Left Hand, Right Hand, Twitter & Facebook

Recently, I took a break from posting "status updates" to Twitter, aka "tweeting."  As the vast majority of any posts I make to Facebook are through my linked Twitter account, this also meant I was taking a break from posting "status updates" there too.

This came about as a personal response to my studying/teaching/preaching through Jesus' Sermon On The Mount, specifically, Matthew 6:1-6.

Jesus says, "Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired..."  He doesn't say don't do public good deeds, and He doesn't say don't allow anyone to admire you.  It's a matter of the heart.  What do I truly value?  What are my true motives? 

Continuing, Jesus says, "don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing."  This is a reference to one's closest friends.  The "right hand" is your confidant, or closest friend.  The "left hand" is the one who covers your weak spot.  Today we would say these are your "right hand man" and the one who "has your back."  In context, Jesus is saying don't even show off to your closest friends.

So, I responded by taking one full week, and every time I thought "that would make a great tweet," I asked myself, "what is my heart motive here... why do I want to put this out there?" Often, my answer was to encourage someone, anyone... to communicate information through the current most relevant tools... and to put a smile on someone, anyone's face.  A few times, though, my honest answer was to gain/keep approval of others... to prove myself by what I can produce... to impress... and to feel good/better about myself. 

Regardless of how I answered the question that week, I didn't "update my status."

This opened my eyes to just how much social networking sites feed my tendency to think/feel that it's all about me.  I realized that when I read the "status updates" of others, I had the tendency to feel like what they posted had something to do with me.  I had somehow bought into the lie that I am a star and I need to shine, and in all honesty, my social networking habits were beginning to be less about encouraging others, communicating information, and making people smile... and more about what others thought and felt about me.

I've come to grips that there will always be those who question the motives of pastors.  So much so that I realize that by blogging this, someone somewhere may take offense and imply that I'm being arrogant by admitting social networking feeds the ego... and it is not spiritually nor emotionally nutritious.  I will continue to use this media, because it is an amazing tool... when it is used as a tool, and not a drug... but I am checking myself constantly now, because I don't want your approval (btw, I'm not asking for your disapproval either) and my self-worth is not based on anything other than the love that Jesus Christ has for me and is placing within me.

This weekend, I learned "The Big Lie":  my performance + your approval = my self-worth.

My self-worth is based on who I am in Christ, and nothing else.  I'm working on it. (Now, that would make a great tweet!)

Are You Ready For Parenthood?

I promise more "real" blog entries are coming.  I just had to share this 100% right-on parenting funny from Mikey's Funnies:

ARE YOU READY FOR PARENTHOOD?

A brief battery of tests for prospective parents

MESS TEST: Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Now dig with your hands in the wet flower bed and rub on the walls. Cover the stains with crayons. Place a fish stick behind the couch and leave it there all summer.

TOY TEST: Obtain a 55-gallon box of Legos. (If Legos are not available, you may substitute roofing tacks or broken bottles.) Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream, as this could wake a child at night.

GROCERY STORE TEST: Borrow at least two small animals (goats are best). Take them with you as you shop at the grocery store. Always keep them in sight and pay for anything they eat or damage.

DRESSING TEST: Obtain one large, unhappy, live octopus. Stuff it into a small bag into which you have cut a neck hole and eight arm holes, making sure that the head of the octopus and each arm emerges from the correct opening.

NIGHT TEST: Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and filling it with 8 to 12 pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 8 pm begin to waltz and hum with the bag. Do this until 9 pm. Lay down the bag and set your alarm for 10:00 pm. Get up, pick up your bag, and sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more and sing them until 4:00 am. Set alarm for 5:00 am. Get up and make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.

PHYSICAL TEST (WOMEN): Obtain a large bean-bag chair and attach it to the front of your clothes. Leave it there for 9 months. Now remove 10% of the beans.

PHYSICAL TEST (MEN): Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store. Go to the customer service counter and arrange for your paycheck to be directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home and read it quietly for the last time.

FINAL ASSIGNMENT: Find a couple who already has a small child. Lecture them on how they can improve their child's discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet training, and table manners. Suggest many things they can improve as well. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their children to run riot. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last time you'll have all the answers.

P.E.A.C.E.F.U.L. Revolution

I'm continuing to prepare my heart for jumping into Matthew 6, all-in, with Oaklawn Church of God tomorrow.  Over 6 months ago, I began to read, study, and process Jesus' Sermon On the Mount in preparation of teaching from His words.  Through this time, God has led me to 8 specific principles that I have personally been working on...

...and in all honesty, I realize how much work I have yet to do.  What I mean is, this weekend I'm preaching from Matthew 6:1-4, and my toes are a smashed/mangled mess.  The weird thing about this is - I am PUMPED about having my toes stepped on!  I sense the genesis of a new season of fresh awakening, and I am breathing the fresh air of renewal!  Have you had the sensation of the clouds being lifted, and you had never realized they were there?

