Archive for the ‘Living’ Category

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Where You Set Your Mind

February 3, 2012

The Spiritual Disciplines are things you can do to order your life so that you can center you life on God. On the other hand, you need to focus on God before and during your practice of a Spiritual Discipline.

I think often about attention–where you place your attention. When you are having a conversation with another person, where is your attention? Is it on what you’ll say? Or is it on what the person is saying? Are you trying to understand them?

It’s the same with God. My current study is the letter to the Romans. Paul says there, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”

Victor Frankl was a psychologist who survived the Nazi prison camps. As he survived himself and watched others either survive or succumb, he developed a practice around this idea, “You have one freedom–the freedom to choose your attitude toward your circumstances.” You can choose what to think about. I don’t mean the random thoughts that flash through your mind. I mean the thoughts you choose to dwell on.

Are you feeling down? You can choose to think about something that is helpful. You can choose to think upon the many blessings that you have. You may not change your circumstances, but you can choose the way you respond to them. This may sound superficial, but it is not. Trust me. This is serious business. I’ve done it. It can change your day, week, month, life.

Just so, when you decide to follow a Spiritual Discipline, you can choose your attitude. If your thoughts are on Jesus, then you’ll have one attitude. If your thoughts are more along the lines of “Oh, man, I gotta sit and pray again. Oh well, let’s get it over with,” then you will not receive the fruit.

Posted in Listening, Living | Leave a Comment »

Actively Seek God

January 16, 2012

Are you passive or active–in your worship, in your response to life?

So much Protestant worship is performance-oriented today. Singers perform, speakers perform. It’s like being a live TV audience or something. People sit passively, take it in and leave. Then during the week life happens to them. And then another Sunday and start over again.

Then there are people who are actively engaging with the service even if they are not one of the performers. Their mind and soul are tuned to the message and to God. And during the week, they actively seek out God in their daily lives and watch for opportunities to serve according to Jesus’ example.

Active or passive? It’s your choice.

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Can You Convince People to Change

January 12, 2012

Paul, the apostle, would visit a new town and immediately visit a local Jewish gathering. He would begin to explain their Scriptures in a new way. He would say that every interpretation you have been taught that has been handed down from teacher to student for hundreds of years (much longer than Europeans have been on North America) is wrong. And he would then try to teach them a new way to look at them.

It would be as if someone came to America and told Americans, “You know all those things you have been taught about the founding and purpose of America is wrong. Actually, ….” They’d be thrown out of the gathering.

No wonder Paul had such a difficult time of it. Some of his teaching undermined the credibility of Jewish leadership in the Temple. No wonder they wanted to kill him (after they killed Jesus, Stephen and others). Try to convince your boss she’s wrong! Take that thought up a few notches in intensity when you’re trying to completely change the structure of a religion. (Think, “Out, out, you Bishops.”)

Paul would win over some of the Jews to the new Way. But not that many, evidently. And he stirred up so much hatred in the establishment, that he wound up in prison–OK, sort of a gentleman’s prison, but still not free to go.

This shows the limits of using intellectual persuasion to convince someone to change. The growth of the church is really explained in the first few chapters of Acts–especially Acts 2. It was through the lives of those who had been changed. Kind of like that famous scene in the movie “When Harry Met Sally” where the two older women looked at Meg Ryan and told the waitress, “I want what she’s having.”

Take a lesson from Acts, then. It is through how you live that people will be open to coming to Jesus. Then you can explain why. And teach the background. And help them develop intellectually as well as spiritually. Just as your children learn more by watching you than listening, so your example by how you live teaches more than your words.

Posted in Leadership, Living | 1 Comment »

Establish Habits, Don’t Set Goals

January 6, 2012

It’s January 6. How are your New Years’ Resolutions going? I teach a fitness class at the local Y. The first two weeks of January always welcome many new students. By the first week of February, they are gone. Is that what happens to your resolutions?

I went through all the self-help guru teaching of the 80s and 90s (and they continue unto today, but I got off the train). Set a number of goals, write them, keep the list in a prominent place, trick your mind into thinking they’re good for you, willpower over joy, and so on.

There is another word that often goes with this idea–discipline. When I was in my late teens and early twenties, discipline was a “four-letter word” in my vocabulary. It’s the opposite of freedom, right? And as an American, I worshipped freedom. Good, except that chaos isn’t freedom. It’s, well, chaotic.

What I’ve discovered through the help of many wise people whom I’ve read is that it is better to consciously choose your habits. We all have habits, except that they are usually the path of least resistance. But we can look at our lives and decide what habits we need to change–one habit will help us lose weight and be more fit; another brings us closer to God; another brings us closer to important people in our lives.

