POLL: Do You Tithe 10% of Your Income on a Regular Basis?

*As you take this poll, please remember that your answers are completely anonymous.*

According to the first poll, 70% of Christians have been taught in church that God requires a 10% tithe of their income.  Based on this statistic…

POLL: Does God require Christians to tithe 10% of their income?

I am in the process of writing a position paper on tithing that I will present to the elders of Christ Community Church in October.  As part of my paper, I would like to include current statistics from Christians.  If you would, please take a minute or two and complete the following poll.  When I’m done with the paper, I will post it for all who are interested.  Thanks for your help!

PS  If you select “Other” for your answer, please explain in the comment section.

Life Lessons from a Crazy Week in Sports & Entertainment

The past week has produced some disappointing and regretable actions by athletes and entertainers.

The majority of tennis fans were aghast at the profane tirade of Serena Williams during the US Open women’s semifinal match.  Then, just when the storm seemed to be calming, television cameras caught the greatest champion in tennis history, Roger Federer, cursing the chair umpire.

Then…there’s Kanye West upstaging Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards (a ceremony I did not watch).  Kanye’s actions have sparked a public outcry against the entertainer, including harsh rebukes from his own peers in the music and entertainment industry.  Even our own president called him a “jackass.”

So, what can we learn from these public displays of profane outbursts and arrogant disrespect.  Here are a three life lessons that Serena, Roger, and Kanye remind us of:

1. The tongue might be small and hidden, but it contains the power of a heavyweight knock-out punch.
2. Be very suspicious of short-term emotions, especially when they flair up; for when these emotions are mismanaged, they cause violent storms in our lives.
3. The greater the platform, the greater the magnification factor.

The Tongue

The half-brother of Jesus wrote, “The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts great things.  How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness….It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:5-10)

No one would question the fact that Serena’s profane tirade set ablaze a raging fire in her public life – a fire that has yet to be extinguished by repeated apologies.  Lest we think we are above such actions, let us quickly remember that our words can just as easily torch people’s lives.  Our tongues contain a dormant poison that is quickly summoned by short-term emotions and when these words come flying off our tongue, they inject a virulent poison into the hearts and minds of people. As Christians, we have been called to use our tongues to edify, build up, worship, pray, and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We must recongize the power of our words and guard our tongues with great intentionality and care.

Short-term Emotions

A close friend and mentor once told me, “Never make decisions or respond to people on the basis of short-term emotions.” What a great piece of advice!  I cringe at the remembrance of those times that I made hasty decisions or offered quick rebuttals on the basis of aroused emotions.  These decisions and rebuttals, without fail, produced regretful consequences.  Do you think Serena regrets her profane tirade against the line judge?  You bet she does!  Do you think Kanye West is enjoying the backlash and public scorn he’s enduring from his peers and the media?  No way!

Short-term emotions will almost always betray you and, more importantly, they will betray your Christian testimony – leaving you, like Serena and Kanye, embattered with the unenviable task of restoring your reputation and testimony.  Making decisions and responding to people when our short-term emotions flair up usually leaves a tumultuos wake behind us that is not easily restored to a state of placidness.  When short-term emotions rear their ugly head, know this – you are about to be betrayed by the Enemy. Retreat!  Stay quiet!  Don’t fire off the email missle from Hell!  Trust me; in the long run, you’ll be thankful – and so will your spouse, your kids, your coworkers, and your friends.

The Magnification Factor

The principle is simple.  The larger our sphere of influence, the more closely our lives will be examined by people.  This is true for professional athletes, entertainers, politicians, CEO’s, preachers, and even parents.  If you are in a position of leadership and influence – and virutally everyone is at some capacity – then your life is being examined with a high magnification factor.  You may not like this reality, but you better learn how to deal with it.  If you are a parent, then, whether you like it or not, you have little eyes watching your every move and listening to your every word.  If you are a Christian leader, then you have people who are examining your lifestyle to see if it matches your message.  The same is true for politicians, CEO’s, coaches, and teachers.

