Author Archives: geoffsnook77

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Asking for God’s wisdom: Part 1

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During my personal devotions in James last week, I came across this verse: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (1:5).”
I’m always interested in what that actually looks like in life. Here’s a few thoughts from my experience the past week of how the Lord provides wisdom.
Ask and Act
Someone asked me for advice this past week, and I didn’t have a clue how to answer them. In my heart, I asked the Lord for some wisdom, thought about it for a 10-15 minutes, and then the solution came to me. I was encouraged directly by this person for the wisdom I offered. I relied on the Lord and He gave me some good counsel to share. I asked, received, and then  acted.
Ask and Wait
Another opportunity availed itself where someone asked me how to break the proverbial evangelistic ice with a young parent. How should this person begin to discuss spiritual things with someone who definitely doesn’t have it on his/her radar?
This time I asked, and acted, and pretty much got the opposite response: “That’s really not any help at all.” You have to love honesty! I asked the Lord what should I say, and pretty much got nothing. But the wisdom I soon realized was, “Geoff, you’re out of touch with evangelism, and need to start seeking more opportunities, and taking advantage of those opportunities when I give them to you.” Now this wasn’t audible, but after I waited, and waited for some good counsel to give, this is the counsel I feel the Lord gave to me. 
I still need to answer the person’s question, but I also need to ask more and wait more. It was good to not get an answer right away. Tom Petty, who’s lyrics seem to always pop into my head for sermons and blog entries (which is strange b/c I don’t think he’s really known for his clever lyrics, at least on paper), sang, “The waiting is the hardest part…you take it by faith, and take it to the heart, the waiting is the hardest part.” Asking and Waiting can be hard hard, and times you may not look wise at the moment, but asking and waiting will indeed make you wiser with, as James writes, “the wisdom that comes down from heaven (James 3).”

Instead of making one long post-since I don’t read any long posts myself-I’ll break this up into several posts.

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Texting Safety

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When I watch Connar chase balls down our driveway, I’m impressed with the “angles” he takes to position himself so the ball doesn’t roll past him. If only Sabby Piscitelli, the Buc’s starting strong safety last year would have taken such angles, he may still have a starting job. But recently he was demoted, and he didn’t take kindly to it. 
For him it was not only that he didn’t deserve the demotion (yet its hard to argue that he wasn’t the the worst player on a terrible defense), but how he received news of it: via text message.

I guess some things are best said in person. It is so much easier to send a text or an email than actually talking man-to-man or woman-to-woman. But here is another good reminder that doing what is efficient and safe, doesn’t equate to doing what is right.

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Som sex offenders not welcome in the NFL

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The NFL has a number of felons in it. My new secondary team, the Cincinnati Bengals, since the Bucs won’t be on TV up here (but they won’t be on TV in the Tampa area either for half of their games anyway!) have boasted their fair share of not-so-law-abiding citizens. Now there is a player conduct policy in place by Commissioner Roger Godell, so that athletes like Ben Rothlesberger rape (allegedly) young ladies but get off through loopholes, they still get suspended. Even if that 6 game suspension will probably go down to 4 games for being nice.
But here is a story of alleged rape, that the victim even recanted, which has this lad unable to break into the NFL. Apparently there is a line that the teams won’t cross and here it is. But I wonder whether this sex offender did anything worse than many other NFL players.

As heinous as this act was, I’m reminded that in Christ we do truly do have a clean slate. While its hard to tell from the article, the athlete may actually get that. Hopefully because probably won’t experience that truth anywhere else.

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Almost Christian?

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One of the article’s points is that many teenagers don’t believe in the gospel but this:
…..”a moralistic therapeutic deism.” Translation: It’s a watered-down faith that portrays God as a “divine therapist” whose chief goal is to boost people’s self-esteem.
Unfortunately very accurate in my experience with youth. But also accurate was the author’s challenge for parents to explain WHY they do certain things. Is it their faith which moves them to show love for others, or are things done out of moralism? Without explanation, because truth is best taught while it is being caught, we leave our children with nothing but “the gospel of niceness.” I love that line.
The last very helpful point the author raises, which all centers around Kendra Chrissy Dean in her book Almost Christian, is the negative affect parents can have on their children’s spirituality. Youth are now growing up noticing there is little difference between Christians and non-Christians. Here’s but a small suburban example.
The parents next door don’t claim to be Christian, and have no qualms about skipping church for sports or any other activity that pops up. But I wonder how many Christian parents even ask the question, “What is this teaching my child, and what will be the best for HIS or HER faith down the road?” Regardless of where you land with the church and sporting events, and what is acceptable or not acceptable in regards to participation in such Sunday activities, it’s hard to argue against simply asking and honestly answering that question.
With Connar growing up loving anything to do with “balls,” I’ll soon be fighting this battle-but battles can be well worth it.  It is foolish to think that years of any behavior which ignores Jesus’ daily Lordship will go unnoticed by our kids. Guess what commitment to the gospel and church they’ll soon have if they don’t see it in us. Will we continue to see kids grow up to be “Almost Christian?” I hope not, but this is a sobering reminder to parents, pastors, children and youth workers. 
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"shorter" thoughts

