There is an expression used when you join a board of something like a company or a non-profit. It is called "Pay to Play" and it basically means that you are expected to contribute to the cause of the organization to have the privilege of being involved. I have noticed that most charities have adopted the converse of that and have incorporated a "Play to Pay" approach. Take this video for instance of Salvation Army volunteers on the streets of New York City. The old days of the gloomy guy ringing the bell have been replaced by entertainment. I have to admit I listened to these volunteers and felt more compelled to give. Why wouldn't Salvation Army be enough of a worthy cause to give in and of itself? Because it appeals to our sense of paying for something rather than giving something.
I am very glad that God does not operate on the principle of "Pay to Play". God gave us a gift that has no strings attached to it. The gift of salvation in Jesus Christ requires no performance on our part. However, the same theory that paying for something is more desirable than giving something offends us. But the giver of the gift expects nothing in return and there is nothing we could offer that could even come close to the value of the gift given. In fact, it is an insult to the giver to even attempt to pay for it. So these two principles collide which is what makes faith in Christ so hard.
My parents and in-laws over the years have given us lavish gifts, gifts that there is no way possible we could afford. I wish I could say I accepted them gratefully, but my pride made me want to pay them back. I was actually angry I received the gift. Some of us react to salvation that way. What God wants is to accept the gift gratefully with no strings. No "Pay to Play" and certainly no "Play to Pay". The gift stands alone.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Great Expectations.... Disappointing
The 2013 Cleveland Indians had a 12-16 record in the month of August and were hopelessly out of the Central race. But they stormed back in September with a 21-6 record including a 10 game winning streak to close the season. They ended up winning the American League wild card and played Tampa Bay in a one game playoff game. A 162 game season now came down to just one. The Tampa Bay Rays won the game 4-0 and just like that, it was over. Another Cleveland euphoria sports moment followed by a bitter letdown. But after all, sports is very much a microcosm of life. We long-suffering Cleveland sports fans can identify most with the Book of Ecclesiastes. We got Lebron and Kevin Love so an NBA championship is in the bag. A recent 4 game losing streak and a 5-7 record later, maybe we aren't so sure.
The book of Ecclesiastes is a difficult book. It identifies these cycles of life that seem to inevitably end in disappointment. Gloomy days seem like the norm. But there is more there. God wants us to look at life from an eternal perspective. First, life's cycles are to be embraced because they are only part of the broader picture of eternity. God wants us to experience both (7:14). Secondly, looking forward can sometimes be futile when we should relish the joy of the present. Rejoice while we have the opportunity (2:24, 3:12, 6:14, 9:9). Finally, go with the flow. He is not saying, don't plan. He is saying, don't get hung up on the future (11:5). You don't know what is going to happen. There are so many things we don't know. Life is to know God and to trust Him.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Called by Name
I like to say I have 12 offices to make it sound like I really am a big shot. But then I say my offices are at Panera in Brecksville, Panera in Solon, Panera in Hudson, etc. A lot of people do their work at these coffee shops.
This past week, I was at my distant office in New Albany down by Columbus. I am on the board of a company there and had to kill a few hours before my meetings in Columbus in the afternoon. It was around lunchtime so I went an ordered lunch and they give you this little buzzer tool that you put on your table for them to find you and give you your food. I went off to the bathroom and when I came back, the young man said "I put your food on your table Dan". My immediate thought was first "how did he know my name". But then I remember that I paid with a credit card and he obviously looked at the receipt. It's not like I am famous or anything. But nevertheless I was impressed that he called me by name.
Fast forward an hour or so and I finished my meal. I then went up to the counter and my friend was now behind the counter. He says to me "what can I get for you Dan?". Again, he calls me by name. I told him how impressed I was that he remembered my name and called me by name. He then asked me where I was from and we actually had a conversation.
I compare that experience to one where you put your name in for a reservation in a restaurant and when they are ready to seat you, they yell out "Dan, table for two!". Or where we are in a gathering and we have a name tag like the one above to try to start a conversation. My friend called me by name as an expression of personal connection not just as a way to identify me.
As I pondered that throughout the week, I was reminded that God does indeed call us individually by name. This same God who constructed the universe, who has much bigger issues to contend with than me actually knows me more intimately than I know myself and calls me by name.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have ordained; what is man that you take though of him, and the son of man that you care for him. (Psalm 8:3-4)
O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thoughts from afar ( Psalm 139:1-2)
“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. “When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. “And a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” (John 10:3-5)
My Panera friends nice attempt at a personal connection was well appreciated because it reminded me that my God knows me well and He calls me by name.
