Failure Happens, Then What?

 

The difference between success and failure depends on how you look at it. Our culture has conditioned us to see success as a most desirable goal and failure as a terrible event.  Most people view freedom from difficulties, not the ability to handle difficulties well, as a measure of success and maturity, yet God continues to build His kingdom with those who have failed.

Although failure is not a requirement for success, it can be a stepping stone to deeper relationships with God and others. By God’s grace, we can learn how to fail successfully! God is a specialist in working out our failings into His purposes.

Failure can actually get you closer to a place where God wants you to be.
After miserably failing to deliver the Hebrews in his own strength and then spending forty years in the desert Moses was adamantly reluctant to represent God to the Pharaoh

“What if they do not believe me or listen to me?... Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue. Please send someone else.” Exodus 4:1, 10, 13

Later, this timid Moses confidently stood up to the Pharaoh face to face. When there was no way of escape from the Pharaoh’s fast-approaching army Moses boldly told his people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.”

Failure can increase your confidence in God
Even if we’re feeling useless or washed up God can do for you what he did for Moses. He can call us back to Himself and deepen our trust in Him. After Moses’ failure his ‘uninvited and unexpected time’ in the Midian desert brought him to a place of reflection and it’s is no different for you and me.

We can learn from our wilderness time that our life is not over and neither is our life purpose!  Afterward, we can be available and respond confidently when an opportunity arrives. Are you ready for your burning bush?

Failure can empower us to help others
We can deepen our trust in God by learning from our failings. Our greatest fear should not be of failing at something, but failing at something that doesn’t matter all that much. Like Moses, after we’ve majorly blown it we can find ourselves in the proverbial wilderness.

While we’re in the desert we are in a place where we are not where we used to be or where we want to be. Maybe you’re in unchartered territory and want to get out of it, but you can’t.

Failure is an open door for a deeper trust in God
But, if my heart response is, “I don’t need this, I don’t deserve this, I’m a failure, I can’t do anything right” or if I blame others for my failings I won’t learn to trust in God with my fears. Thankfully, there is a better way! Like Moses, you can accept your failings and let Him use them. His glory can shine out of what we bring to him in humility!

When you are honest with yourself and God you can trust that His everlasting arms of acceptance are always open to you! Trust that God can redeem your poor choices to help others. He’s used to it. He’s good at it and he wants to do that for you. Thank God He uses the ordinary to do extraordinary things for His Glory.

 

Redefining Failure

 

A young man was appointed president of a bank. Intimidated by his new responsibilities, he nervously sought the advice of his gray-haired predecessor:

Sir. What has been the secret of your success? The secret, young man, is two words: right decisions! replied the older man. But how do you make the right decisions? One word: experience. But how do you get experience? The old man smiled. Two words: wrong decisions.

We all make bad decisions. We all fail. We can deny that we fail, or run from it and even allow it to become a paralyzing fear or we can see failure as an important part of our success.

The difference between success and failure depends on how you look at it. Our culture has conditioned us to see success as a most desirable goal and failure as a terrible event. The reverse may actually be closer to the truth.

We make excuses or blame others for our failures and pretend to be successful when were not. There are some who believe they’re failures and others who believe they’ve never failed. Lets’ face it we all fail.

Michael Jordan said,” I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On countless occasions, I have been entrusted to take the game-winning shot and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that’s precisely why I succeed.”

Although failure is not a requirement for success, it can be a stepping stone to deeper relationships with God and others. By God’s grace, we can learn how to fail successfully! God is a specialist in working out our failings into His purposes. We can learn a lot from our failings.

After thousands of failed experiments, Thomas Edison would say, “I have not failed. I have learned thousands of ways that won't work.” It’s not so important that we fail, but that we learn from it.

“Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I obey your word... It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decree.” Psalm 119:67, 71 The Hebrew word for ‘afflicted’ refers to not only physical suffering but also to brokenness and failure. The psalmist makes it clear that failure can bring emotional and spiritual growth.

As a child, Moses was privately tutored in the Pharaoh’s palace with all its’ advantages. Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. Moses had it all. He was handsome and had a great resume. When Moses spoke, people listened! His life is a case study of how God uses our failings.

When Moses became aware of his people’s oppression he thought he could deliver them by his own power (Acts 7:25). The Rambo Moses tried to emancipate the Hebrews by his own passionate will and might. Seeking justice in his own way he took matters into his own hands and took the life of an Egyptian (Ex.2:11-14) and he was in big-time trouble!

There are some observations from Moses’ failings that we all can learn from. The first observation is that no matter where we come from and despite what we may think…

No One Is Exempt from Suffering
Moses had not yet learned the distinction between passion and purpose and impulse and principle. He was sympathetic towards the plight of his people’s suffering and wanted their oppressor to feel his wrath. Yet, the response to his impulsive action was heard in the question by own of his own people, "Who made you ruler and judge over us?