This is precisely why our nation is so skeptical of our government and evangelical Christianity.  When examined carefully, the actions of politicians and evangelical Christians rarely match the message they are advancing.  Don’t ever forget, if you are a Christian, your life is going to have a high magnification factor.  People are watching intently how you speak, how you work, how you serve, how you love, how you forgive, how you deal with suffering, how you spend, and how you give.

What do your kids see?  What do your coworkers see?  What do your friends see?  What does Jesus see?  Do your actions match the life and message of Jesus Christ?

I’m sure there are other lessons to be learned from these unfortunate situations.  But, I believe these are three life lessons that each of us would be well-served to give thoughful consideration to.

Soli Deo Gloria

The DASH: Glorifying God in the Brevity of Life

Four weeks from now, I will officially enter “mid-life crisis” mode.  Yep…believe it or not, in four weeks I will turn 40 yrs. old.  Frankly, it’s hard to believe.  I still have vivid memories of my father’s fortieth birthday.  Now, in the blink of eye, I’m getting ready to enter my forties.

As my fortieth birthday races toward me, I’ve found myself giving considerable thought to the second half of my life.  Did you know that the current life expectancy for an American male is 75.65 years?  The current life expectancy for an American female is 80.69 years.

These statistics strike me as provocative for a couple of reasons.  First, if, in God’s grace, my days are numbered like the average American, I have thirty-five years left on this planet before I enter eternity.  That’s not a lot of time when you really think about it.  Second, these statistics seem to support that Cathy will live longer than me. Her family history suppoorts this probability as well.

Here’s how thirty-five years breaks down:

• 420 months
• 1,826 weeks
• 12,783 days
• 306,803 hours
• 18,408,207 minutes

Do you want to ponder something shocking?  Consider this…

• 8 hrs. of sleep p/day x 35 yrs. = 102,264 hours of sleep.  If I choose to sleep eight hours per day for the rest of my life, I will have slept away 4,261 days – or 11.6 years of my remaining life.
• 7 hrs. of sleep p/day x 35 yrs. =   89,481 hours of sleep.  If I choose to sleep seven hours per day for the rest of my life, I will have slept away 3,728 days – or 10.2 years of my remaining life.
• 6 hrs. of sleep p/day x 35 yrs. =   76,698 hours of sleep.  If I choose to sleep six hours per day for the rest of my life, I will have slept away 3,195 days – or 8.75 years of my remaining life.

By sleeping one less hour per day, I can gain 533 days or 1 1/2 years of additional influence.  By sleeping two less hours per day, I can gain 1,066 days or almost three years of additional influence.

Do you want to ponder something convicting?  According to A.C. Nielsen Co., the average American watches 4 hours of television per day.  Consider this…

• 4 hrs. of TV p/day x 35 yrs. = 51,132 hours of television.  If I watched four hours of TV per day for the rest of my life, I will have wasted 2,130 days – or 5.8 years of my remaining life.
• 2 hrs. of TV p/day x 35 yrs. = 25,566 hours of television.  If I watched two hours of TV per day for the rest of my life, I will have wasted 1,065 days – or 2.91 years of my remaining life.
• 1 hr. of TV p/day x 35 yrs. = 12,783 hours of television.  If I watched one hour of TV per day for the rest of my life, I will have wasted 533 days – or 1.45 years of my remaining life.

So, if I trim my sleeping hours to six pr/day and my TV watching to one p/day, I can gain 4.4 years of influence for Christ and His Kingdom.

Now, imagine if I replaced these 4.4 additional years I’ve just gained with reading the Bible as well as other great Christian works?   Four and one-half years equals 230 weeks.  So, let’s say that I choose to read one book of the Bible per week as well as one Christian book per month.  Here’s what the accomplishes…

• I will have read every book of the Bible 3 1/2  times.  In fact, I will have read the Word of God in its entirety almost four times.
• I will have read 19 Christian books.

Can you imagine how full my heart would be with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit?  Can you imagine how sharp my mind would be for Christ?  Can you imagine how equipped I would be to serve, teach, and influence the Kingdom of God?

