Experiencing God as Father

Frank Turk at Pyromaniacs tells the following story—

There was a young man -- a doctor -- who was sent off to war, and he left behind a young wife and a 7-month-old baby girl. He was away at the war for two years, and was faithful to his wife. In writing to her frequently, he sent back a portrait of himself to her and the baby as a promise that he would return home soon.

He returned two years later, and the baby was now a toddler who didn't know him. In fact, in some ways she didn't want him in their house. He was a stranger, and he didn't belong. She only knew the portrait.

One Saturday the young doctor was sitting on the couch reading the paper when the toddler got up from her bed and slowly came down the stairs. He didn't want to antagonize her, so he just sat and read, watching her out of the corner of his eye.

She started in the kitchen, then the dining room, then came into the living room sort of watching him, sizing him up. She came to the other end of the sofa, and then pointed at the portrait.

"That's my daddy. Some day he's coming home," she said, looking at the portrait.

He lowered the paper, and looked at her -- both bursting with pride at her confidence and aching on the inside from her ignorance.

She looked at him again, and pointed at the portrait. "That's my daddy," she said certainly, and looked straight at the young doctor.

Then there was a curious silence as her face changed.

"You're my daddy," she said breathlessly.

There are many in “God’s family” who have a “portrait” (Bible) of our Heavenly Father. Their sense of connection is distant, limited to a few stories about Father and a vague hope of His return. Someday He will be present in our home again.

Meanwhile, God the Father is present in the home and all around yet He appears as a stranger to us that we do not trust nor feel comfortable around.

A miracle recorded in 2 Kings 6:17 tells of a man whose eyes were opened so that he could see the God who was already present. That is my prayer for us today.

10 + 10

As Martin Luther and many others through the years have pointed out, life is a series of exchanges. We exchange one thing for something else we deem of greater importance or value.

Daily we exchange money for food, housing, entertainment, etc. We exchange time in order to make money.

Increasingly we also trade money in order to have time. We pay for conveniences so that we have more time to do other things. In recent years many have understood time to be life’s most important resource and often we are more careful with how and why we exchange time for other things (though television viewing habits remain a glaring exception).

That brings me to God. In what ways do you exchange time for God?

If you give up an hour on Sunday morning for worship or on a weeknight for your small group, but do not have significant connection with God in that hour that is an inefficient or even poor exchange. I’m not recommending that you stop the exchange but rather that you make sure it is a good exchange by not coasting through the hour spent in worship or community.

As you’re determining how to spend your Summer time I encourage you to never miss the opportunity to worship, seldom miss the experience of community and always connect with God every day.

One simple yet powerful exchange is to spend 10 minutes reading the Bible and 10 minutes in prayer every day. 10 + 10 equals considerably more than 20 minutes when it is exchanged for meaningful connection with God.

God bless you as you make timely and timeless exchanges.

Savoring the Summer

Do you eat a meal quickly or slowly?

We all have those occasions where we don’t have much time and we have to “slam” a meal down quickly.

But, when you’re not hurried, do you still eat quickly? Sherrie and I have a little fun going on around my meal habits. If we’re eating a meal that I really enjoy then I’ll eat very slowly so that I can savor all of the flavors. I literally think about my taste buds while I’m chewing as I attempt to taste every bit of seasoning or sweetness or tartness. Sherrie will catch me doing this and comment, “Savoring again, huh?”

As we approach summer I want to encourage you, even challenge you to savor your summer.

Whether you’re hiking or biking, cooking on the grill or driving on a road trip, open up the “taste buds” of your eyes, ears and heart and take it all in.

We live in a part of the world that especially displays the grandeur of God’s creative expression.

What’s more, when spending time with family or friends, step outside of yourself and look at the time you have together. Notice all the vocal and facial expressions. Enjoy the trust and freedom of sharing. Fully receive love and connection that comes with a touch, a hug or a kiss.

To paraphrase the Scriptures:

“This is the summer that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Armando Galarraga, Jim Joyce & Christian Virtues

Pitching a perfect game in professional baseball is rare having happened only 20 times. The feat amounts to a pitcher facing 27 batters (3 per inning over 9 innings) and getting each of them out with none of them getting a hit.

Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers apparently pitched a perfect game last Wednesday against the Cleveland Indians. He had successfully faced 26 batters. The 27th batter, Jason Donald slapped a shot to the infield. Galarraga raced to cover first base, caught the throw to first, tagged the bag before Donald got to first. Should be game over and let the celebration begin.

However at that point umpire Jim Joyce remarkably called Donald safe. The call is irreversible, the perfect game no longer possible and Galarraga returned to the pitcher’s mound and got an out on the 28th batter so that the Tigers won 3-0.

If you don’t care about baseball hang with me for two more minutes because what transpired afterward is a tremendous picture of grace and Christian virtue. Let me hasten to admit that I don’t know if Galarraga and Joyce are Christians. Perhaps we’ll find out soon.

Here’s what happened. Joyce later saw a television replay of his call and how he was mistaken. With genuine remorse and regret Joyce went public with an admission of his error and even sought out Galarraga to make a personal apology for costing him a perfect game.

Galarraga not only forgave Joyce but humbly commented that mistakes happen. The next day the two teams were playing again and Joyce was set to umpire the game. When Joyce walked into the baseball stadium the Detroit fans cheered and applauded for Joyce. Joyce stood in the field with a stiff professional stance, but a close up revealed tears streaming down his face at the magnanimity of the Tiger’s fans. When Joyce and Galarraga passed by each other on the field each gave a pat on the back to the other.

In an unexpected place and circumstance the virtues of confession, accepting responsibility, forgiveness and reconciliation were all in play along with the lesser matter of a game.

In a day when we wish for these virtues in a BP exec or the oil industry or even the President we find it on a ball field in a beleaguered city.

God help us to become men and women of such grace.

Reflections on Church Membership

I love the Church. I’ve confessed often in these posts my recognition and angst over what is wrong with the Church. There is also much that is right with the Church and what’s more, the Church is chosen by God to carry out the mission of Christ.

I love the people of the Church, the mission of the Church and the functions of the Church. I can’t imagine life without Church.

One of the conversations that I consistently have with people about their own meaningful experience of a local church or lack thereof, is how does one find the right church? “Church shopping” can be a very difficult thing.

My first reflection is that I dislike the term and idea of “Church shopping”. It has a consumer connotation to it, meaning that I want to find a church that meets my needs. “My needs” and those of my family are important and not irrelevant but mostly my involvement in a local church is for purposes of what I can contribute. Where can I effectively serve using my gifts, talents and experience? When visiting a church one needs to do so prayerfully, seeking to discern God’s direction because it’s not ultimately about me but Him.

My second reflection is that the experience of looking for a new church home should mostly be something that happens when I make a significant geographic move and can no longer participate in my current church. Getting bored, getting sideways in a relationship, or hearing the buzz about the exciting church down the road are poor reasons for making a church move. If something becomes difficult for me in my church then most of the time I need to see that as an opportunity to grow in faith and maturity as I practice patience or forgiveness or risk a loving confrontation or work for change or any number of other things.

Today’s post is actually stirred by the reflections of Hunter Baker who said,

“Stop shopping for a church. Stop sampling. Don’t fall for all the hype of a Disneyworld experience with a Christian aura around it. Don’t chase after a superstar preacher. You can hear that on your iPod. Feel free to contribute to that ministry. But find a church where you can be part of a community of people who know each other and will help one another live the Christian life, sometimes as helpers and sometimes by being in need and providing an opportunity for others to help.”

Increasingly today, people are hiding in large churches and have a “spectator” experience that just watches the things that go on OR they have given up on church and are wandering about in some kind of individualized experience that is “spiritual but not religious”.

To experience a local church in the way the Bible discusses one must become part of a community, must exercise gifts and abilities for service and must be an incarnational expression of Jesus who is on a mission of God. Anything less is insufficient and ultimately tragic.

