Things my BlackBerry taught me

(we can be too connected to the world of technology, but we can never be too connected to God)

Things my Blackberry taught me

There was a cartoon in the paper last week with this quote in the first panel: “My blackberry is lost! What if people are calling me and I don’t know they’re calling? What if people are texting me and I don’t know they’re texting? I’m cut off from my whole world!” I jokingly sent this to some friends under the heading “my worst nightmare” and I received a variety of funny comments back. Unfortunately I have become accustomed to having instant access to the world; and for the world to have instant access to me. Emails, text messages, phone calls, weather and traffic bulletins and news headlines are all magically sent to that little black box. It’s convenient, but at the same time very controlling!

For all the power of technology, it pales in comparison to the power of prayer. We have the opportunity for instant access to the creator of the universe! We can ask questions, express gratitude, seek guidance with life decisions, and find a way around roadblocks and stormy weather in our lives. It’s two-way wireless communication of the most important kind. Never subject to battery chargers, power outages or dropped calls! The only time it doesn’t work is when we don’t take the time.

“My prayer life is lost! What if the Lord is calling me and I don’t know he’s calling? I’m cut off from my whole world!”

That’s my real worst nightmare!


Brian

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Widows and Orphans

(Biblical truth doesn't change...society changes... we just need to find new and different ways to apply the truth!)


The Bible talks many times about widows and orphans and how their families and God’s people ought to look after and care for them. Life expectancy was low and Israel was often at war; men died young as a matter of course. In the context of Bible times, their plight would be extreme. Without the right to own property or in many cases the means to earn a living, the call for care was practical as well as spiritual.

Life expectancies are much longer now and we are not so often at war. Women are no longer treated as second class and children receive an education courtesy of the local taxpayers. I can’t think of any orphans that I actually know and only a few widows. So does the exhortation of James 1:7 to “look after orphans and widows in their distress” still apply?

Consider this. Let’s shift our paradigm just slightly and think of the all the single parents we know, especially women who have been left behind for a variety of reasons. Think also of all the children who don’t have a father in the home, and perhaps never knew their father at all. Suddenly, we see a whole new group of modern “widows and orphans” many of whom desperately need help; many of whom live right next door.

So follow James and do what you can. Make a meal. Cut the grass. Become a mentor to a teenager you know. Pray for them. Let them know you care.


Thanks for all you do.

Brian

Why we do what we do

(why do you do what you do? what is the passion that drives your ministry?)

If you’ve ever watched a Veggie Tales episode you may have noticed a short vignette near the beginning. A little child plays over top the caption, “why we do what we do”. It’s a wonderful visual to parents about the good intentions of the animators. And I suppose a reminder to the makers of why started creating those goofy videos in the first place.

Last week I visited the Lucas County Youth Treatment Center with my friend Josh who does spiritual mentoring work there each week. On this particular day the residents were putting on a dramatic performance they had written, directed, starred in, wrote music for and created a documentary of. It was clearly something that took them out of their comfort zone and got them to express feelings about the poor choices that had landed them at the Center.

The kids seemed pretty much like any other groups of kids. Except that the court system has separated them from the rest of society for a time. When the program ended that day, they had three minutes to spend with their parents. That’s it, three minutes. Then the separation, not just from society, but from the ones they love would continue.

That’s “why we do what we do” at the YMCA. To help kids like these see a different side of life and get back in the mainstream when they are released. To help young teens have a positive after-school experience and avoid trouble in first place. To give young kids a safe, loving place to get the skills they need to get ready for kindergarten.

That and so much more!

Brian

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Theological Neutrality

(the Y is not the only institution that fits this way of thought, crisis pregnancy centers, rescue missions are two that come to mind, but they usually lack the "heft" of the Y)

I was talking with my friend Brian this weekend about the culture at his YMCA versus mine. We talked mostly about the spirit side of the Y triangle, visible reflections like scripture on the walls, attitudinal reflections like loving and serving the members, and about connections to the larger Christian community. I’m always glad to share how blessed we are that so many churches, with varying opinions on baptism, spiritual gifts, styles of worship and other things, can come together through the vehicle of the YMCA to do great things for our community and for the Kingdom. My friend called it “theological neutrality” and I love the term.

We aren’t looking for people to be neutral in a way that makes their faith lukewarm or compromises what they believe. Rather we want people to avoid “majoring on the minors”, and focus on the commonality of their faith instead of the things that separate them. It works and the results can be amazing.

The Bible is filled with exhortations to be in one accord and to live in harmony with one another. Probably because people have always had a hard time doing it! But things that are against our nature can sometimes be the most important. Why not apply this principle to all aspects of your life? Find the commonality with your neighbors, coworkers and your family members. Find a spot of neutrality and work together to do bigger things than you could ever do alone.


Thanks for all you do.

Brian