Cross Training

Unbroken

The little donkey had no idea he would make history. As he trotted in the corral and ate his hay, he never fathomed he would fulfill prophecy. He was a youngster and still close to his mama. Unbroken to saddle,he entertained no thoughts of carrying a rider that day, much less a royal one.

I’m sure he was puzzled when two strangers untied him and led him away. Perhaps even more so when his master permitted it. As these strangers laid cloaks on his back, did he shy and put his ears back in warning? Was he nervous as his first rider approached?

I’m guessing as the donkey looked into the eyes of his Creator, his choice was simple. Submit and obey. His King required his service and the little donkey was willing.

Are we willing too?

Psalm 32: 9-10 (NIV) says:

“Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.”

If a stubborn little donkey who had never been ridden can submit to the King of kings, why won’t we?

If a simple farm animal recognizes the Ruler of the universe in a Nazarene carpenter, shouldn’t we see Him too?

What makes you dig in your heels and put your ears back in warning?

Let it go–and come.

Questions:

Why do you think Scripture records the detail of the donkey colt being unbroken?

Put yourself in the donkey’s horseshoes. What do you think the day was like for him?

Jesus bids us “Come.” What is your response? Fear, excitement, reservation, humility? Why?

Psalm 32: 10 reminds us the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds those who trust him. How does your level of trust compares to the donkey’s?

When have you trusted God and He came through? Choose one thing you will trust Him with today and come to Him.

Cross Training

Who Are Your “Least of These”?

During the last week of Jesus’ life, Matthew records the teaching of the parable of the sheep and the goats. Take a look at Jesus’ words:

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” . . . “He will reply, ‘whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” (Matthew 25: 40, 45 NIV)

As we scan the globe, the needs overwhelm us: Africa, Haiti, tsunami victims, child trafficking, hunger, poverty, and sickness. Can one person really make a difference in the flood of human depravity and need?

The King says, “Yes.” Not only yes, but He counts such service as rendered to Him. Conversely, He reckons the lack of it as a personal neglect. Yikes. God appears to take our treatment of our brother (or lack of it) seriously. Maybe we should too.

So, who is your “least of these”?

As I began to pray about my “least,” God’s answer surprised me. He placed His hands on my shoulders and turned me, not towards Africa or Asia, but to my neighbors and my family. While we still send checks across the globe, God has called us to active service here.

Honestly–sending the check is easier.

Sometimes tears for the starving child in India come more easily than for the relative who has repeatedly hurt my feelings. Ouch. It appears I lean towards the goat side of things.

Lamb of God, make my heart like yours.

As we prepare for Easter this month, will you join me in asking God, “Who is my “least”?

Questions:

In the story of the sheep and the goats, what are some things Jesus lists that were done (or were neglected)?

Why does Jesus count the service (or lack of it) as done unto Him?

How does this story tie to the two greatest commandments: to love God and love your neighbor as yourself?

Do believers have a responsibility to address the needs of the world? Why?

Pray about your “least.’ Share your answers as a family.

Cross Training

Wasted

“While he (Jesus) was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mark 14:3-9 NIV)

The idea of being wasted has always haunted me. I have a fear that, like Eowyn in The Lord of the Rings, I will be commanded to stay behind and miss the “real” action. The world only adds to this pull as its definition of waste clashes with God’s.

God’s definition of waste includes things like: Be still and know that I am God and seek first the Kingdom of heaven. He asks me to sit in His presence and get to know Him. First.

The world’s standard of waste screams at me. Do something. Be productive. It pushes me towards constant activity—go, go, go. I’m driven to make something of myself, to achieve no matter the cost.

And there is a cost.

Often, it’s our relationships. How many marriages, children, and decisions for eternity have been sacrificed on the altar of achievement? God tells us if we hold tightly to this life, we will lose it. If we release our grip for His sake, we will find it.

When the woman broke the bottle of perfume and “wasted” it on Jesus, she was intentional. She planned to be there. She risked her reputation and gave her most valued possession. Holding nothing back, she gave the greatest gift of all–herself.

But she was immediately condemned—by the disciples no less.

However, Jesus wasted no time in coming to her defense. In His eyes, her sacrifice was sacred. Precious. Priceless. Enough so to be recorded not once, not twice, but three times in the gospels.

Do we hear God’s still small voice asking us to waste ourselves on Him?

And to trust Him for the rest: the deadlines, the errands, and the laundry?

Will we schedule in the sacred?

She did what she could.

Will we?

Questions:

What do you do when common sense collides with Jesus?

Why is faith so scary sometimes?

As you have gotten to know God better, is it easier to trust Him? Share an example.

How do you change your thinking to line up with Scripture instead of culture?

What can you “waste” this week to draw closer to God? To your spouse or kids?

