Friday, February 15, 2008
Life in the Barrenness
I'm looking outside my window at the barren branches of the trees and the harshness of the cold rugged ground. The sun shines more brightly through the stark limbs and there is a special beauty in this season---a beauty that most people look beyond because it is not evident or appealing to the human eye. When I look out, I think of words spoken by great men, words that I cling to and find hope within-- "when we are weak, he is strong; he must become greater, I must become less; unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." Sometimes when the ground is cold and hard, and the branches are lifeless and we are in our weakest state, there is a great work happening on the interior. We might feel like we are dying. We might feel like we are becoming less, but there is a strength that is found in this cold hard season. A strength that is greater than our own. The season demands us to surrender and give up our wills. The process might seem daunting or discouraging, even hopeless, but there is a season to come that is full of life and vigor; a time when we reap the fruit of the process. I've found that no matter how much we may ache for the season of fruit, there is a greater work happening in the barren moments. There is a communion that is sweeter and an understanding that is deeper. We've heard it said before, "life is about the journey, not the destination" and in this, I discover that the barren moments, the winter, the cold, the lifeless branches are to be embraced. Although we love the vigorous seasons of life and fruit, the is a deepening of the barren seasons bring a profound humbling and true sense of insufficiency; there is a greater presence and reality that is made known to us; a sense of centered-ness and connection. I am thankful. I am thankful for the cold season. I want to embrace this journey today and tomorrow and throughout the seasons. Lord, give me strength to walk through each day in whatever comes my way.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Leaders of Inclusion
Thoughts on the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-29
The young man asks Jesus what he should do to inherit the kingdom and Jesus lists a bunch of commandments. Then, the young man replies, "I have done all these things."
Then, Jesus looks at him with love and says, "One thing you lack, go and sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come follow me."
The young man walked away sad because he had great wealth. Jesus tells his disciples, "It is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom than a camel to go through the eye of a needle."
I think about this parable a lot because I don't think its so much about money, rather its about self-sufficiency. We depend on ourselves to get through life, but Jesus is asking us to depend only upon Him. He also asks us to look to each other-- he's real big on community. When I think of the rich young man, I think he walked away not because he loved all his stuff, but because it become his security, his adequacy and a reminder of his sufficiency. These are the things we must shed in order to follow Jesus because HE wants to be our security, our adequacy and our sufficiency. Jesus says, "it is hard to enter the Kingdom"-- which means, it is hard! But, I think the reward is greater than we know if we shed all of our self-sufficiency's and watch him bring about the best.
As I look at this scripture in context of leadership, it seems we should be leaders of inclusion and empowerment. Our abilities and skills are not the central aspect of leadership, rather its the relationship and the people we lead.
The young man asks Jesus what he should do to inherit the kingdom and Jesus lists a bunch of commandments. Then, the young man replies, "I have done all these things."
Then, Jesus looks at him with love and says, "One thing you lack, go and sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come follow me."
The young man walked away sad because he had great wealth. Jesus tells his disciples, "It is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom than a camel to go through the eye of a needle."
I think about this parable a lot because I don't think its so much about money, rather its about self-sufficiency. We depend on ourselves to get through life, but Jesus is asking us to depend only upon Him. He also asks us to look to each other-- he's real big on community. When I think of the rich young man, I think he walked away not because he loved all his stuff, but because it become his security, his adequacy and a reminder of his sufficiency. These are the things we must shed in order to follow Jesus because HE wants to be our security, our adequacy and our sufficiency. Jesus says, "it is hard to enter the Kingdom"-- which means, it is hard! But, I think the reward is greater than we know if we shed all of our self-sufficiency's and watch him bring about the best.
As I look at this scripture in context of leadership, it seems we should be leaders of inclusion and empowerment. Our abilities and skills are not the central aspect of leadership, rather its the relationship and the people we lead.
