How Do You Eat an Elephant?

That's a tough question. How exactly do you eat an elephant? Now, when I say elephant, I don't actually mean a real elephant. Although, I have never tasted one...it may be good. Sometimes the situations and circumstances in our life can grow into this huge two ton elephant that just stands in the midst of all the things that we do.

That's what has been happenning to me over the past few weeks. Everything has been happening at the same time and the stress over each ordeal has grown together and turned me into this ball of stress that can't really do anything because I didn't know where to start!

It gets difficult when life seems so overwhelming that you just can't figure out where to start to get everything done.  I bet Moses felt that way. You can read about his account starting in Exodus chapter 2.  So here is this guy who just found out who is family is, has fled the country because of a murder and is raising sheep in a place where no one knows him or bothers him.  Then one day, as Moses is minding his own business, God shows up and tells Moses that he has to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  Talk about a huge job.  Moses protested and even tried to get out of the job, but God was persistent.  God reassured Moses that it was a big task, but that He would travel with Moses and be in all that he said and did.  He beckoned Moses to go and that was the first step to the release of the Israelites from Egypt.  Moses going.

Moses had a big task ahead of him that only God could pull him through.  But Moses had to start.  He had to take on this elephant and trust that God would provide him the strength to finish.  We are the same way.  God has called us to great things.  He promises to help us with everything need to live up to the potential He has created in us.  We just have to move.  We just have to be ready to move little by little towards the people that God has called us to be.

So...how do you eat an elephant?  Simple...one bite at a time.

Chocolate Suckers for Breast Cancer

I was walking out of Walmart the other day and I heard a little boy yelling at the passersby. "Chocolate Suckers for Breast Cancer!" I immediately smile and thought to myself, that is not a very good trade. So, I kept on walking.

Now, it is not a good thing to make light of breast cancer. In fact, some people that are close to me have battled with it. The plight of that little boy got me to thinking about how many times I walk past or make jokes at serious issues because I think that they don't affect me.

World hunger, breast cancer, AIDs research and the list goes on. I tell people that I think that these are good things. We need to find a cure for disease and to help stop poverty on a world scale. These things are great. However, as one person in Middle America, is there really anything that I can do?

The answer is yes.

I'm reminded of Jesus' parable of the talents. A lord gave to each of his three servants talents. To one he gave five, another two and the last one. The Bible says that he gave each according to his ability. The first turned his five talents into ten talents. The second turned his two talents into four. The last was so afraid of losing what he had been given that he buried his talent so that he would not lose it. When the lord came back, each servant brought the talents back to him. The first two were exalted and set in places of honor. The last was put to shame for squandering what he had been given. The servant was thrown into the outer darkness.

I know that I am not the guy that has ten talents. Heck, I may not be the guy that has two. The truth is that all I have has been given to me by God and I am responsible for using that to further His Kingdom.

To him who has, more will be given. To him who has not, what he has will be taken away. It doesn't mean who has money will get more money. It means that whoever has the means to make a difference and does will reap benefits beyond our own comprehension. We have knowledge that a dying world needs and we are responsible for passing it on.

This includes using my limited talents to impact the social injustices that are plagueing the world. HOw can I do that? I have no money. There are many simple ways.

Pray. It's a powerful tool that we often use too infrequently or too selfishly.

Look for those that are giving to worthy causes. For example, Yoplait Yogurt gives a great deal to breat cancer research. Just buying their yogurt, you can be a part.

Look for places that participate in free trade. Thank means that they purchase their goods at wholesale costs and don't cut corners by using underpaid labor or even child loabor. The place I came from in the beginning of this blog doesn't aprticipate. I go there because of the prices and convienience. Is that worth it to promote poverty in the world? Someplaces that do participate in free trade: Target, Starbucks, most mom and pop stores.

We are called to shine like the stars wherever we are. Sometimes that just means having a heart for the things that we sometimes shirk off. I can make a difference, even where I am. It only requires me to go a few steps (and maybe a few dollars) out of my way.

I don't want to bury what God has given me so that I will always have it. I want to share what God has given me so that I won't lose it.

Trusting the Pathmaker

I went hiking with the youth today out at Buseik State Forest. It was a beautiful day for a hike. We walked around some pretty narrow trails and then stopped at a little creek. It was a lot of fun. My ankle is a little sore now, but it was worth it.

When we got to the creek, we played around for a little bit and then had a great time of reveling in God's beautiful creation. The youth talked about the beauty of God's creation, the fun of hanging out together and the nice workout we had.

