Sometimes, It Takes a Chain...

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, New Living Translation)

Get your act together.

Go figure it out.

Pull yourself up by the bootstraps.

These exhortations are so engrained in our way of thinking that we believe them to be so for just about every personal challenge we face in our day. When we’d really rather have someone else do it or fix it or solve it, the cheerleaders in our mind kick in more often than not, and we find ourselves saying: “I can do this!”

I haven’t kept track of the success percentage over the years, but I’d guess it’s not as great as I’d like to think. But when the next challenge comes, sure enough, that inner resolve rises up almost as a reflex. Insanity? Instead, it may be a megaphone from Heaven: “Hey…HEY…this is good, you’re on the right track, but something really important is missing.” ….

... A room full of guys seeking to be better Walk-ers—some who had come to faith only recently and some who had been on the Journey for many years—all put their hands in the air when the speaker asked: “How many of you know you don’t read the Word enough? How many of you know you don’t pray enough?” The questions were not meant to shame but to awaken, because when the Apostle Paul writes to the Romans church that a life of real, practical worship is keyed by not conforming to the thinking of this world but being transformed by the renewing of your mind, it was a no-brainer that ain’t gonna happen without regularly tasting and seeing and doing the Word.

You could feel the vibe in the room shift. That familiar aroma of resolve. And so, for the thousandth time for some, there was an attitude of “I want that. Let’s do this!”

Get your act together…again.

Go figure it out…again.

Pull yourself up by the bootstraps…again.

And it will work. For a few hours or days, anyway. Until it doesn’t again. And then you’ll again hear the megaphone from Heaven, a bit louder this time: “See, you’re trying too hard. Yes, there’s your part in stepping out, there’s My part in delighting to meet you there, but there’s also your friend’s part, and that other friend, and that other one, too. Well, you get the idea…”

....Earlier this week, my phone pinged signaling an incoming text, except not the usual single tone but rather several in succession.

It was one of those weeks when you’re reminded that life doesn’t stop just because you need a breather. In the middle of stressful schedules and deadlines and things to do and people to see came one urgent request for prayer after another. And of course, you say you will. And you do, and before you even realize it, that “I can do this” mindset tries to kick in even here. But it all feels like one more thing to do, one more (unnecessary) weight to carry.

So, you decide to text a group of people on your phone who you know will give more than a nod to “Yeah, I will definitely pray.” And for some reason, you no longer feel alone in this. With each reply, faith is stirred and strengthened. You begin to believe “With God, nothing is impossible,” is more than a Gospel story, more than a nice bumper sticker. The answers hours or days later are often cause for jaw-dropping rejoicing. Pings of praises everywhere. And even those that are still in the works are wrapped in a chorus of “Yes and Amen” for faith in things hoped for and unseen….

"For where two or three gather in My name, there I am with them."

...And this was the same Heavenly megaphone that was shouting in our ears after that gathering of resolved, determined men—the one that said “you’re on the right track, but something really important is missing.”

Two or three. Or More. The same Savior who came to bring the best news ever and to break every chain also said a lot about the importance of “one another” and the ultimate Lone Ranger I-can-figure-this-out-on-my-own kryptonite: “Apart from Me, you can do nothing" of eternal value.

Sometimes, it takes a chain to break every chain.

And even if you don’t have one yet, all it takes to get started is to look in the mirror to find the first link.

A Week of Sundays

"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out." —Romans 12:1, Message

Somewhere on planet Earth this morning, it has already begun. It will continue throughout the day and into the night. Whether in a home living room, under the African stars, in a white-steepled New England church, or in dozens of variations of every size, someone will urge everyone gathered:

“Let’s worship.” And millions will sing, and speak scripture, and pray, and bring offerings to bless others, and hear and receive the Word, and sing some more. And it will all rise to heaven and influence the atmosphere. And it will be good.

But in looking back over journal entries from the quickly-fading summer, seemingly random ideas, quotes, and heavenly downloads had an unsurprising but heart-rekindling reminder:

“Let’s worship” means a whole lot more than all of the goodness that will be sung, said, and prayed by Believers gathered around the world on The Lord’s Day, September 16, 2018. "Let's worship" means Sunday every day of the week….

June 5…"To the holy—set apart, persevering—and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you…” (Colossians 1:2, NIV). What is striking about this verse of greeting is that the apostle Paul had never been to Colosse!—it was their witness in daily life for all to see beyond Sunday. Word had gotten out and spread. Worship beyond Sunday morning looks like living authentically, simply, and with integrity, even when you think no one is looking. 

