I am so bored with the complaint, "I'm bored!" It is amazing to me that our world of hundreds of TV channels, high speed internet, sophisticated home gaming systems, IPods and the IPad, has become uninteresting, not only to small children, but to adults as well. How is it possible that we can be so bored when there are so many ways to occupy our time and attention?
To be "a bore" has been an expression in the English language since the 18th century, referring to a person who was dull or uninteresting. Charles Dickens used the word "boredom" for the first time in the novel, The Bleak House, in 1852 (some theorize this was Dicken's way of expressing his views about his publisher, or his general attitude after writing his ninth novel). However boredom is an ancient concept referring to a lack of fascination and satisfaction with life and its activities.
While psychological studies have been done to understand the emotional response of being bored, it is my opinion that boredom is every much a philosophical result of a person's worldview, rather than a condition of one's emotions. People who are bored easily are so because few events and people captivate their interests. Activities and entertainment are used to fill time and provide some sense of excitement and purpose, but after a while, those become mundane and uninteresting.
So, before I bore you further with more questions and theories, let me tell you what I believe the cure is for boredom. Curing bored begins with accepting a worldview which believes that enjoying life is not about constant entertainment and rushes of adrenaline, but rather enjoying the richness and fullness of creation, even when doing nothing.
I realize there are those who just read this blog and said, "how boring." Each week, I preach to an audience where I know there are at least a handful who are bored before the message begins. However, before you write this blog off altogether, consider this cure for boredom: seek to be engaged, rather than entertained. Be more engaged in life's simple pleasures - in conversation with someone you can learn from, in contemplation of God's meaning for life, in participation of activities that actually make a difference in the world.
How can you stop from being bored? Stop being a bore, and quit depending upon artificial activities and fantasies from having preeminence in your life. Engage yourself with God, his world, and his people, and not only will the world become more interesting, but so will you.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
"Stop It: The Blame Game"
If there is a mantra for people forty years and younger it is, "it's not my fault!" Whether it's poor job performance, participation on a sports team, or dealing with life issues, Gen X'ers and Gen Y'ers frequently want to blame someone or something else for their failings. This isn't a newly uncovered social discovery I'm sharing with you, but it is one that needs to be confronted.
Since I am not a social scientist, and have done no studies on this issue, I cannot tell you where this all came about. I can only conjecture that perhaps since the 1960's, our country has put so much emphasis on a child's self-esteem, that we have neglected personal responsibility in the raising of children. Whatever the reasons, there are many young adults today who are incapable of admitting blame, and taking responsibility for their mistakes. As a pastor, I have seen this affect everything from marriage difficulties, job dissatisfaction, to drug and alcohol dependency in today's 20 to 30-somethings.
All of us have negative and difficult situations to deal with in life. There are some people who have had devastating and tragic things happen to them, that are no fault of their own. What is our responsibility is how we respond to these adverse situations, and decide to live from that point forward.
So, in keeping with the spirit of this blog series, I'm not going to give complicated, psychological answers to change this behavior; all I'm going to simply say is: STOP IT! Stop blaming other people for your failings. Stop reacting to correction before you've actually listened to what is being said. Stop the attitude that you can do nothing wrong, and therefore, cannot be corrected by anyone. Stop the thinking that you are perfect, because you're not, and neither am I.
When Christians play "the blame game," it limits opportunities for growth. Hebrews 12:4-6 reads, "In ths all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through...So don't feel sorry for yourselves...My dear children, don't shrug off God's disciple, but don't be crushed by it either. It's the child he loves that he disciplines, the child he embraces, he also corrects. (The Message)"
Fellow believers, listen to the correction of God and God's people. It's not being done to make you feel badly, but rather to make you better! Be better today. Be people who are strong enough to accept blame, when necessary, and wise enough to learn from it.
Since I am not a social scientist, and have done no studies on this issue, I cannot tell you where this all came about. I can only conjecture that perhaps since the 1960's, our country has put so much emphasis on a child's self-esteem, that we have neglected personal responsibility in the raising of children. Whatever the reasons, there are many young adults today who are incapable of admitting blame, and taking responsibility for their mistakes. As a pastor, I have seen this affect everything from marriage difficulties, job dissatisfaction, to drug and alcohol dependency in today's 20 to 30-somethings.
