Jesus is not Republican

Did I get your attention? 

Tonight, I've been watching the election returns, being somewhat satisfied with the results.  I tend to be more conservative than not, so I'm pleased to see the Republicans do well in both Houses and in the governor races.

But as I watch (and even cheer for) the returns, I find myself convicted of something that I thought I was beyond.  Even though I may have my own ideas of what works best for this country on an ideological basis, I have to remind myself that my trust is not in the government, let alone a flawed political party.  My hope and trust is in Christ alone.

Christianity has received (maybe "earned" is a better word) such a black eye.  Instead of our message being the love of this amazing man/God named Jesus - a love that led to ultimate sacrifice - the perceived message of Christians is one of anger and judgment.  I don't know if that bothers you, but it bothers me immensely.

A guy named Dan Merchant wrote a book and produced a video called Lord, Save Us From Your Followers.  In this book, he used the term "Bumper Sticker Theology" to explain how instead of engaging non-followers of Christ in conversation, we've made them our enemies.  Our faith is reduced to pithy phrases on bumper stickers that only further create a disconnect between the message of Christ and the perceived message of the Church.

Let's stop sending cheap pot-shots across "enemy lines" and reducing our message to a political ideology.  I'm not suggesting that we take no stance in ideological discussions or involvement in our government.  I guy I've known and respect just became a US representative and I'm very excited for him.  But why do we choose to treat people as enemies - the very people that God loves so dearly?  I'm very bothered that so many of us (and I've been guilty of this) equate faith in Christ with conservative ideology.  How did this happen?  I can't imagine that God is pleased with this.

What is your message?  Is there room in your theology for a view of God that is so much infinitely bigger than your political party?  When people think of you, do they think of a Christ-follower or a Tea-Party supporter?  Is there room in your theology that you could actually have fellowship with someone of a different political party?

If this was God's desire, wouldn't Jesus had been much more outspoken about the wrongs of the Roman government in his day?  But his message was much different.  In fact, I think it went something like this - "“As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it."  John 12:47-48

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."  Psalm 20:7

You Complete Me

I'm sure many of you have seen the movie, Jerry Maguire with Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger.  There's an emotional scene toward the end that has gone down in romantic fame.  Tom Cruise rushes in to Renee Zellweger's home and declares to her, "You complete me."  He rambles on a little before she stops him and says, "Stop.  You had me at hello."  Cue the "awwws."

While that sounds romantic and sweet, it is also an extremely dangerous approach to love.  God never intended another person to complete us.  He completes us.  When two incomplete people enter into a relationship, they don't become one complete person.  They become two incomplete people now messing each others' lives up.  I don't know how many marriages I've seen wrecked by the disillusionment that their mate was supposed to make them complete.  When they find out that this isn't the case, they assume that they married the wrong person.

Your spouse was not designed to complete you.  Nor were they meant to be responsible for your thoughts, emotions, beliefs or behaviors.  You are 100% responsible for your thoughts, emotions, beliefs and behaviors.

A relationship of two complete people who aren't dependent on each other for their happiness is a beautiful thing.  When my wife is sad, it impacts me deeply.  When I disappoint my wife, it impacts her deeply.  But I don't look to her to be responsible for my happiness.  And I certainly don't want to be responsible for hers.

Likewise, it is a mistake of huge proportions to have children hoping they will make you complete.  If you don't have it without kids, you won't have it with them.  Same with your spouse.  If you aren't complete and whole without a mate, you won't be complete or whole with one.

It's time we all start looking to God who created us and say, "You complete me."  I promise, you will find your relationships bringing so much more joy.

78 Yellow Camaro

Growing up in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, I was always a kinda average guy.  Played sports, but not an athlete.  Made good grades, but not a brainiac.  Had lots of friends, but not popular.  Not a ton of identity.  But in the summer of 1990, that all changed.  I fell in love... not with a girl, but with my first car - a 1978 canary yellow Camaro (much like the one in this picture).  I remember my dad and I went to pick out this car together.  The discerning wheeler and dealer, my dad talked the seller from the asking price of $1750 all the way down to $1700.

The car wasn't perfect, but it was mine!  I began pouring some money and sweat into that bright beacon of life.  New radio, new speakers, new paint job, new door handles, etc.  Out of a labor of love, I began "renovating" that car that I loved.  I eventually traded it in for a truck, but that car will always have a special place in my heart.

Since then, I've had a love for renovation.  I've dabbled in it with houses I've owned.  Nothing big, but new floors, paint, etc.  I also love those television shows where they take a run down home and make it into something beautiful.

