Is He The One?

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts..."

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

When you read about Jesus' life from the very beginning the question was always, Really, he's the one? or How could he be the one? Look where he came from. Look at his family. "Can anything good come from that?" Over and over and over again, from his conception to today, the question has always been there. For those of us who believe, it is possible.  But I am reminded of the father who said to Jesus, "I believe.  Help my unbelief."

Long before Jesus was born, the prophets were telling of the one that would come to save God's chosen people. For hundreds of years the stories were told of he that would come and rescue them from their oppression, from their own foolishness, from everything bad that surrounded and was within them. Everyone knew he would come riding in on a stallion with his armies of men to beat and kill and take what they believed to have been stolen from them, their rights, their humanity, their comfort, their luxuries. One day God would send that person, that guy, to save them and they would never have to worry again. God would provide.

 And so they waited.  Through all of the prophets.  Through all of the kings.  Through all of the rabbis and priests and Pharisees and Sadducees.  And they asked over and over again, “Is HE the one?”  Each one a new hope, new dreams, new plans, but each one dashed into disappointment and yet another lost moment. 

Until this person named Jesus.  He wasn’t the first to be named that, nor was he the last.  He wasn’t even the first one from Nazareth.  The rumors began from the very moment of his conception.  Elizabeth saw it and felt it, remember?  Her unborn baby leapt in her womb. You know she had to tell Zechariah.  Did she tell others?  Wouldn’t you?  If you had seen the miraculous things they had seen and been a part of, wouldn’t you share what you knew to be true?

The religious leaders he spoke with when he was twelve, the ones he sat with, the ones he stayed with when his parents couldn’t find him on their journey home after the Passover celebration.  Surely someone or several someones told others about the amazing things this child shared.  He told them, "Where else would I be but in my father's house?"

Or those at the wedding celebration where Mary asked and Jesus turned the water into wine.  Those that witnessed that miracle shared with others; you know they did.  That’s what we humans do.  That’s what this particular medium, this online storytelling, is all about.  “I know something that you don’t know so I will share it with all of you.”  It’s our very nature.

The followers who were with him every day thought they knew it.  “He’s the one!  Come with us and see!”  And the numbers grew and grew wherever he was.  “He’s the one! The time will come when he will shed this mask of servitude and poverty and show us all that he’s the one.  Just wait!”

Jesus said the time was near so preparations were being made.  It’s easy now to look back and see that they all missed his message, “It won’t be like you think.  God doesn’t see things the way that you all see things.  That’s what I’ve been trying to teach you.  Listen!  It won’t be what you think.”

But no one understood.  When he washed their feet and dined with the sinners.  When he healed those whom others wanted to stone they whispered among themselves.  When he ‘misinterpreted’ what was clearly written in the Book of Moses.  Wait, was he the one?  He clearly wasn’t acting the way they had believed for all time the savior would act. 

And then the week arrived.  This would be it!  Now he would finally show himself to be who they believed him to be!  After all, he said the "The time is at hand."  Hallelujah!  And still he told them, “It won’t be as you think.”

So when he was arrested, they couldn’t believe in him as the savior.  God’s savior, God’s appointed king, wouldn’t allow himself to be arrested, beaten, and hung on a cross!  He must be an imposter!  He doesn’t fit what we think a savior should be so he’s not the one.  Forget that we followed him for years, that we saw with our own eyes the miracles he performed.  It was all magic!  We knew it all the time!  He’s a fake!  I told you so!

Even his closest friends and followers gave up.  It wasn’t true.  He wasn’t the one.  He didn’t do what we thought he would do so he’s not the one.  He was a great friend, a wonderful teacher, but he just wasn’t the one.

And I would suggest more than two thousand years later, we are still waiting for that guy, the one.  You know, the one who will ride in on his stallion, leading his great army to save us.  We watch the news.  We listen to our politicians.  We believe that the great leader, the Savior, will come riding in one day soon and finally rescue us from this great mess we have created, never really understanding that he was here and we ignored all of his pleas, all of his teachings, all of his love. 

