This is a great time of the year to be a man. It's one of those special times when sports converge and testosterone reigns. The NBA playoffs are underway, baseball season has begun, and the NFL will have its annual draft of college players next Saturday.
It's one time of the year when I really feel comfortable, because I can discuss any of these topics intelligently and incessantly. I'm in my zone, like Michael Jordan used to be when the Bulls were trailing in Game 7, or when John Elway was quarterbacking the Broncos with two minutes left and 80 yards for a win. Just give me half a chance and you're certain to be mesmerized.
I'm just like most men. When I'm operating in my arena I have all the confidence in the world. But, please don't put me in a place that I'm not very sure of myself. Don't insist that I navigate treacherous waters where I might go under. Don't set me up to fail, and above all, don't make me look bad. That's when I just might crawl back into my shell and whimper a little bit. Believe me, a whining man is not a pretty sight.
If I may, let me offer some wisdom to all the wives out there. Your husband doesn't particularly like to be called “artistic” or “creative.” There's something just a little dainty about those words. They conjure up images that are way too colorful, that smell too sweet, and that inevitably include lace and flowers. It reminds me of a time when Matt, our son, was about 10 years old, and somehow, he and I got duped into accompanying Martha into the craft store. About 15 minutes into the journey, he looked at me and said, “Dad, if hell is anything like this place, I really don't want to go there.” I understood completely.
The unfamiliar is not an easy place to be. The time comes, though, when the comfortable ways just don't work any more. I remember realizing that communicating God's truth to my kids was going to require more than sitting them down in front of me and reading a devotional book to them. If I wanted them to know a God who is alive and involved, I was going to have to portray Him to them in that way. I needed to be creative in order to demonstrate the Creator. And, that, sounded very scary to me.
McNair Wilson, was, at one time, Senior Imagineer for the Walt Disney Corporation. He was the guy who came up with ideas for all the rides and attractions at the theme parks and made them come to life. He created all the Disney things that not only captured kids' attention, but adults', as well. McNair now teaches companies and organizations not to be afraid of that word “creativity,” but, instead, use it to effectively communicate their message.
That starts with redefining it. McNair admits that the mystique of the word scares many people away. “I can talk about creativity for hours and never mention art supplies,” he said. Instead, he explains it as “rearranging the old to appear new.” That sounds much more within my element.
McNair talks about being creative in terms of “challenging assumptions” and “taking risks.” That's certainly something that guys can identify with. It makes you want to strap on the pads and get out on the field.
So, it requires courage to challenge those assumptions. We have to be bold about it, and keep taking risks even when we fail miserably. Creativity is a very manly thing.
“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.”
Romans 5:6-11 (NLT)
I was feeling pretty smug about what I had decided to teach in our Sunday School class. We’re spending the next couple of months discussing “churchspeak” – those words we hear so much but we might not really know their relevance in our family, our work and in all our day-to-day living. I figured I knew most of the definitions and applications of these words since I, too, had heard them all my life. I was confident I had it all covered.
The first word I chose was “grace.” It’s a good word, even though it’s a bit difficult to fully understand. But, I already knew all the offerings from Vine’s Expository Dictionary, all the technical explanations of “grace,” so I was off to a flying start. As He as often done before, though, God had another idea that He wanted to share with me. Although I knew the meaning of “grace,” I needed to be reminded of the reality of it.
It took something very unexpected to bring “grace” from my head to my heart. As I often do, I was discussing with my son, Matt, where I was headed in my writing and teaching. He asked if I had ever heard U2’s song “Grace”. I was vaguely familiar with it, but only for my musical enjoyment and not my theology. I re-listened to it, though, and found myself confronted by grace as it’s supposed to appear in real life. It seemed that Bono had taught me what I was planning to teach my Sunday School class. Imagine that!