Cross Training

U Turns

Have you ever taken the wrong exit? Today’s navigational systems make staying on course a little easier though Mapquest has led me astray a time or two. Then there is the GPS in my husband’s car that can’t seem to figure out Spanish street names and leaves us driving in circles while we fumble for our iPhones.

This month, I want to drive through the Holy Lands and tour the Easter story. Here, the camera is often focused on Jesus though we get snapshots of Pilate, Herod, Caiaphas, and the disciples. We see photos of the women at the tomb Easter morning. We see Jesus’ mother at the cross when he entrusts the disciple John with her care.

Missing from the family photo? Jesus’ brothers and sisters.

Matthew 13: 55-56 tells us of four brothers and an unknown number of sisters. Yet Mary sits at the cross alone. John 7:5 (NIV) records:

“For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”

However, as the book of Acts gets rolling, they make an appearance in the upper room.

“They (the disciples) all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” (Acts 1:14 NIV)

Two brothers, Jude and James, go on to write New Testament books. As we see in later passages of Acts and Galatians, James becomes one of the leaders of the Jerusalem church.

What happened?

What caused the eye-rolling, “prove it to me” younger brothers to make such a change?

Better yet, reflect on the grace that makes such U turns possible.

This week, thumb through the books of James and Jude and examine their themes: unbelief, a call to persevere, practical obedience, humility, prayer.

Can you picture the family reunion?

Questions:

When have you made a spiritual U turn?

What caused you to turn around?

What caused Jesus’ brothers to take the wrong exit?

Have you struggled with unbelief in an area?

How did you move past it?

Cross Training

Breeding Ground

“Pride only breeds quarrels, “ (Proverbs 13:10a NIV)

My friend, Lisa, recently fostered a mama dog and her litter of puppies. Furry little bodies needing to nurse. Frequently. Razor sharp teeth on search and destroy missions. Wagging little bottoms leaving smelly surprises. Babies of any kind demand time, attention, and energy.

So do quarrels.

Look at how they begin. Not with AKC champions like Faith, Hope, and Love, but with Pride. And what happens when two prides collide? We get a litter of quarrels: Arguing, Bickering, Squabbling, Faultfinding, Feuding, Fighting, and Wrangling.

Give me the puppies any day.

Quarrels nip at us wit their sharp puppy teeth. They leave all kinds of messes, and then–they grow up. Distance. Unresolved hurts. Broken relationships. Estrangements. Not so cute, are they? So, what’s the solution?

Breed champions: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control. You’ll have a litter and a life worth keeping.

What is taking care of a new puppy, kitten, or baby like?

In what ways are quarrels demanding?

How does pride lead to quarrels?

How do you resolve a quarrel?

Which is easier: to deal with pride and avoid an argument or to deal with the argument?

Cross Training

There’s No Fixin’ Stupid

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.” (Proverbs 12:1 NIV)

Did that really say stupid?

Yep. Jumped out at me too.

“ . . . he who hates correction is stupid.”

I’ve been there a thousand times when my own dear children have chosen not to heed the words of their wiser mother. As Lonnie my fence guy says, “There’s no fixin’ stupid.”

But honestly, I’m not wild about correction myself, and I can’t say I love discipline. I suppose the difference is in what you do with the two. While I wouldn’t use love to describe my feelings for discipline, I see its necessity and its benefits. So I buckle down and do the hard stuff. (Usually.)

And although correction is not my favorite thing to receive, receive it I do. I examine the information, check its validity, then see how it needs to be applied.

I’m fixin’ things: allowing God to make changes—more of Him and less of me.

Because, to refuse His loving correction is just plain stupid. And there’s no fixin’ that.

What’s the most stupid thing you’ve ever seen?

How well do you receive correction?

What’s the best way to offer correction? What should be the motivation behind the offer?

Has God brought to your attention an area of correction you’ve ignored? What’s the deal?

In what area are you well-disciplined? How can you as a family help each other with your weaknesses by using your strengths?

(Fence guy Lonnie’s info on request.)

Cross Training

A Tweak In Perspective

“A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” (Proverbs 31: 10-12 NIV)

Sometimes, I forget.

Sometimes, I forget that I am his helpmate, not he mine.

Sometimes, I forget the things he values, ‘cause I’m thinking about what I want.

Sometimes, I forget marriage is a daily thing, when the demands of the kids seem to drown his out.

Sometimes, I forget.

But, sometimes, I remember.

And when I remember, the busyness stops, and it is just us.

And it is good.

What does your husband value? (Husbands, speak up.)

What are you bringing him? Good or harm? Indifference?

Does your work help or hinder your marriage?

How are you training your children regarding their roles in marriage?

What is your children’s perception of your marriage?

