The Parable of the Sower (the sequel)

A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

And then a very strange thing happened.

The rocky ground began to make noise. The large stones and the small pebbles began to cry out to the sower. "You haven't given us enough time!" they said. If only you would put more dark soil around us, our seeds would grow. So the sower went to the store and purchased more soil and placed it around the rocks. Again the seeds immediately sprang up, but it still had no depth of soil, and when the sun rose they were scorched again.

And then another strange thing happened.

The thorns began to make noise. "It's not our fault that the seeds didn't grow" they said. "You planted the wrong kind of seed. The old sower used a 'thorn-friendly' seed, and it grew just fine here." The sower sighed, the thorns continued, "If you'd just plant seed that worked with us, we'd give you a great crop!" So the sower went back to the store and purchased "thorn-friendly" seeds and sowed them among the thorns. But when the seeds began to grow, the thorns grew up and choked them again.

And then the sower realized, he had no more time to tend to the good soil. And the field was lost.

Your Future Probably Won't Be the Way You Imagine It

This morning I was reading about Elijah and the widow at Zarephath. The basics of the story go like this:

• A great famine has spread across Israel
• God sends Elijah to Zarephath because he's prepared a widow to feed him
• The widow is down to her last food supplies, she's going to cook one more meal for herself and her son, then they plan to die
• Elijah tells her to cook the meal for him instead
• She does. God miraculously keeps her food supply from running out until the famine is over.

What I like particularly in this story is the initial interaction between Elijah and the widow. When he asks her to provide him with a meal, she replies, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple sticks that I may go in and prepare it for my myself and my son, that we may eat it and die."

She's very matter-of-fact. "We're going to eat this last meal. And then we're going to starve to death." She's accepted the inevitable. She's come to grips with how this story is going to end. She's lost all hope.

But Elijah suggests that the story may not quite be over. He says, "The jar of flour shall not be spent and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth." In other words, he tells her that the story isn't going to end the way she thinks it is. God's agenda is different than hers.

As I mulled this story over this morning, I jotted down (yes, I jotted) four thoughts about God's agenda often being different than mine:

1. God always does that which will bring glory to Himself.
2. In bringing glory to Himself, God always does what is best for us and what will meet our needs.
3. God often works out His agenda in ways we might not expect.
4. God usually works out His agenda in timing we would not choose.

The story almost never ends the way we think it is going to. While we may not always have a Zarephath kind of moment (sometimes God's timing is vastly different than ours), we can rest and be comforted that whatever God is doing in the moment is intricately connected to what He will be doing in 5 weeks, 5 months, 5 years, even 5 decades.

Our hope is not in the expectation that we will get what we want in this moment, but rather our hope is that we will receive all that we need both now and in the days to come, but especially when our adoption is made complete at the end of time.

What is Your Idol?

I'm convinced that we're all idolaters.

The last verse of 1 John says, "Little children, keep yourself from idols." This seems to be a strange way to end a letter that didn't really address idolatry at all.

My opinion is that John realized how easily and quickly idolatry can creep into our lives and our churches. I don't think he was terribly concerned about the Christians turning to worship of Baal or Ra or Dagon. I don't think he was concerned about them carving fish-like ducks out of wood and then bowing down to them. I think he was concerned with the subtle, every-day idols that sneak into our lives and take our priorities away from God.

A survey of the entire letter reveals at least these ten idols that we need to keep ourselves from:

1. The idol of walking in darkness (keeping our sin hidden rather than confessing it).
2. The idol of false security (basing our salvation on a prayer rather than faith).
3. The idol of disobedience.
4. The idol of worldliness.
5. The idol of squeamish theology.
6. The idol of pet-sins (habitual sins).
7. The idol of grudges.
8. The idol of brotherly hatred.
9. The idol of prayerlessness.
10. The idol of whatever gets between us and God.
11. There's lots more in this book, but these ten are a start.

Checklist Christianity: How to Measure Spiritual Success

One of the questions I often get asked when talking about discipleship, spiritual formation, and small groups is:

"How do you measure success?"

I'm not a big fan of this question. See, there was a time in my life, when I could have easily answered that question. Back in the day we (me and lots of other Christians like me) used a formula to measure how spiritual someone was. It looked like this:

SQ = [(SUa+TUv)/26]+[(SUp+WPM)/52]+[(TRM+MC)/5]

8 is the perfect score, meaning you are very spiritual.

Of course you could apply a bonus formula to gain two extra bonus points if you wanted. Those two points could come in very handy if you fell short of 8, or if you wanted to be elected to a committee during the annual fall elections. A score higher than 8 virtually assured you a spot on the committee of your choice.

The bonus formula was as follows:

BSQ = SQ+KJV+BAPT

If you grew up in a church like mine, this is all old hat to you. You've seen these equations many times before: on overhead projectors, flannel-graph boards, and maybe if your church was high tech, via slide projector.

