Can You Relate?

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

-- Ecclesiastes 4:12

You know who they are.

Maybe they’re a co-worker, neighbor or even your uncle. They’re the ones who always seem to know who to call for impossible situations. Like the time you needed a pair of concert tickets or a decent plumber to fix a broken pipe late on a Sunday night. He (or she) always comes through for you. You won’t soon forget that super mechanic he recommended. And how about that Nintendo Wii he found for your child last year – just when you were sure that all the stores had sold out?

No doubt it’s wise to keep these special folks high on your Christmas card list. They’re the people who know someone who knows someone. Simply put, they have connections.

And so do we as Christ-followers. That’s because ours is a faith that embraces relationship over religion. Specifically, there’s the ultimate parent/child relationship between us and God. It’s a bond only made possible through Jesus’ death on the cross – a punishment that we all rightly deserve for our lifetimes stained by personal failures and shortcomings (collectively known as “sin”). But since we’re connected with the right Person (Jesus), He’s already paid the price to save us from this certain death. Christ has fixed us up so well in fact that we’re now literally heirs to His Father’s Kingdom.

(Talk about connections!)

That’s the primary relationship we enjoy as Christ-followers. But God also wants us to take pleasure in close relationships with travelers on the same faith journey. That means gathering with fellow believers on Sunday mornings to worship, celebrate and praise Him. And then there are those other important occasions like weekly Small Group meetings. They’re friendly, informal get-togethers where Christ-followers and seekers come together to pray, play, learn, laugh and grow. Think of Small Groups as friends in faith that “do church” together in homes throughout our community.

So how are your relationships these days? Do you know someone who knows someone? Are you really connected?

You need to be because Christ-followers weren’t made to go it alone. After all, life is full of breaks, bruises and impossible situations that need fixing. We know we can’t do it ourselves. Which is why it’s so good to know that through Jesus, we don’t have to.

Training Camp

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

-- 1 Corinthians 9:25

There’s something strangely appealing about rooting for the underdog. So maybe that helps to explain the lasting popularity of Rocky and its many sequels.

If you’re one of the dozen or so people in America who have never seen this modern-day cinema masterpiece, Rocky is essentially the Old Testament story of David and Goliath set in run-down 1970s Philadelphia. Rocky Balboa is a washed-up, down-on-his-luck boxer who gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fight the reigning heavyweight champion of the world named Apollo Creed. The match is simply a stunt dreamed up by Creed’s public relations machine, and no one gives Rocky (played by Sylvester Stallone) much chance of surviving the fight’s early rounds.

No one takes the match seriously. Except for Rocky. And as he begins to prepare and reaches milestone after milestone, even his skeptical girlfriend, co-worker and trainer begin to believe there might be at least a glimmer of hope.

Rather than the dramatic – but somewhat unrealistic – fight scene, the footage of Rocky’s unorthodox training regimen is arguably the best part of the movie. We see the blue collar boxer working out in the local meat processing plant, strengthening his body by drinking (yeech!) a raw egg breakfast cocktail and then building his endurance by jogging through the mean streets of Philadelphia. The sequence ends triumphantly as Rocky races up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, raises his arms in victory and surveys his beloved City of Brotherly Love.

At first glance, good’s ability to triumph over evil is Rocky’s lesson for movie-lovers. But the less obvious New Testament message is the value of training and discipline in our lives. As Christ-followers, we need to develop and use the gifts and talents that God has given us to make a positive difference in our community and world. For instance, we’re called to explain the basis of our faith to anyone who asks us. But how can we answer questions from a neighbor or co-worker if we don’t set aside time each day to read and study the Bible and know what we’re talking about? This type of spiritual training is also a great way to grow closer to God by develop the ability to listen for His voice. And in turn, it helps us to discern right from wrong when faced by those modern day scenarios that are so rarely black or white.

Rocky Balboa’s chilly, early morning jogs through Philadelphia’s rugged streets also remind us about the critical need for endurance in our spiritual journey. The road we travel as Christ-followers is anything but straight and easy. As Jesus advises, “Enter through the narrow gate. The gate is wide and the road is wide that leads to hell, and many people enter through that gate. But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road.”

Rocky is much more than a classic underdog tale: it also conveys a key biblical principle. It was the blue collar boxer’s steadfast adherence to a grueling diet and training regimen that helped him become a great champion. Likewise, it takes focused training, discipline and endurance for Christ-followers to become the great faith-driven people God envisions us to be.

Love Languages

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

-- Isaiah 40:11

What’s your love language?

According to relationship expert and counselor Gary Chapman, husbands and wives show their love for one another in distinct ways. Some show it through words of affirmation or acts of service while others speak it through physical touch or quality time. And not surprisingly, another popular marital love language involves giving or receiving gifts.

