If I ever get a tattoo ...

I just started studying the book of Romans again. I have read Romans numerous times in my life and am always blown away with some new truth The Holy Spirit reveals as I read it. I agree wholeheartedly with what Martin Luther had to say about this magnificent book:

"This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. It is purest Gospel. It is well worth a Christian's while not only to memorize it word for word but also to occupy himself with it daily, as though it were the daily bread of the soul. It is impossible to read or to meditate on this letter too much or too well. The more one deals with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes."

"Simul Iustus et Peccator". (yes you read that correctly and that would be part of my tattoo)

What does Simul Iustus et Peccator mean? It is a Latin phrase that was used during the Reformation ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reformation ) by Martin Luther and other reformers to describe how a Christian should see themselves in this life.

"Simul" ...simultaneously

"Iustus" ...justified (or declared righteous and not guilty)

"et"...and

"Peccator" ...sinner

Understanding what this means is the heart of the book of Romans:

"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." Romans 3:21-26 NIV

"However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." Romans 4:5 NIV

Simul Iustus et Peccator is what the Bible calls "justification". When someone puts their faith in Jesus Christ, meaning they are relying on what He did in living a perfect life, dying a substitionary, sacrificial death, and being raised from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:1-6) for forgiveness of sin and the promise of eternal life, they are declared not guilty and righteous by God. The key is we are declared righteous while still in the sinning state. That is the scandal of the gospel.

Several years ago I was asked by a close friend of mine to share some scriptures with his father who was literally on his death bed dying of lung cancer. The first time I went to meet with Jack I quickly realized he was a man full of questions. Blind faith was not an option for him. Like many other people he was skeptical. He was a thinker and could not reconcile faith and science, and many other issues that blocked him from having faith. That particular day I gave him my best apologetics, my best reasoning, my best theological and philosophical arguments for faith in Christ. He did not get it. I felt like I was talking to a brick wall.

A few days later, my friend Barry told me that Jack wanted to meet with me again. I was a little shocked to be honest. So hesitantly I went back to his house. I really did not know what to say. So I asked the Lord what scriptures he wanted me to read to Jack. I felt led to read Romans 5:1-2:

"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..."

After I read that passage, Jack said: "I have a always believed there had to be a God and a Creator, but I never really knew what to do with this Jesus fellow. But according to what you just read I can only come to God through Jesus." I said: "yes Jack that is what it means. Do you want to come to God through Jesus?" He said yes. So we prayed and he came into a relationship with God through faith in Jesus. A few days later he passed away. At his funeral I shared that story with his family and friends that had gathered to grieve his passing. Most of them looked confused because they knew Jack as a man who was not "religious". I shared about the thief on the cross who asked Jesus to let him into heaven when he died (Luke 24:42-43). Jesus promised him that his request that was filled faith would be granted. The thief lived as a sinner yet died justified. So did Jack. So will I. So can you if you put your faith in Jesus Christ.

Start over

When you’ve trusted God and walked his way
When you’ve felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way …
Start over.

When you’ve made your plans and they’ve gone awry
When you’ve tried your best and there’s no more try
When you’ve failed yourself and you don’t know why …
Start over.

When you’ve told your friends what you plan to do
When you’ve trusted them and they didn’t come through
And you’re all alone and it’s up to you …
Start over.

When you’ve failed your kids and they’re grown and gone
When you’ve done your best but it’s turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren come along …
Start over.

When you’ve prayed to God so you’ll know his will
When you’ve prayed and prayed and you don’t know still …
When you want to stop cause you’ve had your fill …
Start over.

When you think you’re finished and want to quit
When you’ve bottomed out in life’s deepest pit
When you’ve tried and tried to get out of it …
Start over.

When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you’re feeling blue
God gives a January just for you …
Start over.

Starting over means “Victories Won”
Starting over means “A Race Well Run”
Starting over means “God’s Will Done”
Don’t just sit there ………… ..

