Well, once again I get an opportunity to spend a week in NYC. I was so thoroughly impressed last year, I had to make a return engagement and hope to come back as often as I can. I couldn't see myself ever living here...but it is a really cool place to visit.
The NYPD guys I get to interact with are top notch people. They are real heroes in my book because no one should have to put up with the crap they deal with and see the human suffering they witness on a daily basis.
New York is really amazing when you are a small town bumpkin like me. It also has some gorgeous park areas that I had not imagined. But one of the best things about being here is working for some guys who really understand how to show appreciation for their people and take care of them.
Their style reminds me of a quote from Andrew Carnegie. "No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it." It is a stark contrast from what I am used to I guess. I imagine I am guilty myself of taking too much credit and having a fear of letting go of responsibilities to empower others to move forward. In my mind, the greatest leaders are not remembered in their own lifetime. They are elevated by the surpassing greatness of the people in whose lives they invested.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Motorcycles, Tattoos, and God
I was just surfing through the UD Riders Association site and among other really cool things on the site, I finally saw the link to our blog. Seeing the image of praying for our daily bread alongside motorcycle groups, police associations, and some of the great causes the Riders Association supports really made me think about a dream of mine (and God's too!)
It goes along with one of my favorite passages of scripture found in Luke 7. Jesus is eating with a religious leader and a prostitute comes up and begins weeping at his feet. She literally washes the Lord's feet with her tears and her hair. The indignant religious leader can't believe that Jesus would associate with such a person. Jesus replies simply that He didn't come to save those who think they have it all together and all figured out; he came to heal those who are hurting and feel lost at times.
You know, I feel lost at times. I don't fit in with the religious crowds that "have it all together" and play the neat little church game. I love motorcycles, my family, tattoos, rock 'n roll, and GOD! There are a whole bunch of people out there who couldn't possibly see how that all fits together but God does. If I ever pastor an actual church, I want long haired, tattoo covered, motorcycle riding, raw and genuine people in my congregation. People who can relate to the Big and Rich song (hey, I like a little country too!) that says, "somewhere between raising hell and amazing grace is the place that I keep finding myself."
I think three groups are naturally drawn to be followers of Christ: motorcycle riders (the real kind, not crotch-rocket guys who only care about going fast and are asphalt blood stains waiting to happen), our military members, and police officers. I know that these are groups who are typically viewed as tough and self'-sufficient, and that is probably the hardest thing about reaching these groups. In these circles, it is commonly viewed as weakness to use the "crutch" of faith. Most Christians are viewed as soft and unable to be as firm and assertive as needed to fit in these groups. But Jesus was no pansy. The man was a carpenter who worked hard. He made his own whip and drove the moneychangers out of the temple. He didn't let the religious leaders push Him around. And He willingly gave His life for each one of ours by enduring the worst form of death imaginable.
So, here is why I make this assertion, the people I mentioned, in general, get what the early church was all about. Rarely in other circles will you find such loyalty, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and willingness to put others ahead of themselves. If you read the book of Acts, it doesn't take long to figure out that God intends the church to be a place where people take care of one another and those around them who are in need. They believed in Jesus so deeply and were committed to spreading His message of hope to the point of giving up their own lives that others might hear of Christ's promise of salvation. I just see a natural fit. But then again, I see a church with its own tattoo parlor...
It goes along with one of my favorite passages of scripture found in Luke 7. Jesus is eating with a religious leader and a prostitute comes up and begins weeping at his feet. She literally washes the Lord's feet with her tears and her hair. The indignant religious leader can't believe that Jesus would associate with such a person. Jesus replies simply that He didn't come to save those who think they have it all together and all figured out; he came to heal those who are hurting and feel lost at times.
You know, I feel lost at times. I don't fit in with the religious crowds that "have it all together" and play the neat little church game. I love motorcycles, my family, tattoos, rock 'n roll, and GOD! There are a whole bunch of people out there who couldn't possibly see how that all fits together but God does. If I ever pastor an actual church, I want long haired, tattoo covered, motorcycle riding, raw and genuine people in my congregation. People who can relate to the Big and Rich song (hey, I like a little country too!) that says, "somewhere between raising hell and amazing grace is the place that I keep finding myself."
I think three groups are naturally drawn to be followers of Christ: motorcycle riders (the real kind, not crotch-rocket guys who only care about going fast and are asphalt blood stains waiting to happen), our military members, and police officers. I know that these are groups who are typically viewed as tough and self'-sufficient, and that is probably the hardest thing about reaching these groups. In these circles, it is commonly viewed as weakness to use the "crutch" of faith. Most Christians are viewed as soft and unable to be as firm and assertive as needed to fit in these groups. But Jesus was no pansy. The man was a carpenter who worked hard. He made his own whip and drove the moneychangers out of the temple. He didn't let the religious leaders push Him around. And He willingly gave His life for each one of ours by enduring the worst form of death imaginable.