This past week, I was at my distant office in New Albany down by Columbus. I am on the board of a company there and had to kill a few hours before my meetings in Columbus in the afternoon. It was around lunchtime so I went an ordered lunch and they give you this little buzzer tool that you put on your table for them to find you and give you your food. I went off to the bathroom and when I came back, the young man said "I put your food on your table Dan". My immediate thought was first "how did he know my name". But then I remember that I paid with a credit card and he obviously looked at the receipt. It's not like I am famous or anything. But nevertheless I was impressed that he called me by name.
Fast forward an hour or so and I finished my meal. I then went up to the counter and my friend was now behind the counter. He says to me "what can I get for you Dan?". Again, he calls me by name. I told him how impressed I was that he remembered my name and called me by name. He then asked me where I was from and we actually had a conversation.I compare that experience to one where you put your name in for a reservation in a restaurant and when they are ready to seat you, they yell out "Dan, table for two!". Or where we are in a gathering and we have a name tag like the one above to try to start a conversation. My friend called me by name as an expression of personal connection not just as a way to identify me.
As I pondered that throughout the week, I was reminded that God does indeed call us individually by name. This same God who constructed the universe, who has much bigger issues to contend with than me actually knows me more intimately than I know myself and calls me by name.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have ordained; what is man that you take though of him, and the son of man that you care for him. (Psalm 8:3-4)
O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thoughts from afar ( Psalm 139:1-2)
“To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. “When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. “And a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” (John 10:3-5)
My Panera friends nice attempt at a personal connection was well appreciated because it reminded me that my God knows me well and He calls me by name.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Starter Tires
Our normal path to work and church leads us down Riverview Road through the national park. This summer, that road was seemingly constantly under construction. One night coming back from Blossom around 11 PM, we hit an exposed part of the road and heard the sickening sound of a flat tire. We pull off the side of the road and look at the tire. It was certainly flat. We were about two miles from home. I did a mental evaluation. It would be so much easier to change the tire at home. So we made the decision to try to drive on the flat tire. We got about another half mile down the road and now started hearing metal upon metal. No way to continue so we pull off the side of the road. I examine the tire and it quite literally is in shreds like below.
We were able to put the spare on. The next day, I went to the Toyota dealer and got a new tire. The service counselor (that is what they call them now) told me that the original tires had about 15,000 miles of expected life but the "new" tire would have a 60,000 mile warranty. She explained to me that the original tires "starter tires". They are only expected to last a brief amount of time before they are going to have to be replaced. It is a way that car dealers save money by putting tires on that won't last as long. We see this in other items too like printers. To bring the cost of printers down, manufacturers put "starter print cartridges". Cartridges are where they make their money anyway.
As I have worked with men over the years in discipleship, I have noticed a progressing trend towards "starter Christianity". It means that someone has experienced true transformation but they lack depth of knowledge and true foundation. They are like the seeds mentioned by Jesus in the parable of the Sower and the Seed that fall and have no firm root and the sun stunts their growth (Matt 13:1-23). This is a conscious choice they make. Well known author and founder of Man in the Mirror ministries, Pat Morley has commented that depth of faith in men always have to do with two things - amount of time in the bible and amount of time spent with other men of faith. He says he can almost guarantee problem areas if both of those are lacking.
I have a friend going through a difficult time right now. He has said that he is doubting his faith. But this same guy does not spend time in the word and is not being around stronger men to disciple him. Of course he is having issues. We in America expect that faith to be like the drive-through window where we place our order and then go with the meal when God offers a sumptuous sit down steak meal. Me - I want the steak meal.
There is no quick fix to depth of soul issues. But there is a fix. First, it is daily reading, meditating, memorizing, studying, inhaling of God's word, the Bible. It does not have to be hours, but it certainly needs and must be more than a few minutes. Secondly, it is being around and being challenged by older, more mature men in the faith. I am so thankful for my mentor when I was a young Christian. Pastor Dean Brdlik discipled me and set a firm foundation for years to come. Even when I was at my most carnal ways, I was grounded. Even still today, I am challenged and motivated by my more mature Christian brothers and I try to be that for other men.
You get what you invest in. I couldn't know my wife if I spent only a few minutes with her and wasn't listening. Same with God - your investment of time yields a deep relationship that will carry you through the trials and travails of life. Start now - don't wait.
We were able to put the spare on. The next day, I went to the Toyota dealer and got a new tire. The service counselor (that is what they call them now) told me that the original tires had about 15,000 miles of expected life but the "new" tire would have a 60,000 mile warranty. She explained to me that the original tires "starter tires". They are only expected to last a brief amount of time before they are going to have to be replaced. It is a way that car dealers save money by putting tires on that won't last as long. We see this in other items too like printers. To bring the cost of printers down, manufacturers put "starter print cartridges". Cartridges are where they make their money anyway.