“Is the excellence of Christ displayed in our lives? That should matter to us, not whether we ourselves are praised.”—John Piper

July 3…"And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.” (Colossians 3:4, NLT). I am struck by this again as I ponder home group and Bible study in the coming weeks, whether at home or at church. What will it be? What? No. Maybe it’s never suppose to be a ‘what’ but always a ‘Who’? 

“God’s priority is that the Lord Jesus be lifted up. The coming harvest will be the result of Christ’s presence. It will not be our programs and methods that bring the harvest into God’s barns; it will be the glory of the LORD.”—Francis Frangipane

August 26…"so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”—Mark 12:30-31, Message. What is this love for God supposed to look like, I mean really look like? It is more than a fleeting feeling as great as that may be. It is definitely more than a song, as powerful and stirring to the soul as they may be. AW Tozer points to The Rev. Samuel Rutherford of Scotland (1600-1661) as an example of one who seemingly lived unafraid to say he truly “loved” Jesus—not just the idea of, teaching, or character of Jesus. Loving Jesus, really loving Jesus, suggests Rutherford, looks like walking with Him beyond Sunday morning, listening, talking, believing, obeying, laughing, overflowing, being thankful, grateful, and watchful. Not perfect, just steady and steadfast:

“In our fluctuations of feelings, it is well to remember that Jesus admits no change in His affections; your heart is not the compass Jesus saileth by.”

“Every day, we may see some new thing in Christ. His love hath neither brim nor bottom.”

“It is no small comfort that God hath written some scriptures to you which He hath not to others. Read these, and think God is like a friend who sendeth a letter to a whole house and family, but who speaketh in His letter to some by name that are dearest to Him in the house.”—Rev. Samuel Rutherford

“Let’s worship.” And today, millions will sing, and speak scripture, and pray, and bring offerings to bless others, and hear and receive the Word, and sing some more. And it will all rise to heaven and influence the atmosphere. And it will be good. 

And as we go, it will be even better to remember to keep humming throughout the week: "I'll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself is not what You have required. You search much deeper within, through the way things appear; You're looking into my heart..."

Let it Out

"Unseal my lips, O LORD, that I may praise You."—Psalm 51:15, NLT

The Gospel account of the Palm Sunday processional can become so familiar, we don't realize that within it is no small throw-away line:

“Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, ‘Teacher, get your disciples under control!’”

The adversary’s tactic has always been to get the saints to shut up, to stop declaring unshakable promises, to quit praising “that Name.” Instead, the whisper says over and over again to be sensible, respectable, cool, calm and collected, and “Get yourself under control. Think good thoughts if you’d like, but just keep it all to yourself.”

Chances are, it happened this week. One minute, you can’t stop singing and tapping your toe, and the next, a worry or fear creeps in and you get momentary paralysis of the mouth, tongue, and lips. The adversary tries to nudge you: "See?" But this is not faith built on sand. This is normal. You are normal. This is the walk of faith and trust that has always been and will forever be on a progressive learning curve for even the most seasoned of saints. And God is with each one of us every step of the way, encouraging us to open wide and let it all out.

Why? Because as the accusing, wannabe silencer of the Song and the songs within us knows, when we choose to let the Truth come out, there is overcoming power in the name of Jesus, to break every chain, worry, and fear.

And so, it’s on.

It may start with a teeth-clenched minor key of “O God, help!” but then open a bit wider, maybe progressing to a jingle-sized “Thank You…sorry, that’s about all I’ve got right now,” to beginning to speak or sing even with feeble breath a simple promise, even three little words like “God is love.” Then doing it again. And again. And sensing the lungs fill, the volume increasing a bit, the toes tapping again, and faith rekindling in the face of a world determined to run off the rails.

It is not always easy, this letting it all out when you’re not feeling it. Sometimes, "it's on!" can be a prolonged tug-of-war. But everyone from the oldest of the Old Testament heroes to the psalmists, to that crowd on Palm Sunday to the 21st century saint swimming against the current of culture has found this to be true:

Continually choosing praise to GOD will, no matter what kind of day or week it has been, push Truth out of your inner-most being and into the murky atmosphere where it ignites mysteriously supernatural fires within. Their praise-fueled flames begin to seer the mind of the accuser’s lies, burn cobwebs of complacency out of weary hearts, and then warm them once again with a peace that passes all understanding and a hope that does not disappoint—even though the troubles may still be real. 

