The Tau Connection

What a fine looking group of young men…  I lost touch with many of these guys until recently on Facebook.  Now I see random status updates from time to time.  Amazing as it seems, most of us grew up.

What’s more amazing is how God has used a part of my life that was way off the Christian path for his good purposes.  There are many past experiences and life choices (good and bad) that make up who I am today.  God has used them all to mold me and grow me and he is still at work.  The job often looks hopeless to me but with God all things are possible (Matt 19:26).

This story however is about how God has used my past not just to mold me, but to dramatically change the life of 57 orphans in Liberia and a suburban Baptist church in Cypress, Texas. Read more

Popularity: 2% [?]

How much do I give?

Each month I receive a variety of solicitations from worthy Christian organizations asking for money.  These organizations are doing great things to help those in need both physically and spiritually.  Right now on my desk I have requests from the following organizations:

ServLife – this organization has a vision to equip 1000 indigenous leaders to share the gospel with their own people, educate and care for 1000 children through sponsorships, and help start 1000 micro-businesses to rescue people out of poverty – all by the year 2013. Read more

Popularity: 10% [?]

Economic Certainty

I hear on the news over and over again about the struggles of our country as we continue to face economic uncertainty.  This is great statement about the mindset of Americans and how capitalism has replaced Christianity as our value system.  Even in the best of times, our economic future is uncertain.  What is the old saying, “the only thing that certain is death and taxes.”

Unfortunately, unlike America, most of the world lives in extremely certain economic times.  Almost half the world lives on less that $2.50 a day.  Eighty percent of the world lives on less than $10 a day.  For these people, there is no economic uncertainty.  They have extreme poverty today and they are quite certain that they will have extreme poverty tomorrow and probably their entire lives.

I can stress about my 401k and all my savings that I no longer have in my future.  However, I’m not too worried about what I am going to eat tomorrow.  I can stress about the economy getting even worse and I can watch it all in my air-conditioned home on my wide-screen TV through cable provided to me for a measly $75 month.

Many people in have lost their jobs recently.  Many fear that they could lose theirs at anytime.  However, even if you lose your job, your home, and your cable TV, will you starve to death?

There is a reason Jesus tells us not to put our faith in wealth.  I like to tell myself that my faith is in God and not my money.  I’m sure most Christians would say the same.  If that’s true, think about the rich young ruler that came to Jesus looking for eternal life.

Luke 18:18-25 (ESV)
¹⁸ And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" ¹⁹ And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ²⁰ You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’ " ²¹ And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." ²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." ²³ But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. ²⁴ Jesus, looking at him with sadness, said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

If ask the average Christian, if they should sell everything they have and follow Jesus, they will probably tell you that this passage is not suggesting that Christians do that.  They will probably tell you that this passage means that you should be willing to do that if called.  They may say that following Jesus should be more valuable to you than all of your possessions but this passage is a principle and not a practical application for all Christians to follow.

Ok, so let’s go with the principle concept.  In principle, if God were to ask you to sell everything you have and give it to the poor, would you?  How do you know if you could do it?  Better yet, how do you know if God were to ask you?  Are you assuming that God’s call for your life is to have your current standard of living?  Why would God not want you to give so much away that it dramatically lowered your personal lifestyle?  Why do you think that the eye of the needle is so large for you?

Maybe we should take this time of economic uncertainty and think more about the rest of the world and their economic certainty.  Maybe we should adjust our standard of living so that others can live.  Or I guess you can go to the fridge, get another cold drink, sit back in your lazy boy, and change the channel.

Popularity: 7% [?]

What is Abundant Life?

John 10:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

God has really been working on my heart lately about my own excess and the poor.  Maybe it’s good to go through these struggles from time to time.  Otherwise, it might be a sign that my heart is getting too calloused. 

I spent this past week at a Baptist preteen camp.  I was really looking forward to this trip because last year I had great spiritual experience.  I not only had a spiritual high for a few days but the experience altered my course of thinking for the long-term as well.

This year we went to a different camp and this year the camp only served to heighten my current spiritual struggles.  The camp theme this year was “living the dream” and John 10:10 was the key verse.

I loved the “camp” atmosphere.  There were canoes, BMX bike trails, a great pool, rock-climbing, and bungee jumping among other activities.  I loved the time with the kids.  I got to minister to a few of them, including my own son.  We had some great bible study and devotional times as a small group.

The part that I really struggled with was the way the kids took to the snack shack and gift store during free time.  Buckets full of money were being poured into candy, sodas, and trinkets.  As I’m struggling with how I should respond to the fact that a child is dying every 7 seconds due to lack of food, watching the indulgence by our kids at a Christian camp was seriously intensifying my struggles.

The teaching lessons to the kids was on living the dream, as in living your life for Christ and the promise of a fulfilled life and eternity in heaven (hmm, what about the resurrection – that’s another topic).  So, the message being taught in the worship services and the small group discussions was good.  However, what was the lesson we were sending on their hours of free time each day with pockets full of money and free reign on the junk food and souvenirs?

This leads me back to my own struggles.  How much is too much?  God has blessed me to live in this great country and he has blessed me with a great job, health, and money.  When is it wrong to spend this money on myself?  Where is the line where I say, rather than feed that one child for a month, I’m going to spend this $30 on a non-essential item for me or my family? 

