Does “Being Connected” Really Connect Us?

Having a background in electronic engineering, I should not be surprised by all the technological advances and the speed at which the digital world moves forward. I can now connect all my different devices and easily pass media back and forth between them and even choose who I would like to give access to my pictures, videos, files, and storage.

While sitting at my computer in Starbucks this afternoon, I have had the opportunity to quickly be updated with information about which of my friends are sick and which ones are struggling at work today. I’ve seen pictures of their pets, vacations, and children whom I have never met. I know what others are listening to through the day and I receive regular updates letting my know where they have “checked in” and spent their time. This is all interesting information, but I just realized, I really have not talked with or connected with any of them.

Have my relationships turned into data dumps where I know all about people, but really do not know them personally?

Just a side note… as I write this, a couple behind me is discussing what they are going to tell their high school son when he gets home tonight. They have not yet met his new girlfriend, but they do not like what she has been posting on facebook and will be forcing him to break up with her. I know… too much information, but isn’t that the point?

I am not saying that we should go back to soup cans with string between them, but there was a sense of closeness and connection back then (plus you could only be a certain distance apart before there was too much string out and the ineffectiveness told you that you needed to get closer).

I see these connections greatly impacting our churches today as well. At Rock Harbor, I am always trying to figure out how to use technology to better stay in contact with people in our church community. But what do you do when someone chooses to stay home and listen to the podcast because it is more convenient and they can sit in their favorite lounge chair at home? Or they have a difficult time with the worship music because they cannot pick only their favorite songs and create a playlist like they do on their iPod?

Again, I am not against technology and actually love to watch the advances, but not at the cost of relationships. So here’s what I am going to try… I’ll use my devices to set up meeting times and face to face encounters with those I am “connected” with. Then, I’ll use them to effectively keep the connections going while we are apart, without replacing the times together.

Now that I think about it, I should probably turn my computer off and talk to the guy sitting next to me (or give my two cents worth to the couple behind me).

Forgive or Forget or Both?

In our study in The Lord’s Prayer on Sundays, I spoke on Matthew 6:12 yesterday. Jesus teaches them to pray, “and forgive us our debt as we have forgiven our debtors.” A loose, but pretty literal, interpretation of forgiveness is to “let go.” So the question arises in my mind…

When we grant someone forgiveness, do we forget about the debt or is it credited to them as “paid in full?” And what difference does it make?

For me, I know my debt to God is paid through Jesus Christ. It’s not that the debt never existed, it’s just that Christ died for them. Now, I live to serve the one who paid my debt. I am a servant, not in bondage, but by my choice.

In the same way, I’m going to try to serve some others whom I have sinned against and experienced their forgiveness and grace. I’m not going to ask them to forget about it, just thank them for following the example of Christ and practicing forgiveness.

Thoughts?

Understanding Call

This past week, I was finishing up the book of Acts in my daily devotions. I have always been impressed by Paul’s zeal and his ability to stay on task with what God called him to. I have also wondered what those maps in the back of our bibles would have looked like if they had airplanes back then. Those would have been some pretty incredible missionary journeys!

Near the beginning of Acts, God grabs ahold of Saul (soon to become Paul) in a pretty incredible way. The blinding light, audible voice, and three days of solitude would get the attention of any of us. Paul is a chosen instrument by God and called to a very specific purpose.

In the last chapter, Acts 28, even though Paul has been under duress and now arrest, he is still doing what God called him to. He comes upon Publius, who needs the healing touch of Jesus, and Paul knows exactly what to do.

So I wrote out this prayer… “Father, please show me how You want to use me and make it clear, so that I am living in Your will. I want to be Your instrument, played as You desire. And I want to continue on Your path regardless of what I encounter on the journey.”

What has God called you to and how can you remain faithful to His calling?

A Lab and a Bag of Gummy Bears

I was not planning on stopping by home last Wednesday afternoon but my usual office, Starbucks, was a little too crowded and noisy. It was unusual that our yellow lab did not greet me enthusiastically when I came to the door, but I figured he was simply enjoying a lazy afternoon and did not expect one of the family to stop by and wake him for his slumber.

As I sat at the computer and worked, I noticed him slowly making his way toward me. He was crawling on all fours and whimpering as he slowly, methodically journeyed in my direction. After making it halfway, he gave up and just lay there with his sad puppy dog eyes focused in my direction (see picture above).

I’m not necessarily a dog lover, but still recognized that something was obviously wrong with our playful pup. Add in the fact that I knew he had broken into the cupboard and devoured a large quantity of gummy bears the previous day, moved me to action. Well, I called my wife and she took action.