Instead of Moses delivering and leading the Hebrews no one was listening or wanted to follow him, at least not yet. Moses was afraid, disappointed, and exhausted. He pushed his own way and ran from what he caused apart from God’s way and timing. Sound familiar?

For Moses, there was no deliverance, only failure. Moses learned the hardest of lessons that we also would do well to consider. The second observation:

Passionate self-will before knowing God’s way can lead us to disaster
Oh, precious ones may we learn not only this observation from the life of Moses, but so much more from his life in the next coming blog.

 

What to Do With An Unwanted Gift?

 

Today even before we open a gift often the giver will say, “Don’t worry I have a gift receipt. If you don’t like you can return it.” For many Christmas can have a way of intensifying our highs and our lows. We can celebrate our highs yet our lows can seem lower.

Part of the Christmas story is one of an unwanted gift|
There is not much mentioned about Joseph. There are no recorded words of Joseph, but he was not a passive bystander. He was faced with one of the most unwanted gifts anyone could ever imagine. His response changed his life and has the power to change yours’.

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was ‘pledged’ to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.  Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph was ‘pledged’ to Mary, in other words, they didn’t meet on Match.com or dated to see if their relationship would develop into something more serious. Their marriage was arranged by their families. It’s possible they didn’t know each other all that well. Their betrothal period lasted six months before the consummation of their marriage.

We read that Joseph was a ‘righteous’ man. He was consecrated in his Hebrew faith. He faithfully attended the synagogue, he knew, memorized, and kept the Torah and observed the Jewish feasts. Being called a righteous man meant he was well respected in his community.

Joseph could have heard rumors about Mary’s pregnancy before Mary told him the father was the Holy Spirit. It would be understandable that Joseph was deeply disappointed in Mary and hearing the news from the village gossip. His parent’s dreams for him and his own were absolutely shattered at the news of Mary’s pregnancy. Joseph was heartbroken and dismayed.

The consequences for an adulterer would be a public stoning. After hearing the news no wonder Joseph was considering divorcing Mary, but to save her from public humiliation and disgrace he kept his vow to marry her. He was a good man. There was no requirement for Joseph to bring Mary on the long difficult journey to Bethlehem. Could it be that he took her to protect her?

Before the angel confirmed Mary’s explanation Joseph was afraid of what would happen next. Why was he afraid? His mind was racing knowing his decision would be extremely costly in taking on a wife that was thought to be an adulterer. He knew that his son was not his and would be constantly called nasty names growing up.

Perhaps Mary’s family and friends would shun her and or worse yet disown her? Maybe their families would not attend their eventual wedding day? Would his good reputation be mired forever in scandal?  There was a lot on the line for Joseph. He was in a place of, ‘I don’t understand God, I’m afraid, what are you doing here? I really need to hear from you.’ Have you ever been there? Most of us have.

Three Ways We Can Respond to this story 
Don’t be afraid
“and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)
God did address Joseph’s fears through the angel that God was with Him in his overwhelming situation even though it would continue to be very hard for him. God promises that He is with us in whatever situation we’re facing no matter how long and despite how difficult.

Take a risk
Joseph took an unbelievable risk in taking Mary as his wife. To choose to love Mary knowing that the future would be hard for both of them, but somehow God would make a way. Joseph’s love, faith, and perseverance deeply mattered to God. So does yours’ and mine.

Commit yourself to God

Do you think Joseph regretted his decision in taking Mary as his wife? He didn’t have a gift receipt to return the gift he didn’t want or ask for. Despite all the tribulations Joseph would endure because of his decision do you think he regretted seeing his son grow up and teaching him his carpentry trade?

Do you think he regretted the long walks and conversations with his son? Do you think he regretted seeing his son’s gracious wise counsel to those he met? It was hard to hear the slurs about his son, but do you think he regretted seeing his son redeem people’s lives? God rewarded Joseph’s commitment to Him.

What about you? Like Joseph will you trust God that He will be ‘with you’ in your difficult circumstances? Trust that whatever is on your plate God is more capable than you expect. 

Although you might not see it now if you take a risk to commit to love someone God will reward you in ways you never imagined. Perhaps like Joseph, you’ll see your commitment bear fruit that will change people’s lives forever.

MLK and Your Dreams

We all hope for a better tomorrow. All of us have hopes and dreams that we would see the best of life for others and for ourselves, but things get in the way.

Time passes and our hearts continue to long to see those hopes and dreams come to pass. Life takes a turn we didn’t expect or planned on from either our own choices or just from the hard stuff of life.

What about your dreams and hopes? 

Do they seem so distant and unattainable, maybe even impossible? For some their disappointment has brought them to such a place of desperation that they feel like giving up. Does anyone care about this or about me? Will anyone stand up for justice? Yet, in the midst of all the brokenness, there is always hope! It’s not over for you or me?