He was here.  He was the one. And we missed it.

We look to entertainers.  We look to politicians.  We look to presidents.  We look to anyone who will tell us what we want to hear and make us believe we can count on them to show us the way.  He was here.  But he didn’t say and do the things we thought he would. 

And we still ask, “Is he the one?”  I would suggest that there will still be some of us who won't recognize him when he does (the Bible tells us so).  I would suggest that as much as some folks claim they read their Bible, and I don't doubt it, that like those folks who walked and talked with him, there will be some who won't recognize him because he still won't look and act like they think he should look and act. 

And the question will be, "Is He the one?"

“I don’t think the way you think.

    The way you work isn’t the way I work.”

        God’s Decree.

“For as the sky soars high above earth,

    so the way I work surpasses the way you work,

    and the way I think is beyond the way you think..."

Isaiah 55:8-9 MSG

Living a Passionate, Inspired Life

As a teacher or a leader or any kind, it is necessary for you to be able to reach the people you are responsible for in a way that ignites a fire in them.  Some people have this ability innately.  They can't really tell you what they do that is any different from the next leader, but they know that it works. Others learn how to do it by watching friends or colleagues and practicing very hard.  What is it that they have or what do they do that makes them so successful?  Let's take a closer look...

The first trait you will find in these leaders is passion.  Passion isn't something that you have and hold on to.  Passion is something that flows through you.  When you know in your heart that what you are doing is exactly what you're on this earth to do- no doubts, no questions, this is it- then you have found your passion.  This is not to say that you are not afraid, for when you step into your passion, in many cases the work in front of you is overwhelming.  You may not have any idea how you're going to climb that mountain, but you know that you must!

The second trait you will see is inspiration.  Inspiration is what happens when we have found our purpose, when we are "in-spirit."  When we are living our lives passionately, we find inspiration in most everything that we do.  It is impossible not to do so.  We are intended to listen to that still, small voice within us that will tell us, unequivocally, that what we are doing is right or wrong for us.  Inspiration and passion create courage to face the challenges and the unknown. 

So the third trait you will see is courage.  You see, each of these traits builds on the other.  When you are living a passionate, inspired life, you won't have to look far for the courage to do what you've determined you must do.  You know, you have faith, that you are taking the correct steps, that you're on the right path for your own purpose.  You are committed, with every fiber of your being, to your that goal.

The fourth trait is commitment.  A passionate, inspired life will lead you to a commitment to do whatever it takes to follow your dream.  You won't allow anything or anyone to deter you from your mission.  It's not just your head telling you to do this thing, your heart won't allow you to do anything less.  You'll be able to set your priorities and reach your goals.  When you fall short, as we all do on occasion, you'll allow yourself the grace to accept that failure knowing there is no stopping.

The fifth trait is grace.  When you hit those roadblocks, grace will show you a new way.  Innovation and creativity will become second nature to you.  After all, failure is not an option.  You've just learned another way NOT to get where you want to go.  You move on, ready for new challenges knowing that you will meet them and succeed.

Finally, when you are living a passionate, inspired life you will generate integrity and trust.  Because you are living your dream, there is no need for deceit and greed.  Your courage will allow you to remain true to yourself in ways you didn't even know you were capable of.  Your lesser self no longer exists.  You have banished it to the past.  You have reached a new plain of enlightenment, never to return to a world of lack and of not being all that you were intended to be.

Being a leader is living a life of passion and then lighting that spark in others around you, simply because you show by example.  Your friends and family see how happy and content you are and they want the same for themselves.  They follow your lead.  Remember, Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."  Let it begin with you!

The Seven Powers for Self Control

Lesson 2:  The Power of Unity

We are all in this together.