It happens every time, and we are always the most surprised. No one knows how that all works. He just does.

Which is why this is really good news especially for all who come by here today who are heading to a church this morning or this evening. Because inevitably, someone beyond your choosing to let it out with all you’ve got will get hit in the crossfire in a good way. Heaven-sent encouragement has a way of invading someone else's space, maybe someone like you whose mouth may have been zipped shut for a time this week...and discouragement surrenders. And maybe they go home or to work with a spring in their step, and someone asks “What happened?” And like the first disciples did with their friends, the response is simply “Come and see for yourself!” 

And so—just as the adversary has feared all along—the song, and the kingdom of the Song, keeps going and going and going and going…

The psalmist nails it: “O Lord, I will praise You with all my heart and tell everyone about the marvelous things You do. I will be glad, yes, filled with joy because of You. I will sing Your praises, O Lord God above all gods. My enemies will fall back and perish in Your presence…”—Psalm 9:1-3, Amplified

It happens every time. No one knows how that all works.

Praise God...He just does.

“The heart of God is vast, His grace is free, His gospel is exhilarating. Uncross your arms and unpurse your lips!”

—Jared C. Wilson

Photo credit: Charisma Magazine

Campfire Awakenings

“Life is a gift and the Giver is good.”*

A s any good campfire will do, there was endless staring into the flame, which sparked reflection on what had just zoomed by the past three months, and with it, a warmth of gratitude and videotape replays of the highlights of a simply good life in the everyday of a New England summer.

Often accompanying flame-staring is a round of storytelling, and of thinking out loud, and of sharing  encouraging milestones that have taken place along the Journey. And in the midst of all, one comment in passing around a campfire can jump up and awaken something within—something that you hadn’t been able to put into words until now. Amidst the wisps of smoke, and marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate chunks, there was this: “I think God likes to blur the lines that we tend to draw between the secular and the sacred—He’s everywhere in the everyday, if we would only look.”

And with that, a whole bunch of what seemed like routine summer life made more sense than ever…

...In my office is a copy of one of the most enjoyable photo opportunities of all time. It happened this summer, on a zero-visibility, windblown mountaintop—the highest peak in all of New England. Our team of volunteers emerged from the warmth and comfort of lunch in the lodge, ready to head back into the elements. And with no prompting, like lemmings, each one followed the one in front of them out into the very teeth of it all—not to hide behind some rock formation for protection but to press on to the highest point on the highest mountain as though conquering Mt. Everest. “Group photo!” someone yelled, and without any direction, they all gathered around the marker with upraised fists and wind-blown faces filled with joy, even though none of us could stand steadily against the force of the gales. 

During the three-hour drive home, I didn’t think anything could top that. Until, God invaded the car and I saw a greater glimpse. Because looking back on the day, what was even more inspiring and instructive for the Journey was observing the young men and women who were leading us in our task: to uproot small invasive species that were somehow crowding out rare, native summit species (who knew?) so that their unique beauty and goodness would win the day. To us, it was just a weed. To them, it was a passion for stewardship for creation, even if they didn’t realize who the Creator of it all was. They were passionate about the mission while we were there, likely just as passionate when other volunteer groups took their turn, and most likely, were passionate even when no one else was looking. What's with that?

Along with my friends who passionately braved the forces against them to reach their goal, to conquer when it would have been easy to quit, so too did these park rangers inspire next steps for the Journey by helping shake the dust off of complacency and of Christianese-speak that so easily settles in. They rekindled a God-given desire to bust outside of the Sunday morning religious box and into passionately living this way: “Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”—Colossians 3:17, Amplified

"Ordinary shines and glows

Fueled with Your intentions

You don't see the lines we draw

Between secular and sacred"*

I saw it again, this Colossians clarion call, a few weeks later while in an old mill that served as equipment and supplies storage headquarters for a group of citizens who daily face challenges that I couldn’t imagine facing well for one hour. I saw it in the organizer, Janet, the small woman dripping with sweat but with endless energy and joy and laughter, with a gift for seeing what needed to be done and how to best achieve the task. Passionate not because it was work that needed to be done, but because of who she knew would benefit, bringing smiles and hope to lives short on both. In the midst of it all, I thought it was all simply good people doing good things. Afterwards, while sorting through photos and seeing Janet’s passion glowing in many of them, God invaded my desktop, and there was an overwhelming sense that more than a volunteer effort, Church had happened but not in a church —just as perhaps He has meant it to be all along…