So, here is why I make this assertion, the people I mentioned, in general, get what the early church was all about. Rarely in other circles will you find such loyalty, camaraderie, esprit de corps, and willingness to put others ahead of themselves. If you read the book of Acts, it doesn't take long to figure out that God intends the church to be a place where people take care of one another and those around them who are in need. They believed in Jesus so deeply and were committed to spreading His message of hope to the point of giving up their own lives that others might hear of Christ's promise of salvation. I just see a natural fit. But then again, I see a church with its own tattoo parlor...
Fight to Win Pt. 2
On Sept. 17, 1862 and at many other times throughout history we can see the sacrifice made by others for causes greater than themselves. We are all called to give of ourselves for the greatest cause known to man; the cause of Jesus Christ.
But let me share some more of the story of Antietam that parallels our mission to "fight to win";
Leading up to the battle, the Confederates had experienced a number of victories and moral on their side was high. Pres. Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee believed that a northern invasion would provide relief to the weary troops and the ravaged northern Virginia countryside. They hoped to gain more recruits from Maryland which they thought would sympathize with the South and they believed a decisive victory would force the North to seek a peace agreement. Northern moral was miserably low and hopes for a victory in the impending battle were nil. But on Sept. 9th the entire tone began to change. The Union army arrived in Frederick, MD at around midnight and one soldier records that thousands of people cheered their arrival. The people prepared them food and heaped encouragement on the soldiers. Suddenly, the refreshed soldiers took on a new countenance.
**Each of us has a gift that will refresh others; either a kind word or act or perhaps a note.
The reinvigorated Union soldiers pressed on from Frederick to Sharpsburg for one of the most important battles of the war. The Confederates held a tactical advantage-they held the high ground. Yet the North had a new life, a fresh zeal spurred by encouragement.
**We need to encourage one another constantly when the battle seems lost or the odds seem stacked against us. Believing in one another an having support certainly makes us fight harder.
The Union gained only a small measure of military victory when Robert E. Lee withdrew his army across the Potomac. However, it did allow Pres. Abraham Lincoln the leverage to issue one of the most important documents in American history. On Sept. 22nd, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
This paved the way for the end of slavery. Slavery is a common biblical metaphor for the hold of sin on people’s lives without the grace and forgiveness of Christ.
If we are going to fight to win, we must encourage and support one another; especially when the "cost" of serving Christ seems too great. We can not tire or falter in our quest because the proclamation of freedom through Jesus Christ is the emancipation from the grip of the enemy that our friends, our co-workers, our community, and our world so desperately needs to hear. God has given each one of us a special story, a unique part in this battle and now we must faithfully fulfill that mission.
"Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he's called you to be, pray that he'll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)
But let me share some more of the story of Antietam that parallels our mission to "fight to win";
Leading up to the battle, the Confederates had experienced a number of victories and moral on their side was high. Pres. Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee believed that a northern invasion would provide relief to the weary troops and the ravaged northern Virginia countryside. They hoped to gain more recruits from Maryland which they thought would sympathize with the South and they believed a decisive victory would force the North to seek a peace agreement. Northern moral was miserably low and hopes for a victory in the impending battle were nil. But on Sept. 9th the entire tone began to change. The Union army arrived in Frederick, MD at around midnight and one soldier records that thousands of people cheered their arrival. The people prepared them food and heaped encouragement on the soldiers. Suddenly, the refreshed soldiers took on a new countenance.
**Each of us has a gift that will refresh others; either a kind word or act or perhaps a note.
The reinvigorated Union soldiers pressed on from Frederick to Sharpsburg for one of the most important battles of the war. The Confederates held a tactical advantage-they held the high ground. Yet the North had a new life, a fresh zeal spurred by encouragement.
**We need to encourage one another constantly when the battle seems lost or the odds seem stacked against us. Believing in one another an having support certainly makes us fight harder.
The Union gained only a small measure of military victory when Robert E. Lee withdrew his army across the Potomac. However, it did allow Pres. Abraham Lincoln the leverage to issue one of the most important documents in American history. On Sept. 22nd, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
This paved the way for the end of slavery. Slavery is a common biblical metaphor for the hold of sin on people’s lives without the grace and forgiveness of Christ.
If we are going to fight to win, we must encourage and support one another; especially when the "cost" of serving Christ seems too great. We can not tire or falter in our quest because the proclamation of freedom through Jesus Christ is the emancipation from the grip of the enemy that our friends, our co-workers, our community, and our world so desperately needs to hear. God has given each one of us a special story, a unique part in this battle and now we must faithfully fulfill that mission.
"Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he's called you to be, pray that he'll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)
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