Picky

It’s no secret that I’m a picky eater. Where I get it from, I have no idea. From early on, I can remember wanting my cheeseburgers with nothing but meat and cheese. My food can’t touch when it’s on my plate.
Subway sandwich-makers dearly love to see me come in because my sandwich is always the easiest to fix. Just get the bread…slap on some cheese, turkey meat, and bacon…and I’m good to go.
My salad (if you can call it that) consists of bacon bits, cheese, eggs, kidney beans, and fat-free thousand island dressing. (stop laughing!)

It is amazing though how that my pickiness has drifted into my every-day journey with Christ. There are just some things I don’t want to eat. Would it be good for me? Sure. Would I possibly find out that I actually enjoyed it? Sure. But somehow I make up my mind…I am not taking that in.

National Mall
(Washington, D.C.)

Apparently, deep down, I expect that my walk with Him is always going to be filled with sunshine and roses. But when my ‘food’ starts running together on my ‘plate’, I just want to take it to the sink and not eat it.

David said in, Psalm 34:8:’ O taste & see that the Lord is GOOD: blessed is the man who trusteth in Him.’ (KJV)

You see, we can gorge ourselves when our meal is prepared the way we like it. But when it comes to having to ‘suffer’ through one we just don’t like, we nibble around the edges…nibbling just enough to hold us until we can later run through a drive-thru and get what we really want.

Conowingo Dam
(Darlington, MD)

Sometimes God doesn’t give us exactly what we want or how we want it. There are moments when a ‘dish’ is served…that we didn’t order. Yet, it’s God’s way of knowing what’s best for each of us. He never said that everything was going to taste good…He simply said to trust what He gives you, and then you will see that He is good.

Go ahead and consume Romans 8:28: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (KJV)

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"Duties are ours, events are God's; When our faith goes to meddle with events, and to hold account upon God's Providence, and beginneth to say, 'How wilt Thou do this or that?' we lose ground;
(Samuel Rutherford)

In following Christ, we can’t be picky eaters. Taste and see…you just might be surprised. 

Go ahead....Jump

Confidence is such a difficult thing to battle with. It is like a never-ending roller coaster that can’t stop making the loops, round and round and round. You climb slowly…you ‘top out’…then back down you go, and around the loop our lives continue to roll.

Where confidence shows itself outwardly is in the fact that, many times, we can’t look others in the eye. A few years ago I had the privilege of meeting a hero of mine. I did not realize he was going to be at the same event I was at. And out of nowhere, I turned the corner and came face-to-face with him. I was introduced to him, and literally could not look him in the eyes.

Sometimes it seems as though a person’s greatness makes them better than us. And we all know that’s not even close to the real case.

But I have come to realize that the greatest battle with confidence comes not when dealing with someone else…it’s in the inward battle that we can never seem to completely defeat.

(Forest Hill, MD)

Failure. Doubt. Worry. Reached the end of our rope. Back against the wall. All these symbolisms of where we often find ourselves tears at the very fabric of our inner self-worth to the point where we can’t even summon enough courage to look our own selves in the eye. What we lose sight of in reality though is, what it does to our faith.

We won’t take giant leaps, because ‘what if…’
I’ve tried so many times before but I can’t…
No one really believes I can, so…

I’ve had to really work, as of late, to convince myself that I really can’t do it. Sounds weird, right? In truth, this is genuinely what faith is all about.

As a husband, father, and man (and I stress the ‘man’ part), I always think that…I can work this out. Half the time I can’t even look myself in the mirror…but I’m still determined that…I can work it out. I’ll figure something out.

(Inner Harbor)
Baltimore, MD

But it has taken my present reality to realize, ‘you can’t figure this one out’. Why? Because I’ve literally taken a leap off this imaginary cliff where only God can catch me. Living where I can figure things out, is the safe place to be. I really don’t have to depend on God’s miraculous power when I stay in the place ‘I know.’

I understand we have common sense for a reason, but when was the last time you took such a God-impressed leap of faith that you couldn’t figure out what was next? Where if He doesn’t come through, then you are through. If He doesn’t perform a miracle, then where is your answer going to come from? It’s no wonder we struggle with confidence because we really are not convinced that the Maker of all things…will come through.

(Forest Hill, MD)

Get in front of the mirror. Get your head up. Speak into your life that you are His, and that you can do ALL THINGS through Him who strengthens you. Lose your confidence in your own abilities – get them out of the way – and jump…

Larry’s International Version:
With God…there’s never a dull moment. (Vs. 1 – Chapter 1)

Afraid to Speak

Much has been said about the fear of public speaking. It is found at the top of the list of things we human beings are afraid of. There is just something about standing in front of a group of people whose eyes are solely focused upon you, then opening your mouth to speak.