 Why is it that we all forget this?  We become so wrapped up in our own lives, in our own lessons, that we forget the others who are right there with us.  There is a lot of research that has been done about the link that we all share, whether we acknowledge it or not.  Scientists have looked at how we are formed and have determined that we all come from the same place in the same way.  Our bodies are made of the same materials: carbon, hydrogen, etc.  While we hold our unique, individual DNA, human DNA stands apart from plant DNA and animal DNA.  We are all connected because at the most basic of levels, we are the same.

Take a look at what happened in the United States after September 11, 2001.  Everyone forgot the idea that we were separate individuals and became one entity.  We supported each other, we supported our government, we supported our country.  We were one.  As each year has passed, we have moved back to our individuality, our separateness.  “Every man (or woman) for themselves” seems to be the popular motto.  We have forgotten, again, that we need each other, we are each other.  Our similarities outweigh our differences.

Gettin' good players is easy. Gettin' 'em to play together is the hard part.

Casey Stengel

Why is it that we need these horrific reminders to bring us together?  Isn’t there an easier way?  As with all of the Seven Powers, I believe it is a choice that we make; that we must make every day.  This choice is about remembering that we are not responsible to carry the world on our shoulders.  Remember, God made Adam first and when Adam showed his longing for someone, He created Eve so that they could share the load.  We are intended to share everything.

We live in a world of competition-get it before someone else does.  There is a better way.  We are better than that.  That philosophy may have been necessary at one time in our evolution but it is not necessary today.  Imagine what would happen if we could find a way to cooperate with each other, instead of competing.  As leaders in our communities and in our families, we must show our younger ones what it is to collaborate, to work together.  How else will they learn, if not from us? 

The family is the heart and soul of the community.  Each member of the family must be accepted; they must feel that they are a part of something bigger than themselves.  They must feel worthy of that position.  To feel worthy, every member of the family must feel safe.  They need to know that their feelings and opinions will be heard and appreciated.  They must be allowed to participate in family discussions, particularly on issues that relate to them.  Unfortunately, their ‘vote’ doesn’t carry the same weight that the adult’s do, simply because the parents are the adults.  With more life experiences and maturity, their ‘vote’ must carry more weight, but that does not change the fact that each family member should have the opportunity to share their feelings, their hopes, their dreams, their opinions.  They must feel like they matter.

Valuable skills are taught within the family that will be used in the community.  Appropriate communication techniques are demonstrated by the parents.  When inappropriate techniques are used, the family takes the opportunity to re-train each other; a do-over.  Parents work with their children to work toward fully understanding the lessons that are being shared.  It is understood that “do as I say, not as I do” is not the method best used to teach.  Children learn much more from watching what parents do, so parents use that method-always mindful that little ones are watching.  Every family member has their responsibilities.  They understand that they are a valuable member of the team.  Without them, the team could not function properly.  Everyone must carry their load or the team will falter.   Family rules are clear and have been fully explained and shared.  Rules pertain to safety issues and the family members understand them. 

Effective teamwork is all about making a good, well-balanced salad not whipping individuals into a single batch of V8.

Sandra Richardson, OD Consultant

Routines are very important to families.  There is a safety that comes from knowing and understanding what to expect.  Children, especially, need to know ‘normalcy.’  There is a safety and security that comes with knowing what will happen next.  If we don’t create these routines for them, children will create them for themselves and they may not be healthy ones.  Routines and rituals are centering.  They create a soothing effect on the lower centers of the brain, where life exists.  Until these needs are met, no higher learning is possible.  Children need to be able to come to count on a specific thing happening at a specific time in a specific way.  I always said, “Sleep tight” to my son at the door to his bedroom before turning out the light.  His response was always, “Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”  It was our routine, it was expected.  Even if I was out of town, I called at bedtime and this was our closing to each other.  It was normal.  This builds trust between you and your children.  This is the most powerful gift that you can give them.    Without guidance there is no discipline, Becky Bailey says in her book, Conscious Discipline.  These routines are important in the home, they’re important in the school or childcare, they’re important in the community.

