on Anger

Let's face it we live in an angry world. Our world is filled with much noise, shouting, bullying, and at many times it even seems down right chaotic. The sad truth is our world is very angry and at the moment uncompromising or willing to change. For followers of Jesus this can be very tricky and difficult, because many people in our families, neighborhoods, churches, and schools fall at many different places on the political spectrum and many people readily accept labels for themselves such as conservative, liberal, moderate, etc, but they readily reject those who have different beliefs. The sad reality is this problem is this problem is not going away, but we can do something about it. Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling.

1) Always be willing to listen. James 1:19 says, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry."
One great step you can take toward bringing about the Kingdom of God on this earth is to become a better listener. Learn not just to stop talking but also really focus on what the other person is saying. One very important truth is you don't always have to agree with them, but as a common courtesy and as a gesture of kindness you should listen to them. My mother would always tell me, "Brian, you have two ears and only one mouth. You should listen twice as much as you talk."

The same is true about our relationship with God. How many times do we dominate the conversation in our prayers and even during worship? Begin praying more often that the Holy Spirit would speak to you and you'd have the humility to listen.

2) Share your story first, then your ideas second. Acts 22:1-22. . .
We live in a society where people share their ideas and beliefs all the time! Even if you don't want to hear them, people are still telling you who to vote for, what to support, who's a racist, who's a crook, who's right, and who is wrong. This sharing does have value, but it often leaves very little room for the Holy Spirit to work. Many people have their minds made up on key beliefs and ideas at this point. However, your story of how God is working in your life has immense value, learn to share it. Learn to post things on social media that don't degrade other people but rather lift God up. Learn to pray for those who you disagree with, and above all don't be silent on your story. God should and needs to be working in your life, and in a world that is filled with anger, hurt, and confusion people need to be drawn to the goodness of God.

3) Don't be content just with what you know. . . Ephesians 3:20, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine according to the power that is at work within us. . ." Don't just settle or be satisfied to hear what you know in worship, study, meditation, or in conversation. Seek to learn more about God, seek to grow in your faith, seek to serve more than you seek to complain, and above all never stop learning. Our Christian walk is a marathon. God is ready to take you deeper every step of the way, but never stop learning about who God is. Make Sunday school, worship, service, and Bible study a priority in your life. You'll be amazed at how your anger at things that don't matter seems to cool when this happens.

A conversation for you to have with your loved ones: "What should we as followers of Jesus Christ be angry about?"

on Humility

This has been something God has really been hitting me over the head with recently. Pride is easy to adapt, easy to live into, but has very little place in the Kingdom of God. Time and time again in all four gospels we hear Jesus putting prideful people in their places. Jesus has moments when he tells the Rich Young Ruler to sell all of his possessions (Matthew 19:16-22), he instructed dinner guests to sit at the foot of the table and not the head (Luke 14), and he even voluntarily washed his disciples feet (John 13), a task not even slaves during 1st century Israel were required to preform.

Jesus is very intentional about spreading his message of being humble and willing to serve and also condemning those who demonstrate prideful behavior. Because he knows and saw in his earthly ministry time and time again just how destructive prideful behavior can be. So, in this overarching message what are a few things we can learn about humility? Here are a few. . .

1) Anybody can practice it.
One of my favorite quotes of all time is by Martin Luther King Jr. he said that anybody can be great because anybody can serve someone else. What a powerful reminder that servanthood is not based on talent, income, or intellectual ability! My charge to you is look to serve. Look to go above and beyond without being asked or without getting anything in return. You very well could lead someone to want to know the God you worship.

2) Jesus first served us.
Servanthood and humility does require you to give up something. It often requires you to give up being first, being comfortable, and often it requires you to give up your time. But, what you get in return is so much greater than what you gave up. You get the joy of blessing someone with your love and service, and there is also the reminder that whenever we fed the hungry, clothed the naked, etc. we did it to Jesus as well. (Matthew 25, Parable of the Sheep and the Goats).

3) Habits become a lifestyle.
Let's face it most of enjoy being served. We like someone bringing us a drink so we don't have to get up from the couch, we enjoy someone volunteering to watch our kids, clean our house, etc. But, when you begin to walk humbly, thank people regularly, and look to serve your church, neighborhood, family, and community these habits will become a part of who you are. It will be one of the biggest blessings and adventures of your life!

on Proverbs 12

One thing I do really love is that the word of God is timeless. God's word speaks into our lives in powerful, real, and profound ways all the time. My prayer and hope is that the more we read the word of God, the more we become like Jesus. Here are some thoughts on Proverbs 12.

