perspective when things are not working out. In those times, I often find myself echoing the classic prayer from the Gospels, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Then, it is time to keep moving forward, through the mess to the beauty God is creating.

I have a good friend who, when I tell her I am going through something, always says, “Thank God!” When I mentioned that was not the response I expected she said, “Well, I am glad you are going through. Don’t stop. God is bringing you through to something better.” I confess that is not always easy to receive, but, so far, it has always proven to be true.

So, when the mess arrives, give thanks. Rejoice that you are not alone, that God is bringing you through, and that God is creating something beautiful in and through you.

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Saturday, our congregation had the privilege of serving almost 200 people as we provided support for the first Amish Country Running Festival. People came from our region and state, around the United States, and from Canada to participate in the event, which included runs from one mile to a full marathon, all through the scenic beauty of Amish country.

Some of our people participated in the race. One of our youth sang the National Anthem. Some helped provide direction and support along the course. Many came to cheer and encourage the runners along the way. Most came to make delicious food to feed the runners and community as they enjoyed the day’s activities.

The event coordinators thanked us for all we did, but we were the ones who were thankful. We did not offer our help to get recognition, we simply wanted to offer hospitality as an expression of our faith, our support of our community, and our love for people. Sharing the gift of hospitality is a blessing, one that can easily be overlooked, but that makes a difference in the world and in our own lives.

Once, while working at a community food pantry in another town we lived in, I experienced the confusion that often surrounds the ministry of hospitality. Many people were coming to receive the food they needed for their families. It was humbling to help people who needed what I often took for granted. I thanked every person who came.

After one of my, “thank you,” moments, another worker came to me and said, “Why are you thanking them? We are the ones giving them free food. Shouldn’t they be thanking us?” I was so caught up in the blessing of serving that the question surprised me. I never considered that the other workers were not experiencing the blessing I was receiving. I did my best to explain what a gift it was to share hospitality with others, but I am not sure my thoughts and feelings were completely understood.

I confess that I left that moment thinking the person who asked me that question was a little callous, but after some prayer and reflection, I think the proper word was confused. Too often, we are never shown what a gift hospitality is to the one who offers it. Those around us frequently point out what others receive when we share hospitality, while neglecting to teach us the spiritual gift serving produces in us. The supernatural reality of hospitality is that it blesses everyone, the one who offers it, those who receive it, and the world that is touched by it. Our acts of love and compassion change far more than individual lives. When we live with hearts of love and service, we change communities and destinies, and the ripple of those actions change the heart of humanity.

I love the encouragement found in the book of Hebrews, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” (13:2) At first this might seem like a warning, “show hospitality because it might be a test from God.” I prefer to think of it as inspiration, “show hospitality because you never know the difference you are making, You might even be demonstrating to angels the power of God’s love in human hearts.”

Hospitality is not just about helping someone else, and it is certainly not about feeling good about ourselves because we did something. Hospitality is about making a difference, changing the world one act at a time. It is about revealing the heart and nature of God through acts of kindness. Hospitality helps the world see that God’s eye is on them, that God knows them and calls them by name. We demonstrate God’s love and provision, and declare the sacred worth of every life, created in the image of God. In actions large and small, we tangibly declare that the world matters to God, and that we were made for the blessing of community.

You may not be supporting a race today. You may not be working at a food pantry, or any other organized program, but thankfully, you don’t need an event or a program to practice hospitality. Opportunities abound all around us. We can serve our families. We can listen to someone who thinks no one hears their voice. We can share our blessings with those who feel forgotten. We can rejoice with those who need to celebrate with someone, and cry with people who are hurting. Everything we do will make a difference. Jesus said even a cup of water offered in his name could change the world.

So, lets not miss the gift of hospitality. Instead, embrace it, for together, we can change the world through the power of God at work within us.

The post The Gift of Hospitality appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

I don’t know if I’ve seen any particular scripture reference used more poorly than the one above. In my own life, and in the lives of many others, people used this verse to suggest that God allowed, even caused, bad things to happen in order to accomplish something good.

