Is it okay to be happy?

Yes.


 Okay let me explain where I am coming from. 

Yesterday, I was teaching gym at SLS in Ridgway. We were at the YMCA because of the storm. In one of my classes we played a game called, "Mouse-trap." Half the students were mice and the other half formed hands in a circle and acted as the "mouse-trap."

The goal for the mice is to get into the mousetrap and out without being caught. Pretty difficult. Most students could not do it. But it was fun. Kids were laughing and filled with joy. Until one girl sucessfully entered the mouse trap and exited the other side. 

She was happy. She finally did it. A few more students managed to do it but She was the FIRST. She proclaim a little bit of emotion and gave hugs to a few of her friends. To this celebration two members of the "mouse-trap" were greatly offended. 

Oh did I mention that these kids were 8? So the offended party starts yelling that the offender (or the successful mouse) should not be bragging because it is just a game. 

So who is right? The Mouse or the Mousetrap? The offender or the offended?

So, there I was in the middle of class with conflict. I briefly tried my best to explain there is a difference between bragging and and celebrating. Its okay to be happy that you did something good but it is not okay to make someone else feel bad about it. 


 I'm not sure how much of the talk these students understood.

Have you ever tried to explain the difference between "bragging" and "celebration" to a group of second graders? 

I am just one voice in their life. And I hope to be a good one but they listen to so many voices. Their other teachers, their parents, their coaches,their friends, and many other voices around them. 


But this whole conflict lead to me thinking......is it okay to be happy? I mean if you are a Christian you are suppose to be humble right? Putting others first. And if you are a parent don't you want your children to be humble? You know like Jesus?


Ya, we should be humble. If you believe in Jesus and identify as a Christian you believe that everything you have is a blessing from God. This includes your personality, your talents, even how much money your family has!  It all comes from God and we should be "humble and kind."

But is it okay to be happy? What I mean by is this: Is it okay to celebrate an accomplishment? 

The answer is yes but I need to explain because I know some people that act worst than these 8 year olds. It is okay to be happy. It is okay to celebrate what you did and celebrate what others have done. 


At the same time we should not be a jerk (by the way I don't think this girl was being a jerk or her intentions were to hurt someone's feelings). I just think that they were taught that it was not okay to celebrate because it meant you were bragging.


But I will tell you , and maybe myself, the same thing. We celebrate to give God the glory. We thank Him for helping us to achieve our goal. And we do not put others down. 


But what if that wasn't my intention? What if I wasn't trying to hurt someone's feeling by how I acted? Well, since it is not about you, its about how God has gifted you, then just tone down the celebration. 

Because after all its just Gym Class.

Unless Someone Like You

Do you remember the Dr Seuss book "The Lorax"?


The Lorax is about a boy name Ted Wiggins who lives in a completely artificial city. Everything is fake including the trees. Ted has a crush on a local environmentalist Audrey who wants to see a tree more than anything in the whole world. So Ted leaves his city on search of the "Once-ler" who he heard knows about trees. The "Once-ler" promises to tell Ted about trees if he listens to his story over multiple visits.

The "Once-ler" recounts the story of how when he was a young man he parted his family to find good material for his new invention. The key to his new invention was one of "Truffula" Trees in the forest.

It is here in the forest that the "Once-ler" meets the Lorax. He is the guardian of the forest and declares many times, "He speaks for the trees." The Lorax warns the "Once-ler" to leave the forest or he will be doomed. However, he does not listen to the warning. Instead, he does what any good capitalist would do and cuts down as many trees as he could, as fast as he could, so he could become as rich as he could.

Yet,one day, the forest was destroyed. There were no more trees or animals. And intense fog and smog covered the land. The Lorax leaves and only leaves a stone-cut word: "Unless"

At the conclusion of the "Once-ler"'s story he understands the meaning behind the Lorax's last message. He then gives Ted the last "Truffula" seed in hope that he can plant it and make others care about real trees once more.