I recently viewed a documentary on the legendary NBA star Larry Bird. During his junior year of high school this basketball star took an F in an English Class because he refused to give a short speech in front of his peers.

Some people can talk every second of every day, yet freeze when they are put in front of a group. But whether we want to come to grip with this fact or not, it is still a reality: Our lives are always on a stage. Eyes always focused on every decision, every dream, and every word said.

The question we should be asking ourselves daily is, “What is my life saying?” What do my relationships hear from me? What about my kids…my companion…my friends. . .what am I speaking into them from my stage?

I’ve come to realize that this fear of ‘public speaking’ has often kept me from being the authentic me. Will my circle like what they see and hear? Will I be accepted? What if I make a mistake? Everyone will see because the lights are focused on me. This could very well be the reason that our world is searching for genuine leaders today. The seats have become so crowded with individuals who have made the decision to climb down off the stage and out from under the lights, because accepting the call to ‘live publicly’ is just too costly.

By doing this we miss incredible faith-building opportunities.
We miss 'doing for one what we wish we could do for everyone'. (Thanks, Andy Stanley)
We miss letting our companions and children see us make mistakes and grow from them.
And in the end, we fail to experience the beauty of showing those who follow how to live on the stage.

You may decide to go sit in the seats, but understand...that still speaks. Get up there, dads. C’mon, moms, our little girls need to see how to live. Husbands and wives, let your marriage show this world true love. Students, let your campus follow somebody instead of just having another face in the crowd. This world needs more to get over the fear, climb back up on the stage and just live. One way or the other, your decision will speak louder than you will ever know. 

Where's your fruit?

I’ve never been much of a fruit guy. I would eat an occasional apple, some cantaloupe, pineapple, or a banana. I have never been guilty though of turning down a chip or two, but we can discuss the intricacies of junk food at a later date.

In Matthew 21, we find Jesus on the road with His disciples headed for Jerusalem. On so many occasions, I feel we Christians fail to keep in the forefront of our minds that while Jesus walked the earth He was both divine and human. He needed sleep…He (I’m sure) got splinters while working as a carpenter’s son…

(…and just to chase a squirrel here, I’ve always wondered if a bee had the guts to sting Him? If so, I want to meet that bee.)

(Baltimore Police Station...from 'The Wire')
Fell's Point - Baltimore, MD

In Vs. 19, we find Jesus walking toward Jerusalem and He was hungry. He comes upon a fig tree that had leaves on it, but no figs to eat. After seeing this Jesus said, “May you never bear fruit again!” It then immediately withered up.

In absorbing this passage, I’ve been forced to evaluate my own life. How many times has my life been so covered in leaves that others were just convinced that I was fulfilling my God given purpose? The problem was that the closer others got to me, the more they began to realize that there was no fruit.
I can parallel my life to this fig tree in so many ways. Had I known Jesus was going to be passing through my life on certain occasions desiring to use me for a specific purpose, I would have made sure that things were in order.

I watch in sadness today while many are covered in leaves but there is no visible fruit to be seen. It is all about the position I can obtain, or the payment I can receive for my services…it’s the look. What do others see?
Forget what I am hiding. Forget that I cannot afford to let others get to ‘close’ to me. I’ve simply got to keep God and everyone else at a distance … I’ve got leaves to protect.

(Inner Harbor)
Baltimore City, MD

You ever wonder why you don’t get anywhere? You ever wonder why your relationships, your spirituality, and your life never advance? Ever wonder why contentment evades you and judgment fills the void? Jesus just might have stopped ‘watering’ your soul.

Christ hungers for you to become all that He desires for you to be. He makes it a point to pass through our days…and He is always looking for the fruit.

Distracted

Luke 10:38-42

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 

40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I have read about this particular occurrence many times before, but the four words found in Verse 40 really did a number on me this morning. Martha did a wonderful thing by opening her home to Jesus and His disciples.
As any of us would do, she wanted everything to be perfect. I can imagine that she was reaching way back into her cabinets to pull out the best dinnerware she had. Items that otherwise would be left lying around were being thrown into any available space to give the appearance that her home was immaculate. 

And the food…’If only I had known in advance that Jesus was coming, I would have made sure that I had the choice selections from the market.’

(Fell's Point)
Baltimore, MD

 The nervous energy had to be pumping through Martha’s veins.

