Musings of a Prodigal Son - Let's Get Real

"Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes ' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil. (Matthew 5:36-37-NIV)

This passage is from the "Sermon on the Mount". It was during a time of teaching great truths that Jesus uttered these words to his disciples and followers. In a discussion of "oaths" or promises, Jesus warned against speaking oaths or making idle promises. Much has been made of idle words but not much is often spoken about the deeper meaning behind Jesus' words. We are warned in this passage of scripture not to make oaths. An oath is a binding promise. Jesus was basically saying, "Let your word be true and honest." I had the discussion with a co-worker today about the lack of truth between what people present and who they really are, even in the work place. It seems that we often have different "personas" in different circumstances. There is the "work" self, the "father" self, the "mother" self, the "home" self, and the "church" self. These are just some examples but most people have some variation of one or the other of these. Sometimes it is a subtle change and is not intended to be deceptive, it is just a way we "adapt" to the environment that we are in. Let me illustrate by an example. When someone says in the workplace, "That's a shitty situation." Everyone usually goes about their business without a second thought. But.....if you make that same statement in church.....most have a reaction as if they have never heard it before. (Many of those with a "I can't believe he would say something like that in church" look on their face might have even said something similar themselves earlier in the week, but you'd never know it by their reaction. What's the difference? Jesus spent much time talking about the fact that THOSE WHO KNOW HIM ARE THE CHURCH, wherever they are. Why the difference in our personas when we are "at Church" or around certain people? Many people who don't verbalize it have those same inconsistencies in their minds but are reluctant to share what they are really thinking with others. Most of us have some inconsistencies in the way we relate to others and even to ourselves in different circumstances. I remember on one occasion when I was a pastor, another pastor who I respect very much looked at me one day while we were laughing about something and said, "Well damn, Rodney." I was stunned. I couldn't believe my friend, the pastor, had said such a thing! He was just being congruent with who he is. In other words, he is not perfect (BUT HIS SAVIOR IS). The imperfections in our own character are often what points to our need of the Savior. Those imperfections and the confession that Jesus forgives us and is our righteousness is also what draws many people to Christ. They, too, need him. Jesus was saying, [my interpretation] "Be real. Be who you are and ask me to help with the inconsistencies. Don't hide them.  Let your yes be yes, even to you. Don't sanction something with my name that you may be wrong about [you don't have the authority] but be real. If you had it all together on your own, I would not have had to die for you. I love you anyway and will forgive you for what you do that is wrong if you'll just confess those things that I reveal to you. Be real. You're not going to be perfect this side of eternity. Don't project it yourself and don't expect it of others."

Let me share something with you that I can speak about because I have been in the position of Pastor and I have also spent a great deal of time in "the private sector" as an employee. God wants us to be honest and congruent. Even if our congruency is not always correct, it is helpful. Why? Because often the world is more congruent than the Church. At least they are consistent in their inconsistency. I remember a youth years ago when I was a youth pastor who was "unchurched", unlike many of the kids who were in the group. He cussed. Alot. I remember cringing when we were playing volleyball and he would say, "F**k." The point is, the young man was being congruent with who he was (he hadn't had time yet to learn to "hide" all the non-acceptable things[to learn to hide these things is not good].. Am I condoning Christians using "dirty words?" No. Jesus is still my Savior if I say, "F**K" a thousand times a day, however. I am just stating that none of us can change what we are NOT honest about. We don't just become "perfect" in this present world when we ask Jesus to save us. Sanctification is a process. It is significant to me that we are to be the light of world, which means we should spend a good bit of our time "shining" in the world (among those who don't know Christ-with our albeit imperfect light).  The only way I know what is wrong for me  is by  the Holy Spirit convicting me of what I am doing that is wrong. Even when I "know", I will still be imperfect in my relationships with others.  If we as Christians are successful in "hiding" our sins at church but allowing them to be seen in other contexts, that makes it difficult for the new believer to hear the Holy Spirit bringing conviction, because after all, other Christians are doing things that the Holy Spirit is convicting them is wrong. Hence we often see what I will refer to as "Behavioral Christianity" (sort of the same concept of Pavlov and His dog) for those of you who took introductory psychology in college. It would probably be beneficial if my brother who is searching for the TRUTH knows that I am convicted about a certain behavior and am trying to stop it because the Lord convicted me of it. It is not beneficial for me to say, "F**K" at work and then not say it on Sunday morning when I go to church. It confuses the seeker. That communicates that I am practicing "Behavioral Christianity [like the Pharisees].". Often people refer to people within the church as hypocrites due to non-congruence in the way church people behave in different circumstances, in dishonest communications, or a dishonest attitude. We shouldn't "put on" our best behavior when we meet as the Church of Jesus Christ. We should never be a Chameleon. Rather, we should be honest with one another and with ourselves, even crudely, so that we can change what needs to be changed and support one another in the changes that need to be made. In other words, if we are not careful, we are so busy trying to make ourselves look good to others that we miss the opportunity to be honest and congruent (as transparent as possible) so that others who need to know Christ can see that they are not alone in their need for a Savior. I have had people I work with tell me the following: (because now I ask), "The church is the most difficult place for me to be honest." Why is this true? This is the total opposite of the way that God wants it to be. Where did we miss it?

