Good for us, Bad for Him Friday

Insight and inspiration can come from unexpected sources.  When they do, chances are  it is worth paying attention to for it was probably deposited there by God for us to find.

Last weekend I had conversation with a sixth-grade boy which put life into a proper, purposeful and poignant perspective.

***As an aside, I must admit I love working with middle school boys.  

For some people, this subspecies is to be avoided at all costs.  

With their personal hygiene issues, bodily function affections and 

other unclassifiable oddities, middle-school-aged guys are often viewed as 

off-putting and awkward.  For me, though, the obvious juxtaposition of 

childhood and “adulthood” makes their minds fertile soil in which 
to sow (which is impossible to do without stepping into a 

poop joke from time to time).  They’re real.  They’re ready to challenge 

and be challenged.  They are often wide-eyed and rarely short-sighted.***

One of our walls at the Youth Center we run featured a posted reminder of how we are closed on Good Friday.  As I was manning the video game counter, Andrew came up to me and said, “So...you’re closed on Friday, huh?”

I turned, looked squarely at the reminder, gestured toward it and then returned my gaze to the bespectacled eleven-year-old.  “Yep...pretty sure...” I replied, knowing full-well he didn’t come to the counter to inquire about our hours.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” I asked. 

“Nope,” he quipped and picked up a game list pretending to pour over it.  After just a few seconds he looked up at me without moving his head.  “Well, I have a question...” he said.

“I hope I have an answer,” I retorted.  “What is it?”

Why do they call it “Good Friday”? he queried.

...and this is part of what I love about my “job” -- right there, during a weekend evening full of game playing and junk food eating, amidst dozens of his contemporaries, I was being invited to talk about Jesus.

“Well, because that’s the day we recognize Jesus’ crucifixion.  He had to die to pay for our sins so we could be right with God -- ”

Sensing I was about to possibly break into preacher mode, Andrew interrupted.  “Oh, yeah, I know that,” he said.  “But, how can that be ‘good’ for Him?!”

I chuckled.  Quite astute.  But, before I could speak up to clarify, Andrew added, “Maybe we should call it ‘Good for us, Bad for Him Friday’!”  It was obvious he was quite proud of his assessment.  

Good for us, bad for Him.
How true.  Sometimes I wonder if we truly understand just how “bad” it was.  Strips of flesh just hanging from a battered frame, bleeding blotches where a beard had been plucked out by hand, so badly beaten Scriptures record He was hardly recognizable as a human being.

“Bad” doesn’t even begin to describe the anguish and the agony.  

Once again, before I could start to share the wisdom of my life of ministry and faith, my pre-pubescent counterpart chimed in: 

“He meant to do it, though.”

He meant to do it, though.  Again...wow.  YES...yes He did!  What a powerful proclamation.  Andrew cut through all the theology, brutality, and historicity of Jesus‘ sacrifice and made it impossible not to take it personally.  What an amazing thing to truly consider -- Jesus MEANT to do it.  The humiliation and hurt, the pain and public shame of Good Friday was all on-purpose.

...and WE were the purpose.

Our conversation continued and, in true middle school boy fashion, we talked about a variety of peripheral topics (weapons, blood, the jeers of the crowd, etc.)...until we touched on the idea of Jesus‘ disciples.  A panged look appeared on Andrew’s usually chipper face.

“Boy, how sad must they have been?”  he asked.

I was about to answer and he (again...and thankfully) cut me off to say, “I guess when you’re sad, you wait for Jesus to show up so you can be happy.”

WOW.

...when you’re sad, you wait for Jesus to show up so you can be happy.

I’ve been in full-time ministry for more than two decades.  I’ve preached thousands of sermons and spent countless hours in Bible study and teaching.  But in all my experience and training I have never been so smacked in the spiritual face with the power and simplicity of Christ as I was right then.  What a magnificent breakdown of one of history’s most seminal moments.

There is no way I can improve upon Andrew’s Good Friday message...I can only relay it to you:

• Good for us, bad for Him.

• He meant to do it, though.

• When you’re sad, you wait for Jesus to show up so you can be happy.

Nevertheless

I love words.

Although the English language is confusing and, at times, frustratingly backwards in some of its rules, I still believe words can be powerful and pretty, compelling and comforting, energizing and entertaining.

I also love it when words seem to be misspelled or improperly used...only to find out they’re not.

