A Student Athlete's Example

Have you herd the story of Josh Ripley?

Josh is a sixteen-year-old junior at Andover (MN) High School. On September 16, 6-foot 5-inch Josh was one of 261 competitors in a 5 K race. About half way through the race, Josh heard a scream and saw another runner, someone he didn’t know, collapsed against a fence and holding a profusely bleeding ankle.

Mark Paulauskas, a 5-foot 5-inch freshman at Lakeville (MN) South High, was the injured athlete.

Here is what Mark said about what happened next: "He just picked me up without saying anything and started carrying me and trying to calm me down. He said, 'It's going to be OK. I'm going to get you to your coaches.' ... I think it's amazing."

Meanwhile, Josh’s own coach was becoming concerned as he tried to figure out why Josh hadn’t passed the halfway mark. When Coach Scott Clark spotted Josh he was “ ... wondering what was going on, why was he so far back. Then I see Josh. He's got the kid in his arms."

Turns out Josh Ripley carried Mark about a quarter mile. He hands him off to his own coaches and family. And then – dead last in the field of runners, Josh resumes his race. In the end he passed about 50 kids to finish 211th out of 261 runners. Without excuse, without disappointment, without explanation, he just finished what he had started, a 5 K foot race.

Teammate Simeon Toronto asked him, “Why did you fall so far behind?” Simeon says, "He just humbly says, 'Oh, I picked up a kid. And I'm like, 'Dude, you just picked up a kid and carried him?' That's incredible!" Then added Toronto: "It was just so typical Josh."

Newspaper reports simply cite this as a wonderful example of sportsmanship. But there is more. What Josh did is core to the very practical faith Josh embraces. Both Mark and Josh, in their accounts of the event, say that Josh prayed over Mark as he ran with him in his arms. He prayed for Mark’s pain to stop and for him to be all right. He even asked Mark’s permission before he started the prayer.

But Josh, who also volunteers for Living Word Christian Center, says he did nothing special. “I’m just thankful to God to let me be there for someone who needed me.”

By the way, Mark's ankle needed 20 stitches to close the gash another runner's spikes accidentally created. There was no deeper damage to ligaments or tendons and Mark should fully recover.

I love this story. Josh is a great example of how God intended us to care for each other, to pray for each other and to do so with no expectation of notice or reward.

Thank you Josh.

Blunders and Barriers to Addressing New Circumstances:

When young Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, he launched a major change in how and when we listen to music. Edison’s light bulb changed our world by lighting the nights. But Edison’s high IQ didn’t prevent him from making a bad decision. Thomas Edison could not imagine a world where AC (alternating current) would be the rule. So he rejected AC as a means of powering both his light bulb and future machines. His choice opened the door for Nikola Tesla (his star employee) to spread the use of electric power across the world. Decades after AC proved itself the world’s best commercial current, Edison kept arguing that his DC idea was better!

Zachary Shore uses this story to capture the major insight in his book, “Blunder: Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions” (New York: Bloomsbury USA, 2008). Edison fell into a cognitive trap — a rigid mind-set that can block smart people from seeing the importance of new facts — and thus, blocks the addressing of new circumstances.

Coeditors Herb Miller, Lyle E. Schaller and Cynthia Woolever expand on this thought in the October, 2011 (Volume 19, Number 1) “The Parish Paper” as they apply “cognitive traps” to local congregations.
I invite you to check out the article, not so much for church things, but for what you can learn about the other aspects of life where in “cognitive traps” limit our thinking.

Here is the link. I can also provide you with a hard copy if you ask. http://web.nebraskasynod.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/October2011.pdf

October 2011 "Sketchings"

“FALL COLORS!!”

In the yard next door, there is a maple tree. It looks like this year it is going to be spectacular with fall color – if we get the right combination of warm days and cool nights and no wind/rain to drop the leaves prematurely. Already, the tree is awash in reds, rusts, yellows, browns and hues of green against the darker green leaves that have not yet been touched with the Master’s paintbrush. Already it is a wonder of beauty in our cul-de-sac.

I happen to be a person who loves the fall colors. (One day I want to find my way to the North East United States during this time of year.)

I think one reason I enjoy fall is that it is symbolic of a faith journey. It is a symbol of the fruits of maturity in faith, a coming to “bloom” from the growth of faith and the work of the Spirit. I know I speak much too simply in this regard. But never-the-less, the full beauty of faith cannot be enjoyed unless one is continually moving toward maturity in Christ.

You see, maturity in Christ is about growth. It is about movement in faith. It is about growing in what has been called “the mark’s of discipleship”: worship, Bible Reading and devotions, prayer, generosity, service and witness (or relationships where we can talk about our faith.)