Here are the 8 principles that I believe combine to create, sustain, and share the inner-peace that Jesus Messiah brings.  These are not "pick-and-choose."  One must discover & employ them all as a whole.  Join us for The Gathering, every Sunday at 10:30 AM, as the rEVOLution continues!

Private Practice
Engaging God
Applying Grace
Centered Fasting
Expressing Your Heart
Focused Eyes
Undone Worship
Living Today

15 Excercises We'd Be Better Off Without in 2012

Got this in my daily email from Mikey's Funnies and thought I would share it here:

15 EXERCISES WE'D BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT IN 2012...

~ Jumping on the bandwagon       

~ Wading through paperwork

~ Running around in circles       

~ Pushing your luck

~ Spinning your wheels           

~ Adding fuel to the fire

~ Beating your head against the wall   

~ Climbing the walls

~ Beating your own drum           

~ Dragging your heels

~ Jumping to conclusions           

~ Grasping at straws

~ Fishing for compliments           

~ Throwing your weight around

~ Passing the buck

Still a Freak

Last year, I wrote this on my "New Year" blog entry:

"I am on the lookout for those who would join me in proclaiming 2011 as the Year of the Jesus Freaks!  I'm looking for those who will say it with words and actions.  I'm not looking for coasting-christians, who just say a few good words and donate a few bucks when the time comes - those are EASY to find.... I actually know where a bunch of those are already.  No no, I'm looking for what has essentially been missing from the core of the American church - a PASSION for the Messiah, a DEVOTION to God, and those who are ARDENT-ENTHUSIASTS for Grace and Peace!  I am not proposing any kind of "anti-" campaign, or calling people to take a stand against... I'm saying, live FOR God OUT-LOUD, and show love FOR people, even those you don't agree with or even like.  It's time we FOCUS on God and what His Way is truly all about!"

This year I'm proceeding with focus and intent on being that Jesus Freak - with a PASSION for Jesus, a DEVOTION to God, and an ARDENT-ENTHUSIAST for sharing the grace & peace of our LORD, Jesus Messiah.  I'm looking to reach those who are far from God and getting them hooked-up with Him.  Jesus is LORD.  I am an apprentice.  He is I-AM.  I am not.  People don't need Steve; people need Jesus, so all I want to do is introduce them. 

  

This year, I'm not looking for anyone to join me... but would love it if you did, and help others join the Kingdom of Hope.

 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve : whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living ; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. - Joshua 24:15(NASB)

Personal Growth with Intent & Focus (New Year's Eve)

2011 was an amazing year, and I'm looking forward to a 2012 that is even more so!  Making New Year's Resolutions isn't something I usually do, but this year I'm feeling an inner drive for increased intent and focus  in my life.  I've taken some time today to think about personal growth, and have come up with some goals that I resolve to experience in the coming year. 

I am a teacher/preacher.  This is who I am, and also happens to be my job.  Predominantly, these goals are to promote growth in this area.  These goals are also to boost or sustain my spiritual, mental, psychological, relational, and physical health.  Much of this I'm already doing on some level, but now do so with fresh intent and focus.  So, in 2012 I'm resolving to achieve these goals...

* carry my journal everywhere and write something in it every day (great ideas will NOT get away this year).
* post an entry to my blog at least once a week (likely thoughts I've journaled).
* read one book of fiction each month (I read 2-3 books per month, but very rarely read fiction; I'm seeking to rediscover the beauty of story-telling).
* listen to at least one sermon a week from various pastors (I do this often, but not with regularity).
* purchase & listen to one CD a month by an artist I wouldn't normally buy, based on recommendations of friends (so, I need suggestions for January; anyone?)
* write a study book or curriculum (I've written several over the past few years; I want to get something published)
* study in depth the letter, Revelation, and teach on it (I've studied and taught on Revelation in the past, but I'm being led to a fresh look at it).
* reach my goal of 34 lbs lost (already lost 21 lbs since 9-11-11).
* swim in the ocean (no list of mine would be complete without this on it).

What resolutions or goals do you have for personal growth in 2012?

Tears of Joy!

We forget far too often how far a simple word of encouragement can go.  I truly believe I have the best job in the world... and one of the most difficult.  There are many reasons for this, and I'll not innumerate them here, but a part of it is this: being a Pastor of a Christian church in the 21st Century Western context is designed to be a very lonely vocation.  While I take measures regularly to combat this, there still are seasons that make you wonder, "Does this even matter?" 

Today, I received a note in the mail (to my house, not the office) from a super-sweet lady from my congregation.  Here is a little bit of why I am so encouraged and blessed today:

Dear Pastor Steve & Shelly,
I just want ya'll to know how much I enjoyed the Christ Birthday Celebration Sunday morning.  I am 85 yrs. and it was the most touching, so beautiful of a service I can ever remember.  I so wished all my family (4 sons & wives, 11 grandchildren and 25 great-grands) had been there.  My oldest son... was and has been coming with Bible for a long time now. Praise the Lord!  Also, his daughter... (my oldest grandchild) and her daughter... She and I teared up through most of it (Tears of Joy!)

 

What a great after-Christmas gift!