For those of you who are seeing these formulas for the first time, let me translate:

• SQ is "Spiritual Quotient". This is your level of spiritual maturity.
• Of course, BSQ is "Bonus Spiritual Quotient".
• SUa is Sunday morning attendance. TUv is Tuesday Visitation attendance. Add up all your Sunday morning and Tuesday evening participation over the course of a year, and divide that number by 26.
• SUp is Sunday evening attendance. WEP is Wednesday evening prayer meeting. Again, add up all your participation over the course of the year, and divide this number by 52.
• TRM is "Tent Revival Meeting" and MC is "Missions Conference". Add up your participation in these and divide by 5. (If your church did more than one of these a year, or they lasted more than 5 days, you're at a definite advantage)
• Bonus points for using a King James Version Bible and for calling yourself a Baptist.

This process of determining spiritual maturity makes things very easy. You can quickly determine who is the most spiritual person in your church, as well as those who probably need to sit closer to the front on Sundays. Deacons and Elders can use these formulas to carry out church discipline and Sunday School Teachers could regularly have their students work out their own scores to inspire them to do better in the coming months.

I personally have several trophies in my basement from my four consecutive "perfect 10" years. (That string was broken when my mother unknowingly gave me a New American Standard Bible for my birthday)

[pause]

[breathe]

[I'm just kidding]

But seriously. Too often people have the idea that Christianity is just about checking off the right boxes. And if you attend all the right things at the right times, then you're going to come out all right on God's scorecard. I call this, "Discipleship by Attendance".

Marianne and I were talking tonight about how difficult it is for some people to shift out of this way of thinking. Particularly if they were reared in a church which emphasized attendance as the primary means of spiritual growth. It took me years to shake loose from this kind of thinking, which too often exhibited itself in my life when I judged others for their lack of attendance at "church stuff." My assumption was that their non-presence represented a spiritual immaturity. Little did I know that my judgement on them for their non-presence represented a much deeper level of spiritual immaturity.

So now, when I get asked how I measure success in discipleship... I sigh deeply and then hem and haw about how it's hard to measure the work of the Spirit. I mention the parable of the sower and the soils and point out that sometimes initial growth is false growth. I talk about Galatians 5 and explain that the fruit in ones life being a dashboard to measure by, but not a checklist to live by. And I keep talking about lots of stuff like that until they're sorry they asked. But I don't really ever talk about measuring success... Because I'm pretty sure as one who doesn't sit on a throne and won't be presiding over any judgments at the end that that's not my job.

But if you really want to know what I think, I have identified 8 markers that I think are Biblical evidences that the Spirit is working in someone. I guess if you want to call these measurements, you can. I think of them more as landmarks along a journey. Here they are:

1. Knowing who God is and what He expects from men
2. Relying on Jesus for salvation from sin and a new way of life
3. Growing in knowledge, devotion, and influence
4. Living out the one another commands in a community of fellow believers
5. Leveraging God's resources to meet the needs of those in close proximity
6. Living uniquely in the world so as to demonstrate the glory of God and bring those in proximity to repentance
7. Seeking to constantly share the message of Christ and show the mission of Christ.
8. Expanding influence to impact people around the world for the good of the Kingdom

I know at first glance this kind of list doesn't seem to be any different than the ones I joked about. But, in my mind at least, this list is far less about the actual "doing" and far more about the actual "being." Any time we try to put "being" type concepts into words we run the risk of slipping into the Pharisaical legalism of "maturity by list", so we need to be careful even with a list like this.

But in the end, the main idea is simple. The more we look like Jesus (the revealed, biblical Jesus who is the image of the Father; not like some Jesus that we made up) the more spiritually mature we are.

Hey, I'm just sayin'.

5 Best Michigan State Guards of My Lifetime...

1. Magic Johnson

2. Steve Smith

3. Scott Skiles

4. Mateen Cleaves

5. Kalin Lucas/Shawn Respert (too close to call)

Measuring Success in the Church

Numbers can never tell an accurate story of a church's success. To assess a church, a group or a ministry's level of success or failure with any type of numerical measure is to impose upon the church an institutional criteria and burden never discussed in the New Testament.

The successful church, the successful ministry or group within a church, and the successful Christian is the one who is faithful, not the one who is large or rich.

Faithfulness for a church, for a ministry or group within a church, or for an individual believer is measured in obedience and worship.

By obedience, I mean striving to be and do what Scripture has clearly prescribed; and trying to accurately determine and live out what Scripture has implied.

Obedience precedes worship because:

A) True obedience is an act of worship.

B) Worship without obedience is disgusting to God.

By worship, I mean utilizing every resource available to appropriately revere and represent God.

Church people often ask questions like, "How many small groups do we have?" or "How many people are in small groups at our church?". While most pastors could, with a minor amount of effort, know the answers... those might actually be the wrong questions.