Cross Training

First Light

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4: 18 NIV)

Sometimes I run early in the morning. The stars and bunny rabbits are out. Most of the neighborhood is not. Silence blankets the subdivision and I have the world to myself. My feet pound the sidewalk, dodging sprinklers, and my eyes scan for the moon, the constellations, and the ever-present airplanes. I love watching the sky shift from pitch black to a myriad of colors. It never gets old.

Solomon likens the path of the righteous to the sunrise. As I ponder his words, I wonder:

Does he mean the way is dark, initially, but growth enlightens the path?

Is he saying, with growth, the differences between the things of God and the things of darkness become crystal clear?

Is he referring to a change from head knowledge to heart knowledge?

One thing I do know. When I start the day with Jesus, choosing His agenda over mine, the way becomes clear. The colors of His companionship light the sky as we walk the day’s path together.

Describe the best sunrise you’ve ever seen.

When you began your relationship with Christ, was the path clear?

When does the path get lost, and the lines between right and wrong get fuzzy?

How do you know what to do?

Has the path of righteousness changed for you?

Cross Training

Sin: How Bad is It?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 (NIV)

Like preparing items for a garage sale, I go through life assigning value. Nickels and dimes here. Big bucks there. How do I establish value? I determine it in several ways. One is cost; another is whether or not I have a stake. For example, the way my children value items varies greatly. When their money is on the counter, they spend carefully. With my cash, anything goes.

Could the same hold true for sin? As a reference point, let’s take a quick look at the Big Ten from Exodus 20: 1-17. I’ll paraphrase:

1)      Serve no other gods but the real one, God with a big G.

2)      Have no idols, especially not the American kind.

3)      Use God’s name with respect.

4)      Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy. Rest, worship, and don’t work.

5)      Honor one’s parents.

6)      Don’t murder.

7)      Don’t commit adultery.

8)      Don’t steal.

9)      Don’t lie.

10)  Don’t envy other people’s stuff.

When it comes to sin, my “own understanding” misses the mark. I justify sin. I rank it. I pass the buck or hide its evidence. I sugarcoat it. I dilute it. I judge sin in others while ignoring the dirt under my own fingernails. If sin and its consequences often seem cheap, it’s because sin costs me so little. God, however, said the violation of even one of the above commands was enough to put Jesus on the cross. Of course, the other option is to pay the price myself. One sin, one death. Uh-oh–the value just went up.

As I grow in my relationship with God, I gain a better understanding of His holiness—and of my need for it. I begin to grasp the magnitude and the absurdity of the sacrifice: God Himself leaving heaven for earth, to bleed and die on man’s behalf. I get real about sin, not only because I value the cost, but also because it wounds my growing relationship with the Father. That’s a place I don’t want to go. Sin becomes serious. Little white lies, costly.

It’s a matter of perspective, His vs. mine.

Questions for the Week:

Where are you on the spectrum of your own understanding vs. what God says?

Does your relationship with God hold enough value for you to stop long and hard to consider a sin before you hurt the relationship?

Do you apply this principle to other relationships? Faithfulness to a spouse? Obedience to a parent? Loyalty to a friend?

When does the value of the relationship trump a sin?

What does the cost or penalty of sin tell you about God’s holiness and righteousness?

Are there any relationships for which you would willingly give your life in order to reconcile and restore the two parties?

Cross Training

Closet Clutter: Walking Through Relationships

It’s been a while since family dysfunction reared its ugly head. I guess we were due because we got a triple whammy this Christmas. I confess–part of it was my fault. I opened my mouth when I should have kept it shut. Turkey and pie weren’t enough. I put my foot in my mouth too.

Paul helps us get started on the right foot in Colossians 3: 12-14 NIV:
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Check out the new clothes: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. These clothes are easy to wear around my girlfriends, but they are not my first choice for a family gathering. Pride, harsh tones, and impatience whistled from their spots in my emotional closet and begged to be worn. Forbearance and forgiveness clashed with pride like stripes and plaids. Love and unity fell to the closet floor and the fretting and frustration lasted for days.

Where do I go from here? How do I walk with God in my relationships? Especially the next time I see_____________.

To avoid a future wardrobe malfunction, I must allow Him to wrap me in His compassion, His gentleness, His humility. My strength is insufficient. In and of myself, I cannot love others as Christ loves me. Yet, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. I permit Him to choose the outfit for the day and I wear it because it pleases Him and keeps me out of trouble. As I deal with relationships, I’ll raid His closet. Come raid it with me.

Questions for the Week:
1) Is God your first choice or a last option in dealing with difficult relationships?
2) What is the second greatest commandment? (Google if necessary.)
3) How has God loved us?
4) How can we move our focus from the person to God?
5) How do you prepare to see that person when you are in the midst of relational difficulties?