All because I chose to sleep six hours instead of eight, and watch one hour of TV per day instead of two.

Based on the average American life expectancy, how many years of life do you have left?  Whether you are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 0r even 70 yrs. old, one thing is for sure – your remaining time on this earth is very brief.  Have you taken the time to ponder how you are stewarding the greatest asset God has given you – time?  How could your influence for the Kingdom of God be improved by sleeping a little less and eliminating the bulk of your TV watching?

Soli Deo Gloria

PS  Don’t challenge me not to watch any TV cause it ain’t going to happen.  I love SportsCenter, college football, and professional golf way too much.

PSS  If you have an iPhone or an iTouch and want to get a really cool (and free) application, check out “Convertbot”.  I used this app to get the figures above.

A Preacher, A Lawyer, and A Ex-Marine…

Sounds like the beginning of a really funny joke, doesn’t it?

Trust me; it’s no joke.  This past Sunday, I had the extraordinary privilege of baptizing a future preacher, a lawyer, and an ex-Marine and his wife.

A FUTURE PREACHER

Anytime a child follows Christ in believers baptism, I always offer the Christian father an opportunity to baptize his child.  When Ken asked his son Kaden if he wanted his daddy to baptize  him, Kaden replied – “Daddy, I  want Pastor Toby to baptize me.  One day, I’m going to be a preacher and I’m going to baptize my own kids.”

Don’t you just love the passion and faith of little children?

Kaden, thanks for giving me the awesome privilege of baptizing you this past Sunday.  Your obedience to Christ brought great pleasure to your Heavenly Father.  Like your parents, I’m so  proud of you and I can’t wait to hear you preach one day.

As my dad always tells me – “SHUCK IT!”

A LAWYER

A Nebraska native (and a huge Cornhusker football fan), Sabrina Jenson currently is serving as a JAG lawyer at Shaw Air Force Base. You know, there aren’t many things cooler than a  woman who loves college football. Unfortunately for me, Sabrina’s Cornhuskers marched into Grove Stadium in 2007 and handed my beloved Demon Deacons a heatbreaking loss.

Anyways…Sabrina is a young, smart, and godly woman who has loved the Lord and followed Him faithfully since she was a young child. Growing up Methodist, Sabrina was baptized as a  young girl.  But, as her faith grew and her walk matured, God began to place in Sabrina’s heart a desire to follow him in believers baptism by immersion. That desire was fulfilled this past  Sunday  night.

Sabrina, thank you for giving me the wonderful privilege of baptizing you and witnessing up close your desire become a reality.  Your faithful and godly journey with Christ since childhood is  a tremendous encouragement to me.  Congratulations!

AN EX-MARINE

I first met Lou more than a year ago.  Today, only one word describes Lou’s life – miraculous!

I’ve spent a lot of one-on-time with Lou over the past year and I can tell you this – God has performed a miracle in his life.  A recovering alcoholic and cocaine user, Lou’s struggle with  addiction is only half the story.  Three years ago, Lou divorced his wife Debbie and moved to Sumter.  In God’s sovereignty, Lou, a life-long  Catholic, stumbled across Christ Community  Church and started attending our services.

Lou had lots of questions when we first started meeting togetheer and, as I’m sure he would tell you, some of my answers were not what he wanted to hear at the time.  But, Lou kept coming  back for more. (Would you expect anything else from a retired Marine?) And then, one day, Lou was faced with a choice – “I can live this life God’s way or my way.” I explained to Lou that  God’s way would lead to God’s glory.  Lou’s way would lead to loneliness, regret, and guilt.  Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, Lou’s heart was broken and he surrendered to God’s way.

I’ll tell you the rest of Lou’s story in a minute.  But first, I need to introduce you to someone else.

A FAITHFUL WIFE

When Lou left New Hampshire after his divorce and moved to Sumter, SC, he left behind an ex-wife named Debbie.  Like Lou, Debbie was also a life-long Catholic.