Proverbs 12:1, "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. Whoever hates correction is stupid."
  Discipline is a word that brings up many negative feelings. We remember the days of being grounded, not being able to watch TV, being put in time-out, or being spanked, swatted, etc. However, the writer of Proverbs seems to have a different approach. If you love discipline then you will love knowledge. If you see the value in being corrected, learning from mistakes, have the humility to admit you were wrong, and the enthusiasm to correct/change your foolish behavior than the writer contends you will love knowledge. To take it one step further and to fit this verse in the overarching theme of Proverbs, good things will come to those who love discipline.
  Where I think this conversation needs to go is two-fold. 1) I think and personally believe discipline always should make the person being disciplined a better person. The idea of discipline should always be behavior change not punishment or even a power trip, but rather the result should be a change of the heart. We discipline out of love, not power. 2) Learn to set a powerful example. Humans beings imitate what they see and especially imitate those people who they like and respect. If you're in a position of authority (parent, teacher, older sibling, etc) be a source of kindness, love, and respect. Younger people will imitate good behavior if they see see it.
Proverbs 12:20, "Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy."
  It can sometimes be very difficult to measure a person's heart. Because we don't fully know their whole story. We don't know often their struggles and what they deal with on a daily basis. But, the good news is that is for God to know not us. We do know our heart, and we do know where we stand. Is your life looking to promote peace, heal brokenness, give encouragement, and point people closer to Jesus? Or is your life about lifting yourself up and always being right?
  This is a great thing to really look at, pray about, and begin to look to serve. I look to volunteer one time a week, and I will say that has really allowed my heart to be focused more on serving the Kingdom than myself. Please know that we do this journey together, and we are for you in your pursuit of a deeper relationship with Jesus. 

on Politics

  My grandmother always told me, "Brian, never talk about religion or politics, unless you want to fight." My grandma didn't have a doctorate or even a Master's degree, but she had amazing common sense. Her quote though she told me years ago definitely rings true today. Politics for some reason tends to bring out the worst in people. Jesus spoke over and over again about authority one of the most memorable moments came in Matthew 22:21 when Jesus told the crowd to, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." But one of the most clear cut examples of how we should respond to authority, the government, and in political situations is found in Romans 13.

  1) No authority that which God has not established (Romans 13:1)
Let's face it God knows the future reality of this year's election, and next year, and the following election after that. I hope that truth brings some comfort to your heart. Because I know many of us seeing the news about polls, about controversial doctrine and ideas, and among many other things are getting quite worried. I've felt my blood pressure rise a little bit as I try to immerse myself in the world of politics. But, the reality God still and always sits on the throne.

I will say God does want us to support candidates who love the word of God, who are moral, upright, and desire America to be a place for all, and a candidate who will live out their faith while they serve in office. Christians should take a part but never be worried about politics.

  2) Rebelling against authority is rebelling against God. (Romans 13:2)
This is a very tough saying in the New Testament. Because, there are quite a few authority figures we just don't like or don't agree with. But Paul is clear in this verse: respect them and listen to them anyway. I think that is a powerful message and one that is very much lost today, can we respect those we disagree with?

We live in a "Me-first/Selfie" culture. The sad reality is many in our society don't look to serve others' rather just have their own needs met. A me first person often only looks to respect authority when they agree with them. Paul reminds the Roman Christians who they are in vs. 2 as he tells them to respect the governments God has established. Christians need to trust God in both times they agree and times they don't.

  3) Give to them what you owe. . . (Romans 13:7)
This is one of the most infamous verses in the New Testament telling the church and followers of Jesus to pay their taxes and give to the government what is owe them. In looking at this verse it fits nicely with the New Testament's overarching message among many to rid yourself of material things that hold you back from fully serving Jesus. The rich young ruler was told to sell all and come follow. We are told to store up treasure in Heaven. The list can go on and on.

Don't hold so tightly onto material things. If they are due the government such as your taxes give them willingly and know that God has something better in store. Politics though frustrating at times are in complete control of the God who sits on the throne. Politics can be a great witnessing time as a time when they bring out the best and not the worst in you.

on Proverbs 11

God's word is something I hope that shapes and molds us all the time. My goal this Lent season is to encourage the church to fall in love with the word of God all over again! I think we have seasons in our life filled with zeal and other moments filled with apathy toward the word of God. But, our hope is that as we move toward Christian perfection our hope and desire would grow greater for the word of God.

Here's what Proverbs 11 has to say that is still relevant today.

Proverbs 11:4, "Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath. . ."
  What a powerful reminder to keep perspective on our pursuit of earthly wealth, it won't last. Close to a thousand years before Jesus came on the scene, Solomon used his Godly wisdom to remind people of all generations that wealth is fleeting and it won't matter on the day on judgment. What Solomon is telling us is to focus our energy on something that more permanent than wealth, pursuing God with our whole heart and pursuing the fulfillment of God's will on this earth.

  This is a very, very broad idea. I will admit that. But, as continue to love and fall in love with Jesus more, take it one step at a time. 1) Understand that your wealth is a gift from God. Know that it isn't fair someone is born into extreme poverty, while others are born into the middle class or even great riches. Be thankful for what you have, but don't be so attached that your world would be crushed if it was taken away. 2) Learn to be generous. We live in a broken world that needs shaken up by some radical acts of love, grace, and even forgiveness. Learn to make this a part of who you are. Be encouraging, be hospitable, be generous, and learn to hold your tongue. If you do this you'll be an extremely "wealthy" person.

