God's Report Card?

Report cards are coming soon.  Woo hoo!  For some this is good news, for some it’s not!  Here’s an interesting question: How would you rate on God’s report card?  Does that make you squeamish?  When we read verses that say things like “don’t be conformed any longer to the patterns of this world” we quickly feel a flash of guilt for all the ways we don’t do the right thing.  When you read the Bible do you feel God’s report card flying at you?  Maybe you’re not at Fs, but, if you’re honest, you’re not at an A either.

Here’s the deal: if you like living under a report card system, then go live in the Old Testament.  In fact, just go live in this very world.  We are constantly being judged by our accomplishments.  It’s hard in any season of life, but especially as a teen.  Everything about the teen world is about measuring up.  Grades now “count.”  Your future college and/or career choices are at hand.  You want to earn scholarships.  You want to impress the right people.  You want to earn the right position on your sports team, in the band, or a role in a play.  Even social media does this.  How many texts do you get compared to the next person who seems to always be checking their phone.

But I say, “Don’t be conformed any longer to the patterns of this world.”  One of those patterns is to be judged by a report card.  In biblical words, you are no longer under the Law.  First Corinthians 13 says “Love keeps no record of wrongs.”  Who is love?  1 John says “God is love” and therefore, God keeps no record of wrongs.  You are free.  You live within love. 

Our immediate response, often, to this is “If God isn’t judging me anymore because He loves me, then why do the right thing?”  The answer is that you don’t understand love.  There are only two reasons to live out ‘good’ behaviors.  Fear or love.  If you do good stuff because you’re afraid of God, or of what will happen, or of what people think of you, you’ll look good to people, but you’re just a shell of a person.  But people  in love find themselves acting differently because love does that. 

So, trash the report card.  God doesn’t have one for you anyway.  It’s more likely you who made the report card.  Just ditch it.

studying God

"We devote years to studying a trade or profession.  Ought we show less perseverance in acquiring the experience of God?" 
Paul Tournier (1898-1986)

What to Expect When You're Expecting

My wife and I watched What to Expect When You're Expecting the other day (We actually got it from Redbox instead of the library this time!).  We figured it would just be a fun flick, but it was actually really good and really funny.  There's this one group of dads who always walk in the park with their kids.  They always like to stop by and talk to this one dude who is totally buff (and, of course has no kids).  Everyone gives him a high five, but he always leaves one particular nerdy dad hanging.  It's really pretty funny. 

This got me to thinking how often we spend our days wanting to have everyone's approval.  Sometimes I feel like a politician.  When people ask politicians a question, the politician is not really thinking about the answer.  They're thinking about how to say things so people like them.  I know I spend a lot of my thoughts thinking about how to say things so people will see me a certain way.  I want to rather think about being who I really am and thinking about what other people really need. 

Unfortunately, being true to yourself, to others, and to our Father, opens up the reality that some people won't like us.  It's like Jesus said, "Don't be suprised when people hate you/persecute you because of me."  So, there's my challenge for you...and for me.

PS. As always, when I reference a movie it doesn't mean that I think everything in it is "appropriate."  Just sayin'.

Chapel Video

Hey, guys,
Here's the video I showed in chapel the other day.  Enjoy!

Sennacherib Chapel from Kurt Maechner on Vimeo.

Church or Apartment?

A lot of you read my story in the "Why Are You Here?" series.  After that all happened, I realized I wanted to get closer to God.  I thought church would be an important part of it.  You know what, I tried and tried to like church.  I tried to say the words in the liturgy like I meant them; I tried my hardest to sing all the hymns I didn't know with gusto; I even did my darndest to follow the sermon.  No matter what, it felt like shoving dry broccoli down my throat.

