A Dangerous Question

JUL 4 - JUL 10 2010 — A DANGEROUS QUESTION — ISSUE 161

The fourth of July is here once more, and all around us are flags, fireworks, and patriotic colors reminding us of the freedom we have in The United States. Freedom is a word that has so many applications and connotations, one could use it as a spring board into almost any topic. Right now, though, the only freedom I'm thinking about is the freedom to type with both hands again. Currently, as most of you know, I'm basically one-handed for a little while, and typing with just my left hand is a tad annoying. Like, someone blowing a vuvuzela 6 inches from your head while you're trying to sleep annoying. I'm accustomed to a 70-80 wpm typing speed, so this 9 an hour is driving me batty. On the bright side, I may finish this by the next 4th.

In the book I'm reading — The Barbarian Way — which I mentioned last week, the author pointed out a question I think a lot of us would be wise to ask God. The question, at first, seems like a easy answer, but if you've spent any time in God's Word, you'll know the true answer isn't necessarily the one you want to hear.

"Abba, Father, would you purposely put me in danger?"

Our fist instinct would be the same most parents would have, "Of course not!" No parent would willingly put their child in danger, right? But we know God and we know the calling He's given us. We know what happened to His Son who took up that calling, to His chosen 12 whom He'd charged with leading the first wave in the New Covenant, and to countless others throughout time who have chosen God over this world. We know the real answer to that question, so why do we struggle when suddenly we're face-to-face with that danger, when life is not-so-peachy? Why do we accuse God of leaving us or not loving us when we know He's treating us the same as He did His own Son?

Perhaps we should look at it from His perspective. He knows the struggles and dangers here are only temporary, and that on the other side He will remove all the pain. He knows that no matter what happens to us, nothing can hurt us in the grand scheme of things. Like a knowing father who will be there to catch his child while they learn to ride their first bike, He doesn't let the fear of a few cuts or bruises (which are only potential, not a given) keep Him from teaching His child a valuable and liberating life lesson. The cause God enlisted us to fight for is bigger than any one person, and sometimes sacrifices have to be made to for the greater purpose.

Take some time to ask God that question this week. Come to grips with the reality of His answer. It will only trouble you if you continue to live your life with a limited perspective, one chained to the here and now and not focused on the final destination. If your life ends when you die, you will forever struggle with your faith whenever it gets rocky. If you want freedom, you have to pay the cost. And freedom has but one price: absolute trust in God.

REV 21:1-7 - NIV

Brett "I can type with one hand tied behind my back" Hibbler

Your Cost

JUN 27 - JUL  3 2010 — YOUR COST — ISSUE 160

Three second place finishes in four events isn't what our Singles Ministry hoped for at this year's Family Olympics. But the one event we finished first in is worth all the bragging rights we need — tug of war. Beating the married men with just single brothers brought a tear to my eye. Next time maybe we'll let them use their cars just to give them a fighting chance.

I'm currently reading a book called The Barbarian Way. It's doing exactly what I wanted so badly, and that I asked God it would do, getting my mind ramped up and aflutter with thoughts about Him, His plan, and my walk. One thought that came from this week's readings was regarding Peter and John.

JOHN 21:15-19 - NIV

Jesus told Peter that if he followed Him, it would cost him his life. Not only that, but it would be an unpleasant and premature death, not one from old age or by accident. Peter had a choice, be a Christian, knowing the exact cost, just not knowing the time or final details, or walk away and potentially live a long life.

Is our calling the same or different than Peter's? Maybe our role is different in the Kingdom but isn't the standard the same? What's the one thing hurting your faith and subsequent walk with God the most? The desire for a stable career? A best friend? A more prominent role in the church? A husband or wife? Financial stability? A family?

What if Christ appeared to you right now and asked you if you loved Him? I'm sure we'd all say yes, much like Peter did. But then what if He went on to tell you that if you follow Him, it's going to cost you. If you remain a Christian, you will never get a stable job. Or a you'll never get married. Or you will never have a best friend while on earth. Or you'll never have financial security or a family to call your own. Or insert your struggle here. What if that was your cost?  Would you still say yes?

Your answer should dictate your desire to resolve any discontent currently in your life. If you love Him, no cost, no struggle, and no obstacle or hindrance should ever override your passion, love, desire, and dedication, or faith for God. If you've picked up your cross, remember what that means and find resolution with your struggles. Peter did. So can we.