I recall early on in my writing career (and yes, I have actually had a “career” writing), going out of my way to find reason to use words like:

• albeit

• notwithstanding

• nevertheless

They were just cool to me -- a smash-up of other words making another word which wasn’t merely a remix but was its own entity.  

Today is Maundy Thursday on the Christian calendar.  I understand that may not mean much to those of you who read this blog and don’t hold a Christian faith.  I also understand our “celebrating” this Holy Week in the spring like we do does not indicate the time of year in which the actual events we recognize took place. 

Those facts notwithstanding, today is a day when I turn my attention to the events of the “Last Supper” and Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane (and his subsequent betrayal, etc.).  

This is an important time for me personally.  To pause and examine what Jesus willingly endured (and conquered) on my behalf is vital for maintaining proper perspective in my life.  It also pulls me closer to the heart of God and farther from the trappings of man.

The retelling of the entire story, albeit important, is not essential for my point today.  Instead, I ‘d like us to focus on Jesus’ prayer.

It is impossible for me to fully imagine the inner conflict Jesus must have felt.   Knowing what was ahead of Him just had to shake the “fully man” part of him indescribably.  We see a glimpse of this in Matthew 26

 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”

The next verse illustrates the reality of the situation:

He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

This was not a simple, joyous culmination of a mission for Jesus.  This was excruciating.    In fact, it was so difficult, so brutal, He asked if there was possibly another way for salvation to be purchased and provided.

But then He uttered a powerful word:

nevertheless

Obviously, the words found in the New King James translation weren’t exactly the ones He used.  Nevertheless, the sentiment is clearly communicated...and ought to be clearly considered, too.

Jesus was being real with the Father.  He laid it out for Him.  He said, “I’d really rather not have to do this...”

Then came the nevertheless...

Thank God for the nevertheless.  

At its root, nevertheless means:  “Everything I said before the ‘nevertheless’ is something I wanted you to hear...and everything after it is what we need to do.”

Jesus didn’t hide His feelings during His prayer.  In the same sense, once He expressed them, he willingly embraced the Father’s wisdom and direction.

I once preached at a church and talked about “getting real” with God.  I mentioned that it is okay to tell Him how you truly feel about something...or what your true desires are -- even if they’re not exactly in-line with what HE wants. 

The Pastor chastised me and never invited me back.  He insisted ours was never a place to complain or be contrary -- especially not in prayer.

That made me sad -- not for my “career”, but for Truth.

Jesus didn’t hold back while He prayed in Gethsemane.  He told the Father what He thought...but he followed it up with nevertheless.

What an amazing word, nevertheless...especially when used in this sort of context.  

“God, here is my way of seeing things...here is what *I* would like to have happen...here is my idea, etc...nevertheless, let’s do it YOUR way.”

That’s the type of faith I want and the kind of prayers I want to pray. 

I want to be real and raw with God. 

I want to lay myself open and bare with him -- totally uncensored and unfiltered.

Then, I want the type of faith and focus that Jesus showed when he said nevertheless.

Giraffe & Mouse = Twins

I have a confession to make...

I’ve never really watched Sesame Street.  

(I’ve never seen “The Wizard of Oz”, either...but that’s for a different blog.)

Growing up, Sesame Street existed, I just never really watched it.  That doesn’t stop me from being familiar with its concepts and cast, however.  It also doesn’t mean I am unaware some of its songs and segments either.

For example, I know all the lyrics to the classic, “One of these things is not like the other...” diddy. 

Sadly I am also quite well-acquainted with the principle behind the exercise.

In fact, just like most of the rest of the world, I rather adept at looking at things (and people) and quickly offering an assessment of their differences.  I readily notice height, weight, attractiveness, fitness, demeanor, wardrobe, odor, and other easily-recognizable outward characteristics.

I am even capable of “spinning it forward” enough to render my opinions on their happiness, contentment, worthiness, wholeness, etc.

Chances are you do the same thing.

You see someone who looks trim and well-groomed wearing the latest styles and immediately imagine his life is blessed, perhaps even “easy”.  Or, maybe you take note of someone who seems self-assured in a social setting and naturally come to the conclusion that he is well-adjusted and without any personal hang-ups.

...and then the song starts to play in your head...”One of these things is not like the other...”

...and then the comparisons and self-loathing begin.  

Sound familiar?

If you’re human, it probably does.

We all seem to be wired to compare...and when we do, we’re all pretty lousy at it.