Pastors Losing Faith & Spiritual Malpractice

One of the blogs I read drew my attention to a study conducted by Tufts University. Having surveyed Protestant pastors they discovered that many not only don’t practice what they preach but don’t believe what they preach. Tufts called it an “invisible phenomenon” of “unbelieving clergy”.

There is not statistical evidence but anecdotal evidence in the study that clergy are losing their faith if in fact they ever had it.

A Methodist pastor admitted that he no longer believes that God exists, but his church members do not know that he is an atheist.

A Church of Christ minister confessed that he didn’t believe the doctrinal content of the Christian faith but he preaches as if he does because it is the way of life that he knows.

A Presbyterian pastor said that he remains in the ministry largely for financial reasons, acknowledging that if he let it be known that he rejects most tenets of the Christian faith he would obliterate his “ability to earn a living this way.”

One pastor revealed that his job on Sunday mornings is to play act: “I see myself as taking on the role of a believer in a worship service and performing.”

A Baptist pastor said he was attracted to Christianity because it is a religion of love but now he has become an atheist. He confided that if someone would offer him $200,000 he would leave the ministry right away.

To read the whole story click here.

As I reflected on this study three things came to mind that I’ll share---
1. I’m not shocked that a pastor or that anyone would wrestle with what they believe. Faith in Christ is something that is birthed and then nurtured and grown into maturity. We watch many characters in the Bible wrestle with their faith.

2. I was initially shocked that a pastor would no longer wrestle with faith but reach a firm conclusion of unbelief AND continue to do the work of ministry. But within minutes of being shocked I realized that I was expecting these non-believing clergy to act with integrity and courage and out themselves as non-believers. Where does integrity and courage come from but God? If you don’t believe in God or the teachings of Christ then there is not a solid basis for practicing honesty.

3. Finally I was angered. In my mind this study reflects malpractice by pastors which is more serious to me than medical malpractice because the soul is more important than the body. If these men don’t have the integrity and courage to out themselves then some other church leaders need to oust them and they need to do so quickly. Too much is at stake.

Our culture has said that everyone has their price and once that price is found then anyone will do anything. I disagree. The true follower of Christ will not renounce his faith even at the ultimate cost of his own life.

It is pitiable and disgusting that one could be bought for $200,000.

People Get Ready & Crystal Bowersox

Tuesday was inspiration night on American Idol. Each contestant was tasked with singing a song that would inspire. It’s down to seven contestants and another goes home Wednesday night.

I thought it was interesting to see what songs these twenty-somethings would choose, deeming them to be inspirational. From the first time I heard Crystal Bowersox during the auditions she became a favorite to me. Love her voice and love her authenticity even more.

Crystal chose a song by the Impressions called “People Get Ready”. She delivered the far and away best performance of the night. The song was delivered with heart and passion and Crystal broke down and cried as she delivered the last line. Yes, it brought a tear to my eye as well.

The judges raved and the main stream media and blogosphere is abuzz about the performance.

However, I am most fascinated that the message of the song was apparently lost on everyone. As a speaker who delivers messages weekly and has studied communication for over three decades I have often marveled at those times when a message is missed or lost because of the powerful delivery of the messenger.

Granted, Crystal is in a singing competition and the focus is upon performance. Still, as I reflected upon the message of the song I wonder if anyone had a heart string tugged by God.

“People get ready, there’s a train a comin’
You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin’
Don’t need no ticket, you just thank the Lord

People get ready for the train to Jordan
It’s pickin’ up passengers from coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board ‘em
There’s hope for all among those loved the most…”

Now that you, my reading friend, are reflecting with me upon the message, the question that God is stirring is, “Are you ready?” Some day Jesus will return to this world (a train is comin’) and He will be taking to heaven (train to Jordan) those who by faith have followed Him with a whole heart (faith is the key, open the doors and board).

You don’t need no ticket but you do need faith. And biblical faith is not an intellectual nod in the direction of Jesus. Biblical faith is a trust in the saving work of Jesus upon the cross, to the extent that you no longer live for yourself but, die to self and live for Jesus.