"Teach me that it all belongs

That everything is sacred

I eat the bread and drink the wine

But help me love my neighbor"*

And just in case I hadn’t gotten it yet, on another day this summer, there was an exhibit of art by craftspeople of every kind that I was dutifully photographing while on assignment. And that is all, or so I thought. Until as I browsed from tent to tent, I noticed my jaw dropping further down. At one point, there was the surprise of chills down my spine while viewing spectacular black and white photography of the very best the Creator has ever created. And then, the most shocking: that feeling of moist eyes welling up while staring at landscape etchings so breathtaking, it seemed as though a piece of Heaven itself had ripped through the tent and landed at my feet. "How can this be?  What is going on? This is neither church nor church-y people. And why such passion welling up deep inside?" The only explanation was that this was all pointing me to that Colossians clarion call again, and to remember to keep stirring passions for the creative juices within... and more than that,  I must be seeing and feeling what God had declared at the Very Beginning: “God spoke: ‘Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature’…”—Genesis 1:26, Message

"Oh, Heaven is upside down

Oh, it can be here and now

Oh, seeing it all around

That everything is sacred"*

Everything, Lord? While sitting around that campfire, the awakening within seemed to be shouting: “Much more than you've ever imagined! Now go and live likewise.”...

Oh show me how to hold this life

'Cause I don't wanna waste it

No I don't wanna waste it.*

* "Everything Is Sacred," by Jonathan Jay and Pat Barrett  © Capitol Christian Music Group

One Thing Remains

"Endurance = The ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions." (www.dictionary.com)

Who knew you could keep going because of a bunch of crows?

At the end of a long day of sitting and being mostly confined, it felt great to put one foot in front of the other, breathe in the sweet smells of summer, and work my way around the track. On this particular beautiful day, with the humidity lower than it had been, the track had attracted other one-foot-in-front-of-the-others, too. One was sprinting over and over again and barely breaking a sweat. Another had the unfair advantage of very long legs and effortlessly left me in the dust.

None of that would have mattered much if I hadn't heard crows on the stadium lights laughing at me as I ran by. They didn't do that with the other guys. Just me. Next time around, another cawing chorus of "Ha! Who are you kidding? You'll never make it."

In this race that is the joyful, adventurous, unpredictable marathon of being a Christ-one, you can either agree with the accusations of the crows and give up, or laugh back and remind them: "But my God, His love endures forever. It never quits. And He gives me endurance and encouragement that are second to none!"

And like as many runners do, you find a song that fits the rhythm of your pace and the renewed conviction within so that you feel as though you are walking or running in lock-step with the Savior of the world. A surge of joy, of confidence, of hope, of energy, of laughter at crows, of purpose once more. At the top of your lungs, something like this...

Higher than the mountains that I face

Stronger than the power of the grave

Constant in the trial and the change

One thing remains

Your love never fails, it never gives up

Never runs out on me

And on and on and on and on it goes

It overwhelms and satisfies my soul

I never have to be afraid

One thing remains

Your love never fails, it never gives up

Never runs out on me

In death, in life, I'm confident and covered by

The power of Your great love

My debt is paid, there's nothing that can separate

My heart from Your great love.

—One Thing Remains (c) 2010 Bethel Music Publishing

What the crows don't know is this:

"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises."

—Romans 15:4, Amplified

To all fellow travelers this day, Selah.

Recalibrating...

In the fun of knowing a faster route than your cell phone’s directions are giving you, or in the frustration of missing your exit, the voice of the phone's guide is similar:

In a half-mile, turn le…

In one mile, turn ri…

Recalibrating…

In 500 feet, take a slight left 

Take a slight left

Take a slight left

Proceed to the route...

Sometimes, like the religious leaders who were trying to outsmart the Master, we like to think we know a better, wiser route to the Finish line. And in so many words, Jesus’ response is: “Recalibrate. Strip away all your preconceived ideas of what is important and let this one thing be your guiding foundation: Love Me with all your affections, and all that is uniquely you, and all your thinking and thoughts, and then continually and perseveringly in all kinds of seasons. Then let it all spill over onto others. This is the one thing that really matters for a life that is full and abundant and everlasting."

Sometimes, like the woman at the well, we can be caught in a religious trap where there is a certain place and time and location to meet with God, but then life happens over the next six days until the next Sunday. And in so many words, Jesus’ response is: “Recalibrate. I am much bigger than Sunday morning, or the order of your service, or the size of your building. Let this one thing be your guiding foundation: Break down your preconceived boxes and worship Me, seek Me, in the daily grind, in the places and situations that seem far removed from My interest. The time to worship is always now and wherever you are."