2) Proverbs 11:17, "Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves."
  When people discuss the church at the coffee house, gym, office, or anytime throughout the week. What are the things they say? What adjectives are typically used to describe the church? Well, I am a big believer in the church, so I am certain that not all adjectives used to describe the church are negative. But, one question I am interested in is how many churches or even Christians for that matter would be labeled as kind people? How many of us make other people better or even take time to listen to others?

  I decided to make kindness my word for this year, and my goal has been learn to hold my tongue in trying situations, to be faithful in prayer that the Holy Spirit would guide me to adopt an attitude of kindness, and I've been intentional about showing undeserved kindness at least once a week. I will tell you it's a difficult process but very worthwhile. I challenge you with this question: do people think you are a kind follower of Jesus? Or is there room for you to improve? We'll talk about Proverbs 12 really soon.

on Ash Wednesday

  Ash Wednesday is a very unique day in the life of the church. Though it is not commanded or instituted by Jesus, it is still a very important day. Because this day allows us to look at our lives, look at the God moments, the moments filled with laughter and rejoice, but it also is time for us to be concerned. We should be concerned for the moments when we've been impatient, rude, judgmental, or prevented others from knowing Jesus. Allow Ash Wednesday to be the start of a new beginning, a reminder for you to live out your faith each and every day. Here are a few ideas to make Ash Wednesday and this season of Lent very effective.

1) Pick a passage of scripture and read over it several times.
  One of the problems in our fast paced society is we see a lot of information and facts but we don't really absorb them. Now, I will say some people are gifted and can learn a lot just by glancing at a book or article or so on. For most of us that is not the case. We need to see and hear things, many times. I encourage pick out a book (now you won't make it through Psalms), or two of the Bible and read over them several times. Pay attention to details, insert your own name in the place of pronouns, pray each night that the spirit would illumine your mind to something new, and be amazed at what you learn.

  I encourage you to read over many different books. Two of my favorite are 2 Corinthians or Philippians.

2) Pray really big prayers.
  I'm sure if God had a nickel for every person who prayed, "Bless me." He would have A LOT of money! But, aren't we selling God short by praying such small prayers? Isn't the God of the universe capable of big, sweeping life change? I encourage start praying that racism would be eliminated in this generation. Start praying that the church would be so moved that they would seek to eliminate world hunger or water-borne disease. Ask God for healing for the victims of domestic or sexual violence. Don't sell God short. Pray big, and be amazed but patient at the opportunities that God brings into your family's life.

3) Try something brand new.
  How many of us always play it safe? I do, often, and I will admit I do feel really guilty about that. This Lenten season try something brand new. Volunteer for a ministry at church. Start doing devotions together as a family. Begin to increase your monthly giving to your church or ministry of choice. Sponsor a child who lives in a poor country. Volunteer your time at an after school club. Step up to clean up at church after a big function. I think you get my point. The list of new opportunities is endless. It's time to step off the sidelines and into the game! Enjoy this Lenten season!!

on Proverbs 10

Wisdom at all junctures in life is an incredibly valuable asset in every single area of life. Wisdom isn't flashy, catchy, or even sexy, but if the word of God serves as any guide to us it is that foolishness actions bring about some disastrous consequences. Wisdom brings about long life, blessing, and abundance, most of the time. Please be advised that some very moral, very wise people have sadly met tragic ends all too soon. Let's dive into Proverbs 10. . .
Proverbs 10:2, "Ill-gotten treasures have no long lasting value. . ."
We live in a "now" society, we want fame, riches, free stuff, even our burrito we popped in the microwave to be finished and received now. So, often the necessary step to receive all of this stuff now is to take short cuts, cheat the system, be dishonest, and all for the gratification without the necessary work. We have received our treasures but they are ill-gotten. They fade away. We don't appreciate them as much because we didn't really earn them, and even worse is the reality that someone at some point could find out how we achieved the goal and then have the goal take away.

The remedy is to work hard. Be above reproach. Be honest with people, always try your best, and never stop improving. I think many of us believe that our society would be greatly improved by men and women who focus on building honest achievement, our generous with their treasures to those less fortunate, and look to grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ more and more.

Proverbs 10:8, "The wise in heart accept commands. . ."
One of the passages of scripture you will rarely see preached on are the several passages of scripture that say the people of God obeyed the Lord's commands. You just won't every hear that sermon, because it's mundane, route, daily. That passage doesn't bring up strong emotions in many people, but what it does do is bring about the power of the gospel and what the gospel asks of us, to obey the word of God.

Now, I will say it isn't easy to obey God. In fact as a youth pastor, I even mess up daily. But, the idea is that we journey closer and closer to become more like Jesus Christ each and every day. Learn to be teachable, understand you don't have all the answers, and never stop reading the word of God.

Definitely check out the rest of the chapter. Especially look at these three verses: 10:11, 10:26, and 10:32.