As we talked, I was able to share with the youth how our hike through Buseik was a lot like our Christian walk. Guess what? Now I am going to share it with you.

On a hike (a good one at least) there are many hills and obstacles. The path is not always an easy road. Sometimes it is full of loose footings and winding narrow ways.

The Christian walk is like that as well. There are many toils and troubles that we will face. We get into situations that we may be uncomfortable in or that we can't see the solution to.

The good news is that on a hike or in our Christian walk is that we can trust the maker of the path. As we hike, we can be sure that the path that is set before us is safe. It doesn't lead us to places that are dangerous. It leads us to the destination. It leads us to the creek. Our Christian path is that same way in that we can trust the Pathmaker. Jesus leads us and guides through all things. The beautiful thing is that God has promised to complete the good work in us that he began. He guides us to the destination...paradise.

Sometimes the hike can be long and tiresome. Sometimes we may feel like we are lost. Sometime our footing is a little shaky. Trust the Pathmaker. He will lead us into paradise.

Dr. Horrible's Dilemma

So, I have been watching a video called "Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog." It's a funny story about an amateur villian (Neil Patrick Harris) and his attempt to become a part of the Evil League of Evil and work with his idol Bad Horse with his terrifying whinney. What can I say, it's a pretty funny story (and the msuci is great)! If you have some time, I suggest watching it at www.drhorrible.com

The last time that I watched this I was struck with an interesting thought. I will try to explain it without giving too much away. Near the end, Dr. Horrible is faced with a decision. He can either become a member of the Evil League of Evil and be the villian of his dreams or he can have the girl of his dreams.

Dr. Horrible can either have everything that he thought he always wanted...or...everything he thought that he ever wanted.

When we are only looking out for ourselves and the things that being us contentment and pleasure, we will never be satisfied. We will always be wanting more. And as Dr. Horrible learns, you can't have everything because sometimes our desires are conflicting.

I think that I go through a large portion of my life trying to get the things that will make Bill happy. I am just now coming to the understanding that the treasures that I can conjure up and store for myself are just fleeting whispers of security and purpose. The things that I think that I want will never be fulfilling to me. I will still be empty and needing more.

As a Christian, all I need can be found in Christ. His love, character, strength and commission are all that I need to be full and complete. He came and dies so that I might have life and that I might have is to the fullest. A life that is overflowing. Only God can fill the desires of my heart because he knows what is best for me. He knows me better than I know myself.

It's been said that you can't make an omelet wittout breaking a few eggs. I think that is true. When i am trying to do things simply for myself, I am breaking eggs and then dumping them into the trash. There is no omelet in sight. In Christ, there will be many times of struggle and hardship. Jesus doesn't promise that it will be easy. He doesn't promise we won't break some eggs, he just promises us the omelet.

Where Wisdom is Found

Job was a man that the Bible calls “blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1). Job, in his righteousness, begins to be tested. Many horrible things happen to him. His children die and all his possessions are lost. He even becomes very sick. To Job, there seems to be no real reason for these tragedies. In the midst of all his troubles, Job asks God for answers and for a divine justice. Job calls out to God and hears no answer. The answers he does get come from his friends. They tell Job that his suffering is a consequence of his sin. Job does not give in to that explanation. He continues to seek God. Throughout this time of testing, Job seeks answers as he does not understand what is happening. Even though he does not understand, Job’s commitment to God remains as Job begins to understand about true wisdom.

But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living. The deep says, “It is not in me”; the seas says, “It is not with me.” It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli. Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. The topaz of Cush could not compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold. Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky. Destruction and Death say, “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.” God understands the way to it and He alone knows where it dwells, for He views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When He established the force of the winds and measured out the waters, when He made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, then He looked at wisdom and appraised it; He confirmed it and tested it. And He said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding” (Job 28:12-28).

A characteristic of God seems to be revealed to Job in the struggles and silence. God is and has all wisdom. Job had been going through and continues to go through many struggles that he cannot comprehend. Job continually seeks wisdom. He seeks from God in prayer and lament. He also seeks it from his friends. Eventually, Job realizes that wisdom does not come from inside himself. In fact, he says that no human can summon wisdom from inside himself. Job realizes that true wisdom comes from God alone because only God knows where wisdom dwells. God, upon seeing wisdom, reveals that wisdom to mankind. That wisdom, simply stated is love God and hate sin.

