Cares about cancer

Amanda is certainly more the crusader when it comes to cancer than I.  However, I cannot help but think of all the people who have had their lives changed (even if momentarily) by cancer.  I think of this because this weekend we had the joy of being part of a dinner, dance and auction benefitting City of Hope.  This amazing organization has developed cancer treatments that I can't begin to spell, but my wife uses every week in her work as an oncology nurse.  What they do amazes me and I believe that God is producing miracles through science and research.  Pray for people who have cancer.  Pray for the people who are on the front lines fighting cancer.  Pray for those who are searching for a cure.  Pray for a cure.   

Buried Deep

I have never buried money.  There is no gold in my back yard or maps with X marking the spot anywhere in my house.  The very idea of burying money seems really strange to me.  Money is a tool.  It is meant to be spent, invested, donated, exchanged, saved etc.  It is not meant to be dormant.  Money is meant to be used and useful.  Consider this the next time you read the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).  The boss is angry when he returns to find that one of his servants buried his money instead of using it. 

There are so many things that we have been given that we overlook.  All the readers of this blog who I know have at least average (or above) intelligence, have no physical handicaps, have a home and family, etc.  These very basic things are so easily taken for granted- so easily buried.  Many of us have been lied to and believe that there is nothing we are unable to do anything of significance in this world.  But, you do have something to offer.

All too often the blessing you have get buried.  These things get lost in the midst of media noise, business, or lies.  Choosing to veg instead of putting talents to use.  Believing that you have no talents.  Or being too caught up in lesser activities.

Get out the shovel, uncover your talents (no matter how small) and put them to use.  This is why they were given to you in the first place.

My Flesh

There are 420 calories in a pack of cinnamon and brown sugar Pop-Tarts.  Normally, I would not care one bit.  However, I am getting ready for the 5k benefiting Olivia's House on April 2.  Part of my preparing is to cut back so that there is less Ken to move around the track!  Thus, my Pop-Tart dilemma.  As I sit here eating the last few bites I am reminded of our lesson on Sunday.  Genetic predispositions and the Holy Spirit was the lofty topic that we got into.  Here is where I will confess... I am a foodie.  Food knows me by name and I answer its siren call.  I do not fast often (and when I do it is for a ridiculously short period of time) becuase I do not want to fail in a commitment to God (thus missing the whole point of fasting to begin with). 

It is here that I would like to blame my genes.  I have some gene in my cells that makes my chemistry light up when I am eating.  There is some part of my brain programmed to be happy in the presence of pasta.  Late night snacking is a direct result of my DNA.  SO, I should give up the fight and be fat and happy... right?

Well, what about the genetic predisposition toward Alcoholism?  My genes, and the way they affect the neurochemical Gamma-amino butyric acid or GABA, have some effect on my risk for alcoholism (see http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=26119 for more info).  Now, having alcoholism in my family history it is likely that I may have the genes that are linked to alcoholism.  A genetic predisposition. SO, should I give up the fight and be fat, drunk, and, well, not so happy?

This is all based on the physical part of me... my genes and DNA.  Let's call this physical part "the flesh" and the predispositions "the desires of the flesh."  My genes and DNA want Pop-Tarts and 420 calories of brown sugar deliciousness.  Can I say no to the desires of the flesh?  What about the spiritual part of me?  What about my free-will and my ability to choose?  What about my spirit?  What about God's Holy Spirit.

In I Corinthians 6 Paul says that he will not let anything master him.  He will not become a slave to the desires of the flesh.  It is not easy to deny your flesh those things that are being desired even to the genetic level... but it is possible.  Am I an alcoholic?  NO (and that is not denial- I really am not).  Why not?  Because I refuse to let alcohol be a part of my life.  I will not give it the chance to master me.  There are sins that I am actively struggling with and they may be things I am genetically predisposed to.  I will not just give up the struggle and accept them as a part of my life.  This is where my free-will, my spirit, and God's Holy Spirit work together.

The Little Things

It is the little things that make all of the difference.  It is the little things that evade me sometimes.  Remembering to send a text message to my wife during the day.  Taking a little extra time with each child at bedtime.  Interacting directly with each teen in the group.  Those little gestures are easy to forget but can have a profound impact. 

I believe that God is asking us everyday if we can be trusted in the little things.  Those small acts of kindness or compassion that add up to make the world a better place.  Taking the time to listen to someone complain about their rough morning.  Remembering to send thank you cards.  Calling someone on their birthday.  These are not great acts of Christian service... but they are important.  In the parable of the talents we read that those who were faithful in small acts can then be trusted with much more.  If you want to be a world-changer then you need to prove faithful in the small acts.

Being an Extremist

I will admit that I was a little nervous going into last night's lesson.  Teaching on controversial topics needs to be done, but needs to be done with caution.  I was cautious making sure my references were correct, checking with my wife to make sure I was on track, and praying for guidance through the process.  You may wonder why I would go through such trouble?  Why not stick to a safer topic?  Well, the answer is very simple- we need to maintain a moral standard.  Fear is a motivator of silence.  When certain topics are made to be taboo, then fear keeps us from addressing them.  There shouldn't be a topic that we fear. 