Then I got an invite to a Bible study at a teacher's house.  It was led by my art teacher, Miss Sakata.  I had no idea what to expect.  I went with my friend Mark (the one who spoke in chapel).  There were all these students there, most of them upperclassmen, that were totally into Jesus.  First, we sang some songs.  One of my first real acts of faith was to sing.  And, wow, God met me through those simple tunes.  Then someone, usually Miss Sakata, though sometimes a student, shared some insight about a part of the Bible.  After that we got in groups to share some things we could use prayer for.  I had never had a place where I could open up.  It was weird, but I could tell my heart liked it.

So, that became my church.  I still went to my 'church-church,' the place with the steeple, but the place where I met God, learned more, and felt encouraged and supported in my faith was a second floor apartment. 

Do you want something like this?  If so, Mr. Waugh has a Bible study going at his house in Westlake on Mondays at 7pm.  It starts up for the year next Monday, October 8th.  If you want to go, but don't have a ride, let me or Mr. Waugh know.  I'm sure they can find you one.  Two students that could also help you get there would be Tim Coulter (the guitar player in chapel) or Allison Henry.  Any of them can get you directions too.  Think about !

Get Smart for Homecoming

Ok, so I usually post on Mondays, but since homecoming announcements started yesterday already, I thought I'd shoot this one out today.

My wife and I always see movies late.  We don’t even get them through Netflix or Redbox.  We are proud users of the public library!  Anyway, we watched Get Smart with Steve Carrell and Anne Hathaway recently.  What a hilarious movie!  The best part about the story was watching the ‘dorky’ guy come out on top.  He shows up the pompous, cocky The Rock, solves the case, AND gets the trust-issues prone girl, Agent 99. 

What does this have to do with homecoming?  Well, I’m talking to guys here.  I know you’re thinking about if you’re going to ask a girl to the dance or not.  You probably think you have to be the Rock to do that.  But, let’s face it, you’re shrimpy, feel awkward, whatever.  Steve Carrell proves you wrong!  You can get Agent 99!  You’d be surprised how many not-hunk guys win the hearts of gorgeous ladies. 

Impress the girl you’re thinking about in three ways.  First, sharpen up a bit.  If you’re like most guys, you don’t think about your appearance much.  Dress a bit neater, shave, throw some gel into that hair, spiff up your style of glasses.  Oh, and floss and suck on some Altoids.  It goes a long way. 

Second, take initiative.  Ask a girl to the dance!  Yes, it takes guts and you may get rejected.  Welcome to the world of being a man.  Unfortunately, too many guys would rather sit back and let the girl do the chasing.  Trust me, no woman wants to marry a lazy, “you do it” type.  I asked my wife out four months before she said yes!

Last, get loveable.  When James and John asked Jesus if they could be great in His kingdom he didn’t criticize them.  Instead, he redefined “great”.  He said, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”  Jesus was not giving girl advice here, but the principle He’s giving is that when we begin to look out for other’s interests and needs, that is true greatness.  So, be interested in her.  Do you sit by her in a class?  Ask her about stuff.  Don’t creep, but just be kind; be helpful.

Remember, you’re probably not determining your future spouse here, so take a risk, have fun, and ask her. 

It's good to doubt

I asked my first period class to come up with questions that they would like to ask God.  I had them write those down on a 3x5 card.  A few cards added something after their question.  It was something like "I'm not doubting You, but..."  I thought: it's actually good to express doubt.

When we're younger we live in a world dominated by child-authority relationships.  We learn to listen, obey, and respect.  Of course, as you mature your relationships change.  You learn to develop more intimate connections.  You develop friends where you share more personally.  You admit difficulties or feelings that bother you.  That's one thing that makes friendship what it is. 

Too often, many of us never enter friendship with God.  We remain in the stage of listening, obeying, and respecting.  But if you are a believer, Jesus calls you friends.  And friends can admit doubt.  Doubt is only a problem when it hides.  There it slowly erodes your heart and mind.  Instead, bring your doubt into the open.  Bring it even to God himself!  He's big enough to handle it and wants to be there for you and help you process it. 

So, don't be afraid to ask questions and don't be afraid to begin by bringing those questions to your Friend.