While Lou lived in Sumter operating his shooting range and teaching concealed weapon classes, Debbie was back in New Hampshire working a job and praying that God would restore her  marriage. Debbie prayed and prayed and prayed – and then she prayed some more.  Periodically, Debbie  and Lou would talk on the phone and when they did, Debbie would tell Lou that she  believed it was God’s will for their marriage to be restored.  Because of this conviction, Debbie remained faithful to Lou throughout their divorce.

And then, this past spring, God broke Lou and transformed his heart.  Trust me; when that happened, it was as if a light switch had been turned on for the first time.  Lou began to live his  life God’s way and for God’s glory and as he did that, God supernaturally restored Lou’s love for Debbie.  In fact, Lou would tell you that God increased his love for Debbie.  So much so that  this past May, in a private ceremony in my office, Lou and Debbie remarried.  This past Sunday evening, they both, having surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, followed  Christ in believers baptism.

Debbie and Lou, God’s story through you has encouraged me like few others.  Your story reminds us all that there’s no relationship – no matter how broken – that is beyond the healing and restoring power of Jesus Christ.  Your story reminds us all of the power of faithfulness and prayer.  And…(no offense Lou), your story reminds us that Jesus Christ working through His Spirit can crack any nut – no matter how hard the shell may be.

I love you both!  Thank you for the privilege of baptizing you.

A future preacher, a lawyer, an ex-marine, and a faithful wife.  No, this is no joke. This is God’s power, grace, and glory on full display.

Soli Deo Gloria

Are We Dishonoring God?

Consider for a moment how much you, along with most other “normal” people, dislike tardiness.

In school, we were penalized for being late.  Too many tardy slips and we ended up in the principle’s office or after school detention.  Simply put, I’ve never met a teacher who didn’t have a strong aversion to students walking into their classroom late.

So…from the beginning of our early childhood years, we have been taught to dislike – if not hate – being late.  Most of us prefer arriving early to a seminar, a meeting, or a dinner reservation.

Think about it for a minute.

When we go to the movies, we arrive early, buy our $10 bag of popcorn, and rush to get a great seat.  We don’t want to miss the start of the movie.  Why?  The plot of the movie is oftentimes revealed at the very beginning.  Miss the beginning of the movie and you may miss something extremely important.  Furthermore, we love to get in the theatre early and watch the “previews.”  Either way, I don’t know a single person who spends $9 dollars on a movie ticket and then chooses to show up 15 minutes late for the movie.

How about college football games?  When we go torture ourselves by watching Clemson or South Carolina play football, we don’t show up at halftime do we? Of course not! In fact, in most cases, South Carolina football games are over by halftime. (Sorry Gamecock fans, I couldn’t resist!) Most of us get up hours before the game, prepare elaborate spreads of food, pack up the SUV, drive at least one hour if not more, and then tailgate with our family and best friends. We do all of this long before opening kick-off. And then, with kick-0ff about thirty minutes away, we fold up the tailgate and head into the stadium.  As football fans, we don’t dare risk missing something exciting at the beginning of the game.

Then there’s the lunch meeting.  Most of us don’t have the luxury of enjoying leisurely lunches that last hours instead of minutes.  Our lunch hour is precious time, isn’t it? Have you ever scheduled a meeting over lunch, only to have your counterpart show up ten or fifteen minutes late?  Isn’t that frustrating? Now, instead of having one hour to discuss business, life, or spiritual matters, you’ve got forty-five minutes – half of which is spent furiously stuffing your face full of food. Showing up late has just cheated you of precious time and given you indigestion.

When I play golf, I always show up long before my scheduled tee time. I like to stretch. I like to practice my short game on the putting green.  I like to hit range balls and work out any kinks in my swing (and there’s definitely kinks).  Showing up early is all about preparation. It’s about getting my mind and body in sync. It’s about being ready to give my round of golf my very best effort. I would never show up 1 minute before my tee time and just start knocking it around.  That would be a waste of time and money.