Friday, September 21, 2007
A Poor Widow Changes the World
Idea: Leading from the Heart
The other day, I was reading Mark 12:41 and couldn't seem to move on in my readings. So, I kept reading and reading and reading Mark 12:41- 44, multiple times. I can't say I have any “special enlightenment”, but I really love the fact that "Jesus sat down opposite of the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd put their money into the temple treasury". He just sat there and watched them. That's one of my favorite things to do.... sit and watch people. Its kind of neat that Jesus sat and watched people. It shows his personhood. Sometimes, we make Jesus this miracle-man who floats about two-inches above the ground. The fact that he sat and watched makes me feel identified with and that is a miracle in itself.
The story goes on, rich people put large amounts of money into the temple treasury and the poor widow put in a fraction of a penny. A fraction of a penny! Sometimes I throw pennies away because they annoy me---I decided not to throw them away anymore since a fraction of a penny has contributed to history in many ways (I will explain). ;) Anyways, Jesus says, the rich "gave out of their wealth; but she [the widow], out of her poverty, put in everything--- all she had to live on." Her very livelihood she put into the temple treasury.
The thing that gets me is that she put the money into the temple treasury. If I recall, Jesus wasn’t exactly excited about the happenings in the temple, so giving to the temple treasury doesn't seem to be his focus, rather, the hearts of men (and women) as they gave. The widow's heart gave to the treasury, not out of obligation or "shoulds" or out of wealth, but rather with her heart. She gave to God with her whole heart while the rich gave of their excess and duties. I’d like to raise my hand and say, “I want to be like the widow”-- to offer my livelihood to Jesus. I don’t’ want to hold onto a piece of myself, but rather I want to throw my life and heart at his feet. This is another example of dependency. Who are we depending on to provide for our lives? Are we storing our treasures in barns out of fear or are we giving with our hearts in confidence that God is our sufficiency?
As I talked about this particular passage of scripture with Bart, he told me that he just had a conversation with Doug about this very passage. Perfect. I asked him what Doug said and he had the most interesting insight. In fact, I was a little perturbed that I didn’t have the same insight. I got over it though and marveled at Doug’s ability to look at scripture and come away with an incredible understanding. Doug said, the interesting thing about the poor widow who gave a fraction of a penny is that she has raised the most money in history. Think about it. How many times have you heard this passage in church, Bible Studies and other services? This story has touched hearts all over the world, throughout the centuries, all because Jesus mentions her heart in the Bible and her fraction of a penny. She has helped to raise billions of dollars.
This kind of stuff is super neat to think about. Its amazing to think the status of my heart could contribute to history in a very tangible, legitimate way and this is not because of me, rather because of Jesus who is watching. He takes my heart, my little livelihood and can make much!
The other day, I was reading Mark 12:41 and couldn't seem to move on in my readings. So, I kept reading and reading and reading Mark 12:41- 44, multiple times. I can't say I have any “special enlightenment”, but I really love the fact that "Jesus sat down opposite of the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd put their money into the temple treasury". He just sat there and watched them. That's one of my favorite things to do.... sit and watch people. Its kind of neat that Jesus sat and watched people. It shows his personhood. Sometimes, we make Jesus this miracle-man who floats about two-inches above the ground. The fact that he sat and watched makes me feel identified with and that is a miracle in itself.
The story goes on, rich people put large amounts of money into the temple treasury and the poor widow put in a fraction of a penny. A fraction of a penny! Sometimes I throw pennies away because they annoy me---I decided not to throw them away anymore since a fraction of a penny has contributed to history in many ways (I will explain). ;) Anyways, Jesus says, the rich "gave out of their wealth; but she [the widow], out of her poverty, put in everything--- all she had to live on." Her very livelihood she put into the temple treasury.