Consider this:

A typical giraffe stands 16-20 feet tall and weighs over 3,000 pounds.  Its neck alone is often 5-7 feet long.  A standard field mouse stands less than two inches tall and weighs less than an ounce.

Yet, their necks is precisely the same.  Made up of the same seven bones, the necks of these two creatures are structurally identical. 

Same construction.

Same content.

Vastly different appearance.

Plato once said, “Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

Even the most seemingly “together” person holds the same internal “structure” as me.  Those people who seem to be care-free may actually be struggling with inner conflicts just like I am.  Those individuals who are skinnier than I am may losing the fight with other battles I have already won in my own life.  Those people who fire up the “One of these things...” song in my head may very well be looking at me humming the same tune wishing they had something they perceive me as having.

I’ll be honest, I would never look at a giraffe and a field mouse and think they shared a neck blueprint.  Nope...just too much of a difference on the surface.  But, they do.

In just the same way, I am not likely to look at others who are more successful, more attractive, more well-liked, etc., than me and believe we have common frameworks.

But, I need to -- for my sake, for their sake, for Christ’s sake.

We are all flawed -- no one I encounter is without blemish or weakness.  Some may hide it better than others, but we all have things which haunt, humble and humiliate us.

We are all fallen -- no one I encounter is able to rise to an holy level of acceptableness (Romans 3:23).  Some may comport themselves as complete but even their best isn’t good enough (Isaiah 64:6).

We are all fixable (2 Corinthians 5:17 & James 1:2-4).

While I’m sure Sesame Street never intended to train us to compare and compete with others, the “One of these things...” mentality is detrimental.

By now the song is probably stuck in your head (and will remain there at least for the rest of the day).  Don’t ditch the music...just switch the message.  Try this instead:

All of these things are just like the others, 

All of these things have things that are wrong, 

If I can stop thinking I’m worse off than the others 

I have a chance to grow and be strong. 

Half-Full? Half-Empty?

We have all probably seen an image like the one posted above.

In general, we are all likely to be familiar with the world-view assessment it offers as well.  If you see the glass as half-full, you are an optimist.  If you view it as half-empty you are a pessimist.

It is a fairly interesting (and accurate) means of examining one's perspective, understanding and approach to life.

At the risk of being snarky (and annoyingly over-thinking), allow me to offer my take on the glass:

It is twice as big as I thought it would be.

I remember jokingly offering that as my answer to a friend who asked me the famous glass-view question once.  He was trying to illustrate how I am often too negative about certain subjects (which I admittedly am).  I was trying to be clever and evasive...

...but then I realized, that is how I see life's "glass".

It is just way bigger than I thought.

The times when I see it as half-full are the times when I've poured all I can into it...and am still left lackingly incomplete.

The times when I see it as half-empty are the times when I'm trying my best to get the most out of it...and am still left exhaustedly unfulfilled.

Can you relate?

To see the glass as half-full or half-empty focuses on me.  But, life is not just about me.

To see the glass as twice as big as I thought it would be focuses on something more.  Life is about the "something more".

Obviously, if you know me or have read some of my other posts, my "something more" is an active and on-going relationship with God through His Son, Jesus.

When I give everything I can and find out I am not "filling" the glass of life, I need to be able to turn to a source more vast and varied that me.

The familiar Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my Shepherd") contains this phrase (v.5)

...you fill my cup to overflowing.

In John's Gospel (10:10), Jesus says this:

...but I came to give life—life in all its fullness.

After I've done all I can, life still isn't completely "full".  That truth is what drives many people to despair...or at least desperate (and damaging) attempts to find ways to fill it.

The opposite is also true.  To try one's hardest to get the most out of life and yet to feel as if something is still lacking can be quite disheartening.

I am not an optimist.

I am not a pessimist.

I am a realist.

...and reality has proven to me that the "glass" of my life is simply twice as big as I ever imagined it to be.

I cannot get a "full" life on my own.

I cannot get the most out of life on my own.

Only when I realize there is more to this life (a glass twice was big), can I ever even begin to have a chance to experience it completely.

Sundaravej

In January, 2008, Samak Sundaravej became the 25th Prime Minister of the Southeast Asian Nation of Thailand.

The well-spoken, highly-regarded Sundaravej was not a career politician.  He also had no ties to others in the government as is sometimes the case in Indochina.  No, instead, he was a television personality...but not a commentator, newsman or anything of that ilk.  Sundaravej was the host of a cooking show.