When my father suddenly abandoned our family when I was 14, numerous people quoted this verse in a strange attempt to comfort me. They kept implying that, if I waited, I would see that God caused this situation so that something better would happen. I can assure you this created anything but comfort. All I could think as I pondered these comments was, “Really, the all-powerful God of the universe could only accomplish a good thing in my life by putting my family through pain?” It didn’t inspire much faith.

As a pastor, I’ve listened as people quoted this verse to others in the midst of grief and tragedy. I am sure it is meant well, but it hardly represents the compassionate God who stands with us in our pain, who is broken-hearted by our suffering, and who grieves the pain of sin and brokenness in the world. It is a cold word that comes all to easily from a “everything happens for a reason” theology. The truth is, sometimes the reason is that there is evil in the world.

At the same time, we cannot simply negate this verse. While we were never meant to use it to dismiss someone’s pain, there is a promise of hope that lies within these words. God does not need bad things to produce good. God is the source of all goodness. However, it is God’s power and goodness that works in the midst of evil, suffering, and pain to redeem every situation. In our times of struggle, God is with us, comforting us, and speaking life over us, even in the face of death.

I see this loving power of God in situations small and large. Sunday, I caught the flu, which is also why I missed Tuesday’s post. I hated being sick, and I was disappointed in the way it disrupted my plans. I missed out on things I truly value. At the same time, left with little I could do, I found time for some much needed rest, time to pray, listen to God, and saturate myself with Scripture. I did not need to be sick to accomplish these things, but the days of sickness were not lost or wasted because the presence of God redeemed them.

I’ve seen God do even bigger things, in more extreme circumstances. I’ve watched cancer survivors become support for others facing the disease. I’ve seen people who walked through the darkness of great grief become light to others traveling a similar path. I’ve watched those who go without provide care for those with less. The list of such occurrences is long, but in each case I know I am watching God work for good in every situation, as people comfort others with the same comfort they received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

Not every circumstance is good, but God works for good in every situation, and it is for our good. This is why we can rejoice always, because God is always near and at work. We may not choose our circumstances, but we can choose faith, hope, and joy in the midst of them, because God is at work and that is always good.

The post Working for Good appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

Yesterday was challenging. Mid-afternoon, we received a call from my wife’s new doctor informing us that that her recent tests showed that she was in serious condition and that we needed to go to the emergency room right away. It was a life-threatening situation. You can imagine the fear, and a host of other emotions, that flooded us in that moment. Things can turn upside-down in a moment.

Things can also turn in good ways just as fast. After some time at the hospital, and consultation with a previous physician, we discovered that there was a misunderstanding in the interpretation of the data. My wife was completely fine, and she was able to return home with me a few minutes later. It was a wild ride and, while we may not be happy about the process, we are elated at the end result.

As I processed my emotions last night, I took some time before we went to sleep to read some Scripture and to pray. I typically work my way through the Psalms before bed. I opened to where I left off, and began reading right at Psalm 91.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

It is funny how God provides just what we need to hear when we are attentive. As I read through the remainder of the Psalm, I found my peace increase, and I gave thanks for God’s presence in every circumstance.

As I approached the end of the chapter, I found the closing words especially helpful. I know these words were probably written for the king of Israel when they were composed, and I strongly advocate reading the Scripture in context. Still, last night, I felt these same words applied to our situation and so I claimed them for our lives as well. So, pardon me as I change the pronouns in the text, and I pray that you might find hope in them as well:

“Because she loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue her;

I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name.

She will call on me, and I will answer her;

I will be with her in trouble,

I will deliver her and honor her.

With long life I will satisfy her

and show her my salvation.”

The post Words of Comfort appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

It is unlikely that many people approach their lives thinking, “I should make this more complicated,” yet, too often our decisions do exactly that. We want things to run smoothly and to be easier in many ways, only to find that it takes very little to make it all more complicated. Even the seemingly insignificant decisions and actions can come with a cascade of unintended consequences.