A few more things happen. The bad guy is defeated. The hero gets the girl. They sing a song about planted trees and "letting them grow" and we are left with a challenge.

We are told,

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It's not."

Wow, what a great message.

So are you more like the "Once-ler" of the "Lorax"?

The "Once-ler" consumed. He used. He didn't care about anyone but himself. But the Lorax cared. He cared about the animals. He cared about the trees. He cared about generations way beyond his himself.

We can take this discussion in a few different directions.The most obvious direction is that of the intention of Dr Seuss: Care about the earth and take care of it. Because we only have one.

And I agree. We should take care of the earth. We should recycle. We should use reusable resources as often as we can.

But I want to talk about something else. Or rather someone else. People.

 Yesterday we remembered September 11, 2001. It was 15 years since that crazy day. A day when many people "came back" to God. or at least to "church" Because you know when disaster comes it is at least good to know that God is on your side. Just like with the Civil War. That is why we have "In God we trust" on our money. We figured if we were fighting a war we should make sure that God is on our side.

 There is great injustice in our nation. (in case you have been sleeping). And don't get me wrong I am proud to be American. I love this nation. I have only ever been to three so I don't have much to compare her to but I like it here. But we have a long way to grow.

We see this most evident when people like Colin Kaepernick exercises his First Amendment right to not stand for the National Anthem and gets mocked by the media. Listen, I would not have done it that way, but either everyone is free or no one is free.

I am glad he stood up (ironically) by sitting down (or taking a kneel). We need and should desire social change. We should desire it by peaceful protest. Because if people don't stand up then the powerful people only get more powerful while the oppressed only get more oppressed.

I am not black. Not even close. I am very very white. But we need to stand for the rights of others. And Yes, in case you were wondering, "Black lives do matter." Isn't that what we want as a country?

Just because Muslim terrorists attacked our country 15 years ago we should not label every Muslim a terrorist in the same way I would not want to label all Christians "bigots" because some are.

But the truth is: We, like the Lorax, need to stand. We need to speak. Why? I am not being oppressed. Well, not yet.

But you might one day and you will wish that someone stood up with you. My hope and my prayer is that you will be filled with compassion and empathy this day.

Pastor Martin Niemölle said it this way.......

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

 

 

So there ya go. You might not be a socialist, you might not be a Jew, or a homosexual, or a Muslim, or Black, but you are some thing and you are someone. 

And you either fight for someone to have justice or allow for them to be oppressed. 

 

 And.....I want to see our nation become stronger and for each individual to have "liberty and justice for all." But.......

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It's not."

 

The Gospel according to "The Little Prince"

 This past week I watched the movie "The Little Prince" on Netflix. I guess its only available on Netflix. Whenever you watch movies you should always watch your emotions and then ask God why am I feeling this way?

 

While watching this movie, I was incredible angry at this little rose. 

                                                                                                                                                              

 

 

 

 If you have not watched the movie I guess here is where I need to warn you of SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!

I don't know if it was the intention of the author but while I was watching "The Little Prince" I couldn't help but think of Jesus.

 

This rose is worst rose in the universe. She is incredibly vain and self centered. Yet despite all of that The Little Prince returns back to his home planet for her. I could not believe it. I could not have done the same.

 

And I have to admit that more times than I desire I am more like the rose than the Little Prince. Often I can become vain, self centered, and only think about my needs. (Like last night: for some reason I was in a hurry to return home and watch the fourth preseason football game on tv. Yet I was delayed by construction on Depot St). How dare they intrude on me watching the Steelers' 3rd and 4th string players perform against the Panthers! And then get bored of the game by halftime and start watching "The Good Burger."

Sorry, I was a little distracted. :)

But here is the Good News (That is what Gospel means right?)

 

Even when we are vain and self-centered we are still beautiful. We are adored by God beyond measure. Though we are not the only one in the universe God looks at each one of us like we are the only one. We are incredibly beautiful in his eyes yet we fail to see it so we act out. We say maybe I will find meaning if i do.... these three things. Lose 25 pounds, get a better job, make more money, etc. (by the way; nothing wrong with improving your life the error is finding meaning in things that can so easily go away, see my blog on  New Years Resolutions).