We can all learn much for our own hopes and dreams from Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. King grew up in middle-class surroundings and his father was the highly respected pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. At the beginning of his social justice calling King was afraid for his family and his own life. In a sermon, he prayed

“Lord, I must confess that I’m weak now and I’m losing my courage and it seemed I heard a voice saying, Martin Luther stand for righteousness. Stand up for justice. And lo I will be with you always, even until the end of the world. He promised never to leave me, never leave me alone. No never leave me alone.”

Three nights later a bomb exploded on his front porch. Though not injuring anyone, King a man of fierce determination took it in stride.

In the book ‘Bearing the Cross’, King said, “I am tired of the threat of death. I want to live, I don’t want to be a martyr. There are times I doubt if I’ll make it through. I’m tired of getting hit, beaten, tired of going to jail. But the important thing is not how tired I am, the important thing is to get rid of the condition that lead us to march.”

Here is an excerpt from King’s famous ‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail’ to fellow church leaders in Alabama.

“But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the prophets of the eighth century B.C. left their villages and carried their "thus saith the Lord" far beyond the boundaries of their home towns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my own home town. Like Paul, I must constantly respond to the Macedonian call for aid.”

To read the whole letter in context click here: When the march in Selma was over King addressed the weary marchers from the steps of the capital.

“How long will it take? However difficult, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long. Not long, because no lie can live forever. How long? Not long, because you reap what you sow. How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. How long? Not long, because my eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord…” 

King was a man of focus who inspired many to re-consider the cultural norms of injustice. Though exhausted from years of steady plodding he remained resolute. Over the years I’d heard others refer to less admirable aspects to his life in order to minimize what good he had done. 

What strikes me the most was not his personal sacrifices or his incessant non-violent marches, nor even his eloquent speeches. It was his firm grounding in the Christian gospel that motivated him to inspire others! 

These are King’s words the night before his assassination in Memphis.

“Like anybody, I would like to live long. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will… I’ve looked over and I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. So I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. My eyes have seen the coming of the Lord.”

King was committed to the cause despite its cost. He carried his hopes and dreams everywhere he went. So, here’s the deal. His hopes and dreams were for others and not just for himself.  He tenaciously persevered through all his trials and like you and I had times of doubt and felt like giving up, but he didn’t!

He knew he wasn’t alone and my friend, neither are you! So, if you feel discouraged or even feel like giving up then reflect on King’s extraordinary life, but may we never forget the real King of the universe who gives us a living hope that will last forever! If you’re a Christ-follower know that He WILL be with YOU and WILL hold you in HIS hands while your life story unfolds.

Things might be out of your control, but not out of HIS! He has a plan for you and all is not over, so hold on! He will be with YOU! It’s not over – there’s still time. He will see you through and ultimately to the Promised Land!

My Way or God's Way?

In the previous blog we looked at how the word ‘submission’ has been radically misinterpreted. Unfortunately, history is full of women and other people groups that have been marginalized by unbiblical ‘under my thumb’ interpretations of submission.

So, it’s understandable this reality has impacted the how people view submission. Some think that submission means being used and abused by letting someone walk all over you to make them happy. That's not at all what it means. For some submission is all about getting their way.

My Way
Being exhausted of earning other’s approval for far too long can turn into my way This can look like ‘my way or the Highway.’ ‘This is the way things ought to be. If I ran everything, everything would be great!’

Women have come a long way since the Apostle Peter wrote about submission. The point of what Peter said in 1 Peter 3:3-4 was not meant to be a legalistic banning of beauty products or that women cannot improve their appearance. More importantly Peter empathizes the vastly superior value of the inner beauty of a woman in contrast to the danger of extravagant enslavement to fashion.

I think a little boy said it best when he asked his mom why she put so much stuff on her face? Her response, “Honey, if the barn needs painting, then I better paint it.” So, relax Mary Kay fans. But there is   a much better way to live.

God’s Way
A better way to see submission is being unselfishness. We need to learn to be unselfish in all of our relationships. But here’s the problem - we don’t think we are.  “I’m just fine, I’m getting what I want so why do I need to be unselfish.” I’m not selfish I just know what I want when I want and how and where I want it!”

James tells us that selfishness is a source of constant conflict

 
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice… What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
                                                                                                                              James 3:16; 4:1

When you boil down many conflicts someone in the conversation is being selfish and it’s always the other person!  God’s way of submission is seen in Christ’s submission to His Father’s will.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage, but rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8

 

Under intense pressure and deep anxiety in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus submitted to His Father’s will, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” The result of that ultimate act of surrender revealed the heart of Jesus for His Father. Aren’t you glad Jesus’ submission to His Father brought you forgiveness and new life? 

When we bow our heart towards “Not my will, but thy will be done” we will not only experience true life-giving freedom, but it will also benefit others.