People get ready, there’s a train a comin’.

Temporary Home

Temporary Home lyrics

A 6 year old boy is moved to one more foster home situation.
A single mom tries to find her way out of “half-way house” living.
An old man, full of faith is dying in a hospital.

Three story lines tied together with a reflective chorus sung by Carrie Underwood—

This is my temporary home
It’s not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I’m passin’ through
This is just a stop, on the way to where I’m going
I’m not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home

Though I had heard the song play while driving I’d never really heard the lyrics until today.

What’s going on with your day?
Promising or problematic
Blessed or burdensome
Clear or confused…

Reflect and be reminded that we’re passin’ through. This is just a stop, on the way to where we’re going. This world is our temporary home.

Through the centuries men and women of God have “died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13 ESV)

(Those using a reader may have to click through to the blog site for the video)

Undercover Boss: when CEOs find out what is going on

I just this week discovered the relatively new show, “Undercover Boss”. The premise is that a company CEO goes undercover and gets involved in his own company at a lower or entry level position. Today I spoke with someone who has seen every episode and as he described the prior shows I quickly saw a pattern.

The boss will discover how much he doesn’t know, he’ll discover that he’s got some employees with a lot of heart, he’ll discover someone who is inspiring because he has overcome a significant problem or addiction, and he will make some on the job mistake and probably hear someone say in jest, “Heck, you may be my boss someday.”

Near the end of the show the boss calls in the employees and wearing his business suit and sitting at his CEO desk he reveals his true identity. Video clips are played back for the employee where he is reminded how his encounter with the boss transpired.

I actually found the one episode I saw entertaining and touching.

I’ve also just finished a special week of experiences and reflections about Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. The juxtaposition of God and Fortune 100 CEOs is leaping out at me.

I listened curiously as the CEO of Roto Rooter saw a system that he designed at work on the ground level for the first time. He wondered out loud if the system he created for a department he’s never visited, much less worked in, would operate as envisioned. In the moment I was incredulous that someone would design an operational system for a department with which he’d never had significant experience. (I’m sure many of you will tell me that you’ve had to implement such systems.)

In the end the boss has a newfound empathy, appreciation and plan for making everything better for his employees and the company.

Do I even need to say that all of this is a light year away from the personal engagement of the CEO of the universe? God knows my name. God knows the minutia of every challenge in my life. God knows my frustrations and joys. God designed all the plans and systems by which life operates and has fully experienced them all. God not only knows who the overcomers are, He gave them the power and inspiration to overcome.

But there is one major point of commonality between the reality TV show and the reality of life; God is often unrecognized as He is with us in the midst of daily routines.

A Holy Week Meditation

Do you have questions about the cross of Christ and His sacrificial atoning death?

Michael Card does us a wonderful service by articulating questions in music that are worth our pondering.

When you have a few minutes consider his song "Why?" (those using a reader will have to click through to the blog site). Why was Jesus betrayed by a friend? Why was Jesus' crown made of thorns? Why was the cross so rough and heavy?

Worship the Lord because of His loving sacrifice and His painful perseverance.

James Cameron Reflects Changes in Western World

D.A. Carson has written, Scandalous: The Cross and Ressurection of Jesus and in it he retells a scene from the sinking of the Titanic both from history and James Cameron’s blockbuster film.

The illustration highlights the changes, shall we say “devolution” of Western culture over the past couple of generations.

Perhaps part of our slowness to come to grips with this truth lies in the way the notion of moral imperative has dissipated in much recent Western thought. Did you see the film Titanic that was screened about a dozen years ago? The great ship is full of the richest people in the world, and , according to the film, as the ship sinks, the rich men start to scramble for the few inadequate lifeboats, shoving aside the women and children in their desperate desire to live. British sailors draw handguns and fire into the air, crying “Stand back! Stand back! Women and children first!” In reality, of course, nothing like that happened. The universal testimony of the witnesses who survived the disaster is that the men hung back and urged the women and children into the lifeboats. John Jacob Astor was there, at the time the richest man on earth, the Bill Gates of 1912. He dragged his wife to a boat, shoved her on, and stepped back. Someone urged him to get in, too. He refused: the boats are too few, and must be for the women and children first. He stepped back, and drowned. The philanthropist Benjamin Guggenheim was present. He was traveling with his mistress, but when he perceived that it was unlikely he would survive, he told one of his servants, “Tell my wife that Benjamin Guggenheim knows his duty” –and he hung back, and drowned. There is not a single report of some rich man displacing women and children in the mad rush for survival.