Yet Jesus came. He knew you (we) were sinful. He knew how you (we) would be filled with vain thoughts and desires. And He died to demonstrate his love, his unconditional love, for us. Because He sees our beauty when we do not.

So my charge for you is to be like The Little Prince to love when no one else will. But its more than that. Because its so easy for us to make loving others about ourselves. (Look how awesome I am for loving them!) 

My charge for you is reflect on your imperfections and realize how you are loved beyond reason by the God of this universe: By Jesus Himself. Because once you realize that you were loved, chosen, and adored by God when you were (and are) at your worst then and only then can you love like that The Little Prince.

Pokemon Go and make disicples

I figured I would jump on this pokemon bandwagon before we, as Western Culture, move on to other trends.

If you have been living under a rock for a week or two let me summarize the game for you. Basically, you can download this free app call "Pokemon Go" to catch pokemon! Crazy, eh! WE have come a long way from that big brick of the original game boy and pokemon red, blue, and yellow. (I think Japan had a green game as well)

It connects google maps with your camera and puts virtual pokemon on your screen that you must capture. The goal is one of the goals in the original games, "Got to catch them all."

Got it, good.

This game has been amazing and horrible at the same time. But is not that the truth with all things? God's good gifts, when not properly applied to our lives, become harmful. This is true because the devil, himself, cannot create anything. God is the creator but when we fall into sinful desires (when we want good things appropriately) they can be harmful to our well being.

An easy example would be with food or drink. God, our creator created food. He said, "It is good." Yet, for some it becomes habit forming. It can lead to harmful things such as gluttony, anorexia (and other eating disorders), starvation of those who do not have enough to eat. 

Food is evil. It can cause diabetes. Right? Of course, it can. But one would be a fool to fall for this straw-man argument.  The same can be said of "Pokemon Go." A lot of bad has resulted, one example I saw was a girl on her way home from hunting had to cross a major highway near Pittsburgh and was hit by a car.

But good has also resulted. Sales of business (small sample size) have increased as more people are on the streets. The one and probably only time I played the game I was able to talk to two groups of people that I wouldn't have if not for the game. People are getting more exercise. The humane society has used this to encouraged more people to adopt unwanted animals. And even churches have used it for their advantage as many churches are prime locations for Pokemon "trainers" to go.

Something that really struck me in the title is the "Go." Go where? Ash in the original Pokemon game was commissioned by Professor Oak to "Go." Go into all the world. Oak had a purpose for him. He was getting older and could never could do his original dream of catching all the Pokemon and defeating all the Gym Leaders.

So, Ash goes over to his mother, says, "goodbye", and leaves. Are you serious????!??? How old is he? What messed up world is he living in?, i think to myself.  Clearly the creator of Pokemon is not writing from a "God-centered" perspective but "Jehovah Sneaky" has much for us to learn if we have ears to hear.

One of the last instructions Jesus leaves with his disciples is what we call, "The Great Commission." Have you heard of it? "I have been given all authority on heaven and earth. Therefore, GO, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given to you."- Matthew 28:18-20

Go. Where? Jesus said all the world, so if I'm serious about following him I need to pack my bags and go to Africa right?

Maybe.

Jesus, like Professor Oak, gives each one of us a commission, "Go into all the world and make disciples."

In some mysterious way, God has chosen to use us as a tool to draw people to himself. Don't get me wrong, no one comes to Jesus without the Father (God) drawing them (John 6:44). 

Yet we are still told to "Go." Share your story. Build relationships. Tell people how God, despite your rebellion toward him, reached down and saved your butt. And just like farmers who sow seed on the ground they need a water for that word to grow.

That water is the Holy Spirit. We speak the truth of God and his love toward them and then the Holy Spirit does the craziest miracle possible, drawing sinful people to a Holy God.