A Better Way in 2018

TV networks are looking back at the top stories of 2017. While the top story of my life or yours’ in 2017 didn’t make the national or local news we know what it was. Perhaps it was an event, an encouraging word, a memory, a celebration, a disappointing loss, or a lesson learned?  Maybe you learned more about your limitations and in the midst of it you became more aware of God’s gracious provision.

The New Year provides an opportunity for pause
This time of year many look back by getting out their mental calculators keeping score of their victories and losses. Most of us hope this year will be better than last. Others approach the New Year with mixed emotions hesitant to let go of the past. Others make overly optimistic and unrealistic plans of how their New Year will look.

Some believe that a good intention means a new beginning, that on their own they can make a new start whenever they want. That would be nice if it was that easy. 

What treadmill are you on?
Change is inevitable, but what kind of change? Maybe we need to look at the treadmills we’ve been on? Do we need to change our perspective from ‘this is the way things ought to be according to me?’ Or, look at how we measure success or how we control people and circumstances or maybe it’s living for the approval of others.

These treadmills don’t just distract us from a satisfied life they can consume us
These perspectives can unknowingly trap and rule us. They can suck the energy right out of us and leave us utterly empty. It’s not easy to let go of all the mental stuff we insist we need for our tomorrows along with all the stuff we continue to haul with us from our yesterdays.

One thing that we can all count on this New Year is change
Some changes we gladly choose and others we don’t. Yet, more often than not, despite our high hopes and best efforts we fail to change in the ways God desires. We can’t just grit our teeth and force ourselves to act with compassion. It’s not about trying harder on our own.

Jesus isn’t interested in us being changed into people who only become nicer and more agreeable. God does not ask us to accommodate Him, but to live for Him. He has something far more different in mind for us this New Year. God can change your life story this New Year. There is a better way.

Live for what matters to God
All of us who have attempted change and failed know if this year is going to be any different we need a new approach. Becoming what God desires of us is not a quick fix formula. It’s a heart change.

There are certainly things we cannot change, but there are changes we can make that can leave a lasting impact in other people’s lives if we choose to live for what matters to God. God has been changing hearts and minds of people and nations for thousands of years and He desires to change yours’ and mine too.

Here’s the deal: God significantly changes our lives when live out our heart's cry of, “Not my will, but thy will be done. What do you want me to do for You Lord?”  And that will be enough.

The God that changes not, changes everything! 
Be grateful that His love for you will never change. That’s one thing you can count on today and forever!

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. Psalm 26:3; 33:22

Are you Gullible?

In the last blog we looked at the contrast between being naïve and wise. Most of think we are not naïve, but when we are bad things can happen. We all can be wiser in our decision making by knowing what God says about being naïve.

First, the naive hang around people just like them. 
Describing the naïve the proverbs say, "Let all who are naïve come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment.” Prov.9:15 

Think of the thousand women that former NBA player Wilt Chamberlin claimed he had sex with during his playing days. Who were these women? When interviewed they said that they hung around each other at the numerous venues waiting for Wilt. The naive not only cannot see the train wreck coming they also use each other. Our utilitarian culture screams out with “why not the join the crowd?”

Secondly, the naive have a hard time recognizing evil.
 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. Prov.22:3

Evil people’s lives are rarely apparent on the surface and appear quite ordinary to the superficial observer. On the surface many of the maniacal war criminals from Edi Amin, Mussolini and Hitler were thought of as men of the people. The masses were easily seduced to not only tolerate evil, but even cooperate with it.

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 

Prov. 14:18

In the end of the day the simple will be filled with the fruit of their ways.Prov. 1:31-32

While it’s true that our upbringing, inherited tendencies, personalities and consequences influence our decision making, it is only God’s wisdom that can truly free us from our naïve leanings.

Is there hope for the naïve? 
Yes, the psalmist wrote, “The LORD protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.” 

Psalm 116:6 

Thank God His grace intimately knows us, guards us and at times even saves us from our ways. In His mercy God instituted special atoning sacrifices for presumptuous and unintentional sins. Exek.45:20: Num.15:27-28. 

God has special grace toward those who do not have the ability to adequately discern the deeper decisions of life. I thank God He was gracious towards me while I made many poor choices in my earlier days.

The simple are easily swayed to believe almost anything or anyone. The naive have a tendency to look the other way and pretend they’re good, but it comes back to haunt them

The good news is that change is possible for the naïve, but it requires adversity. Prov. 19:25; 21:11
It is preferable to change our ways by seeing others’ punishment for their naïve decisions, but that is not usually the case. Too often the naïve require something that rocks their world that brings them to true change.
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Psalms 119:71

God uses His Word to bring about change. 
Ultimately, God directly speaks to the naïve in order to bring about change. Listen to Him speak.