All of us have negative and difficult situations to deal with in life. There are some people who have had devastating and tragic things happen to them, that are no fault of their own. What is our responsibility is how we respond to these adverse situations, and decide to live from that point forward.
So, in keeping with the spirit of this blog series, I'm not going to give complicated, psychological answers to change this behavior; all I'm going to simply say is: STOP IT! Stop blaming other people for your failings. Stop reacting to correction before you've actually listened to what is being said. Stop the attitude that you can do nothing wrong, and therefore, cannot be corrected by anyone. Stop the thinking that you are perfect, because you're not, and neither am I.
When Christians play "the blame game," it limits opportunities for growth. Hebrews 12:4-6 reads, "In ths all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through...So don't feel sorry for yourselves...My dear children, don't shrug off God's disciple, but don't be crushed by it either. It's the child he loves that he disciplines, the child he embraces, he also corrects. (The Message)"
Fellow believers, listen to the correction of God and God's people. It's not being done to make you feel badly, but rather to make you better! Be better today. Be people who are strong enough to accept blame, when necessary, and wise enough to learn from it.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
STOP IT!
As a pastor, I listen to a lot of people who have problems. Some of these problems can be blamed upon the sinful realities of our world, but many are simply due to their own mistakes. For some time, I have been concerned with the inability of some people to own up to their sinfulness or self-pity and simply stop their destructive behaviors. So, over the next several weeks, I will be addressing various actions that people simply need to stop. It will be unapologetically blunt, honest, and open. It is not necessarily a reflection of issues that people in my church are currently dealing with, but rather the self-inflicted struggles I have witnessed inside and outside of the church. In case you think I'm being pompous and judgemental, some of these will be issues that I've struggled with in my life and need to stop doing as well.
So, if you are interested in knowing how to make your life better, I encourage you to read the postings over the next several weeks. Until then, check out and enjoy the "Stop It!" clip featuring one of my favorite comedians, Bob Newhart.
So, if you are interested in knowing how to make your life better, I encourage you to read the postings over the next several weeks. Until then, check out and enjoy the "Stop It!" clip featuring one of my favorite comedians, Bob Newhart.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Lessons From Joshua: "Unlikely Heroes"
The book of Joshua is about the second generation of Israelites who take possession of the land God had promised them. It is a book of warfare, diplomacy, and espionage. In chapter two, there is an interesting story about a woman who becomes an ally of Israel, Rahab. Rahab is a resident of the great walled city of Jericho, which was one of the first major obstacles for Israel to overcome in possessing the Promised Land.
Joshua sends two spies to infiltrate Jericho to gather intelligence for the upcoming battle. The king of Jericho hears of this and begins a search for the spies. However, Rahab hides them in her house, in exchange for the safety of her family when Israel invades Jericho. The reason Rahab gave for doing this was because of the reputation of Israel's God. Rahab testified, "the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath." At that moment, Rahab became a follower of the one true God.
If you do not know the story of Rahab, you may be surprised at what she did for a living - she was a prostitute. However, upon hearing of the greatness of God, and given the opportunity to believe, she did, and her life was transformed.
What may be more surprising about Rahab, is that she became an acestor to a great lineage of descendants. After the battle of Jericho, the Israelites allowed Rahab and her family to become part of their community, and she eventually married, and had a family of her own. Her impressive list of progeny include Ruth, Jesse, David, and Jesus. That's right, a one-time pagan prostitue was an ancestor of our Lord!
The story of Rahab is a great lesson that God can use anyone, in spite of whatever background or lifestyle one had. The Bible is full of unlikely heroes whom the world dismisses, but God never gives up on. Maybe you feel unworthy of God's love, or there is nothing you can offer to God. If that is your feeling, just remember, one of Jesus' great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, grandmother's was a prostitue.
Suggested Reading:
*Joshua Chapter Two
*Matthew 1:1-17
*Hebrews Chapter Eleven (notice verses 30-31)
Joshua sends two spies to infiltrate Jericho to gather intelligence for the upcoming battle. The king of Jericho hears of this and begins a search for the spies. However, Rahab hides them in her house, in exchange for the safety of her family when Israel invades Jericho. The reason Rahab gave for doing this was because of the reputation of Israel's God. Rahab testified, "the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath." At that moment, Rahab became a follower of the one true God.