The problem is, for many, when we come to talk about these disciplines, the reaction is more like that of a person getting a “root canal” than a person who is seeing an invitation to deeper faith, to spiritual growth, to spiritual maturity or to the fullness of life in Jesus.

However, as we commit to the process, embark on the journey and discipline ourselves to draw nourishment from the deep roots of our faith, we find the beauty of God’s handiwork in our lives. We discover the pure joy that comes from being close to Jesus. We display in our lives the beauty of God’s grace and goodness.

I’m excited about the fall season – both outdoors in within our walls. I’m excited about how God is going to paint our world with color and how God is going to paint our lives with grace and peace, forgiveness and His Spirit power. I’m anxious to see what amazing ways God will work in our lives as we live as reflections of His true and wondrous light.

We have been blessed with a wonderful past. We are living in an exciting present. As to the future, it can only be colored with God’s paint brush of expectation and hope as we grow in faith, mature in our mission and ministry and deepen our roots in His Spirit power.

T. O. M.

A Quote from C. S. Lewis:

The Church is the Body of Christ in which members share the common life, complimenting and helping one another. C.S. Lewis

Forgiveness story:

Corrie Tenboom, in her account of her life in Ravensbrook, a German concentration camp for women during WWII, told the story of coming around the corner one day and seeing one of their female guards savagely beating a fellow prisoner. She and her sister, Bonnie, stopped, appalled at what they were seeing. “That poor worm,” said Corrie. “Yes,” replied her sister, “We will have to pray for her forgiveness.” It was then that Corrie realized that while she had been sympathizing for the poor beaten woman, her sister saw the greater tragedy -- the guard who was able to treat a fellow human being in this way.

Years later, long after the war was over, Corrie’s conviction of the truth of her sisters insight was challenged. By this time she was a popular speaker. After one of her presentations a German man pulled her aside on the steps of a church. He had been one of the guards at the camp. He told her how much her words and story had come to mean to him. He put out his hand to shake hers. Corrie felt an unknown horror rising up in her, a revulsion which she did not know she still harbored. She did not want to shake the man’s hand, but she realized that Christ had forgiven him as well as her. On the steps of that church she shook his hand and forgave him too.

Forgiveness requires truth. Forgiveness cannot be possible in the presence of deception and cover up. Forgiveness is not an easy thing, but, empowered by Christ, is it possible. Forgiveness is possible because the energy of forgiveness flows from Christ. From Christ’s arms of love, forgiveness is felt, claimed and “played forward.” From the outstretched arms of Christ forgiveness heals the wounded heart.

One Perspective on “The Truth”:

Jesus has said that he is “the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)

God’s truth is revealed through Jesus and from Jesus through the Bible, the Word of God. Sometimes, the picture that is painted by God Word isn’t something that I want to accept right off. Sometimes I don’t like to see the “truth” the way Jesus sees it. In those instances, I have to step back and honestly sort through the emotion and reactions God’s truth stirs up in me. I have to ask, “What my matter with all that?” “Why am I reacting so dramatically?” I have to process my stuff to come to a new pattern of thinking and acting that is in line with God’s truth, God’s way.

During the time that Knute Rockne was coaching at Notre Dame, a sports column in a South Bend newspaper earned the reputation of being the meanest, most biting, most cutting one in the country. The writer of the column, who wrote anonymously, knew the Notre Dame team very well. He wrote about their weaknesses. He pointed out the mistakes of individual players. He told about those who were lazy and those who were conceited. He told about those who broke training and who preferred to spend their time doing other things than preparing themselves to play a good football game.

The column made the players roaring mad. The truth telling of the writer really hurt. The team complained to Rockne. He was a sympathetic listener, but he said that he could not stop the writer. He advised that the only way in which the players could do so was to go out and play the game so well that they would prove the words written about them were not true.

It was later discovered that the writer of the column was Rockne himself. As coach of the team, he was best acquainted with their weaknesses. The critical column was his ingenious device to make a better team.

In the journey of life, in the path of faith, Jesus is our coach. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. Jesus wants nothing more than for us to be “winners” in the game of life. Jesus knows that we cannot achieve “Kingdom Greatness” unless we know the truth. Knowing the truth of God’s game plan frees us to discipline ourselves in the way of being faithful disciples.

Jesus has also said, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32)

September 2011 "Sketchings"

“GROWING UP!!”

“This is what God does. He gives his best – the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and the bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
In a word, what I am saying is “grow up”. You are kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” Jesus words in Matthew 5: 45 – 48 (The Message).