I’m working on a new habit for my early morning routine. It’s mostly working so far, except that I haven’t squeezed in this writing part. But people who have trod this path say that it takes 30 days to establish a new habit (or pattern of living, if you will). They also suggest not working on more than one or two habits at a time.

Could I make a couple of suggestions? If you are concerned about weight and fitness, don’t set a goal of weighing X number of pounds by spring. Just see yourself as slim(mer) and fit. Then establish one habit this month. Maybe it’s eating at Subway rather than McDonalds for lunch. Maybe it’s walking for 30 minutes every day at a certain time. You get the idea. That will help your physical health–which is important.

For your spiritual health, establish a habit of being with God at a certain time every day. Maybe you read the Bible or a devotional book and pray, or read a passage and meditate. Whatever, establish the habit. Maybe the habit is attending a small group or church service because you need to be with others.

Pick a couple and try. Let me know how it works. gmintchell@woh.rr.com

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Preparation Through Repentance

December 12, 2011

When John used the image from Isaiah about preparing the way for the Lord, Luke says he was preaching the baptism of repentance. What he was telling people was that they needed to change the direction of their lives. In order to do that, first they must recognize that what they are doing is wrong. Then they must see the way to a new direction. Then they must do it.

So the people asked John, what must we do? And he said, “Whoever has two coats must share one with someone who has none. And likewise he who has food.” He continued on to say that tax collectors and soldiers must not abuse their power.

There is no mystery to our response. Other than the mystery of Jesus’ coming, our response is in the direction of our lives. Deciding whom we will follow. And what we will do.

This advent given the economy we’ve experienced and the huge number of people doing without, it seems a perfect time to practice John’s advice. Choose to give from your plenty to someone in need.

Or, if you are in need, let a Christ-follower know so that we who have the blessings of material things may know where to share.

Posted in Living, Service | Leave a Comment »

Awareness of Advent

December 7, 2011

I see some people and can tell right away that they are lost. It’s in their eyes and their posture. My heart goes out to them, for they don’t know where they are or where they’re going. In Christian circles, we talk of the lost meaning those who have no spiritual relationship with Jesus. But what I’m talking about is an orientation to living each day. I can imagine even Christians–those who have “accepted Christ into their hearts” as the saying goes–still not sure about where they are going or what they should be doing next.

There was a man I saw yesterday when I took a break from my writing to take a short walk. He was lost. Obviously. He had an address, but it was evidently wrong. He couldn’t find it. He stopped his van, rolled down the window and asked me where a certain street was in the neighborhood. I told him. He said, “I’ve been there, but the house number I have is not there.” So, he was just driving around at random. After we talked for a minute or so, he said, “Maybe I’ll just call them and ask for directions.” Hmm. Awareness is the beginning of finding direction.

It works in life more generally, too. Perhaps we say that we’re with Jesus. Maybe we’re in a church. But we are still drifting. We don’t know what to do next. It’s Advent right now. There are signs of Christmas all around, but they just blur into the background–sort of like music they play in stores.

The first step in getting out of this lostness is to become aware of who we are and what we need. We become aware that preparations are being made to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Then we need directions to get to the source. Well, we’ve been given those directions. If we first become aware–that is, we wake up–then we can pick up a Bible and begin to read. We can devote a few minutes each morning to meditation and prayer. As we begin to practice a discipline, we begin to learn and understand.

But first comes awareness. We have to wake up. Become aware of the possibility of living with God.

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In Him You Live

November 21, 2011

As Paul addressed the Athenians, he quoted a Greek poet, “In Him we live and move and have our being.” This was part of his talk proving God and Jesus to a different audience than his usual one. So he started with God as the “unknown” god to whom the Athenians had erected a statue just to make sure they didn’t forget anyone.  Then God as the creator. Then humans as creation whose life purpose is to search for God.

So, upon finding God, what do we do? Well, we “live, move and have our being” in God. I think if you are going to contemplate upon any teaching this week, this is as good as any you will come up with. Think about what it means to live in God. Or–maybe like I’m doing right now–think of the times last week when I wasn’t living in God. I let my own problems and emotions come out rather than stopping, reflecting and letting my being rest in God. I’d act much differently.

Or–for as much as I know and as much as I practice, you’d think I’d be a much better person.

Speaking of practice, among the talks I listened to on my 8-hour flight to Germany yesterday was one by John Ortberg. He pointed out that we don’t need willpower to break a bad habit. We need a new habit. He’s right. Willp0wer will get you nowhere. You can develop a new habit, though, by deciding to do one thing and then do it for 30 days. By the end of 30 days, it should be a habit. In other words, you can choose your habits. If you are not living in God as well as you’d like to, then choose a habit to inculcate–perhaps reading the Bible for 15 minutes every morning, or praying three times a day methodically, or meditating 15 minutes every morning–and then do it. Your life will be changed.