The biggest challenges to the sense of comfort and peace I desire are found in the things I own, and the engagements I accept. The “stuff” that collects in my house and in my calendar seems useful, even necessary, at the time, and later turns out to be a source of frustration and complication. As we continue to unpack our belongings, I find there are numerous things that have no home. These simple things take up space, filling drawers that could hold other things, and taking up valuable shelf space. Unpacking pens, refills, and miscellaneous office supplies filled several drawers that I now need to root through to find the items I need, and there are still more things that could go in the same space. I keep asking, “Why did I buy all of this? Am I ever going to use it? Will I remember where it is when I need it?” Useful items have suddenly become clutter.

My schedule can experience the same overload. It is easy to say, “Yes,” to invitations that I find attractive and meaningful, but it is also easy to say that to too many of them. Of course, it doesn’t take long to realize that each acceptance typically comes with preparation and a greater commitment of time than I expected. Unchecked, activities I love become burdensome and affect everything else in my plans.

I know I am not the only one who experiences such challenges. Things and plans embraced with good intentions quickly accumulate and become obstacles instead of opportunities. This is probably why the early church Mothers and Fathers placed such a high value on simplicity. The fewer attachments we have, the less the things of life can impede our journey. As we embrace the simple life, it is easier to find our focus and pursue it with passion, and in the process, we create space to commune with God.

The rich, young ruler who came to Jesus asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” was certainly not expecting Jesus’ reply. I imagine he was ready to take on a new task, or embrace something else into his life. Instead, Jesus called on him to release what he already possessed and follow him. The story ends with the man leaving discouraged. Letting go is hard.

Saying, “No,” is hard as well. There are so many wonderful, important opportunities around us, so many places to be involved and make a difference, yet we cannot do it all. It can be equally discouraging to turn down invitations we want to accept but, whether it is things or appointments (or anything else for that matter), anything that removes the simplicity from our lives also removes our peace and our effectiveness.

During a part of my education, while I had a full schedule at school, and a church I served part-time, a friend gave me a small cartoon. In that pre-digital meme, a woman is speaking to her exasperated partner, “Just remember, dear, Jesus loves you, and everyone else has a wonderful plan for your life.” I laughed, but I also winced, because much of my life was consumed by things that kept me busy, not things that brought real meaning to my life. I thought I could blame syllabi or others’ expectations for my full schedule, but that was not the true cause.

The real key to navigating these challenges comes in the realization that we set our schedules, and we choose how much we possess. We have the power to choose the simple life, or we can continue to make the same decisions that keep us cluttered and confused. We have the power to let go, and the authority to say, “no.” This is where a clear sense of vision and purpose becomes invaluable to our decision making process. When we have a clear vision of who we are and where we are going, we are able to make wise choices about what we allow in our lives. Just as we can choose to buy one more thing and take on one more task, we can also choose the simple life that accentuates the significant things while releasing the clutter and busyness.

Jesus offered some very sound advice to his followers. He said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness, and all these other things will be given to you.” (Matthew 6:33) When we put God, and God’s agenda first, all of the other things of life will find their proper place. When we invert the process, we become overloaded and exhausted, and God’s great purpose for our lives gets lost in the mess.

Choosing the simple life is not easy, but the reward is great. To make the decision, we must let go of the need to own everything, and we must find our value in our relationship with God. It requires accepting the truth that our possessions do not make us important, nor does the level of activity in our calendar. Our value, our sense of worth, our identity will not be found in these places. Instead, we must come to know that our significance is found in the truth that God, “chose us in him [Jesus] before the foundation of the world, to be adopted as the children of God.” (Ephesians 1:4)

We matter because we are created in the image of God, loved by God, and made God’s children through Jesus Christ. With that knowledge, we can pursue lives of meaning, rooted in something much greater that the things people typically chase after. As a young woman I met in a poverty stricken community in Brazil once said to me, “We have everything because we have him.”

May the simple life of that truth call us and guide us as we live lives of destiny and purpose. May we throw off the things that weigh us down, so that we can run into the future God prepares for us. May we bind ourselves to God and find that the chains that hold us back are broken as we do. Maybe it is time to take our saturated schedules and our over-filled spaces, and trade them for the joy of simplicity.