As I began to read the “grace” settings in Scripture in a new fresh way, I was overwhelmed at the power contained within that word.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14-17 (NIV)
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
Psalm 84:11 (NKJV)
Then, I began to see what grace means to me, personally.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”
Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23 (NIV)
But, probably the greatest impact of all was when I was reminded of my responsibility as a recipient of God’s grace. Thank God, His grace is free. It has no limits, and the very nature of grace is that there’s nothing that I can do to earn it. But, I am obligated to give back the same measure of grace that God gives me. And that’s where I’m humbled and convicted.
Just this week, a friend was treated unfairly on his job, and I wanted so much for that supervisor to suffer for it. On another occasion, I shut down when I should have responded to help someone who was in need. I confronted my own family members, whom I love so much, with a nasty “there-you-go-again” attitude. Those things aren’t graceful, and they certainly don’t reflect in the least God’s grace that has been extended to me.
What would “grace” look like in my relationships, or in my reactions to situations with which I’m confronted? How can I bring “grace” into settings around me that are ugly and Godless? How can I make “grace” more than just a word?
For a book that we’re writing, Martha and I had a chance to interview Lindsay, a young middle school teacher in the Bronx. Most of her students, because of the conditions they live in, are hopeless. Often, they react to their situations in very destructive and hurtful ways. But Lindsay understands that God has called her to love them anyway. She knows she must bring grace into those kids’ lives.
“On the first day of school,” she said, “the first thing I tell them is ‘I’ve been thinking about you all summer. I love you already. You may not believe this, but you can’t earn my love. You can make straight A’s and have perfect behavior all year, or you can get detention three times a week, and I’m going to love you the same.’ And then I spend all year trying to prove it.”
That is grace extended. That’s what the word really means.
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
I Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
No matter our political affiliation, God has called us to pray for our leaders. We have a great opportunity today, on Presidents’ Day, to gather the family together and do just that – pray for President Obama. Talk about what to pray – for protection, for wisdom, for his relationship with God. Then, pray that as Christians, we have the freedom and the heart to live out our faith and make a difference in our world.
Here are some more ideas about how your family can celebrate this Presidents’ Day:
Learn more about the American Presidents. The National Park Service has a section on their website,http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/pres/trivia.htm , entitled “Just For Fun: Presidential Trivia”. You’ll find some interesting facts about every U. S. President there.
A Presidential Project. If you have elementary school children and older, give each member of you family a project for this week. Let them choose an American president , research his life and put together a presentation about him. Then, next weekend, have a time when each family member makes his presentation.
If I was President... Let each family member take their turn as “president”. Hold a press conference and allow all the other members of the family, the “White House press corps”, ask questions about the “president’s” policies and ideas about the future. This one might be worth putting on video for posting at http://www.youtube.com , or http://www.tangle.com, the “family-friendly Christian social network.”
Here's an idea that could change the way you do Valentine's Day forever. Call you family together tomorrow for your usual celebration, then, afterwards, discuss something that you all could do together as a “Valentine for Jesus” – a special offering, an outreach or a service project in which everyone participates. Make this day a time to give love too!
I love you. No, I really mean it. I do. At least, that’s what I’m working on these days.
I’m not sure who’s reading this right now, but, you might be someone who’s a part of that small inner circle of people that I love desperately. I’ll take a moment in the next few days, as Valentine’s Day approaches, to let you know how much I love you. Martha, you’re so easy to love. I can say without any hesitation that my love for you is limitless. You’ve been the love of my life for 30 years, and I long for at least 30 more. Anne and Matt, I could have never imagined the amazing people you’ve become. You’ve been such a joy! I’ve always loved you so much, and I always will. Robbie, I’m thankful for the man that you are, and that Anne picked you to be a part of our family. You’re not only my son-in-law, you’re my friend. And then there’s Josiah. How can anybody work their way so deep in my heart in just a few months? You’re G-Diddy’s little man. To my Mom, and all my other family members, I’m so blessed to have you in my life. All my close friends, you know who you are, are a source of encouragement and strength and a whole lot of good times. These are all the folks that I have no problem loving. Even during those challenging times, I can’t let go of them.