He was as well-known for being engaging, witty and likable as he was for his signature dish -- Coca-Cola Braised Pork Leg.

However, in September of that same year -- a mere nine months after taking office -- Sundaravej was ousted from power, forced to resign by an edict from Thailand’s Constitutional Court.

He had not committed any grievous policy blunder.  He was not launching a subversive plot to alter the course of Thailand’s history.  His crime?

Hosting a cooking show.

The Constitutional Court determined Sundaravej’s continued cooking show was a “conflict of interest” and ordered him to resign immediately.

Strange, isn’t it?  The very thing which led him to being known well enough to win the office is the same thing which cost him his position.

Even more ironic, though, is the fact that people in Thailand seemed surprised that Sundaravej would continue cooking on camera.

It is what he does.  It is why he managed to get elected.  Is it really that shocking to think he may keep doing what he’s always done?  

The whole thing seems rather silly to me. 

But, then it occurred to me...this sort of thing happens all the time. 

People get into relationships with others who have known habits and flaws...and then act shocked when such traits continue.

We engage in behaviors which result in not-so-great of consequences...and then are taken aback when bad things happen.

We’ll eat something we know isn’t good for us...and then be mortified when our waist size increases.

We do things which we know are contrary to God...and then be frustrated when it seems we cannot connect with Him.

Some things are knowable...predictable...and avoidable.

Sundaravej, in my opinion wasn’t a criminal and did not deserve his fate.  He was simply being who he was and doing what he did.  The people of Thailand loved him for his cooking shows...they propelled him to popularity and prominence. They are the ones who should be held responsible or reprimanded.

In our lives the same is true.

We simply cannot invite things in which are known to be difficult, detrimental or dangerous only to act surprised when we suffer negative consequences.

Doing so is a recipe...for disaster.

Toy Safety

In 1974, the National Products Safety Commission (NPSC) issued 80,000 buttons which read:

For Kids...Think TOY SAFETY

Not long after making and distributing the buttons, the Commission was forced to recall all of the buttons...

...because they had sharp, non-safety edges, detachable parts small enough

for children to swallow AND were decorated with toxic lead paint.  

Well played.

Encourage the public to "think toy safety" while enabling children to stab, choke and poison themselves all at the same time.  Makes sense.

Yikes.

Obviously the irony of this is anything but subtle.  What's more, the life-applications are dramatic and deep as well.

This story is so ridiculous it would be almost unbelievable if I didn't see similar things playing out on a regular basis.

I am a practicing Christian.  I say it that way because I am both active in/with my faith and still practicing it (have yet to perfect it).  Sadly, though, I am all too familiar with Believers engaging in campaigns much like the one of the NPSC.  Our hearts may be in the right place -- a sincere desire to reach out to others and share Christ's love -- but shoddy construction of our message belies its content.

We talk about this unconditional love of God but then put conditions on our love for people.

We trumpet the once-and-for-all nature of Jesus' death and resurrection yet we hold grudges.

We mention how God can cleanse us of our sins and still refuse to forgive others.   

We espouse "brotherly love" only to eschew it when an opportunity to gossip arises.

We claim to have an "overcoming faith" and an Almighty God and somehow manage to worry and gripe just as much as anyone else.

Our words -- or even our jewelry, tattoos, t-shirts, bumper stickers and Facebook posts -- may purport the right things on the surface, but closer examination would prove we are actually toxic.

I do not necessarily have problem with Christians making public displays of their faith per se.  However, I am quite adverse to representations which end up being like these buttons.  If we want to represent Christ, the best way to do that is to live and love like Christ.  If we want to encourage others to consider Jesus, the best way is for us to always be considering Him first.

What those buttons said (and wanted to accomplish) was noble.  What they were made of, however, left them as more hazardous than helpful.  The buttons did nothing to help make toys safer.  They merely brought shame to the NPSC and ultimately needed to be recalled and replaced.  Left unchecked, they could have proven deadly.

I don't want to be like that.  Next time I want to make a public profession of something, I am going to make sure I am in private possesion of it first.  Before I attempt to influence others for the cause of Christ, I want to be confident I'm not presenting anything which may infect them instead.

Is what you're made of reflected in what you say or is what you say refuted by what you're made of?

Toilet time = Tourney Time

There are just some things you can never “unsee” -- no matter how badly you wish you could.

