We all want it, well, I think most of us do. Success, although I’m not talking about the selfish, self-serving type of success. Regardless of how you define success in your particular vocation, success seems to be a term thrown around in our world today – successful businessman, successful parent, successful pastor, successful marriage, successful church, and whatever else you can add. With all this talk about being successful, is there a downside? I believe there can be. There is a great story in the Bible concerning the downside of success found in 1 Kings 18-19. Elijah, the prophet of God during the reign of Ahab (874-853 BC), spoke out against Israel’s worship of false gods, including Baal. Ahab is called the most evil king than all who were before him (1 Kings 16:30) and also the one who angered God more than any other king prior to his rule (16:33). This was spoken of Ahab because he was the one responsible for dragging Israel into the worship of false gods. As a judgment, God caused a three and a half year drought to come upon Israel. Toward the end of the drought, Elijah called for the 450 prophets of Baal to meet him on Mount Carmel where there was a showdown to determine which god was true – Baal or the God of Israel (1 Kings 18:20-40). In a miraculous display of power, Elijah called down fire from heaven and God demonstrated that He was the one and only true God. Elijah then had all 450 prophets of Baal executed for their part in leading Israel into the worship of false gods (1 Kings 18:40). After this monumental event in Elijah’s ministry, God caused it to rain again in response to the prayers of Elijah (1 Kings 18:41-46). Most people would read this and think, success.

However, when you turn the page, Elijah is being threatened by Ahab’s evil wife, who basically promises that she will have Elijah killed as he had killed the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 19:1-2). Forgetting about the supernatural displays of power he had just witnessed, Elijah becomes fearful of Jezebel, runs for his life (19:3), and begs God to kill him (19:4). What happened? I believe two things are clear in this story: 1) success is often followed by an immediate challenge, and, 2) past success does not guarantee future success. Elijah forgot that the God who sent fire from heaven was the same God who could deliver him from his current situation.

I wonder if I’ve forgotten…

Yesterday I took my two kids on a bike ride because, well, it is our new favorite thing to do and I believe they enjoying spending some time with me as much as I enjoy spending time with them. Now every day when I get home from work, both my son and daughter beg me to take another bike ride. So yesterday, instead of traveling the normal route around our neighborhood, I decided to take them on a new, exciting adventure in order to explore the unknown – the woods. Hoping there would be a decent bicycle path amongst the tall trees near our house, all three of us set out on an adventure; however, my children had no idea what I had planned. As we approached the deep, dark forest my seven and nine year old became a little concerned about entering a place where they had never been; in fact, they objected and made statements like, “I don’t want to go in there.” I assured them that there had been no recent snake attacks in our area, so we finally proceeded into the canopy of trees. After only traveling a short distance, the trail ended so we backtracked and took a side trail I had spotted several yards back, which ended up leading to another dead end. Determined to find a clear path, I led us along the edge of the trees until we had descended down a hill where we were met with yet another dead end. By this time, my kids were clearly frustrated with me and at one point, my daughter (who is always brutally honest) put her bike down on the ground and said, “I’m tired and I want to go home NOW!” I knew it was time to abandon my plan for discovery and exploration. Dejected and a little frustrated that my plan for exploring new paths had failed, we all pedaled home. Based on yesterday’s failure, I was certain that they would not want to embark on another bicycle journey; however, when I arrived home this evening, they asked if we were going on a bike ride.

Has the person who is your leader (a boss, teacher, parent, or pastor) led your business, classmates, family, or church to several dead ends? If so, maybe he or she needs you to ask to go on another bike ride.

My front yard was starting to look like a jungle so I figured it was time to bust out the old push mower, even though it had not been a week since I last mowed. I filled it with some gas, pulled the cord, and began cutting stripes into the front yard when suddenly something fell from the sky and hit me in the head and then in the back. Great! Over-sized drops of rain were falling at unusual speeds making each drop feel like it was piercing through my skin. I didn’t want to leave my grass half finished (what would the neighbors think?) so I continued on in the rain (which eventually stopped) until the job was completed.

Far too many people run for cover when the rain begins to fall leaving things half finished. It may be time for you to, once again, pull the cord and finish what you started.

When my wife made an appointment for me at the doctor, I just pictured a brief visit which would end with me receiving a prescription for some medication. Since last Friday I have felt a little under the weather so I decided that it was time for me to get checked out, especially when I considered that I’d be traveling out of the country next week. Upon my doctor’s arrival in the room he did all the regular actions such as look in my ears and throat as well as ask me questions about my symptoms. After the examination was complete he gave me the verdict – some kind of a sinus infection. “No problem,” I thought. “Just give me the meds and I’ll be on my way.” Then without warning I heard him use the word “shot.” The rest of his instructions got lost following the ultimate doctor curse word. Even the mention of a needle sends cold chills throughout my body.

After my doctor left the room, a nurse appeared in the doorway with what I swear was the world’s longest and pointiest needle. I had already taken my jacket off to give her quick access to my arm because I believed this would expedite the process. “Which hip do you want it in?” she asked with a smile on her face. “Excuse me,” I thought in my mind. Did she just say “in the hip”? I cautiously stood to my feet but she must have noticed the apprehension in my eyes so she said, “This one doesn’t hurt.” Yeah, right! Anytime sharp objects are punched into someone’s skin it hurts! I don’t care what they told you in nursing school! Oh, and by the way, that wasn’t my hip because my parents didn’t spank my hip! I went to the doctor expecting to get help, not to be put through more agony.

When a person seeks help, that individual doesn’t expect to experience pain in the process; however, the destination of healing is often traveled by way of the path of pain.