But her sister Mary just sat down at the feet of Jesus to listen to what He had to say. How could she? The most important houseguest you could ever have is sitting in your living room…and you just sit down to listen?

This is where Verse 40 comes into our story and relates to us even today. 

Jesus had shown up in her home and Martha got distracted from what was most important. Jesus did not need what she could do for Him…She needed what He could do for her.

(Inner Harbor)
Baltimore, MD

How many:

- Distracted ‘could-be’ mentors are out there today?
You could be used mightily to speak words of guidance into others lives, but…
- Distracted husbands / wives?
Your spouse longs to be heard, loved, and communicated with, but…
- Distracted Pastors?
You are so caught up in the ‘preparation’ of what you think needs to be done that you miss what is most important.
- Distracted mom’s / dad’s?
T.I.M.E. It is all our children want, but…
- Distracted friends?
Our circle clamors for genuine honor and respect from us, but…

Jesus does not need ‘us’ quite as bad as sometimes we think He does. His plan, will, and purpose will be accomplished with or without our actions. As He told Martha, “…few things are needed – or indeed only one.”

Look around and evaluate where you are today. You just might be distracted from what is most important and not even know it. 

Move. Forward...

I drive my middle son crazy. He is a little worrier who believes anything I tell him. That is not a good combination when it comes to hanging around with me. J The other day I was driving backwards out of our long driveway and Grady asked, “Why are we going backwards?” In all sincerity I said, “It’s a new thing daddy is trying. We are going to go all the way to the restaurant 

going backwards.” (I know, I’m terrible) 

As only a mommy can do, my wife stepped in to settle him back down by letting him know that daddy was just kidding. 

In everyday life though, I wonder how many people live their days looking in the rearview mirror instead of through the windshield? So many do not like what they see in front of them so they choose to look back to the good ole days. Many others do not want to face the oncoming struggles that it will take to move beyond what they have been chained to, so they look back upon a past that continues to affect their present. And still, others do not have the wherewithal to watch where they are going so they just drive around in circles.

(Forest Hill, MD)

Taking the time to remember where we came from will affect our present, but keeping our eyes focused on the road ahead is of utmost importance.

Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Far too many wrecks are occurring along the road of life for this very reason. Then we put the blame squarely upon the shoulders of God when it was truly our own decision to not keep our eyes focused in the right direction.

A stern warning was given when God said, ‘Remember Lot’s wife.’ (Luke 17)

Don’t get caught looking back to things that were meant and intended to be destroyed.

(City Pier - Broadway St.)
Baltimore, MD

It’s worth the struggle. It’s worth every obstacle. Run this race with patience and keep your eyes focused on what lies ahead.

Move. Forward.

A Bucket...

Ever feel like a bucket?

A nice big storage device used to hold everyone’s stuff that needs to be carried around. We are tied to the end of our rope, constantly being let up and down by the pulley of life (Corny line …. I know).

You ever wonder why life is full of its up’s and down’s? 

How many times have we hoped, dreamed, and wished for the simple act of consistency? Why can’t I live about mid-way between the mountaintop and the valley? That way, I’ll never be too high or too low.

Sailboat
Fells Point (Baltimore, MD)

If you plan on making a difference in this world though, you are never going to stay in one spot long enough to get comfortable. And if you are really doing life, some of it is spent on top and…well (no pun intended), you know where the other times lead.

This is where I begin to really feel like a bucket dangling from its rope…when I’m being let up and down into a well. This is where it is imperative that we gain an understanding that our lives must have moments where we are lowered in order to be refilled again.
The reasons are many:
* Anyone can become dry in this world we live in.
* Life can become so overwhelming that we settle into comfort mode, just existing instead of really living.
* We can get so caught up in giving to others, that we eventually begin running on reserve because we don’t take the time to fill our tank back up to the point of overflowing.

Even Jesus had to step back from ministry and rest. Even He had to humble Himself. He went through moments of utter agony in order to be an overflowing ‘well’ of hope to this world.

S. Broadway St.
(Baltimore, MD)

So you see, being the bucket is not such a bad thing. We just have to be willing to endure the trip down in order to be filled to serve our God-designed purpose to our world.  

Our ‘bucket existence’ should be faced with joy.

Isaiah 12:2-4  (NLT)
2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say: “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.

Don’t worry if you feel like you’re in a downward spiral…you are just a bucket that needs refilling, not only for your own sake, but for the sake of those you influence. Put God in charge of your rope, and face wherever you are with joy.