 Many people want to see a sick person well, or a lame man walk, or a dead man rise; but the greatest miracle is when one no longer lives for himself/herself and begins to live for God and live for others.

 So, go, like Ash, into all the world.

Go, like Ash, unafraid of what today may bring. Go beyond your comfort zone. For it is only when we leave the realm of the comfort that we truly grow as people and are able to be used by God.

Make disciples. Start with yourself. Choose today to live not for yourself (ask for God's help, its the only way you can do it).

And as you become a true disciple. Im not taking about a Bible beating fundamentalist. Im talking about a person motivated by love to love for the sake of the One who loved you first.

Isn't it fun to talk about Pokemon when there is so much evil in the world? Remember to not be afraid. That's right? You have to remember.

It is easy in light of evil to think that "the end is nigh" and there "is no hope" but I believe God is still the king of this world. And as His image bearers we may fight hate not with more hate but with love. May we remind people of the promises of God, that "he will never leave us or forsake us."

The scariest thing in this world to me is not terrorist. If someone wants to kill me go for it. Give it a try. I know my God will protect me if it is not my time to go. The scariest thing in this world is those that profess Christ with their lips on Sunday and then support  politicians that are "anti-christ" on Monday through Saturday. The scariest thing is hearing "Christians" support "carpet bombing" and trying to destroy evil with evil.

Disclaimer: I am far from a pacifist, and I do not claim to have all the answers to "defeat terrorism."

But I know God does and one day He will defeat all evil in the world. Including the evil we harbor in our hearts.

And I do want to make a difference in the world. I hope you do too. Your voice makes a difference. Your live makes a difference. True Christianity is not denying there is evil in the world but also not being afraid of it either. True Christianity means you and I get to "GO" and live the life of Christ.

When you go its like we are throwing "poke-balls" of hope into the world. Some people like pokemon are not "caught" on the first throw. They are too strong and confident in their own ways of living. But when their PP (its like energy) is lower and people are without hope because of the craziness of this world, throw that poke-ball of hope and see a life transformed by the Gospel. 

The Father of the Shepherd

Have you ever been "stuck" in a certain passage or chapter of the Scriptures? This week I have been stuck in St John's Gospel Chapter 10.

Whenever one open the Scriptures we must come humbly before God, asking Him, "what is it that you want us to see?"

I am not going to quote the entire chapter for you here, so if you are interested please stop right now and read John 10. Yes the whole thing! It will take you literally 5 minutes. Get off MySpace and check it out. ;) 

There are a few constant themes through out this passage:

1) Jesus is the Good Shepherd and I (you/we) are the sheep.

2) He is good while there is a thief that is a jerk/punk/jagoff (not good).

          The thief wants to only do bad (you know like steal, kill, and destroy)
          Jesus came to bring us a rich and satisfying life (The point here isnt' a prosperity gospel but      that our lives will be meaningful because they will make an eternal impact on our own live and in the lives of others).

3) Sheep follow the voice of their Shepherd.

That is a great three point sermon, right! 

It is but I felt drawn to the words of Jesus recorded a little later in this passage.

After Jesus mentions that sheep listen to the voice of their Shepherd he brings in the BIG GUY, His Father.

I never noticed it till this week manly because I just started reading the NLT translation this year but here are some exciting and life alerting words of our Lord.

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he IS MORE POWERFUL THAN ANYONE ELSE. no one can snatch them from the Father's hand."- John 10:28-29

There is this sense of eternal security. Which, if we can be honest, we long for. We long to know that even if this world and my idea of what the world should look like crumbles, that God is still Good and he is still in control over my eternal destiney.

You see, I have never been a sheep, but I can image they aren't too worry about the Shepherd leaving them if they "misbehave." But we think that right? We think that even though God saved me when I believed in Him that now it becomes about me earning his favor.

We wouldn't say that directly but we think it don't we?