The thing that gets me is that she put the money into the temple treasury. If I recall, Jesus wasn’t exactly excited about the happenings in the temple, so giving to the temple treasury doesn't seem to be his focus, rather, the hearts of men (and women) as they gave. The widow's heart gave to the treasury, not out of obligation or "shoulds" or out of wealth, but rather with her heart. She gave to God with her whole heart while the rich gave of their excess and duties. I’d like to raise my hand and say, “I want to be like the widow”-- to offer my livelihood to Jesus. I don’t’ want to hold onto a piece of myself, but rather I want to throw my life and heart at his feet. This is another example of dependency. Who are we depending on to provide for our lives? Are we storing our treasures in barns out of fear or are we giving with our hearts in confidence that God is our sufficiency?
As I talked about this particular passage of scripture with Bart, he told me that he just had a conversation with Doug about this very passage. Perfect. I asked him what Doug said and he had the most interesting insight. In fact, I was a little perturbed that I didn’t have the same insight. I got over it though and marveled at Doug’s ability to look at scripture and come away with an incredible understanding. Doug said, the interesting thing about the poor widow who gave a fraction of a penny is that she has raised the most money in history. Think about it. How many times have you heard this passage in church, Bible Studies and other services? This story has touched hearts all over the world, throughout the centuries, all because Jesus mentions her heart in the Bible and her fraction of a penny. She has helped to raise billions of dollars.
This kind of stuff is super neat to think about. Its amazing to think the status of my heart could contribute to history in a very tangible, legitimate way and this is not because of me, rather because of Jesus who is watching. He takes my heart, my little livelihood and can make much!
Mindfulness
Mindfulness
“…investigating inwardly our own nature as beings and, particularly, the nature of our own minds through careful and systematic self-observation, we may be able to live lives of greater satisfaction, harmony and wisdom. It also offers a view of the world which is complementary to the predominantly reductionist and materialistic one currently dominating Western thought and institutions” (Wherever you go, there you are, Kabbat-Zinn, p. 4)
Our natural tendency is to live self-centered lives, yet true life is not found within oneself, it is found in serving others and loving Jesus. For me to understand this truth, I must search within to become familiar with my nature and know the blinded ways that have a tendency to guide me. I believe this is what the writer of this statement is saying. He is saying take time to know your own perverse ways and your great need for grace and mercy. He is saying take time to know that you are not the center of the universe rather you are a part of the whole. Take time to know yourself as your really are and in this you will find humility that is completely foreign to this world.
I think of Paul’s similar words, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12).
If I were to analyze this verse, it would say, “Do not live as the world, with your mind focused on yourself and what you want, instead focus on others and see the world through the lens God might see through. Set your minds on life-giving pursuits that consist of people, nature, and intricacies unnoticed by most. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Be humble. Be self-aware, but not self-focused. Overcome your selfish, controlling and manipulative ways. In doing these things, you will be able to see more clearly and walk in a way that brings life to you and others—in this you will fulfill the will of God.”
“…investigating inwardly our own nature as beings and, particularly, the nature of our own minds through careful and systematic self-observation, we may be able to live lives of greater satisfaction, harmony and wisdom. It also offers a view of the world which is complementary to the predominantly reductionist and materialistic one currently dominating Western thought and institutions” (Wherever you go, there you are, Kabbat-Zinn, p. 4)
Our natural tendency is to live self-centered lives, yet true life is not found within oneself, it is found in serving others and loving Jesus. For me to understand this truth, I must search within to become familiar with my nature and know the blinded ways that have a tendency to guide me. I believe this is what the writer of this statement is saying. He is saying take time to know your own perverse ways and your great need for grace and mercy. He is saying take time to know that you are not the center of the universe rather you are a part of the whole. Take time to know yourself as your really are and in this you will find humility that is completely foreign to this world.
I think of Paul’s similar words, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12).
If I were to analyze this verse, it would say, “Do not live as the world, with your mind focused on yourself and what you want, instead focus on others and see the world through the lens God might see through. Set your minds on life-giving pursuits that consist of people, nature, and intricacies unnoticed by most. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Be humble. Be self-aware, but not self-focused. Overcome your selfish, controlling and manipulative ways. In doing these things, you will be able to see more clearly and walk in a way that brings life to you and others—in this you will fulfill the will of God.”
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