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In order to graduate from RTS-Orlando, we had to pass a bible proficiency exam as well as memorize the answers to many questions from the Westminster Shorter Catechism. The WSC includes a number of questions and answers that help sum up some main teachings and themes of the bible and form part of the “constitution” of ours and many Reformed denominations.

Sometimes people elevate the overall document we call the Westminster Standards too highly, and put them on par with the bible. Folks like me, who take a few exceptions (conscience bound disagreements over applications of the documents) here and there, can soon become the “bad guys” and may have some fun getting ordained. 

Nevertheless the misuse of something potentially good, by people who consider themselves “Truly Reformed” shouldn’t cause us to throw the whole thing out. I don’t want to be that Angry Reformed “likes-to-theologically-fight-guy” who is just always angry at the unrighteousness of others (often overlooking his own arrogance or lack of joy). I recently met a pastor like this. 
But we need not turn into likes-to-fight guy, just for knowing the same stuff. I used this C.D. put out by a seminary buddy named Bruce Benedict to assist in my memorization. The thing I like most about this music is that it is actually good. And memorizing it to music with a guitar and percussion has allowed much of the lyrics (simply the Q and A) from the catechism to stick even now. They’re not like Barney songs which stick and then you want to get rid of them.
In fact, when I was preaching on Ruth 4 a few weeks ago, I noticed the book didn’t end with Naomi holding a baby, but with a genealogy ending in David. The book was really about King David, who then points us to King Jesus. So the sermon’s application questions were 1.) what does a King do 2.) and what would it look like in your life today?
I thought back to how “Jesus executes the office of a King.” WSC 26 includes his duties as “ruling” and “defending.” There’s other stuff, there, but the main ways Jesus operates as King is by ruling and defending. So I emphasized letting him rule (Lordship over all of life) and letting him protect (trusting him to deliver). 

Its not just good for preaching, but for life. How would you define sin, which can be nebulous at times? Well the WSC gives us a fairly complete definition to work with: a lack of conformity or transgression against the will of God. Now others have come and fleshed that out a bit more, but at least you have a foundation. At least you can share or defend what sin is to others in a simple trustworthy way.

Anyhow, just wanted to share with you the benefits of having some grasp on the WSC.

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Finding the life you’ve always wanted in retirement

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I came across this book the other day when I was searching through Amazon.com. I’ve learned over the years that publishers often get the final say when naming books, just as newspapers do when they publish articles from “contributing religion editors” like myself in Bradenton (even though one of my “spiritual gifts” is naming sermons and articles.)
Anyhow, I think the title of this book is quite telling of an American audience that either embraces its career as an idol or considers it non-redeemable: The Joy of Retirement: Finding happiness, Freedom, and the life you always wanted.  How sad a picture of work and life that “the life you always wanted” would really be found upon retiring. I’m thankful for those retired folks like my Grandma who continues to use her retired life to graciously and generously minister to her family, friends, and church family. I’m wondering if this “life we’ve always wanted” means self-autonomy or real love for others. Standard untamed American retirement almost always leans toward the former.
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Sacrifice and Joy: Lessons from an NFL Fullback

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Here’s a cool story by Sports Illustrated that a facebook friend brought to my attention about NFL fullback Tony Richardson. If Jesus were to speak highly of one particularly position in football, it would definitely be the Fullback. Before the book and movie The Blind Side, I would have been tempted to say offensive line, but now they’re getting more publicity and lots of money. Fullbacks make MUCH less.

The fullback position is all about blocking, and sacrificing yourself for the good of the running back. Of course, in that sacrifice, there is great joy, and that comes out very clearly in this well done article. This is definitely worth the read, and I’ll be rooting for this 39 year old to make some NFL roster. The NFL needs more Richardson’s for sure.