When the film was reviewed in the New York Times, the reviewer asked why the producer and director of the film had distorted history so flagrantly in this regard. The scene as they depicted it was implausible from the beginning. British sailors drawing handguns? Most British police officers do not carry handguns; British sailors certainly do not. So why this willful distortion of history? And then the reviewer answered his own question: if the producer and director had told the truth, he said, no one would have believed them.

I have seldom read a more damning indictment of the development of Western culture, especially Anglo-Saxon culture, in the last century. One hundred years ago, there remained in our culture enough residue of the Christian virtue of self-sacrifice for the sake of others, of the moral imperative that seeks the other’s good at personal expense, that Christians and non-Christians alike thought it noble, if unremarkable, to choose death for the sake of others. A mere century later, such a course is judged so unbelievable that the history has to be distorted (30-31).

As I used Carson’s words to reflect on culture I had to bring it home and reflect on my personal life. How committed am I to Christian virtues of love, sacrifice and humility?

Prayers for Michael Spencer

I've been amazed at how much the blogosphere has come to mean to me over the years. Not only have a learned a lot from those that I read, I strangely feel a sense of community with several bloggers that I regularly read even though I've never personally met them.

You'll notice at the top of my blog roll is the Internet Monk or imonk, aka Michael Spencer in real life.

I've never met imonk nor had a personal exchange though I've commented on his blog a few times. imonk was the first blog that I really began to read regularly a few years ago. He has consistently stretched and challenged my thinking and often been a blessing to me.

Occasionally Michael would mention his wife Denise or his children or his beloved school where he has been a faculty member and minister for several years. Such references are part of what make me feel like I know Micahel and why I care about him and his life.

Michael was diagnosed with cancer a very few months ago. Today Denise let his readers know that they have stopped all treatment and the end is very near.

As you read my blog I would ask for a prayer for the Spencer family that God would have mercy and that God would comfort.

Soon imonk will be enjoying the presence of our Lord as many of us look forward to as well.

UPDATE:
Michael Spencer went to be with the Lord Monday, April 5, 2010

I Give Up

Recently a friend of mine got away for a personal retreat. During her reflections and journaling and while contending with various emotions, she wrote the following thoughts and allowed me to share them here.

I give up! I can’t do it anymore.
I give up!
I give up.
I give up.

I GIVE UP, spoken in moments of powerlessness and hopelessness are words that simultaneously communicate despair and the surprising, paradoxical potential to give birth to new hope, new freedom, restored connection to God and others. I give up can become some of the most powerful, life-transforming words I can speak. Spoken from the pit, I give up, can lift me to life.
If. . . .

I give up:
 Self-sufficiency
 Doing it my way.
 The critical and condemning voices in my head.
 The old coping strategies that no longer work.
 The law that condemns without hope.
 The lies that tell me I am separated from God by my badness, even Jesus’ death and resurrection cannot atone for.
 The old ways of protecting myself which have become bars between me and others who would love me.
 My false illusion that I can control others.
 My false illusion that I can control the world.
 My false gods in which I place my trust—power, money, approval, ______, ____.
 My prideful arrogance that says I don’t need anyone.
 My sinful attempts to escape truth.
 My denial.
 M y avoidance.
 My isolation.
 My misplaced judgment of myself and others that keeps me separated from Life and love.
 Desire for recognition.
 Family patterns that have become burdensome chains separating me from meaningful connection with others.
 Fears, founded and unfounded that keep me in bondage to addictions
 Mistrust in everyone.
 Fear-based procrastination.
 Laziness-based procrastination.
 Blame.
 Unrealistic expectations of perfection in myself and others.
 My anxiety and panic.
 My paralyzing fear of acknowledging mistakes and sin.
 My life in surrender to my Lord, God and Savior , the creator, sustainer, redeemer and transformer of Life.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Mt. 11:29

Postmodern Architecture

From an address by Ravi Zacharias--

I remember lecturing at Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in this country. I was minutes away from beginning my lecture, and my host was driving me past a new building called the Wexner Center for the Performing Arts.