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalms 19:7; 119:130

God uses people to bring about change.
Sometimes those people can be a family member, a friend, co-worker or even a stranger. Whoever it may be they can be a messenger sent directly from God if we accept it. Their words may be hard to hear, but exactly what we need in order for us to grow in everyday wisdom.

In our search for everything wisdom we need to identify the naïve places of our lives and allow God’s wisdom to change our hearts.

The beginning of knowledge is the fear of the Lord, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov.1:7

Mark
mark@startingoverworkshops.com

What Does It Take To Become Wise?

In our previous blogs from ‘Wise Up – Everyday Wisdom we saw how we can recognize a wise person, but what does it take to become wise? It doesn’t happen overnight or by reading a self-help book or by five easy steps. Wisdom comes from understanding and living by three truths. The first truth is...
It Takes God

For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6To learn wisdom we first need revelation, but what kind of revelation? There is plenty of confusing philosophical and religious resources out there to choose from, but which one do I align with? Do I try something to see if it works? 

What if we've been sold a bill of goods and find out we've been deceived since the beginning. What if we've  had a wrong view of God because of the wrong resources or because of our family of origin? As A.W. Tozer said,
“Left to ourselves we tend to reduce God to manageable terms. We want to get him where we can use him, or at least know where he is when we need him. We want a God we can in some measure control. We need the feeling of security that comes from knowing what God is like.”
It’s great when we know where someone is coming from, to know that the relationship is based upon trust and truth. Our relationship with God is no different. We need to know the truth about who He is and what He has said.

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7
The scriptures are abundantly clear that God has revealed Himself through His creation and his Word, yet it is not enough to just know this, we need to also walk in His ways. Many of us know this, but none of us have arrived, we’ve all blown it in some way.

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16  The second truth is...
It Takes Others
Others can help us with our perceptions, attitudes and behavior. Wisdom is not a ‘do it yourself thing.’ We need friends who can kick us in the pants when needed and stick closer than a brother. Their role is critical to who we are and who we are becoming. We cannot escape the truth that the scriptures encourage us to listen to others to become wise.
He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. Prov.15:31

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Prov. 13:20

If we want to become wise we need conversations with wise people and ask them questions and take notes. Take them out for a meal, coffee or a walk.  Just do it! Honor them with your questions. Thirdly,
It Takes YOU!
No one can make you wise. While you can get an education at the best schools and  from teachers and good books they cannot make you wise. Only you are responsible to grow wise, no one else. Wisdom calls out to YOU, “Won’t you come listen to me?”

If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.   Proverbs 2:1-5
How badly do we want to become wise? Those who seriously desire to live by biblical wisdom can withstand the adversity of our broken world and the shallow and fickle trends of our culture. They dig deep in the wisdom of the scriptures. How about you?

The Way of Wisdom

In our last blog we saw some ways we can recognize a wise person. Here are some of the other characteristics of the ways of the wise. They are…

Self-controlled
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise…The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction… A wise man’s heart guides his mouth and his lips promote instruction. Proverbs 10:19; 16:21, 23

Being careful with your tongue not only builds character, but a reputation as well.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. Prov.29:11

The wise control their anger keeping in mind the long term outcome of their words. They can calm animosity and persuade without manipulation, a rare quality. This fourth mark fosters the next  characteristic of the wise. They have a…

Positive influence on others
They are the kind of person who encourages others with patience. They provide a shoulder to lean on, but also a kick in the pants when needed. In casual conversations people take mental notes of their ideas, concepts and connections.

We can learn a lot by standing around the right places and the right people. The wise provide fresh insights with reality oriented knowledge. Their passionate wisdom does not come from an ivory tower. 

The lips of the wise spread knowledge… The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. Proverbs 15:7: 13:14 Another mark of the wise is that they are…

Peacemakers
A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it… Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger...Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 16:14; 29:8; 12:18

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Mat.5:9

In 1934, Hitler’s plague of anti-Semitism was spreading throughout Europe like wildfire. Some would escape it. Millions would die from it. But an 11-year-old boy named Heinz would learn from it. Heinz was a Jew who lived in the Bavarian village of Furth with his family.

As tension mounted between the Jews and Germans in that community, Heinz’s father, a school teacher lost his job, and his family endured great hardship. Gangs of Hitler Youth roamed the neighborhoods of Furth looking for trouble. Young Heinz learned keep his eyes open for them. Whenever he saw gang of troublemakers, he would cross to the other side of the street. Sometimes he would escape a fight, but sometimes he couldn’t.

One day Heinz found himself face to face with a Hitler Youth. A beating appeared inevitable, but on this day he walked away unhurt, not because he put up a good fight, but because of what he said. Somehow he convinced this troublemaker that a fight was foolish and unnecessary.

From that point on eleven year old Heinz learned the power of words to avoid conflict, and for a young Jewish boy living in such a volatile anti- Semitic climate, that was a skill he used often.