The vet induced vomiting and soon we heard the news that the gummy bears, which would not digest and come out the natural way, did come out the same way they had gone in. And the puppy was not happen with the experience.

After Rolo spent the night at the vet, continuing his unpleasantness and adding explosive discharge through the natural means of getting rid of waste from the body, we brought him home.

As Janiesa was leaving the vet’s office, one of the receptionists said, “well, that should keep him away from the gummy bears for awhile,” to which the doctor responded, “nope, he’s a lab.” Just as she predicted, upon arriving home Rolo ran directly to the cupboard in which he had stolen the gummy bears. Really, dog?

I find myself a lot like that dog sometimes though. I get into something I shouldn’t and then experience some difficult consequences. And then I find myself going right back to it.

“God, help me to pursue those things of You. You are my loving Father, my Dad, who will only give me good gifts. Keep me from those things which will cause unnecessary discomfort and pain.”

Experiencing 1 Corinthians 12

I’ve read it on my own, taught it to students, and preached on it many times. 1 Corinthians 12 is all about the body and the necessity of all the parts. It speaks of the difficulty to function, even if only one part is misfiring. I always understood it, but for the past week (and next couple of months) I am living it.

On Tuesday, my left thumb was accidentally slammed in a sliding van door. I’ll spare you the details, but lots of blood and repair work occurred (and proudly no screaming) in the emergency room of a hospital in Oakland. One important detail that you need to know is that I’m left-handed.

Upon returning to my hotel room that night, I went to take out my contacts. I’ve been reaching into my eye and removing this little piece of plastic for 30 years, so it is pretty quick, easy, and I don’t even really have to think about it. Some nights I find myself in bed and don’t even remember taking them out. Not this time. You see, I have always used my left thumb and forefinger to remove them. So I stood there in front of the mirror struggling for about 20 minutes trying to get them out using my other hand.

The next morning, I stepped into the shower (left hand wrapped so as not to get it wet) and quickly realized that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to wash my right arm and armpit. And I struggled to brush my teeth with my right hand. Ever tried flossing with one hand? Then I couldn’t keep the food on my fork as I would bring it to my mouth (again, using my right hand). Mind you, I did not do all of the said activities in the shower.

I made a purchase and couldn’t match the signature on the back of my credit card for the life of me. Of course, this is after I struggled to get my wallet out of my left back pocket and kept the line waiting. Asking someone to take your wallet out of your pocket while in line at Target is apparently not acceptable and frowned upon.

I now appreciate my thumb in ways which I never did before. The appendage which I previously thought of only when talking about hitchhiking, is now one of my MVP’s. I can’t wait for him to get off the disabled list and make his triumphant return (hopefully in time for the playoffs).

Over time, I’m sure I could make the adjustment and function without it. I have many friends who impress me greatly by overcoming difficulties and disabilities in their lives. But for me, this is a new experience.

So, the next time you or I feel insignificant, let’s read 1 Corinthians 12 and remember that God made us a very important part of the body. The body needs us functioning at full potential! Even if one of its main roles is washing the right armpit.

New Starts

I am not big on New Year’s resolutions. It’s not that I don’t believe in new starts. It’s just that when the calendar flips over, most things remain the same. I still have the bills from Christmas to pay, the weight I gained through the season, and will be showing up for work week after week as I did last year.

I do believe in new starts. I believe that God wants to do something new this year through me. I know that I am so thankful for the new life He brought me through His Son, Jesus. I am a new creation!

So, no resolutions this year, but a reminder to look continually to God as I experience the new start and life He blessed me with.

That is what I am looking forward to in 2012.

Reflections on Christmas

On Christmas Eve, after the church service and before our boys open one gift, we spend time as a family reading and sharing about the story of Jesus’ birth. This year, it was an especially good conversation and our boys provided practical application to a very familiar story to them.

We read about the angels and our boys responded by saying they need to be more like the angels in sharing the good news. We talked about the shepherds and how these guys quickly went to see what they had been told about. Our boys application was that we need to be more eager about seeing God than doing our own things.

We then read about the wise men in Matthew 2. These guys came in search of a king whom they could worship. And they came a long way! In contrast, King Herod was looking for the one called king so that he could wipe Him out and protect his own thrown and lineage. Our application… are we more interested in worshipping Jesus and making Him king of our lives or are we protecting our own kinghood. Pretty goo insight from these guys, and a challenging application for us all.

So what did you walk away with this Christmas? How will your life be different because you have a Savior?