Job continues through his struggles and holds onto that wisdom that God has spoken. Even though there are many tragedies that Job is facing, he continues to fear God and shun sin. As the testing is completed, Job is blessed for his faithfulness to God. Job is blessed for having an answer when he was not even sure of the question. That answer is that God is the almighty, sovereign One that knows what He is doing even if His people do not understand. In this understanding, Job realizes that everything, including his life, is not about him. It is about God and the path that God leads us down.

This principle of spiritual formation shown in Job is one that applies to us every single day. There are so many times when our prayers seem unanswered or things do not go the way that we expect. We cry out to God and everything seems to be silent. Our life seems unfair and unjust. Job shows us that, even in the midst of uncertainty and suffering, God contains all wisdom. We, as followers of Christ, must choose to follow and rest in that knowledge. “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding” (Job 28:28). Things may seem unfair and may be hard for us to understand, but God, who loves and provides for us, is in control of all things. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we need. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those that love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

The key is faith. We, as the called people of God, have to have faith that God is in control of all circumstances. We also have to have faith that God is good. In everyday life, that faith looks like the faith of Job. Despite our sufferings and losses, we must trust that God, in His wisdom, has a purpose and a plan. God, in love, keeps us close to Him even when we cannot make sense of the world around us.

Office Ethics

I love "The Office." I try to watch every week. Anyway, last night's episode dealt with ethics in the work place. The new HR rep had to go over the rules of the office with all of the employees to fill a mandate that came from the corporate office.

During the meeting, Oscar brings up that they are simply talking about rules and not real ethics. Kevin says, "I'll drop an ethics bomb on you. Would you steal bread to feed your family?" They go on from there and get crazy, as that office usually does, and the meeting goes no where from there.

I got to thinking about ethics.

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming" (Colossians 3:1-6).

The Bible provides us with rules and items to follow. It also gives us basic outlines and examples of the Christian life that we are to live. However, the Bible does not explicitly cover every single situation we will face in our lives. Does this mean that it is insufficient? I don't think so.

Ethics is defined as “a set of moral principles, the study of morality.” Christian Ethics would then be the moral principles that are taken from the Bible and the Christian faith. God's Word does provide us with the truths and the guidance to live a good, moral life even though it does not give specific guidance in all specific situations.

However, in any moral situation, we can receive guidance and perspective through the truth of Scripture. In some cases it will be simple, like the rules for Christian living we find in Colossians, chapter 3. In other cases, however, we need to do a little digging. The absolute best way to do that is to pray over God’s Word. Part of the Holy Spirit's role is to teach us the truth of Scripture: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him” (1 John 2:27). And that same Spirit indwells in all believers. So, your teacher is always present. Accept no substitutes. When we pray over Scripture, the Spirit will guide us and teach us. He will show us the truths we need to stand on for any given situation.

God's Word provides all direction for living a Christian life even though it doesn't cover every specific situation. Most things we can simply see what the Bible says and follow the proper course based on that. In the cases where Scripture does not give explicit instructions for a given situation, we need to look for the principle behind it. Again, in some of those cases it will be easy. Most of the principles Christians follow are sufficient for most situations. In the rare case where there is neither explicit Scripture nor seemingly clear principle, we need to rely on God. We must pray over His Word and open ourselves to His Spirit. The Spirit will teach us and guide us through the Bible to find the principle we need to stand on so we may walk and live as a Christian should.

This would be a route I would love to see them take on "The Office." I wonder what Dwight's prayers would sound like.

A Simple Knock-Knock Joke

Knock-Knock
Who's there?
God
God who?

Okay, so maybe it is not so simple. The way that we answer that question will totally affect what we think and how we act. Is God different for every person? Is God some abstract force? Is God good?

The real question is who does God say that he is? Moses, when he was sent to lead the Israelites out of Egypt asked the same question.

"When I tell the Israelites that their God has sent me to lead them to freedom, they won't believe me. They will ask which god sent me. What is his name?"

God responded by saying, "I AM" (paraphrase from Exodus 3)

God's response shows us that he is the all-powerful creator or all things. He exists outside of time and space. He is God and has been and will be throughout eternity. It also shows that he is a personal God. He is big, great and powerful, but he desires a personal relationship with me. He cares so much that he even has numbered the hairs on my head. He was also willing to die so that I might be with him forever.

I guess, in life, there will be a number of disappointments. We are surrounded by an seemingly uncaring world full of seemingly uncaring people. However, when we have no where to turn. We have I AM.

Knock-Knock
Who's there?
I AM