The ratio of We's to I's is the best indicator of the development of a team.

Lewis B. Ergen

Ask yourself, “Who am I?”  This does not mean making a list of everything you are able to do or all the things you are a part of.  We understand who we are based on all of the experiences we have had in our lives and our beliefs about those experiences.  Our thoughts and feelings affect other’s thoughts and feelings.  It is undeniable.  Self-esteem is not earned through accomplishments, it is created each moment in how we “see” other people.  A friend told me many years ago, we will always find in others what we dislike about ourselves.  Seeing the best in others creates worthiness within ourselves.  We are connected to others. 

We are all unique, not special.  To say that we are special implies that we are “better” somehow.  That simply is not the case.  That we are unique is true.   That individual has had unique life experiences.  No one in the world is exactly like us.  When we each, in our uniqueness, reach out to others in need, it builds self-worth.  We feel valuable and worthy.  We know that we have our unique place in the world. 

When we have our place, when we know that we are unique, we then understand the value of being together as a team.  We share the load with one another and we know that each of us has our unique role to play in our family and in our community.  We are all “better” because we are all one.

TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More

They're B-A-C-K!!!

If you kick a stone in anger, you'll hurt your own foot. 

Korean Proverb

If you read my blog last week, you know that I had an issue with a group of boys at the youth group meeting I am in charge of.  In case you didn’t read it (and shame on you), I’ll share a brief version.  One young man decided it was his turn to be in charge.  I politely asked him to give the floor back to me, he refused, and I asked him to move to the back of the room where he and another of the leaders had a verbal exchange and he made the decision to leave the meeting…and three of his friends followed.  Not exactly the way I had intended for my first real meeting with the kids to go.  (There was a whole lot more to the story…you really should have read it).

Anyway, this past Wednesday night was intended to be the end of the year party.  The young men who chose to leave were told that, if they left the meeting, they would not be allowed to attend the party.  You guessed it; Wednesday afternoon I received a text from the young man who had attempted to ‘share’ my platform asking if he could come.  I encouraged him to come and talk to me about it and he did…15 minutes before the party was to start, along with two of his friends (the third boy’s parents wouldn’t let him come).  I had prayed that they would come back.  I had hoped that they would have the courage to come talk to me about it and here they were.

Immediately two of the three were sorry.  They made some bad choices and “we won’t do it again.”  Let’s see, they’re thirteen…I don’t know about that promise, but I believe they were sincere when they said it.  I asked them why, after it was their choice to leave, I should allow them to come.  The leader of the group told me that he really liked the group and that his friends were there and he wanted to be a part of it.  The one friend agreed with him.  The other stood by and watched.  These boys need to be a part of this group.  Of all the kids, these three young men need a positive influence in their lives, so I told them there were three requirements to attend. 

1.       Individually, they must apologize to me, sincerely.

2.       Individually, they must apologize to the other leaders, sincerely.

3.       Individually, (and this was the killer) they must each apologize to the rest of the group, sincerely.

Just the words, “I’m sorry,” would not be sufficient.  They were absolutely agreeable to the first two.  The third one brought wide eyes and tortured sighs.  They wanted to know why they had to apologize to their friends so we talked about respect not just being for adults, but for everyone around them.  They agreed and asked for a few minutes to think about what they wanted to say.  I told them they could have the time and then join the group.  It would be up to the others whether or not they could stay.

This was not an easy assignment.  The words, “I’m sorry,” fell out of their mouths so easily to me that I felt it was important to stress to them that to be truly sorry is an action, not just words.  The first action to show true repentance was to say it and mean it in front of their peers.   The leader of the group went first and he did a fine job.  I was proud of him.  The second young man was not so sincere and by the third all sincerity was lost.  Even the leader of the threesome had taken on an attitude of indifference.