He said, “This is America’s first postmodern building.”

I was startled for a moment and I said, “What is a postmodern building?”

He said, “Well, the architect said that he designed this building with no design in mind. When the architect was asked, ‘Why?’ he said, ‘If life itself is capricious, why should our buildings have any design and any meaning?’ So he has pillars that have no purpose. He has stairways that go nowhere. He has a senseless building built and somebody has paid for it.”

I said, “So his argument was that if life has no purpose and design, why should the building have any design?”

He said, “That is correct.”

I said, “Did he do the same with the foundation?”

All of a sudden there was silence.

You see, you and I can fool with the infrastructure as much as we would like, but we dare not fool with the foundation because it will call our bluff in a hurry.

Virtual Following

Bill Gates, yes the real Bill Gates, joined Twitter January 19.

Are you interested to know what Bill thinks or what Bill is doing throughout the day? If so you’re not alone. On the first day of Bill tweeting he was picking up 1,000 followers a minute!

Though the pace cooled off later to 100 new followers a minute it certainly can be called a watershed moment in microblogging.

After several imposters appearing in the blogosphere in recent years now the real @billgates can be followed.

All of this “following” makes me a bit nervous. Following is being redefined right before our eyes.

Virtual following is really a type of voyeurism. By that I’m meaning the definition of “an obsessive observer of sensational subjects.”

I’m on twitter and facebook and some other social networks and enjoy some of the interaction so I’m not trying to kill everyone’s fun.

The point is that when Jesus says to a potential disciple, “Follow Me”, He’s not inviting you to merely observe or watch. Jesus invites us to “do life” with Him.

You don’t watch Jesus go to dangerous places and engage in risky relationships. You go and do likewise, with Him.

You don’t watch Jesus care for the needy or oppressed. You give care also.

Following Jesus involves more than reading a few lines or tapping a few keystrokes. Following Jesus is a plunge of your whole life, not your screen life or username, into ventures that literally hurt and damage your life. Like Jesus, you become “poor” so that others know His “riches”.

Are you a follower of Jesus?

Sunday Night Musings

It’s Sunday night and as usual I’m reflecting on the events and conversations from the morning. After an inspiring baptism of a friend who is already having an exciting faith adventure with Christ, I had the opportunity to pray for a young family who exemplify faith regarding their newborn and multiple heart surgeries to come.

Then there was the sermon. For those who have never delivered a sermon, it is a remarkable experience. After 35 years of preaching I still marvel that God lets me do it. The process of praying and studying continues to change my life. And, the actual time of speaking is almost always a dynamic time of God stirring and editing in my mind and heart.

So, how did it go today? I never really know but I did come across a helpful list that gives a clue when the sermon is in trouble.

7. The worship band begins playing you off the stage
6. The congregation is filling in the blanks of your outline before you get there.
5. When you pause for dramatic effect several people giggle.
4. Your cell phone starts ringing and you answer it.
3. When the children are dismissed to junior church, most of the parents go too.
2. Desperate mothers are pinching their babies.
1. The ushers are handing out refunds.

Brit Hume: A lesson in Perseverance

Some of my readers predicted that more would be made of Brit Hume making a comment about the advisability of Tiger Woods following the Christian faith than would be made of the truthfulness of the comment. Right you were.

In the embedded video Bill O’Reilly interviews Brit Hume about the controversy that erupted in the 24 hours following his comments (if you’re viewing this through a reader you may want to click through to my site in order to see the video).

Though some of the backlash has been hot and personal Hume has not backed down from his assertion that the Christian faith has a lot to offer when it comes to forgiveness of sin and redemption. There is something to be learned from Hume’s example of perseverance.