The post Embracing the Simple Life appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

Please forgive the delay posting this morning’s post. I awoke today, with a passion to write something more timely.

I keep watching as hurricane Florence approaches the Carolinas, watching in awe of the size of the storm, and in deep concern for all that is within its path. I am thankful for the downgrade in intensity, but profoundly aware of the damage it will cause. I continue to pray for safety for people who will feel its destructive force: those who stayed in their homes, first responders, members of the military, and others. I pray for people who are displaced, seeking shelter and protection, unsure of what they will experience now, and what they will return to once the storm passes. I pray for communities that will be affected for years to come, long after the national meteorologists and news media move on to other stories and most of us forget about the long road of recovery. I pray for my own family and friends who need safety and direction. I look upon this vast storm and I pray.

This is not the only storm in my prayers this morning. I am also praying for families that are walking through the storm of grief, storms of physical struggles, along with storms in thought and spirit. These are not just generic prayers for nameless people who are struggling, they are prayers for people I love, for whom my heart breaks, and, beyond my prayers, I feel helpless. Storms remind us of our vulnerability and our weakness, yet I offer what strength I can as I hold each person and situation before God.

I know that many in our current culture remain unimpressed with the offering of thoughts and prayers. I realize that they see this as nothing more than words, and sometimes they are right. When we are honest, we know that the offer to pray for others can be the ultimate Christian brush-off, that keeps us from being truly invested in the needs of others. However, that does not mean that all prayer lacks power and significance. Yes, for some, an offering to pray may be an act of avoidance, but for many of us, our prayers are a sign of our deep, and passionate, investment in the lives of those who matter to us, and to God. Praying may be some of the greatest work we do, for while we cannot change every storm people experience, God can.

I’ve been privileged to share in prayer with people who profoundly care about the needs of others. I listen to the deep cries of their hearts, and see the tears that flow from their eyes as they carry those they love to Jesus. They know their weakness, but they trust in God’s strength. There is nothing passive about their prayers, instead, they are putting all of their trust in the Jesus who speaks to storms and they obey him. Like the story in the Bible of the people who tore the roof off of a house to get their friend in front of Jesus, they are committed to carrying the ones they love into his presence, with the unwavering belief that he can make a difference.

Part of what makes today’s thoughts timely to me extends beyond the pending impact of a hurricane. It is also timely because my wife and I are about to go for her two-year, post-cancer check up. At this time in 2016, we were in the midst of a powerful storm. We were weak, and fighting our fears as we faced the struggle ahead. We had faith, but thank God we were not alone. There were people in many places who were fighting with us in the storm.

You may ask, “did those prayers make any difference?” Absolutely! We felt them in countless ways. God gave us peace in the storm, offered miraculous provision and direction, and brought us safely though. I am not denying the gifts of the medical community and others, but there were just too many moments where we saw God move in our circumstances where there was no other explanation than the power of prayer. God responded to the prayers of God’s people, and this was not the only time. God is faithful, and our prayers make a difference.

So, I am going to continue to pray for those facing storms today. I am going to keep believing in God’s ability to be peace in the storm, and speak peace to the storm. I am going to keep tearing the roof off buildings and pressing through whatever walls I need to in order to bring those I love, and the whole world before God. I will be relentless in my petitions, because I know the heart of God, I know the power of the Holy Spirit, and I know that God moves in the mightiest of storms. I will be God’s answer to prayer where I can, and where I am helpless, I will put my full hope in the One who is not. I will continue to trust the Jesus of great compassion, who looks at the immensity of the storm and says, “Peace! Be still!” I pray you will join me.

The post Peace in the Storm appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

I hear it frequently, and have many times over the past 30 years of ministry, “We just cannot get enough volunteers.” It seems like most churches wrestle with this issue. How can we get more people to volunteer for the various ministries we offer? Sometimes, this leads to a place of great frustration where leaders begin to believe that nobody cares about the ministry of the church.