“Oh, grow up!” This is a phrase that youngsters often hear from adults, especially when they are trying to impress others. Having been a boy once, I can tell you that I don’t like that phrase, especially when it came with my Mom or Dad’s “parental attitude”. At the same time, I needed to be reminded that I could be something and someone better than what I was being. I needed to hear my Mom and Dad’s loving encouragement that they expected MORE from me than the bare minimum. Growing up always involves change, which is difficult and risky. But to not change is to stagnate. To stay the same is actually to go backwards.

“Oh, grow up!” God’s call, God’s invitation, to us is also an invitation to be on the road to growing into complete and whole individuals, kingdom people. God’s work has been, and always will be, to give us the best in order to nourish our growth into the people we’ve been created to be. God is always inviting us to recognize his blessings and live lives that are thankful for who we are now and graciously hopeful for what we can become through the live-giving power and promise of God’s gracious generosity and the guidance and power of God’s Holy Spirit. This kind of growth, becoming the disciples God intended us to be and becoming “kingdom subjects” that live lives that reflect God’s power, is difficult. It is risky. It involves change in our heart, our actions, our attitudes, our priorities and our lives. But if we do not grow up spiritually, we will stagnate and die. The Kingdom promise can not take root in our lives or be shared in our mission fields.

We live on a world in motion. Our culture is shifting more rapidly than we can comprehend. It seems like we just “catch a gear” for the next shift and suddenly there is another shift. Change is the common denominator.

Morning Star is a changing church. It isn’t comfortable to say that. But here again, change is necessary for a living body, for the organism that the Bible calls “The Body of Christ.” Jesus invites us to “Grow up”. Paul invites us to “grow up into Him who is the head, Jesus.” The Holy Spirit compels us to be like new plants in a freshly watered field. Everything in kingdom language is about growing, reaching a maturity of spirit. Nothing invites stagnation, even though Jesus Christ is the constant foundation forever.

Jesus says there will always be more mission we are called to do, more love we are called to experience and more growing up to do. In our growing we move to be more generous and gracious in our response to the needs of the world. As we grow God creates new opportunities and possibilities. Disciples are always ready to grow their faith to respond to the possibilities God lays in front of us.

Here are some of the places where we have opportunities to “grow up” to become like “kingdom subjects”:

In opportunities for worship and praise, learning and faith. As September comes around we will be adding a new opportunity: a worship opportunity for youth and young adults on the first Sunday evening of the month and strengthen others with music and participation of more and more folks. Our opportunities for Christian Education, available for all ages, we provide spots for youngsters, youth and adults to engage faith and grow roots of discipleship.

In opportunities for generous giving and service. The message here is that our generosity and service are simply ways to show others our confidence in a God who always provides and to tell others what the love of this god is all about. We do not give for ourselves, but for the benefit of others. We overflow our lives with the kind of love God overflows for us: undeserved, indiscriminate, surprising. Here we’re called to “grow up” from thinking that there isn’t enough, to living in our God created identity, dreaming beyond the trust that God always out gives the giver. Furthermore, in mission and ministry we are something more than “the bottom line.” God calls us to purposes that are higher, with opportunities to invest in others for the kingdom’s sake.

In opportunities to challenge “our sense of church”. God often comes into our lives disguised as a stranger asking, “What kind of a place are you runnin’ here anyway?” The stranger will probably be looking for a hospital where resources are invested in encouraging and aiding others along the road. The stranger will probably not be impressed with something that looks more like a “club” where membership has its privileges and people tend first to their own. Again we are called to “grow up”. We are to be something more, believe that we are all unworthy of grace, to understand that there are no special privileges.

By now, some are thinking, “Well, preacher, that all sounds good ... but .. it’s just not practical.” Of course it isn’t practical. Jesus’ point has always been that following him isn’t practical. Jesus point is that the law of God’s love dwelling in us compels us to stop depending on ourselves and start depending on him as we seek to grow into the people God created us to be, to go beyond what is practical and expected. Will it feel foolish at times? For sure. Will be wonder how we can meet the next need? Certainly. Will it be easy, painless comfortable? Hardly ever.

BUT, living generously and graciously toward others is a defining characteristic of those who are kingdom subjects, disciples, followers of Jesus. Our calling is to grow in his love, and connect others with the light of all creation. Our calling is to grow, grow over the long term, in the long run, even when in the short run it doesn’t look practical or seems reckless.

To do otherwise is to limit God, to ration grace into the places where it is safe and to be no different that the rest of the world.

God is calling us to “grow up”. Grow individually. Grow as a community. Grow in our generosity and in our graciousness.

What will that come to look like?

I don’t know for sure, but I can’t wait to find out.

T. O. M.