Brett "My hands still smell like egg" Hibbler

Enjoy It

JUN 20 - 26 2010 — ENJOY IT — ISSUE 159

June, June, June... Where did you go? Like ice at the Mud Hen's game last night, time is vanishing right before our eyes. So, in an effort to give you more time in your day, allow me to jump right into the meat this week.

Despite Jesus saying He came to set us free, there are undoubtedly times in our walks when we feel far more shackled and burdened than free. Paul said in Romans 8:1 & 2 " Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."

Christianity is supposed to be a joyous experience, just as Ryan discussed in Sunday's lesson; one that fills our hearts to the point of overflowing. So why are there so many of us who are constantly down? Always acting as if the weight of the world is on our shoulders and behaving as if we have to adhere to some long list of rules? (Usually a list we create on our own) Have we forgotten Christ came to end them? Didn't  He come to destroy that old law, the one that functioned on rules, because of the futility and warped minds it created? God knew a covenant of freedom and heart was much more effective and beneficial. Read what Paul says about this in Colossians.

COLOSSIANS 2:13-23 - NIV

Did you catch all that? Isn't that level of freedom amazing? If you realize the true freedom we have in Christ, joy is but one of the many positive side effects that will constantly be found in your life. He came to restore life to the way it started, where we lived in a world hand crafted for us and one where we get to enjoy every aspect of it because God created it all pure and "good." Nothing is off limits and nothing is inherently evil. Peter and Paul both warn about using that freedom for sin, (Gal 5, 1 Peter 2) so we can't just go all willy-nilly and follow every one of our heart's desires. It is deceitful and selfish at times. But we cannot forget that we do have total freedom in our walks with God. There are no checklists, no rules, no dos and don'ts, and no man-made restrictions. It's simply about our hearts.

Take some time to meditate and think through the magnitude of that freedom. Then enjoy life. Enjoy God's gifts. Enjoy being a Christian.

Brett "Does anyone else here the word 'Freedom' and always think of Mel Gibson in Braveheart?" Hibbler

All For Love

JUN 13 - 19 2010 — ALL FOUR LOVE — ISSUE 158

Yesterday, while sanding down walls at Laura's new house, I discovered some things about sanding drywall. Number one, if you're going to wear a respirator (which you should, I didn't at first and ended up having some green flecks in my snot when I blew my nose), make sure you brush your teeth first. After a few hours of filling that tiny mask with your breath, you'll appreciate good dental habits. And number two, electric sanders make very bizarre noises depending on the angle of their application and the acoustics of the rooms. And  apparently, to me they sound like Arnold Schwarzenegger bellowing after he's been hit, punched, or hurt. (Watch movies like Conan The Barbarian, Running Man, and Predator for examples) Donovan didn't seem to get the reference, but that didn't stop me from mimicking the sound repeatedly during the day. If you see him, you may want to give him a hug for enduring it.

MARK 12:30 - NASB

When asked the greatest command, Jesus made a pretty clear statement. Our love for God needs to be foremost in our lives and to surpass of any love we've ever carried out before. Something that hit me recently about this statement is the usage of "and" to connect the multiple facets of the love. We are to love God with our heart AND soul AND mind AND strength, not OR. There are four parts, not a combination thereof. Not one, all. In looking at my life I can see how I don't always do all four at once. A lot of times I love with all my heart, but not with all my strength. Sometimes I love Him with all my soul, but not my mind.

To love with my heart is usually easy. I can cherish Him, but to love with all my strength means I have to back up that love with time, energy, and effort. And not just a mild effort, but ALL OF MY STRENGTH. I have to give Him everything I've got in me, to put in 100% with my physical love for Him. That means excuses like being tired, busy, upset, forgetful, etc, don't fly anymore. If David had loved God with just his heart, he would have stopped at being upset about Goliath's insulting of His God. Instead, though, David loved with all his strength and did something about that love in his heart. He took on a challenge with everything he had, putting his body and life on the line for God.

I also think about loving with my soul, which again seems easier than with all my mind. Loving with a deep desire for my God, loving spiritually, comes easier for me than to put all my mental power into solving situations, controlling my tongue and actions, and using it to encourage my brothers and sisters in a way that is pleasing to God. Far too often I use my mind for sinful deeds, or only give part of my mind to God, allowing loose lips, wicked thoughts, and hurtful actions to still happen.

What about you? Do you love God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your mind, and ALL your strength?