For me, there is something I wish my wife, Dawn, could “unsee”.  It is a decades-old image I am sure she still cannot shake.

Nineteen years ago today (not to the day necessarily but the opening morning of the 1994 NCAA Basketball Tournament [which was 3/17/94, so technically it was 19 years + 4 days ago]), my wife popped home unexpectedly around the noon hour.  What she found was me, on the toilet, bathroom door open, laptop fittingly placed, cordless phone and pager at my feet and the TV in the living room on loudly.  

I was embarrassed.  We had only been married a few months.  Without a doubt, this was the type of sight which could bring the proverbial “honeymoon” phase of a marriage to an end abruptly. 

She laughed uneasily, shook her head and pulled the door closed.

“Hey!” I exclaimed.  Embarrassment and end of the honeymoon notwithstanding, I needed to be able to watch the NCAA Tournament!  I am almost a little ashamed to admit I lifted from the bowl just enough to fling the door back open.  But c’mon, this is opening day of March Madness! 

My bathroom break was carefully planned.  Unlike today when I can just grab the iPad and watch the games streaming live, I needed to have a clear sight-line to our behemoth tubed television.  I also needed to have my cool Cobra “Intenna” cordless phone nearby (it was cutting-edge, as-seen-on-Seinfeld).  

I had forwarded my calls from my office to my home phone.  I had my pager nearby (no cell phone then) in case of emergencies.  My tiny Mac laptop had no internet capabilities (not even a color screen) but I brought into the “loo” not to surf the web but to actually do some work.

I had honestly scheduled this event (eat your heart out, Dr. Sheldon Cooper) to allow me maximum bowel evacuation and basketball-watching while providing for what I anticipated to be a minimum of disruption via phone, pager or unexpected visiting wife.

I am not proud Dawn had to experience that.  I am not one of those husbands who thinks bodily functions are family fun time.  My level modesty in that regard is quite high...

...except during March Madness, I guess.

My desire to watch the games outweighed my typical desire for privacy and propriety.

This post may run the risk of having some of you who know me think less of me.  But, truth is truth...I really, really wanted to watch those games.

The principle of this experience was not lost on me.  

It is amazing what can be done when we put HAVE TOs to our WANT TOs.

The philosopher Plato said, “Human behavior flows from three main sources:  desire, emotion and knowledge.”

I don’t think it is a mistake (or merely a matter of alphabetizing) “desire” was the first source Plato mentions.  When we WANT TO enough, we often can find a way or, if necessary, make a way.  Many times our accomplishments in life are a matter of the level of desire we have.

That is not to say all you have to do is “want”.  You need to figure out how to put “have to”s to our “want to”s.  Once that happens, we find ourselves willing to possibly go beyond what conventional wisdom may dictate.  Once that happens, we find ourselves making and executing plans that are helpful instead of merely thinking thoughts which are wishful.

What is on your “want to” list?

• Diet?
• Exercise?
• Relationships?
• Hobbies?
• More time spent doing something?
• LESS time spent doing something?
• Prayer?
• Bible reading?
• Learning a skill?

- The possibilities are limitless.

Of those things, which ones warrant “HAVE TO”s?  Which things are honestly so important you’re willing to change what you typically do and put yourself at risk of possible embarrassment?  Which ones matter enough for you to start to strategize the steps needed to move towards them?  Which ones need to be moved from the “want to” list to the “have to” list (don’t worry, it is okay to keep the other items, too)?

I am not trying to oversimplify things (nor am I trying to paint a mental picture...please, for your own sake, do not try to envision what I described in the outset of this post).  But, it really does kind of come down to just that.  When we want things badly enough, we are more likely to stop simply pining for them and begin planning for (and producing) them.  Find a way.  Make a way.

That fateful Thursday genuinely showed me what I’m capable of...and has challenged me ever since. 

Enjoy the start of the Tournament (if you’re into that sort of thing)...and rest assured, thanks to modern technology my bathroom door will remain closed and locked -- just don’t be alarmed if you hear Ian Eagle and Jim Spanarkle in there with me.

Let the Madness begin...but stop the madness

Just over two months ago much of the nation -- sports fan or not -- was discussing and debating long-time sportscaster, Brent Musburger.

During ESPN's broadcast of the BCS National Championship game -- an Alabama rout of Notre Dame which left Musburger trying to fill air time -- cameras panned to Katherine Webb, girlfriend of Alabama's quarterback and former Miss Alabama USA pageant winner. 