I could offer other examples, but I believe the point has been made.  Our lives are so chalked full of demands, commitments, and busyness that honoring our time and the time of others is paramount. Being prepared is critical to performing at our best and enjoying those things we love the most. Being on time could be a deal-maker or a deal-breaker.

Yet, when it comes to the Church, it seems that we apply a double standard to this issue of time.

It would be unacceptable if you and I chose to show up ten, fifteen, or even twenty minutes late to a meeting our boss scheduled.  We wouldn’t think of showing up even one minute late.  Nor would we think of showing up to a business or sales meeting unprepared. Too much is at stake, right? Our job is at stake. Our bonuses are at stake. Our reputation is at stake. Our future advancement is at stake. Our Christian testimony is at stake.

If that’s true, which it is, why then do so many Christians approach Sunday mornings with such a cavalier attitude?

It has been very interesting for me to watch how many people choose to “regularly” enter our one weekly worship service ten, fifteen, and sometimes even twenty minutes late. Have we forgotten “Who” our meeting is with?  Have we forgotten “Who” we really serve? Do we think so little of the Holy God that the privilege and call to worship him in corporate fellowship becomes subordinate to our sometimes lazy and undisciplined timetable?  If Jesus Christ was present in physical form each Sunday morning, would we dare stride into the sanctuary whenever we felt like it – choosing the Sunday morning newspaper, coffee, donuts, and simple conversation over the presence of our Savior Jesus Christ?

I think not!

We would get up early.  We would prepare our hearts and minds for what we were about to experience – the living God and His living Word. We would enter His house with thanksgiving in our hearts.  We would understand that we are not simply walking into an auditorium – we are standing on holy ground. We would be captured by the holiness and righteousness of God and thus enter His house with reverence and awe.  We would worship with passion and joy, unfazed by anyone else around us.  Quite frankly, I think we would honor God and the meeting He has called by arriving on time.  More to the point, I think God expects us to enter on time. After all, He is our Creator and Master.

Would we show up late for a meeting President Obama requested?  Would we show up late for a meeting at Buckingham Palace? Of course we wouldn’t!  Showing up late would be considered an act of contempt.

Therefore, what then does it say about our attitude towards God when we choose to stride into His House whenever we feel like it?  What does it reveal about our understanding of His holiness?  What does it say about our degree of reverence and awe for God and His presence?  What does it say about corporate worship and the priority it holds in our personal lives and in the life of our family?  What does it say about our respect and appreciation of Christ Community Church’s volunteers, KIDstruction teachers, and worship team – all of whom have invested significant time and prayer into offering God’s people an anointed, God-centered worship experience?

It speaks volumes and the message being sent isn’t good!

I would like to challenge every Christian at Christ Community Church to take time this week to examine your attitude toward Sunday morning worship. I would also like to challenge everyone to approach the high call of corporate worship with as much, if not more, enthusiasm and commitment as you approach the beach, your job, your hobby, and your favorite college football team.

Just imagine the sweet fragrance Sunday mornings would be to the throne of God if we approached God’s house, God’s presence, God’s people, and God’s Word with the same passion that we approach far less significant matters in our lives?

We just might see the spiritual revival we all long to experience in our personal lives, in our marriages, in our homes, and in our community.

Soli Deo Gloria

Thriller to Chiller: Some Thoughts on the King of Pop

Whether you liked his music or not; whether you grew up in the 80’s or not; whether his obsession with Diana Ross and plastic surgery concerned you or not, one thing is undeniable  - Michael Jackson was a global icon.  Few people have enjoyed the global fame, popularity, and loyal fanbase that Michael Jackson did. Few people have enjoyed musical careers that transcend generations the way Michael Jackson did.  Michael Jackson was, by our world’s definition, a superstar. He was the “King of Pop.” He was a brilliant entertainer – arguably the best ever. In the world’s eyes, Michael Jackson was bigger than life.

BUT…

Last week, in one split nanosecond of time, Michael Jackson went from being a global “thriller” to the morgues “chiller.”  In one split nanosecond of time, Michael Jackson went from being the “King of Pop” to standing in front of the KING of kings.  In one split nanosecond of time, Michael Jackson experienced true fame – the fame and glory of Jesus Christ.