START OVER

By Woodrow Kroll

Josh Hamilton & the People of the second chance

Josh Hamilton and the Texas Rangers are playing in the American League Championship once again. His personal story is one of tragedy, failure, grace, redemption, stardom, and pain. He is one heck of a baseball player, a modern day Roy Hobbs. His story is a reminder that God never gives up on anyone and that the grace found in the gospel of Jesus Christ is bigger than any failure we can think of. (Click on the title of this post to watch and hear Josh's story)

Enjoy!

Lessons from "the seats"

Go figure. Last night I was at another Rockies baseball game. Early Tuesday morning I got the call from Dad that he had "the seats". These are not just any seats, these are front row seats were you can actually see the players faces and what they are saying to each other. I am used to usually sitting in the cheaper seats so "the seats" are an awesome experience.

A few years ago we were sitting in "the seats" and had a funny experience. "The seats" are real close to first base where you have a great angle on plays at first base. You can hear the umpire and the first baseman talking because you are that close.

On this particular night there was a really close play at first base that the umpire called in favor of the other team. As home fans do, they booed the umpire. To our shame we were booing as well. Somebody near us made a snide comment to the umpire and he looked over to see who said it. There is an old term in baseball for umpires who do not know how to over look frustrated fans and who hear every comment, its called "rabbit ears". Rabbits are know for their long ears and their keen sense of hearing. So when an umpire gets caught up into the comments of the fans or the players and coaches they are called "rabbit ears."

My dad being the fan that he is, saw the umpire look over to find the guilty fan who was verbally harassing him and blurted out: "just call the game rabbit ears!" I was thinking to myself that the umpire must be really mad and frustrated.

Proverbs 15:1 'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." NIV

How would the umpire respond? Would he show his anger? Would he try to win a stare down and intimidate the fan that was talking to him and escalated the moment?

Instead of getting angry or tough he displayed wisdom and he modeled a lesson from the Proverbs, as crude as it was, on how to handle situations like that.

After hearing my Dad's comment about "rabbit ears" he very slowly pulled out both of his back pockets and let them dangle there on his dairy ere, as if to say:"I got your rabbit ears right here. He did this while staring stoically forward at the playing field. It was hilarious! What a great response. We all laughed and gave him applause. We had all forgotten that he blew the call and went on to enjoy the game.

I imagine he learned how to handle situations like that as a veteran umpire. I am sure as a young umpire he took it all way to personally, but learned that he would not last long as an umpire unless he learned how to respond appropriately. I walked away from that thinking about the Proverb: 'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." NIV


Lets strive to be the type of people who do not stir up wrath by reacting to the moods, actions, and frustrations of others, but rather controlled by the Spirit we respond with a gentle answer and turn away wrath.

What is your hope in?

The world is a crazy place right now.

There are people rioting and looting in London, showing that when given the right opportunity human beings, even the "civilized" can be intensely insubordinate and cruel.

Following the stock market is like being on a brutal roller coaster ride. Following the National debt is so mind boggling it makes mathematicians shake their heads. Financial instability is causing people to be in great fear for their future.

People are hurting because people hurt one another, betray one another, and fail to keep their promises.

Things that we thought were stable have turned out to not be so stable. People we trusted turned out to be untrustworthy.

What do we do?

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23)

How can I know that my hope is really in Christ? Ask the following questions of yourself.

1. How do I respond when I am falsely accused, misunderstood or betrayed?

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:21-23)

2. When I am offended by others am I quick to forgive?

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13)

3. Is my hope in money? My job? My 401K?

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Luke 16:13

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6)

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

4. Is my hope in people, family, a good marriage, my kids? Is my hope truly in God alone?

"For if my father and mother should abandon me, you would welcome and comfort me." Psalm 27:10 TLB

I pray for us that..."the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

In the flow #1 (How would you answer?)

The following is from John Ortberg's latest book "the me I want to be" :

"How is your Spiritual life going?"

I used to answer this question by looking at the state of my devotional activities: Did I pray and read the Bible enough today?

The problem is that by this measure the Pharisees always win. People can be very disciplined, but remain proud and spiteful. How do we measure spiritual growth so that the Pharisees don't win?