I think the right questions are:

"How are our spiritual formation efforts enabling people to live lives obedient to God?"

"How are our spiritual formation efforts equipping people to worship God with all the resources He has given them."

That's all for now.

Submission Means Focusing on God, Not on Ourselves

One of the things I talked about yesterday was the idea that submission requires us to focus on Go rather than ourselves. This morning, I just want to throw out a very practical way you can work toward that.

I think most of our Calvary family recognizes the value of spending time with God on a regular basis. Some might call this a devotional time. My recommendation is to set aside time once or twice a week to have "devotions" that are solely focused on God, rather than ourselves.

Here's how this might look:

Focus on God's work. Take a few minutes to simply praise God for His work in the world (creation, sustaining us, the weather, gravity, etc.). Then take a few minutes to thank him for the work he has done on your behalf. Think Bout everything good in your life, and then contemplate the work God has done to make that possible. If you are really willing to do this, you shouldn't have enough time to finish.

Focus on God's word. Take time to read the Bible (use any plan you like). However, instead of reading to simply find an application for yourself, read so that you can know God better. Don't read yourself into the pages of Scripture, rather let them speak to you about who God is. Determine that through your time in His Word, you will come to a better understanding of the nature and character of God.

Focus on God's will. Sometimes we conclude our devotional times by seeking a personal application. Instead, simply take time submitting yourself to God's will. Perhaps you simply need to take a deep breath and say "God, whatever happens today, I will trust that you are in control." Maybe you need lot spend some time talking to yourself and reminding yourself that God's control is much more trustworthy than your own. It may be that you simply need to surrender an area of your life in which you are relying on yourself instead of God. Whatever it is, focus on what God is doing, not on what your own plans are.

8 Things I Didn't Say On Sunday

Here's what I said...

Church YouVersion Link

Here's where you can listen/watch it...

Church Website Link

Here's what I didn't say:

1. King Nebuchadnezzar statue was inspired by his dream. He liked being the head of gold, but wanted more. Be careful not to think more of yourself just because someone says something nice about you.

2. Pride and poor self-perception will drive us to a bad place.

3. The statue was a representation of the King. Idolatry is when we let anything created represent the god of our life.

4. The fourth man in the fire changed everything for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The incarnation of Christ changed everything for mankind.

5. The three men were unwilling to compromise even when their lives were at stake. How often do we compromise our values simply because we don't want to be inconvenienced.

6. The Babylonian officials were motivated by jealousy. The longer we hold on to jealousy and envy, the more likely it is that it will impact the way we treat others.

7. Consider Job's words that mirror the sentiment of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15)

8. Isaiah 43:5 says, "Fear not, for I am with you." The three men probably knew this verse and were clinging to this truth... But to see something really cool, read the first four verses of Isaiah 43.

Giving Honor To Whom It Might Not Be Due...

As Christians one of our primary desires should be to regularly focus on publicly honoring and appreciating the "least of these".

When the same people are always receiving encouragement and back pats, they will often become entitled and begin believing they are somehow "better" or "more important" than those around them.

When people who normally don't receive pats on the back are publicly honored, not only do they receive a boost of encouragement but everyone else is forced to reconsider their opinion of that person!

50 Steps To Becoming A Ninja!

I borrowed this list from the time-management ninja. (that's right, he's a ninja!) It's a pretty good list of the things about which we tend to procrastinate. I'm not going to get them all done today. But if I put forth the effort, I could probably get them all done by maybe the end of the month? Which of the items on this list do you need to do TODAY?

• Doing the #1 task on your todo list.
• Making that phone call.
• Getting the car maintenance done.
• Fixing something that is out-of-order.
• Going to the doctor.
• Getting enough sleep.
• Pursuing your dreams.
• Reading a book.
• Spending time with someone you care about.
• Going for a walk.
• Going to see the person you need to talk to.
• Exercising.
• Telling the truth.
• Confronting something from your past.
• Doing something for your future.
• Saving money.
• Learning something new.
• Answering that email.
• Getting your degree.
• Working on your resume.
• Finding a new job.
• Doing something that you are passionate about.
• Putting yourself first.
• Getting a life… yours.
• Facing a fear.
• Starting your hobby.
• Losing weight.
• Taking time off from work.
• Helping someone who needs it.
• Appreciating your family.
• Setting goals for yourself.
• Testing and stretching your limits.
• Eating a healthy meal.
• Enjoying some quiet time.
• Traveling someplace you have never been.
• Doing something you have never done.
• Talking to someone you don’t know, but want to.
• Starting a new habit.
• Stopping a bad habit.
• Cleaning up your desk.
• Donating something to charity.
• Writing in your journal.
• Going to see a friend.
• Emptying the garage.
• Talking the dog for a walk.
• Playing with your kids.
• Taking your spouse on a date.
• Doing something on your bucket list.
• Standing up for yourself.
• Telling someone you love them.

Time to Turn the Page...