In fact, it was a skill he perfected. Fortunately Heinz and his family escaped Bavaria and made their way to America. As the years have passed, his name has become synonymous with peace negotiations.

He will be remembered as on the greatest peacemakers of this century. You don’t know him as Heinz. You know him by his Anglicized name, Henry…Henry Kissinger.

Ordinary Heroes

18-year old swimmer Yusra Mardini finished 45th in the 100-meter freestyle heats, 12 seconds behind the top time. Nothing close to a medal. Nothing close to notable. But the story of how she got to Rio, transcends sports. Even more, it is story vital for our collective heart.

In August 2015, Yusra and her sister saved the lives of 20 people, including their own, after jumping off their sinking dinghy into the Aegean Sea. They swam for three hours, pushing and pulling the boat until it reached the shore at Lesbos.

Yusra was one of the 10 members of the Refugee Olympic Team (athletes from Syria, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo). In war-torn Damascus, Yusra was a talented swimmer and professionally backed by the Syrian Olympic Committee. The unrest in the besieged country made training difficult. “Sometimes we couldn’t train because of the war,” she said. “And sometimes you would be swimming in pools where the roofs were blown open in three or four places.”

As Damascus became increasingly unstable, Yusra and her sister Sarah left Syria, traveling through Lebanon and Turkey before trying to reach Greece. Thirty minutes after setting off from Turkey, the motor on their boat, which was meant for six people but carrying 20, began to fail. Most of those on board could not swim. With no other alternative, Yusra, Sarah and two strong swimmers jumped into the sea swimming for the three hours in open water.

“We were the only four who knew how to swim,” she said of the experience. “I had one hand with the rope attached to the boat as I moved my two legs and one arm. It was three and half hours in cold water. Your body is almost like… done. I don’t know if I can describe that.”

This is made-for-TV-movie stuff. A nightmare that could make anyone’s heart stop.

It is not surprising that Yusra now hates open water, but the memory of that swim is not a nightmare for her. “I remember that without swimming I would never be alive maybe because of the story of this boat. It’s a positive memory for me."

I love this girl’s attitude. She is self-effacing and resilient. “It’s tough,” she has said. “It was really hard, for everyone, and I don't blame anyone if they cried. But sometimes you just have to move on.”

And funny. She talked about the children in the boat who were very afraid. “I needed to make them smile and laugh.” Her patience with those who want a slice of the phenomenon she represents seems boundless. Including the Serbian journalists asking her to smile and say: “Hello Serbia” to the camera.“A lot of people want pictures of me.” She smiles.

Although they made it to shore in Lesbos, that wasn't even the hardest part. The sisters traveled by foot or on smuggler's buses through Greece, Macedonia and Serbia and into Hungary. They finally made it to Berlin, where they spent a hard, cold winter. With the help of an interpreter at the refugee camp where they lived, Yusra connected with a local sports club and began training. When she and her German trainer heard about the refugee team, she applied for and was granted a training scholarship.

A refugee is a person forced to leave their home because of persecution. They are now displaced. And when that happens, your world is on tilt. You are at a loss. At sea. Without a home. Your dreams fractured. Without a sanctuary. Literally.

This story inspires me because every single one of us can relate to times when our world has been on tilt. Or the world of someone we dearly love.

Yusra inspires me. "It was quite hard to think that you are a swimmer,” she remembered thinking, “and you are gonna end up dying in the water."

Even so, when their boat began to sink, she jumped in the water. You see, here’s the deal:

I don’t know if we’ll make it. But I do know I can keep swimming. I don’t know if all will turn out according to the script in my mind. But I do know that I can show up to this moment with my whole heart.

I don’t know if anything I do will make a difference. But I do know that just by jumping in, I already did. Sometimes I wonder if I’m made of that kind of stuff. You know, hero and all that. There are two kinds of hero. The Olympic sporting gods and goddesses, larger than life. Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Katy Ledecky, Simone Biles. I watch them in wonderment and awe.

And, there are ordinary heroes. I’m pretty sure I may never be required to pull a boat filled with people in open water, but there is no doubt that I can…

Practice kindness. For everyone needs moments of gladness.

Practice compassion. For everyone knows pain and needs comfort.

Practice mercy. For everyone needs an antidote to hatred, to sorrow and to loss.

Offer sanctuary. For everyone has moments without a home.

Let us remember that heroes are ordinary souls who carry the weight of ordinary life. And heroism is born in every act of kindness and compassion, no matter how small. Because in a world cynical and afraid, kindness is always bravery. And it takes courage to be kind and to fight for mercy and justice and sanctuary.