I asked a wise man, "How do you assess the well-being of your soul?" He immediately said, "I ask myself two question".

* Am I growing more easily discouraged these days?

* Am I growing more easily irritated these days?

At the core of a flourishing soul are the love of God and the peace of God. If peace is growing in me, I am less easily discouraged. If love is growing, I am less easily irritated. It was a brilliantly helpful diagnostic to assess the health of my soul.

How would you answer those two questions?

www.themeiwanttobe.com

I am full of it...and so are you

It is that time of year when folks are spring cleaning, getting their houses and yards looking good for summer. Some are even zealous enough to plant vegetable gardens in hopes of enjoying the fruit of their labor at some point during the summer. I am not much of a gardener but I do fertilize my lawn, and its looking nice and green (it always does this time of year). Some people I know actually put real cow manure on their lawns to make them healthy and green. I am not much of a farmer but it is common knowledge that manure makes crops grow. The food we eat is nourished and given life by the waste of animals. Quite an appetizing thought!

Lets get right to it...

I am full of manure....and so are you. We all are. All of us have had experiences in life whether it be the bad choices of others or our own regretful mistakes that mark us. Call it what it is, painful, filthy, rotten, stinky MANURE! Life's manure actually makes us who we are. It is not a matter of if we have manure, it is rather how we view the manure of life that determines whether it will nourish and grow us or have th the opposite effect which is decay and death. Perspective is everything.

Life brings problems. Problems bring pain. The amount of pain we experience from life's problems is directly determined by our perspective of the problem. If my perspective of my problem, loss, grief, shame, failure, fear, etc. is out of focus or bigger than it should be I am going to experience a large amount of pain. However, if I can get the right perspective of the problem and see things through the right lenses I can actually benefit from my problems.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Sometimes we need to look at what a verse of Scripture does not say in order to understand what it actually does mean. First, notice he does not say "we see". Its hard to "see" how the manure of life is going to work for good especially when your going through it. To "know" is a faith word. It is trusting that some how some way God is going to work manure for good. Secondly, he says "all things". He did not say "some" things. So no matter what it is or who caused it God can and will work "all things" for our good. Thirdly, God works it for "good". God never calls evil good, but He certainly has the wisdom and power to work it for good. Lastly, the promise is for those "who love him". God has promised those who trust in Jesus that all of life's pain and sorrow will somehow someway work for their good and His glory. It is not a trite promise, it can be taken to the bank. Do you love Him? Then you can rest assured the manure of life will be worked for your good.

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

I first heard the Good News about Jesus Christ when I was a teenager. It affected me. I wanted Christ. I wanted assurance of heaven. I wanted purpose for life. A seed most definitely was planted in my heart the same way a gardener plants a seed in hope of a crop. However, circumstances and many bad choices created a large amount of manure in my life that actually at the time detoured me away from a relationship with Christ. The cares of this world seemed to choke out the seed and growth in my life. It wasn't until several years later that I actually came into a living relationship with God through Christ.

Once when I was reading Psalm 1 I realized something amazing about manure. Psalm 1 teaches about those who love God and have a relationship with Him and who trust His word. Verse 3 leaped off the pages at me:

"They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail."

Because of Christ I was a tree planted by living water! God had used the manure manufacturing choices of my life to actually nourish me so He could make me the person He wanted me to be.

So say this with me..."I am full of it...manure that is". But also say this: "I am a tree planted by living water, because of manure, and most importantly because of God's grace I will bear fruit, spiritual fruit in each season without fail!"

The Incomparable Christ

THE INCOMPARABLE CHRIST

Almost two thousand years ago there was a Man born contrary to the laws of

life. This Man lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity. He did not

travel extensively. Only once did He cross the boundary of the country in

which He lived; that was during His childhood exile.

He possessed neither wealth nor influence. His relatives were inconspicuous

and He had neither training nor formal education. In infancy, He startled a

king; in childhood, He puzzled doctors; in manhood, He ruled the course of

nature, walked upon the billows as if pavement, and hushed the sea to sleep.

He healed the multitudes without medicine and made no charge for His service.