So much attention has been given to Michael Jackson’s brilliant career and the musical heritage he left behind, that in large part, people have been blinded to the other things Michael Jackson left behind.  Was Michael Jackson a great entertainer?  Yes!  Did Michael Jackson leave behind a musical heritage?  Yes! Will Michael Jackson be remembered by most people as a larger-than-life, global icon? I think this past week’s media coverage answers that question.

Yet, I’ve yet to hear anyone acknowledge the other less flattering things Michael Jackson left behind.  So, in an effort to bring some needed perspective to Michael Jackson’s tragic death, here are some other things Michael Jackson left behind:

• Parent-less Children. Celebrate if you want Michael Jackson’s musical brilliance, but when he died, he left behind three children whose future appears to be at the mercy of the courts. In some ways, the moment he died, Michael Jackson orphaned his kids. No father! No mother! No home!
• Massive Debt. If (and that’s a big “if”) the media is reporting accurate financial numbers, Michael Jackson’s estate owes creditors upwards of $500 million dollars.
• Money & Possessions. Millions and millions of dollars, lavish estates, the Beatles library, paintings, furnishings and the list goes on and on and on.  None of these things entered eternity with the King of Pop – not a single dollar.
• Broken Relationships. Again, if the media is reporting accurate information, Michael Jackson’s will intentionally cut-out his father and his children’s mother.  When Michael Jackson entered eternity, he left behind relationships that lost all hope of ever being reconciled and healed this side of heaven.

This perspective sheds a more sobering picture of Michael Jackson.  He might have been known as the “King of Pop,” but the heritage he left behind is anything but noble.  To be clear, this is not a post seeking to disparage Michael Jackson. Personally, I think some of the abuse he took while alive was sad and shameful.

However, Michael Jackson’s life can serve as a valuable reminder to each of us.

First, we should all be reminded of the brevity of life.  The Bible tells us that no one – not even the King of Pop – knows what tomorrow brings. Our lives are but a mere vapor, a shadow, in the face of eternity. Have you forgotten the brevity of your life?  Trust me on this, you will not beat death.  Death does not discriminate based on fame, wealth, success, or education.  Death comes for us all – and it may come sooner than you ever imagined.

Second, we should all be reminded of the fatal lie that tempts us to believe that we always have tomorrow to reconcile strained relationships.  It has saddened me to hear about the longstanding estranged relationship Michael Jackson experienced with his father.  What a tragedy!  We were created for relationships – it is a divine design we all share.  Is there a relationship in your life that is estranged and broken?  Trust me on this one too, you don’t want to enter eternity and leave broken relationships in the wake of your death.  That’s a terrible and haunting thing to leave behind. We are commanded by Christ to be ambassadors of reconciliation.  Go on – take the plunge and seek reconciliation.  You’ll be glad you did.

Third, many people have fallen prey to the trap of “accumulation.”  People work their fingers to the bone, cheat their spouses, their kids, and their friends so they can accumulate more stuff – stuff many people need rented space just to store. Michael Jackson entered eternity naked and stuff-less. Not a single American dollar, not a single painting, not a single Beatles track, not a single record or CD accompanied him into eternity. Michael Jackson’s stuff is going to be seized by banks and creditors and fought over in courts for years and years to come. But one thing is for sure – Michael Jackson will never see his stuff again.  It’s gone forever.  The same is true for my stuff and your stuff.  Are we living in light of eternity?  Are we captured daily by the reality that the only thing that will accompany us into eternity is our soul?

That leads to a final reminder.  It’s not a matter of when you will die – that’s the wrong question.  Quit asking that question!  Your days are numbered and only God knows the day and time of your last breath on this earth.  The right question is this – “Where will you live after you die?” You see, your soul is eternal and is not bound to physical life.  Your soul does not die with your body.  Your soul lives for eternity.  Michael Jackson’s soul will live for eternity.  It should come as no surprise that Michael Jackson died.  Everyone will die!