I am not convinced that is the problem. I believe people deeply care about Jesus Christ and his mission in the world. Numerous people I talk with are filled with passion. They love God, and they want to see the world transformed. When they pray the Lord’s Prayer, they really do want God’s name to be made holy, God’s kingdom to come, and God’s will to be done right here, right now, on earth as it is in heaven. They see the vastness of the need, and they believe God wants to answer that need through the church, but something is missing. I contend that the missing piece is found in the language we use.

Words have meaning. Yes, there are definitions for every word we use, but there is also the meaning we associate with those words. Combined, these definitions and meanings lead to assumptions and understandings about our communication. Use the wrong words and people envision the wrong things, and act accordingly. The proper words, however, elicit a vibrant response that releases powerful beliefs and actions.

So, what word is the problem? The surprisingly common and deceptive word, “volunteer.” Let me be honest and straightforward. I never volunteer at church, not as a pastor, nor as a Christian. I am not even sure it is possible. I volunteer to help a number of organizations and causes, but I never volunteer for ministry. Why? Simply because any action of ministry, no matter how small, is not volunteering, it is serving. Before you dismiss me and accuse me of an argument of semantics, take a moment to hear me out.

Volunteering has everything to do with me offering my time to something I value or believe in. Serving recognizes my life is a gift from God, and the time I offer is actually God’s time given to me to use to fulfill God’s purposes in my life and the world. When I volunteer, I am in control, and I am giving someone else what belongs to me. When I serve, God is in control, and I am responding to God’s grace in my life, sharing what God already shared with me. Volunteering is about helping out with something important. Serving is about being a part of something bigger, believing my part is connected to God’s vision for the transformation of the world.

Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” In these simple words, we are reminded that, as followers of Jesus, what we do is not about us. It is not about our personal tastes, our private agendas, or even about the traditions of our local church. What we do is about Jesus, and his plan for the world. When I serve, I am connected to something so much greater than I could imagine. My actions are no longer about how I feel, or what I get, including the affirmation and appreciation of others. As a servant, I am acting to please God, to show my love to the One who loves me most.

I often think of the comparison to marriage. I do not volunteer to help my wife with projects that matter to her, or to care for our family. I choose to give myself as an act of love. That may be the act of making the bed, listening to a story, or any number of little things that express my heart’s connection to my wife and children. Not once have I said, “Okay, I will volunteer to care for you when you are sick,” or, “I volunteer to clean the house.” Instead, I choose to do such things because I am in love. I want to respond to the love I receive, and show the love I have.

My relationship with Jesus is no different. I do not preach on Sunday because it is my job. If that was the motivation, it would be a terrible job. I don’t visit people in the hospital, help with our youth, teach, lead, or anything else because I must. Instead, I do all the acts of ministry because I love Jesus, and I love the people I am called to serve. I do not volunteer to help the church, or the community. I serve people because of the passion, and compassion, in my heart. Acts of ministry are not just tasks, they are expressions of love, opportunities to value others through our service.

Maybe the reason we seem to always need more volunteers is because we actually don’t need any volunteers at all. Maybe we need servants who understand how great God’s blessings are, and what a privilege it is to share those blessings with others. Maybe we need to help people see how our acts of ministry are signs of our love for God, and our love for people. Maybe we need to help people reconnect to Jesus, who said, and showed, that he came to serve others out of the vast, compassionate heart of God. Could it be that when we do, people will begin to see their own actions as following in Jesus’ footsteps, becoming like him in what they do?

I do not volunteer at church, but I will willingly give my life in service to God and others. There is but a small reward for what I volunteer to do, but my service, in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit can quite literally change the world. That is something I can be passionate about. That is something that I do not want to miss, and I know that I am not alone.

Today, we can choose to ask God for a servant’s heart. We can begin to change our words, our thoughts, and our motivations. We can exchange doing something nice for people, or just helping out, for the privilege of partnering with God in God’s work in the world. In 1 Corinthians 3:9, the Apostle Paul refers to us as God’s coworkers. That is so much more attractive and meaningful than church volunteers.

So, let’s embrace a new vision. Together, let’s open our hearts and minds to embrace something greater than ourselves or a program, and let’s become servants of the Most High God, ambassadors for Christ, and emissaries of the kingdom of God. It is time to believe that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can can fulfill that great prayer Jesus taught. May it be so!