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Introverts are people too

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First of all, I’m hoping this post makes at least a little sense, because I’m constructing most of this post in the midst of a “restless leg v. insomnia” battle at 1 am.
Anyhow, I have to admit that I really don’t understand extreme introverts. I’m not one. Like my son Connar, I usually need to be around people to get energized. That’s not saying that I don’t like to be alone at times and fish, or watch a Bucs game.  And I don’t love being in places where I don’t know people just to meet people-that to me is hard work. But for the most part, I’m pretty extroverted.
As a pastor, I’m trying to learn more, and encourage all kinds of folks to be involved in serving the church in all kinds of ways, consistent with their gifting and even personality. I want to meet people in their introversion. That’s not to say that I accept the introverted excuse to ignore visitors sitting near them (I’ve seen this in churches and it drives me nuts when folks play the “introvert” card). Introverts need encouragement in this direction, just like extroverts need to be encouraged to have deeper and more meaningful relationships.
With personalities in mind, I know its probably not best to put an introvert as a greeter. But there is probably much more to ministering properly to introverted folks than this. Looks like I may have found a good resource in this blog, Introverted Church, and also in this book: Introverts in the Church

If you are an introvert, have introverted children, minister to introverted folks, this blog really offers some things I haven’t seen anywhere else.

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Dungy vs. Ryan III

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This is my last post in this brief blog mini-series. 
Public figures tend to speak about or against other public figures, well, in public. That is never a good idea. For Tony Dungy, he was simply asked a question and candidly responded, according to his convictions. So I do get that. I can also understand how hard it would be to speak privately to public figures, particularly when both are so busy. 
But the good news in this situation is that both busy men were able to speak to each other “man-to-man,” and clear the air. Each apparently unapologetically explained his point of view, and it looks like Dungy may even head out there some time this Fall. 
Christian leaders, theologians, pastors (and all Christians for that matter), can learn from these two coaches. Nothing is better than speaking “man-to-man,” but very often our public examples simply blast each other publicly, like opposing politicians, all in the name of truth. Sometimes they forget love, and the simple application of love: a courtesy phone call. How many churches could be saved from pervasive anger, division, splits, folks leaving by simply talking with each other? Talking doesn’t solve all problems, but you would have to think it would really solve some.

I’m glad these two coaches, who probably still hold fast to their own convictions regarding cussin’-N-coachin’, could at least talk it out.

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Dungy Vs. Ryan II

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Well, you know the Rex the “F-bomb” Ryan would respond to Dungy’s comments (which I think may be ill-advised) over his cussing.
Ryan’s retort actually makes some sense to me. Here’s a summary and my take on it:
1.) Self-justification and “judgment” Whenever someone “judges” someone else-though very often, and in this case, I think its more of an evaluation-you inevitably get the “don’t judge me b/c I’m a good person” card. And this case is no different. If Rex Ryan really claims to embody this “I’m going to be me” attitude and F$%# everybody else, then why even feel the need to fire back at Dungy? Why feel the need to defend yourself and tell the world you are in fact a good person? 
Whenever we forget who really justifies us, we’ll always fire back with the “I’m really a good person” defense. Always. Most people who say they don’t care about what others think actually do. Only Jesus can take this need to defend ourselves away, because he nails it to the cross and exchanges our badness for his goodness. Notice I didn’t use quotes this time.
2.) Cussing and “bad” people. Ryan is right. There are many “good” people who cuss, and plenty of “bad” people who don’t cuss. There are many folks who cuss, but they love better than those who don’t cuss. Words are part of the way we love others, and build them up, but as I John 3:18 reminds us, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” Humanly speaking, there are many “good” (relative to other people) who cuss, but have loved me better than non-cussers.
 
Sometimes we think people are acting Christ-like when they’re not cussing. Christianity can become overly reductionistic: don’t cuss, chew, or go with girls who do (I’m not sure what the King James translation of this would be-which unfortunately is all too apropos in my setting). But they may well be cussing and living a life more Christ-like than their clean mouthed neighbors.
In the end, I do think Ryan has a point that he was “unfairly” judged. Positives were ignored.
We’ve got to be careful not to make the dividing line between someone doing right and wrong, cuss words. Again, I’m not arguing that expletive tirades are good. I rather think they are bad. But this can’t be our sole evaluation, nor is it one which scripture places on a higher plane than the failure to actively love others.