Note that Hume did not get defensive in response to being attacked. Neither was Hume apologetic for making remarks based upon his convictions. He clarified that he was not denigrating Buddhism. Hume did not soften or withdraw his opinion but merely reiterated by way of his personal experience how powerful the Christian faith had worked in his own life.

In a free society that also values tolerance it seems to me that Brit Hume was a glowing example of how to give free expression of faith without being obnoxious, denigrating or disrespectful.

What do you think?

Brit Hume: A lesson in Authenticity

(If viewing this through a reader you may need to click through to my site to see video)
Imagine being on national television with millions watching. Imagine sitting on a panel with national journalists discussing various items of national interest and importance. I’m already intimidated, what about you?

Now imagine that the topic of conversation turns to Tiger Woods. How can Tiger ever recover from the disclosure of his sins? He’s lost his family. He’s lost his reputation. It remains to be seen if he can recover his golf game and compete at a high level again.

To this Brit Hume says, “Tiger’s recovery is dependent upon his faith. He claims to be a Buddhist which I don’t think offers him the forgiveness and redemption that the Christian faith offers. My advice would be that he turn to the Christian faith.”

As a Christ follower I am in complete agreement with Hume but the thing that struck me is how authentic Hume was in offering the opinion and advice. In a day when most are very careful in what they say and how they say it Hume clearly articulated what he saw to be Tiger’s best hope for recovery.

This week we may not be in settings that feature national commentators and large audiences but we will be with those that just as desperately need the forgiveness and redemption that Tiger needs. Will we be able to say so and be authentic?

Urban Meyer: a lesson in prioritization

The sports world has been abuzz in recent days over the announcement by Florida Gator coach Urban Meyer that he would be resigning from leading one of the most successful college football programs in America. After the SEC championship game against Alabama Meyer had chest pains, lost consciousness and ended up in the hospital. Now Meyer, age 45, has decided that he is going to step down from the high profile program where he won two national championships.

Almost all of the media coverage reported Meyer’s comments about his heart and his decision to step down for medical reasons. Pete Thamel of the New York Times also pointed out that Meyer’s decision may have been based upon his “spiritual heart” condition as much as his physical heart.

Meyer commented that the hospital trip prompted days of soul searching that ended on Christmas night. When he told his family that he was going to step down from coaching Florida, Meyer’s 18 year old daughter, Nicki, hugged him and said, “I get my daddy back.”

Meyer said of his daughter’s reaction, “I saw it as a sign from God that this was the right thing to do.”

Meyer was known for being relentless in his work, both on and off the field. He said he found himself emailing recruits during church and that his 16 year old daughter told him that she had not felt as if she had talked to him in the past 2 years. In the 10-day period around the game with Alabama Meyer revealed that he lost 20 pounds.

Meyer said, “I have a strong faith that there is a reason for everything, and God has a plan for us. I just don’t know what it is.” Meyer continued, “I felt like God was telling me that I have to slow down and stop it.”

I agree that there is a reason for everything and that God has a plan for Meyer. I believe that to be true for you and me.

God used chest pains to get Meyer’s attention about the true “heart” of life. Does God have your attention? Meyer is making radical changes and prioritizing life as he senses that God is directing. Are you making changes and prioritizing as God directs?

Meyer’s story being so public has served all of us to remind us of the need for prioritization of the one and only life God has given us. I’m personally reflecting on what God is stirring in me that needs change.

Checklist for the New Year

Donald Whitney has posted a helpful checklist for the New Year. May I suggest that you copy and paste this list, print on a page and devotionally and prayerfully make your way through the questions and ask God to speak into your heart about the matter. Take a moment to write down your impressions.

Make commitments to God (not resolutions) regarding your written items. Place the list in your Bible or prayer journal and regularly pull it out and pray. Ask God for power and grace to fulfil the commitments.

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year and what will you do about?

5. What is the single-biggest time waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

I pray God's blessings upon you as you work through this list with God.