A Balanced Diet

I'm reading a book by D. Brent Laytham titled, iPod, You Tube, Wii Play. Consider the following quote from it, "There is no such thing as a balanced diet of idolatry!"

I wonder, do you think too much of life is trying to call healthy what is toxic? How many times is the godly and the godless forced on to the same buffet so that I can build the perfect meal that would fulfill my desires and make me happy? Idolatry is excess in the most minuscule servings and yet we find ways to excuse (and even promote) it.

Idolatry has happened when something other than God sets my identity. I changed cars this week. It was a move to downsize - smaller car, better gas milage, lower insurance and payment... less cool stuff. I was surprised how much I enjoyed some of the options on the other car. I'd even be honest enough to say, I was surprise how much those options made feel better about myself. It wasn't a big deal, just a "balanced diet."

I still have a really nice car... just not as nice as the other one. But, I'm not less of a Christian because I don't have the other car... just less of a person. My eternity isn't impacted by having to pull a lever to adjust my seat rather than push a button... just my today. I'm not less happy because I don't have a sunroof... just less human.

While I reveal this human side of me I will share what I learned on a trip to a meeting this week in my new/used car. Jesus is more comfortable in a car that I don't use to define me.

Do you think that's true about everything? Ya, me too.


Feasting on Christ,

Dave

A Bad Swap

Have we replaced repentance with regret? Maybe the pronoun needs to be changed - have I replaced...?

Regret is natural. It's that feeling that attaches itself to me with superglue tenacity. There are times I forget about it for moments but as soon as I remember that I forgot about it, it reminds me that it never left.

Regret is free. It doesn't cost me anything and I need no special skills to become an expert at it. As soon as an action has taken place inside a hidden pocket is the small pill of regret. It's a BOGO! (buy one get one) I buy the action with my will and receive at no additional cost the hidden bonus of "I wish I hadn't..."

Regret has no shelf life. Have you noticed that it doesn't seem to get weaker with the passing of days on the calendar? Only the action that caused it fades. The "benefit" from that action or word has long since evaporated, but the little pill of regret is still causing that sour taste in my spirit.

Regret is powerless. Here's the ironic thing about regret, it's strong enough to mess with my future, but not strong enough to change my past. It's too weak to change what caused it. It makes me wish I hadn't, but not strong enough to keep me for doing/saying/eating/thinking that again.

Regret can go through a metamorphosis. When it's wrapped in the cocoon of God's grace it transforms into repentance.

Repentance is supernatural. It's based on the unconditional, radical love of God that is expressed in the person of Jesus Christ. It is a divine explosion that removes walls between God and I.

Repentance is expensive. True repentance will cost me the freedom of ignoring and hiding from what violated God. It will cost me my pride as I humbly come before God (and maybe others) and am open and fully honest with him.

Repentance can wear out. If I'm not careful the remorse and commitment to not be a repeat offender can become paper thin and rip apart when faced with a new temptation.

Repentance is beyond Herculean in it's strength. It is strong enough to propel me into the arms of God and change my behavior instantly. It changes my direction. Repentance calls on the power of the blood of Christ, regret calls on the power of the past. Repentance is when I confess, receive grace, am filled with power, and pointed in a direction that is godly.

Have I replaced repentance with regret? It's a bad swap.

Swapping Back,

ddk

What time does church start?

What time does church start? To me the answer to that question isn't as easy as listing the time that's listed on a schedule. Peak in through a few windows to see my heart on this.

Window one: A church service isn't a business where at a set time the doors open and transactions can be made, nor is it a concert where at the right time the "show" starts. A worship service is a like a meal where people gather - it starts when everything is ready and ends when people are full.

Window two: The time before the meal is not best spent sitting at the table waiting for it to be delivered, it's best spent in community with the saints. Every week the body gathers as a chance to let the Spirit build unity as fellowship happens. But, we often miss it by sitting and waiting for the "program" to begin. Look for someone to meet or someone to hug or someone to pray with/for while the meal is getting ready.

Window three: Coming late to church is missing what might be the best way to prepare for what God has for you in the meal. To hurry from the car seat to table seat without connecting and enjoying the appetizer of relationship is just as sad as being early and sitting in your spot waiting for dinner, ignoring the appetizer.

Window four: The clock is just as important at the beginning as it is at the end. Just like the work of the Spirit is crucial as the meal ends, it is crucial at the beginning. Sometimes we forget how important the prep time is and how God uses relationship to prepare us.

Come to the meal a little early. Gather in the living room (a.k.a. sanctuary). Greet someone. Let story be part of what God is able to use to make you ready of the power of what he longs to do during the morning meal. Don't miss the joy of how God could use you before the first song starts.

What time does church start? The moment you walk in the door and make eye contact with someone.

Making Tracks

Our road is not the first on the list for the city to plow (I think it is number 32,000). That's what happens when you live one a "lane." I am not complaining, I think the city does a great job clearing roads for us. But, by the time the plow gets to my road it's usually been driven over so much that the fresh snow has been morphed into ice pavement.

As I was going to the office after the last installment of water flakes I found out what a rebel I am.  Cars that had gone ahead of me had formed the beginning of a path through the snow. It was a path that I didn't want to drive in. I wanted to make my own. 

One reason was the path that was being made was too close to the center which would made facing traffic from the other direction some what of a game of vehicular chicken (a game that is frowned on by the other driver and the police department).

The other reason is I just like making my own path and looking in the rearview mirror and seeing my tracks applauding me for being a manly adventurer. I imagine the next driver picking my tracks because they are much cooler than the other ones.

Isn't Christianity a refusal to drive in the other tracks? When Christ taught the crowds in Matthew and said, "you have heard it said..." "...but I tell you..." wasn't he asking people to not drive in a track that didn't fit with kingdom of God living?    

Do I drive in the culture's track with how I spend my money? Am I following a dangerous path with my attitude about (fill in the blank). 

Have I let someone else impact my journey by staying in the trail they have blazed?

Following Christ will mandate that I ride on a part of the street that is less traveled by the rest of the world.  

Jesus and I are blazing a new trail today.  I invite you to do the same. 

ddk