If you do not know the story of Rahab, you may be surprised at what she did for a living - she was a prostitute. However, upon hearing of the greatness of God, and given the opportunity to believe, she did, and her life was transformed.
What may be more surprising about Rahab, is that she became an acestor to a great lineage of descendants. After the battle of Jericho, the Israelites allowed Rahab and her family to become part of their community, and she eventually married, and had a family of her own. Her impressive list of progeny include Ruth, Jesse, David, and Jesus. That's right, a one-time pagan prostitue was an ancestor of our Lord!
The story of Rahab is a great lesson that God can use anyone, in spite of whatever background or lifestyle one had. The Bible is full of unlikely heroes whom the world dismisses, but God never gives up on. Maybe you feel unworthy of God's love, or there is nothing you can offer to God. If that is your feeling, just remember, one of Jesus' great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, grandmother's was a prostitue.
Suggested Reading:
*Joshua Chapter Two
*Matthew 1:1-17
*Hebrews Chapter Eleven (notice verses 30-31)
Monday, February 15, 2010
Lessons From Joshua: "Be Strong and Courageous"
Beginning in June, I will begin a series of messages at Community from the book of Joshua. In preparation for that series, I have begun reading Joshua and reflecting upon it personally. Each Monday, I will share a thought from the sixth book of the Old Testament, and suggest some readings for the rest of the week. The first one is from Joshua chapter one.
The book of Joshua is about the people of Israel inhabiting the land that God had promised them upon their release from slavery from Egypt. Moses had just died and God placed Joshua as leader of Israel. Because of Israel's lack of faith and disobedience, a generation of people had to die off before God gave them permission to enter "The Promised Land" and it was now time. Only two men from the first generation were allowed to enter the land, Joshua and Caleb. They were the only two of the twelve spies, in the book of Numbers, who had faith that God could deliver the land to them. They were not only men of faith, but men of courage.
It should not be suprising to us then that four times in chapter one (verses 6, 7, 9, and 16) Joshua tells the people of Israel to "be strong and courageous." Joshua reminds this new generation that God will provide what he promised and when given the plan for possessing the land the people responded, "All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go (1:16)."
Joshua could encourage the people to be "strong and courageous," because he was strong and courageous. He had built up enough "leadership capital" that when the time for action came, the people believed in their leader. Joshua had proven to be a man of great faith, and this encouraged the people in their faith.
I once heard that "courage is not the absence of fear, but action in the presence of fear." Perhaps you are facing a major decision or action this week that requires a great deal of courage on your part. Maybe you are fearful of making a wrong choice and you are tempted to not do anything. The reason we are talking about Joshua today, 3,000 years removed from his death, is because he was a man of courage who found his strength in the Lord. If you are crippled by your fear, turn it over to God, and be empowered by God's strength. He has enough for all of us!
Suggested Reading:
*Numbers Chapters 13 & 14
*Joshua Chapter 1
The book of Joshua is about the people of Israel inhabiting the land that God had promised them upon their release from slavery from Egypt. Moses had just died and God placed Joshua as leader of Israel. Because of Israel's lack of faith and disobedience, a generation of people had to die off before God gave them permission to enter "The Promised Land" and it was now time. Only two men from the first generation were allowed to enter the land, Joshua and Caleb. They were the only two of the twelve spies, in the book of Numbers, who had faith that God could deliver the land to them. They were not only men of faith, but men of courage.
It should not be suprising to us then that four times in chapter one (verses 6, 7, 9, and 16) Joshua tells the people of Israel to "be strong and courageous." Joshua reminds this new generation that God will provide what he promised and when given the plan for possessing the land the people responded, "All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go (1:16)."
Joshua could encourage the people to be "strong and courageous," because he was strong and courageous. He had built up enough "leadership capital" that when the time for action came, the people believed in their leader. Joshua had proven to be a man of great faith, and this encouraged the people in their faith.
I once heard that "courage is not the absence of fear, but action in the presence of fear." Perhaps you are facing a major decision or action this week that requires a great deal of courage on your part. Maybe you are fearful of making a wrong choice and you are tempted to not do anything. The reason we are talking about Joshua today, 3,000 years removed from his death, is because he was a man of courage who found his strength in the Lord. If you are crippled by your fear, turn it over to God, and be empowered by God's strength. He has enough for all of us!
Suggested Reading:
*Numbers Chapters 13 & 14
*Joshua Chapter 1
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