We learn through the Bible that God also shows His love in several different ways. Think about the famous story of the Prodigal Son, where the loving father welcomes back his wayward – and totally undeserving – child with open arms. Or what about the shepherd who searches tirelessly for a single missing sheep? When he finally finds it, he returns it triumphantly to the rest of the flock.

Jesus also paints this remarkable word-portrait of love, which the agrarian people of His day would have recognized immediately:

“I am the good shepherd,” Christ tells us in the Gospel of John. “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Jesus also told His disciples about the man who sells all his possessions to buy a field. But not just any ordinary field, but one holding buried treasure. The cost to buy the land was staggering, but the man does whatever it takes to gain the prize.

And that’s how God loves us. He’ll go to any lengths to bring you and me into His family. Perhaps the most famous passage in the New Testament (John 3:16) tells us that God loves the world so much that He gave His only Son (Jesus) so that those who believe in Him will have eternal life. God willingly let Jesus suffer and die to pay for all our wrongdoings -- past, present and future. We rightfully deserve death because of how we’ve lived our lives. But God’s love offers us joy and happiness if we’re only willing to accept it. By living on Earth among everyday people and then dying for our sins, Jesus has already paid the ultimate price.

Yes, the limits of human vocabularies keep us from fully describing the meaning and implications of how God cherishes His children. We can only skim the surface of this deep and vast ocean. But maybe it’s really not that difficult. After all, it takes only three simple words from the Book of 1 John to sum up the Creator’s love language:

God is Love.

Show Me the Way

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

-- Matthew 7:13

It was a tragic story that dominated the news and perpetrated the legend of the Kennedy family curse. What the world wanted to know was what caused the 1999 plane crash that killed John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife and sister-in-law.

Conspiracy theorists pointed to political operatives who would stop at nothing to keep Kennedy from entering national politics and upsetting the 2000 presidential election. So-called “witnesses” even claimed to see his Piper Saratoga explode in mid-air. But for many others, the tragedy is simply that: a tragic accident. They point to the young pilot’s relative inexperience with instruments-only flying procedures. The weather was supposedly hazy and visibility less-than-ideal. The answer – they claim – is that JFK, Jr. became disoriented during the flight and failed to trust his instruments. He instead decided to trust his instincts and literally flew his airplane into the ocean.

Whether or not this scenario is accurate, it is plausible. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, Kennedy lost control after his plane made a series of rapid turns and altitude changes as it approached the airport. Veteran flight instructor Ernie Carnahan says this disturbing aerial activity is commonly known as a graveyard spiral.

Did JFK, Jr.’s self-reliance and refusal to believe the truth (his instruments) result in disaster? If so, he wasn’t a trendsetter. As King Solomon observed centuries ago in Proverbs, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

That’s true for physical death. But it’s also the case for spiritual death; a stern warning that Jesus reiterated to His followers and enemies alike. He understood 1st Century ideas about faith and spirituality, and how in many ways they would never change. The Roman Empire that governed Biblical Israel was one of multiculturalism. Although the Jews worshipped the true God, the Romans and other peoples worshipped multiple false, manmade deities. But if they were willing to worship Caesar as Lord, all was good and tolerated.

Modern society continues to embrace a multiculturalism and political correctness that declares no faith to be better than any others. Christianity, Islam, Hindu, Buddhism; it makes no difference – particularly if you’re sincere in your faith. Those who stand for Biblical principles are denounced as naïve, bigots and intolerant. Today in Canada, Holland and other nations, those who denounce the evils of Islam are brought up to special commissions for questioning and prosecution. The United Nations even seeks to adopt binding legislation against blasphemy… and certainly not to protect Jesus’ good name!

Jesus – who was at the foundation of the world – knew that man’s self-reliance and understanding concerning faith and salvation meant destruction, death and separation from Him. To this, he answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

An outrageous and intolerant claim? Only to those who refuse to believe in Him. But to those who follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior, His stunning declaration is a simple roadmap that shows the only trustworthy pathway to truth and eternal life.

Follow the Leader

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:21

Early followers of Jesus were called “Little Christs” because their newfound faith had changed their lives for all to see. This odd group of people from all walks of life – rich and poor, male and female and slave and free -- were utterly different from the rest of society. They somehow had grown more caring and generous to both neighbors and strangers alike, and they willingly sacrificed their time and resources to ease sorrow and correct injustices.

In a word, they were transformed.

And that says a lot for the effectiveness of their leader, an obscure rabbi from a distant corner of the Roman Empire who just happened to be God’s own Son. Few recognized that at the time. But because some did and followed Jesus, millions in future generations would help to change the world for the better.

Modern-day Christ-followers must too be leaders by imitating Jesus’ actions and principles. It’s this very strategy that His first disciples used to guide their very lives. They recognized that Jesus the Leader was also Jesus the Follower. Christ spoke constantly with His Father (God) in prayer and always sought His guidance. “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing,” explained Jesus, “because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

What were some of the other attributes that made Jesus (and can make us) an effective leader? In addition to inspiring His followers to leave behind their old ways for a higher calling, Jesus challenged the status quo. For instance, he defied the day’s spiritual leaders by exposing their religious hypocrisy and revealing God’s true intent behind the Scriptures. Jesus also encouraged His followers and enabled the to succeed in their objectives.