Musburger said, “You quarterbacks, you get all the good-looking women," as the camera focused on Webb. "What a beautiful woman. Whoa!’’

Besides causing Webb’s Twitter followers to grow from 2,000 to over 100,000 during the course of the game, Musburger’s comments drew sharp responses from his contemporaries, employer and, of course the general public which seemed to think the 73-year-old announcer was nothing short of a “dirty old man”. 

Educated at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Musburger began his career in the 1960s as a newspaper reporter in Chicago.  Eventually he landed a national sportscasting gig with CBS and went on to earn notoriety for both his play-by-play skills but his studio host abilities as well.

The Webb scandal (if it can truly be called that) not only painted Musburger in an inglorious light, but also tainted a well-decorated and highly-respected career.  Some of his sportscasting counterparts tried to distance themselves from him and what he said.  Women’s groups picketed other contests he called.  Public opinion of Musburger was entirely swayed (and sullied) by his comments about Webb.

It may seem odd for me -- an avowed basketball nut -- to be discussing something which took place during a football game...especially on the eve March Madness.

...but that’s precisely why I’m discussing it now.

MARCH MADNESS

...it is a phrase we are quite familiar with by now.  In its most narrow sense, it refers to the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Tournament (which tips off in earnest tomorrow morning).  In a broader sense, it refers to any/all end-of-season basketball tournament action (in fact, March Madness begins for my state (Wisconsin)’s high school basketball teams in February).

The term itself was first coined in 1939 when an Illinois athletic administrator wrote an article called March Madness in which he discussed the enthusiastic response fans in the Land of Lincoln had to the high school basketball championships.  

But it was Musburger who resurrected the phrase.

In 1982, while broadcasting NCAA games for CBS, Musburger referred to the tournament as March Madness...the first “modern” usage of the term.  It has stuck ever since and now is THE name used for this time of year and the tournament.  

Pretty neat, huh?

Thank you, Brent Musburger.

Should he have singled out Webb during the BSC game in January?  No, probably not (although, it was the cameramen who actually did it).  Should he have commented on her physical attractiveness?  No, he should not have.  But does that make him a dirty old man or worthy of censure and shame?  I’m not sure it should.

I have never really heard of anyone going out of their way to praise Musburger for March Madness.  It was something he said -- just like the Webb comments --  but for which he’s never really been given great deal of honor.

For as reprehensible as some people may think Musburger’s comments about Webb were, I believe his coining (“re-coining”) March Madness is equally as commendable.

The point is simply this:

Why judge a body of work (a life) by a single snapshot of time?

It would be foolish for those who only know of the Webb episode to judge Musburger accordingly and determine him to be a villain.  Likewise, it would be just as foolish for those who adore March Madness to view him as a hero solely for that.

I contend it is pointless for us to judge anyone else in the first place.  But, if we are going to judge, it is entirely asinine for us to judge based on a singular incident.  I know I am far better than my lowest moments...and probably not as great as my best ones...same with Brent...same for you.

Let the Madness begin...but stop the madness.

What we 'Kneed'

I am fat.

I have bad knees.

I don’t have bad knees because I am fat.  I am fat because I have bad knees.

After seven operations on my left knee -- largely due to a very athletic life and partly to do with some junky genetics -- I am left with the joint being nearly 100% bone-on-bone. 

I have opted to not have my right knee worked on at all...but it shares most of the ailments and abnormalities of my left one.

I love to work out.  I have certification as a Master Trainer.  I *know* how to get fit, develop strength, improve athleticism, etc.  My multi-discipline base of knowledge and experience makes me pretty good at dreaming up routines and zeroing in on specific areas of need for my clients, etc.  

Sadly, though, I can’t really DO the workouts myself at this point.  I literally sleep maybe 2-3 hours a night because of the pain and discomfort.  Much of my day is spent with ice on my knees and in search of a comfortable position. 

The pain isn’t the worst of the problems.  Truth be told, I could possibly endure that.  For  the most part, it is the lack of cushioning between my bones which makes many things nearly impossible.  Any running or jumping is downright dangerous to me.  The cartilage which is SUPPOSED to be there enables people to land, rotate, shift directions, etc.  I don’t have that luxury any longer. 