But we have a higher calling. If we want to love like Jesus loved, we’re not allowed to write anyone off – not the unknown and, definitely not the unlovable. We can’t hold them at arm’s length, and we can’t walk away, because that’s the way He loves. And I’m really glad about that. Because, you see, I’m one of the unlovable ones. Because of my failures and frailties, He could have given up on me. If I were God, I’d have probably already turned my back, out of sight, out of mind. But He loves me so much that He gave, and keeps on giving and giving. Thank God.
I’m challenged to love like Jesus loves. Not just on Valentine’s Day, when loving is the thing to do. But all the time, no matter the situation, no matter the circumstances.
When clouds veil sun, and disaster comes
Oh, my soul! Oh, my soul!
When waters rise, and hope takes flight
Oh, my soul! Oh, my soul! Oh, my soul!
Ever faithful, ever true, You I know
You never let go. You never let go.
You never let go. You never let go,
When clouds brought rain, and disaster came.
Oh, my soul! Oh, my soul!
When waters rose, and hope had flown
Oh, my soul! Oh, my soul! Oh, my soul!
Oh, my soul overflows.
Oh, what love, oh, what love.
Oh, my soul fills with hope,
Perfect love that never lets go.
Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, what love, oh, what love
In joy and pain, in sun and rain
You’re the same. Oh, You never let go.
“You Never Let Go”
Written by David Crowder, Mike Hogan & Mike Dodson
It's almost here! One of my favorite days of the year – Super Bowl Sunday! It really doesn’t matter that neither the Arizona Cardinals nor the Pittsburgh Steelers are among my favorite teams, the days leading up to the Big Game really get me fired up. All the hype, the prognostications, and the analysis is often more exciting than the game itself.
A couple of Super Bowls ago, one of the pre-game interviews completely captured my attention. Within the professional sports culture, we hear so many tales of boys behaving badly, so when I heard Samkon Gado’s story, I was amazed.
When Martha and I began writing our second book, I knew that we needed to include Samkon’s story. We spent over an hour on the phone with him, and it was refreshing and inspiring. He’s walking by faith, trusting God to move him day-by day to the place that he can serve Him and others most effectively. “I don’t want to presume about where the Lord will have me serve,” he said. “I’ll just wait and let God unfold it for me one piece at a time. I’m praying, ‘God, just send me wherever I can be the most useful.’”
His NFL career has been a roller coaster ride. The year after this video appeared, Samkon was released by the Houston Texans and signed for a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins. Then, when the Dolphins didn't renew his contract this year, he began preparations to enter medical school. But before he could complete the entrance requirements, the St. Louis Rams called on him to finish the season with them. Just this week, Samkon signed a new contract with the Rams for the upcoming 2009 season.
In the interview with us, Samkon, the son of African missionaries, told us that he knew that God had called Him to someday return to his native Nigeria as a medical missionary. Until that door opens, God has burned a picture into Samkon’s heart. He sees it when he closes his eyes at night, when the cheering crowd is quiet and the stadium’s lights are dark. “I see an image of people living in absolute misery, with no hope, and no future. God wants me to bring hope and healing to those people. He wants me to show them Jesus.”
If I may, let me offer some wisdom to all the wives out there. Your husband doesn't particularly like to be called “artistic” or “creative.” There's something just a little dainty about those words. They conjure up images that are way too colorful, that smell too sweet, and that inevitably include lace and flowers. It reminds me of a time when Matt, our son, was about 10 years old, and somehow, he and I got duped into accompanying Martha into the craft store. About 15 minutes into the journey, he looked at me and said, “Dad, if hell is anything like this place, I really don't want to go there.” I understood completely.
McNair Wilson, was, at one time, Senior Imagineer for the Walt Disney Corporation. He was the guy who came up with ideas for all the rides and attractions at the theme parks and made them come to life. He created all the Disney things that not only captured kids' attention, but adults', as well. McNair now teaches companies and organizations not to be afraid of that word “creativity,” but, instead, use it to effectively communicate their message.