As I have worked with men over the years in discipleship, I have noticed a progressing trend towards "starter Christianity". It means that someone has experienced true transformation but they lack depth of knowledge and true foundation. They are like the seeds mentioned by Jesus in the parable of the Sower and the Seed that fall and have no firm root and the sun stunts their growth (Matt 13:1-23). This is a conscious choice they make. Well known author and founder of Man in the Mirror ministries, Pat Morley has commented that depth of faith in men always have to do with two things - amount of time in the bible and amount of time spent with other men of faith. He says he can almost guarantee problem areas if both of those are lacking.
I have a friend going through a difficult time right now. He has said that he is doubting his faith. But this same guy does not spend time in the word and is not being around stronger men to disciple him. Of course he is having issues. We in America expect that faith to be like the drive-through window where we place our order and then go with the meal when God offers a sumptuous sit down steak meal. Me - I want the steak meal.
There is no quick fix to depth of soul issues. But there is a fix. First, it is daily reading, meditating, memorizing, studying, inhaling of God's word, the Bible. It does not have to be hours, but it certainly needs and must be more than a few minutes. Secondly, it is being around and being challenged by older, more mature men in the faith. I am so thankful for my mentor when I was a young Christian. Pastor Dean Brdlik discipled me and set a firm foundation for years to come. Even when I was at my most carnal ways, I was grounded. Even still today, I am challenged and motivated by my more mature Christian brothers and I try to be that for other men.
You get what you invest in. I couldn't know my wife if I spent only a few minutes with her and wasn't listening. Same with God - your investment of time yields a deep relationship that will carry you through the trials and travails of life. Start now - don't wait.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Assuming the Best in People
This past week, I had a series of meetings out of town. They were kind of tightly orchestrated by me and I felt like a ping-pong ball bouncing between one meeting and another. The second meeting was at a coffee shop with a potential business partnership for our company. It was with a person I had never met but had just corresponded with via e-mail. I got there and waited, and waited, and waited. I called and left multiple voice mails as well as sent an e-mail. Nothing! I knew his office was right down the road so I knew it couldn't be traffic. I was even more irritated because now I had to drive to the other side of town to make the next appointment.
Amazing what goes through your head. Anger is mostly what went through my head. I was stood up! I wanted so much to fire off an e-mail (a standard non-personal way of venting) and spew venom on him. In a complete act of grace, the Holy Spirit nudged me not to do that. What if something happened to him or his family? Give him the benefit of the doubt. The Lord brought to mind a story I heard from Patrick Morley. A man was traveling in a train and his kids were running around like crazy. One of the passengers observed this and so wanted to confront the man over the unruly behavior of his children. He asked him why his kids had so much energy. The man somberly looked up and said "Yes I guess they are running off steam but their mom passed away today". I took it to heart and so I waited.
The next day, I got the explanation. He was in the emergency room for 11 hours with potentially serious issues. I said "thank you Lord" because He held me back from my proclivity to assume the worst in people. Why do we assume the worst in people? Some people think we have to to protect ourselves because after all it is a dog-eat-dog world out there. If you don't you will get taken advantage of. That could happen, but to me the alternative is far worse. To live a life in constant suspicion has wear and tear on the human psyche. Assuming the best in people will get you let down from time to time, but overall the impact is far more positive.
I am so glad I let that situation explain itself. Even if the man had legitimately blown the meeting off, I am better off for not sounding off in anger. Bitterness of soul keeps us from healthy relationships with God and our neighbors. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that if you call someone "Raca" which in our vernacular is something like "stupid idiot", you are guilty of the Supreme Court and anyone you says "you fool" is guilty of fiery hell (Matthew 5:22-23). We need supernatural authority and power to prevent us from going off on people and I am so glad God save me in that way this week.
The next day, I got the explanation. He was in the emergency room for 11 hours with potentially serious issues. I said "thank you Lord" because He held me back from my proclivity to assume the worst in people. Why do we assume the worst in people? Some people think we have to to protect ourselves because after all it is a dog-eat-dog world out there. If you don't you will get taken advantage of. That could happen, but to me the alternative is far worse. To live a life in constant suspicion has wear and tear on the human psyche. Assuming the best in people will get you let down from time to time, but overall the impact is far more positive.
I am so glad I let that situation explain itself. Even if the man had legitimately blown the meeting off, I am better off for not sounding off in anger. Bitterness of soul keeps us from healthy relationships with God and our neighbors. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that if you call someone "Raca" which in our vernacular is something like "stupid idiot", you are guilty of the Supreme Court and anyone you says "you fool" is guilty of fiery hell (Matthew 5:22-23). We need supernatural authority and power to prevent us from going off on people and I am so glad God save me in that way this week.
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