Sometimes (quite often, in fact), like the sisters of Bethany—one who sat at Jesus’ feet and one who had a to-do list a mile long—we are tempted to side with the one who kept humming “gitter done.” Because that’s what Americans do. Because that’s what good church-goers do. And in so many words, Jesus’ response is: “Recalibrate. Let this one thing be your guiding foundation: Remember the religious leaders who were trying to outsmart Me. Remember the woman at the well who was caught in a religious trap. Getting stuff done is important. Go for it, and I will help. But never ever forget the one thing that really matters in the end—not what you have accomplished or learned, but rather, did you know Me and live that way?”

Yeah, but life is a battle.

To which Jesus’ great earthly ancestor responds:

“The Lord is my revelation-light to guide me along the way; he’s the source of my salvation to defend me every day. I fear no one! I’ll never turn back and run from you, Lord; surround and protect me. 

When evil ones come to destroy me, they will be the ones who turn back. My heart will not be afraid even if an army rises to attack. I know that you are there for me, so I will not be shaken.

Here’s the one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else: I want the privilege of living with him every moment in his house [presence], finding the sweet loveliness of his face, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to him that he takes pleasure in my every prayer.”

Recalibrating…proceeding to the route...

“I desire only Him and to be wholly His.”—Brother Lawrence

Just Be

"There is a season—a time appointed—for everything, and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven."—Ecclesiastes 3:1, Amplified

"I’ve got to be doing something."

Which is why I think my iPhone camera was drawn to this scene like a magnet. Everything about what is going on here, from the random footprints in the sand, to the chairs insisting that they not be straightened out, to the dog dancing in the surf, said something else entirely:

"Exhale..."

...There is an old New England joke that has many variations, including this one: “There are four seasons—winter, still winter, getting ready for winter, and almost winter.” And when summer arrives, you can almost feel a frantic desire to inhale every second of it, savor it from sunrise to sundown, and get out there and…do something.

Some “do somethings,” like boating, hiking, or swimming, are refreshing and relaxing. Others, like mowing lawns, weeding gardens, and still having to punch in for the 9-5 are obligatory. But then there are the “do somethings” that try to tell you that you aren’t being productive or making the most of your day unless you, well, do something.

That beach photo, though, was a good reminder that Jesus—the greatest "do something" Person of all time—also took time to rest from the weary road, to take a long drink of cool water, to get away from the crowds. And not only that, He told the enemy of our souls: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God." Wonderful words of life. Exhale words like these....

• "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to Me and resting in Me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength…”—Isaiah 30:25, NLT

• “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.”—Exodus 34:21, Amplified Classic

• “Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.”—Ecclesiastes 4:6, ESV

• “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”—Matthew 11:28-29, Message

But, there is one “do something” that is always worthwhile wherever we go this summer: to worship. Sing if you'd like, but there's more to it than that. A beyond-Sunday-go-to-church kind of worship. Just follow the beach chairs photo...

Seek to continually face the warmth and glory of the sun, and the Son...

Breathe deeply the salt air and give thanks that God is the giver of life and breath...

Let the ocean waves (or mountain peaks or long, winding pathways) remind you of God’s faithfulness in every season, even this one...

Be grateful for life, and especially be grateful simply for today...

Be thankful that God has placed you in your particular neighborhood of His kingdom, and for a purpose...

Let the vastness of the sea — or the forest, or even your veggie garden— fill you with gratitude for God's abundant provision and endless Love...

Walk, sit, run, wade, play catch with a dog, then take time to rock on the porch, eat lots of ice cream, and drive with all windows down...
...And in the midst of it all, as natural as breathing out and breathing in, keep looking Up and:

“Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually, longing to be in His presence.”

—1 Chronicles 16:11, Amplified

It could just be a typical photo of beach chairs to be admired while on the way to doing something else. Or maybe it's better than that. Maybe those beach chairs are a reminder, and an invitation: "Just...be, even in the midst of doing, even if for only a few minutes of every day."

“Have you ever spent a day or several hours when you sensed the presence of God as you hiked, worked, gardened, drove, read, or did the dishes? Those are foretastes of heaven—not because we are doing nothing but worshiping, but because we are worshiping God as we do everything else.”—Randy Alcorn

[Originally titled: 'Do Something!']