As I think about my interest in renovation, I'm reminded of another Renovator.  One who doesn't get excited about cars and houses, but one who is in the business of renovating lives.  What God created was beautiful and perfect.  However, the effects of sin messed everything up.  But because of his great love for individuals, God has been renovating lives ever since.  I believe this is why counseling has always been so appealing to me.  I love seeing God take broken lives and relationships and begin to restore those to their original intent.

And the original intent can be seen in the person of Jesus.  Check out this passage in Romans:

"God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun."  Romans 8:29-30 (The Message)

Once we choose to follow Jesus, God begins the amazing work of transforming our lives to look more like Christ.  The challenge for us is this - are you joining him in his transformation, or are you resisting it?  Put yourself in a position today of joining with God in the renovation of your life.  Practice his presence, get to know him through Scripture, be mindful of what he's doing in your life.

Keeping Score

This weekend, my beloved Oklahoma State Cowboys lost to the Nebraska Cornhuskers.  It was a great game if you're into high scoring, back and forth, no defense kind of game.  The final score was 41 to 51.  It started off as one of those games where you begin to believe that whoever has the ball last will win.  But OSU failed to hold serve a couple of times and ended up losing.

When I watch one of those back and forth type of games (which seems to be pretty common for the Cowboys these days), I think about one of the worst marriage-killers around - KEEPING SCORE.

It starts off pretty innocent - I put the kids in bed the last couple of nights, so I should be off for the next two nights.  Or - you went out last night, so I get a night out now.  Or maybe this one - the last 3 movies we've seen have been chick flicks, so the next one should be an action movie.

Seems pretty innocent, but when you carry this thinking out, it gets us in trouble every time.  How many times have you thought, "it's my turn now!"?

The reason this "tit for tat" approach to marriage never works out is because we have very biased memories.  I can quickly name every chore, every bedtime routine, every sacrifice I've made over the past week - even month.  But I have a much harder time recalling all of the sacrifices my wife has made.  My ledger never balances out the way I want it to.

The Bible paints a much different picture for marriage.  Consider some of the following passages:

• "Submit to each other out of reverence for Christ."  (Ephesians 5:21)
• "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."  (Philippians 2:3)
• "You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love."  (Galatians 5:13)

Keeping score leads to jealousy, bitterness and selfishness.  Service leads to love, fulfillment and joy.  Try serving your spouse this week and make it your goal to forget the score (which isn't as accurate as you may think it is anyway).

Good Pain

Hedonism is described as avoiding pain and seeking pleasure.  While that sounds appealing on the surface, the concept causes us to ultimately miss out on significant growth in our lives.

I've never been much of a weight lifter.  I tried getting into it a time or two in my life, but never fully committed to it.  But as I understand it, the resistance that we encounter when lifting weights is what causes our muscles to grow and expand.  That's why not many people ever master the sport - it's just too painful (and who really has time anyway?).

But just like the resistance we encounter in lifting weights causes our muscles to strengthen, the resistance we encounter in life causes our lives to strengthen.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating that we go out and look for pain.  But pain is not something to be avoided either.

In the Bible, James encourages us with this:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:2-3 (NIV)

How do we avoid pain?

• Not saying the difficult things in relationships.
• Not taking risks.
• Not sacrificing for others.
• Holding on to addictions instead of giving them up for abundant life.
• The list goes on and on...

Not only do we shirk trials and pain for ourselves, but we try to protect our kids from the same thing.  Rescuing parents put so much effort in trying to keep their kids from experiencing pain that their children don't develop the necessary skills and inner-strength to navigate life successfully.  We create prolonged adolescences because we give our children way to much privilege and don't require enough responsibility.  Ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I ever rescued my child by doing his homework for him?
• Am I constantly saying, "Don't do that or you'll get hurt!"?
• Does my teenager have a cell phone and car with insurance and gas that she doesn't pay for or have to earn?
• Do I consistently interfere in relational struggles that my child is experiencing?

Not all pain is good however.  Don't confuse trials and suffering with consequences from sin.  Sin is never good, no matter what you learn from it.  Don't say when experiencing the consequences from adultery, "I just wonder what God wants me to learn from this."  I think the answer is pretty clear - adultery is bad.

But not all pain is bad either.  It may not be pleasant, but pain and suffering produces growth and strength that you would not otherwise possess.  Trials should be learning experiences.  Paul stated that he wanted to know Christ and fellowship with him through suffering (Philippians 3:10).

Consider this when fearing a trial or suffering.  Learn to embrace those situations instead of fearing or even avoiding them.  Gain some spiritual muscle!