Not too long ago I began reading Luke’s account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and I have not been able to shake some truths I gleaned from the first chapter (Luke 1:5-25, 57-64). A couple named Zacharias (a priest) and Elizabeth were elderly, but felt unfulfilled in their lives because they had never been blessed with a child. It appears that they had prayed for years (1:13) that God would answer their request, but year after year God was silent and no answer was in sight. All hope seemed to be lost for this couple whom Luke describes as “righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (1:6). The question of fairness comes into view here because why wouldn’t God answer the desperate prayers of two people who were doing everything right? Little did they know that God was already at work…just not on their timeframe.

God sends an angel to Zacharias in order to reveal that he and Elizabeth were going to be parents, but Zacharias has a hard time believing that a man his age was going to be able to…well, you know. The angel gives Zacharias a sign, which also doubles as a consequence for his disbelief, and he cannot speak until John (the Baptist) is born. In my opinion, Zacharias prayed for God to answer without being fully convinced that He would respond.

When the same angel later appears to Mary, the mother of Jesus and relative of Elizabeth, he reveals to her that Elizabeth is pregnant and will soon give birth. Luke documents the angel’s words to Mary, “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible” (1:36). Our God specializes in making the impossible possible for those who are righteous and walking in His ways.

Maybe you’re tired of asking? Maybe you are convinced that God is not listening? But maybe tomorrow or the next day is the day God will arrive and make what once seemed impossible a reality.

You can hear more of my unfiltered thoughts on this story at the Summit this coming Sunday at 10:15am!

When I was young, I loved building tunnels and forts in the living room of my house. Typically, I would attach cardboard boxes together (end to end) along with some tables and chairs with blankets draped over them. After creating this monstrosity, my two brothers and I would spend hours crawling through our carefully constructed tunnels and hiding out in our impenetrable fort…or so we thought it was impenetrable. When I arrived home from work yesterday, my two children had built one of these huge forts in the middle of our living room using the kitchen table, an end table, sheets from their bed, and pillows from our couch. All night they peeked in and out of the fort taking pride in the security and sense of protection the bed sheet walls provided. I remember those days. Life was easy, carefree, and lived without fear, except for the monsters under my bed.

I’m not sure where the shift occurred in my own life, but at some point the simple things formerly providing security and a sense of protection were forgotten and lost with each passing day. Instead of feeling safe, I often feel vulnerable. Rather than feeling protected, I feel exposed. Ever been in that place before? These words are for you…the vulnerable, the exposed, and the insecure.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling (Psalm 46:1-3).

I’ve had several conversations with people this week who are hurting. As a pastor, I’m constantly hearing stories of people who are experiencing health problems, marital problems, financial problems, parenting problems, addiction problems, and all kinds of other problems. From time to time, I am able to offer a comforting word to those who are broken because I’m familiar with the circumstance, but more often than not, I have nothing. Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m supposed to say things such as “I’ll pray for you” or “God knows what you are going through” but I always feel like I should have more answers for the individual; after all, aren’t those who represent God privy to His ways?

If I am honest, hearing about some of the trials people are experiencing creates questions in my mind also. Why would God allow this person to die? Why would God permit this to happen in a person’s marriage? Why didn’t God put a stop to this atrocity before it happened? You see, Pastors are human beings too. We struggle with the same questions and doubts as you do. Please don’t misunderstand what I am saying. I don’t doubt God. I just don’t always understand His ways.

Previous Posts:
Why I’m Against Killing Ants
One Pastor’s Struggle
A Not So Friendly Encounter

I cried. I admit that it’s been a while since I’ve let the tears flow, but I just could not hold them back. What was it that caused this grown man cry? Kris Allen winning American Idol provoked emotions in me which I had not felt in some time. Before I continue, I know what you’re thinking…what a wimp! Yeah, you’re right. I would be a wimp, but I am lying. I didn’t cry when Kris Allen won American Idol, but I did shed a few tears when I was in the shower the other day and shampoo got in my eyes. I’m not even sure how it occurred, considering I wash my hair every day, but I must have haphazardly slapped the shampoo on my hair causing it to seep into my eyes. Oh my word! I forgot how much it hurts to get that stuff in your eyes. For a brief second I thought about rushing to the emergency care center near our house so they could flush my eyes out with something, anything…but I figured they would just laugh at my expense. For the rest of the day my eyes were stinging and watering, but the irritation eventually subsided. Who in the world invented such potent shampoo and shouldn’t there be a massive warning label plastered on the front saying, “WARNING: May Burn Eyes Out of Head!”?

A little later in the day I remembered an incident last year when we had run out of the “tear free” shampoo for the kids and I had to make them use “big boy and big girl” shampoo. I thought my presentation about the shampoo being something big kids would use would convince them to use it. I was right. Inevitably, they both got shampoo in their eyes and made a big drama out of it. I remember saying to each of them, “It doesn’t hurt that bad. Quit being a baby!”

I find it very easy to judge someone whenever I haven’t experienced what they’re experiencing or when I’ve forgotten how it feels to be in their predicament. Saying things such as, “Forget about it” or “Get over it” or “Just move on” or “You’re acting immature” are unfair statements, especially when you haven’t attempted to identify with their feelings. A good rule to remember is this: If you can empathize (know by experience), share your story; if you can only sympathize (know by knowledge), keep your mouth shut and just listen.

What was I writing one year ago? Click here to read an old-school post.

Or, see what you’ve missed this week.
Monday – No Hamster Dance for Us!
Tuesday – The Intruder in Our House