Posted in Living, Relationship | Leave a Comment »

Your Life’s Purpose

November 16, 2011

When the brothers thought Paul too divisive for the situation in Berea, they shipped him off to Athens to wait for his partners while they consolidated the teaching. Athens was a place where people loved to debate ideas. I don’t think they believed in much, but they loved to sit around and discuss.

One day they asked Paul to talk. Now, the exclusive formula for sermons up until that point was to argue from the Hebrew Scriptures about the coming Messiah, what the Messiah will do, how he’ll act, and by the way, a certain Jesus came to Judea and not only fulfilled the Scriptural vision of a Messiah, he was resurrected from death.

In front of the Athenians, this argument would not work. So, Paul argued from the point of view of Greek philosophy including quoting from Greek poets. So he started with God as the creator and humans as the central point of creation. Then he says something we should ponder. “…so that they would search for God, and perhaps grope for Him and find him….”

Have you ever thought about your purpose? Or, have you had something driving you for your entire life that you just can’t figure out? Maybe you have devoted your life to finding God.

That very human urge is what drove me to begin meditating over 40 years ago. When you stop your thoughts and actions and focus on God, you will find Him. It may not be quickly. And you may slide back into wondering where He went. But you will. And that is your life’s purpose.

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The Curse of Silence

November 11, 2011

Two major universities who are perhaps know more for football than academics among the general public are suffering through scandals right now. Each quickly (when the news became public) dumped successful football coaches–you know, those guys who bring millions of dollars into the institution.

Of course, I’m talking about Jim Tressel at Ohio State and Joe Paterno at Penn State. Both respected individuals until the scandals became public. Interestingly, it wasn’t what they did (although supervision of those under them was perhaps lacking), but it was what they didn’t do. They didn’t speak up when they saw or heard about wrong-doing. They chose to remain silent. They chose not to blemish their institutions and perhaps themselves publicly.

I imagine it was much the same in the Catholic Church where we’ve learned about many abuses and the fact that those in charge at some level chose to keep quiet.

Sometimes, in interpersonal relationships, it is better to maintain silence rather than hurt someone. But when the cases involve doing wrong, abusive or illegal things, silence is not golden. Jesus did not maintain silence confronting the religious leaders who were not following the path of God.

When another Christ-follower is off the path, we need not maintain silence but should gently correct them. But if the issue is serious, we should also tell authorities such that illegal activities are not condoned.

As we can see from these examples, maintaining silence only works in the short term. News eventually breaks out and then you are seen for what you are.

Posted in Ethics, Living | Leave a Comment »

Ethics or Do the Evil Ones Win

November 10, 2011

I recently heard a message on Psalm 73 and the story of Asaph. He was looking around at the people in his region and thought to himself something to the effect of, “I’ve been a loyal God-follower all my life, yet I look at those around me who lie, cheat and steal and who seem to prosper. What gives?”

We look around and see the same thing. There is a little of that attitude (don’t know about the God-follower thing) in the current Occupy movement sweeping the country. People are seeing those at the top of the wealth charts prospering, avoiding jail when caught, and seemingly having it all while sticking it to the little guy.

Asaph was worshiping God at his version of church when God spoke to him and told him that he was in God’s care for eternity, while those outside of God were destined to a lonely eternity without God. He changed his attitude.

We see things and wonder if ethics matter. I was preparing this message yesterday when I ran out of time and had to get to a meeting. So today at 6 am Nashville time, I’m at the airport waiting for my flight home. Listening to the eternal drone of CNN airport news, I heard the conclusion of the Joe Paterno case. Here is a well respected, successful college football coach with something like a 67 year career who just went down in flames. He “didn’t remember” that he was told about sexual abuse by one of his staff. He told an administrator but didn’t take further action or notify police. So he was just fired in the middle of the season. A tremendous blemish on what was a great public reputation.

Then I hear a candidate for President of the United States who evidently had some sort of sexual problem (amazing how sex seems to drive people to scandal). It was enough that several people were paid off. When confronted with the reports of his actions by his old accusers, he says “I don’t remember.” Don’t know what he really did, but this “I don’t remember” thing is obviously designed to circumvent facing up to the situation.

Do you have an “I don’t remember” past? You can deal with it with God. Do you see others prospering when they have some of those “I don’t remember” incidents? If you are with God, that’s all that matters. You’ll be with God in eternity. The others? Well, chances are they won’t.

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