Let's stop right here, if you are in Christ and He is in you. You are a new Creation! You are born again of God's spirit. Just like Jesus when he was baptized God has stamped his love and approval upon you. This is a gift, its called grace, God's unmerited favor. Before Jesus did anything to deserve favor from God, God His eternal father declared "This is my beloved Son in whom I love."

The Good Shepherd is awesome!  He is Jesus. He is the gate. He is the doorway. He laid down his life so that we could have Real Life. Eternal Life. Not just in length but in how we live.


You are safe and secure in your Father's arms. No one. No one can steal away the Love the Father has for you. The Shepherd brought us to His father. God is more powerful than anyone else. He is more powerful than a man with a gun, he more powerful than the devil, he is more powerful than  YOU and your ability to resist His Spirit.

God wants us to become more like Jesus but when you screw up, make a mistake, or whatever God can still use that to make you more like Jesus! Why, because He is more powerful than anyone else!

May you know that God loves you. Not just a little bit, he really really loves you. He loves you so much that sent His only Son to die in your place. May you know that the Shepherd wants to lead you. May you listen to Holy Spirit as he calls, and draws you into walking and following Jesus daily.

The joy Awaiting Him.

"We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne."- Hebrews 11:2

David was chosen by God. He was not perfect, as we see later when he commits adultery and murders a guy, but still a "man after God's own heart." 

Once upon time David was minding his own business being faithful in the work of the Lord. Being a shepherd. Defending his sheep from attackers. Bears, and lions, and tigers, oh my! (sorry, I got distracted.....its Friday so bear with me). 

It is in this situation that he receives noticed that the prophet Samuel has come to his house and was looking to anoint a new king (btw this is all happening when Saul is already king). 

So what God is asking Samuel is kinda risky. You know anointing a new king when there is a king. He could be killed! Samuel looks at each of David's older brothers and does not see the king God wants. 

"Do you have any others?" 

Just the rut, just David, replies Jesse. 

Bring him in. In that moment God has Samuel anoint David with oil, prophesying that he would be king of Israel!  Oh cares if he doesn't look like king or on the outside doesn't look qualified. God knows what he is doing! 

David filled with confidence in 1 Samuel 16 is able to boldy approach the injustice that is "Goliath" while delivering lunch to his brothers on the battle field. 

Why is no one standing up to this bully? I WILL! Proclaimed David. 

I heard a quote once that says, "only the people crazy enough to believe they can change the world will"

He did, he slayed that monster, that giant Goliath to the ground. 

This brings me to the cross. The biggest injustice of them all. God was on the move and he was going to work in Jesus to do something amazing. 

God has continued to speak to me on this passage (Hebrews 11:2 (see above) and reveal something "new." He has highlighted the fact that Christ was able to endure the cross because he knew Good Friday was not the end. He knew Resurrection Sunday was coming.

But maybe there is something more of this "JOY." What is the joy awaiting him? Was it being raised from the grave and getting to live and eat breakfast? Yes, but more!

The joy awaiting him was you, it was his elect. His people, his children. It wasn't a chore for Jesus to die for you it brought him much joy. In fact, this word "joy" can be personified to you! You are God's joy. He smiles when he looks at you. He is not disappoint, even if you are not walking with him. Yet the fact that we can identify as the "Joy of Christ" shall cause transformation in our everyday life.

You see David had the confidence to do what He was called to do because he knew his identity in Christ. He was the joy awaiting Christ. He was so filled with Holy Joy that he could not help himself. He HAD TO ACT. 

The question of this blog, though informal as it may be, is do you know who you are? Do you know that God loves you?

or since that question has become so routine, "Do you know that you are God's joy?" That it brings him joy to look at you. Not after you do something great but because of who you are! 

May you know that you are worth dying for
May you know that there is nothing you can do to make God mad at you or disappointed in you. 

And May you know that you are more powerful in Christ than you can ever believe. 