Since the hour I first learned of his death, I’ve thought to myself – “I wonder where Michael’s soul will spend eternity?”

In the end, there’s no way for me to know so I will not speculate.  God knows the heart of man. God is the just and good and impartial Judge.  If Michael confessed Jesus Christ, acknowledged Him as his Lord and Savior, and lived for the glory and fame of Christ, then his soul is in Heaven.  If Michael rejected Jesus Christ and lived for his own fame and glory, then Michael’s soul is in Hell.

What have you done with the person of Jesus Christ?  If you died unexpectedly, just like Michael Jackson did, where would your soul spend eternity?  In one split nanosecond of time, each of our souls – just like Michael Jackson’s soul – will be ushered into eternity.  At the moment, our knees will bow and our tongues will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD.  At that moment, we will truly understand fame and glory.  And…at that moment, all that will have mattered is whether we embraced Jesus or rejected Him.

News flash…Michael Jackson is no king.  But, his soul has most assuredly encountered the KING!  When’s Michael’s soul entered eternity, he experienced for the first time what true, unblemished, perfected fame and glory look like.

Is your soul ready to experience what Michael Jackson experienced last week?  Is your soul ready to give an account for the life you’re living?

Soli Deo Gloria

PS  By the way (and this is a random sidebar), MJ stands for Michael Jordan – not Michael Jackson.

TECHNOLOGY: Is The Tail Wagging The Dog?

In his fabulous book MARGIN:Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives, Dr. Richard Swenson, MD makes an interesting observation about technology:

“The best thing to remember about time-saving technologies is that they don’t.  Instead, they consume, compress, and devour our time.  All the countries with the most time-saving technologies are the most stressed-out countries – an assertion that’s easy to prove.” (p.124)

Swenson goes on to say…

“Remembering that technology is responsible for much of our time famine, it is good to go on strike occasionally.” (p.125)

If we’re not careful, technology becomes the “tail that wags the dog.”

Technology and its cool gadgets can overtake our time and in a surpising, almost paradoxal twist, hinder our most cherished relationships.  Facebook, Twitter, text messaging – they all claim to enhance our ability to develop meaningful relationships.  Yet, the time we spend banging keys on our iPhone, Blackberry, or computer keyboard may actually be taking valuable time away from our spouse, our children, and in some cases, even our employer.

Not only that, but it appears to me that technology is going to leave some embarassing blemishes on the future.

The most concerning blemish is this – Twitter, text messaging, and Facebook are actually discouraging us from spending “face-time” with people.  I believe the reality is this…life’s deepest relationships are formed in person – not in cyberspace.

I wonder if we are not watching the second largest generation in the history of America embrace a communication mantra that will leave them relationally dysfunctional?  Friends talking with friends, but rarely spending face-time with each other.  Husbands and wives talking to one another over cyberspace lines without spending quality time together.  Bosses, peers, and even subordinates working within feet of each other yet communicating predominately through emails and texts. Could this actually be the sad irony of technology? Could it be that technology is actually fostering relational dysfunction rather than meaningful relationships?

True friendships are not experienced this way.  Passionate marriages are not enjoyed this way.  Great teams in business, sports, and churches are not developed this way.

You and I were created for face-to-face relationships – not virtual relationships.

Lest we forget, Adam was in perfect relationship with God in the Garden of Eden when God saw that Adam needed human companionship. God Himself said that it was not good for Adam to be without a face-to-face human connection. God wired you and me with the need to be intimately connected with people.  This divinely prescribed connection is primarily formed, maintained, and enjoyed in person.

Is the tail wagging the dog in your life?  Is Twitter, text messaging, and Facebook encouraging you or discouraging you from spending face-time with people?  Are these fun techo-tools actually tempting you to cheat your spouse, kids, friends, and employeer out of the time and devotion each of them deserve?  Is your Blackberry actually a “crackberry?”  Is your iPhone actually an “Iphone?”

How about your relationship with Jesus Christ?  A personal, intimate, life-changing relationship with Jesus can only be enjoyed through face-time with Him.  If our divine relationship with God demands personal face-time, don’t you think human relationships require it too?

