A Good Word on Lust

"Lust always pursues something different than what it already has."

This pearl of wisdom comes from the director's commentary on the Fireproof DVD. I thought it was such an important point that it deserved to be shared with my small blog audience.

Said differently, lust is never satisfied. It is the only never-ending appetite. You can fill a void in a hungry stomach with food. You can fill a void in a gasping lung with air. You can quench an insatiable thirst with drink. You cannot satisfy lust. It is inherently always looking for something better.

Leadership From Your Knees

Humility was a big topic of discussion this week at Wednesday group at The Table... and rightfully so. If there's one thing not named Jesus a leader MUST have if he/she is to be a successful Christian leader, it must be the type of humility on display in Philippians 2:1-11. Not coincidentally, I think verse 12 and following flows naturally out of those who fit the character of someone from Philippians 2:1-11. It is those who are the most humble, who look to the interests of others first, who consider others better than themselves... they are the ones who shine like stars in the midst of a depraved generation (ours and every other generation before it). Furthermore, pride is perhaps the most insidious of vices within the context of a church group, often piggybacking on other issues between believers to further drive them apart.

The more I contemplate this topic, the more the Lord impresses on my mind the firm belief that those who lead best spend the most time on their knees. I don't just mean in prayer, either. I think we all agree, at least intellectually if not in practice, that a solid Christian leader needs to spend a good amount of time in prayer. What I mean in this instance is in asking forgiveness, going in humility to a fellow brother or sister and asking for forgiveness for some offense committed against him or her. This happens because good leaders are more outspoken, more honest, more bold, more loving in all ways to their fellow believers. As a result, simply due to our sinful nature and the increased number of interactions with others on tough subjects, we'll inevitably mess up, be rude, get confused, say the wrong thing, or in some other way offend the brother or sister we were merely trying to confront with the truth in love.

I certainly see this occurring in my life as I step out in faith to have those tough conversations. Sometimes, what I say is exactly what the other person needs to hear, is said in true love and compassion, and is done in the right circumstance; thus, no need for apologies. But on other occasions, what I'm saying to the person is still some truth that they need to hear, but it's done with a rude, prideful or arrogant tone, it's handled inappropriately by bringing in other people not related to the situation, the message is confused, or in some other way the confrontation is mishandled. These are the increased situations where humble leaders must proverbially get on their knees and ask forgiveness of the offended party.

This isn't meant to cover all situations of course. There will be times where the confrontation is handled extraordinarily well, and the other person simply does not handle the bad news well and is offended by the message rather than by the delivery. I do not mean to imply that it is necessarily to fall on one's knees begging forgiveness simply at the other's offense. One must discern whether it was your own personal approach to the problem that was offensive or the person's own issue before considering whether an apology is needed.

I hope this isn't confusing. I'm not sure my explanation is crystal clear... I guess my point boils down to this: More confrontation (in love) will inevitably lead to more friction; a good leader realizes this, identifies areas where his/her motives or actions are causing this friction and humbles himself before others when he or she steps out of line.

One of my top 5 favorite verses in all of Holy Scripture:

"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." - Proverbs 27:6

Too hard to explain for a blog, but...

This blog was first written on 11/15/09, but I publish it today on 6/25/10 for additional insight into what life is really like day to day as you walk with God and He shows you more and more about yourself through ordinary events:

The basic thing I am learning right now is that being attracted to someone is an amazing refining fire to really expose all of the little insecurities in your life that you never knew were there... Constantly examining yourself and your life like I do is taxing enough. Add to it all of the hypotheticals that go through your head when you like someone, and it really makes you wonder what the heck you're doing, and how things will ever turn out the way you hope they do.

Sola Scriptura

Scripture is nothing if not more relevant than the evening news, more captivating than the most beautiful woman, more savory than the tenderest steak, more solid than the sturdiest foundation, more exciting than the latest blockbuster, more awe-inspiring than the clearest vista, more practical than the greatest self-help bestseller, more powerful than the strongest body builder, more intelligent than the smartest scientist, more righteous than the holiest saint, more applicable than the most prominent theory, more relational than the closest friend.

And why wouldn't it be?

It was written by the most relevant, most captivating, more savory, most solid, most exciting, most awe-inspiring, most practical, most powerful, most intelligent, most righteous, most applicable, most relational Being in existence.

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. - Colossians 1:16

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Nothin' On But The Radio

"you are too funny to watch"...

One of my favorite lines of this past week (there were many great ones, trust me, but I'll start with this one). I was caught red-handed this past week, jamming out to some inconsequential but eminently awesome 90s song on the way to small group. When I say red-handed, I mean over-the-top, out of control, completely unaware that I was being watched, red-handed. This probably happens a lot. There's just something special about being alone in a car with 'nothing on but the radio' (okay that's probably not what Gary Allan was talking about in that song, but I digress). I've never quite understood why a car feels so safe. I mean... there are windows on all sides! Not exactly a private place. And yet we can be ourselves because no one around us will ever see us again. We share but one solitary commute and one idle stretch of road with our fellow travelers, and never the two shall meet again.

So we feel comfortable and safe not just singing to a song but JAMMING to a song. You know what I'm talking about: shoes off, lungs bursting, head bobbing, imaginary microphone in front of you, and maybe even a little hip shaking if you're truly adventurous.

So this was me as my friend happened upon me on that shady, tree-lined avenue in west Houston, TX. Alas, I was more than a little embarrassed to have been caught so exposed in my silliness.

It's times like these that the sin nature can rear its ugly head. And particularly in one form: defensive maneuvers. Like I have to explain away my silliness as if it's some rare tropical disease I picked up in my wilder days. So of course the first thing out of my mouth as I got exposed in my freedom was a back-pedal... "Well, I didn't realize that you were watching..." I promise you... I backpedal better than a Division 1 cornerback. My friends will tell you that I pretty much explain everything. I could invite you to lunch on Wednesday and tell you exactly why Thurs-Tues would be a bad option for me. I'm the guy who gets asked the time and tells you how to build a watch. It's weird to be an introvert with a big mouth, but somehow it works for me.

Anyways, I'm digressing again. Let's get back on track. So, thankfully, the past few years of walking with Jesus have slowly taught me not to be defensive all the time, constantly explaining myself. It's a daily battle to be justified by Him and not by myself, but I see the victory that is already there. I'm betting you my friend didn't think twice about this concept that I've now blabbered on for upwards of 10 minutes on my computer. I hope you're enjoying it.

But the more that I feel like nothin's on but the radio, the more addicted I get. I wish all those times in my life were accompanied by an immediate pride in the freedom I have in Christ to be His and to not care about what other people think. To not explain everyday minutia as if it were life and death. To sing at the top of my lungs with 300 people there, instead of with me, myself and I in the car (We're a triple threat, but we're not exactly a quorum... turning nerd off now).

All this has me pondering Galatians 5:1...

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Have you been living this way... tasting freedom but yearning for slavery?Sometimes I have in recent weeks. I got the chance recently to talk with a friend about Lot's wife and the concept of looking back upon stuff, people, or periods of our lives that are behind us and are no longer part of our identity... yet I find myself relating to Lot's wife as well. And there Galatians is to remind us of our identity. It is in the uncompromising freedom of Christ, bought with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Why should I go back to those times of such hurt and pain when what lies before me is a life of freedom, an identity that claims Lord Jesus and doesn't particularly care who is in the car next to me as I sing my head off?

Embrace the awkwardness. Embrace the weirdness. Embrace Christ.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. - Philippians 1:21