That being said, there are those people in the world who are controversial just for the sake of notoriety.  This is wrong.  Blessed are the peacemakers.  We need more peacemakers, not more controversy. 

Now, I wonder if there will come a time when anyone maintaining a moral standard will be viewed as an extremist?   I already feel like I am viewed that way sometimes.  When I speak to teens about how it is wrong to pirate music or movies they roll their eyes at me.  I am sure it seems extreme to some to label pirating as stealing.  Dare we even discuss such simingly trivial things as using the Lord's name in vain and whether or not the text version OMG! is acceptable? 

I do not want to hen peck, or nitpick, or strain gnats, or whatever description fits best.  It is not my goal to turn legalistic.  However, it is my goal to value standards.  I do not want to compromise morals.  Certainly I don't want the next generation to not hear a message because it was unpopular or controversial.  What do you think?

What I Have That God Doesn't

According to Psalm 50 God "owns the cattle on a thousand hills."  This is an ancient way of saying God owns it all.  In fact much of Psalm 50 is dedicated to reminding us of that fact.  When we truly understand this comment it makes giving seem sort of silly.  God has made everything I can see and has placed everything I own within my hands.  It is by his hand that I was born in this wealthy nation and not in some poverty stricken, war-ravaged country.  So, when I give what am I doing?  Giving God what is already His.  I think it is much bigger than that.  Giving is a spiritual act.  When I write a check, donate food or clothes, or volunteer my time I am giving freewill. 

Freewill is the one thing God does not own.  When He created people he bestowed upon us something very unique... the ability to reject Him.  We were given choice a.k.a freewill.  God wanted us to choose Him willingly.  So, when we choose to give we are giving our ability to direct our resources to God.  An example of this would be the choice of buying an ipod or buying groceries for a needy family.  By choosing the groceris I am submitting my will to God.  He will never make me do such things, but rejoices when I freely choose to do so.  I have something I can give God that He doesn't already have... my freewill. 

I'm not a Mac, or a PC (dependence continued)

In my last post I blasted away a little at the Western notion of independence.  It has positives but, especially for those of us in the faith, it can exact a high cost. However, like most things dependence can be taken to an extreme or ill founded.  One example is dependence on things that define you.  Corporations discovered that people (and especially teens) are defining who they are but what they own.  Skeptical?  Remember these ads http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5z0Ia5jDt4 that divide people into "macs" and "PCs"?  Isn't the point of this ad that what computer you use defines who you are?  Of course PC had to remind us that, "I am Windows 7."  There are thousands of other products that are marketed to people looking for identity. 

Another means of dependence that is not healthy is dependence on relationships to define us.  The need to be dating or in a relationship in order to feel complete.  This notion has transformed the high school dating scene from puppy love and bouts of jealousy to vicious online intimidation, outbursts of violence or worse.  Any relationship where the lines of individuality are blurred is bordering on overly dependent and unhealthy. 

How do we live in close community and yet maintain a healthy independence?  First, I would say that you have to consider your role in the community.  If you can define your place and highlight your unique cotribution to the whole you are in a healthy place.  Also, I would say consider the outcomes.  Does your relying on others better the whole?  Or, is your dependence draining the whole (maybe someone else's dependence on you is draining you).  One example of this are the marketers who profit from your dependence on their product.  In the church the entire body is blessed from healthy dependence on one another.  Finally, I need to know how God would define me.  What did God create me to be and do?   

Developing Dependence

Why do we value independence so much?  Maybe it is because our country was founded by declaring independence from another country?  It could be due to the fact that much of our society is based on personal liberty?  Whatever the reason it is appearant to me that individualism is a value that ingrained.  There are many wonderful aspects of independence that I would promote, however, this post is more about the problems that can come from independence. 

It is out of a sense of personal independence that can cause a couple not to seek counseling until their marriage near ruin.  Independence keeps us from falling to our knees in prayer the first instant we encounter problems.  Personal independence can hinder unity in the church.  

Let me make a point for dependence.  When the founding fathers declared independence from England they depended on the American people to join together and fight.  As a nation we have had to come together to protect our personal liberties.  Much more can be accomplished in a group than individually.  For example, two horses can pull about 9,000 pounds. How many pounds can four horses pull? The arithmetical response is 18,000. Sounds reasonable – but it's wrong! Four horses can actually pull over 30,000 pounds (http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/crosscuttings/synergy.html).  Depending on each other can be a very good and very productive thing. 

The Bible says that Satan is a "roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).  I have seen enough nature shows to know that you want to be in a herd when predators are around.  It is the animal that gets separated from the pack who is at the most risk. 

Ok, this is my point about dependence.  Next post we are going to look at what happens when the pendulum swings too far the other direction- when dependence becomes and unhealthy thing.