Brett "Half of you thought this week's title was clever, the rest of you thought I didn't know how to use the English language" Hibbler

Tested

JUN 6 - 12 2010 — TESTED — ISSUE 157

You could say what I'm about to write is a ripoff... OR (emphasis on or) you could just call it "very accurate paraphrasing." At the men's retreat this weekend, besides having an enormous carrot war, (don't ask) we had some great challenges given to us.

Sundays challenge came from Luke 4:1-13. (Take a sec to read those verses first. This will be a lot more clear if you do.) We read here about Jesus being tempted at a weak moment, when He was famished and exhausted. Satan offers Him a variety of prizes, trying Christ by not only putting the idea out there, but also by showing them to Him. By putting it right in front of Him it would have made the temptation that much more tempting, as we can all relate. After Jesus stands strong, using scriptures as defense, Satan left "until an opportune time."

The questions asked us were simple, yet poignant: Where does Satan take you when he's tempting you? And, when are you at your weakest? When is it an opportune time for Satan to attack you?

Take some time this week to reflect on these questions and then be like Christ; find answers to Satan in God's written Word so you'll be properly prepared for his next attack.

LUKE 4:4 - NKJV

Brett "the verbal plagiarist" Hibbler

Your Memorial

MAY 30 - JUN 5 2010 — YOUR MEMORIAL — ISSUE 156

I thought holidays were supposed to be leave you revived and ahead of schedule? Then again, I usually have to work holidays, so maybe I just don't know how to use them. Honestly, things are a bit of a mess right now, so bear with me this week. I can't find a June calendar, so no promises on the accuracy of the week's agenda, (though I'm pretty sure I got the big events) not that it matters since it's already Wednesday, and the week is nearly over. With calenders, "better late than never" really doesn't work.

Sunday, Ryan gave a great message challenging us to walk with passion in our faith, and to have that same fervent desire for God that great men like Steven had. Using this Holiday where we remember those fallen in battle as a spring board, he simply reminded us of past soldiers in the good fight.

This week I simply want to encourage you to take that challenge and to dig deep into your motivation and inspiration. What is your primary focus right now? What's driving you? What goals do you have?  How strong is your desire to see the Kingdom grow? We live in the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave", and we've set aside a day for those who have fallen to uphold those words. But if you were to die now, what would you be memorialized for? And to that end, what would the epitaph of the Toledo Church of Christ be, and how have you contributed?

PSALM 112:6-7 - NIV

Brett "If someone texts you and says 'Are you alive?', that's probably not a compliment to your communication skills is it?" Hibbler

Go Green p2

MAY 23 - MAY 29 2010 — GO GREEN part two — ISSUE 155

Last week I talked about environmental topics and failed to even mention that right now there are a gazillion gallons of oil being pumped into the ocean, and after 33 days we still can't figure out how to stop it. Does anyone else wonder if they ever really tried their emergency plans, or if they were just theoretical solutions on paper? I'd like to assume they're telling the truth when they say the depth of the leak is the reason for the unsuccessful cleanup, but if Tuesday's new plan doesn't work, maybe they should try SNL's advice (more of a mockery really):  scotch tape mops to dolphins. It certainly couldn't be any less effective than their "Top Hat" and "Giant Tube" plans, and it would make a great reality TV show on NBC for the summer season.

Last week I also talked about how we sometimes refrain from making small stands in our lives because of public perception and the belief that those little stands probably won't make much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. Things like refusing to join in on water-cooler gossip, "I'm upset with my job because..." conversations, "so-and-so always does this..." statements, crass jokes, etc., and opting to focus on smart topics, deeper subjects, and encouraging conversations may seem small and maybe ineffective. But aren't the small details sometimes just as important as the big ones? Isn't a "light unto the world" still a light, no matter how small?

Look at the life of Christ for instance. Didn't Jesus do this constantly in His ministry; small and potentially insignificant acts? By healing a paralytic here, a blind man there, and other individual healings, He wasn't going to save the world. One may even ask why bother with such small deeds when He needed to have a global impact. It was these type of actions, though, that stood not only as a testament to His character and as a reminder that nothing is unimportant to God, but through them He changed lives. He gave them hope, a desire to change, a direction to go in, and a person to follow in their quest for meaning. He used person-to-person evangelism to change the world. Likewise, we can use moment-to-moment evangelism to change a person.

This week, continue to Go Green in your life and remove the "trash" one pop can, plastic bag, and candy wrapper at a time. It may be a small act globally, but it could be a huge act locally.

2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5 - NIV

Brett "Since crude oil is really nothing more than compressed, decomposed animals, this spill is more of a liberation than a catastrophe, right?" Hibbler