Asked about the Opening Ceremony, Yusra said. "I was so proud and happy that everyone was cheering for us. I just felt like dancing. I don't know how to dance samba, but maybe I'm going to learn. (Syrian) dancing depends on your hips and your stomach. You have to be a really good (butter) fly swimmer to do it.”Yes, Yusra. Yes. Dance.

written my friend Terry Hershey

Facing Your Giants

As we saw in our last blog we can overcome our Goliath by how we respond to the challenges of opposition and everyday choices. Thirdly, it’s the…

The challenge of resisting conformity
King Saul told David, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.” Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.“I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. I Samuel 17:38-39 

Saul’s armor didn’t fit David; it was like Andy DeVito in Shaquille O’Neal clothes. It looked ridiculous. Saul assumed that what worked for him would for David. Maybe someone has tried to put their armor on you too or you have tried to put your armor on someone else?  David received no help from the King or his family.

Many times we face our Goliath alone. At the end of the day you got to choose who you will battle.  You can read all the books on a particular subject and listen to all the experts. You may want someone to choose your armor for you and make the decisions for you.  It doesn’t work that way.  No pastor, teacher, boss or mentor can choose your armor for you!  Your passion, gifts, time and possibilities are yours.  Rom.12:1-2

The challenge of the crisis moment   I Sam. 17:41-50
Everybody is watching this scene in the ravine! It’s reality TV. Verse 47 sums up all of our four challenges.  What are you facing today? It’s nothing the lord can’t handle. Imagine the shock of Goliath?  This was nothing but God! 

Have you been successful in fighting your battles on your own?

God can strengthen our faith in the midst of fear and doubt. Goliath wasn’t ready and in fact he never saw it coming. He didn’t get it until it finally sunk in. Nothing like this ever entered his head.

We all face fear and anxiety.  What Jehovah did for David he can do for you!  Whatever the giant you face God will meet with you there!  Fear is can actually enable us to overcome. Courage is having the right amount of fear directed to the right object for the right reason.  Do you fear your future? I suspect there’s a bigger fear in many of us, a much deeper fear. That is, does God really care about me? Do I really matter to him?

When push comes to shove maybe you think someone is more worthy of God’s love than me? If I believe that circumstances or people will ultimately dictate my life rather than God’s love and grace I won’t overcome the giants in my life.  Your Goliath will intimidate you and convince you to cower and run, but if you runaway day after day you’ll die a little each day and lose heart.  Life is way too precious to go down that road!

When you face Goliath with the stone of faith Goliath doesn’t stand a chance. One stone of God is stronger than anything else thrown at you. Don’t trust in your strategy, ingenuity or in your power. The battle is the Lord’s. This was not about David skills, strategy, but about God and how He operates. He is glorified when we’re weak.

There is no need to be eloquent, brilliant and good looking when we place our trust in God. Will you trust in your own strategy or trust in God? I don’t know how big your Goliath is, but it is not bigger than God. Don’t try to control your Goliath either, but surrender to God. If you commit yourself to believing in God’s grace and His ability to overcome your Goliath you’ll be glad you did.

Everybody Needs A Goliath

Goliath had it all. He was a first round NBA draft pick and fought on the WWF. He was nine feet tall and wore 175 pounds of armor. He exuded self- confidence and was used to winning. You didn’t want to mess with this guy! I have Goliaths and so do you. Inevitably, we all will face our Goliath whether it’s a person, place or situation.

For forty days Goliath had been taunting and targeting Israel’s fears by shouting across the valley, “You want some of me?” Our giants shout at us as well and we too can become overwhelmed. The Goliath test TODAY is preparation for your tomorrow.  Deut. 8:16

David’s focus was on God and NOT in his ability or even on their enemy! He wanted to please God the best he could when his people had forgotten that God had fought for them over the years. They had seen it and they heard about it. Israel had been dominated by the Philistines. They had Goliath Phobia. After 40 days they died a little each day and each day developed more cowardice. If we cower long enough we can lose our self-respect.

You can overcome your Goliath by how you respond to four personal challenges:
The challenge of criticism and opposition
While we don’t like criticism and opposition it has the potential to develop our courage. At his dad’s request David came to the battle to check in on his brothers and his oldest brother launched into him.

When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the other men he burned with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle." "Now what have I done?" said David. "Can't I even speak?" I Samuel 17:28-29

Why the cheap shots, especially from family? Was Eliab jealous because of Samuel anointing his younger brother with oil in the presence of all his brothers? David could have wasted his time with the unfair and inaccurate accusation, but he knew who the real enemy was.  He knew who to fight and who to leave alone. Do you?

Some people are threatened by our desire to follow God and face our Goliath when they know they won’t. David’s boldness struck shame and Eliab was jealous of David’s courage. Many people avoid criticism at all costs.

You know what? You’ll face opposition when you honor God. It’s just going to happen. We can lose heart and be defensive all our life. Do we really want that?  The best I can tell is that David wanted to do what God has called him to do. If you want to overcome your Goliath it will depend on how you respond to criticism and opposition.