He never wrote a book, and yet all the libraries of the country could not

hold the books that have been written about Him.

He never wrote a song and yet He has furnished the theme for more than all

the songwriters combined. He never founded a college, but all the schools

put together cannot boast of having as many students. He never practiced

medicine, and yet He has healed more broken hearts than all the doctors

far and near.

Every seventh day the wheels of commerce cease their turning and multitudes

wend their way to worshiping assemblies to pay homage and respect to Him.

The names of the past proud statesman of Greece and Rome have come and

gone. The names of past scientists, philosophers, and theologians have

come and gone; but the name of this Man abounds more and more. Though time

has spread two thousand years between the people of this generation and

the scene of His crucifixion, yet He still lives.

Herod could not destroy Him, and the grave could not hold Him.

He stands in Heavenly Glory, proclaimed of God, as the living, personal

Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Dr. SM Lockridge

If

If you never felt pain, Then how would you know that I’m a Healer?

If you never went through difficulty, How would you know that I’m a Deliverer?

If you never had a trial, How could you call yourself an overcomer?

If you never felt sadness, How would you know that I’m a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake, How would you know that I’m forgiving?

If you never were in trouble, How would you know that I will come to your rescue?

If you never were broken, Then how would you know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem, How would you know that I can solve them?

If you never had any suffering, Then how would you know what I went through?

If you never went through the fire, Then how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things, How would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you, How would you know that I love you?

If you had all power, Then how would you learn to depend on me?

If your life was perfect, Then what would you need me for?

Author unknown (but thanks for writing this)

A woman, a well, and Jesus

Written by Tyler Hannan

In John 4 there is a story

a story of a woman
and a well

and Jesus

a story we are all, likely, familiar with...

a woman
a well
and Jesus

as the story progresses, we find out details
details about this woman
about her life
her pain
her brokeness

a woman with 5 husbands
a woman living with a man who isn't her husband
at a well
in the middle of the day

when you draw water
you draw it in the morning
you draw it in the evening
but not

in the heat of the day

so why was this woman at the well in the middle of the day?

because of the others who came to the well
her brokenness
and their comments
caused her such pain that she traveled
in the heat of the day
to a well

a woman
a well
and Jesus

"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirst again, but whoever drinks the water i give them will never thirst"

at times this story is told
as a story of crossing a racial divide
or crossing a gender divide
or the forgiveness of sin
a story told where Jesus accuses the woman of sin
a story told where Jesus acknowledges the woman's failing

but, regardless of the telling
there is one common element

love.

this woman
at a well
in the heat of the day

replies to Jesus and says

"I know the Messiah is coming and when he comes he will explain everything to us"

and Jesus replies
Jesus replies
5 letters
3 words

I AM HE

a declaration of divinity
an acknowledgment of being the Messiah

finding a woman
at a well
in the heat of the day

hiding
hiding from the accusation of others
hiding from the condemnation of the crowd
searching,
waiting,
for the coming of the Messiah

I AM HE

waiting
for water that fills
water that heals
water that is readily available

I AM HE

waiting
so her spirit doesn't thirst
so her pain can be addressed

and there He is

a woman
a well
brokenness
sin

the Messiah offering water

"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

I AM HE

the call is the same
if you thirst
drink
if you find yourself in the heat of the day
drink

but don't drink a cupful
don't find contentment in the least
when
water
is available

I AM HE
I AM HERE

The Sermon on the mound

Opening day is here once again. We have survived the cold of winter and new optimism fills the air.

Baseball is in my blood so to speak. It has been passed down to me by my father http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=appleg001fra who had it passed down from his father and my kids whether they realize it or not have had it passed down from me.

As a kid I loved to play baseball. I would gather anyone and everyone in the neighborhood to play ball whether it be wiffle ball, stick ball or hard ball. It wasn't until I stopped playing organized ball after college that I realized how much I love this game. As a follower of Jesus I have also recognized that Baseball is one of the greatest metaphors for the Christian life:

1. It teaches you how to deal with failure. The most successful hitters in the game fail 7 out of 10 times. Out of the 30 Major League teams only 8 make the playoffs and only one is crowned champion.