Maybe, just maybe, you need to take Dr. Swenson’s advice and go on a technology strike?  Maybe you need to purge yourself for a period of time from Twitter and Facebook?

I went on strike this afternoon and deactivated my Facebook account.  Guess what?  It felt great!

What’s Next for Governor Sanford?

What Happens in the Dark…

A popular commercial states – “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!”

Really?

A couple of nights ago, Cathy and I watched the movie What Happens in Vegas, starring Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz.  Honestly, I fell asleep about halfway thru.

In the movie, Kutcher and Diaz, both visiting from the BIG Apple, stumble across each other in Vegas.  After a raucous night of alcohol-induced confessions and meaningless sex, Kutcher and Diaz wake up the next morning to the nightmare that they got married the night before. I won’t ruin the rest of the story for you (in fact, I don’t know the rest of the story), but right in the middle of the movie, Kutcher makes a profound confession to his lawyer…

“What happens in Vegas is paid for back home!”

That’s a lot closer to the truth then the commercial’s pitch line would lead you to believe.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Governor Mark Sanford and ponzi scheme artist Bernie Madoff.  As I pondered their downward spiral the last few days, I have been confronted with the sobering reality that…

What happens in the dark NEVER stays in the dark!

Does that unpopular truth challenge you as much as it challenges me?  As hard as he may have tried, Governor Sanford could not keep his illicit affair in the dark.  Bernie Madoff couldn’t keep his $67 billion ponzi scheme in the dark. They both got exposed and now, both are paying a steep price.  Mark Sanford has lost his political credibility, been kicked out of his own house, and brought shame to the state of South Carolina.  Bernie Madoff has lost his freedom – and rightfully so in my humble opinion.  As a result of pillaging innocent people’s entire bank accounts, Bernie Madoff will never again have the freedom to buy a Big Mac, watch his grandchildren graduate from college, enjoy a pieceful night’s sleep beside his wife, drive a car, sit on the beach, or hike the mountains.  Bernie Madoff will die in a prison cell.

Mark Sanford and Bernie Madoff are where they are today in part because they believed the lie that what happens in the dark will stay in the dark.  They fell head first into the trap that entices people to believe that you can conceal sin, deception, and lies.  These are just two examples of how painful and destructive this trap really is.  I could mention Kenneth Lay and the Enron scandal.  I could mention former presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton.  I could mention evangelists and pastors like Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggert, and Ted Haggard.  The list is long of men and women who have been snared by this cunning lie.

I offer this insight with great humility – for the reality is that we all are tempted to believe this lie.  Don’t believe this lie!  There’s far to much evidence that proves just how destructive it really is.

More importantly, God promises each of us that what happens in the dark will one day be exposed – whether on earth or in heaven.  Listen carefully…

“Eventually God will bring everything that we do out in the open and judge it according to its hidden content, whether it’s good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14)

“…do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)

We are promised that one day, the Righteous Judge – Jesus Christ – will expose what is done in darkness with His holy and pure Light.  What a sobering truth!

The Light will expose and overcome the darkness of sin – maybe not during our earthly lives, but definitely when we stand before Christ Jesus.  And…we all will stand before Christ – sinner and redeemed.

Live in the light of Jesus Christ.  Refuse to believe the lie that what happens in the dark will stay in the dark.  That’s not true!  The truth is – we all will be exposed one day.

Recently, I read an outstanding leadership book called Overcoming the Darksideof Leadership by Gary McIntosh and Sam Rima.  Regardless of the arena, if you have been given the privilege to lead people this should be required reading.  In a nutshell, every leader has a dark-side to his or her personality – a dark-side that has been influenced by our past.  Leaders fail when they neglect their dark-side and refuse to understand it and manage it.  Get this book!  Read it!  Identify your dark-side and create a strategy for managing it for the glory of God.  There’s no shame in having a dark-side.  There is shame and failure for those who refuse to manage it.

Remember…

What happens in the dark NEVER stays in the dark!