The challenge of everyday choices
The way we make our daily choices can help us overcome our giants. There are no short cuts to victory or easy routes. Every day David made choices that prepared him for his future Goliath encounter.

Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth." But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.

Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.  The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."  Samuel 17:33-37

Every day you and I face stuff that helps build courage and character to overcome greater challenges. When you ask God each day for help with the smaller issues of life you get a little bolder each day. The way you face the everyday choices in your life prepares you to overcome your Goliath.

Join is next time as we see how resisting conformity and our actual crisis moment help us to overcome our Goliath.

God Is Calling - Will You Answer?

The New Year is under way, and many resolutions are already being renegotiated. How this year unfolds can depend on the choices we make and what we live for. Jesus invited us to "live life more abundantly." But what does that mean?

Jesus gets to the very heart of what it means to be one of His followers in the midst of the realities of life. People ask questions about how their lives relate to the world and why are they here? These questions have been asked throughout history by those inside and outside the church.  

Christ followers are not spiritual mannequins—a form without life. How easily we can live vicariously, but we are meant be active, willful, fruit-bearing agents of God’s kingdom. Yet, far too many are living carefully, cautious, guarded, measured, numb, detached, apathetic lives? Or on the other extreme, perfect, faultless lives without blemish. Maybe you can relate to one of these adjectives?

Do we give ourselves grief for having not lived the way we "should" live. Or do we live for the identity others have given us. That somehow, whatever or whoever we are, it is not enough for some. There is a better way to live.

Followers of Christ are called into a relationship with God, but also called to something. Call is a word that can have many associations. Mark Labberton says that, “The heart of God’s call is this: that we receive and live the love of God for us and for the world. This is the meaning of the two great commandments, that we are made to love the Lord our God with all we are and our neighbors as ourselves.”

Rarely does God’s call come from a burning bush or a high and lofty place. God’s primary call is for us to belong to and live for the flourishing of God’s purposes in the world. At the same time, God may also call in ways that include direction in relation to our jobs, gifts, relationships and more.

The street level view of life is that humanity is on its’ own. Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. Are we here as result of lucky mud and its’ every man for himself? Is there hope out there somewhere in the trajectory of human suffering? Is there hope for our own personal life issues? These are heavy questions, but personal and practical.

As God’s people we are sent as God’s reassuring response to these questions, but can be evident only if we live honestly and fully before God and our neighbor. People of all ages are skeptical of rhetoric and formulas. They need to see is the “good news.” They need to see hope in you and I and our concern for the real world we live in. How many times have I heard, if I hang at your church will I meet people who are actually like Jesus? Whoa! Ouch?

There are all kinds of churches in this world, but there’s only one Jesus.
This year can be very different. We can live life far more deeply by being more concerned about God’s purposes than our own? Ask yourself, what does God want of me and how can He use me? That might include hardship and even sacrifice, but in the end it will reflect Jesus and that’s what the world needs to see. 

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.     I John 4:11-12

That's Not What I Expected

If you were Joseph and looked back at your life journey you would have to conclude, that's not what I expected!  Now that Joseph’s father has died his brothers fear that Joseph will change his mind and finally exact his revenge upon them. Gen.50:15-21. In an incredible act of kindness Joseph responded to their fears.

"Don't be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don't be afraid.  I will provide for you and your children."  And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.  

Joseph was wise enough to lead a nation and big enough to forgive. He did not allow his seemingly endless trial to pin him down with bitterness and cynicism. Unlike so many today, he did not waste his life dwelling on the injustices that were perpetrated upon him. He did not arrange for air time to share his grievances for all to hear. Wow, how refreshingly different is that? If Joseph was interviewed today would he be portrayed as a victim or victor?

Joseph’s trial was a very long and hard road of disappointment and desperation, yet God was up to something much larger than Joseph’s personal struggle.
Like Joseph, our times of trouble and darkness are meant to teach us some lessons that we desperately need and can learn no other way.

A premature deliverance can circumvent God’s work of grace in our lives. Moving the hand of a clock to suit yourself does not change the time. Trust that God is working for you with your best interest in mind.

Like Joseph, God will remember and reward you.The cup bearer and the baker might have forgotten Joseph, but God did not and He has not forgotten you!  No matter what you’re facing God knows and understands your situation and will reward your patient endurance.

Joseph’s long obedience in the same direction led to saving many lives. God ultimately rewarded him by allowing him to see the deliverance of not only his family, but the entire nation of Israel. Joseph’s patient suffering was blessed by God for the sake of others.

God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4.  

May our prayer of desperation be like the One who in the midst of His greatest trial cried out, “Not my will, but your will be done.” The result of that submissive prayer saved the lives of countless people like you and I. May that heart posture be true of us and one day we will receive our reward as well.

What we remember about our lives will depend on how we respond to God’s amazing grace in the midst of our trials. Hang in there. It is never too late to look up!