"We all make many mistakes..." (James 3:2 NLT)

"For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again..." (Proverbs 24:16 NIV)

"Failure doesn’t mean you have blown everything. It means you have some hard lessons to learn. It doesn’t mean you are a permanent loser. It means you aren’t as smart as you thought you were. It doesn’t mean you should give up. It means you need the Lord to show you the next step. It doesn’t mean that God has abandoned you. It means that God has a better plan." Ray Pritchard

2. It is a team sport, however the team really is very dependent on individual performance. For example, if the pitcher is off there is not much the rest of the fielders can do about it. Or lets say there is two outs and your on base but the hitter at the plate does not get a hit you you cannot score.

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV)

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Romans 12:4-5 NIV)

3. To be successful requires Spring Training.

"...discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:7-8 NASU)

4. Every team needs a good manager.

"...For apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5 NLT)

"For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." (Phillipians 4:13 NLT)

5. Opening day means a fresh start for every team. (Great news for Cubs fans!)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

"He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" (Revelation 21:5 NIV)

"For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!" (Isaiah 43:19 NLT)


PASTORAL PROGNOSTICATION

Some songs never grow old

"If I stand" by Rich Mullins

"There's more that rises in the morning
Than the sun
And more that shines in the night
Than just the moon
It's more than just this fire here
That keeps me warm
In a shelter that is larger
Than this room

And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegiance
I owe only to the Giver
Of all good things

So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home

There's more that dances on the prairies
Than the wind
More that pulses in the ocean
Than the tide
There's a love that is fiercer
Than the love between friends
More gentle than a mother's
When her baby's at her side

And there's a loyalty that's deeper
Than mere sentiments
And a music higher than the songs
That I can sing
The stuff of Earth competes
For the allegence
I owe only to the Giver
Of all good things

So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home

And if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home

And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72L-bDOozNY&feature=related

Contents under pressure

Recently my wife brought a few diet Pepsi in from the garage that were frozen on the inside. We learned the hard way why labels on cans often say "Contents under pressure." After a few short moments of extreme temperature change the can blew off the top and frozen diet Pepsi was all over our kitchen with some that even made it down the hall way. Thankfully, the half of a can that whizzed by my ear did no real damage except leaving behind a big mess to clean up.

After we cleaned up I thought about the pressure that most people feel with crazy schedules, difficult situations, and the stress of life and how a lot of people feel like "contents under pressure." When things get tough people explode emotionally and relationally.

When times get tough its easy for people to turn to other things and wrong things than turn to God when they feel pressure. When people drink too much, yell too much or go into a fit of anger they are actually trying to deal with or numb pain they are feeling. In times of difficulty it is easy to find comfort in the wrong things.

Thinking about this made me think about Jesus' promise concerning the Holy Spirit:

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;" (John 14:16 KJV)

I love that the Holy Spirit is called the "Comforter." It is a great picture of how God wants to help us in our lives if we will surrender to him. The Greek word for "Comforter" is the word "Paraclete" which literally means "one who comes alongside." I looked up 5 other translations to see how "Paraclete" is translated here is what I found:

NIV: Counselor
NASB: Helper
NLT: Advocate
The Message: Friend
Amplified: Intercessor, strengthener, stand by
Spanish: Consolador (Note the root word "console")

The Holy Spirit was sent to counsel us, to help us, to be our advocate, to be our closest friend, to be our strength, and to be our consoler. When we are under pressure we need to stop and surrender our emotions, our situations, people, whatever it is that is causing us to feel pressure and let him help. We are promised in Scripture:

"But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)...But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence)." (Galatians 5:16, 22-23 AMP)

Here is a great prayer to pray when you are under pressure:

God, teach me to be patient, teach me to go slow,

Teach me how to wait on You when my way I do not know.

Teach me sweet forbearance when things do not go right
So I remain unruffled when others grow uptight.

Teach me how to quiet my racing, rising heart
So I might hear the answer You are trying to impart.

