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Will They Mourn Your Loss?

Three Crosses

I’ve had the honor to attend many funerals as a pastor. Some funerals are marked by deep loss and pain. Others are highlighted by joyful hope. Faithful Christians leave a strong legacy behind them because they lived their lives in order to encourage and strengthen others. These services are full of stories and “remember when’s” that, though told through tears, radiate a deep joy and hope because that person’s life was shaped by their faith in Jesus Christ.

I am convinced the worst thing that can happen is not to be hated, but to be forgotten. This is why children who crave attention would rather have negative attention (discipline and punishment) than to be ignored.

The Bible gives a clear warning through the life of King Jehoram in 2 Chronicles 21,

“When Jehoram had established himself over his father’s kingdom, he strengthened his position by killing with the sword all his brothers as well as some of the princes of Israel…. He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, but for the sake of the covenant the Lord had made with David, he was unwilling to destroy the house of David since the Lord had promised to give a lamp to David and to his sons forever…. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king; he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one’s regret and was buried in the city of David but not in the tombs of the kings.”

Jehoram got ahead in life – he had money, power, and position. But he lost it all, because it was gained by his own might and for his own benefit. The LORD only showed him grace because of His covenant with David. Eventually, God struck Jehoram down and the people rejoiced. His life and legacy serves as a warning for each of us today.

Rather than living to set up our own kingdoms, may we be remembered as faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8). This is the Christian calling: To know Christ and to make him known.

Here are three characteristics I’ve observed about the faithful men and women who have left godly legacies.

Continue reading “Will They Mourn Your Loss?” →

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Be What You Want To See

One of the most important things I’ve ever read about parents came to me through the book Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of Teenagers. After conducting the most extensive study on the religious beliefs of American teenagers, Christian Smith and his team concluded, “We’ll get what we are.”

By and large, when it comes to parenting, we will get what we are. This isn’t always the case, and sometimes that’s a really good thing, sometimes it’s not.

If this is true (and I believe it is, though I’m not interested right now in defending it), then as parents we all need to take a look at how we are living and ask, “If my kids become me, will I be happy with who they’ve turned into?”

My wife and I were talking last night about our concerns that our son has been watching too much television and that he likes playing on his Kindle Fire too much. Meanwhile, he has bins of toys and shelves of books which aren’t getting the attention we’d love them to receive.

And yet, I consistently have my iPhone with me as I walk throughout the house and we almost always have a television on in the house.

So… we need to ask ourselves what example we’re setting. We need to become the change we want to see.

One of my friends and mentors, Walt Muller, coincidentally wrote the following blog post which is perfectly timed. My family will be taking the challenge issued in Walt’s post, I encourage you to consider it too.

Social Media Enslavement… What I’m Going to Do… and a Challenge… 

So. . . I’ve decided to lay out some rules. Initially, I thought they’d be great rules to pass on to parents, teachers, and teenagers themselves. Reality is, I can’t pass them on unless I’m already gripping them tightly in my own hands. Here are the rules I’m going to enlist in my own life. I want to invite you to try them out as well. . . for a week maybe. . . and then let me know if you’ve seen any benefits.

1. Don’t engage with your smartphone as long as you are present with and/or in conversation with real flesh and blood human beings. They deserve your full attention.

2. Don’t bring your smartphone or screen of any kind to the table. Converse with others over the meal. . . using your eyes, your voice, your ears, and your full attention.

(there’s more good stuff in this post, click the link to read the rest)

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Don’t Lose Your Time, Invest It

We all have limited time. And the thing is… no one knows how much time they really have! So how are you using your time?

Are you using it, or losing it? Are you investing it into something good and lasting, or are you spending your time on things that are passive (like consuming tv or social media)?

I don’t want to make this a sermon, so I’ll keep it short.

If we want to live theologically, we need to think theologically about how we use our time. Read more books, pray more, make joy-filled living a priority.

Spend less time complaining and more time writing “Thank You” notes. Make more phone calls, and send fewer emails and text messages.

How are you spending your time? Your time DOES reflect your priorities, whether you care to acknowledge that or not. Sure, you may have convictions about how you should spend your time and about what your priorities should be… but take a look at how you actually spend your time, and ask yourself if you’re pleased with the priorities in your actual life. 

If you don’t like what you see then make one change at a time. Pick one priority a month, and sustain the changes you make until you’re actual life matches what you think you “should” be doing.

The time is short. Invest your time to make much of Christ.

Only one life,
T’will soon be past.
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
C.T. Studd

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What’s Your “Thing?”

A brilliant and insightful question, right?! But seriously consider this for a moment with me: What’s your “thing?”

This is something I’ve been chewing on over the last few weeks since I finished reading Walter Isaacson’s biography on Steve Jobs. It’s a fascinating (long!) book, and I’m really glad I read it. There’s a ton about Jobs that we should NOT emulate, but it’s difficult to not be inspired by his focus and determination. As a leader, I would hate to follow him because of how he treated people; but as an innovator there is much for me to learn.

The big idea I walked away with is this: There’s only so much you can do, and do well. It’s better to do one or two things really really well than to do many things mediocre. I don’t want to live in mediocrity. I want to live well, I want to make an impact in the world for Christ, and I hope you do too.

So this begs the question… what’s your “thing?” What is it that you are more passionate about? When you look at your life, your family, your work or your ministry – what is it that ties everything together? Try to be more specific/narrow than saying “Jesus.” The Christian’s faith in Christ should be central for every Christian… I’m encouraging you to consider what is your distinctive passion?

Jobs’ passion was getting simple computing into the hands of the common consumer. For me, I’m passionate about showing the beauty of the Church to a world who looks down on organized religion. Job’s passion took various forms throughout his life, and I’m sure mine will too; but it’s been a good exercise to look back throughout my life and discover this common thread running and guiding me to where I am today. And I’m excited to see how that “Thing” will continue to guide and inspire me in the coming years and decades (God-willing).

So… What’s your “Thing?” If you’re willing to share or want to process this together, I’d love to hear and discuss it together in the comments below.

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