Happy to be there

(the Apostle Paul said he was the "chief of sinners"

Happy to be there

It’s that crazy time of year again. The NCAA basketball tournament is in full swing and March Madness is rampant.  When the brackets came out there was a litany of grumbling and complaining from fans of the traditional powers about their seeding, their travel distance and the relative strength of the rest of the teams in their region.  They seem to feel that because of their tradition, conference affiliation or “quality wins” they are better than “those other” schools.  In contrast, when my alma mater, the University of Akron Zips, made the tournament for the third time in five years, we were all just thrilled to have a spot and to see our team on the big screen.  We are happy to be there…wherever “there” might be.

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.... But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner” Luke 18:10-13

Folks who have been living the Christian life for a long time can, unfortunately, drift into a kind of Pharisee-land like the fans above.  This false sense of superiority, holier than y’all, grumbling and complaining attitude serves no one well. The transformative work of Christ is diminished. Those who are yet to believe are turned away by the smugness. And our own defense against the sin in our life gets lowered.

Better to admit our sinfulness like the tax collector on a regular basis… and be happy that God is merciful!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 3

Help

(getting help is not a sign of weakness... honest)

Help

It seems there are three kinds of people when it comes to help.  First, there are those who will happily ask you for assistance when they need it.  Second, there are folks who will gladly accept a helping hand if you ask them.  Finally there are those who can be helped if you just jump in, but would never say yes otherwise.  I don't pretend to be a psychologist who can unpack all the reasons for this behavior...but I'm sure that I know plenty of people in each category.  Identifying the preference of those close to you can make a world of difference in getting along and getting things accomplished day to day.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”   Isaiah 41:10

There is a common misconception that the Bible says God helps those who help themselves.  Actually the Bible is filled with examples of God helping those who need his help.  Sometimes they cry out to him like the ten lepers in Luke 17. Sometimes they don’t know they need help until The Lord opens their eyes to the possibility, like the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4.  What you don't see though is people convincing God to help them because they earned it.  Grace is only grace if its freely given and undeservedly received.

Take comfort in the knowledge that God will strengthen you and help you.

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 2

wins and losses

(hockey is better in person)

Wins and losses

Raleigh, North Carolina is home to the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League. I’ve never followed hockey like some other sports, although I admit it is pretty exciting to watch in person.  This season the biggest story in hockey has been the start of the Chicago team, the Blackhawks. The team earned a point in each of the first 24 games of the current season by being in the lead or tied at the end of the three regulation periods.  Yes that’s right… it’s possible to still earn a point towards the playoffs even when you lose…so long as you lose in overtime.

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

 2 Peter 3:8-9

God’s plan is more straightforward.  Life is life… there’s no overtime to put in any extra effort or earn any additional points.  No ties either… people either accept or reject the claims of Christ.  So is there anything working in our favor here?  Of course.  God is patient.  He wants everyone to hear the Good News. And so Christ waits to return and he waits to judge. 

The clock is still running in regulation.  Use it wisely!

Thanks for all you do.

  

Brian

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Volume 7, Number 1

ance in your plans

(we all know we need to.....)

“-ance” in your plans

It’s budget time and who doesn’t love budgeting?  Seriously…. Whether it’s getting your arms around spending at home, watching members of Congress bloviate on C-SPAN or sitting in meetings at the office, budgeting is one of the great joys of life…Right? OK, not really.  The feelings of most people on the topic actually run from “necessary evil” to full-on loathing. Our attitude doesn’t change the value of planning ahead though.  It is important in so many areas of life, not merely financial.

"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed” – Proverbs 15:22

Is it possible to create an awesome plan completely on your own?  Of course.  But gaining input from others is often the difference maker between success and failure. Involving others can save you from arrogance… the feeling that every plan will be a raging success simply because you thought of it.  The counsel of informed people can save you from ignorance…the misguided notion that you already know everything there is to know about a given subject. Looking at a problem from multiple viewpoints can increase the relevance of the solution. And getting input from those who will be effected by or charged with implementing the plan can ratchet the acceptance of the plan by leaps and bounds.

Lead by listening and get the right kind of “ance” in your plans!

Thanks for all you do.

Brian

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Volume 6, Number 52