Let’s not forget that He also acted with a sense of urgency. From the foundation of the world, Jesus knew that He had only about three years to save the world. It was in this brief period that He preached God’s word, healed the sick, raised the dead and forgave all those who asked Him. He even asked God to forgive His own executioners because they didn’t realize what they were doing.

As the saying goes, who knows what tomorrow brings? Whether we have three years to live or 33, ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit – that personal, loving Power that will guide you to follow Jesus the rest of your days. And as a faithful follower who seeks to do His will, He’ll follow the same pattern as in ages past and transform you into a leader – and one who leads intentionally.

All You Need is Love

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

-- Mark 12:30-32

Maybe you’ve heard the story behind the song. It was June 25, 1967: the day popular music merged with high technology to forever change the world.

The Beatles – hailed by many critics as the greatest rock group in history – gathered in a crowded studio to play before a worldwide television audience estimated at more than 400 million viewers. That’s an impressive number even today. But it was even more amazing 40 years ago because it was made possible by the first satellite broadcast of its kind to link five continents.

All You Need is Love was the unforgettable anthem that the Beatles performed that afternoon. And it was an appropriate choice considering the sought-after notions of love and peace among a world weary of wars, riots and assassinations. But as the decades passed, many would criticize the Beatles’ message as naïve and a bit corny. The music was still great, but the lyrics were lame at best. After all, what good is love for changing a hurting world?



The Beatles surely didn’t write All You Need is Love to convey a Christian message. But in a sense, perhaps that’s just what they did. A famous passage from the Book of Matthew puts this into perspective. When asked by one of the Pharisees – a strict religious sect – to name the greatest of God’s laws, Jesus astounded his audience by the simplicity and clarity of his response.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment,” Jesus answered. “And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

So in just a few brief sentences, Jesus summarized the core message of the entire Old Testament – that God’s love, translated into beneficial motivations and actions through our faith in Jesus Christ, is indeed an unstoppable, world-changing force. And as the Apostle John later wrote, “…God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

This is a difficult concept for many people because they equate the term “love” with that squishy word associated with weddings, chocolates and Valentines Day. But Jesus wasn’t teaching His followers about that often fleeting, awkward emotion. As Christ-followers, God calls us to put our love into sincere, tangible action. And this can come in many widely divergent forms: from helping an elderly neighbor get their groceries to revealing God’s light to total strangers through a prison ministry. It could also translate into changing a co-worker’s life by showing him or her how Jesus has changed your own. The possibilities and potential are endless.

So is love all we really need? It was, according to the Beatles more than 40 years ago. But much more importantly, it is according to Jesus today. Love is to be the motivation of every Christ-follower. It’s what we do. And it’s also who we are.

Living Passionately

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come
that they may have life, and have it to the full.

-- John 10:10

It’s said that if you find a job that lets you do what you love, you’ll never work another day in your life.

That’s a good observation when it comes to career planning. But it’s also true when it comes to life in general. And Jesus agrees. In fact, we read in the Bible that He came to give us life, and to give it abundantly. This shows that God doesn’t want us to live each day just by going through the motions in a dull, meaningless existence. But how many of us do just that? Too often, it seems like life is just about getting up, fighting commuter traffic, spending eight or more hours on the job, eating dinner and then going to bed. One day fades into the next, month after month and year after year. And then the day finally comes when we look back at our lives and wonder what happened.

What’s the answer? The first thing is to grasp and accept the fact that our time on this planet is limited. That’s true whether you’re in your 20s or 90s. One day, God will call you home. So since our deaths are inevitable, don’t let that day come with regrets about what could have been.

Instead, live each day passionately.

That’s quite a mind-boggling concept. One way to start is by living like you actually know the day and the hour of your passing. This will reveal your true priorities and spotlight the people, causes and activities that mean the most in your life. They’re your passions.

But one or two disclaimers: Before pursuing any particular passion, be sure that it’s God-honoring. And what invigorates you also needs to last into eternity. For instance, Jesus’ passion was always to do God’s will. Jesus even went so far as to explain that His words weren’t His own, but were His Father’s. He also explained His actions by remarking that He did only what He saw His Father doing.

“Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?” Jesus asked. “The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”

Discovering your life’s passion might be obvious for some people but elusive for others. Ask God to reveal His will for you in this critical area of your life. And once He has, pursue it whole-heartedly in the time He’s given you. And then let that passion become contagious – so much so that those who aren’t Christ-followers will ask what (or really Who) drives you.

Are you living a passionate life – one that’s God-honoring and abundant? If not, don’t let could have become should have. Your some day is right now.