As hard as it was for me (and it was VERY hard) I told the young men that the leaders and I could not accept their apology.  Even about half of their peers were in agreement.  But I left the door open.  Yes, this was the end of the school year party, but I intend to meet with whoever would like to join me on Wednesday evenings for fun and fellowship.  This will start next Wednesday night and, if the threesome would like to join us, they’d be given another chance.

Unfortunately, the evening did not end there...

I'll finish the story tomorrow.  Sorry, you'll just have to check back!

Blessings to you today!

             Do not teach your children never to be angry; teach them how to be angry.

                                                                 Lymon Abbott       

       

Is God Only in Stories?

IS GOD ONLY IN STORIES

that happened a long time ago?

Is He living a long way off?

Or is He a part of our everyday life

so I can feel He is here right now?

If you include Him in our happy times,

ask for His help in troubled times,

let Him be real,

let Him be close,

then I'll not have to search for Him

when I am grown.

From Listen to my Feelings

by Ruth Reardon

My son and I have been having this conversation recently.  He is nineteen and questioning everything about life and our world.  He wants proof, verification.  I remember being nineteen and having the same questions and concerns.  I remember a conversation we had around the dinner table one Sunday during my first year of college.  (I know it was Sunday because we were eating in the dining room and the dining room was saved for Sundays, holidays or birthdays).  I had questioned my father about the then candidate for president, Ronald Reagan.  How did we know that he would do all that he claimed he would do if elected?  My younger brother went further and asked how we knew this wasn't the greatest 'part' he'd ever played.  My father was appalled that we could even ask the question, but that's what teenagers do.  They question.  They demand answers, especially to questions that don't have definitive answers.

So we pressed even further.  How could we be certain that any of our leaders weren't just actors?  This was not all that long after Watergate and Richard Nixon.  If teenagers questioned before, and they did, they really questioned everything after that.  My brother's question:  How did we know that Billy Graham or any of the other religious leaders weren't playing a part, weren't doing exactly what Nixon and his buddies did?  I thought my dad might actually blow a fuse and I can't tell you exactly what his response was but I remember that he was aghast that we would even consider asking the question.  "Everyone 'knew' that Billy Graham was a man of God."

I remember thinking that we were right to question and not accept on blind faith that which was presented to us.  Unfortunately, we had learned our lessons the hard way from our leaders that assuming that they were always to be trusted was foolish and fool-hearty.  Now, I have to be honest and tell you that, at that time I had watched Billy Graham only minimally when visiting my grandmother who watched him religiously (pardon the pun) whenever he was on television.  To me he was like all other ministers except for some reason he had a large-enough following to be on television.  He must have something special because presidents called him to their office.  His name was easily recognized by almost everyone.  There were other evangelists, but his name was far better known than most others.  It was only a few years later that Jimmy Swaggert had his fall from grace.  It seemed that our point had been made.  How do you know that God is real, that he's not just in stories?

That's been a few years ago now (if you ask my son WAY more than a few), and I've learned a lot since those youthful days.  I've learned that God has been and always will be here.  He was there when we were questioning.  He's been there when our children were born.  He is here now as the tables have turned and I am being questioned by my son.  You see, the difference today is that I can see evidence of Him in my life, working and keeping us both safe, every day.  I can feel him here and when I become still and really listen, I can hear Him talking to me, guiding and directing me.  It's only when I move away from Him that there is distance between us.

I remember when my son was nine or ten years old, overhearing a conversation he was having with my aunt about how much he enjoyed listening to Joel Osteen on television on Sunday evenings.  I was amazed, first of all because he was supposed to be asleep in his room at that time, but also because I had no idea that he would watch anything like that on television.  He talked about how Joel helped God to be real for him. 

I have no doubt that my son will follow his own path back to God one day soon.  It will be his journey full of trials and errors and faith and hope.  Just like his mother and his uncle, he will decide for himself that God is absolutely real and not just in stories and one day, hopefully not too soon, he will be answering questions from his children about knowing God.

Blessings to you all on this Good Friday!