IF I jump or run, I have to HOPE my bones bang together perfectly otherwise I topple or run the risk of damaging the structure of the joint (Doctors tell me I have the ligaments, tendons and muscle structure of a 20-year-old...just nothing between my bones).  I fear simple little things like going down stairs.  If my bones don’t align perfectly with each step of my descent, I am at risk of completely toppling.

This isn’t an attempt to garner sympathy or even get people who see me to not be mortified at my girth.  It isn’t even a try to explain to my training clients why I demonstrate briefly but rarely ever do the exercises with them.  No, instead, it is my way of trying to discuss grace.

Huh?

Yes.  Grace. 

You see, grace, to me, is much like the cartilage I used to have.  It is the thing which allows fluid movement.  It is the thing which permits strength to grow.  It is the thing which enables full function.

Without it, we run the risk of painful contact...of instability...of pain...and, ultimately immobility.  

Ephesians 4:32 says:

“Be kind and loving to each other,

and forgive each other just as

God forgave you in Christ.”

If I forget God needed to extend His grace to me and forgive me of all the things I’ve done wrong, I am likely to neglect extending it to someone else.  

Without the buffer of grace, I am relegated to a life of weakness, instability and pain...and so are all of my relationships. 

Let me tell you, to have bone-on-bone knees HURTS...a LOT.  Eventually it becomes overwhelming.  Nothing “works” and EVERYthing brings pain, frustration and discouragement.  I need that cushioning.  Without it, life is not enjoyable.

A life without grace is just as rotten.  Each interaction with others -- if not perfect -- brings pain, frustration and discouragement.  Over time, that friction causes us to become more likely to just “sit out” many of those things which could potentially hurt us...

...and that leads to our being unhealthy (like I am now).  

I am thankful the Bible says God GIVES us grace -- not only through Jesus and His atoning death/resurrection, but for others as well.  He wants to cushion our relationship with Him...and with others.  That way, we can be active and able. 

IF you think of it, pray for me -- that my pain will diminish and my mobility will increase.  Most of all, though, pray for yourself -- as for God’s grace for your sins...and for Him to give you grace to help “cushion” your connection with those around you.

"The Bible" mini-series

History Channel's "The Bible" mini-series is just slightly past its mid-way point.  If you haven't seen it yet, you are most certainly in the minority.  With huge ratings, the big-budget production is drawing raves from some of the faithful and rants from others.

During the first episode, I posted a message on Facebook simply stating I was enjoying the show.  Nearly as soon as I clicked to send the message, I was alerted to several comments it spawned.  None of them were positive.  ALL of them were from "brothers and sisters" -- Christians holding the same faith as me.

I have a theology-based degree.  I have been serving in full-time ministry for more than two decades.  I could easily dissect the mini-series and point out inaccuracies and omissions.  Likewise, I could engage in unending debates with others about the shows' merits and hermaneutics.

Frankly, I see very little point in doing any of those things.

Shortly after the most recent installment aired, my various social media outlets were filled with people posting about how they disagreed with one component or another.  In fact, one post I read mentioned how "The Bible" on History Channel was doing a DISservice to God and running the risk of drawing people away from Christ.

The creators (notice, small-case "c") of the programs -- Mark Burnett of "Survivor" fame and his wife Roma Downy of "Touched By An Angel" -- admit they were trying to be as textually accurate as possible (they even employed 40 Bible scholars on-set during filming).  However, a precise point-by-point retelling of the Scriptures was not their intent.  Instead, they recently told CBS News, they merely hoped to create an interest in, and generate conversation about the Bible, its characters and Author.

For what it is worth, I frankly would rather have Christians be less concerned about the exactness of the mini-series and more concerned about their readiness to entertain the conversations it brings.

How profoundly sad that some of those conversations are centered around criticism and critique.  When was the last time Jesus (or Moses, Samson, Abraham, etc.) was readily-accepted water cooler fodder?  What a magnificent opportunity for Believers to bypass the chance to be knit-picky and embrace the possibility of saying, "...would you like to know more about that?  Let me tell you..."or, better yet, SHOW them.

I know in my life I am much more likely to "major on minor things" when I am not where I need to be personally.  It is easier to appear spiritual by diverting attention to miniscule details in others than it is to take responsibility for perhaps not being an accurate depiction of Christ myself.

Feel free to search for inaccuracies and point out areas with which you may disagree with what is on the small screen.  But, while you're doing that, I'll be trying to know and show Jesus as He is in real life -- mine...and hopefully others, too.