Over a century ago, Charles Shelton penned a book entitled, "In His Steps." It is now a Christian Classic and has been re-written by his son in contemporary language so that this generation can benefit from its great message. A homeless, destitute man came into the main "First [substitute your denomination here]Church of a city and walked to the front of the church and confronted the congregation about their ignorance of his plight although he had interacted with many of them previously. He [the destitute man] was honest. He subsequently died and the book's main plot outlines the effect of his death on various members of that congregation. The famous statement, "What would Jesus Do?" comes from this book. I mention this in the context of the things that I have written about above to drive home a point about our concept of  Church. Are we so busy supporting the reputation and projecting the image that we think we are supposed to be projecting that we lose sight of the words of Jesus? Let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no.  Honesty and congruence, even when it doesn't put us in the best light and makes things look "messy," changes things. Seek to be honest and congruent with yourself and others. This is often the difference between religion and spirituality. Spirituality is about relationship, honesty, and congruence. Religion is about form, projection, and distance between the individual and God. Religion reminds us of our distance from God and attempts in futility to reach Him. Spirituality reminds all of us how close HE really is. Honesty and congruence of character are spiritual. Think about the impact of times when you have been in church and someone you respect as a Christian gets honest about something they have been convicted of by the Holy Spirit that they are STRUGGLING to overcome. It is rare but when it happens it causes many people to examine themselves in light of their Savior and it also gives freedom to those who may not know HIM to also examine themselves. When we present ourselves as we really are, we magnify HIM [Jesus].......After all, isn't that our true purpose?

JUST AS I AM without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bid me come to thee, Oh Lamb of God I come, I come.......

Are you coming everyday AS YOU ARE?

Musings of a Prodigal Son - Living in the Present, Looking to the Future, Overcoming the Past

I haven't posted in awhile (a little over a month) but I want to write briefly today on a subject that has recently been on my heart. As many of you know, I have been going through what I will call a "restoration" period. I am not seeking to "lead" people at this point in my life, I am merely seeking to listen to My Father as He helps me to "be still and know that I am God." I have written much about my past in previous blogs and will continue to do so as I feel the Holy Spirit leading me to do so. I want to reflect on some recent revelations that are impacting my life and by sharing may be of some use to you. It goes without saying that all of us have a past, present, and a future (which has yet to be revealed but that exists in this realm or the one to come). The object of life it seems is to make the most of our PRESENT. It is the only thing that we have the power to truly live in. Our past is our past. We can go through the process of regret, serious contemplation about the decisions we have made, but we cannot change any of it. All that we can do is "make peace" with it by listening to God, accepting his forgiveness, and forgiving ourselves. We can also learn from our mistakes and help others who may be struggling with some of the same issues that we have struggled with in our past. Many people also live with worries about the future. How am I going to make it? What can I do about this upcoming problem? Where can I go to have peace? These are all questions that result from trying to "live" in the future. A point needs to be made here, living in the present does not excuse us from planning for the future but once we have prepared everything within our power to face the future, we must trust it to God. We cannot plan for every eventuality or circumstance. Jesus said, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they {fret or worry-my paraphrase} yet your heavenly father clothes them with great beauty. How much more will he meet your needs?" This scripture is often quoted in one translation or another to address the issue of worry and fretfulness. As a substance abuse counselor in one of my former careers, I heard someone who struggled with addiction once say [forgive the language here but it is so correct], "If I keep one foot in yesterday (the past), and one foot in tomorrow (the future), then I'll end up pissing all over today (the present)." This is so accurate. The present is where God does His work in us. It is where changes are made that affect our future and the future of others who we touch with our lives.


I have recently been reading Chuck Swindoll's book on the life of Moses. (his "great lives of the Bible" series is great if you haven't read any of those books). I love the fact that much of the old testament is devoted to the lives of great men and women of faith as well as those who aligned themselves as the enemies of God. Moses was one of those great men of faith but we are allowed to see his flaws. Why? Because we all have them. Chuck Swindoll said in his book, "Moses spent the first 40 years of his life thinking he was somebody, the second 40 years of his life thinking he was a nobody, and the third 40 years of his life learning what God can do with a nobody." I don't know about you but that encourages me. I am a little over 40....a little (laugh). Not that most of us will live to be 120 years old like Moses, but he was 80 years old when God gave him the "burning bush experience" and even then he was reluctant to surrender to one of the greatest missions in the history of the world. But....God (in his great Love) helped him get to the place of greatness.....The only thing required of Moses was obedience. We are called to obey God in the present......the rest is His business. Sounds simple doesn't it? Why don't we do it? What has God called you to do? Are you obedient to Him daily? Have you told Him you want to be obedient? Have you asked Him to speak to you because you want to know what He wants you to do? You may not see the "whole" picture of the future but God promises to let you know what to do NEXT. Has he already told you and you didn't like it or thought it was too difficult? Did you rationalize with your mind that it doesn't make sense to you? Are you willing to do the NEXT thing so that the thing after can be revealed? Join me in asking God to reveal to you what to do NOW. Remember, simple decisions made NOW have far reaching consequences on the yet to be revealed future.