The post Why I Never Volunteer at Church appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32

Clutter, it accumulates easily, and as it does, it becomes a bigger impediment to our lives. Spiritual clutter, restricts our growth and hampers our faith.

One person who commented on the last post, raised an important point. Some things that clutter our lives can actually be fodder for growth and creativity as we mature. This week, I spent some time unpacking my studio. There were boxes of art supplies for me to go through. There still are, but what I did sort through revealed many things I forgot I possessed, and a few things I thought I disposed of. Many of these items provided some fresh inspiration for new projects, and I am glad they were still there to be found.

Not everything that appears to be clutter actually is, however, many things we become accustomed to may be more of a hinderance that we actually know. Looking for space in my studio revealed a number of things that were merely taking up valuable space. I feel attached to them because they were with me for quite a while, but it may be time for me to embrace greater simplicity. Maybe simplifying will be a good topic for the future. For the moment, let’s further consider our spiritual clutter. Tuesday, we looked at some of the larger pieces of spiritual clutter. Today, lets consider some other negative things that take up valuable space in our hearts.

Anger – We all get angry. People and things frustrate us, they hurt us, and from those initial emotions, anger develops. Anger is always a secondary emotion, but it is a powerful one, and when we harbor anger in our hearts, it damages our relationships. There is a place for righteous anger, but all too often we use that exemption to maintain harmful forms of anger adorned in righteous coverings. Real anger separates. It fuels division, and restricts healthy relationships. It affects our relationship with God, with others, and with ourselves.

Anger is toxic, and it is contagious. As the old axiom goes, “hurting people hurt people.” That is why the Scripture enjoins us to put it away along with bitterness, slander, and malice. Harboring these emotions, or acting on them, leads to great pain for everyone involved. The more we nurture them, the larger, and stronger, they become. This is a form of clutter that can choke the life out of our spirit.

Unforgiveness – Closely related to anger, the lack of forgiveness fosters pain in our spiritual life. People do harmful things and it is hard to release those experiences, and even harder to forgive those who caused them. However, our inability to forgive will never right the wrongs, nor will it lead to healing. Ultimately, it will attack and consume us without justice or restoration. As someone once said, “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” When we forgive, we do not condone harmful actions, nor do we excuse the people who did us harm, however, we stop the cycle of harm in our lives and free ourselves from the grip of our wounds. It is not easy to forgive, but the more we realize our own need for forgiveness, it becomes easier to extend it to others.

Bitterness and Hate – These are burdens that are simply to heavy to carry. They cause us to elevate ourselves above others. We begin to embrace an attitude of superiority which leads to judgement, discrimination, and destruction. Slander and gossip follow, as we seek to demean someone else in order to feel better ourselves. Many, if not all, of the “isms” we face in our society find their roots in bitterness and hate. When we pull up these roots, we destroy their fruit as well. The more that we embrace the Biblical call to be kind, tenderhearted, and loving, the more that we reflect the heart of God and find peace in our lives.

As I reflect on these harmful forms of spiritual clutter, I am reminded of all of the broken things I kept in my life because they were familiar, or filled with emotional connections. No matter what memories I connected with them, they were no less broken. Likewise, holding on to places of spiritual brokenness is equally unhelpful, and only prevents us from receiving the wholeness God designed for us.

There are numerous, other pieces of spiritual clutter that affect our faith journey, and there are things that may be obstacles in each of our lives that may not be issues for others. If we truly desire to live in God’s hope and peace, we ought accept the challenge to do the necessary, personal house cleaning. The Psalmist said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:22-23) Maybe this should be a regular prayer.

If we will let God shine the light into our lives, God will reveal any grievous thing that needs to be removed. Then, we can trust the love of Jesus to cleanse us, and the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to release the clutter, giving greater space for the Sprit to fill us. It sounds intimidating, but it seems like a very good trade to me.