Denying Jesus

"Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you (Peter) will deny three times that you even knew me (Jesus)."- Luke 22:34

Peter was a reckless disciple but never would one think he would deny he knew Jesus. But a few hours later he would. Both Judas and Peter denied/betrayed Jesus yet it was Peter who was forgiven/redeemed while Judas was not.

This vantage point is hard for me. Judas after denying Jesus and seeing what was about to happen to him found some rope and a tree (we are not given the exact details) and hung himself. He committed suicide.  

 

It was too much for him to handle. He regretted his decision. The money wasn't worth it.  It never is. It was never meant to make him happy. But then again, that is the lie of sin: to promise you happiness before stealing away your joy and peace. 

So the question I have for you on the eve of Good Friday (I believe its called Manundy Thursday), why was Peter forgiven but not Judas?

Because if you know the story (spoiler alert coming up!!!) you know that Jesus dies. He almost dies on the way to the cross. He is whipped and beaten and by his wounds we were healed! He needs help carrying his cross and ultimately God dies. 

 

But death could not hold him down He descended to the grave/hell (depending on what your tradition teaches) and raises victorious on Resurrection Sunday (Also known as Easter). Which is why we eat chocolate for some reason. 

 

 After all this happens Jesus seeks out Peter. He seeks him out, like a hound dog, and finds him. He asks Peter three times if Peter loves Jesus. And all three times Peter declared "You know I love you."

There is a lot more to this story that i do not have time to uncover right now but this is amazing story of Peter being forgiven. I mean he literally did the worst thing you can think of "Deny Jesus" and Jesus said I will find Peter and rescue him from himself. 

So what saved Peter? Of course we know it was his Faith. We are all saved by our faith in God. But the question of how he was saved b=my upset the average American Christian. 

You see, when we talk about salvation, or coming to faith we like to have the focus on the individual. Because you know we are Americans with individual rights and freedoms and God would never ever ever violate my right to choose him, except for when he does. 

Now, dont get me wrong there is a chose. There is us walking in agreement with what God wants for us. But the spotlight was never meant to be on us! It has always meant to be on God, and Him alone. 

Why was Judas not saved? Was it because he did not have the opporunity? Was he not apart of God's elect? Did he do the unforgiveable sin? 

I dont know. This is a tough one. 

Because I see "Judas' all around me. I see them make stupid mistakes and they continue to walk in sin and some even take their own lives and some even become Terrorists. And I think to myself if only they knew the Goodness of God. If only they knew how much God loved them. That God could change their lives. Maybe if they knew things would be different. 

But I know God is different and I hope you know he is different and maybe there is a reason why we know. So we can share with others how God has been so good to you that he has shown you mercy, and grace, and forgiveness. When You (and I) did not deserve/earn it.

You see this is a shift in how we see God. For way too long people would preach "fear sermons" They would describe how horrible hell was and how we need to get our act together so we don't go there. Because you know, all we are "are sinners in the hands of an angry God."

But God seeks us out. I dont know why everyone does not experience the Goodness of God. I know there are times in my life when I wonder what He is doing but I hold onto the fact that He is God and He is good. 

For those three days, Depression and fear would have fallen on the disciples and especially Peter who when he last saw Jesus, he denied Him. 

God sought out Peter and he seeks out each one of us. He brings us to that place of repentance of turning our lives over to him. 

After studying this stuff for many years and reading many different "experts" who have it all figured out I confess that I do not understand how God does it. 

But he does. He seeks and saves that which was lost. You and I. And I need this "Hound Dog" of a God to continue to run after me daily because without his constant grace and constant love and constant forgiveness I forget how much I am loved and valued by Him. 

So this Resurrection Sunday (And Good Friday and well every day of the year) may you remember how God has forgiven you. If you have never understood that you needed forgiven maybe that is a conversation you need to have with God. God may be asking you the same thing he is asking Peter, "Do you love me?" 

 

Or maybe you have walked with God for a while but have wondered off the path. This is a good time to be forgiven and realign your life with the God who made you, knows you, and loves you. 

Thank you (and dont eat too much chocolate) because gluttony is a sin too! ;)