On the other hand, does this mean I sell everything, move into a small house somewhere, only buy the bare essentials, and give everything else away?  Do I live as if I were in poverty even though God has blessed me with much?

Where do I draw the line?  Is this what it is like getting a camel through the eye of a needle?

Matthew 19:24 (ESV)
²⁴ Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

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What Am I On The Earth For?

Do you ever ask yourself this question?  Did you come up with a good answer?  Do you know why you are here?  Do you know your purpose in life?

I think the older we get, the more important this question becomes to us.  Some may say that’s quite tragic.  If we have a purpose in life, wouldn’t it be much better to know that purpose when we’re 20 rather than figuring it out when we’re 60? 

I agree, it’s tragic if you squander your purpose for your first 20 years of your life (I think I squandered much more than 20).  However, I’m not sure that means you don’t still have a unique purpose at 60.

The problem is that the younger we are, the less we seem to care about a true purpose.  As we get older and see the end starting to approach, we naturally get more reflective.

There are quite a number of people and groups (religions, etc.) that will gladly offer to help you find your purpose.  I did a Google search and here is a small sampling:

Personal Development Expert, Steve Pavlina – write down any self-purpose you can think of on a piece of paper.  Keep doing this until something you write down resonates with you so deeply that you cry.
Bahá’í Faith- In summary, the spiritual reason for our life on earth is to provide us with a training ground; our life is a period of growth during which we focus on the development of our innate spiritual and intellectual capacities.
Want to Know . info – …you can start to find and develop your own purpose and intentions by stopping for a moment and asking yourself two questions: “What is most important to me in my life? What are my deepest values and beliefs?“ Consider inviting divine guidance and your own inner wisdom to help you with this.
Atheist, Aaron Ross Powell – The atheist, on the other hand, sees this life, the one each of us is currently living, as all we get. Death is final. Thus we need to make the most of life and instill great value in every moment because those moments are of limited quantity.
Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren – The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.

You’ll notice that the first four statements are more about “you” and the statement from Rick Warren is more about “God”.  However, even with the “Purpose Driven Life” explanation, there is still an open question.  If my purpose is for God’s purpose, then what is God’s purpose?  Does he have a purpose or a task, specifically for me?

Personally, I believe God does have a specific purpose and specific tasks for each of us.  However, I’m not sure we’ll ever know all of God’s plans for us on this earth until after our time here is done.  I don’t think we’ll know everything because part of our purpose is to keep seeking.  The key is to seek from God, and he’ll make his purpose for you today, known to you today, while tomorrow brings a whole new adventure.

Matthew 6:33-34 (ESV)
³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
³⁴ “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Jesus is talking about God providing your daily necessities if you seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness today.  I don’t think I am stretching the context here to make my point.  Isn’t knowing your purpose in life, a necessity of life?

Enough preaching…

This is an open question for everyone, Christians and non-Christians alike.  We all are searching for meaning to our life.

So what’s your definition of the purpose of life?  More importantly, what is your specific purpose for being here?  Have you thought about it?  Are you searching for it?  Have you found it?

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Not enough time in the day

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Obsession – Losing Control of Passion

I’ve recently change the layout of my blog – again. I’m pretty happy with what I have now but I know at some point I’ll open it up to tinker with it and change it – again. I guess I’m like the weekend grease-head that keeps tinkering with his car. I just like tinkering with it, learning how to adjust the CSS and HTML codes, finding neat widgets created by someone else and figuring out how to best install them in my blog site. It’s fun to me, the wannabe geek.

I noticed something about my behavior with my latest round of blog site updates. My interest in learning and creating started to slide from a harmless hobby, to an obsession. As it made this slide I noticed other important interests starting to slide backwards.

If you were to ask me at any point about my priorities in life over the last month I would tell you – God, family and work and not even mention any hobbies or social interests. However, looking back, I notice I was spending much more time working on my blog layout than time reading my Bible. I found my self sitting in my living room with my family but with my laptop as I tinkered. As I look back I also notice that rather than sharing my journey of seeking God on my blog, I was spending all my time on the aesthetics of my blog.

Now there is nothing wrong with hobbies. There is nothing wrong with spending time learning new things like how CSS and HTML work. What’s wrong is when a hobby works it way up the priority chain in your life. The problem is when a passion becomes an obsession.

We often don’t think of hobby passions as sinful. We relegate sinful passions to passions of sexual lusts. We think of hobbies as just that, hobbies. However, anything that takes priority over Godly endeavors and becomes an obsession, becomes a sin. Passion, no matter how harmless on the outside, can wreck havoc when it gets out of control and becomes an obsession.

Hobbies and passions are usually a good thing. Often, your passion is planted in you by God. That passion needs to be realized by living it out for your primary passion, the passion that Holy Spirit brings you once you believe.

The apostle Paul said it well when he tells us to keep our eye on the ultimate prize. Don’t let your primary passion be distracted by anything, including your well intentioned earthly hobbies. Keep your primary passion on the eternal things, the things above, the things that will not be burned in the fire.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (ESV)
²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
²⁵ Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Philippians 3:13-16 (ESV)
¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
¹⁵ Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
¹⁶ Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

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