Take a Hard Look

If a person wants to achieve a goal, especially a goal that stretches well beyond current capabilities, it takes hard work.  One may perennially hear a parent’s or teacher’s reminder to work hard if one hopes to accomplish much in life.  In his book, Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell presents a rather interesting theory. Examine the lives of those you consider to be near genius level, gifted in business, technology or the arts.  Look closely. There will be evidence of a life of hard work.  In fact, Gladwell referenced what he calls the 10,000 hour rule: to do the exceptional takes 10,000 hours of work/practice.

When drawn to be part of the body of Christ, we seek communion with God and others. Yet given our propensity to place ourselves in the center of our personal universes, the realities of discipleship are a challenge.  “It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.”  (Matthew 20:26-28  NRSV)  To be Christ-like is going to take some work, some hard work and practice.

And this is the stuff of Lent: an individual and corporate focus to do the hard work of examining our lives and being moved to confession.  When we combine the work of repentance with the practice of the presence of resurrection power, we begin to more deeply comprehend and experience communion with Christ and others.  

On Lenten Sundays, starting February 26, we will see Christ at work, doing some hard work, and will consider how the call to do the hard work in our lives can create an internal environment that acknowledges the presence of the living Christ.  The following passages and sermons will serve as our “work-out” guide:

February 26    “Hard to Imagine”- Mark 1:9-15    (40 days in the wilderness)
March 4          “Hard to Hear”- Mark 8:31-38     (great suffering in the future)
March 11        “Hard to Envision”- John 2:13-22  (clearing the temple)
March 18        “Hard to Understand”- John 3:14-21  (and the judgment…)

As we journey together, may we remain committed to the hard work of Lent to grasp more fully the good news of the resurrection.

A Front Row Seat

It is one thing to have a pretty decent view; being in the front row is a whole different world.  You feel as if you are part of the action.  Your attention is not diverted by any number of competing distractions that are present when you are in the second row from the back wall at the theatre or stadium.  You sense that you could almost reach out and touch those that are unfolding the drama that all have come to observe.

In the first Chapter of Mark a leper experiences what it is like to be "front row" to the unfolding reality of the presence of God's powerful love and grace.  In fact he is touched by Jesus.  An incredible thought when we try desperately to have a view, angle in close on the latest....the creator has allowed us the opportunity for this kind of a close encounter. 

The theme for our sevices this Sunday at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown...The Power of a Touch.

From a giant warrior to a giant fish

This Sunday at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown our children will present a Musical - Oh, Jonah!  The children do an amazing job.  It is also amazing how biblical themes can hit home through a very different Sunday service experience.  

Thinking about Jonah and his initial unwillingness to follow God's call I was surprised to find in a worship resource (Call to Worship Volume 39.1 2005-2006) the below prayer of confession for the lectionary passages on Sunday (2/5) - but not intended for Jonah.  Yet the relationship can not be missed - much like a giant fish.

"Gracious God, in Jesus Christ you have taken our human existence, to redeem us from the brokenness of our sin.  Yet we hide from your light; we resist your rule.  We fail to proclaim the good news of your love.  Even when we strive to fulfill you will, we fall too easily back into disobedience.

Grant us your mercy, God of grace.  Do for us what we cannot do for ourselves:  establish in us the righteousness you desire.  Give us your Spirit, to lead us in the life of Jesus Christ, to the glory of your holy name.

AMEN

Faced off with any giants lately?

This Sunday I will be recalling David's encounter with a giant.  What can we learn as we confront so many 'giants' in our daily lives.

While most us believe ourselves overmatched in the presence of "giants", there are those who live lives of impact despite daunting opposition.  They stand out from a crowd paralyzed with fear. 

The contemporary world is replete with huge and daunting challenges.  To move apart from the paralyzed crowd will require nothing less from us than firm convictions founded on the presence of God in our lives and sustained passion to put our convictions into motion.  The result can be a force of impact in the foreseeable future that is unparalleled in our personal history.

Adult Seminar

I look forward to another opportunity to lead the Adult Seminar at PCM this Sunday, January 22.  I will be sharing an overview of the last section of the book Life Momentum.  I believe this is very appropriate as many already feel as if their lives are stalling only three weeks into the new year.  An excerpt:

Without an awareness of various forms of resistance that create friction, even convictions of substance placed in motion can fall short of their destinations.  Momentum is lost.  These universal forms of friction are expressed uniquely in our lives and are in addition to present day challenges. 

Looking forward to consistent sharing on how we keep our lives moving forward while living on such a chaotic, friction filled, landscape. 

Continuing on the critical theme of leadership in the mainline church-there is a difficult to discern balancing point of retaining our theological history and the legacy left by so many faithful members; yet embracing the reality of a society defined as quick paced with not just change, but chaotic change.

I find very helpful a book by Stephen M. R. Covey entitled The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything.

In his book Covey presents two cores: Character and Competency. And the following behaviors that will build trusting relationships and communities. Communities that will find the ability to move forward with pace and speed:

• Talk straight


• Demonstrate respect


• Create transparency


• Right wrongs


• Show loyalty


• Deliver results


• Get Better


• Confront reality


• Clarify expectations


• Practice accountability


• Listen first


• Keep commitments


• Extend trust

I would like to share another thought from the book: 150 Ways to Spark Innovation During Times of Change. "Package your product like it's the best in the world".

Immediately in the church we can cringe at the thought of packaging a product - yet how often have we gone to a website or picked up a piece of printed material and immediately moved on because of the poor quality of presentation. We live with the reality of a media saturated society and by now must know that people coming to learn about a particular church have certain expectations. (I am very thankful for the emphasis put on the website at PCM.)

Do we believe this incredible Good News of Christ deserves attention to presentation? It strikes me that so many faithful pastors give this attention to sermon preparation and presentation. Are we consistent in sharing beyond our walls with this same diligence?