Teach me to let go, dear God, and pray undisturbed until
My heart is filled with inner peace and I learn to know your will.

- written by Helen Steiner Rice

What to do when you fail?

Lord, are you trying to tell me something?

For:

Failure doesn't mean I'm a failure.
It does mean I haven't yet succeeded.

Failure doesn't mean I have accomplished nothing.
It does mean I have learned something.

Failure doesn't mean I have been a fool.
It does mean I had enough faith to experiment.

Failure doesn't mean I've been disgraced.
It does mean I dared to try.

Failure doesn't mean I don't have it.
It does mean I have to do something in a different way.

Failure doesn't mean I am inferior.
It does mean I am not perfect.

Failure doesn't mean I've wasted my life.
It does mean I have an excuse to start over again.

Failure doesn't mean I should give up.
It does mean I must try harder.

Failure doesn't mean I'll never make it.
It does mean I need more patience.

Failure doesn't mean you have abandoned me.
It does mean you must have a better idea!

Amen.

Playing to win rather than playing not to lose

I am a huge sports fan. I think sports offer great life lessons and there is much we can learn about life from sports themselves. Cliches about sports often end up being descriptions of real life situations. One of those cliches is "playing not to lose." Playing not to lose usually happens when a team is ahead by several points and the other team begins to comeback and score consecutive points.

Just the other day I was watching my beloved Colorado Buffaloes basketball team. They were ahead by seventeen points on the road at Baylor. To gain that lead the Buffs were playing loose and fast. They had a great game plan to win the game. They were taking it to Baylor's serious height advantage. Then something happened. Baylor scored a few baskets in a row and Colorado begin to take bad shots and turn the ball over. Next thing you know the Buffs were completely out of their game plan. They were panicking trying to conserve their lead. They begin to play not to lose rather than playing to win, they stopped playing the way that got them that seventeen point lead in the first place. They blew the game and lost.

Don't we often do the same thing in real life? We do it in our relationships, in our spiritual lives, in ministry, and on our jobs.

If we were to compare and contrast playing to win with playing not to lose we would have to start with the fact that playing to win always requires a level of risk and playing not to lose emphasizes conserving. Risk and and conserving are opposites. You can't risk and conserve at the same time. Risk by definition is the possibility of suffering harm or loss.

Another difference between the two is that playing to win requires boldness and playing not to lose oozes reluctance. Boldness is not carelessness but it is confidence and the ability to trust and move forward. It is faith in action whereas reluctance is motivated by fear. In particularly fear of loss. Risk and boldness are excited about the future, reluctance and fear spend a lot of energy on holding on to the past.

In my opinion the person who typifies playing not to lose in the Bible is Saul (1 Samuel 9-31). According to Scripture Saul was "an impressive man without equal and a head taller than any of the others" (1 Samuel 9:2). He had all the advantages a King could ask for yet he played not to lose all of his time as King. His focus was on himself and not losing his Kingdom. He was reluctant, indecisive, and filled with the fear of man. All of his decisions were stained with his desire to conserve what he had rather than be obedient to the Lord.

A character that is the complete opposite of Saul is Caleb (Numbers 13-14). Caleb typifies playing to win. Caleb was one of the spies who went into the land God had promised the Jews. The land was filled with all the great things God had told them but also had giants that intimidated the majority of the spies. In fact they were so intimidated that all but two refused to take God at his word and go into the land. Caleb was one of them that believed God would keep his word:

"Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Numbers 13:30 NIV)

God was pleased with Caleb's faith:

"But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it" (Numbers 14:24 NIV)
Playing to win pleases God: "...without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)

Is there a place in your life where you are playing not to lose rather than to win? Where are you walking in fear rather than faith? Reluctance rather than boldness? Conserving rather than risking?

The difficult part in following Jesus is that playing not to lose can be very costly:

"Then Jesus said to the disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life." (Matthew 16:24-25 NLT)

However, the reward for playing to win with him is great: "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven..." (Luke 6:23 NIV)

Paul prayed a prayer about playing to win for some early Christ followers. Would you pray it with me?

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light...With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Colossians 1:9-12, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)