The post Removing Spiritual Clutter – Part 2 appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

It’s been two months since we moved into our new home. While many things are in their proper place, plenty of boxes remain unpacked, and many of our belongings still need a space. Our home is functional, but we are still working around the clutter of boxes and displaced things. Every day brings improvement, however, we will be glad to be completely settled.

Clutter is expected at times, yet it is challenging to our senses and our functionality. Many people claim that it is a sign of creativity and boosts the creative spirit. I do not know how true that idea is, but practically, clutter is a distraction that inhibits our effectiveness. Time spent hunting through the mess to find what we need is wasted. Homeless items can be significant obstacles, and numerous studies reveal that our clutter is a cause for anxiety.

Spiritual clutter is no less significant and distracting. When our spirits are messy, we wrestle to find deep, inner peace. We were not designed to function with such spiritual distractions and we can find difficulty maintaining our sense of centeredness and we impede our growth in faith. As we allow spiritual clutter to accumulate, we invite further difficulties into our faith journey, we lose momentum in spiritual development, and we can easily become discouraged. We need to take time to clean our the clutter in order to have a more dynamic relationship with God.

So, what is this spiritual clutter and how do we get rid of it? While there is no way to create a comprehensive list, there are some common culprits and the methods used to address them reveal ways to deal with other areas as they arise.

Sin – Sin is not a popular word in our modern vocabulary. It sounds condemning, and we prefer to avoid discussing it. Jesus, however, thought it was significant and worthy of our attention. Sin inhibits our relationship with God. When we choose actions that strain our relationship with God, we create unnecessary obstacles to our faith walk, and we hamper our spiritual life. Thankfully, God does not want us to live in our brokenness, but provides us with a way out through the gift of Jesus Christ. Sin does not have to have authority over us. The Bible tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ (1 John 1:9) The solution is as simple as honestly confessing our sin and receiving God’s forgiveness in Jesus.

Self-condemnation – Too often we replay the tapes in our minds that tell us we are not enough. We rehearse our failures and reflect on the voices that speak poorly about us. Sometimes, we are our own worst enemies. We accept the lies that we are unlovable, too flawed, even rejected by God, but that is not how God sees us. We are created in the image of God and made perfect through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” We are deeply loved and desired by God. We may not be perfect, but we are on the path to perfection, and we are worthy because God says so.

Guilt – It is easy to believe that our past failures prevent us from experiencing God’s goodness. The good news is that God does not consult our past to determine our future. Rather, God declares our future in spite of our past. It is never about our ability to measure up. It is always about abiding in Christ and being found in him. Our past is just that, past. Here, in the present, we are new creatures in Christ. The old is gone. The new is come. Carrying our faults and failures is too great of a weight for our shoulders. We cast those things on Christ and walk in the freedom he gives us.

Spiritual Busyness – “If only I was doing more,” we tell ourselves, “then I would be the right kind of Christian.” It is certainly good to challenge ourselves to grow, and to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, but it is not good to judge ourselves by what others do, or by an expectation God did not set for us. Perfect Sunday attendance, participation in every church event, and religious activity are not the litmus test of our faith, neither is how much of the Bible we read or memorize, how long we pray, or how many devotionals we read. We can fill our schedules with a myriad of religious activities and grow no closer to God, while making ourselves less available to what God is actually calling us to do. We need to be wise in the stewardship of our time, dedicating enough to have the resources to grow and serve, while leaving room for our relationship with Jesus. We do not need to prove our faith, we need to live it.

Imagine what would happen in our lives if we removed these, and other, obstacles so the fruit of the Spirit could grow freely in us. Imagine what would happen in the world around us. We were meant to experience the wonder and blessing of a life with Christ, a life filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Not only is this possible, it is God’s perfect design for our lives.

So, as we embrace this new day, let’s remove the spiritual clutter to make room for the Spirit’s presence. Together, we can let go of the things that choke the life out of our faith, and we can take hold of the blessings God has for us. As the clutter clears, we will find greater freedom, greater clarity, and a greater life. Cleaning is never easy, but when we are done, it is worth it. So, let’s take the first steps today.

The post Removing Spiritual Clutter – Part 1 appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.